*if ((royal_looks = "default") and (player_interested_in = "men"))
    *goto_scene defaultmenaloof
    

*if ((royal_looks = "default") and (player_interested_in = "women"))
    *goto_scene defaultwomanaloof

*if ((royal_looks = "default") and (player_interested_in = "non-binary individuals"))
    *goto_scene defaultnonbinaryaloof

*if (royal_looks = "old")
    It was actually pretty rare to see $!{oldroyal_title} $!{oldroyal_first_name} in public, but if the $!{oldroyal_title} was, ${oldroyal_he_she_they} always looked like ${oldroyal_he_she_they} would rather be at home or in ${oldroyal_his_her_their} room. $!{oldroyal_title} $!{oldroyal_first_name} had maybe smiled once or twice in public, ever. 

    The $!{oldroyal_title} wasn’t smiling here either. $!{oldroyal_he_she_they} looked like ${oldroyal_he_she_they} wanted to be anywhere but in front of the camera. Still, ${oldroyal_he_she_they} continued where ${oldroyal_his_her_their} father left off.

    “Yes. Quite. We have some news to share about Odessa Dates, the website that has quickly become the most popular website in Odessa of all time,” $!{oldroyal_title} $!{oldroyal_first_name} said. “It involves me, actually.”

    “Actually us. Well, anybody that’s signed up for Odessa Dates, that is,” Princess Mozelle corrected with a sweet smile towards her ${sibling_title}. 

    “Sure, Mozelle,” $!{oldroyal_title} $!{oldroyal_first_name} said, not even making eye contact with ${oldroyal_his_her_their} sibling. $!{oldroyal_he_she_they} crossed ${oldroyal_his_her_their} arms and it seemed as if ${oldroyal_he_she_they} were done talking for the rest of the time. 

    “Actually, my daughter is correct,” King Frederick said. “We...haven’t exactly been truthful about Odessa Dates’ true nature.”

*page_break

You, as well as most of the office, gasp. Immediately the room erupts into noise. Half of the room was trying to figure out why the Crown would lie and what the website is for, while the other half was trying to get everybody to shut up so they could hear.

Eventually the explosion of noise dies down as the King continues. 

“Yes. While Odessa Dates is a true dating website that has successfully paired up over 100,000 profiles, it also had a second purpose,” Queen Ramona said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She takes a deep breath and laces her fingers with her husband’s before continuing. 

“Odessa Dates was also created to find the most compatible people for $!{oldroyal_title} $!{oldroyal_first_name}, our eldest child. We are pleased to announce that we have invited the top 10 compatible profiles with the $!{oldroyal_title} as matched through Odessa Dates to Dia to compete in The Odessa Dating Games,” Queen Ramona finishes.

King Frederick pauses, as if trying to gather courage to continue. Eventually he does. 

“The Odessa Dating Games will be a competition for my eldest child’s hand. $!{oldroyal_he_she_they} will marry the winner of the competition, which will put participants through a series of challenges in which the participant will have to prove that they can handle royal responsibilities, social responsibilities and much more.”

There’s another pause, seemingly for the heir in question to fill. After attempting to hold in a groan, $!{oldroyal_title} $!{oldroyal_first_name} uncrosses ${oldroyal_his_her_their} arms and looks into the camera again.

“Rest assured that Odessa Dates will still continue to be an active dating website for all of Odessa to enjoy. My father simply wishes to see if I can find the same happiness as many of you have,” $!{oldroyal_title} $!{oldroyal_first_name} said, stuffing ${oldroyal_his_her_their} hands into the pockets of ${oldroyal_his_her_their} trousers. “I am looking forward to meeting the contestants in a few weeks.”

Once the $!{oldroyal_title} is done talking, they look away from the camera again, leaving the King to wrap everything up.

“I’m sure everybody has a lot of questions. We will have another press conference in a few days to answer more. For now, we will be focusing on preparing for the competition,” the King said. 

He straightens up, which seems to be some sort of signal between the Royal Family, because they all reach for each other’s hands, even the $!{oldroyal_title}.

“Godspeed and God bless Odessa,” they all say in unison before the feed is cut.

*page_break
*goto_scene chapter1_fallout