More Than Just A Prince

Typical Royalty

King Bruce stalked through his manor, looking for his children. He was the proud father to six children. His eldest Richard followed by Jason, Stephanie, Timothy, Cassandra, and Damian. Most of his children were adopted as he had never wanted to marry. Timothy was the only one he never adopted, despite treating the boy as the son. He was allowed to live with them like his parents had. His parents worked for the king before their murders. Tim never had claim to the throne due to this but the likelyhood it would get past Richard was unlikely given he had first claim. 

He found his children in the living room of their manor, mostly doing their own things. Richard, or as they called him, Dick, was listening softly to the conversations flowing through the room and keeping his hands busy by thoughtlessly running them through Damian's hair. Damian was ignoring the borderline petting and just sharpening his knives in his lap. Jason was sketching an image in his sketchbook with Cassandra silently peering over his shoulder to watch. Stephanie and Tim were quietly talking as they followed the butler Alfred around. 

"Ahem," Bruce started and watched as all his children halted their activities to look up at him, "We will be having guests at the end of this week. I have invited King Barry and Prince Wallace from Central Kingdom. We all know why they will be here and it is of utmost importance that you are all on your best behavior."

"Do I have to?" Stephanie spoke up quietly. 

"I have heard wonderful things about Prince Wallace, Stephanie. He would make a wonderful choice of a husband. It is the goal to marry you both to build a branch connecting our kingdoms, therefore preventing future wars," Bruce replied.

Dick rolled his eyes and focused back on brushing through Damian's hair as he spoke, "If she doesn't want to then she shouldn't have to. There are plenty of ways to avoid war."

"Not in a way that cements peace for centuries to come," Bruce said and left the room.

"If it makes you feel any better Steph," Jason started, "I've heard he is quite handsome and intelligent." 

Stephanie looked at Jason before looking back at Tim, who she had been speaking to before. "What if we just don't click? This Prince Wallace and I?" She replied.

"Then you don't marry him," Dick said in frustration as he stood up, "We are a modern kingdom. This is the 21st century. Does a marriage really hold that much value today anyways?"

"Maybe not but in this context Kingdoms who have ancestral ties through marriage have a 40% less likely chance of war. Which isn't fantastic but it is still better than nothing," Tim stated. After a glare from Stephanie he shrugged his shoulders in apology.

The week was a blur of preparations for the guests. The manor had rooms prepared and a few hours before the guests arrived the King and his children were getting dressed.

"Tim, aren't you going to put on anything nice?" Bruce asked as he saw the boy in the hallway.

"Well, I'm not really a Prince. I could dress like Alfred if you like," Tim suggested.

"Put on a suit. You're to be treated like the rest of my sons and daughters," Bruce stated and nodded to Alfred to get the boy dressed as a prince rather than a butler.

The rest of the princes and princesses were dressed in their suits and gowns. As custom they waited just inside the grand front door until they heard the cars arrive outside. The doorbell rang a few moments later and Alfred quickly opened it to the two men there.

Dick eyed the younger man and rose an eyebrow. He seemed a bit old for Stephanie, seemed closer to Dick's age of 21. After all Stephanie was only 17 and this man looked almost 22. The Central Prince seemed to be having the same realization as he spotted Stephanie, immediately sending a subtle glare towards King Barry.

"Bruce," Barry said calmly, "How nice to see you again."

"Likewise, Barry," Bruce replied and continued, "It will be wonderful to have you here for the next few months."

"Yes it will be pleasant to get to know your family. Might we conduct introductions?" Barry questioned then said, "I am King Barry of Central Kingdom and this is my son Prince Wallace."

"You can call me Wally," he butted in.

Bruce nodded, "I am King Bruce of Gotham Kingdom. These are my daughters, Stephanie and Cassandra. This is my eldest Richard-"

"Call me Dick," Dick inserted as he made eye contact with Wally.

"-and my other sons Jason, Damian, and Tim." Tim slightly smiled as Bruce introduced him as one of his sons. "Finally, this is our head butler Alfred who will be showing you to your rooms."