Page 214 - Musings 2020

breeding and lady-like upbringing shall be his wife. Only a Princess of the greatest pedigree.
As such, he already had a fiancé chosen for him by his Mother.

(“Did he love her, Papa?” “No, sweetie. He barely knew her.” “But then, they can’t get
married!”. “Wait and Watch, darling. I’m almost there.”)

She was beautiful and lady-like. She was the epitome of a perfect and powerful Princess, the
most suitable bride for a prince like him. But neither she loved him, nor he loved her. And
neither cared for that was not how they were raised. (“What…. But Papa! That...”
“Sweetheart, let me finish.”)

But then, on the day of his official engagement, he was enamoured by one of the dancers that
had come to perform for the ceremony. (“Finally!” James smiled indulgently at his
daughter.)

She was so vivacious and expressive, lively and thrumming with life, that throughout her
performance, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. His fiancé noticed his attention and got
enraged. But nothing she did would register, he didn’t care.

Suddenly, his world had narrowed down to this one woman who captured the hall with her
beauty and grace. There was stillness and silence following her dance, that was unfamiliar to
the Prince who had only known stillness and silence his whole life. It was beautiful, and
awful, and terrific at the same time. For the first time in his life, the Prince felt alive.

He must speak to her, he must know her name. And so he tried to find her. She was with her
friends, preparing to leave before he caught her and begged her for her name and time.
Reluctant at first, considering who he was and what occasion she had been called for,
something in his plea must have appealed to her for she agreed.

And to the silent displeasure of his fiancé, he slowly and steadily spent more time with the
beautiful dancer. And he fell for her, more and more each day. Till one day, he begged her to
marry him. She refused, saying she didn’t want to break his upcoming marriage but he
insisted and took her to meet his parents.

And naturally, they were furious. His fiancé raged and raved and cried hysterically but he
couldn’t bring himself to care. What did hurt him was how it affected the love of his life and
so he asked for forgiveness and convinced his fiancé to give up on him and be with someone
she loves. Eventually, she calmed down and left, cutting all ties with the Prince forever.

And then he turned to his parents. His Father’s gaze was icier than normal, his lips set sterner
than ever. He was furious and the Prince could tell. His Mother stood dispassionate at the
side, highly amused as she watched her husband’s family break apart. And the little boy in
him cried and whimpered for he loved his parents and wanted their love that was never
granted to him. But the man in him stood firm, for his love and his future.

His Father’s words were few and cruel, his Mother’s silence mocking. He was told to leave
the orphan girl and stay as their son or never set foot in their land till they were dead.
Terrified and hurt, his love turned to leave. He grabbed her hand to stop her. She was shocked

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