Sunlight streamed in through the lofty windows to the palace library, along with the sweet summer breeze that stirred the ornate curtains. Prince Romain Everaerd was focused intently on a thick leather-bound book, flipping through the pages with long, slim fingers. It had been a long time since he'd been able to simply do the things he enjoyed - now that he was twenty-one, the amount of royal duties he had was almost overwhelming. In fact, there was a meeting about trade agreements with the Russians that he was supposed to be attending at this very moment. He wondered briefly if he should make an appearance, but decided that he didn't care enough.
The rays of sun warmed his sun-darkened skin and made his golden-brown curls appear as if they had captured droplets of light. While he was content enough at the moment, there was always that persistent worry in the back of his head.
What am I even doing with my life?
He knew that his family's position of power wasn't stable - far from it. He knew it was his duty to be a good leader for his future people. But he couldn't help but feel as if there was more to life than smiling for the cameras and sitting in on long meetings that never seemed to accomplish anything. Palace life was too stagnant for Romain to feel as if he was actually making any difference to the kingdom of Illéa at all.
A flash of movement seen out of the corner of his eye interrupted his brooding. Romain looked up from the book to see his younger sister looking disdainfully down at him, the elegant sneer she reserved for him alone present on her face.
"The King and Queen have requested an audience with you in the Throne Room," she said emotionlessly.
Romain suppressed a sigh. Ophélie was as cold towards him as ever. No one would have guessed that they were siblings. Not only was Ophélie determined to show her scorn for Romain at every opportunity, they didn't resemble each other at all. Where Romain's skin was naturally tanned, Ophélie was so pale that her skin appeared almost translucent. She had glossy, straight chestnut hair whereas Romain's golden-blond curls were slightly too long and often fell into his face. Though their eyes were both blue, hers were pale, icy and striking, and Romain's were the dark blue of the dusky sky. Even their choice of clothing was jarringly different: Ophélie was currently wearing an elegant, embroidered dress of dark blue silk that made her seem every bit the regal princess she presented herself to be. Meanwhile, Romain was wearing dark blue - albeit expensive - jeans, and a button-down t-shirt.
"What do they want?" Romain asked unenthusiastically, reluctantly closing his book.
"Maybe to finally disown your worthless ass." Ophélie leaned over and jabbed him in the shoulder to emphasize her words. "God knows I'd be a better ruler than you anyway. At least I pay attention during meetings and attend my lessons."
Romain didn't bother responding. It wasn't as if he hadn't heard this all before. Ophélie was only seventeen but she had already proven herself to be quick-witted and sharp-tongued. Sometimes, Romain even found himself half-agreeing with her words.
"Let's go then," Romain said, choosing to ignore Ophélie's jibes. She followed him to the Throne Room, no doubt as curious as he was to the outcomes of the requested meeting.
Romain inclined his head to the two guards on either side of the ornate doors, knocked twice to alert the King and Queen to his presence and entered.
His father stood up from his throne as soon as Romain entered, and though he was smiling, Romain could clearly see the weariness on his face. "Ah, Romain. How good of you to join us."
"You requested my presence, Father?" Romain asked, a little warily. Perhaps his parents were about to scold him for skipping out on the meeting.
His father looked troubled. "Romain...your mother and I have been discussing this for a long time, and we think that it's for the best."
"Yes?" He had a sinking feeling about what this idea was.
"We're going to be holding a Selection. We believe this is the best way to ease some of the tension in the country at the moment - perhaps if they see one of their own being crowned, the anti-monarchists will calm down."
Romain stared at his father in disbelief. "A Selection? You're going to force me to marry someone?"
"Don't speak to your father in that tone." The Queen had spoken up at last. "We both believe that it would be for the best. It would settle some of the tensions in the country, and even allow for potential alliances with the other kingdoms, if all goes well. At the very least, it will teach you something about responsibility and maturity."
Romain bit down his protests. He wouldn't have tolerated this from anyone else...but then again, no one else would dare to speak to the Heir to the Throne in such a manner. His mother had always been like this, for as long as Romain could remember. Once in awhile, he even doubted whether or not she even considered him her son.
"Don't I get a say in this?" He knew it was futile - the Queen never went back on a decision - but he had to try something.
"I'm sorry, son," his father said gently. "But we really do believe that it's for the best."
Romain nodded and mumbled something about understanding his responsibilities, before he fled the room. He pushed past Ophélie, walking as fast as he could - while still trying to appear composed and dignified - down the long castle hallways.
All of a sudden, something crashed headlong into Romain. He stumbled backwards, more from surprise than the actual force of the impact. A boy of around twelve scowled at him, his pale blue eyes as cold as his elder sister's.
"Watch where you're going, you idiot!" His younger brother yelled at him before storming off.
"Good afternoon to you too, Aurelien," Romain muttered under his breath. Aurelien absolutely idolised Ophélie, but unfortunately, that seemed to mean that he had taken it upon himself to despise Romain even more than their sister did.
Romain pushed open the door to his room, after courteously greeting the guard standing sentry outside. He was prepared to let himself fall limply onto his bed, mentally exhausted from the morning's events, but to his surprise, there was already someone occupying it.
"Shouldn't the Captain of the Royal Guard be...I don't know, guarding the royals, instead of taking a nap in the Prince's bed?" Romain queried.
The young man lounging lazily on Romain's bed grinned, carelessly flicking a strand of his black hair out of his hazel eyes. He was still in his uniform: a dark blue tunic belted tightly over his flat stomach and stretched over his broad shoulders and ironed black pants. Eden Kaneshiro, former child prodigy and the youngest Captain of the Royal Guard in Illéan history at only twenty-five years of age, had long since been a good friend of Romain's, ever since he had first been assigned as a common soldier to the palace at the age of sixteen.
"Well, you're here, aren't you?" He asked rhetorically. "Anyway, I thought you might need some moral support. I hear that you're getting married."
Romain sighed, sitting down on the edge of his bed, which was so large that there was easily enough room for both of them to comfortably fit if they felt like it. "Don't remind me."
"What, you're not excited to have multiple attractive, willing young ladies and gentlemen fawning over you and catering to your every desire?"
Romain shrugged. "I just...I just want to do more with my life, you know? I wish I could do something for myself for a change, instead of always having to worry about what other people want."
Eden shifted so that he was sitting upright and facing Romain, his face suddenly very serious.
"Romain, you're the Prince. You have to do what's best for Illéa. You and I both know that there are hundreds, thousands, millions of people out there who want you and your entire family, our Kingdom as we know it, dead. This Selection business? It could improve relationships with the citizens, gain the approval of the other Kingdoms, and guarantee the wellbeing of Illéa for years."
Romain didn't say anything. Eden sighed.
"Look, Romain. It might not be that bad. Just give this Selection business a chance, all right?"
"Yeah," Romain said quietly. "You're right, I know, I'm being selfish."
Just this morning, he'd been so unhappy with his life because he felt as if he couldn't do anything to help his Kingdom. Now that he'd been given the opportunity, he was determined to make the most of it.
Maybe I'll find love.
Almost as soon as the thought drifted through his mind, Romain dismissed it with an inner scoff. Love was a thing for children and flourished in fairytales. His eventual marriage would be for one reason only: the benefit of Illéa.
But it can't hurt to dream. And maybe our dreams, born aloft by the gentle breeze and shining bright with forbidden hope, are the only true salvation we have in this lightless world.
Hey guys!
Here's the prologue that I promised you. This is just to give you all an idea of Prince Romain and his family, and the current situation in Illéa. The actual plot is fairly flexible, since I will be adapting the outline I have at the moment to incorporate the character submissions.
On that note: thank you to everyone who submitted a profile or expressed interest in this fanfic! Just a reminder that the character form is on my profile, and that the rules/guidelines were posted as the first chapter of this fanfic. Also: we do still need people who are going to be a part of the Selection, otherwise the fanfic can't progress. You are not limited to one character submission - fill out as many character forms as you like!
And finally, I apologize to anyone who's still waiting for a response from me - I haven't been ignoring you, I promise! It just takes awhile for me to read through the character forms and really get an idea of how your characters are going to fit into the story.
Thanks again!
- Brenn