DISCLAIMER: Wicked is, sadly, not of my creation. It belongs to people who are much more talented and creative than I am.
Fiyero braced himself for the lecture that awaited him on the other side of the door. He had just been expelled from his third university. Contrary to what everybody believed it was because of his grades that he had been expelled. He was actually very intelligent, the idiotic, silly, playboy prince act was just that, an act. He took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Hello, son," his mother, Leauda, said, "please, sit down."
He did as she asked and looked at his father, Aduero.
"You have been expelled from three universities in three years," Aduero told him.
"That's hardly news, father," Fiyero replied.
"No, it's not. Are you, however, forgetting that upon graduating you are to take the throne?" his father asked him.
"No, father. I am not," Fiyero said, probably not in the best tone of voice when speaking of this subject to his father.
"This is your last chance at attending university. If you are expelled from Shiz we will find you a private tutor. If you want to finish your education at a university I suggest you take it seriously this time. Do not forget that your actions now are what people will judge your ability to rule on."
"yes, father."
"You may go now."
Fieyro turned and walked out the door. Once she was sure Fiyero would not be able to hear her Leauda turned to her husband.
"Do you not think we should tell him of our decision regarding marriage? He will havet o be told sooner or later. I would prefer to tell him sooner," she told her husband.
"When he comes home for Lurlinemas we will tell him. After all he will meet his future bride and queen at Shiz, or so I have been told," Aduero told her.
Leaua could tell her husband was done speaking about this and folled Fiyero out of the room only to see him loose his balance from pressing his ear to the door, eavesdropping.
"Fiyero, come for a walk with me in the garden, please," she said to him. It was more of an order than a request.
They were quiet until they reached Leauda's rose garden. Once they finally made it to their destination she sat down on a stone bench and gestured for Fiyero to join her. Once he was seated everything he wanted to say and was trying not to say came tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
"Mother, I will finish at Shiz, if that's what you're worried about. I don't intend on being expelled. I don't want another private tutor. As for the marriage thing, yes, I overheard, as you probably guessed, you and father talking about marriage and me, even though I wasn't named. That is the reason, well, part of it, that I don't intend to get expelled from Shiz. Three years at school means three years of not having to listen to father tell me I need to find a bride. Besides, I could easily meet somebody at Shiz who would love to be queen-"
"Fiyero, please, stop talking," Leauda cut him off. "Marriage is what I wanted to talk to you about. Your father wanted to choose a bride for you, but I have convinced him otherwise. Well, not completely, but we have come to a compromise. Your father and I have decided to give you a year to find someone on your own."
"And if I don't?" he questioned her.
"You will marry the girl your father has chosen."
"Has he already found somebody?"
"As a matter of fact, he has, and I can't stand her."
"Who is she?"
"Galinda Upland, of the upper Uplands."
"She sounds annoying already."
"She attends Shiz, so you will meet her. Her father is the Gilikan Minister of trade so your father thought it a smart match. I am sorry, Fiyero, but I have bought you a year to find somebody else. I just wish it was more time than that. You leave first thing in the morning for Shiz. Be good and work hard."
"Mom, you know I will. But, yes, I promise."
"Good, I always worry about you, Yero. It's my job to worry about you."
"I'm going to start packing and getting ready."