William
The great hall was filled with guests. Normally it was filled with cousins and aunts and uncles but with the return of his father came lords and politicians from all over the world of Karthmere.
William reached out and grabbed a second helping of some local orange vegetables that were a favorite of the lord of Lakehall.
Sam continued to chat with one of William’s aunts as they ate at the main table which hosted the closest family to the System-lord. The closer tables were filled with other lords of Karthmere from the surrounding area and politicians from Greendowns and the other few large cities on the planet.
Further throughout the hall members of his fathers staff and that of Lakehall and companies joined with and enjoyed the feasting and drink. Bots ran from table to table as they brought fresh food and took old plates away. William knew that his father would be down here late into the night visiting each and every table.
William took a sip of his drink. The sweet mead from local nectar tasted good but he reminded himself to pace himself. His father would drink into the late night hours and as the night went on William would get one of those rare chances of time alone with his father.
His father tried to eat as he entertained questions from both Kevin and Kori who fought for his attention with those around the table and those who came to offer their welcome to the lord's safe return.
Uncle Alyn sat at one end of the table and rippled through the flesh of meat on a bone still and drank a large sip of mead that flowed into his beard when he laughed at something someone said. William shook his head at his father’s right hand man and so called uncle.
William felt Sam pinch his shoulder before he heard anything. “What?” He asked confused and looked at her.
Samantha let out a small laugh. “I said, what do you think about the wedding?”
“The wedding?” William asked and drew a blank before he remembered the buzz that came with the return of the small fleet to Karthmere. “Oh yeah, King Oswald. Um I don’t know, what is there to think? It’s a wedding, they happen everyday.”
“Yeah but Will, she’s our age and he is older than our parents,” Sam said quickly. “The anniversary of the queen's death is only a few weeks away. I don’t know, it just seems creepy to me. I wouldn’t marry some seventy year old, that for sure.”
William shrugged. “People remarry. Hell I’ll bet it’s political anyways.” William scooped up several small blue balls onto his spoon and brought them to his mouth and ate them. He looked at his girlfriend and smiled. “But hey I’m glad he isn’t your type. I’m not one to judge. I wouldn’t normally go for someone that old either but have you seen what…”
“If the next words out of your mouth are some actress, model, or athlete I’m gonna smack you right here, You understand?” Sam with a growl.
Will nodded as he took another bite from his plate. “I’m just saying that everyone has their own type. Who knows, maybe she is super into old dudes. If it’s political that sucks, but it’s still her choice.” William shook his head as he took another bite.
“Our fathers and mothers could arrange any marriage they wish for us. It still requires our approval. Doesn’t matter who they wish, at the end of the day they will accept that I will marry you.” William told her and took another bite.
“You will marry me?” Sam asked. “And they will just accept it? Don’t I get a say in the matter?”
William continued to eat. “Yup. I mean really they recommended and preferred I marry you because my father says that I can’t do better because there's something wrong with you for liking me another,” he told her and finished another bite from his plate. “And I’m just waiting on the right timing to ask so that you do say yes, but I know you will,” he said with a shrug and another bite.
“Oh really?” she asked with a smirk and leaned in to kiss William on the cheek. “You're a fool William Stout. A giant pain in the ass fool but I do love you,” she told him as he continued to clean the food off his plate.
