Men & Their Absurd Persistence

Most high-ranking royals didn't have a choice, with their strict families, they couldn't leave for matters their families found trite and frivolous. And those royals that are high up the line of succession that does have the choice to leave the throne behind - Louis as an example - abdicate to have their own lives, away from the monarchy and throne.

Subsequently, with Louis having abdicated, Sophia was next, and there was nowhere she could escape, seeing as she was the only royal suitable to lead.

Her stepmother, on the other hand, Emilia, was the polar opposite of her husband, a ruler respected by all. Arguably, she was one of the worst rulers Beldovia had ever had. She was cruel, uncaring, and incredibly biased. The Beldovian people had a field day with her as their ruler.

Of course, since she was the late king's wife, and there was no suitable heir to replace her, she was queen regent for the time being until Sophia was to find a significant other and the interregnum expired.

Had the interregnum expired and Sophia hadn't fulfilled all her requirements to become queen, her other family members would take her place. Of course, Julia would've been beside herself, since she insisted the crown remain in her late son's closest family, but it would have to be done, in accordance with the Beldovian law.

The interregnum wouldn't be expiring for a couple of months, but that was all the time Sophia had. There would be no exceptions.

Clarisse stared at Sophia.

"Enough of this Nicholas chit chat," she told the dejected duchess.

Sophia didn't reply to Clarisse, dazed.

"I'm taking you out," Clarisse told Sophia. It wasn't a suggestion, it was an order.

"Out?" Sophia asked hesitantly.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Sophia asked next.

"There's always paparazzi swarming the palace, how are we to exit?" Sophia asked.

Clarisse gave Sophia a dazzling smile.

"Who said we were exiting the palace in the first place?"

Sophia gasped in realization. Her eyes lit up.

_

The two girls sipped on mojitos whilst they chilled by the palace poolside on separate lounging chairs, pool umbrellas with the Beldovian royal crest printed on them providing shade to the two royals as they enjoyed their day.

"I'm so glad you proposed a girl's day," Sophia said to Clarisse.

Soft music played, whilst the two ladies didn't need to worry about their girl's day getting rudely interrupted, with the pool reserved for them for the meantime.

Clarisse smiled, "Been a while we did something this enjoyable, besides, before we frequent balls all summer, it's best we enjoy whilst we still can."

"I can cheer to that," Sophia said.

The two girls clinked glasses before Sophia fixed her sunglasses which had fell to the brink of her nose. The contents of her sparkling strawberry mojito swirled and in the sunlight.

Clarisse sighed, relaxed as she observed the Beldovian palace's chic poolside.

"This is the life," Sophia said from beside her.

"Chilling with you, by the poolside, without a care in the world…" Clarisse said.

Sophia chuckled.

'The closest thing to heaven on Earth possibly,' she mused.

She turned to Clarisse.

"Quick question, what's next on the improvised itinerary?" Sophia asked.

Clarisse had already thought of a plan on what to do next.

"What are you, no, we doing afterwards?" Sophia asked once more.

"Picking you up at 7, for greasy snacks," Clarisse answered, before adding, "And also avoiding any greasy snacks."

Sophia snickered.

"You know me too well," Sophia told Clarisse, ecstatic for game night.

Of course, she and Clarisse had known each other for many years, ever since they'd gone to the same prestigious university as each other. Sophia was the most intelligent of her class, with Clarisse a close second.

It might've been cliche, the two smartest girls of their class - and also royals of similar ranks being extremely close, but it worked. And one might argue that it may have seemed too… abnormal for two royals to willingly partake in such trivial activities, but it should be remembered that they were human. All royals were. And they were allowed to enjoy the simplicities of life. Despite the fact that both royals and the common folk had different meanings of said 'simplicities of life'.

_

"Well someone looks particularly bright today," Louis told Sophia, strolling down the palace hallway.

It was nice, being together without any other complications. Say, being pulled in different directions, etc.

Sophia answered, "Possibly because of Nicholas' absence."

Louis blinked. That was definitely not the case.

"Or is it because you had a fun time with Clarisse the other day?" Louis asked.

Sophia stared at him.

She mouthed jokingly, 'Stalker.'

Louis pleaded his case.

"If you recall, Clarisse is also a friend of mine, she told me about her plans," Louis reasoned.

Sophia chuckled.

"I suppose it checks out," she said sheepishly.

She laughed softly, but her face darkened as soon as she saw Louis'.

"And… I'm assuming you have something to tell me," Sophia said.

"Come on, spit it out," she urged.

She muttered, 'Can't be that bad, can it?'

Fortunately, Louis debunked her suspicions.

"It's not bad news or anything," he reassured.

"Julia," he started.

"She's holding a dinner dance tomorrow," Louis said.

[NOTE: A dinner dance is a social event where a large number of people come together to have dinner and to dance afterwards. In this case, it's held midday/noon.]

Sophia sighed. She wouldn't have Nicholas to hold up the ruse with. She'd be on her own, not that that it was substandard.

Undoubtedly, there'd be other royals invited, as Julia was a socialite in society - after all, she had once led it, despite the fact that it was quite long ago, she was still remembered as a brilliant queen.

Sophia inhaled sharply, knowing what'd happen tomorrow. Something that involved men trying to get her to fall for their childish charms whilst getting themselves a promotion in rank, and a shortcut to the throne.

"I best buckle up," she said with a sigh before mumbling, 'Men and their absurd persistence.'