< Speak Now >

"Not until we are married," he all but growled. "Even then, I am the true royal. The woman has no say."

"Not in public. I can say what I when when I'm with you." she snapped.

"No, you really can't," he retorted. "I'll be corinated next week. See what happens then. Now out!"

Ashley looked at his father then stomped her foot, walking out of the room quickly, shrilly yelling for her servant.

"Do you want everything to be taken from us, Andrew," his father asked, frowning.

"I couldn't care less," Andrew muttered, undressing to change into his bedclothes. "I'm tired of all this. I want to be able to do what I want, father."

"You can-"

"No, I can't. Not truly. Yes, I can help our people greatly. I would like this. But more than anything I want to choose the woman I marry. I want to earn money instead of taking it from poorer people. I want to live a normal live, father."

"Unacceptable," his father frowned. "You will be the Duke in a week, Andrew! I will not let you fail us."

"You have no control of what I will say when the Pope asks what I will do. I am in control here, father. You will have to kill your own flesh and blood to stop me."

((Idk what do say))

idk, next day??]]

Amy hadn't seen Andrew in a week and she was starting to get worried. What if something had happened and he was locked in his room. He would hate that and so would she. She couldn't get him off her mind and wanted nothing else than to see him again, if only for a second.

Word of Andrew's corination at the church spread through the city. It would be today at noon, when the sun was highest in the sky. Andrew stood tall as his maids dressed him in fine clothing to ready him for the ceremony. He couldn't stop thinking about Amy, how fun it was to talk to her. She actually had listened to what he had to say, whereas everyone else never really paid attention. He liked the girl and hoped to see her at the corination. Though, with him being guarded heavily due to his father's orders, he hadn't been able to sneak out.

Amy dressed in her best dress, a green one that had been her mothers. She hoped that if she wore green, like she said she wanted to for the ball then he would see her. She walked down, going the back way out of her house so her uncle wouldn't see her, and joined the crowd to the coronation.

Andrew walked out onto the platform opposite his father. The pope spoke of wisdom and loyalty and turned to Andrew as an apprentice of the pope's removed the crown from the Duke's head.

"Your Grace. Do you promise to take care of your people? To choose what is best for them and their children?"

"I will do what is best for my people," Andrew stated, loud enough for everyone to hear in the church.

"Thank you, your grace," the Pope bowed to him gratefully. "Now please, take this crown and be our duke as the successor to your father."

Andrew bowed his head so the crown could be placed upon it. He was now the Duke. He knew exactly which laws he would change first. He spent the whole week thinking about how he would change the city for the better. How he could make things better for Amy.

Amy was the first to start cheering. She knew that Andrew wouldn't like this but he would do his job and make things better for the city. She just wished that it was her he was marrying and not Ashley.

Andrew thought he could hear Amy's voice in the crowd and when he turned to face his people, he spotted her first. She was wearing a beautiful green dress, though it looked worn. He looked right at her and bowed to his people, thanking them for their loyalty. For hers.

Amy smiled up at him, their eyes meeting. He knew she was there and would do something to get to her.

Ashley came up and stood by his side, a vision in white. She had an arrogant smile on her face, like nothing could stop her.

"My friends," the new Duke said aloud so they could hear him. "One of the first actions I will take in my father's place, I will act upon at this moment." He glanced at Ashley with his own arrogant smile. "I will not be marrying the woman my father wants me to marry. I will choose my own bride. I will send an invitation to every young woman in the city. Whomever I meet and like the most, I will marry. I hope to see each of you at the ball at the next full moon," he bowed his head, sending a sneaky smile to Amy before he left the stage area.

Amy's heart leaped with joy when she heard these words. She knew she'd get a house call from the tailor Andrew talked about. Things were finally happy.

Ashley looked at Andrew, shocked. "You can't do this! The pope has already blessed our marriage. You can't go against the pope!"

"If the Duke will be happy with another girl who has the qualities of a leader, then he will marry her," the Pope told Ashley. "After they come see me, of course," he chuckled. "Patience, child."

"No! He's suppose to marry me!" she said, stomping her foot.

Several of the men in the crowd laughed at the spoiled girl, acting like a brat.

---

Andrew was finally able to sneak out after grabbing one of the pope's cloaks and hiding in an alley. He grabbed Amy when no one was looking and chuckled. "Like my first action, do you," he teased.

Amy smiled at him, nodding. "Does this mean we're going to be married?" she asked.

"I don't think I'll like any girls at the ball. Only one. She showed me what's outside of the walls, you know. I saw her in a green dress today," he chuckled.

She smiled. "Let's go somewhere." She smiled. "Outside the city."

"Tonight," he promised. "I'm going to talk to my tailor now so she can come see you tomorrow afternoon."

"Why doesn't she just see me now?" She asked.

"I am full of appointments and meetings today. I am already late for the first," he chuckled. "I will see you tonight," he promised softly. His voice might have indicated that he wanted to caress her cheek or kiss her, though he didn't. "Go before your uncle misses you," he whispered and squeezed her hand before letting go.