It Is What It Is

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom founded by a poor king and queen. King Alex and Queen Regina were a fair and just couple and ruled with a gentle hand. Born unto them were three children. The oldest Armand was a strapping young man who at young age declined the throne, choosing instead to become the steward until an heir could be found. The second was Helena, a wild woman with no interest in the throne who decided instead to start her own kingdom nearby. The Youngest was Heather, and though she wanted to rule, she had no desire to do so as queen, instead wanting to control from behind the scenes.

Years went on and following in her parent's footsteps the princess Helena started her own kingdom and gave birth to three children, the oldest two with her first husband and the last with her second. The youngest child was a handsome boy by the name of Jeremy and was yet too young to even go to school. The middle child was Lucy and turned out exactly like her mother, a little wild. Helena's oldest, however, was different. From a young age, though she displayed no desire to rule, it was decided that she would one day take over the rule of both Helena's and Alex's kingdoms. Her name was Willow.

Willow grew into a strapping young woman, intelligent and witty and, while maybe not beautiful in societies standards, at time enthralling in her own way with her soft brown hair and chocolate eyes. As she grew, Willow came to realize that she had no desire to rule her mothers or grandfather's kingdoms, but felt she had no choice and so went along with her family's plans. Their only wish was to see her happy she supposed.

However, on the eve of her sixteenth birthday, it became known that when she became queen, they wished for her to have someone to be by her side of only to be a companion in the strenuous life of being a ruler. So, it was decided that she would start attending balls and festivals in search of a suitable match. It is at one of those balls that this story begins.

♣

It was the party of the elderly Lord Culver, and Willow was standing friend and confidant Cory Copper off to the side. Cory had been Willows wingman for years now, and though Willow herself had given up on ever finding a suitable suitor, Cory still attempted to set her up with anything that breathed. Over the past four years of hunting, Willow had seen very few men who she even liked, fewer still that returned her feelings, and so far, none that continued to love her once they got to know her for herself. Cory was not discouraged however and was currently scanning the crowd with a drink in hand, periodically elbowing Willow and asking her opinion on one man or another.

With a sigh, Willow excused herself from Cory and made her way out of the main ballroom and toward the sprawling gardens and warm night air. It was quieter outside, and the stars were out in all their glory tonight, providing the perfect distraction from the people inside. Dressed in a flowing purple and silver dress, she made her way passed the fragrant night-blooming flowers and farther from the party until, rounding one final corner, the distant sounds faded to silence, and she was alone but for the calls of the birds. Willow breathed in the night's gentle breeze and turned to sit down on a nearby bench, only to realize she wasn't as alone as she thought.

He was dressed in varying shades of blue that complimented his golden eyes and dark hair well. He wasn't as put together as some of the other gentlemen, and his skin was a pale olive tone, both traits marking him as a prince from the north. He was staring at her with a look of part aww and part amusement. Willow curtsied, and the prince responded with a nod.

"Hello Princess," He said in a low, quiet voice. "What brings you out into the gardens alone on a night such as this. Alone too at that. Is not gardens at night for the lovers?" and he chuckled at his own joke.

Willow shook her head. "I could ask you the same question Prince, as you seem to have been here first."

"Ah, you see, I am no longer alone now, as you have joined me." He extended his hand to Willow. "Prince William Mershon from than land of Herrington." He introduced himself.

"Princess Willow Krabbenhoft from Fleecer." She shook his hand briefly. "and if you are no longer alone, neither am I as it seems I have found company with you."

"So it seems. Though I am still curious as to why you came out into the garden. I would think a pretty girl like you would be the talk of the ball if you forgive my being bold."

Willow moved and sat down next to him on the bench, "That is why I came out here, to avoid being the talk of the ball. Sometimes, I honestly don't like people."

William nodded, "That, I can relate to," he lifted his drink "this can be a much better company at times." Willow chuckled.

Their conversation ebbed and flowed over the next few hours, and by the time a somewhat drunk Cory came looking for willow it was 4 am. It was cold, but neither Willow nor William felt the cold.

A week later, the first letter came.

Willow read with rapture as William told of his adventures riding horses and the escapades of his brother. He also spoke of his troubles with his family, and the problems he had with his mother, and father. Willow responded quickly, and within a month, letters were going back and forth every other day. Willows family was overjoyed that she had found a person with which to talk and pursue except for her mother. A few months passed, and through these constant letters, Willow had slowly fallen in love with William.

The next time they saw each other, was at a ball hosted by the Lord and Lady Smith. And the smiles they gave each other lit up the room. They danced and chatted, and people in the room quietly made plans for when the two would announce their relationship.

And when no announcement came, people thought it strange, but shrugged it off, deciding that they must be dating in private. Things were a little different behind the scenes though.

During one of the many letters the two twitterpated fools sent back and forth, William confessed to being in love with Willow, but that he had a girlfriend, a princess named Bethany in a faraway kingdom. The two decided to try to just be friends, but some powerful drive drove them both to different levels. They would hold hands on walks through gardens, and as time progressed they visited each other's kingdoms. William taught Willow to ride horses, and Willow slowly taught William how to read the stars in the sky.

Many people disapproved of their relationship, from William's brother James and his apparent dislike of Willow to Cory and Willows family and their forced politeness. Their disapproval was warranted, as these two were willingly engaged in an illicit affair. The only thing they had on their side was that despite much wishing and desire, the two hadn't even kissed.

It took a lot of time, but even though William's very presence made Willow overjoyed, she wanted more. She had finally found someone with which she could be happy, and he was just out of reach. And One night, things came to a head.

It was a festival this time, with much music and food, dresses were hiked above the ankles to keep them out of the dirt and men had their shirtsleeves rolled up to the elbow. Willow and William looked lovely, in subtly matching clothing. Both sported golden tans and were full of smiles and laughs. Willow led William over to a vendor selling fruit, and both were in the process of picking out the best pieces eat in some quiet corner when an older man approached them

"William?" the ma asked laying a had on his shoulder.

William turned to look at him, and a with a grin wrapped him in a hug.

"Donnie!" he cried, "How good to see you, sir! How good to see you! What I surprise! Where is Luke?"

Donnie grinned and slapped him on the back before leaning back and onto his cane. "What a surprise indeed! Luke is off somewhere arguing horse breeding with some punk. What brings you to this neighborhood lad?"

"Not much, just visiting a good friend."

Donnie leaned around William to get a look at Willow. "Lad, if my friend looked like that I wouldn't stop visiting." He tipped his hat as Willow blushed then took her hand in his and gave it a kiss. "Donnie Marks my lady, and you might be?"

"Willow Krabbenhoft Sir." She responded with a curtsy.

Donnie looked back at William "William and Willow hmm? Good names. How long have you two been dating?" William blushed this time and ducked his head. "We, um, aren't. I have a girlfriend."

Donnie gave William an odd look, then shrugged, "Well, you two should be dating." A shout sounded from the crowd behind Donnie, and he sighed. "That would be Luke, I must be off before my husband gets into too much trouble I guess." He doffed his hat again and made his way back into the crowd.

William and Willow made their way outside the festival grounds walking quietly this time, laughter having died with Donnie's comment.

After a moment, Willow spoke. "You won't ever leave her, will you?"

William sighed, "I don't know Willow, I love you. You're so incredible, and you've changed my views on the world so much. I want nothing more than to just be happy with you. But I don't know if I deserve it. Bethany and I have been together for so long, and though she and I aren't happy together, we try to make it work."

"If you're so unhappy with her and happy with me. Leave her. Everyone deserves happiness, William."

He sighed "You're probably right."

They stood quietly for a minute, then Willow patted William on the arm. "I'll leave you to think."

From there, their relationship changed. At first William tried to just cover the fact that Bethany existed, and at first, Willow went along with it. But as time progressed Willow continued to ask if she would ever pick her over Bethany. William continued to debate. One day, Willow became so mad she told William that he needed to do something, so he told Bethany about his feeling for Willow, and things descended even father from there. Bethany began attending balls with William, and Willow was forced to watch from a distance at Bethany sat on Williams arm where Willow longed to be.

And despite all this, Willow still loved William. Some part of her felt more at home with him than it ever had before. And it was this love that prompted her final confrontation.

It had been nearly a year to the day since the two had met, and Lord Culver was hosting another ball, so late into the night, Willow slipped out of the party and into the garden, walking toward the bench where she and William first met. By fate or by planning, he was already there.

She stood in front of him, arms at her side in the same silver purple dress as that first night. He lifted his glass and tilted it at her, "My Lady."

Willow gave a self-depreciating laugh. "I wish I was yours."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being myself and not being able to choose between you and Bethany. I'm so sorry Willow."

Willow shook her head "Don't apologize for being yourself, that's who I fell in love with. Every scar and indecisive feeling I fell in love with." She sighed "However, it is that love that is driving me to do this." She straightened her back and looked William dead in his sorrowful golden eyes.

"I, Willow Krabbenhoft, release you, William Mershon, from any loyalty you feel toward me. I also release myself from any feeling I have for you. Our relationship and its current standing has caused you great distress, and at I love you with all my heart it hurts me to see you so upset." Her voice broke and ran a hand over her eyes, then continued. "I wish you the best life with Bethany, as it is obvious to me now that, no matter how much you love me, she is, was, and always be your priority, and neither you nor she deserves my interference in your life." She cleared her throat and turned to walk away. Only to be stopped by a hand on her shoulder spinning her around as his glass shattered on the ground.

"Wait" choked out William, "Please, wait."

"No William. It is what it is. Please let me go."

"No."

"Yes, because if you hold on too long, I'll lose my courage and fall right back to you."

"And why would… why would that be bad?"

"Because, eventually, we'll end up right back here. You'll never leave her. And I know that now."

"But what if I did?"

"Then do it, prove me wrong. But don't do it because I'm leaving, do it because you're truly not happy."

"If I left her though?"

"I won't answer that, because then we'll go back to this cat and mouse. It is what it is William."

"Willow."

"William."

"I…."

"Goodbye for now William. Don't forget to write me every now and again please."

And Willow lifted William's hand off her shoulder and turned and walked into the garden.

Life continued normally from that day, William and Bethany were married within five years, and Willow attended the bonding, smiling from the side.

Cory slowly gave up on setting Willow up with another man and started looking for someone for himself.

Willow's family still asked that Willow try to find a partner, but when Willow took the throne by herself at the age of 24, they realized she would be just fine on her own.

As for Willow herself, some say she found another man is slowing falling in love again. Others say she is still in love with William but hides it by stating she is too busy being queen to find another man. But the general population agrees upon one thing:

She lived happily ever after.