Decisions

"It's not good to think you are better than other people," the King reminded his daughter.

"Oh, I know. I don't think I am better than other people. I'm sure that he makes his family very happy... and I know there are many things that he is better at than I am. For example, he is excellent at sports. I couldn't catch a ball to save my life. Likewise, there are some things that I am better at than he is, like thinking and acquiring knowledge." They were sitting at the royal table. The Queen and the prince were off on a shopping expedition to a foreign land.

"Be careful. Arrogance is always a trap. Do you have to see him again?"

"Yes. No. I don't know." She pushed the salad around on her plate.

"You don't know?" The king filled his mouth with an enormous bite of tomato in a notably elegant manner.

"Well, I'm seeing him again tonight." She sipped some wine.

"When do I get to meet this young man?" The king ate more tomato, this time with a little cheese.

"Why do you want to meet him?" The princess pushed the plate away and leaned against the high backed chair.

"Well, you know I love sports. I'd like to meet the young athlete." The king winked.

"You're not going to humiliate him, are you?"

"Of course not."

"Why are you going to humiliate him?" Two servants glided in and cleared the table.

"Why are you going to see him again when you just spent the better part of an hour complaining about his lack of intelligence?"

"I was just venting." The princess checked her hair for split ends.

"Well, if you like him so much, you should bring him up to see me."

"Fine. I will. But be kind to him."

"Of course, I'll be kind. I'm not the one who thinks he is 'incapable of original thought.' I just want to meet the man you are dating." The king folded his hands rather proudly over his slender waist.

"Maybe I won't see him after all."

"Oh?"

"No. I just feel tired all of a sudden." She looked a little bit sad.

"Coffee will be ready soon."

"No. Tell the maids to send him away when he arrives." She stood up and arranged her skirts around her.

"Of course, dear. Will you join me for chess later?" The king beamed.

"I'll be there." The princess sulked out of the room.

"Good girl. You could use the practice." The king called after her. A servant put a raspberry sorbet garnished with a sprig of mint and a freshly made espresso before the king. He looked most pleased.