A/n: My 1st attempt at a multichapter AU romance story. It's not really good since I'm as romantically retarded as Ryoma is, but I think it's acceptable. Read and review if you want to. You can flame anytime. Enjoy.

Chapter 1: The Prince and the Commoner

(Ryoma's POV)

Today was the Matchmaking Ceremony, the ceremony when the prince chooses his princess. It was a day when every kid, the prince's age or younger, would gather in the town hall and they would have a contest to see who is worthy of the prince. The contests are very hard; you need to have a survival test, wits test, and worst of all, a test the prince chooses. The prince's test was usually the hardest test because it involves pleasuring the prince and entertaining him. The prince was very hard to entertain because he mostly won't be able to laugh easily.

Today was my first day to the grand ceremony, and I was very sad. I was sad because mom didn't choose brother, she chose me instead. I didn't was to be with the prince forever, I just wanted a normal life where I can choose my own lover. Unfortunately, I had to compete for the prince. I want to lose on purpose, but I don't want to disappoint mother. Even if the contest would be very hard and I might not accomplish it, I have to give it a try. At least I have to try for mom, the person that's always been there for me.

Right now, I'm struggling in the first test. The test was to go through an obstacle course. The obstacle course had many challenges like jumping over fire, going through lakes with alligators, and fighting bears. This test was to see if you are capable of protecting the prince. This test was very complicated because people will cheat. They will cheat to eliminate enemies. I hated it. People would push me to the mud to slow me down or trip me and make me fall into the alligator lakes. It was driving me crazy!!

After many complications, I finally made it out of the obstacle course. I would've run to the finish line, but I saw someone about to fall down a cliff. My instincts told me to save that person, and that's exactly what I did. I rushed to help that person, attempting to pull him up. It was hard at first since the boy was heavy, but he finally climbed up the cliff. I was happy that I was able to help someone and finish the test.

I gazed at the boy, and his handsome features. He was a brunette with light yet beautiful brown hair. His gorgeous eyes were cerulean and could've made me gaze at them forever. He was skinny like a female, but his muscles and chest helped people distinguish him from a girl. Overall, he was an attractive man. I kept on staring at him until I realized I had to sprint to the finish line.

I quickly ran to the finish line, hoping I could make it in time (the test time limit is 6 hours). It was a good thing I did. I sighed in relief; I finally made it through the first challenge. If I keep this up, I might be able to become the prince's groom later. Although I'm taking a test to be with the prince, I secretly wished I could be with the lovely boy I met a few minutes ago.

(Shusuke's POV)

The boy that I just met was beautiful. He might be more attractive than me. His raven-colored hair with green highlights, and hazel eyes went well together with his fuckable body. The boy was short and puny, but a brave uke. I know for sure, he is going to be my lover. Being on the verge of falling off the cliff was part of the 1st challenge. I was trying to see who had a kind and courageous heart. Unfortunately, that boy was the only person who truly passed the test.

I decided to tell mother this because she would be happy to know I already chose the boy I want to be with. I should make everyone who survived take the next test though. The uke might've failed and I would've chosen the wrong person. I sighed knowing the next challenge would be longer than the first. The next test would be writing an essay, but not just an ordinary essay. The essay's subject was how you would protect the prince and his family during war. The test was to see if a person would be smart enough to protect people. It was also to see if he or she would be good enough to be a general.

I really hope the boy would pass the test. I think he actually might. He looked like the person that would be capable of running an army. Then again, I might be just fantasizing of something that might no happen. I think there's a 50 percent chance that he'll fail and a 45 percent chance that he'll pass. The other 5 percent was he would forfeit. I was anxious to find out the answer because I longed for him to be with him. This might be was people call love at first sight.

I sat in a luxurious chair thinking if my love would pass or fail. I tried thinking about something else since I knew if I worry too much, he might really fail, but I couldn't. I just sat in my chair and thought about him.

(Normal POV)

Ryoma was preparing for the next test while Shusuke was praying for Ryoma to pass. Shusuke was wishing Ryoma passed the test so he could be with him forever. Ryoma, on the other hand, was wishing he met that boy again and they would fall in love. Both had the same wish of being together.

A/N: So, how was it? Too short? Too much grammar mistakes? It would be great if you could tell me in a review. I'd appreciate it a lot. I might not be able to update soon, but I'll try to update ASAP.