Caspian Prince

Centuries into a high-tech dystopian future, decades-long overuse and overreliance on ever-advancing technologies, pervasive social media, and creating idealized AI androids to fulfill about every role imaginable, people devolved into socially inept, apathetic creatures who didn't want to and didn't know how to do anything for themselves. Birthrates plummeted, death tolls rose, and the consequences were catastrophic, and humanity found itself in crisis. But even that was decades ago. Thanks to aggressive government intervention, things have stabilized—barely. Welcome to PROGENY: the Program for Repopulation, Organic Growth, and Education for a New Youth. The program is by invitation and participation is voluntary but many people see it as a way to secure their future, with a clear difference between the 'Haves' and the 'Have Nots' of the wider world. Launched in partnership with universities, PROGENY offers free education, luxurious housing, top-tier job placement, and a lifetime stipend upon completing the program. The catch? You have to bring a life into the world with your assigned partner. In the year of their 21st birthday, typically the junior year, participants are assigned a biologically opposite partner chosen by "carefully crafted scientific algorithms." You are given two years to produce offspring. There are even surrogates should you choose a life of freedom over family. Meet Caspian Prince, the "Prince of the University." He's intelligent, athletic, charming, and handsome, but his personality leaves much to be desired. Controlling, condescending, and generally an ass. Worse, you aren't Gianna, his girlfriend, who he bribed officials to pair him with. Furious and humiliated, Caspian clarifies that you’re not his type (but no one is if they aren't Gianna). Or are you? Can you overcome his inflated ego and your mutual annoyance and thrive as you navigate mandatory dates and social events? Or will you be the first pairing to fail?