Unbeta-ed chapter. Thank you for all the likes, reviews and messages.

As it is December month, I may put up a new one-shot with lemons (Izana and Shirayuki pairing, of course). However, edited versions will only be posted at ffdotnet; the complete version will be posted in AO3 and will be locked for members' views only.

Reason being my previous lemon works were taken down before and I wish to protect my works from pointless complaints despite the obvious "M_rating" warning.

June 18, 2017 Updates: Beta-read by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her. Thank you.

Title: A Bride for the First Prince

Inspired by: Chapter 33 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime

Characters: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia

Word Count: 1081

Rating: General

He almost choked at the wine he was drinking. I gave a small smirk, patting him at the shoulders. "Easy there, you are still hopeless when it comes to drinking."

He spluttered a little. "A bride? And so soon? Surely-"

"It is merely a suggestion put forth by our mother, the Queen. I do not look like an ogre, do I, brother dear? Even if you may have your fair share of admirers, I am not too late to join the mating game."

He shrugged. "If you'd only act a little bit more approachable, you'd be fighting down offers left and right."

I raised my eyebrows at this. "You know I hate being swamped with invitations to boring dance parties and garden soirees."

"I know. Where did I get that trait from, I wonder?" He replied hastily. "Still, I think you won't have an issue about finding the right girl, with you being the future King and all that..." His voice trailed off thoughtfully.

"Come to think of it, you only interact with a few females like the Head Pharmacist, Kiki Seiran, even Shirayuki…"

I shifted my foot a little uncomfortable with the direction the topic was taking. But I let my brother continue. He rarely talks much whenever we are together. But tonight he seemed to have a lot on his mind and the opportunity to unwind beckons.

"I always think of you as being selfish, but not in a mean sort of way," he amended. "You do spend a lot of your time on your own so I get the impression that you are someone who will not marry so easily, unless someone forces you to do so, like mother. I mean…" he added hastily, catching the narrowed look I gave him. "Hearing you talk about marriage so suddenly makes me feel quite older than I should be. And you are what, twenty-six? Marrying at that age feels too young for me." He finished his speech somewhat lamely.

But I understood how he feels. Life has a lot to offer for young men like us. Especially to him, when Zen has yet to reach his peak. The world is his oyster, and being the second prince, he can do almost anything he wants, almost.

I opened my mouth to reply to his observations, but he beat me to it.

"You know, given the chance, you'd probably be suitable with a woman that is not afraid to stand up to you. Someone who has a lot of spine. Someone intelligent, of course. You'd get bored easily with mundane topics, God knows you'd be snoring in two minutes flat the moment a woman starts talking about dresses and poetry, and all that… Come to think of it, your taste might be veered towards someone like Shirayuki. If only you were not so against her common background, you'd be getting along greatly with her. I wouldn't be surprise if you find her attractive yourself."

I bit the inside of my cheek. "Thank you for that assessment, brother dear. I will make sure I pay attention to her now that you've come to the conclusion that she would be a great partner for me," I drawled lazily.

"I never meant that-!" he exclaimed. "What I really hope is that she and you could be good friends. If only you are more open to her." He lapsed into silence, contemplating on what he had just said.

We both stood there staring into space. I finished the third glass of wine and let my hand fall to my side, the ache in my chest slowly growing.

I, Prince Izana, future king, poised to take over and continue the long line of succession of the Wistalia dynasty, should be honored and happy. Not many people have this kind of privilege. To lead and to rule… It was the only thing I knew the moment I was born. So why do I feel so cheated and angry, looking at my brother? It is not his fault that he is second prince! His destiny will have him serve me!

And yet, this pain; these few weeks feel like the nearer I approach the age where I will be declared this country's new ruler, the more I start having thoughts about not being able to make my own choices. Why do I need to conform to society's expectations about who should I be friends with or who should I marry? My brother acts all princely; a lot of people respect him. And while he does have his own retractors, he still dares to decided things on his own by being himself, and allowing people to be close to him regardless of their rank and status. Why couldn't I be the same?

I brushed my thoughts away defiantly. No, now is not the time to have doubts about myself. I gave my brother a glance, and he frowned into his own wine glass. I felt my anger dissipate a little. Despite the envy I feel towards him, Zen is my beloved brother, and I love him so. And the sacrifices I make-well, these are my choices.

I let out a sigh. "When I marry, you will be next. The citizens of this country have placed all the expectations of a second prince upon you. If you can't meet those expectations, then you are unfit to be a prince. Are you still adamant about choosing Shirayuki as your bride?"

"I want no one else," He answered quietly, bowing low for forgiveness. "I'm not leaving Shirayuki behind."

I felt the pain in my chest expand. How can I stand in his way like this? "What if she doesn't want you?" I whispered. I couldn't help but ask. I just had to know.

"I am giving her plenty of opportunity to get to know me by the time I formally ask her for her hand." He lifted his head, meeting my gaze. But his expression took on the familiar sadness I noted when I spied them together during one of their midnight meetings in the garden. I gripped the crystal goblet so tight, I felt it almost crack in my palm.

"But if... if... she doesn't want me in the end, I want to make sure that whoever she chooses to stay by her side will treat her the way I treated her."

"Well said," I replied tightly, the ache in my heart taunting me for being a coward. "Well said," I repeated.