Engagement

Williams got up early that morning and took his bath, dressed up before going downstairs.

"Good morning, your highness." The maids greeted as he walked past them and, as usual, he just gave a curt nod then continued his movement to the dining table. On his way, he bumped into his sister, Emily.

"Good morning, bro!" She squealed excitedly, and he shook his head.

"Good morning, Ems, and aren't you too happy this morning." He chided, walking ahead, and Emily snorted.

"I'm thrilled this morning, bro." She responded, rushing after him.

"Are Mum and Dad back?" He asked, not waiting up for her.

"Yes, they came back last night and mum said something about having a guest this morning over breakfast." He paused, then turned to her.

"Who might that be?" He asked, but she just shrugged.

"I don't know, maybe it's that 'Sophia' girl again." She added with a grim look.

Williams grained, rubbing his forehead. "If she's the one, then mum should count me out because I'm not having breakfast with that bimbo on the same table." Emily grinned then hooked her hand with his.

"Come on, let's go see who our 'guest is'." She dragged him to the dining hall, and only his mother and father were seated eating breakfast.

"Good morning mum, Good morning dad." They respectfully greeted their parents.

The king and queen raised their heads at the sound of their children's voice, the queen smiled and got up.

"Morning my little cuties. How was your night?" The queen asked while giving each of them a hug and a kiss on their forehead.

"It was okay… I guess." Williams replied, and the king's brows raised.

"You guess?"

"What happened?" The queen asked, her attention on him.

"Nothing happened, mum, I guess I was so tired last night that I was unable to sleep." He lied. He was busy thinking about a particular someone that he was unable to sleep.

"Well then let's have breakfast, then you can return to your wing for some rest." The king said. They took their seats and maids served them, they began eating when they heard voices.

"Sir Richard and Lady Sophia." The guard at the gate announced as the said people made their way to the dining table.

Williams rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath when he heard their names.

"Good morning, King Wilson, Queen Esmeralda, Crown Prince Williams and Princess Emily." Lady Sophia greeted while curtsying.

The queen beamed, then said with a cheerful voice. "Good morning beauty, please have your seat." Lady Sophia stood straight then took the seat next to Williams, Emily grumbled and rolled her eyes.

Lady Sophia scooted closer to prince Williams, then whispered in her tiniest and seductive voice. "Hey Wills." Williams didn't pay attention to her little effort of speaking to him. Instead, he snubbed her.

"Williams!" The queen who saw what he did called with a stern voice, and Williams raised his head to look at her.

"Lady Sophia is speaking with you, and it would be so impolite not to say anything back." He gritted his teeth, then turned to Lady Sophia.

"Hi." He replied, then returned his attention to his food with a scowl on his face.

Queen Esmeralda sighed, then brought out her long, well manicured hands and placed it on Sophia's.

"I'm so sorry, Sophia, you know how Williams sometimes acts." Lady Sophia forced a smile.

"It's not a problem, aunt." Emily and Williams scoffed at the same time, ignoring the glares from their mother.

After their uneventful breakfast, the guests were led to their rooms while Williams and Emily returned to theirs.

"I so much hate her, she acts all meek and kind when she's an evil bitch herself." Emily grumbled under her breath.

"Same here, and I wonder what mum and dad see in her and her stupid uncle. She's so fake for my liking." Williams added, then stood up.

"Bro, are you going out today?" Emily asked.

"Yes, and I won't be back until next week." Emily gasped.

"Why? Where are you going? You know I'm the only one in this castle and I always look forward to the days you'll be here, but anytime you are here, you'll always leave me alone. You don't spend any time with me, you're always going out. Tell me, brother, do you not love me anymore?" She pouted sadly, but groaned when Williams flickered her forehead.

"Ouch, that hurts." She glared at him while rubbing the spot.

"Good for you silly, look I love you very much but as the crown prince I have numerous responsibilities, but I promise to spend enough time with you when I'm less busy." He promised.

"Alright." Emily agreed after much hesitation.

"Thank you." He strode out and entered the car already waiting for him.

"Where to crown prince?" The chauffeur asked.

"To the airport." The chauffeur nodded, then ignited the car and drove out.

>>>

DAYS LATER.

Williams was in his room going through some files when he heard a knock and ushered the person in. The butler stepped in and bowed.

"Good day, your highness, the royal highness requests your presence in his study room." The butler said, and he got up, abandoning the files. He took the stairs to his father's study room and as soon as he got there, the guard made to announce his presence, but he shook his head.

He knocked on the door and after hearing an affirmation from his father did he went in.

"Good morning father." He bowed, placing his hand on his chest.

"Hmm, sit." The king orders, and he took one opposite him.

"Son, I called you here for something very important and I want you to listen carefully." He paused, staring at Williams before continuing. "You'll be celebrating your birthday in three months time, right?" He asked, and Williams nodded.

"Good, then, can you tell me the age you're attaining that day?" Williams furrowed his brows but answered.

"Twenty Seven (27)"

"You're going to be Twenty Seven in three months time, and you don't have someone to call your girlfriend or even betrothed, then tell me son how are you going to rule if you aren't planning your future. Well, the good thing is that, your mum and I have everything sorted out." He paused again, staring at William's eyes to see if he had his attention, and when he saw he did, he went on.

"Your mum and I- but your mum precisely—picked some girls, and we were able to come up with the best on for you. We've decided that on your birthday banquet, you and Lady Sophia will be engaged." Williams eyes widened as he sprang from his seat.

"I don't understand father, are you trying to say that on my birthday I'll be getting engaged to Sit Richard's niece Sophia?" He asked to be more certain his ears weren't failing him.

"As you've heard, and we've already sent words to the Greystone's family, and they've agreed with the arrangement. So, I decided to inform you, so you wouldn't be too surprised on your birthday." Williams groaned out loudly.

"Dad, I don't love Sophia. I don't even like her, her mere presence irks me, and now you're telling me that I'm getting engaged to her. I'm sorry, father, but I can't and won't." He growled, raking his hand in his hair.

"You won't speak to me like that, Williams, you're getting engaged to Lady Sophia and that's final." The king waved his hands, as a gesture that their talk was over.

"Father, I have someone in my heart, and I'm sorry to say this, but I can't get engaged to her; if you will excuse me." He stepped out of the room angrily.

*****

FAR FROM ARISLAN CASTLE.

The car finally came to a halt and a man stepped out with his face Stoic. His face was devoid of any emotions, as he wasn't feeling anything about what was going on around him. He makes way into the place he calls his 'home' and as much as he has lived here for sixteen (16) years, he still finds it hard to call the place 'home'.

He yearns for another thing, to be with another, while he had his wife waiting for him inside.

As he stepped in, a woman of about Forty or do cake closer to him with a warm smile on her face.

"Honey you're home." She smiled, walking out of the kitchen with her apron on, she took the briefcase in his hand then hugged him and placed a light kiss on his lips.

"How was your day, honey?" The woman asked, staring at her husband, enamored.

"It wasn't that productive, but it was okay." He pulled from her hug, then took the stairs without looking back.

"Come down soon, dinner is ready." He could hear a little pain in her voice, he wouldn't deny that he hadn't made the woman he called his wife dad most times but what could he do, the inner beast inside of him what another not her.

He sauntered to 'their' room and slumped on the bed exhausted, emotionally exhausted; he closed his eyes briefly but only regretted it when the happy memories of that person rushed in. He snapped his eyes opened quickly and groaned staring at the ceiling, he wondered why he couldn't forget? Why couldn't he forget them? He sighed tiredly, ignoring the beast growling in him, then moved to the bathroom, this was his future, and he had to live in it.