Obligations

As I enter the great hall of the castle I find Avius, Poseidon, and Esperanza gathered together Quarreling. Gustine looks as bored as ever but stands aloofly. Timothy stand by him looking annoyed as well, but as soon as he sees me his face lightens and he trots over to me.

“What’s going on?” I ask Timothy.

“Avuis is discussing how the kingdom livecern/katerince lavinta won’t send supplies to our troops to help. So there’s kind of in dilemma. Also Gustine….”

“Quiver!” shouts Gustine from the other side of the room. He swiftly but gracefully walks towards me and Timothy. “I was wondering when you were going to show.  He pushes Timothy out of the way and stand close to me leaning a little bit of his weight on me.

Timothy snorts and Gustine quickly gives a foul look to Timothy.

“What’s the matter Timothy, are you catching a cold?” Gustine ask.

“No….”

“If so, you should probably keep your distance. Wouldn’t want to give the future king of raisodor sick, do we?”

Annoyed, timothy groans. He mumbles under his breath as he walks away. I watched him and wanted to follow, but was kept there due to Gustine who was blocking my way.

“Excuse me Gustine, but I’d like to get in on what the adults are discussing.” I pushed him gently out of my way and headed over to Esperanza. I hadn’t really been interested in their discussion, I just wanted to get away from Gustine. Didn’t work, because like a little confused puppy, he followed me. I rolled my eyes and ignored him as best I could. I got closer to Esperanza she turns to me and whispers.

“There you are, I’ve been looking all over for you. Where were you?”

“Quick think of an excuse!” I said to myself.

“I was out in the apple orchard.”

“I thought I checked there…”

“Well you know me, I never stay in one place for too long.”

She glared at me raising an eyebrow.  “So I see. Poseidon wants to speak with us about an important matter.”

 I sighed… “Great!”

Esperanza turns to Avuis, “how long will you be staying?”

“Until dawn.”

“Good, I would like to discuss something with you later tonight. I will have one of my servants prepare a room for you.”

“Thank you my Lady, but I would much prefer it if I stayed with my troops.”

“Of course. I will have one of my servants call for you latter this evening.”

Avuis bows and turns to leave the room.

“Now Poseidon, what was it that you wanted to talk about?” asked Esperanza turning to face Poseidon.

Poseidon smiles then turns to look at me. “Is this Quiver?”  He asked looking to Esperanza.

 Gustine stands next to me and gives a crooked smile while looking at me. “Sure is!”

Poseidon looks at Gustine then me and smiles. I give a sly smile a little annoyed and inch closer to Esperanza.

“Looks like my boy has grown quit found of your Quiver.”

Esperanza smiles.

 “Esperanza, Quiver… The real reason why Gustine and I came to see you was because Gustine would like to take Quiver’s hoof in marriage.

My eyes grow in shock and I quickly look to Esperanza.

“We are greatly honored…”

“YOU CAN’T… Esperanza Please…”

“QUIVER!” Esperanza shouts out.

Gustine groans and turns to me with a frown. “I thought you would be pleased to marry me.”

I dismiss him and turn to Poseidon who has an irritated scowl on his face.

“I am honored that you would even consider me to marry someone such as your son, but I’m not ready for marriage and I am no match for Gustine. I’m not even a real princess, surely he could find some one more suitable….”

“That’s enough Quiver…” Esperanza shouts. “I apologize. If you could give us some time to think it over and for me to talk with Quiver.”  Esperanza studies Poseidon face and waits for him to respond he scowls but slowly nods his head. Esperanza quickly pulls me aside and pushes me into another room and closes the doors behind us. She then glares at me and shouts out. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Irritated I look at her pleading “YOU CANT EXPECT ME TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS!”

“As princes of Liverance it is your duty…”

“BUT that’s just it…” I cry.  “IM NOT A PRINCESS”

“QUIVER! You are my child just as much as Timothy.”

But Timothy is yours by blood, you just found me in the woods and took me in.

Esperanza looks at me in concern “But I still love you just the same!”

I give a small smile before responding. “I know that Esperanza…” I hug her softly. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I am not of royal blood. I’m no Princess. The kingdom will one day be Timothy’s not mine.”

Even if you are not born of royal blood you were brought into it, and are still apart of this family. The people expect to see things from you. Everyone sees you as a princess here.”

“THAT’S NOT FAIR!” I shouted out.  I didn’t ask to be princess,

“Neither did Timothy.” Esperanza replied. “You were both brought into the throne. You may not have been born into it, but I have raised you ever sense you were a foal. The kingdom looks at you as a princess; and you have been here longer then Timothy.

“But the kingdom is Timothy’s not mine.”

“And the kingdom Timothy will have.”

I look at Esperanza in confusion? “But if I marry Gustine won’t he become king?

“Of Raisodor yes, but not Liverance! Marring him will only create an alliance between the two kingdoms and you would become Queen of Raisodor.”

“An Alliance? But I thought the two kingdom where already in an alliance.”

“No! Yes me and Poseidon are friends and have been for a while but there is no true alliance between the two kingdoms. So much has been going on with the war and everything and Poseidon is smart enough to not create war between the kingdom’s.”

“I understand, But this is my life. You can not expect me to make this choice.”

“Quiver! We Don’t have time for this! Refusing such and offer could cause a  RIFT BETWEEN THE TWO KINGDOMS! Is that something you want?

I drop my head. “I understand. But Gustine?”

“I know he is full of himself, but he will provide and be a good husband and father to your children.”

“CHILDREN?” I shout. “I’d have to bare his children. I can’t imagine myself doing anything with that stallion. Let alone bare his children.” “Do you understand what you are asking of me… I’d rather saw my leg off then to even kiss him!”

“Now Quiver!” she says scowling. “He is not that bad.” Gustine is a very fine stallion. I know this is never an easy task. I remember being upset to when I was to wed Cali.”

“But you and Cali loved each other.” I said in confusion

“Not at first.” She responded. “I didn’t even know him, I was sent away from my home as a gift to Cali’s kingdom. I was to wed to the prince or else war and devastation would be announced against my kingdom. I was very young but I understood my duty to my people, I knew I had to protect them. I knew my place; it is time for you to know yours”

I drop my head in silence.

“Now we are going to go back in there and you are going to except his offer. Understand?”

I nod my head. She smiles and head back to the door. I follow her in silence.

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