Yurien's Story

[Kazuki4356]

An Unexpected Announcement
Yurien's Story

The butler threw open the door to the ballroom as Yurien approached. Yurien nodded to the servant as he entered the spacious room. Music from the orchestra filled the hall as party-goers danced or chatted. Yurien sighed and looked around. "All spoiled nobles with far too much money trying to marry off their daughters for their own gain," he thought to himself. He walked over to his parents, the current king and queen.

"Ah Yurien my son!" his father called out to him. "What do you think? Lots of fine upstanding women here tonight. You'll have your pick."

"Of spoiled girls who couldn't even dress themselves without their servants," Yurien added sarcastically.

"Try not to think like that dear," Yurien's mother said. "These are all fine girls, who all come from good families. Please try to have a good time."

"Fine..." Yurien replied as he walked away to mingle with the crowd. He didn't get far when the first girl approached him.

"My, if it isn't Prince Yurien," she said. "Lovely to see you again. What fine weather we're havi..." The girl, her attention focused on Yurien, slammed into a maid who was serving drinks, knocking the tray to the ground, shattering the wine glasses on it. "Watch where you're going you ditz!" The girl screamed at the poor maid.

"I.. I'm terribly sorry," the maid replied.

"You'd better be!" the girl replied. "Know your place! Now then, Prince Yurien, where were we before we were interrupted by this worthless ditz."

Yurien glared at the girl. "You're the one who bumped into her," he stated coldly. He walked over to the maid and bent down. "Are you ok?" he asked.

The maid blushed and glanced away, "I..I'm fine, I apologize for causing a scene and failing in my duties. I.."

"It's not your fault," Yurien interrupted. "You were just doing your job. Here, I'll help you up."Yurien reached out with his hand. The maid blushed, and grabbed it. Yurien pulled her to her feet. "There we go," he said.

"T...Thank you Prince," the maid said. "If you'll excuse me..." With that the maid ran off.

Already the guests were chatting about the incident. "Did you see that?" "Taking the side of a servant, disgraceful" "Is it true what they say about the prince having a thing for commoners?" "Maybe he just likes maid uniforms" Yurien ignored them and waked away.

More girls came up to him throughout the night, trying to make conversation, but Yurien wasn't particularly interested. However, near the end of the party, a pretty girl with a serious look came up to him. She had long brown hair tied up in a bun, with a few strands hanging down, wore glasses, and had on a red cocktail dress. "Ah Prince Yurien," she said. "I'm Rozny Drodi. I'm sorry I would have liked to have talked to you sooner."

"About the weather I suppose.." Yurien sighed.

"Weather? Not at all. Well good weather is important and all, but this is more a business matter," Rozny replied.

Yurien was a bit surprised about hearing a girl mention a business matter. Oh, what sort of business matter?" he asked.

"Well, I run the Drodi Foundation. It's a charity that provides food to people who have had their crops ruined by drought, war, that sort of thing. As you can imagine, it's expensive to operate and..."

"And you want someone to donate to your cause, am I right?" Yurien replied.

"In short," Rozny said. "Without our aid many people would starve. Anything you can spare would be for a good cause."

"Say no more," Yurien said. "I'll gladly donate something. I doubt I'll be able to convince my father to donate much money, but I'm sure I could contribute a large shipment of grain."

"That would be great," Rozny replied. "Thank you so much."

"Think nothing of it," Yurien said. "Beside I don't imagine you've had much luck convincing the people here to donate."

"Not really, but there's still time," Rozny replied. "Thank you so much Prince Yurien. If you'll excuse me though."

"Of course," Yurien said. "Good luck."

"Thank you again," Rozny said as she turned, then mixed in with the rest of the crowd.

"Well at least something good might have come from this," Yurien said to himself. "I'll just go see what i can work out about that grain I promised then get some sleep." With that Yurien left the party.


A bright light filled the Yurien's room as a maid drew back the curtains.

"Good morning Master Yurien," she said. "It is already past 10, and your parents would like to see you in the drawing room. Also did you hear news of the big jewel theft last night?"

"Mmnn... Jewel theft?" Yurien groaned as he stretched. "It's only 10... a few more hours won't hurt..."
"That won't do Master," the maid replied. "Your parents have an important matter to discuss with you. Plus it is unseemly for one in your position to sleep so late."

"Fine, fine," Yurien said, then let out a big yawn. I'll head down as soon as I get dressed. You can go now."

"Very well Master. I shall be back to check on you shortly that you don't go back to sleep," the maid said.

"Damn..." Yurien replied. "What can be so important anyway?"

"I do not know Master," the maid replied. "However, I was told to tell you it is a most urgent matter."

"Fine, I'll be there," Yurien replied.

"Very well Master, I shall leave so you can get changed,'' she replied. The maid turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Yurien got up and got changed. "Well, they said it's important... Guess I'd better head down there..." he said to himself. He left the room and headed to the drawing room. He got there, then entered the room. "Mom, Dad, you wanted to see me?" Yurien asked.


"Yes, we have something to tell you. We arranged a marriage for you," Yurien's father said. "The youngest daughter of the Floris family of Arderia."

"Wait? You arranged a marriage? How could you do that?" Yurien exclaimed.

"Well dear, you're already 25," his mother replied. "Frankly, your father and I are worried about you."

"Not only that, we need to think about the lines of succession," Yurien's father said. "As things stand now, you are the only one in line. If something were to happen before you produce an heir, our linage would come to an end."

"I understand all that, but can't I choose my own fiancee?" Yurien exclaimed. "I should have some say in this too. After all it's..."

"Enough!" Yurien's father cut him off mid-sentence. "Your mother and I have been very lenient and allowed you ample freedom. However, you rejected every eligible candidate to consort with commoners. We cannot allow this behavior to continue indefinitely."

"So I have no choice in the matter?" Yurien asked.

"I'm sorry dear," his mother replied. "We're just trying to do what is best for you. You won't be getting married right away either, so you'll have time to get adjusted. Of course your fiancee will move into the palace to get her prepared for her role, thus you shall have an opportunity to get acquainted with her first."

"I see..." Yurien replied. "When will she be arriving?"

"That has not yet been arranged," his father said.

"May I ask to be allowed to travel to Arderia to accompany her back then?" Yurien asked. "If I am to have no choice but marry this girl, I should be allowed to meet her as soon as possible."

"Very well," his father said. "I see no harm in that."

"I shall leave tomorrow," Yurien said, as he turned and walked out of the room. He walked back towards his room. Along the way he passed the maid from before.

"Good day Master Yurien," the maid said. "I apologize for speaking out of place, but you seem troubled. Did the meeting with your parents not go well?"

"My parents told me that they arranged a marriage for me," Yurien replied. "I can't believe they would do something like this..."

"I... I see..." she replied as she glanced down and to the side. The maid took a deep breathe and looked back at Yurien. "I'm sure they're just doing what they think is best for you, Master. I'm sure they have chosen a fine fiancee for you"

"Yeah, I know..." Yurien replied. "Still... Anyway, I shall be leaving tomorrow to bring her here. Please inform the stables to have a horse and carriage ready with provisions enough for a trip to Arderia."

"Yes, Master," the maid replied. "If you will excuse me then?" The maid hurried off to fulfill Yurien's order.

"I wonder what kind of girl she is..." Yurien said to himself. "They could have at least told me her name..."