Royal Red Roses - Prinxiety

• Chapter One •

(Tw: small amounts of blood, homophobia)

"I'm gonna kill you!" The white clad prince yelled up at the tree, brandishing his silver sword.

"No ya won't," the other prince teased from up in the tree. "You couldn't hurt a fly."

The first prince scowled, before putting his sword back into its sheath.

  "See? Told ya you'd give up," the prince in the tree called. He was perched precariously on a branch, smirking down at his brother.

His smirk disappeared when the prince on the ground ran forward and started climbing the tree alarmingly fast.

"Wait! Roman no-"

But it was too late. Roman was up the tree, and the branch was wobbling. With a loud snap, it broke and the black clad prince fell to the ground.

"Remus? You okay?" Roman asked his brother, who was face down on the ground.

"Whoo! Let's do it again!" Remus called, his voice muffled. He gave a thumbs up. Roman chuckled, watching as Remus sat up, his nose bleeding.

"Roman! Remus!"

The voice was taut and angry. Roman turned to see his father, King Mars, brisk walking swords them. He was seething with anger. Roman jumped down, landing next to where Remus sat. He too quickly sat up, brushing off his clothes.

"What on this earth are you doing?" The king said. It wasn't a question, but an accusation.

"Sorry, father. Remus took one of my mirrors- you know, the one grandmother gave me- and wouldn't give it back," Roman said, looking to his feet.

"Yeah, we were just playing-" Remus began, but was cut off.

"And that is exactly what you are not supposed to do," the king said curtly. "You boys are too old for games."

"But father! We're only nineteen," Roman said, sounding a mix between offended and aghast.

"Exactly. You will be twenty in hardly three six months. You will be eligible to become the proper heir."

Roman looked up at his father, then to Remus.

"Well what am I gonna do? Roman's gonna be king and I'm gonna sit in my room all day," Remus said. He was clearly struggling to keep calm and not yell.

"You can talk with your friend Janus," the king said. Roman fought to not snicker when the king has referred to Janus as simply Remus' friend.

In a way, they were "friends", just a little more touch-y feel-y. If the king wasn't so oblivious, he would see them for what the obviously were.

"Now Roman, I need to talk to you," He shot a glare at Remus. "Alone."

"Yeah, yeah. Back to my room I go," Remus said, sulking off to the gates. That was, until he saw Janus. With a quick detour, Janus following along, and a mischievous look on both of their faces, they headed off into the palace somewhere.

"Roman, you and the princess of Alríca are to marry," The king said simply, as if it was obvious what he was going to say.

But to Roman, this was the worst news he could have gotten.

"But-" Roman started. The king gave him a poisonous look that said 'choose your words wisely.' "I cannot marry her."

"Why?" The king asked, his voice curt and taut.

"Because I-"

"Is there some peasant girl? Perhaps- if I'm lucky- a noble girl who has stolen your heart?" The king said. His voice was angry and accusatory.

"No, father I-"

But Roman was cut off again.

"Then I see no problem with you marrying the princess. The wedding will take place one fortnight after your birthday," the king said. He began to walk away, but Roman couldn't let him.

"Father, I cannot marry the princess because I am going to marry a prince." Roman said, hoping this reason would suffice. It was his last chance, as he knew his father would make him marry regardless of if he had already fallen in love.

"Excuse me?" The king said, and Roman instantly regretted the words he said. The king spun around, fury in his amber eyes.

"I-" Roman said, flinching are his father's words. Or at least the words he knew would come. Roman took a breath. "I do not wish to marry a princess, father. If I am to marry, it will be a prince."

"No." His father said, mostly to himself. "No, you will marry a princess. You are to be king. You cannot marry a prince."

"But father-"

"No, Roman. You will marry Princess Venus; next week if the Alríca monarchs allow it." The king said, struggling to keep his voice calm. He was seething with anger.

"Father-"

"That is enough, Roman!" The king said. "Go to your room. I will have servants bring your food. You will stay there until you are wed."

And with that, the king beckoned guards over and they escorted Roman back to his room.

With a click, the door was locked from the outside.