Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Arranged (more like forced) marriage ❯ Meeting the fiancée ( Chapter 3 )

Sonia knocked on Manic’s door. “Manic?”

 “Go away.” Manic said.

 Sonia opened the door and stepped into the room.

 “I’m not going to the dinner.” Manic said, crossing his arms.

 Sonia closed the door behind her. “You have to.” She replied. “You know the customs.”

 Manic groaned as he sat up. “I don’t want to go through with this.” He said. “It’s not fair to be treated as a breedable pawn in Ma’s stupid game.”

 Sonia furrowed her brow. “Breedable? What do you mean?”

 “According to all the stupid royalty rules or whatever you call it, I have to start trying to continue the family line as soon as I’m married.” Manic replied. “It’s bad enough that I have to marry some girl I never met, I have to have babies right off the bat too.”

 Sonia grimaced. “I’m sorry, bro.” She said, hugging Manic. “We can try to convince Mother to let me marry Shadow. I’m sure he’ll go along with it. Amy might not want to marry you either.”

 Manic grinned weakly. “Alright, sis.”

 “Now get cleaned up.” Sonia said. “Mother’s freaking out that you’re not downstairs and it’s driving me crazy.”

 Manic got up. “Fine.” He muttered. He headed to his bathroom and started washing his hands and face with a washcloth. “I guess there’s worse things.”

 Sonia nodded. “That’s very-”

 “I could be forced into marrying you.” Manic said, tossing the washcloth into the hamper.

 Sonia looked at Manic incredulously. “What…?”

 “Back about a hundred or more years ago, that was a thing in other dynasties.” Manic said. “It didn’t happen in our family line, thank God.”

 Sonia groaned. “Thanks for that image, Manic Edsel Hedgehog.”

 “I really hate that stupid middle name.” Manic muttered.

 “I could strangle you.” Sonia said, clenching her fists.

 “Hey, you’d be doing me a favor.” Manic replied.

 “Don’t talk like that, bro.” Sonia said, unclenching her fists. “Come on, they’re waiting for us.”

  Manic grimaced as Aleena nudged him toward Amy as soon as he stepped off of the staircase.

 Amy, in her fancy red satin gown and rose covered headband, was definitely not the type Manic usually admired. 

 According to his siblings, Manic’s type was typically described as punk, goth, or emo girls.

 “This is Princess Amy Rose, your fiancée, Manic.” Aleena said.

 “Tell me, Princess.” Manic said. “Do you want to be forced into this stupid political marriage?”

 “Manic.” Aleena scolded.

 Amy turned away, rubbing her arm. “I don’t like this either, Prince Manic.” 

 Gerald cleared his throat. “That brings up my proposition. I’m willing to let Prince Shadow marry Princess Sonia and discuss adjusting the terms of the treaty.”

 “She’s not next in line.” Aleena said. “According to our laws, Manic is the next heir since Sonic has abdicated the throne.”

 “The treaty conditions are an exception to that law, isn't it?” Gerald asked.

 Aleena shook her head. “No, not as far as I know.”

 Gerald nodded. “I see.” 

 “If you find it is an exception, then you’re free to object to the wedding tomorrow.” Aleena said.

 Manic sat down. “I’m gonna be sick.”

 Aleena tapped Manic’s shoulder. “Stop being so dramatic.”

 Manic sighed.

 “I’ll definitely object.” Shadow said.

 “It better not involve any level of violence, Shadow.” Gerald said sternly.

 Shadow huffed.

 Manic slowly stirred his Miso soup, barely listening to whatever was being discussed since it seemed clear that his mother was content to make him marry a complete stranger.

 Aleena tapped Manic’s shoulder. “Are you saving room for sushi?”

 “My favorite food?” Manic asked. “You think that’s going to soften me up to the idea of a sham marriage?”

 “You could at least try to get to know your fiancée.” Aleena scolded. “You’re making things more difficult than they need to be.”

 Manic got up and stormed out of the room.

 “Can you blame him?” Shadow asked. “He and Amy aren’t pawns in your idiotic game.”

 Manic glanced back at the dining room. “Sad that an acquaintance cares more about you than your own Ma.”

 Manic finally made it to his bedroom and slammed the door shut behind him. He sat down on the balcony, dangling his legs off of the edge and between the bars of the railing.

 The door creaked open.

 Manic sighed. “I don’t want to hear it, Ma.”

 Amy joined Manic and sat down beside him.  “I know,” She said. “I don’t like it anymore than you do.”

 Manic held his head in his hands. 

 Amy put her arm around Manic’s shoulder and smiled weakly. “Maybe it won’t be so bad.”

 Manic slid his hands down. “Oh, yeah, it won’t be so bad to marry someone you barely know and have babies before you’ve been married for a year.” He said sarcastically.

 Amy bit her lip. “Uh… that’s not ideal, but it’s not like we have a choice unless we let Shadow wipe out most of the kingdom.”

 Manic pulled away. “Leave me alone.”

 Amy nodded. “I’m sorry, Manic.” She said as she walked away. “I hate this too.”

 Manic looked down at the palace guards gathered around the gate. “Great. She’s tripled the guards.” He muttered. He sighed and looked up at the stars. “There’s one way out of it. It’s not like I’ll ever be with Surge anyway.”

 Manic wiped his eyes and drew shaky breaths as he wrote the note on a piece of notebook paper. 

 He typed two quick emails and sent one to Surge and the other to Sonic. “Not that he cares.” He whispered. “He left me here to deal with this mess.”

 He looked at the gun he stole from Shadow’s room and picked it up. He wiped the tears out of his eyes with his shaky hand. “I’m sorry, Babe.” He whispered.