Once upon a time, there was a prince who lived in a castle.
He was seventeen years old and completing his education soon as well as
preparing for engagement. His parents, the king and queen, had arranged
princesses and other young ladies to meet him and bless them with marriage.
Only that—the
prince didn’t love girls. He loved guys.
“Mother, I
want to marry another boy,” the prince said.
“You do?”
asked the queen.
“I’m gay,”
said the prince.
The king hung
his jaw down. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”
“I’m sorry,
father, I… I wasn’t sure if you’d accept it.”
“Of course
we would, son,” the king said. “It’s just that… we don’t know any other gay
guys.”
“There has to be someone out
there.”
A guy cried
for help outside. The prince ran to the window. A boy, around the prince’s age,
carried a rose outside the moat.
“Has anyone
seen Casey?” the strange boy asked.
“Um… may I
ask if Casey is a boy or a girl?” the prince asked.
“He’s a
boy!” the guy stared at the prince. “Were you overhearing my—”
“Sorry,”
the prince said.
“Why do you
care?” asked the boy.
“W-well…
b-because—”
“I’m taken,
sorry.” The boy turned around.
“Wait!” exclaimed
the prince.
The guy stopped.
“You’re gay
too?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, isn’t
that wonderful?” the queen approached the window. “In fact, I think you should
have dinner with us tonight and let my son get to know you.”
“But I—”
“We’ll have
the guards open up the gates and take it from there,” the queen said.
Some time
later the royal family and the new boy sat at the dinner table. The butlers
brought out the food.
“So what is
your name, sire?” the king asked.
“I’m Kyle,”
said the guest. “And there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Well, our
son is due for marriage soon,” the king said. “And he just told us that he’s gay.”
“So am I
and—”
“You and
our son would make a perfect couple, Kyle,” the queen said. “We’ll make you both
live happily ever after.”
“What I’m
trying to say is—”
“And you
two will rule the kingdom together,” the king added.
“I’m in a
relationship!” Kyle yelled.
There was a
pause. The whole table went silent.
“I’m sorry,
but I can’t marry the prince,” Kyle said.
The king
sighed. “Fine. Then I guess you guys will just be friends.”
That night
the prince sat in his chamber. Tears stung his eyes. He and Kyle could be
friends. But the prince loved him as a partner.
What if
there were no other guys to love? The royal wedding was set to start in six
months. The prince only had a few more days to find a suiter.
But Kyle
seemed to sob outside. “Casey, you can’t do this to me.”
The prince
rushed to his window.
“I don’t
love you,” Casey said. “Honestly, I don’t feel ready for a relationship.” He
walked away from Kyle.
The prince hurried
to his parents’ chamber. “Mom, Dad, I need your help with something.”
“If it’s
about Kyle, I’m afraid we can’t do anything about it,” the king said.
“That’s the
thing,” said the prince. “His boyfriend doesn’t love him. He broke up with him.”
The queen
gasped. “Oh, that’s terrible.”
“Can we let
him back inside?” asked the prince. “Please?”
“It’s nine
o’clock,” the king said.
“I don’t
want to lose him,” the prince said.
“Your
majesties!” cried Kyle.
The queen
walked to the door. “We’ll let him in.”
After the
guards let Kyle in, the prince approached him. “Are you all right?”
“Casey’s
used me this whole time for nothing,” Kyle said.
“I’m sorry,”
said the prince. “But… maybe I can make it up for you.”
“You really
think so?” asked Kyle.
“Yes,” said
the prince. “I promise to love you with all my heart. I’ll never cheat on you
or dump you.”
“You
promise?” Kyle asked.
“I do,”
said the prince.
Kyle
smiled.
The next few months, the two spent several dates together. They married in the late summer as prince and prince. And did they live happily ever after? You decide.