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“She’s just like the others, only with better breeding.  And what is that anyway?  Her family has money and titles and what?  How does that help me be happy?”
    Richard twisted up his lip in contemplation.  “Why did you not know this before you asked the woman to marry you?”
    “I was infatuated at first, I guess.  You’ve seen her.  She is beautiful.”
    Richard had to agree.  She was drop dead gorgeous. 
    “But she’s hollow,” Michael added.  “And eventually that body and that face will go away and all we’ll have is love.  And if we don't have that, then I have nothing more than I had last night with the Brixton sisters.”
    Richard’s neck snapped. “You didn’t go to Brixton.”
    “I had a minor relapse,” Michael explained.  “I went back to my less than honorable ways for a night.  Kill me .”
    “If you didn’t use a condom, then you may have already killed yourself.”  Richard stood up.  “Has anyone been sent to deal with this?”
    Michael huffed. “I saw the condoms and the wrappers on the floor by my clothes when I went to get dressed.  I’m fine.”  He put the glass on the table by the chair.  “Is that all you heard? You’re supposed to be my brother, and I’m telling you that this woman doesn’t love me.”
    “Haven’t you discovered that men in our position face this all the time?  How are you to be really sure that anyone truly loves you?  You were born a prince for goodness sake. You can’t be that naive.”
    “ I’m not naive , but a man can set reasonable expectations, and being loved is reasonable.  Father loved mother.  You love Madeline.  Do I not have the same right, even if I am stupid in your eyes?”
    “Like a poor woman would love you.  Think of what you’re saying.”
    “Are you really that much of a snob, Richard?”
    “And what are you?  A common man?” Richard laughed cynically.  “A man of the people, perhaps?  You may have served in the Queen’s Royal Guard.  You may have volunteered and worked among the common people, but you, my dear stupid boy are no commoner.  You are one of only two sons of the Queen of England.  It’s a pity that with that, I am the only one gainfully employed.  You are still trying to find yourself and now on top of that, you expect to find true love.”  He shook his head and laughed.  “You’re impossible is what you are.  Im possible.”
    “Don’t diminish my character just because yours has been so perfectly exalted.  Since the day that you were born, you were prepped to be king.”
    “And you weren’t?” Richard defended.
    “No,” Michael said, shaking his head emphatically.  “I was just groomed not to be an embarrassment.”
    “Don’t be silly.  If you hadn’t been around, then my accomplishments would have never seemed so great.” He smirked playfully.  
    “So, I’m not only handicapped, I’m worthless?”
    “Not worthless, just a little out of touch with reality.  If a woman loves you, she loves you because you’re beautiful, royalty and/or rich.  Look anywhere in the world, you’ll get the same answer. You can’t change who you are, and if even you lied to her, you couldn’t change how you look.  At least Thalia was honest with you.  It’s the mark of a good wife.”
    “Do you really believe that?” Michael asked defeated.
    Richard walked over to the window and pulled the curtain away to look out at the grounds. “No.”  He smacked his lips together.  “I thought she loved you too, brother.  At least, that is what she confessed to the world.”
    “Maybe I am incapable of being loved. You said it yourself; there are too many cosmetic barriers.”
    Watching the gardener tend to the flowers, Richard had a thought.  “Do you plan to completely call this off, even if she’s willing to prove herself to you?”  He knew his brother well and he also knew that the young man was driven by pure emotion, despite their best efforts to discourage such