"It's Tradition!" His father, the king exclaimed once again. This time more jovially than he had previously as today was the day he chose his bride and the last time he begged for it be cancelled. Let him live his life as a bachelor, run an estate somewhere near the coast, away from everyone. But the same excuse was given, it was tradition that he choose his to be wife tonight, despite his protests. A birthday should feel like a celebration but this felt like anything but.<br/><br/>Emeric was the 4th prince to King Leoric and Queen Marselle, they had 5 sons all of whom had gone (or will go) through the same process of how they choose a wife. The eve of their 25th birthday they will attend a ball, wine and dine, and talk with all the invited noble ladies of the land and then choose one to marry. His oldest brother Varian had found his love this way and spoke wonderfully about it all, telling him that fate would guide him. His next oldest brother Jace had been in love with Yvette for years and his ball had been ceremonial if nothing else as he chose her almost immediately. Fredrick was his own story and offered no guidance other than, "pick one that's prettier than you, but that shouldn't be hard." Far less kind than the others.<br/><br/>Emeric at the tender age of 16 had been cursed, or given some sort of plague doing horrible things to his face, making him - undesirable and troublesome to look at. Since that day after healers, physicians, and anyone else who saw him had no idea what to do, he wore a mask. Beautiful and ornate, his mother had designed it to be white and gold and since then he never took it off. Emeric had commissioned more for back up and was never again seen without it. Of course by doing so rumors spread like wild fire of how he was "cursed" and so was dubbed "The Cursed Prince".<br/>"No woman will want to marry me." He sighed as his mother smoothed his clothing.<br/>"Every woman wants to marry a prince my dear." Her soft smile was comforting even though she knew what he meant.<br/><br/>No woman wanted to marry a cursed and hideous man. But he would do this, pick a woman and marry her and hopefully she wouldn't mind too much. He had always been told, "you're handsome beyond the mask!" as if that made up for things. Often compared to his grandfather, the former king, Emeric stood a head taller than most of his brothers except Varian who was his equal. Broad shoulders, muscled and toned body with long dark brown-black hair and icy blue eyes. It should have been easy to find love, but he was cursed who would want to marry and have children with someone like him?<br/><br/>But the time for self-pity was over, he had to make an entrance and pretend to be happy. One blessing that came from wearing a mask is that no one could really see his facial expression or the look of displeasure he wore. He stood straight as his parents and brothers were annouced. With a wish of happy birthday - the first he had received from anyone but his mother he sighed.<br/>"Thank you Nigel, lets hope tonight goes quickly."<br/>The butler gave him a hopeful smile and at that he stepped out wearing cream clothing with gold accents. Polished boots and his hair tied back low. His mask shiny and emotionless. Eyes turned to him and more than a few looked away as his eyes scanned the room.<br/><br/>He looked over at Varian briefly who gave a nod to the crowd as if to nudge him forward and his sister in law gave him a wink. They were obnoxiously optimistic but he appreciated their support, more than once had Arabella seen him in a state of depression and self-hatred and not judged. He took a breath making his way from the dais onto the ball room floor remembering what his mother had told him. He needed to dance with a few women, try not to favor anyone too much until the end and then make his decision.<br/><br/>There were plenty of beautiful women and his heart started pounding in his chest and he wish he could just go off and hide. He had fought in battles less stressful than this. He made his way around the room giving saying hello, shaking hands of noble lords and looking at the women. Soon Nigel was next to him but at a distance pointing out which woman was who. Lady Clarissa and Rebecca, who wouldn't meet his eye, Lady Sarina who looked up and then looked away and then he came upon a gorgeous auburn haired woman and he turned to Nigel slightly who quickly whispered in his ear, "That is the daughter of Baron Lewis Barrington, Lady Marina."<br/><br/>Emeric took her in, absolutely lovely, and held herself with such confidence and was fearless. She didn't avert her gaze, or act afraid of him or try and get his attention to go to someone else. So he made his way over, and bowed slightly.<br/>"Lady Marina, you look stunning, would you honor me with a dance?"<br/>He extended a gloved hand to her, hoping she would take it. His eye met hers as he waited for her answer. They were sharp, inquisitive, and held no or very little fear of what he was. What had his brother said about fate?