Prince Rama, Kingdom of India and Bangladesh

[by The Pocketwatch Ripper]

-x-x-x-

A week after Selection invitations were sent – Grand Palace New Delhi, India

Rama sighed as he sat in his chair, it had been so long since he had been to the grand palace in New Delhi. It had been even longer since he saw all his siblings gathered in the conference hall, sitting on either side of him.

Nobody told Rama why all of them were gathered, and it bothered the young prince. He glanced down at the papers in front of him deciding to distract himself with reports on the population of the wildlife in Bengal. With the prosecution of poachers, Bengal Tiger populations were slowly rising. The numbers on sun bears were a bit murky but their population was slowly rising. Rama placed the report down, that's all he needed to know. His gaze went over to his siblings, all occupied with something

Ali, his eldest brother and the crown prince of India was fast asleep in his chair. Rama figured he must have been tired after working around the clock to help improve lives in India.

Meera, his eldest sister was busy reading a magazine, some papers scattered in front of her, no doubt her report on the State of Pakistan. All the papers were signed and had official looking stamps on them, it seemed Meera had done her work.

Next to her was Sita, the third eldest sister and the official Duchess of Nepal, though her aunt filled in for her while Sita taught at the University of New Delhi. Sita had her hair tied up in a tight bun as her eyes scanned over a stack of papers, her pen making a few marks before stamping them and moving them into a pile next to her. Rama wondered if she was grading tests.

Arjun, the Duke of Sri Lanka sat reading a book, oblivious to his siblings. Rama turned his head to his young siblings

Shakti and Ananya were reading from a script to each other. Rama didn't bother to wonder what they were reciting to each other, those two mostly kept to themselves. Rama couldn't remember the last time he had a normal conversation with either.

Rama's youngest brothers, Karna, Shiva and Agni were all occupied with a game of blackjack. Rama eyes lingered over their cards quickly realizing that his younger siblings had no idea how to play. Rama felt like teaching them but before he could, the large door at the end of the hall opened. Two well-dressed servants held the door open and Rama's father, King of the Kingdom of India and Bangladesh entered, Krishna Chakrabarti. The king took a seat and cleared his throat causing all his children to stop what they were doing and look at him.

"Good afternoon my children. Are you well?" he spoke. Everyone nodded before Meera spoke up.

"Yes, we are all well father." The king smiled warmly at his daughter.

"You must all be wondering why I have brought you here. Well, it has to do with our international relationships. Mr. Brimsleigh please come forward," The king said snapping his fingers, a redheaded servant came forward with a small silver tray and placed it in front of the king. The plate held an envelope with a broken wax seal, showing that it had been opened.

"Do you recognize this seal?" The King asked, picking up the envelope and held it in between his index and middle finger.

"It's the seal of Illéa, father," Shakti said, tilting his head back and crossing his arms.

"Have they finally decided that they want our spices for free?" Arjun said sarcastically, tapping his fingers on the table.

"No, this is an invitation. An invitation to their palace, to partake in the Selection, which was explained to you before you got here." The king said, all the siblings looked at each other in confusion. They were confused, Illéa only had a trade deal with India, so why were they welcoming Indian royalty to their palace?

"It seems that many other nations received invitations. New Asia and the Iranian Empire got one too." The king explained then sighed. "You're all here to decide who should go. I've already spoken to parliament and my personal advisors so please your concerns should go to them." Everyone groaned.

"That means that me, Sita, Ananya, Karna, Shiva, and Agni are out," Meera said crossing her arms. She knew of princess Elisabeth but had not met her."

"So that leaves Arjun, Shakti, and Rama since Ali can't because he is next in line for the Indian throne," Sita said, twirling her pen in her hand. The King looked at his three sons. Arjun grimaced, Shakti looked sheepish and Rama looked away.

"Any volunteers?" he asked. None of them spoke.

"I'd rather not go, I have to say to Illéa and I'm not interested in Illéan women," Arjun said. Sita and Ali glared at their brother.

"I have to oversee the restoration of wildlife in Bengal," Rama said scratching the back of his head, it wasn't a lie. Now that he got rid of poachers, he had to oversee the repopulation of certain animals.

"I have to address Cambodian concerns," Shakti said, looking over to Ananya for help, she looked away. King Krishna sighed

"I say Rama should go!" Karna spoke up, everyone turned to the young prince then to Rama. Rama flashed a crooked smile.

"I mean, Illéa is nice and all but I have my duties. I think Shakti is a better fit than me." Rama tried to argue, turning to his younger brother.

"Karna made a valid argument, Rama. You are the best one out of us all." Ali said, sitting up straight now.

"You're the most attractive out of all of us." Meera said, pulling a stapled pack of paper and tearing off a paper handing it Rama." Rama scanned the paper, it was a concept for the cover of the magazine Meera was reading. Near the bottom was the title "Prince Rama Chakrabarti voted most handsome bachelor." beside the title was a footnote about asking Rama for a photoshoot. Rama felt himself shrinking, he was always forgotten. A prince stuck in limbo who had only left The Kingdom when was little was now shoved into the limelight. To be shipped to another country to try and court a foreign princess.

"You have the lightest accent out of all of us," Sita said with a smile.

"B-but I have no experience in politics; What if I start another war?" Rama said

"We'll have Mrs. Eddowes and Mr. Brimsleigh teach you politics before you leave." The king said clapping his hands.

"So, we all agree that Rama is going?" Ali said, and everyone except Arjun nodded. Arjun sighed.

"Oh, and Rama?" the king said. "You're not taking your pet Tiger with you."

"But-"

"I'm saying this before you ask. It's too dangerous, and he could hurt someone."

Rama crossed his arms and sighed. "Fine. But I'm taking Vasavi with me."

"Your Bengal cat?" Ali said. "No way."

"Yes," the king said. "He can bring his cat. It won't hurt anyone."

"This is a stupid idea. Partaking in a competition to court some random princess." Arjun said standing up and turning to Rama.

"Just watch little brother, you and the princes from Africa are going to be eliminated first. Do you why? Because that Illéan woman is only going to be interested in the pretty, light-skinned Princes." Arjun said his voice dripping with poison.

"Why is she going to bother with you? We all know that she is going to want a beautiful European man, when you wouldn't be worth the-"

"That's enough Arjun!" The King said to him as he slammed a hand on the table. Arjun turned his head to his father.

"Keep that in mind Rama, you are just good P.R. as soon as she can she's going cut you off for some guy from New England or France." Arjun said as he left. Silence filled the room, nobody expected Arjun to burst out that way. The king quietly dismissed everyone, everyone quietly left. Sita walked over to her brother and gently rubbed his shoulder.

"Don't let him get to you, Rammy." She said with a gentle squeeze of her hand.

"I-I'll try not,to." Rama said as he handed his reports to an attendant.

"Also, I'm not supposed to tell you but Meera and I are going to be in Illea on holiday!" She whispered. "So we'll be supporting you, don't worry we won't interfere!" Rama looked at her with surprise but nodded and quietly left the hall, heading to his childhood room.

Once inside Rama saw his old governess, Olivia Eddowes, a former theater actress.

"Prince Rama, it's so good to see you again." The woman said as she hugged her former charge.

"Good to see you too Mrs. Eddowes. Can you draw me a bath?" Rama said as he sat on his bed.

"Of course. The attendants told me that I'm to instruct you on proper politics." Mrs. Eddowes said as she brought a stack of towels into the bathroom.

"News travels fast." Rama said simply as he followed his governess.

"I have good hearing," she said with a laugh. "A Selection, huh? Oh, how I'd love to be able to be in one… In another life perhaps." Rama smiled

"I bet you wouldn't even get a date with the prince." Rama joked as he watched the water fill the obscenely large tub.

"I'd probably win!" Mrs. Eddowes retorted as she added several fragrances to the water. Rama chuckled as he stripped and entered the tub. The water was just below scalding, as he liked it. Although he knew Arjun was just spewing nonsense, Rama couldn't help but think of what he said. The words echoed in his head.

"Why is she going to bother with you? You probably aren't worth the dust on her shoes." Rama sighed, it couldn't be true, could it? Would the Princess even like him? Rama shook his head.

"I'll prove him wrong, I'll prove to him that the princess would be interested in me." Rama let out a sigh of relief as Mrs. Eddowes sat nearby with towels. Rama listened with amused interest as Mrs. Eddowes detailed what she'd do in a Selection, with Mr. Brimsleigh as a stand-in for her competition. Rama laughed, he was starting to look forward to the Selection.

Here's another One-Shot for you guys (lowkey trying to hide the fact that I don't have the motivation to write, so I'm posting other people's writing xD)!

Thanks to The Pocketwatch Ripper for this little insider on Rama! :D

All credits and Review go to The Pocketwatch Ripper!