Castiel

Prince Castiel Alaine Angelous, the elder child of Queen Naomi and King Charles – most people called him Chuck - was, much to his mother's shame, an omega. Omegas or carriers were rare.

They were also ridiculed and looked down upon by most people. Castiel, being the prince, had been mostly sheltered from the cruelty that most omegas endured. Which was why he lived quietly in his estate with the plans of remaining a confirmed bachelor for the rest of his days.

Castiel's younger brother James on the other hand, had been Naomi's pride and joy.

He had not been born with the same affliction.

Castiel was sure that the fact that James had died in a hunting accident some months earlier was the reason he had been summoned to the castle and was now sitting at the long dining room table, his mother at one end, his father at the other.

They'd just finished a delicious dinner of roast venison and had been served their desserts of chocolate mousse when Naomi finally decided to break the news to her son.

"We've arranged a marriage for you, Castiel."

Castiel's cup rattled as he put it down on the saucer. This had been his fear since James had died.

"What do you mean?"

"We've found the perfect candidate for you." Naomi continued.

"Actually you found him dear." Chuck added, not daring to meet Castiel's eyes.

"You agreed with me, Chuck." Naomi said cooly.

Chuck sighed. "Yes, I guess I did."

"Well then don't be such coward. It's not like we're asking Castiel to go to war. We're simply asking him to marry. It's his responsibility now."

Chuck finally looked up to meet his son's eyes. "She's right, son. I'm sorry."

"The wedding will be a small affair. I think that would be appropriate under the circumstances." Naomi continued.

"I won't do it." Castiel said adamantly.

"I know it's a surprise. And I know it's not what we'd planned for you, but this is something that has to happen Castiel."

"I don't see why." Castiel said softly.

"We need an heir. It's as simple as that." Naomi answered. "Now that…now that James is gone it will be up to you, Castiel. If you don't have a child, then your cousin Lucifer's son Jack will inherit the kingdom. It will be the end of our rule. You know that can't happen."

"I'm thirty five, mother. I'm past my child-bearing years." Castiel said, blushing despite himself. He hated what he was. And he knew his parents hated it too. It was something they never spoke of.

Until now.

"Nonsense." Naomi said firmly. "There's plenty of time."

Castiel actually couldn't argue with that. Omegas could bear children well into their forties. And he'd known since James had died that this might happen. He'd tried to prepare himself; tried to come up with every argument he could think of. But really, there was nothing he could say.

"So," he asked. "Who have you chosen to be the victim of this ridiculous plan of yours?"

"He's hardly a victim, Castiel. The lucky boy will become the prince. He'll have everything any person could ever want."

"Boy?"

"Man then," Naomi amended.

"And who is this lucky boy?"

Naomi smiled. It had taken some research, but she'd found the perfect candidate.

He had nothing to offer except for the fact that he was distantly related on her mother's side – and therefore eligible to sire the next king. His family was also as poor as church mice. And the boy was young and innocent and probably not too bright.

In other words, he would be easy to manipulate and easily gotten rid of once he'd impregnated her son.

"His name," she answered. "is Dean. Dean, of the Winchesters."

Dean

"Let me understand this," Dean scoffed. "You want me to marry some complete stranger – some old omega?"

"He is hardly some old omega, Dean." Mary interjected. "He's the prince. And he's only thirty five. And, you'll be pleased to learn, he's also very attractive."

Dean scowled. "How do you know? Have you ever seen him?"

John chuckled at that. "I saw him once. It was when I worked in the city. One day the royal procession went by and he and his brother were in one of the carriages. He was an odd looking kid. As I remember him, he was a tiny little fellow who hadn't grown into his features. His eyes were too big for his face and his ears stuck out."

"So he's a freak." Dean muttered.

"He's not a freak." Mary argued, glaring at her husband. "Apparently he's grown into a very attractive man."

"According to who?" Dean asked.

"Whom, dear."

Dean rolled his eyes. "According to whom?"

"Well, as I said, I've been corresponding with the Queen."

"So his mum says he's handsome huh?"

Mary sighed. "Not just his mother. I had a long talk with Sir Crowley. And…"

"Crowley?" Dean scoffed. "Crowley's an idiot."

"Sir Crowley is hardly an idiot." Mary continued. "He's a fine gentleman. Anyway he told me that Prince Castiel is a quiet, intelligent man who spends most of his days reading in the library or tending to his bees."

"His bees?" Dean asked.

"Yes. He raises bees apparently."

"Oh, this guy sounds like a real peach."

Dean looked at his father who seemed to be finding the whole situation as ridiculous as Dean did.

John sighed. "Dean, you're eighteen now. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

"That's true, Dean." Mary added. "You don't have to do this. But if you did, it would mean we could live a decent life. The choice is yours."

"We do live a decent life." John argued.

Mary sighed. "You work twelve hours a day John. And I have to do sewing to bring in extra money. And even then there are times when we don't have enough to eat."

"I work mom." Dean added.

"Yes dear. I know you do the best you can. But there's so few jobs and it's never enough."

For a moment it was silent…and then Mary played her ace.

"And of course, there's poor Sam."

Dean looked up, his attention riveted just as Mary had known it would be.

"What do you mean?"

"I just mean, poor Sam. He's always dreamed of studying law. But we would never be able to send him to the university. We just don't have the money."

"Mary!" John snapped. "Sam is not Dean's responsibility. And I work damn hard so he can go to school. And he's a smart kid too. He'll probably get a scholarship on his own. And if he doesn't, we'll figure something out."

"Oh really John?" Mary's face flushed in anger. "Maybe…just maybe, he'll be able to go to the local college. Or maybe he can apprentice to be a legal aide. But if Dean does this, Sam will go to the best university. Every door will be opened for him."

"And what about Dean? Why should he sacrifice his life?"

Mary sneered. "What life? He's going to be just like you, John. Working twelve, fourteen hours a day to survive. But, if he does this then he'll be the prince. He'll have everything he ever needs."

"And so will we I guess." John added bitterly.

"Yes." Mary snapped, her eyes filling with tears. "And why shouldn't we? I have royal blood, John. I could have married someone of my station. But I didn't. I married you instead."

John stood up, pushing his chair back so hard it fell to the floor.

"I didn't force you to marry me, Mary. I thought…I thought it was what you wanted."

Mary too stood up, regretting her words. And then she rushed around the table and gripped his arm. "I'm sorry, John. It was what I wanted. It still is. I didn't mean to suggest I regretted it."

"No? Your words say otherwise."

With that John pushed her away and walked out of the room.

For a long moment after, there was silence.

And then Dean said softly. "You hurt him, mom."

Mary nodded. "I know I did."

And then she turned to look at Dean. "He's right though Dean. You don't have to do this. If you really don't want to…"

"No." Dean interrupted.

He stood up and moved around the table. And then he opened his arms and she stepped into them.

"I'll do it for you mom…and for Sammy."

"Are you sure?"

Dean nodded and Mary hugged him a little tighter.

"I love you, Dean." She said softly. "All I want is for all of us to be happy."

"I know, mom." Dean said.

And really, he knew she was telling the truth.

Going to some strange city and marrying a total stranger was not what he wanted though. But he'd do it anyway.

And it wasn't like it would be so bad.

He would be rich afterall and would eat and dress….and live like a prince.

And well, he could only hope that the old omega who would be his husband would not be too damned ugly.