The Heir

I am stirred awake by the feeling of a cold chill, the wintry wind invading my oversized chambers through a neglected open window. Quickly leaving the warm confines of my bed, I shuffle over to the opened portal, angrily slamming closed the shutters that are permitting the icy fingers of winter to steal away my comfort.

"Damn that maid", I mutter to myself, frustrated with the commonplace of incompetence of the help to be found in your father's castle. Shortly after muttering these words, the doors open, revealing Jozlyn, my personal servant.

She's wearing a black and white dress, one typical for cleaners and house maidens. Her pleasant bust juts out of her top in a fashion that I'm not ashamed to admit I very much enjoy. I also like her dark hair, long and flowing, and am especially fond of her ample bottom, which is shown off quite often during her cleaning duties. Sadly, she's not here to dust the chandeliers or light the candles.

"A message from your father, Lord Aerin." she says, her head hung low. I take the message, and quickly dismiss her from my private quarters. I open the letter, revealing the grave news contained within:

Dearest Aerin, I regret to inform you that I have been bested. Not by man nor beast, but by a damned foul disease. Too many drunken nights whoring, too many proud days away from the healer after battle, too many times not listening to your mother. Regardless, the healers, monks, and even my best generals tell me I am not long for this world. A few weeks at worst, two months at best. As my sanity fades, I write you this letter. You are my most trusted child, and I leave my kingdom in your hands. However, I will not have a child behaving like me in their prime. You will be wed by the time of my , or you will not take my throne. I take great displeasure in putting you under such pressure, especially now, but your mother ensures me this is the right course of action, and I'm inclined to agree. Find a suitable partner, try to love them like I learned to love your mother, and I know my kingdom will remain in solid hands.

Your Father, Lord of All The Realm, King Raimund Pridewood II

My poor father, meeting an end unbecoming of both the legend and the reality of my father's life. Even as distant as most royal family members are, I cannot help but feel a deeps sorrow for the loss of such a renown hero, and of my father. Still, one more word of interest on the letter is bothering me, almost as badly:

Married? Even so close to , my father prevents me from living my personal life the way I choose to. Still, he doesn't lie, especially not about matters of the kingdom. I'll need to find someone to wed in holy matrimony within the next few weeks, or risk control of the realm going to one of my brothers, or perhaps even one of my sisters. They won't be happy about this letter, either.

Too awoken by the horrible news to return to my peaceful slumber, I decide to start the day early by inspecting myself in the mirror...

Authors Note:

Alright, I went ahead and set up a Patreon page. I'll never hold anything I make behind any kind of paywall, and everything I make will always be free. If you'd like to get more involved in my writing, and help me out a little bit, here's the link: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=23193699