Adrian sat in the chair by his window, staring out at the endless expanse of green grass. The sun was starting to set and Adrian loved to watch it. It was moments like these he could forget about his over-bearing father and his lovely, but not very good at understanding, mother. He could sit, and imagine that he was just a regular citizen of Illea.

Adrian let out a content sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He knew he should've tried to go and have supper with his family downstairs, but for some reason, his parents had requested that he didn't come down tonight. Disadvantages to being the youngest sibling. He frowned and loosened his tie slightly, it felt like it was trying to choke him. His chicken laid untouched on the table next to him.

There was a banging on the door and Adrian stood up, trying to straighten his already straight suit.

"Come in." He replied.

The door burst in and his oldest brother, Louis, burst in. He looked ruffled, uneasy, and upset even. His brown hair was standing up and his shirt had become untucked. His eyes were slightly red as well.

"Lou? What's wrong?" Adrian asked, using the nickname he had called his brother since birth since he couldn't say Louis at first.

Louis plopped down in the chair next to the one Adrian had been sitting in moments before. "Mother and Father, you know how they wanted just me and the other two tonight for supper?"

Adrian nodded, still listening to Louis as he walked over to his bedroom door and closed it softly. He walked back over and sat down.

"Well, they didn't want you there because - they said and I quote - Adrian isn't mature enough for this topic of discussion yet. But what they were talking about was my lack of a romantic life."

Adrian laughed at this, the only reason any of them had a lack of romantic lives is of their parent's overbearingness and not being allowed out of the palace at all.

"They decided that I am going to have a selection. They are sending out the letters tomorrow. 35 girls for me. Mother said that whoever I marry will take her place and become the next queen. It's terrifying, I don't want to get married. I'm 20 for lord's sake! I should be out, exploring the world, not forced to find a wife." Louis sighed, running a hand through his hair, a habit Adrian shared with him.

"What about Isabella and Nicholas? What do they think?"

"They are excited, meeting new people, falling in love. All that. They just don't get that I'm supposed to be choosing a new queen. What if the public does not like who I choose? Then what? What if father doesn't like her?"

"I'm sure you will be fine." Adrian raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Is that all that's bothering you?"

Louis groaned. "No. But I can't explain it to you."

Adrian smirked. "Try me."

"It's not that I can't explain it. It's that I can't tell you. Mother and Father swore me to secrecy. I can only give you a warning." Louis stood up, having settled down after ranting to his brother. "Tomorrow, on the report, try to not freak out or anything. Keep a calm cool look."

Adrian frowned at the strange words coming out of Louis' mouth. "Wait, what is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you should just try and keep calm." He walked over to the door and opened it, walking out. He shut the door behind him and left Adrian to wonder what his parents had planned.

Adrian paced the length of the room where the report was shot. He had hardly slept last night, worrying about Louis' words. He knew it showed on his face, despite the stage makeup.

His mother, with her blonde hair curled and a light blue gown, walked gracefully over to him and gently pulled him into a hug. "What's wrong? You're pacing again."

Adrian pulled out of her arms. "Nothing. I'm fine." He said shortly. His mother, not shy to the actions of 17-year-old boys, knew it would be best to just leave him to brood. Pestering would just lead to arguments.

She left and Adrian stopped for a moment to look around the room at everything going on. People bustled around, preparing everyone for the weekly show. Guido Amet, the royal family announcer, stood in front of the mirror greasing his hair up. Nicholas and Isabella were in their seats already, talking excitedly about who knows what, but they were obviously excited about this report. Louis was talking with Father, whatever their conversation was about, it wasn't the best because, Louis was gesturing a lot, which he only did when he was angry or frustrated. And father's eyes were blazing. Mother made her way over and exchanged quick words with the two.

"Prince Adrian?" A voice said behind him. Adrian jumped and turned around. One of the directors was standing behind him.

"I'm so sorry to have frightened you, your highness. But we need you to sit down now."

Adrian nodded. "Of course."

The director turned around and shouted. "Two minutes to air!"

Adrian walked over to where his throne on the raised platform was. In order from left to right sat Isabella, Nicholas, his Mother Linda, his Father Gabriel, Louis, then Adrian. He walked over into his seat, straightened his suit, and sat down.

"30, 29, 28..." His parents hustled over and Louis sat next to him.

"When are you planning on telling me about what you meant last night?" Adrian whispered with a clenched smile.

"15, 14..."

"After the selection announcement, keep a smile on your face no matter what Mother and Father say."

"9, 8, 7..."

"But-" Adrian was cut off by a sharp look from his father. He sighed and sat up straight in his seat, staring directly at the camera.

"3, 2, 1!" The tape started rolling.

"Hello, Illea!" Guido Amet grinned, talking to the camera. "We have two huge announcements this week, involving not the king and queen, but the oldest prince, and the youngest prince. Sadly, not much is going on with the royal twins."

Adrian wanted to lean over and say something to Louis but instead clenched his hands into a fist on his lap.

Guido Amet continued. "The selection is going to be held..."

Adrian zoned out, trying to stay happy and stare at the camera, or at least until Guido Amet started talking about him.

"As many of you know Prince Adrian recently turned 17. Well, it turns that King Gabriel has a little bit of a surprise for him still." Adrian flattened his hand out on his lap. Louis reached over and gave Adrian a quick squeeze on the shoulder. Good luck.

"King Gabriel made an allegiance with France by betrothing his youngest son to Princess Adara." Adrian could feel a rush of shock shoot through his body. This must've been what Louis was talking about. He clenched both his hands into fists on his lap, and his fake smile vanished. His lips curled into a frown and he felt like jumping out of his seat and screaming at his father, who had a smug smile on his face.

But he headed Louis' advice and took a deep breath, calming himself.

After the report he stormed up to his room, not caring if he looked unroyal or not. He opened his door and slammed it as hard as he could. He didn't want to marry some random girl from another country.

The door banged open again and his father, eyes blazing.

"Adrian Michael. You will marry that girl. And if you act like this in front of any or the royals from France, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"And what if I do? I never wanted to marry anyone. I'm 17 Father! This isn't the 21st century anymore." Adrian got really sarcastic when he was angry. "So what if it secures the alliance with France! Why don't you betroth one of the others to her? Why not one of your favorite children?"

"You don't think I tried that? You were my last resort. Why would I choose you first?"

"I don't know Father. Just stop. I'm not marrying someone I don't know." Adrian shouted.

"Yes you are, if you do anything bad, I will make sure those are the last words you say to anyone."

"Are you threatening to hurt me?"

"And what if I am?"

"You would never threaten to hurt the other three!" Adrian shouted.

"I wouldn't. Because they are better than you and deserve a chance to choose." As soon as those words were out of his mouth Gabriel regretted them, and Adrian could feel his heart crush a bit, despite knowing the truth already.

"Get out of my room." Adrian hissed. His father turned and walked out of the room, stopping just outside.

"Wait, buddy," His father said, trying to use the old nickname that he called Adrian, but he was cut off by Adrian slamming the door in his face.

A/N: Hey guys! This story is going to be different from previous SYOC selections. This one is told from the princes little brother, who has his own love story going on. The selection will still be going on however. So I need characters! PM me!

It's also first come first served. The form is on my profile. I'm only accepting ten characters, because the selection is going on in the background. These ten have a higher chance of winning though! I have three already, so only seven spots left! Hurry!