The prince did not know love.

"I wonder what love is like," Prince Richard said aloud. He spoke these words to Annamarié, his fiancée arranged between the royal and ducal houses. Though he understood his duties as royalty, young Richard harbored a vague longing regarding the concept of love. To his question, which could even be called impertinent, Annamarié responds: "Then why not hold a social gathering?" She suggests that he interact with people of various social standings and see if something like a fateful encounter might occur among them. Richard decides to hold a social gathering after the academy's entrance ceremony, citing other benefits besides meeting people—but the results are...