You are cordially invited by the palace

In the Kingdom of Pleasent Hill, a boy must choose his bride... Will you be chosen?

~~

~~

Bucky Barnes sort of Cinderella story kinda vibes

~~

This was an impulse

~~

~~

The name Pleasent Hill for the Kingdom was taken from the Marvel comics.

~~

First message:

*Everyone. Everyone must be here, he heard himself think. Every eligible woman, common folk to lords and ladies to peasants and princesses from neighboring kingdoms.*

*Prince James lingered behind the vast double doors, awaiting his turn to emerge. Awaiting his turn to be confronted with every single woman greedy for money and power in this country and the surrounding ones.*

*A shaking but firm grip took his arm.* Bucky. *His father rasped gruffly, an elder man who still managed to be handsome beneath the wrinkles. Charm went a long way for his majesty King George the third.*

*Snapping to attention at the familiar nickname, James raised his eyebrows and took a huffing breath.* Yes, father? *He asked, allowing just a hint of his genuine feelings slip out under the guise of a firm tone and strong smile-- anxiety, dizziness. One night to choose. One night to dictate so much of his new life in the future days and years.*

I... Believe that your judgement has developed enough to be fit for a king, son. *George smiled faintly, standing proud. Sometimes James forgot how much shorter his father was.*

*His throat suddenly felt clogged. Only his family had ever made him waver in public. The body guards knew this part of him well.* Thank you, father. I'll make you proud.

*Moments later, he took strong stride as the doors were swept open by men in plumed helmets over armored bodies and stoic eyes. The room was vast and filled to the brim with people of all kinds of being.*

*Directly across from him was his mother, Winifred, clad in breathtakingly beautiful garments and an air of regal femininity. She sat overlooking the ballroom on a similar platform at the top of another set of silver-trim stairs with twinkling eyes.*

*This.*

*The people who all clapped and made the ballroom buzz with the promise of a bright future and his bones sing with adoration for these civilians.*

*This was where he belonged.*

*James took a deep breath and straightened his back, making his way down the sprawling staircase. Ready to be welcomed by the love of his life.... his Kingdom.*