Alfred slouched against the car window, letting out a moan. When no one else in the car noticed, he let out an even bigger moan, bouncing his head off the glass for good measure. This wasn't fair, and the whole car was going to know, one way or another.
Alfred's father glanced away from the road and back at him. "You're the heir to a kingdom. You're marrying her for political reasons, not because we want to control your life."
Alfred moaned. "God, that doesn't even make sense! At least Matthew got to pick who he got to marry. You're just bringing me to this chick's castle without so much as a day's freakin' notice!"
Alfred's mother sighed, sounding very much like an annoyed Alfred herself. "We gave you two and you're the first born, Alfred. I'm sorry, but that's how it is. You think I wanted to marry your father at first?" She adjusted her hair, muttering.
Alfred groaned, glaring out the window. They past a dragon farm, the huge, towering building covered with countless claw marks. The heir perked slightly.
"Hey, can I have a dragon for my wedding gift?"
"Absolutely no—"
"Maybe," Alfred's mother cut in.
…
Alfred was unimpressed. Less a castle and more a giant, modern mansion. Glass and white and rectangles. The Jones lived in a realcastle; his soon-to-be-wife lived in a glorified cube.
Alfred practically dragged himself out of the car, wrinkling his suit. His mother gave him an exasperated look and his father straightened Alfred's tie. The heir rolled his eyes and moped, following after his parents.
The Honda's were nice and neat, like their house. They invited the Jones in, showing them around their little weird cube house. Alfred, meanwhile, was getting more and more disinterested. His bride was polite and boring. Alfred wanted to go home and play videogames.
"Excuse me," Alfred finally interrupted, "Is there a bathroom I could use?"
Mrs. Honda instructed him, and Alfred practically ran away.
And then got promptly lost.
"There are too many freaking turns in this stupid house," Alfred said to himself. "Honestly, I feel like I'm in a game of Zombina-Maze."
"Zombina?!"
Alfred jumped, turning on his heel. Someone had just spoken from the room he had passed. He inched his way back and the door swung open, revealing an excited looking guy.
"You play Zombina?"
Alfred glanced over the guy's shoulder into the room. It rivaled his own room—posters and games and gaming consoles galore. It was a nice, familiar sight in this weird house. Alfred raised an eyebrow, grinning.
"Fifteen. You?"
"Thirty-seven."
Alfred gaped. "Teach me your secrets."
…
"Oh my God that makes so much sense!" Alfred yelled, waving his arms and nearly hurling the controller across the room. "Kiku, how did I not realize that I had to pick up the stupid silver bullets to beat the wolf zombie? Argh."
Kiku nodded, face serious. "The game incorporates many myths and legends into its creatures. There are guides but…" He frowned. "It's cheating."
Alfred gawked. "Please tell me your sister is as good as a gamer as you. I'm stuck on so many of my games and you've beaten all the games I've broken. You have a Dragon-Pac arcade console." The heir rolled over on Kiku's bed and kicked his legs. "No one has a Dragon-Pac anymore."
Kiku let out a small laugh. "My sister is more interested in politics."
Alfred groaned. "Just my luck. He rolled back onto his stomach, facing Kiku's television. "Alright, show me how to beat the next level—no, wait, let me try." Alfred stuck out his tongue, concentrating. "Kiku, you're awesome."
Alfred pretended neither of them blushed.
...
Alfred was much quieter on the ride back to their castle. Alfred's parents were concerned; their son had been civil for most of the visit, though he did disappear for a little while towards the middle. His future wife and family-in-law had seemed unconcerned, talking about their youngest son sometimes playing video games with guests.
"Hey, guys," Alfred asked, "It doesn't matter who I marry in that family, right? Because their oldest is already married off, right?"
Alfred's dad hummed an agreement.
Alfred popped his lips. "So, technically, I could marry Kiku, right? The youngest son?"
His father started to protest, but Alfred's mother cut in. "Yeah, I don't see why not. You're not getting a dragon, though."
"Deal."