Princess of Solaria

Chapter 8- °•Anything for the Crown.°•

The way back was just as long as the first. They rode through the night, only stopping a few times for bathroom breaks.

Eres had fallen asleep, his head tilted back against the padded car seat. His eyelashes fanned out over his cheeks, making him look almost angelic. Sirus sat in the seat across from him. He was wide awake and staring out in the window. He seemed deep in thought. Serena had also fallen asleep, resting her head on the window. She had curled her body up into some kind of ball, and Dovie had made a bed beside her, curled up into a small fluffy ball. Elaine and Alitar were talking quietly in the back seat, discussing the alliance and other important matters."Sirus." Alitar spoke, catching his youngest sons attention with his deep, stirn voice. Sirus shifted in his seat to look at his father, a hint of boredom in his dark blue eyes.
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"Yes, Father?" Sirus responded, trying to keep his eyes from rolling in annoyance at being interrupted from his own thoughts. Alitar studied his son's face, noticing the slight roll of his eyes and annoyed look. He was used to his son's attitude. He didn't expect much less from him. "I want to talk to you about something important," he started, his tone firm and serious. Sirus raised an eyebrow in response, his interest piqued by his father's words. "What about, Father?" He asked, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms over his chest. He knew better than to not listen to his father when he said something was important.
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Alitar paused for a moment before speaking, choosing his words carefully. He knew Sirus wouldn't take this news easily. "I want you to marry the eldest Isis princess, Daiyu," he finally said, his tone firm and unwavering. Sirus froze as soon as the words left his father's mouth. His face fell into a look of shock and denial. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What?! Are you insane? I can't marry her! I don't even know her!" He protested, his voice rising in volume."You have no choice. It's for business. Eres is already gonna be king. And you've been a useless disappointment long enough." Alitar said coldly his words felt like a punch to the gut to Sirus. Elaine stayed silent, looking between her son and husband.

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Sirus knew he had always been a bit of a disappointment to his father, but he never thought it would come to this. Getting married to someone he didn't know? It was unthinkable.
"Father, please," he began, his tone desperate. "I can't do this. I'm not ready to be married, I've never even been in a relationship!" Alitar scoffed at his son's words. "I didn't ask if you were ready. I'm ordering you to do it, Sirus. This is a business deal, not a love affair. If you're going to be a prince, you have to learn that sacrifices need to be made." Sirus gritted his teeth, trying to hold back his anger. He knew that his father was unmovable, but that didn't stop him from wanting to lash out at him.

"You can't just force me into a marriage like this!" He snapped, his hands gripped tight at his sides. Sirus snapping woke up Serena and Eres. Eres groaned and listened to what got his little brother so worked up meanwhile Serena checked on Dovie.

"What's going on? Why are you guys yelling?" Eres groaned as he sat up in his seat. He rubbed his eyes, bleary from sleep. He looked at Sirus and Alitar, waiting for an explanation. Alitar looked over at Eres and Serena, his expression hardened.

"I was just telling Sirus about his future wife. Princess Daiyu from Isis." He said bluntly. "This makes no sense! Eres is the one who's gonna be king! Why am I being forced to marry!?" Sirus yelled. Alitar's expression tightened as Sirus yelled at him.
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"Don't raise your voice at me, Sirus. You know well that I wouldn't make this decision if it wasn't necessary. Eres will already be the ones to inherit the throne, and you've shown little interest in taking responsibility. Marrying Daiyu is what will strengthen the alliances with Isis."

"I believe we should have Sirus marry Chivy instead of Daiyu." Elaine finally spoke up. Elaine looked over at Sirus, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. "Sirus is young, I don't think he's ready to be married at all," she began. "However, if he has to be married for our sake, I think it would be much better for him to marry the youngest daughter instead. Chivy is more Sirus' age, and I'm sure they wouldn't be as incompatible as Sirus and Daiyu." Alitar considered Elaine's words, his expression contemplative. "You bring up valid points," he admitted, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But I still think a union with Daiyu would bring more benefits to our kingdom."
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Eres, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally spoke up.
"What do you think, Sirus?" he asked his brother, his tone gentle and understanding. "Do you think you could marry Chivy instead of Daiyu?"

"Sirus is gonna get married!?" Serena exclaimed excitedly with a happy smile, Dovie, in her lap. "Don't get too excited, Serena," Alitar warned, shooting her a look. "This is a serious matter we're discussing." "Sorry daddy.." Serena apologized sadly, making Alitar soften. "It's fine, princess." Alitar smiled softly to assure her he's not made at her. Syrus sighed and looked between his family members, unsure of what to do. "Honestly, I don't care if it's Daiyu or Chivy. Neither of them are my type, " he remarked, rolling his eyes.

"Their both out of your league." Eres teased his brother even tho they both haven't talked since their argument. Sirus scowled and shot his brother a dirty look. "Shut up, Eres. I have plenty of girls that simp over me!" He stated, trying to hide his irritation. Eres smirked at his brother's words, knowing he had hit a nerve. "Oh, really? Name one." Sirus hesitated for a moment, scrambling to come up with a girl's name. "I- uh. Uh -" he stuttered, his face turning red in embarrassment.
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"I can name some!" Serena chimed in to Sirus rescue. Sirus quickly shushed his sister, his hand reaching up to cover her mouth. "No! Don't you dare, Serena!" He growled at her, giving her a glare. Eres chuckled at his siblings' antics, thoroughly amused by Sirus' embarrassment.
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"There's a group of princesses who made a club with one another for Sirus!" Serena informed them with a proud smile. Sirus immediately blushed at the information incredibly embarrassed."A group? What the heck are you talking about?" He said with shock and disbelief that other royals actually made a secret group just to gush about him. "Oh, and me and all the other princesses made a list for the most attractive prince! Sirus was number 2!" Serena added, making Sirus almost jump from his seat. "There's a list?! I'm number 2! Who's number 1?!" Sirus said with a smile, happy that he was ranked so high on the list.
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"ENOUGH! ALL OF YOU!" Alitar snapped, yelling at his kids to focus on the conversation of Sirus potentially getting married. Everyone immediately silenced themselves at Alitar's firm command, surprised and slightly scared by his outburst. They all quieted down and looked at Sirus, waiting for him to respond to the proposal of marrying Chivy. Sirus was silent for a few moments, the pressure weighing heavily on him. "Fine," he finally said, his voice quiet but firm. "If this is what you think is best for our kingdom, then I will marry Chivy." Alitar nodded in approval, satisfied with Sirus' response.

"Alright, then it's settled," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll speak with King Cyrus and plan out the details of the engagement."Serena was practically jumping for joy, her excitement for her brother's unexpected marriage contagious.
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Eres couldn't help but smile as well, his usual smirk replaced with a genuine one. "Seems like you landed yourself a marriage, Si. How does it feel?" He teased, ruffling Sirus' hair affectionately.

"Don't get to cocky Eres. You're gonna be married next." Elaine smirked at her oldest son chuckling. Eres rolled his eyes, his smirk returning. "Don't remind me," he muttered, feigning annoyance. But in reality, he was secretly dreading the day his own arranged marriage would come around. The only one of them who won't get forced to marry by their father is Serena. Since she is the favorite and Alitars "little baby girl" Alitar never wants her to sold of to random bratty prince like he and Elaine were. Eres and Sirus don't have a choice in the matter. Alitar would do anything for the kingdom, the crown, and most importantly, his reputation.

Even at the cost of his son's happiness.