Diplomacy

Michael

Michael watched himself grimace in the mirror as the stylist arranged the last pieces of his suit. He certainly looked like a king, even if he didn't feel like one. It helped his confidence a little. He knew that looking the part was almost as important as the ability to do the job. He had dinner today with some foreign diplomats. It was to be quite the affair with as many royals as the halls could fit with a grand ball to finish.

He strode down the hall to where his parents would be seated in the receiving room. Dinners with foreign nations were stuffy, but they certainly beat sitting in court and assembly meetings. There was at least food, even if the food was almost more art than actual sustenance.

The doorkeepers pushed open the heavy oaken doors into the sitting room, and to his surprise, it was just his father sitting there, lost in a book.

"Ah, son!" He smiled, his spirits looking higher than they had been recently. "Take a seat; I wanted to catch up with you as father and son before the big dinner tonight."

"Is that why mom isn't here?" Michael asked, taking a seat in a chair across a little coffee table from his father.

The king put the book down. "Your mother was feeling ill and won't be making dinner tonight. She's in bed resting."

Michael nodded, frowning slightly. His mother never missed events as important as this, sick or not. She must have genuinely been feeling ill. "Did you call a healer for her?"

"We have the castle healer on standby, waiting to see if his assistance is required. Your mother will be alright, son. I want to talk about you."

"Talk about what?" Michael asked. "School is going well, I'm attending every event required, and my tutor says I'll make a fantastic politician and king someday. Anything else?"

"Well, that's all well and good, but are you liking your studies?" The King asked.

He shrugged, eyeing his father suspiciously. "They're just fine, father. As you did, I'll graduate in the top ten percent of the class. I'm trying my best to be the king everyone asks for."

"That's not what I'm asking." The king said, looking at Michael with eyes of some emotion that Michael could not place.

"Go back to your book until it is time to receive the royals," Michael said, suddenly annoyed. "Don't pretend like you care."

"Don't take that tone with me." The king stood from his chair, the assumedly fake fatherly smile gone from his face. "I am trying to be a good father to you. Would you rather I not?"

"I would rather you not lie to me," Michael said, not raising his voice. "I have gotten myself on track. I haven't gone to a party; I have attended every dinner, ball, and meeting you have asked for; I have stayed on top of my studies; the tutor said I should be worthy of the throne in due time if I continue this work up. I will marry Annabelle if only to save her from Sean. That is all you care to hear; I would rather not speak unless necessary." Michael's chest heaved a little in the effort. His father was king, and it would be best not to forget it.

"You're still angry about what happened with Annabelle." The king said more to himself.

Michael didn't dignify that with an answer, squaring off his shoulders.

"Son, it shouldn't come as a surprise. You have known she'd be your wife ever since you were babies. You have been friends since childhood and began to grow fonder of one another. That is the best for both of you."

"Says who?" Michael turned around to face his father. "Who says it is best for us? Annabelle does not want to be queen, nor does she desire to marry me. Can I not take the throne without a wife? I can surely find someone else to procure an heir for the kingdom's safety. Just don't consider Sean for the throne, and don't force Annabelle's hand."

"That is not my call to make."

"Bullshit." Michael stormed from the room, ignoring his father's command to return.

Michael followed his father into the receiving hall, stone-faced and furious, where the nobles were seated, chattering with one another. He marked the familiar faces, which he would need to speak with after the dinner ended, who to avoid…

He spotted Sean and couldn't hide the shock on his face when he laid eyes on his companion.

Dressed in a rich blue gown dusted with silver embroidery and glitter that sparkled like starlight, Emma talked to Duke Mattuckle as if it was the most natural thing in the world.