Heavy The Head That Bears The Crown

My name is Jack Barakat (or, if you want to get formal, Prince Jack Bassam Barakat XVI of Tyramell). Tyramell is a very small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It's so small, in fact, that most maps and globes don't even draw us on and the people who live here are perfectly fine with that; the less people that know about us, the less likely outsiders will be to come in and destroy everything that we had worked so hard to establish.
I am seventeen years old and, despite my young age, I will be marrying Princess Elizabeth Mason of Kempton and taking over my father's position on the throne, all in the span of about ten months. To say I was stressed the fuck out would be a complete understatement, especially since I didn't even want to be king in the first place. Ruling and country and being trapped in the commitment of marriage was way too much responsibility for an irresponsible little shit like me. As if I had a choice, though.
My father was forcing me into this without a second thought as to how I felt about the whole thing. "It's all about what's best for Tyramell," He would say.
You see, Princess Elizabeth's country, Kempton, has always had something against Tyramell. Recently, though, both of our countries had signed a peace treaty, even though it was no secret that some hard feelings were still present in both country's monarchs. But the citizens didn't have to know that. As a way to convince everyone that this whole peace thing was real, both countries decided that Elizabeth and I should marry.
So, yeah, I'm being forced to marry a girl who would probably like nothing more than to see me dangling by my big toe over a pool of sharks, even though we had never even formally met, all while a crown was about to be thrown on my head and I would be forced to rule the kingdom until my future son got married or I died. More than likely the latter because I was damn sure that Elizabeth wouldn't fuck me if her life depended on it. Whatever. Her loss, not mine.
Which leads me to where I am right now, sitting in a large, fluffy chair with my arms crossed over my face and an irritated pout on my face as I listened to my dad talk to various people about flower arrangements, food, decorations, and outfits for my wedding that I didn't even want.

"What do you think, Jack?" My father asked from across the room.

"What?" I said realizing that I had zoned out and missed whatever it was that my father had asked my opinion on.

"Never mind," He replied and turned back to one of the men that was holding samples of different fabrics. I rolled my eyes and turned my head when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Excuse me, your majesty. It is time for your lessons," One of our many servants told me. (Yes, even princes have to go to school.) I nodded and stood up. For once, I was happy to go to school. Anything would be better than seeing my dad have a panic attack because he couldn't decide whether he wanted tiger lilies or orchids.
I followed the servant down the long hallway until we reached the small room where my lessons were always held. The room only contained a desk and a chalkboard but that was fine considering it was only my private tutor and I.
Before long, my lessons for the day were over and it was time to go outside for my horseback riding training. I suited up and ran outside to the stables where I mounted my horse, Nightshade. My trainer was already waiting for me in the pastures on the outskirts of the village square. I had always loved the pastures because I was able to hear the hustle and bustle of the neighboring village. Being of royal blood, I hardly ever left the palace so it was nice to at least hear what my life might sound like if I was a commoner.
About half way through my training, I heard something that made me bring Nightshade to a halt. Singing. Someone in the village was singing and, hot damn, the were good at it. It was obviously a male voice but it had this unusual smooth, yet kind of whiny, tone that sucked me in and left me wanting more long after they had stopped. I wished that I could have seen who that amazing voice belonged to, but the tall stone wall surrounding the pasture prevented me from doing so.
Noticing that my trainer was waiting on me, I sighed and accepted the fact that I would probably never know who that amazing voice belonged to.