The vast Acciante castle, in all it's glory and splendor, feels a bit too small for the young prince today. He has never been the superstitious type, never truly believed in witches or fortunes, but he has always believed in gut feelings, and his gut is certainly making a fuss on such a peaceful morning. As he flips through yet another page in his current mystery novel, the discomfort only grows. Something is coming, something big. Weather good or bad, he can't quite place, but it is bound to be big nonetheless. It's strange, to say the least, that he of all people is feeling this way. Romano has always been the most carefree member of the royal family, known for not worrying enough, and Agathya has always been the most peaceful of places. The sudden discomfort felt entirely out of place. Perhaps it's something he ate? The hard bind book flies out of his hand and lands with a thud on the dark velvet sheets. Reading doesn't seem to be the solution this time, but a bit of archery practice may be.
The castle is silent, that is until the moment he takes a step out of his bedroom. The tall, French baroque doors slam shut, echoing in and out of every corner of the structure. His father's voice follows merely seconds after. "Romano, Alessia! Come see me immediately." his thundering voice has a sense of urgency to it, more so than usual.

"Good morning to you too, father" the boy catches his father's call on his way down the large, gold accented steps, and presents himself front and center, usual playful smile in place. "Did something happen?". There's a short pause between the two. The king appears to be considering his next words carefully as if to not alarm him, meanwhile the young prince watches, the misplaced feeling from before still in place. "No" the King answers firmly, then wavers. "Not yet".
Not yet. Implying that something will, which means that the misplaced discomfort was not so misplaced after all.
"I have an important announcement to make. Where is your sister?". An announcement that requires both prince and princess to be present is unusual. Alessia, as the oldest of the two as well as the most fit to rule a country, is normally the only one needed to be present. The King entrusts her with important tasks, and she never fails to carry them out to the utmost perfection. She's cunning, wise, responsible, everything needed and expected of a queen. Romano is nothing like her. He's too quiet, too naïve, too common.

Despite his care-free nature, Romano was worried for what this announcement could entail. The last time both their presence was required for something, it was disheartening to say the least. That was several years ago. The young prince and princess were merely fourteen and fifteen years old when they were told their mother had passed away. She had always been a strong woman, fighting her illness with a courageous smile on her beautifully sculpted face. Both siblings were very fond of her, as was their people. She was soft-spoken, patient and kind-natured. Much like how Romano is now. He's often told how much he resembles his mother, not just in looks, but also in the way he carries himself. The young prince doesn't mind it, but sometimes it's more than a little obvious that his father does. The king disliked anything that reminded him of his beloved queen.

"Good Morning, Father." Alessia gracefully walked in, immediately filling up the room with that elegant and regal aura that she carried everywhere she went. Romano watched her silently. It was a wonder how two siblings from the same mother and father, just over a year apart in age, could be so different. "Good Morning, Romano." the question in her tone was crystal clear. She was just as baffled by the current situation as he was. The two exchanged a look, as they usually did in odd situations, telling one another everything without the need of a single word.
"What's the purpose of those looks" of course, their father too could tell they were worried for what might be coming. "I come to you today with great news!" the King exclaimed, a satisfied smile plastered on his face as if he had just found the answer to all of his prayers. And perhaps he had. "Some very special guests are coming today. King and Queen Dashkov will be here this afternoon with their eldest son to discuss future plans and wedding details". There was a short silence while Romano replayed in his head what their father had just announced. Romano had heard that name before. They were a very well known and powerful family. The family name alone was enough to strike anyone with fear. A quick glance over to his older sister said it all. This was the first she was hearing of this as well. The king didn't mention specifics, but they could both take an educated guess. "You gave the prince Lessi's hand in marriage". It was meant to be a question, but it sounded more like a confirmation of what he already knew was true.
"I've already spoken to the Prince himself. He's a fine young gentleman. I'm sure you two will get along splendidly once you get to know one another." he explains as he turns his attention to Alessia, not bothering to respond to Romano's statement. He gives them both a reassuring smile before continuing on. "The future and safety of our kingdom depends on this marriage, so please be on your utmost perfect behavior." Though he's talking to both of them, the young prince can feel the second half of the statement directed more towards him than towards his sister.

The future and safety of the kingdom... All that based on a single engagement? Romano could only imagine what kind of power this Dashkov family had. "Father, don't you think that's a bit-"
"Of course, Father."
Romano immediately turned to look at his sister. She was not okay with this, but as always was willing to make the sacrifice. "But Lessi-"
Once again, he was interrupted. She sounded stable and ready for what was to come, but Romano knew her better than that. Once they were out of their father's sight and far enough to not be heard, she let out all the frustration he knew she had been struggling to hide. She sobbed silently, and the prince felt helpless. There was virtually nothing he could do for her. Their father hadn't even thought to consult her about this before making a decision. Had he mentioned it sooner, Romano would have fought him tooth and nail to stop it. "I can't be married, I just can't." the prince knew why. His sister would be willing to do anything for the safety of her people, but this was a sacrifice he was not going to let her make. The young prince didn't know that kind of love, nor did he understand why people fell in and out of it. He had never been in love nor did he plan to any time soon, but he vaguely knew what love was and what it entailed from reading about it in books. That was more than enough for him.

"I know...I know." there was really nothing else he could say to her now. In fact, she was not the one he needed to be talking to. "It'll be okey" he assured her. There was a small probability that the king would listen, but the prince was determined to at least try. Once she had calmed down a bit, Romano gently cup her wet cheeks. The disheartened look on her face nearly broke his heart, but it gave him that last small push he needed. "I'll talk to father " he stated decisively, gently placing a kiss on her forehead. "And I'll kick out that prince Dashkah-whatever his name is back to where he came from.". It may have sounded like a simple joke, but the young prince was willing and determined to do it. He'd do anything for his sister's happiness, regardless of the consequences.
Looking at the time, there were still several hours until the infamous Dashkov family arrived. The first thing the prince had to do was have a talk with their father. He could consider and decide how to take care of this prince afterwards.

"It's a nice thought, Ro, but there's no use...Father has made up his mind, no amount of talking about it will change a thing...." She was right of course, Romano knew that. He knew all too well that once their father set his mind to something, there was no power on earth that could change it. Still, doing nothing was asking too much of Romano. The prince watched as his sister, with her distraught heart, quietly headed to her bedroom. He didn't follow. She needed to be alone and he had other things to take care of first.

The heavy double doors were opened for him and shut again with an echoing thud. At the center of the room stood the mighty king, still pacing as he had been earlier while the siblings were in his presence. "You could have at least talked to her about it first". The prince had no plan in mind, no strategy, no hope of succeeding, only frustration. It wouldn't get him very far, he knew that. A sigh escaped through the king's lips as he slowly turned to face his son. This was not the first time Romano came to him with complaints, and it would most certainly not be the last. "It was necessary. You know our nation is vulnerable. We need the protection" Perhaps he was right, but this wasn't the way to go about things. "Then marry me instead". There was an odd sound following Romano's suggestion. It almost sounded like a laugh of sorts. "You want me to give the prince your hand in marriage instead?" the king appeared to be very pleased with his tasteless joke. Romano was not, by any means. "This isn't a time for jokes, father" the king's lips morphed into a sharp line. "You're absolutely right, so stop wasting my time". And that was that. The conversation was finished. The king decreed it so, and Romano was left alone in an empty, silent room. As expected, talking to his father got him nowhere, but the young prince had not given up. Far from it. He would get this engagement canceled one way or the other.