Parker sits on the Gustan palace roof to look at the stars.
"there's my son."
His mother said as she peeked her head out the window.
"I have good news and bad news.. What do you want to hear first?"
His mother asked softly.
He turns toward his mother's voice and smirks, "Bad news first." He knows that he can handle the bad news better than the good news. It's just how he is.
"your father has arranged a marriage between you and the tasmanian princess and no one knows what she looks like or anything about her." His mother dropped on him gently.
"Fucking hell," he mutters under his breath, running a hand through his red hair in frustration. The marriage would be political and not because they loved each other. "So much for my freedom." He shakes his head, knowing that there's nothing he can do about it now. "What's the good news?" He asks reluctantly, already dreading what she might say next.
"not only did we gain the northern valley which will help with transportation, you have been gifted access to the east mountain which means we can start mining Targo." His mother said trying to smile. Targo was the strongest metal in all the lands and up till their point, tasmania was the only one who had it because it could only be mined on their land. This was a huge deal.
He nods in acknowledgement, trying to look pleased about the news, though it's clear he's still annoyed by the marriage arrangement. "The mining rights will be beneficial," he admits reluctantly. "But I can't help but feel like this marriage is just another way for my father to control me." His voice carries a hint of bitterness as he gazes up at the stars, wishing for something more.
"your father wants what is best for you.. he wants to set you up good before giving you the crown." His mother tried to soothe.
Parker purses his lips, unconvinced. "I'm not stupid, Mother. I know this is all about politics and power. I just wish..." He trails off, unsure how to finish that thought. Instead, he turns back to the stars, lost in thought once more.
"we all do.. but we are luckier than most remember that." His mother softly replied. "Maybe she will be great." She added.
He sighs, not quite able to bring himself to believe that the Tasmanian princess will be "great." But he doesn't argue with his mother anymore. Instead, he shifts around on the roof, getting more comfortable before continuing to look up at the stars, trying to find solace in their beauty and the vastness of the universe.
"I suppose there's no use dwelling on it," he mutters under his breath, closing his eyes briefly. "I should focus on making sure our people are happy and prosperous."
"you should be happy as well. Sadly our lives are not fully our own but I can try to hold a meeting between you and the tasmanian princess before the wedding." His mother suggested.
He nods, appreciating his mother's offer to set up a meeting between him and the Tasmanian princess before their wedding day. "Thank you, Mother," he says softly. It would be nice to get at least some say in who he'll be spending the rest of his life with. Still, he can't help but feel a twinge of resentment toward the entire situation. He forces a small smile, hoping it looks more convincing than he feels. "I'm sure everything will work out fine."
"they will... I love you darling. Goodnight." She told him before going back inside.
"Love you too, Mother," he whispers before returning his attention to the stars above. It's been a long day, and tomorrow will be no different. He needs this time to clear his head and gather his thoughts. As he watches the stars twinkle in the night sky, he wonders what kind of person the Tasmanian princess is...and whether they'll ever have a chance at finding happiness together.
the next day his mother told him the princess would come later that evening. But when the time came the princess and her guards showed up but the princess refused to meet Parker. The guards met with Parker instead. "Your highness.." a tasmanian guard said sheepishly. "The princess is not happy about this arrangement.. we practically dragged her here but she will not leave the carriage.." the guard softly said and Parker could tell the guard was exhausted from trying.
"Understood," he says with a sigh, trying to sound more confident than he feels. "Just make sure she knows that I'm willing to meet her halfway and do whatever it takes to make this arrangement work." He pauses for a moment, considering his words carefully. "And tell her... tell her that I won't force her into anything against her will."
His heart feels heavy as he says the words, but he knows they must be true.
"can you please try to get her to come out.." another guard asked.
He hesitates, then nods. "I'll try," he says softly. "But I can't force her." With that, he takes a deep breath and makes his way over to the carriage where the Tasmanian princess is currently hiding. As he approaches, he reminds himself that she must be feeling just as lost and confused as he does right now.
"Your Highness," he says gently, standing several feet away from the carriage door. "My name is Parker.
he heard nothing and tried the handle. It was unlocked. He opened the door slightly and could see me the carriage was empty.
My heart skipped a beat as I realized she wasn't there. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before calling out once more, "Your Highness? Princess?" It felt strange to be addressing someone I knew nothing about, but I hoped that she was nearby enough to hear me.