Nick stood on his balcony, overlooking the courtyard in front of him where the people of his village celebrated. His faher's army had just defeated another enemy and they were rejoicing his return.
"Hey, Nick."
Nick glanced over his shoulder at Miley. "Yes?"
"Dad wants to see you."
Nick nodded and she left. Nick looked at the celebration once more and then walked out of his room. He walked along the halls and into the large banquet room where his father, his mother, and his father's soldiers were all resting.
"There's my boy!" his father called, enveloping Nick in a hug. "How're you doin son?"
"Okay," Nick responded. "Victory?"
"Victory," his father confirmed, dipping his head in a nod. "It was fairly easy. They withdrew once they caught sight of my numbers. We were mostly there trying to tie up loose ends."
"Nice,'' Nick said bleakly, gazing around.
"So Nick, we need to talk," his father said slowly.
"So talk," Nick said, looking at his father.
"In private."
His father led him back up to the balcony where he'd just been standing. "Look at that," his father said, gesturing to the village people below. "They rejoice because of my return. But it is time they rejoice for another man...My heir."
Nick looked at his father. "Where'd this come from?"
"You're twenty-one, are you not? It's time you've chosen your bride and married."
"I don't need to marry to take over," Nick said.
"But every king needs a queen," his father argued. "Just look at your mother and me."
"Your marriage was arranged," Nick said. "I'm not hving an arranged marriage."
His father sighed. "I'm not asking you to, though your mother and I turned out fine. I want you to find a nice woman. But Nick, if you may, please do something forthe good of the kingdom, also. Find a girl where our villge can join their village in a strong alliance."
Nick gazed down at the village people. "I understand."
"I'm sure you do." His father patted him on the back. "Some of our allies are down there," he said quietly. "Why don't you go down and find a woman."
"Yeah, I'll do that," Nick said in a monotone.
"Oh, and Nick?"
Nick glanced at his father.
"We have that council meeting in two days," he said. "All the major leaders will be there, and that includes our family. But it also includes the Gomez's. Stay alert."
"Got it."
His father walked out and Nick contiued to gaze at the party.

Demi and Miley were walking along the celebration, waiting for Bridget to come out.
"Are you ready for the council meeting?" Demi wondered.
"It should be interesting," Miley murmured.
"Hey, guys." Bridget walked up, smiling.
"Hey. We were just talking about the concil meeting."
"Won't the Gomez's be there?" Birdgit asked.
"Yeah?" Miley said. "Why?"
Birdgit shrugged, "No reason," she said, looking away.
Nick walked up to them. "Hey."
"Hey, Nick," they said in unison.
"What'd dad want?" Miley wondered.
"He wants me to marry," Nick grimaced.
Demi smirked. "Arranged?"
"No," Nick shook his head. "But he wants me to marry one of our allies so we can join our estat with theirs."
"I'm sure you can find a lot of girls who'd be willing to do that," Miley giggled, looking pointedly over his shoulder.
Nick glanced over his shoulder where a group of girls were standing. When he looked at them, they all started giggling and waving at him.
Nick let out a sigh and faced his sisters. "Oh, joy."
Bridgit laughed. "Don't get too excited."
Nick glanced around. "Isn't mom making you guys marry?" he asked.
"Maybe," Miley shrugged. "You know mom. She waits for us to be in a good mood before dropping something like that on us."
"True," Demi agreed. She grimaced. "Growing up sucks."
Nick smirked. "You used to say being a kid sucked."
"Everything sucks," Demi laughed.
Nick just shook his head, smiling. He glanced at the group of girls and sihed. "Here goes nothing."
Bridgit, Demi, and Miley laughed. "Good luck," Bridgit said.
"You'll need it," Demi said.
"Try to keep them from shredding your clothes," Miley chuckled.
He threw them all dirty looks and then walked over to the girls. "Hey, ladies," he said.
They all responded at the same moment. "Hi, Nick."
"Would any of you like to dance?" Nick asked.
They all started pushing forward, saying "yes" and "of course" and "I would."
Nick took the hand of the nearest girl and led her onto the dance floor. She giggled as they walked, blushing and smiling. As they began dancing, she continued to giggle and blush.
Nick looked at his sisters who were watching him, laughing.
Nick grimaced at them and then sighed.
It would be a long night.

The next episode will be on MsStoryteller411's channel: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть