The Path to Glory part 2

       "Kwame, can't you see?" Ma-Ti pointed at Linka, who was crying behind a tree.
        "Why is Linka so sad? Especially if good things are gonna come now to us now that Wheeler will be marrying, hopefully soon."
        "Kwame can't you tell?" Ma-Ti could not believe Kwame. He was all common sense and no imagination.
        "Tell what?" Kwame was unsure what Ma-Ti meant.
        "Linka loves Wheeler as more than a friend." Ma-Ti said. "How do you think she feels now that he has announced he is looking for a wife?"
        "Oh boy." Kwame seemed surprised.
        The guys went to Linka. "Is everything all right Linka?" Kwame asked.
        "Oh, everything is fine. Thanks for asking." Linka was very much in tears. She had the most inner strength of the four captains, so Kwame and Ma-Ti were surprised to see her crying.
        "You can count on us," the guys said pretending they did not know what was going on.
        "Guys I have good news!" Gi said running towards the other three captains. "I found the perfect woman for Wheeler!" But she saw Linka crying and automatically added: "But now that I think about it, she is not all that."
        Kwame gave Linka a big 'I know' look. Linka ran off, trying to hold her tears.
        Gi and Kwame exchanged glances and giggled. Ma-Ti asked, "Guys, how can you be so cruel?"
        "Well, she has not told any of us anything. We are just deducing." Gi said.
        "It's not like Wheeler has done anything about it," Kwame said
        "I hope he is just doing this search for protocol" Ma-Ti said huffing.
        "Didn't Wheeler flee Europa to avoid protocol?" Gi asked.
        "Who cares? We have to make sure that he is happy. And I think that he will not be as happy with anyone as he will be with Linka," Ma-ti said.

        Ma-ti, Kwame, and Gi went back to the palace. Gi went to Linka's chambers, hoping to console her and get more info.
        "Linka, are you sure everything is fine?"
        "I am not gunna lie to you. I don't understand."
        "Whatcha don't understand."
        "Prince Wheeler always went out of his way to hang out with me, and his eyes seemed to light up every time he talked to me. And now, he is searching for a wife! Does he want someone of noble birth?"
        "I dunno. But aren't you? We all are."
        "I mean a rich girl with a lot of cash."
        "Linka, you have more quality than anyone else could. I am confused. Maybe there is something behind all this."
        "Maybe," Linka said, sniffing.

        "So, Wheeler, do you know what you are looking for?" Ma-Ti asked the Prince, trying to prod for leads.
        "Oh, yeah," Wheeler said, sinking into the couch. He could not hide his dreaming eyes.
        "Tell us what you want," Kwame asked.
        "I want a woman who makes my world turn around. She is pretty, smart, courageous, and knows what she wants in life," Wheeler said without a doubt.
        "Sounds like a woman worthy of a prince! Does she have a name?"
        "Oh yeah. And what a pretty name," Wheeler said. "I mean, I am positive her name must be pretty and she will be too."
        "Wheeler, and what are you planning to do to find this woman?" Kwame asked.
        "Don't tell me you are holding a ball. That's so, you know, passe," Ma-Ti said.
        "She's not the ball type. I mean, I am not the ball type. I'd rather watch a ball game. I think instead I will have them fill out applications and interview them."
        "Wheeler, how unromantic can you get?" Ma-Ti said. "If you want me to give her a serenade, I will"
Ma-Ti was an accomplished guitar player."
        "Nah, she won't care for it."
        "Uh, Prince, you seem to know a lot about this woman. Ma-Ti's the psychic not you."
        "Guys, my thoughts are about to short circuit. I wish I knew what to do. My heart is going nuts."
        "Look Wheeler, if you have your heart set on this one woman, why marry someone else? You just cannot settle for second best. You won't be happy."
        "I don't think she loves me back."
        "I think she is just worried that you are the prince and she's a captain. Oops!" Kwame said. His cheeks could be seen red even under his swarthy skin.
        Wheeler ran away from his room. Ma-Ti followed him. "Man, it's okay. She feels the same way for you. She was crying today about the whole wife finding business. I can't believe you told her."
        "I wanted to see her reaction. She seemed pretty calm when I told her. Guess she is good at hiding her feelings."
        "We know she is your favorite captain. And things will work out between you guys."
        "If only I could tell her that this wife finding thing is a bit of a scam that the prime minister concocted."

Part 3