In the continent of the South Eastern Realm, each land had its own kingdom and rulers.

But of course mankind is greedy and nothing if not restless.

The kingdom of Varkos began to call themselves an Empire and raised an army to conquer the continent and put all the kingdoms and provinces under its control.

The other kingdoms didn't anticipate the kind of threat it would pose until it was too late.

The Varkos Empire became the largest ruling force in the continent and the most feared as well.

It had conquered more than half the Realm and could easily conquer the rest.

The other kingdoms either quickly surrendered or became allies just to maintain their autonomy.

But not all kingdoms were willing.

Some wanted to maintain their supremacy and refused to bend to the might of the Varkos Empire.

That was their undoing.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Alexis made his way down the halls, his cream colored robes sweeping behind him as he strode gracefully but swiftly.

He has been sipping his afternoon tea before the interruption that came in the form of a summons to the throne room.

Beside him walked his most trusted aide and confidant, Ser Raven.

Alexis didn't stop walking but he noticably slowed down, glancing at Raven.

Raven's lips twitched with suppressed amusement.

Here was the elegant and revered Second Prince of their land, known for being flawlessly calm and composed looking for all the world like a blushing teenager when his betrothed was mentioned.

Raven bowed as they approached the doors to the throne room.

But then, Alexis has no idea his entire world was about to shatter.

Alexis stared at his parents.

He wasn't quite sure if what he felt was disbelief or pain.

But not rage.

It couldn't be rage.

He hadn't been angry since he was a child.

It simply wasn't "princely", as his etiquette tutor had taught him.

He took a deep breath and tried to comprehend the situation.

Before him his mother and father sat on their respective thrones, regal as ever but having the grace to look slightly ashamed.

Standing next to them was his older brother, Sasha.

He hated the hint of desperation starting to creep into his tone.

Already at 24 he was the most gorgeous man in the Kingdom, maybe the whole continent. At 6'0, with pale, smooth marble skin, long waist length silky deep chestnut brown hair, large hazel doe eyes with long lashes often lined with kohl, a flexible, agilely muscled physique, he wasn't just beauty, he was stunning. Graceful and composed, ethereal even, he exuded an air of natural cool and poise some people would kill for. Jewelery tastefully adorned him, as if even his attendants knew mere ordinary trinkets weren't enough to compliment him.

Sasha, three years his elder, was more handsome than gorgeous but the resemblance was clear as day. While his hair wasn't as long it was in a neat broad down to his back and his honey like amber eyes looked golden on the afternoon light.

His mother see picked at the hem of the sleeve of her robe, a nervous habit he'd subconsciously adopted.

Alexis felt his heart hammering in his chest.

A cold sweat was beginning to break out on his neck.

Silence.

His family didn't say anything but their stares alone made him realize they'd already decided they were just informing him.

Alexis felt his breath leaving him in short gasps.

No. No. No. No.

No, this couldn't be happening.

He was not going to get married to that MADMAN.

His brother's eyes fell on him almost pityingly.

His father's voice was cold and unrelenting, even as he couldn't properly hold his gaze. Yet he looked every inch the untouchable monarch the kingdom knew him to be.

His mother glanced around uncomfortably.

He looked at his own family, his own flesh and blood and found them refusing to meet his gaze.

He dropped to his knees.

He clasped his hands together desperately.

He clutched at Sasha's robe desperately.

Alexis let his hands drop down limply beside him.

Inside him he felt something snap, maybe a nerve or a switch or a fragment of himself that had been holding everything together.

The reality of his own situation sank in like ashes.

He was marrying Lucien Valerian, whether he wanted to or not. And he was absolutely powerless to do otherwise.

CRASH!!

The goblet flew against the wall with a sickening sound.

It fell to the floor, joining the other discarded items that Alexis had so liberally flung about the room in his whirlwind of fury.

Raven was looking very ill at ease, trying in vain to soothe the prince, who was now upturning the bedsheets.

CRACKK!!

And there went the vanity mirror.

A platter of untouched fruits went flying out the window.

Alexis took a shaky breath, his heart drumming erratically in his chest. His cheeks were flushed from anger and exertion and his hair, that had been meticulously groomed at the start of this morning was now looking wild and loose.

He ran trembling fingers through his hair, trying to remember how to breathe.

His hand hovered over a shard of broken glass, contemplating the choice.

Just kill himself and end it.

That was tempting.

He scoffed.

He stopped himself with visible effort, refraining from saying something unsavory about his own flesh and blood.

But gods it was hard when they'd practically sold him like cattle to the one man on this earth he despised with every ounce of his being.

He sighed tiredly, sinking to the floor with heavy weariness.

Raven stared down at his prince with sympathy.

He went on his knees beside him, smoothing the younger man's hair back to something resembling order.

Alexis laughed bitterly.

Raven tensed uncomfortably at this.

Alexis shook his head.