Rose White: Search for a King (A Bachelorette Challenge) #3 Meet Mike

This story is a spin-off of Prince and Snow Redux.  Rose White is heir to the throne of Windenburg.  There have been many young men who seek to be her suitor and wish to attempt to win the heart and hand of the young princess (AND the right to sit at her side as King).  A plan was made that would give each young man a fair shot at this quest.  Join us as we see the plan unfold.  You dear reader will be asked along the way to have your input into these proceedings so keep watch!

Today we meet Mike Senna.

“Good morning,”  Mike cheerfully greeted Rose White.  “I trust you rested well.  While I have not stayed there myself, I hear tell that the Castello Di San Marco provides wonderful accommodations!”   “Oh yes,” Rose said wistfully, “It was just perfect.”  Mike held her elbow as he directed her gently into the lovely home of Duchess Matilde.  “Auntie awaits us.  She assures us that breakfast will be ready soon.”

Rose was astounded that what from the outside appeared to be a modest home was filled with wondrous works of art.  Noting Rose’s surprise, Auntie offered, “I enjoy the travel that comes with promoting my fashion line.  I have collected many lovely things on my adventures.”  Rose, eyes wide, smiled and nodded her agreement.

“I am so glad to have you visit my dear.  In the year that my nephew has lived with me he has not been on an outing with friends at all!  Not one!”  Playfully rolling her eyes she added, “The boy spends all of his time working on that boat.”  Mike returned the eye roll.

“While I do enjoy his company, I will be glad to have him distracted for a bit,”  the duchess said with a small titter.

“Auntie stop your play.  I believe I do smell that breakfast is ready,” Mike retorted, a twinkle in his eye!

Over breakfast Rose learned that Mike had come to live with his aunt a little over one year ago.  Her husband had passed away and, in that they had never had children of their own, he had bequeathed his beautiful yacht and the upstairs apartment to their favorite nephew.  Mike had been devoted to the Duke and Duchess since his childhood and still continued to see to his Aunt’s welfare.  “He is to me the son I never had,” Matilde said softly, “and I could not be prouder of him!”  “With that we take our leave Auntie,” Mike stooped to kiss her forehead.  “We will return in a few hours.”

Rose breathed deeply, letting the salt air relax her.  The fresh Mediterranean sea breeze seemed a caress to her face.  Rose uttered dreamily, “Oh Michael, I see why you love it here.  It is so beautiful!”  Beaming, he bowed low sweeping his arm towards the boat, “welcome aboard your majesty.”

Mike grew quieter and quieter.  Rose was concerned and asked what the problem was.    He began, “Rose … I am deeply disturbed.  This … uhh  … searching thru the suitors thing …  and the quest to seek your hand.  Why?  I just do not understand.  What about love?  How does love fit in to it.  OH Rose, come away with me,”  he whispered his plea, “we can sail to  distant islands and be together in paradise.  I will take care of you.  Come with me.”

Sail Away by David Gray   <—- A little mood music if you wish ❤

“You must understand Michael.  My heart says yes lets sail away for adventure and love.  But this is not my lot in life.  I am heir to the throne and this I do for my kingdom and my people.  Once Father and Mother are gone the responsibility to govern them will rest on my shoulders and upon the shoulders of the man who shows himself worthy to be my helpmeet.” Rose affirmed with a slight waver in her voice, “I have agreed to this and cannot go back on my word.”

“Mia principessa, I have decided to throw my life into the hands of the fates.  I will go to your Father and beseech him to allow me to join the throng of suitors who seek your favor.   If it is me that wins out then so be it and if it is not I am no worse off than I am at this very moment.”

Mike was overjoyed to be summoned to the King.   He knew that his pleas had been heard.  Dressed in a very conservative blue he arrived and was ushered in.  The atmosphere in the King’s office was a bit more somber than he had expected.  A seated King Charming was flanked on either side by Officer Theis and Claudia, the assistant to the Princess.   Both had grim expressions on their face.

“Welcome Mike Senna,” the king began sternly, “or should I call you by your given name and title, Michael Prince of Layonne.  By what manner of deception and trickery do you come by this kingdom and my daughter with such a request?   I know well of your family!  They are treacherous and would they seek to acquire my kingdom by your marriage to my daughter?  It is well known that your parents tried at all costs to find a noble wife for you while you were yet a child.  Speak for yourself now and tell me why I should not have you arrested and removed from here.”  Officer Theis adjusted himself a bit to be at the ready.  The silence that followed was oppressive.  The resourceful trio had uncovered a dark secret that Mike had hoped would be buried forever.  He gazed into the face of the angry Father and King and was surprised to note the feelings of admiration for this man growing inside of his chest.   

“Sir,” Mike spoke with a slight crack in his voice, “I see how this appears but I assure I am not of this mindset.  I renounced my position with my own kingdom when I was to be forced into a marriage of convenience and thru duplicity assume control of her family’s kingdom.    My benevolent Aunt, sister of my mother and woman that your mother knew so well, took me in as her son and has allowed me to live a life of honesty and give me leave to pursue  my passion for the sea.  Auntie Matilde was not directly involved in the life of the court and above all she is a woman of integrity. She did not approve of my parents ways.   I also assure you sir that I am not running away from the nobility but from a the kind of nobility that would oppress the people.  It would be my dream that with Rose White, I would establish the kind of royal family that would bless the people of my kingdom, such as your is sir.  For me love and family is far more important than blood heritages and power.”   This gave pause to King Charming.  Startled he looked over at Officer Theis and then at Claudia.  Both wore silly grins.

After a moment, he rose and crossed over to a seat near Mike.  Leaning in, rubbing his chin and speaking intently he addressed Mike, ” I am a pretty good judge of character and  I believe you.  To be honest, before you arrived, we had decided to arrest you and send you back to your country in disgrace.  I thought you were a charlatan. However, I can see you are sincere and I wish you good luck in the quest. Now Claudia will take your information to make the final arrangements.”  Then in a decidedly daddy moment Prince stated, ” You will do well to remember my daughter is very dear to me and I trust yours and the actions of the other suitors will reflect this understanding.”  Mike nodded somberly, “On my life sir.” Satisfied Prince rose and smiling he motioned to Officer Theis, “Come Jake.  I do believe there is fresh pot of coffee in the kitchen.  Good bye Mike and again good luck.”

That afternoon the princess picks up her tablet and reads about the next suitor … OH .. David Manolas??  I remember this gentleman, we have met before.  Lovely!  I look forward to seeing him again.

On a quick side note.  It looks as though these two enjoyed working together.  Our hunky hero and the helpful right hand 🙂  Ohhh I could see it .. but for now she has lots of work to do to get that princess motivated!

<< previous Rose White: Search for a King (A Bachelorette Challenge) #2 Fashion Show / Rose White: Search for a King (A Bachelorette Challenge) #4 Meet David next >>

Rose White: Search for a King (A Bachelorette Challenge) Table of Contents

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Many thanks to my amazing co-lab for this WONDERFUL post  … Ascanius your  romantic boat pose screenies and builds are magical!  Mike is just dreamy!

Be sure to go visit and follow his tumblr (you might even see a few more adventures from Mike on there soon)

Lyhandros  Love Nova Vita  (Tumblr) and his FB Page Lovenovavita