"Roman dearest! Come downstairs!"

The prince sighed and closed his leather-bound notebook, putting his quill away. Really, he wanted nothing to do with this girl he was meant to marry. He was only 17, for God's sake. He didn't want to marry yet, let alone marry a girl.

"Roman!" His mother called again, her tone sharper than before. "Come downstairs."

"Coming mother!" Roman yelled, internalising another sigh as he carefully placed his golden crown on his head and closed his bedroom door.

"I'm here mother." Roman muttered, standing next to his younger brother. Casting his eyes to where the princess was, Roman's breath caught slightly. He barely noticed the princess, his eyes were drawn to the darkly dressed man beside her.

He had black hair, black smudged under his grey eyes, a plain black shirt and trousers with a dark purple tail-coat and a slouching, awkward stance. This boy intrigued Roman, making his breath catch even more.

"Roman dearest, this is Princess Rose. She's your new wife."

Roman tore his eyes away from the darkly dressed boy to look at the princess. Her messy ginger curls were tied back in a blue ribbon which went well with her blue dress and black eyes. Roman internalised another sigh and bowed to the princess.

"Your Highness." He said, putting on a front which he hoped said 'I'm straight'. "I'm unsure if my mother's already told you, but I'm called Roman."

Rose laughed slightly and curtsied. "Wonderful to meet you, Roman. I noticed that you were looking at my companion. Virgil." She said softly, not wanted to startle the darkly dressed boy. "Prince Roman, Virgil's my oldest friend. I can't go anywhere without him."

Virgil hurriedly bowed to Roman. "Your Highness." He mumbled, averting his eyes from everything but the floor. Roman smiled at Virgil in what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

"I think it would be best to leave you two to talk." The queen said, ushering Remus out of the room.

As soon as everyone had left the room aside from Rose and Roman, Rose let out a sigh.

"God, it is so difficult to put on a front all the time. I assume you know what I mean." Roman opened his mouth, fake confusion crossing his face.

"I don't-"

"Don't try and lie to me, Roman." Rose said, examining her nails. "I saw the way you looked at Virgil." Rose laughed as Roman started to splutter. "Hey, don't sweat it. It's fine."

"Okay, that makes what I'm going to say a lot easier. So, I'm going to call upon the Rule of Empat Belas and I didn't want you to take it personally."

"The rule of what?"

"It means that I have two weeks to find a new wife or husband. If I don't find someone, I marry you."

Rose sighed again. "Then I sincerely hope you find someone. No offense but I've already got a guy back in my country."

"No offense taken. I'm not really surprised that you're not single. To a straight guy, you'd be very pretty."

Rose let out a laugh. "Oh thanks. Know what, you're not as bad as I feared. Friends?" She asked, holding out a hand.

"Friends." Roman agreed, shaking Rose's hand. "Now, I need to go find mother so that I can avoid marrying you."

Rose laughed again and gave Roman a thumbs up as he left the room.

"Mother?"

"Yes Roman?"

Roman swallowed. He hadn't thought about how difficult this would be.

"I, um, I call upon the Rule of Empat Belas."

The queen sighed, not angry, just disappointed. "What's wrong with Princess Rose? She's smart, kind, lady-like-"

"She's not what I'm looking for in a partner." Roman said firmly. "She's the wrong gender, for one." He added in his head. "Besides, she doesn't want to marry me either."

The queen sighed again. "Very well. You have two weeks, Roman."