“And what about this one sire?” the servant asked, handing the king yet another document.

Tristan watched as his father took the paper and quickly read it. Then he smiled and signed something with his quill.

“Alright, that can be arranged. Anything else Mr. Jameson?” he asked.

The servant, who was also a dear old friend of his father, shook his head with a warm smile.

“No, no sire. Everything seems to be in order now. Thank you,” he said, bowing.

The king returned a smile. “Good, good. Honestly, what is Bartholomew thinking, catching a cold and leaving all such work on his father? Remind me to tease him as soon as the fever fades.”

Mr. Jameson let out a light laugh. “Indeed, I shall tell him. Although. I think we both know that Miss Lila will be quick to follow your lead with her own jokes. She does not like it when you tease her ailing husband.”

Tristan did his best to hold back a laugh. He knew as well as anyone how feisty Lady Lila could be, especially when it came to her family! Even the king stood no chance against her.

“Trust me my friend, I look forward to such occasions,” his father chuckled.

Then Mr. Jameson bowed and left, giving the two of them privacy at long last. Tristan had been called into the king’s study almost an hour ago, but because of pressing matters their discussion had been made to wait. Now it was nearly ten o’clock, and his father looked quite worn out from his duties.

“Father, this can wait if need be. You look tired,” he said gently.

“I am always tired these days. But alas, this is a matter that cannot delay. I trust you know of what we must discuss.”

Tristan grimaced. Yes, of course he knew, being that his twenty-first year was about to arrive. According to the law, he could no longer remain unmarried. If he chose to forgo finding a bride before that day, the throne would be passed on to his younger brother.

Honestly, he had no problem giving up the title as eldest Prince, even if it meant giving up the prospect of being named king. It was not something he looked forward to, nor was it something he dreaded. In truth, he was merely indifferent the situation. However, since he did not wish to let down his father or his mother, who had spent many years grooming him to take over their fine rule, Tristan was doing his very best to turn out as a good fit for this tole. From a very young age he had been trained to take on his father’s kingdom, a responsibility he intended to honor with all his heart. Besides, his next brother in line was much too careless for such a position. Why, Dustan would sooner let the country fall than to get out of bed at a reasonable time!

“So, what has the counsel said? Is there a list of this years most eligible women? Am I to be bombarded by their perceived qualifications and beauty?” he mumbled.

His father gave him a sympathetic look. “They planned to approach you with all that, yes. But, knowing your hesitance in the matter, I decided to come up with a new idea. Something a bit unconventional really.”

Tristan was intrigued. “Something unconventional? Like what?”

His father, who was a man known for his unusual way of dealing with issues, and his knack for making his own brand of mischief, was also keen on any and everything ‘unconventional’.

“Well, after thinking about the matter of your marriage seriously, your mother and I discussed some potential ways to go about this. You could do as the counsel suggests and follow the pattern of most other Prince’s. Or, you could throw a ball, and choose the woman of your liking from among anyone present,” he announced with pride.

Tristan frowned. A ball? As in, an event where dancing and conversation were required?

“Father, surely that would prove to be just as tiresome! And to think I would have to dance with every girl there, as well as make a choice? Honestly, I would rather not meet my bride-to-be at all then!”

The king laughed. The two of them were so different in almost every respect, and often clashed on opinions with matters such as this.

“Wait son, it gets better! I decided to make a month-long ball, giving you plenty of time to narrow down the candidates of your liking. It will be good for publicity as well, in that all the noble families will be willing send their daughters here, giving our kingdom a chance to heal some breeches with other lands.”

Tristan had to take a minute to let all this information process. So, he would be faced with the task of getting to know hundreds of women? With all of them vying for his attention, but only one of them being taken as his wife? All while having to decide which one would prove most advantageous as queen?

What had he ever done to deserve such a cruel fate!?

“My son, why do you look so pale? Come now! You cannot get an opportunity finer than this. I am allowing you to choose your own bride from among all the potential women that can be found, not just the ones our counsel approves of.” His father said.

Tristan nodded. He knew this was a very, very special opportunity, and that he should not make light of it. However, it was still not easy for him to accept. Women in themselves were not bad, but he did not revere them the way that some men did. Most of the time Tristan found himself in the difficult position of trying to avoid ladies at his father’s parties. In truth, women were often more of a nuisance than a delight in his mind. Plus, to pick out a bride after just one month? To be faced with the burden of choosing a woman who would one day rule by his side as queen? How would he get to know all their strengths, weaknesses, talents, and family connections in a timely manner? How would be able to decide on which Lady could prove to be the most advantageous? Even worse, what if he picked wrong in the end? What if chose a woman ill suited for the job? Then what!?

“Tristan, why do you pale even further?” His father chuckled.

His quickly shook away such thoughts and cleared his throat. “F-forgive me father, I am just nervous. I do not like this idea at all. There is nothing wrong with allowing the counsel to arrange the most recommended woman, is there?”

The king smiled and stood up to pat his head gently. Tristan, who had never been a very emotional person, even towards his very approachable father, blushed at such a warm gesture.

“Stop worrying so much! I came up with this ball because I thought it would make this marriage easier for you. Yet, you desire to resist?”

“But father, how will I know who to pick? When there are so many options, how will I find which woman would be the best queenly candidate?” he asked.

His father laughed. “Tristan, Tristan! You have this all wrong my son! I want you to have fun during this ball, and at the end, choose whichever Lady you like,” his father said softly.

Tristan frowned, insulted by the very thought of such a careless act.

“Look my son, you know I love your mother. Given the option to go back, I would marry her all over again. But at the time, as a young man who did not want to get married just for the sake of peace, I would have appreciated a chance like this. An opportunity to find love, to feel as if I had a say in what should happen in my own life. Tis not a thing that comes by often, even when you are king.”

But he was not a man of unrestrained emotions or lustful desires! Love, passion, attraction, those were not priorities to him. The only thing that mattered to Tristan was finding a woman who could live up to the reputation of his mother, and who could prove herself worthy as a queen!

“I suppose that all sounds quite nice when you put it like that,” he mumbled halfheartedly.

The king raised an eyebrow. “Why do you patronize me with your lack of enthusiasm?”

Tristan sighed. There was just no winning it seems…

“Alright my son, perhaps we should raise the standards a bit. I shall consider your concerns, and you mine. Agreed?”

“Oh? How so?” he asked with worry.

His father only grinned, a sure sign of mischief to come. “By making this a masked ball. That way your judgement cannot be hindered by pretty faces, nor put off by the identity of each candidate. You will not be allowed to know anything about her. Not title, or rank, or how many connections she has. No, I was absolute autonomy, so that you can make an unbiased choice of bride, based solely on your interactions and conversations with her.”

Tristan suddenly felt like his head was spinning. “Surely that is far too unorthodox!”

The man shook his head. “On the contrary, I find it both wise and practical! If we do not resort to these methods, how will you ever discern each woman’s true intentions and personality? Although, there is one more idea we could add to this little game and make it even better.”

“And what is that father?” he asked, almost afraid to know.

The king’s eyes sparkled with excitement, which could only mean a true mishap of the worst kind.

“I propose that, not only the Ladies wear a mask at this ball to keep identities hidden, but that even you join in the intrigue. We should have other men claiming to be the Prince, the same as you, spicing up this event for all involved!”

Tristan was confused. “Why?”

The king walked away to pace behind his desk, looking oddly giddy by this new prospect of theirs. “You and a few of our servants, whom we hand pick, shall all be dressed as the Prince before the guests. You will all take your turns with the ladies, with each of you displaying different qualities. The women are likely to behave around all of you, but perhaps it will coax more sincerity from them, seeing as they do not know which of you is the real thing. These conditions might even make way for you to find love, by way of an anonymous courtship.”

He gulped. “Hold on father, I am not so sure this will-”

“Excellent, you agree! Let us make preparations immediately!” his father said, ending the conversation right then and there.

Tristan held back a word of argument. It seems the matter had been decided. But still! Why was his father more excited about than the one in line to be married?