WILLOCK 65

Times Square, London...

Dearest Citizens,

It is to be known that the Duke of Vikings' son, one of London's top ten most eligible bachelors, has already stolen a diamond. It is stated that he is among the top ten, but not to surpass the dazzling beauties of the Viscount's son. Rather, remember the handsome and hairy charm within the Baron's house. Despite being in the top ten, I must assert, dear reader, that he is the best among them.

His dazzling blue eyes, which lighten when he is ashamed, astonished, hurt, or humiliated, complement his dazzling white skin that turns red when he scratches too much. Well, every fair complexion turns red, doesn't it? It was nearly two, or rather almost three, years ago when this boy was introduced by the Viscount in the grand ballroom. Now, he is being embraced by the wings of the king and shall take over the palace of Wales, ruling with whatever title he wishes.

As you all know, statements like "fortune fates the bravest" do not do justice, or maybe his fortune, having wooed a princess, has favored him with the most exciting of all positions — the Duke of Wales. Shall he be the Prince, or will we have two kings? Dearest reader, Times Square loves rumors, but today, we refrain from spreading any, as the King himself has sent out various cards to welcome you all to the ballroom dance celebrating the engagement of the Duke of Vikings' son to the princess.

Welcome, all, to the Duke's township. Let's enjoy our very own celebration as the number of aging bachelors and spinsters decreases, welcoming the newest diamonds into this great Kingdom. May the Lord bless the lovely lovers with beautiful fortune and as many descendants as the stars in heaven. Hail love, hail love. Love is a beautiful thing... indeed.

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"They always have something to say," I stated as I adjusted the collars of my shirt. Times Square is always enamored with its rumors; it never ceases to care, gaining more followers day by day. Times Square, indeed, a company of its own wants. I had visited the Lake of Tigris and taken care of the shipments, in addition to handling some calculations while discussing the workings of the hotel with Debris.

I did not have enough time to search for Ezron, as it had already started pouring, and I needed to arrive home as fast as possible. The priest had requested that our wedding be set to happen as fast as possible, as he was to leave for Rome to choose the next pope or something about the Catholic Church. Therefore, the ballroom dance party was arranged as swiftly as possible, and I knew the pressure my father and mother felt. I also felt much pressure, as I had not yet planned my duties when I am finally a married man. Is marriage different? I kept asking myself. I wondered if we shall ever have our own differences, hates, and pains. I always wondered, I really did.

"Willock, father seeks a word," my brother stated from outside my room. I had to leave; the ballroom would start this evening. I had also taken some of my art and showcased it in the exhibition room. I had one artwork for the princess, hoping she would love it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

"Hello, Father," I said upon arriving in father's library. He was always working; I wonder when he ever had a day off. He was always out, whether taking shipments, checking the ranches, or attending meetings with the barons or the king. Some parliamentary meetings, all that, he just was everywhere. It all seemed too easy for him, but I knew, I felt, it was never easy, he just made it easy.

"Son, you are to be engaged today," he stated, closing the book he was reading and facing me with the most serious of eyes. I knew this was going to be one good life lesson lecture I am yet to take.

"When I was your age," he started, paused, took a sip of water, and then continued, "when I was your age, I hated the idea of being married and marrying a woman. Father never saw any good outcome coming from me. He always viewed me as a waste of energy, time, and resources. That was the major reason why he sent me far away to the Lake of Tigris, where I met your uncle Lord Hirlvington in one of the bars..., The charming viscount, who had just taken over his father's property after death.. Lord Hirlvington was a charming man, one who loved jokes and ideas,.. he was charming, he really was. As time went by, we started the wrestling idea, and eventually, we formed a notion that the citizens of the Lake of Tigris should live a life of humanness without considering the aspects of culture and social classes. That's how it all began. I tell you this, son, because I see now that you have grown, and you will be a family man. By a family man, I mean you will have responsibilities—so many responsibilities that at some point in life, you might forget how happiness and rest ever felt like. It is a part of a man's life. We should never lay our heads in bed and sleep. That is why I am always harsh on you and Charles when I find you sleeping early in the morning. Sleep is what divides us from the peasants; sleep is what divides the middle class from the low class. Sleep. When I talk about the middle class and the low class, I wish not to have you set eyes on our fellow dark-skinned brothers and sisters. Those humans are ours to live with; we are one now, and I am happy for that, I have. After the King's brother married one of them, their lives changed. However, my statements are not about the textures of skins; my statements are about the value of working.

Son, I had hoped you would marry by around twenty-five; maybe then, you would have had ideas about the kind of life you want to give to your children and the kind of life you want for your wife or family. You are young, but you will make it all happen. However, I seek to tell you that your party days are over, your resting days are over, and I need you to start calculating your returns, supplies, and demands. Consider what you want, wish for, and what you can have—everything you can use to your advantage in London and all that. I hear the Barons already took the oil company that the king owned. I hear they already rule over the ranches and plantations with the best corn and flower productions. I hear the blacksmiths are heading to seek refuge with the Barons as the King has not paid them, and their families need payment. I hear you shall rebuild Wales; that is the agenda of the King. He is to test your capabilities, in addition to using you to derive power from the Barons and take it back. Son, politics has never been a great game; politics never left a man unbloodied. Politics leaves a man numb; politics is a dirty game. I believe he gave you a map and talked about chess. If he did, dear, it meant he left you the title. It is you to reclaim the power; he has already given you a queen."

With that, father left, and I found myself scratching my head. The map, chess, Wales, tax, and suddenly I started piecing things together. That person collecting tax from Ezron's mother. Of course, father knew a lot about Wales; of course, I should have taken Scotland, but the king would find me choosy. A choosy man is never regarded as a leader enough; it is just like a warrior. Skilled warriors never need to choose their opponents; they just fight whatever comes their way. And suddenly it hit me; the life I was living was now hanging on a cliff, and I was on the cliff with a girl who has been raised to be a princess. I knew I needed to do something about it. I needed to know first if the palace had enough workers, enough lighting, enough everything, then head to the plantations. Of course, if I was to live in the palace, it meant that I would lead the whole. Bavdon was never as big as Wales; Wales was more of England. It was like leading millions of humans, humans waiting for your aid. I needed to know how much the smith men had not been paid; I hoped it would not end up worse. I needed to know more about Wales. I needed a right-hand man to take me through the journey of Wales. I needed a brother; I needed an assistant. I needed Ezron. They sure would never lack. I shall find you, brother.