Princess Louise was called into her father's study the next morning. Which was a good thing for her, as she had something she wanted to discuss with her father. Now, that the war was over, she could finally figure out what she wanted to do with her life, and think about potentially attending college. She already knew that she wanted to take, journalism, she just needed her father's seal of approval. So, as elegantly as she could, rushed to her father's study. She knocked lightly on the door, and heard a muffled come in. She opened the door to the room and stepped inside, curtsying to her father.

"There you are." Eric greeted her with a smile. He waved her closer, then kissed her on the cheek. Louise smiled up at her father.

"I'm glad you sent for me, I was actually hoping to talk to you…" She trailed off.

"Before you do, let me go first." Eric said as he sat on a leather couch. He motioned for his daughter to sit, which she did. Eric took a moment to compose himself. "Look, I hate to do this to you, but unfortunately we had no choice. You are to marry Prince Albert of the German Federation."

Louise blinked in surprise, then glanced at her father, a confused look on her face. Her mother had promised her that unlike the other princesses of Illéa, she wouldn't be sold off for an alliance. "I'm sorry, what?" Louise asked.

"We were in a bind, and the German Federation offered us their support, in order to secure the alliance we had to agree for you to marry their Prince," Eric explained.

"And you didn't think to tell me sooner?" Louise snapped, folding her arms across her chest.

Eric sighed. "I know I should have told you sooner, but I didn't want you stressing your whole life over it."

Louise rolled her eyes. "And if I refuse?"

"Then we go to war with the German Federation for breaking the terms of the alliance," Eric said, locking eyes with his daughter. "I know this isn't ideal, but you got to know Albert during your time away, didn't you?"

"Obviously I did, and he was nice, but, this changes everything, dad," Louise said as she ran her hands through her brunette locks.

"Will you do it?" Eric asked.

Louise frowned, but nodded. Prince Albert was nice enough, she knew he would treat her well, but still, she wanted more from life than to be stuck in a royal family. "On one condition, I want to go to college, just…to expand my horizons."

Eric smiled. "Of course, anything you want."

"Does Albert know?" Louise asked.

Eric nodded, "His father told him the day you left."

"I better go call him, then," Louise said as she stood. She left the room with a sigh, this wasn't ideal, but she had to play her part for her country and her family. And who knows, maybe Albert would let her be more than a second rate queen being kicked with a crown.

That evening came the Report. Justin entered the studio, dressed in a grey suit. He was nervous about addressing the public, even after being spoken to by the palace publicist. His father hadn't bothered to help him prepare at all, not that he expected it. He sighed as he took his seat on stage. His parents were engrossed in conversation and his sister looked deep in thought. Of course, he was left to his own devices, as he often was. He scowled and glanced at his watch. The Report would start soon, it felt weird, he hadn't participated since he was fourteen, and during his time away he didn't even bother to watch it. But now he was forced to be in it, and he was the main attraction. After a few minutes of waiting, the Report started. Eric and Scarlett gushed about how good it was to have their children back, luckily the cameras stayed on his parents, so he wasn't forced to look happy to be back. Justin half-heartedly listened to the rest of the Report, too caught up in his own little presentation to give it much thought.

"And now, we have two very special announcements tonight. First off, our very own Princess Louise has agreed to marry Prince Albert of the German Federation, after attending college for a few years," Eric said with a genuine smile, glancing at his eldest with pride. "We are very excited for them and very proud of the young woman our daughter is becoming."

Justin's eyes widened at this. What the hell? He thought, glancing at his father, then at his sister who had a smile etched on her face, though he could tell it wasn't genuine. Why had nobody told him? He was the crown prince for crying out loud!

"And my son, Prince Justin has a very special announcement for the young men and women tuning in tonight," Eric finished.

Justin glanced at the camera and took a deep breath. He stood and took the microphone from his father. Sure, he had prepared what to say, and it was all very pleasant and polite. But why should he strive to meet his father's expectations, when he was kept out of the loop? He cleared his throat.

"In keeping with Illéan tradition, I will be hosting a Selection," Justin said, in a monotone voice, not even bothering to smile. "Unlike traditional Selections, this one will be open to both men and women. I look forward to meeting those who are Selected." He then dropped the microphone in his father's hand and sat back down in his chair, silently fuming as his father wrapped up the Report.

The second the cameras cut Eric rounded on his son. He grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the room. Justin didn't bother to protest, he knew he'd anger his dad with his little stunt, but he didn't expect him to get physical.

"Just what the hell was that?" Eric hissed, tightening his grip on his son.

Justin squirmed slightly, gritting his teeth against the pain. "I announced my Selection," he said dryly. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

Suddenly, his father's fist connected with his face and Justin's head snapped to the side. His cheek exploded in pain and his ears started to ring.

"You insolent boy, not like that!" Eric roared. He pinned his son against the wall. "There's no way in hell you thought that's what I meant."

Justin's hazel eyes flickered up to meet his father's angry green ones. Justin didn't try to push himself free, he never saw his father so…uncomposed. His heart raced in his chest, and he just wanted to get out of there.

"You will work on your public speaking skills, do you hear me?" Eric snapped, slammnig him into the wall again. "You are the future of Illéa and you will act like it. Do I make myself clear?"

Justin nodded, swallowing a lump in his throat. His father had always been hard on him, but he didn't think he'd raise a hand to him. Sure, he'd give him a little squeeze on the shoulder here and there to get his point across, but he didn't think he'd actually strike him.

"Get out of my sight, straight to your room." Eric ordered releasing his grip on his son.

Justin scowled and walked away, shoving his hands in his pockets. He resisted the urge to run to his room, not wanting to look like a coward. The second he was in his room he slammed the door shut and undid his tie, loosening it and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his dress shirt. Without thinking, he started knocking various objects off of his dresser, nightstand, and desk. Anything he could get his hands on. He grabbed a lamp and threw it against the wall, watching it shatter into pieces. When he was done trashing his room, he panted from the effort. But still, it wasn't enough, he was still furious and worse, humiliated. Anyone could have seen that. He ripped off his suit jacket and threw it carelessly on the floor. He ripped off his shirt and picked up one of the shards of glass from the lamp. He glanced at the self-inflicted scars on his upper arm, he hadn't done this since before he had been shipped off. But now he was back home, where well, he was always second best. Nobody cared, nobody would notice. So, he did the only thing he knew would calm himself down.