"There's only us, there's only this
Forget regret, or life is your's to miss
No other path, no other way
No day but today." ~ Jonathan Larson

The hot sun shown down in waves on the magnificent kingdom. There on the balcony stood a young prince leaning against the wall. He was a rather handsome adolescent with eyes bluer than the sky and hair that glittered like gold. His skin was tanned from constant time spent in the sun's burning gaze and a tall, lean body of defined muscle from continuous training.

It was lazy afternoon, one he spent scrutinizing the obligated behaviors of the nobles. However, that was not the current problem on his mind. He took in a deep breath and sighed through his nose.

What should I do now?

"Prince Theodore," a familiar voice called behind him.

Turning around he met eyes of similar blue. Tall in stature, with wisdom and strength oozing off of him was the king of Calisia. He was a man in his late 40's who still held onto his youthful vigor. He had the same sky blue eyes as his first born son but darker, dirtier blonde hair.

"My son, care to tell me why you are wasting away such a pleasant afternoon watching the most dreariest people in the kingdom?" He said with a cheeky smile only reserved for his family.

"Really father? They are nobles, shouldn't they be treated with more respect?" His son asked amused.

"Yes well, they probably should but we don't need their egos inflating more than necessary," the king mused with a hand on his chin.

The prince shook his head in disbelief.

"But I also know that that is not what is bothering you right now," he wisely spoke searching his son's eyes.

With a deep sigh the prince turned back to his original position.

"It has been a month since I reached my regal age as a prince, it was only a matter of time before the royal councilmen approached me." He spoke.

"And what did they say pray tell?" The king asked, moving forward to stand at his son's right.

"As the successor of the kingdom, I must now focus more on higher royal duties and be more involved in the day to day running of the kingdom."

"Surely they must be more?" The king turned to the prince.

The weary prince met the eyes of his father and knew there was no point in hiding the truth.

"The first order of business is to secure the next generation successor of the kingdom." He quietly stated.

"Ah,"

They stood in silence for a moment.

"Father, what should I do?"

"There is nothing you can do but do what they ask of you. Usually crown princes are only approached with this matter in their early twenties." His father said.

"Then why am I an exception?" He asked confused.

He gave his son a look. "Because you are wiser than most princes were at this age. It is why they believe you can take on this responsibility."

"Of what? Being a parent?" He said disgruntled.

"No, of course you a not ready for that, but that does not mean you're not ready for a wife." He said.

"I'm a decade and eight years!"

"I was only a year older when I married your mother," the king shot back.

The prince quieted.

"You do not have to become a parent as of yet because you are surely not prepared. However, finding a wife to be the next queen is a responsibility of yours as she too must be groomed to lead by your side." He advised the young prince. "Take a look down there, there are plenty of noble girls to choose from."

"But finding the perfect queen is more than just being able to carry yourself in an upright manner. Most of the nobles girls were only taught that much, they do not know how to handle a difficult situation as most of their problems are dealt with for them." The prince said with conviction in his voice.

The king briefly looked at his son before facing down at the nobles. "Well, what about Lord Lane's daughter Lorraine? She is quite remarkably pretty and has a good intellect."

The prince followed his father's line of vision and saw Lady Lorraine walking through the gardens with her fellow noble girls.

She was a girl of beauty with baby blue eyes, long luscious brown hair and bronze skin. Her cheeks glowed with a fierce red and her lips held a pleasant smile. A gorgeous blue gown accented her eyes as she held her fine body with grace.

"Think about it son, it is worth a try." The king briefly touched his son's shoulder, before walking of and leaving him to his thoughts.

Prince Theodore turned his head to look at the receding figure of his father before returning his gaze back to Lady Lorraine.

As if feeling his gaze, she looked up and met his eyes with her knowing ones.

A smirk played on her lips.

He held her gaze for a pregnant moment.

Maybe father is right.

And he turned and walked away.