A good reputation saved my preference.

I was watching my favorite movie when I heard a knock on my door.

"Who could this be at this time?"

I reluctantly opened the door and met a palace guard.

"The queen wants to see you, Prince."

My mind flashed through the series of discussions we had the previous day and I remember why the queen wanted to see me.

You can see that I am already in my pajamas getting ready to sleep. Tell the queen that I will see her tomorrow.

The guard bowed and shut the door behind him.

---

The pressure of the palace was getting me infuriated.

"Royalty shouldn't come with denial of freedom of choice. The choice of a wife is too personal for someone else, no matter the relationship, to choose for one.
"I am the one who would live with the woman. I must be allowed to choose according to my terms and conditions. I don't mind being recalcitrant." I went under my blanket.

Scanning through my phone gallery, I saw the pictures that I snapped with my love, Roseline. I saw another personal one where I put on my crown.

"I think the situation is heading towards me choosing between these two - the crown or Roseline. Any stumbling block preventing me from taking Roseline to the altar would have to be removed."

"The crown? Just anything."

I dropped the phone and put the light out. The thought of what the King and my mother were up to couldn't allow me to sleep.

---

Trying hard to find sleep and another rain of knocks fell on my door.

"Ooooh, I need my space." I looked at the wall clock and it was past 10 pm. I ignored the knocking.

"Mike, open the door for me, we need to finish our discussion."

"This woman won't just let me be."

"Mum, can we see tomorrow?"

"No."

Anytime she replies with a word like this, all is not well.

I stood up and opened the door.

"Mike, I told you to give me feedback about our last discussion today. Your dad is accusing me of instigating you for your behavior lately.

"His reasons? I don't know.

"You are a crown prince. Everything about your life is important to this palace. You must be guided and guarded."

"Mum, I have my life to live beyond royalty. If at all the crown would deprive me of some rights, it shouldn't be the right to choose my partner."

"Mike, listen. You are the crown prince of this kingdom. People are waiting to see you pick a wife, preferably a princess from another kingdom. Don't drag us into disrepute by marrying a lady whose lineage isn't known to all and sundry.

"Your grandfather, the late king, married me for your father when he was a crown prince. It was a royal wedding from both sides.

"You need to accept princess Nene. In fact your wedding was the topic of discussion when her father visited the palace in the morning. Your dad is planning to take the first step as tradition demands. He is sending a team to your in-laws palace to request for a day for introduction."

"Okay mum," I replied after yawning every now and then. My immediate wish was for the queen to allow me to sleep.

"Tomorrow, the king will talk to you once again, I beg you to cooperate." She left and shut the door.

I looked at my screensaver, the image of Roseline and kissed it.
"You are my choice." I reassured her in absentia before finally hugging my pillow.

---

The following morning, after prayers by all the residents of the palace, the king went into a private meeting with my mum and I.

Waving an animal tail - a symbol of authority - he asked me to sincerely tell him my choice of woman to get married to.

I looked around in confusion of how to please the King.
This is about my life, a woman that will stay with me till death do us apart. No, no, I can't compromise. I raised my head and answered, "Roseline."

"What's her level of education? Who is her father? What's their family name?" My dad bombarded me with questions but little did he know that my love for Roseline is inexplicable whether she hadn't been to school all her life or from the poorest family.

"She stopped her education after secondary school because she lost her father. Her father's name is Alabi."

The king turned to the queen and both snorted a derisory reply.

"See where your son is going to pick a wife. Unknown family."

"Mike!!! He shouted on top of his voice, get ready to marry princess Nene. Nene is a medical doctor, a princess of the great Ehi kingdom. Allow birds of feathers to flock together."

"What is in that lowlife girl called Roseline that you are insisting that if not her, then nobody?"

"I wonder what informed your preference?" My mum interjected.

The lowlife tag sent pains through my veins.

"Dad, I shouldn't be seen as a quixotic person on this issue."

---

"Let me tell you why we don't normally allow any crown prince to chose wife by himself." He began.

"A royal family must be above board. A potential queen must be closely scrutinized to make sure that she is fit in morals and family history. It is for this reason that I want you to marry princess Nene."

"Dad, the only thing that Roseline and her family are lacking is wealth and I think that shouldn't stop the relationship."

"Who is her father?" He asked again.

"Late Inspector Alabi."

"From where?"

"Irepeni."

"Alabi, the former police officer who lost his life to armed robbers. Is he the one?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Hmmmmmm!!!!"

"That man is one of a kind. During his career, he was incorruptible. There was a case that he was investigating and they offered him a bribe of millions of dollars. He played along and tendered the bribe as exhibits in court. He was celebrated far and near. That's not a family from which I will stop you from marrying. Whether by coincidence or whatever, you have chosen well."

I felt a sigh of relief. My joy overflowed for getting the nod to tie the knot.

---

I will put a hold to the planned introduction. Bring Roseline to the palace so that I can have some words with her.

The acceptance grew in multiple folds afterwards and she was welcomed to the palace as princess.

The good reputation of my father in-law opened the way for my wedding to the love of my life.