They say that coming of age is a difficult time—even for princes.
Perhaps especially for princes, Seth thought to himself as he wandered through the market. Here he was, only 16 years old, and his father wanted to talk to him about the choice of a wife! His father had spent time explaining how important it was to secure the succession. How, after long years of political, and in some cases military, hammering he had forged a still uncertain peace; a peace threatened by even a hint of instability in the succession. He hadn’t needed to be reminded of the suspicious fire which had cost the lives of his five siblings . . . and almost cost him and his parents their lives.
He had known, in the back of his mind at least, how important it was for him to marry well, and to begin producing heirs. But so soon!
It was harder because for most of his life he had been the ‘second’ prince. His brother had been the one being groomed as his father’s heir, the one whose life was hedged so tightly about by ‘duty’; while Seth had been able to pursue, at least partially, interests not directly related to ruling; even being allowed to study under a military surgeon.
All that had changed two years ago when the rescuers pulled the bodies of his siblings, his oldest brother’s body curled protectively over that of his youngest sister, from the wreckage of their castle. His father, despite his grief, had immediately turned his attention to his second son, plunging him into a flood of training, meetings . . . and now was busily negotiating his marriage.
