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Marry Me {DemonHuntress12}

M

Mari

Star
Joined
Feb 18, 2021
This whole thing was awful. Avery sighed as he looked out of the carriage window, waiting for the castle to come into view. He was to be married, to someone he didn't know, after he was explicitly promised that he could marry who he chose. This was awful. He sighed again and, this time, his attendant laughed.

"My Prince, please do not despair. This could be a good opportunity for you" Jakob said with a soft smile. He had been with Avery since he was a very young child, always doting on the prince and trying to support him as best he could. That was his job as an attendant, to attend to all of Avery's needs and, sometimes, he just needed reassurance. "You will be helping your family, and you may end up liking the other prince"

Avery scoffed. "A good opportunity? It's an opportunity for my father to sell me off to prevent a war that has been brewing for years, just because he has another war elsewhere. I'm helping further my father's power and I don't even know this prince. I may hate him" Avery shot back, Jakob just smiled, reaching over to pat Avery's knee as the prince sunk in his seat and sulked.

"Now, now. Be positive. We're here anyhow. You'll have to make the best of it" The attendant said, pointing out when they came close to the castle. His ornate carriage pulled up outside and the footman was instantly at the door, opening it for the two inside. "I'm here with you throughout"

That brought a small smile to Avery's lips and he nodded, getting out of the carriage to meet his future husband.
 
Dorian cursed to himself as he pulled on the collar of his thick coat, crimson in colour and tailored to be just a little looser than a second skin. But it was weighed down by the many medals and ribbons and patches that his mother had insisted upon being added to the front. What an absolute mess he was in!

He would have given anything to be away from the palace, riding his horse or sailing or doing something that wasn’t standing on these damn steps, baking in his own clothes under the hot sun. But his mother had threatened to skin him alive if he wasn’t there to meet their visitors. Not just visitors but… his future partner! He couldn’t believe it! He was supposed to marry someone he hadn’t even met!

It wasn’t someone that he had met or even anyone that he had chosen for himself! But a complete stranger! Someone he had never met, chosen FOR him by his parents in an attempt to stave off a war. How his kingdom had gotten themselves into this mess, how they had gotten themselves onto the knives edge of a war that they needed an alliance to prevent it?!

As he was grumbling his many grievances to himself, he watched a carriage approach the palace and bowed at the waist as it came to a stop. He tried to make his face appear welcoming, as much as he was sincerely wishing to be anywhere other than this spot.

“Welcome,” He declared, straightening up to see his betrothed’s face for the very first time.
 
Avery walked up to his betrothed, bowing himself before raising up. He was...a handsome man. Good. At least he hadn't gotten a troll or someone ridiculously older or younger than him. That would have made this whole thing so much worse. At least they seemed to be a similar age. Perhaps they could get along...? No. He didn't want to get along with him. If he was miserable enough his mother would call him home.

"Thank you for meeting me" He said, managing a smile. He had half expected a servant to meet him and then, perhaps later, he would eventually meet his fiance. He assumed that his parents had forced him. There was no way his betrothed wanted this. They were both in a difficult situation. "My name is Avery, of the Kingdom of Nosian. It's a pleasure to meet you"

He was nothing if not polite. He could be as polite as needed for the situation and meeting his betrothed seemed like one where he should be kind. "I...I look forward to our future alliance" He said, letting out a breath when he saw Jakob nod minutely out of the corner of his eye. He had said the right thing. He didn't know what to do!
 
Dorian had to admit that his betrothed wasn't... terrible looking. His hair was red and soft-looking, with curls covering his whole head, a few even making their way into his face and they looked oddly charming. His eyes were a similarly warm shade, a noticeable contrast to the dark locks and bright blue eyes of his companion. At the very least, his betrothed wasn't hideous and that might prove to make this a little more tolerable.

"It was my pleasure, I'm pleased to see that you made it to our kingdom unscathed and in good health." He expounded, reciting the same words that his mother had pounded into his head for weeks before now. All the while, he couldn't help but think that all of this could have been done by a herald or someone else that they hired to do these kinds of duties.

"I am Dorian, first born son of the Kingdom of Ision. Please," He extended his elbow out for Prince Avery to take, "Allow me to escort you inside. My parents are keen to make you acquaintance." All of this was just more of his mother's words and he wished that he could have choked on them.
 
Everything Prince Dorian said sounded rehearsed but Avery couldn't not find it in him to fault that. Similarly, his mother had prepared him for what he was to say when he met the other royal family. He was to be polite, to wish them well, to say that he was looking forward to their alliance. All things that weren't completely true. It was painful. He had to wonder why he had to come here to meet his betrothed before they married. Surely he could be like his cousins. Betrothed and met on their wedding day only to live separate lives.

He supposed that was impossible as Prince Dorian was the first born son. He had certain duties and Avery would likely have to assist with some of them in the future. Something he, as the fourth son, was not prepared for.

He looked at the offered arm and barely hesitated before taking it, his hand slipping into the crook of his elbow. "My thanks" He murmured, glancing back to Jakob who nodded reassuringly. He would be with him. "I am looking forward to our meeting. My mother has spoken highly of them" Better than his father at least.
 
Dorian glanced at the man who accompanied Prince Avery, assuming that he must be some kind of assistant or servant or something like that. He had to be someone important if he had been given the assignment to travel with Prince Avery all the way here. That was something that he would have to ask about later. Maybe when or if he got the Prince alone. If his mother would allow him, that is. He sincerely doubted it. She would probably want to know everything about the Prince as soon as she laid eyes on him.

"I would not be shocked if the pair of them had been sending each other letters every day until this meeting." It was the first thing he'd said that hadn't been beaten into him by his mother and the sound of his own words surprised him.

He led Avery into the palace and headed inside, taking him straight towards the drawing room where his parents, sisters and his brother were waiting for them. "I hope that you will like them..." He expressed, hoping that he would be allowed to return to his own affairs as soon as he had taken Avery to meet his family.
 
Jakob was very important, and Prince Dorian would have to learn that very quickly. Avery deferred to Jakob in a lot of things he did. He was only here because of Jakob's urging. He had been content to refuse, to run away. He was a fourth son, who cared if he was there or not? Jakob had convinced him otherwise and so he had ended up here.

Avery ducked his head to hide his laugh, agreeing with Prince Dorian wholeheartedly. He too would not be surprised to hear that their mothers had been in communication. She had seemed more excited about this than anyone. Honestly, she was likely the one to suggest this form of alliance. There was no way his father would have thought about it. Money and might were his forms of diplomacy.

He let Prince Dorian lead him wherever he needed to, trying to remember the route. This was to be his home, he would have to get used to the layout. It was sad to think. Everything was so unfamiliar, so different to his home. It made him feel rather sad. "I hope they like me" He responded. He hoped that they could at least get along. It would be nice to have a good relationship with his in-laws.
 
Dorian couldn’t help but feel like the figure following after them was watching him like a hawk. Those admittedly attractive blue eyes were honing in on him like they were trying to pierce through his skull and it sent uncomfortable shivers up and down his spine. He wasn’t sure how much he wanted to remain around this person.

He had not paid attention to who his mother had been communicating with nor what she had been doing up until this point but knowing her, even as little as he did, he was certain that she was talking with Prince Avery’s family. It was just like her to do something like that. Words and wit were her bread and butter and she could run circles around all of them, to the point it was frightening!

“I’m certain that they will.” He tried to say placatingly, but it sounded painfully hollow, almost patronising. Sensing that Prince Avery was becoming disorientated, Dorian slowed his pace just a enough for the other Prince to get a good look around until they were standing before the door of the drawing room. He nodded to the guard standing beside it and they knocked, announcing their arrival.

“Mother? It’s me. I’ve brought Prince A—.” He was cut off by the sound of his mother’s voice.

“Well what are you doing out there then, come in! Come in!” Called a female voice from inside. Without further preamble and with a look of sympathy from the guard, the two were let inside.
 
Jakob was watching Prince Dorian closely. This was the person that would be marrying his Prince, the person he would spend his life with. He had helped convince Avery to go along with this and he was watching to make sure that the Prince wouldn't make him a liar. He had promised Avery that he would at least be kind, that he would at least be someone he could get along with. He was waiting to be proven wrong and then he would follow his Prince's orders and assist him to leave.

Prince Dorian's words were...not helpful. He would rather he keep quiet then mutter a placating sentence that he truly didn't mean. Would they not get along? Oh, this was so awful! He didn't say anymore, not seeing the need to and not wanting to. This whole thing had been painfully uncomfortable and he wasn't ready for more. He did appreciate the slower pace but soon they were at the drawing room door and the door was knocked.

Entering and walking into the room, Avery let Prince Dorian's arm drop and he bowed to those that were in the room, one hand over his heart and the other behind his back perfectly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, my thanks for welcoming me into your home. I hope we can all become good friends" Again, something his mother had told him to say but he couldn't remember her exact wording. Hopefully he hadn't messed it up too badly.
 
Dorian wanted to sigh and sag as his mother sprang up from her seat, but she would have had his head. She had trained manners and decorum into him from the other end of a birch rod and he still winced whenever certain movements aggravated still-healing bruises. Fuck, everything seemed to be conspiring against him. First his mother and now, his own body was trying to set him on edge. What he wouldn't have given to be somewhere else...

But he was faced with having to spend several hours sitting awkwardly amongst his family and it made his stomach clench painfully. Sitting there, in the middle of the room, he could see his sisters and his mother all seated around a table, though his father and brother were missing. There was a tea-set with several cups placed before them all but his mother seemed to forget about them almost immediately.

"Prince Avery!" Queen Lillia declared, opening her arms as she swooped in, pulling the smaller of the two into a tight hug. "Welcome! Welcome to Ision! It's a pleasure to have you!" Taking Avery's hand without a moment of hesitation, she led the other Prince further into the room and pushed him down into a seat. Dorian, completely forgotten in the doorway, followed behind them at a distance. "How was your journey? Tell us everything that you've seen since you arrived!"
 
Well, it seemed he hadn't messed it up if the Queen's excitement was anything to go by. He blinked as he was suddenly pulled into a hug, his head turning a little to look at Prince Dorian. Was this normal? He felt a little overwhelmed. He wasn't expecting such a greeting. Still, he appreciated it in some ways. At least it seemed he was wanted here by someone. Her enthusiasm reminded him of his younger sister.

He was lead into the room and to a seat, quickly being made to take it. He smiled at the Queen and at the Princesses sitting at the table. "Ah, the journey was uneventful thankfully. Jakob kept me entertained" He said, unsure what he should say now. Said attendant was hovering at the door, hands clasped behind his back as he observed his Prince. He wasn't needed but his presence was comforting to Avery.

"I'm afraid I haven't seen much. The Kingdom is beautiful, I saw the fields from my carriage window, and your home is lovely. It's very different from my own" He said slowly, wondering what he had actually seen. He'd been sulking for most of the carriage ride and hadn't paid much attention. He regretted that now.
 
Queen Lillia seemed completely oblivious to any kind of discomfort that she might have been putting the smaller Prince through. She seemed consumed by her excitement and her daughter's faces split into smiles as well, though the one in the middle, a strawberry blonde wearing glasses, wore the smallest. Rising to their feet as their big brother walked over, they curtsied in unison and recited, "Welcome your highness."

As soon as the Queen sat herself down, she began pouring out tea for all of them. The cup, Dorian supposed, had just been set out for appearances sake until now. Upon Prince Avery's speaking a name, he glanced over at the man who was standing by the door. He wanted to say something but his mother cut him off. "Is that this gentleman who came in with you?" She asked, gesturing for the attendant to join them.

"Come in, come in! Make yourself comfortable good sir!" She called, setting out another cup for the man. "I'm glad that you brought someone to keep you company. But I know that my son will do everything in his power to help you feel at home here." She gave Dorian a pointed look and he hastily nodded.
 
The Princesses were polite, all beautiful in their own ways. This family had truly been blessed with good genes. They were all attractive and Avery felt a little out of place, even more so given that he was the only person not of this family and he was essentially on show. He thanked the Queen quietly when she poured tea for all of them, etiquette dictating that he should offer to help but he didn't want to offend either. Why was this so difficult?

"It is. he is my attendant" Avery murmured, smiling a little as Jakob seemed very uncomfortable with the situation. He was expecting to be on the edge, not drawn into the action. But he couldn't exactly argue with the Queen so he bowed low and made his way over when the offer was made.

"My thanks, your Majesty" Jakob said, taking the offered seat and tea. He would keep quiet from them.

"Thank you, I already feel very welcome" Avery said, glancing to Prince Dorian for a brief moment. Mothers were scary and it seemed that his was no different. He was...uncomfortable with the situation. Did he want Prince Dorian to want him to feel at home of his own volition? He didn't know. It would be nice. This was awful. He kept thinking it. "My parents asked me to pass on their well wishes. They have sent a few gifts with me, although they were in the carriage. I hope I can bring them to you later"
 
Dorian was sitting straight in his chair and wishing more than anything that he could have rested further back into his seat but his mother would have given him the sort of look that scorches, had she seen him do such a thing. Sitting there, on the outside even when he was in the room, he felt like the third wheel here and, as someone who preferred to be in the thick of it, this was putting him on edge in a painful way.

Why had his mother had to monopolize his betrothed's attention and time? Why did he have to stay here during this? Did she think that she was doing him a favour by letting him listen in on this? If she did, then it wasn't much of one. If anything, it felt like she was trying to bore him!

"Make yourself comfortable Jakob, you're as much a guest here as Prince Avery." The Queen expressed.

Dorian was the last to be served tea and he tried not to let that sting. Instead, he picked up and sipped at it, glad for a distraction and for something to do with his hands. "I think that our servants would have taken those gifts and put them in your room. If you'd like, we can get someone to bring them here so you can give them now?" He suggested, finding it a good moment to speak up. When his mother didn't say anything, he took strength from that and gave Avery an encouraging smile. "We're all interested in seeing what you may have brought."
 
Well, Avery was pleased to see that Jakob was welcome here. Not all Kingdoms had special attendants for their royal family's and he had wondered if anyone might find it strange that he had someone that was very clearly not a body guard or knight following him around. That being said, Jakob was trained very well. If need be, he could protect Avery easily.

The two sipped at their tea, Avery glancing again to Prince Dorian when he spoke. He hadn't anticipated that but he returned the encouraging smile with a grateful one of his own. "I would appreciate that. I'd like to share" He said, knowing what a couple of the gifts were but not all. He hoped his mother had been the one to choose them all out. He didn't trust his father's judgement as far as he could throw thim.

"I hope you'll like them. They're simply tokens but my mother wished for us to...start anew" The Prince said carefully. It was no secret that their Kingdoms had been at odds. Hell, the only reason he was here was to prevent a war by creating an alliance.
 
Queen Lillia kept one eye on her son and the other on Prince Avery. How she cursed herself for not stressing just how vital this was for their kingdom. Why had she let him become so complacent in matters of the state? Perhaps she had simply become too comfortable with Prince Peter’s interests in politics… She cursed herself again.

But this would be her moment to ‘make nice’, as her children liked to say. She was going to make this relationship work, even if it killed her! Dorian was going to become this boy’s best friend and… perhaps something more. “We would be delighted to see what you’ve brought.” She expressed, opening her hands and looking towards her oldest son. “Dorian, go and see to it that the presents come back here.” She instructed.

“As you wish mother.” Dorian said, standing up and moving away to the door. He was quick to disappear and reappeared some time later, escorting a troupe of servants, each laden with boxes of all shapes and sizes.
 
Avery felt incredibly awkward as Prince Dorian left. That was the only thing in common with this family. Without him there...he felt out of place. He felt out of place anyway but it was even worse now he couldn't see the other Prince feeling just as awkward. Curse it all. He just tried to be polite and keep up conversation with his future in-laws. He needed to do everything he could to make this work or his mother would skin him alive.

Soon, Prince Dorian was back with the presents and Avery stood, gesturing for Jakob to step forward and help. "I hope you like them" He said, taking a couple of boxes that he knew of and placing them in front of the Queen. One of them would be a necklace his mother had picked out, ornate and delicate at the same time. The other would be a couple of books that Avery himself had picked out. They were about their Kingdom and, actually, their previous alliance with Ision. He thought it would be an interesting token.

Jakob placed a box in front of each of the princesses, each with a small token for them. One of a small golden ring inlaid with opals, one of rare perfume, and one of a book of short stories from his home. His mother seemed to think that each of them would be good for the princesses but he had no idea if they would be received well. Avery took one final box and presented it to Prince Dorian. "I hope we can have a good relationship" He said, managing a small smile. It was a long box with a dagger inside. It's sheath was ornately carved in silver with a folk story from his home. The blade itself was of the highest quality.
 
Queen Lillia and the Princesses each made efforts to get Avery feeling as comfortable as they could whilst Dorian disappeared to get the gifts. Each of them tried to make conversation, explaining something about their interests, such as Genevieve, the middle of the girls, who adored books and writing, Princess Alice, the youngest, showed off some of the dancing steps that she had been practising the week before. Princess Beatrice, the eldest of the three, remain seated and said the least but encouraged her sister’s just as much.

Each of their faces were lit up with delight at the boxes being set in front of them. Even Dorian was broken from his disgruntled attitude by the appearance of a box being set in front of him. As he removed the ribbon and the top of the box, he looked inside to see something he never would have expected. Drawing out the dagger and sheath, he slid it out just long enough to get a glimpse at the blade. “Oh my…” He breathed, replacing the blade and carefully putting it aside.

But as he found himself admiring it, he couldn’t help but feel bad that he had failed to think of anything that he might present to Prince Avery as a welcome gift. By his side, his sister’s were squealing over the appearance of their new gifts and were eagerly looking them over, comparing them and lavishing praise and thanks over Avery for bringing them. Somehow, he had managed to find something perfect for all three of them and the Queen was looking like she had fallen in love with Avery all over again. If she didn’t adore him already, this had all but cinched it.
 
The Princesses and the Queen were all being so lovely to him. Avery didn't know how to handle it. It seemed like they were genuinely happy he was there? He didn't know if that was true nor how to take it really. He was there to marry their brother, their son, he supposed they just wanted to make sure that their relationship was a good one. This alliance would fall apart if they didn't actually get along.

Avery was relieved to see that they all liked their gifts, even Prince Dorian seemed to appreciate it. Avery had chosen that one himself. His mother had said it was important that he do so as it would be his first gift to his betrothed, it had to be special. It seemed like the gifts all went down well and were enjoyed. A good start he thought.

"I'm glad you like them. My mother and I hoped you would" He admitted, feeling more comfortable now. Of course, more comfortable than he was before wasn't much but it was better than nothing.
 
As seconds ticked by, Dorian found that he couldn’t take his hand off the dagger now sitting by his side. Something about keeping it close to him, with his fingertips just brushing it felt strangely comforting. He was going to have to keep his eye out for something that he could get Prince Avery in return for such a gift. His mother seemed to be thinking along the same lines.

“Dorian, perhaps you should take Prince Avery here to the market some time.” The Queen suggested, giving him a pointed look. Oh… she didn’t mean the regular market that was held in the nearby town. She meant the one held at night… He knew that must have been what she was intending him to understand. As if he ever needed a better reason to go.

“I’ll have to send your mother my highest complements.” Queen Lillia insisted, admiring the broach that she had found in her own box before attaching it to the front of her gown.
 
"I would like that" Avery said quickly, glancing to Prince Dorian. Perhaps they could use it as an opportunity to talk a bit more? Besides, it would be nice to see something more of the Kingdom than this castle. Whilst it was lovely, he'd had enough of being cooped up in a castle for his whole life.

His attention then moved to Queen Lillia and he smiled. "I believe she said she was going to write to you. She wanted to talk about...uh...arrangements" He managed to get out. Wedding arrangements. Moving arrangements. Alliance arrangements. Avery held no illusions that this alliance was mainly his mother's doing and so she was taking the lead in managing it. Including building relationships herself with the other royal family.

The broach was lovely and suited the Queen wonderfully. How his mother did it, he wasn't sure.
 
Dorian pushed his hair back from where it had been falling into his face. Suddenly his appearance and making a good impression seemed to be of greater importance than it had been before. “I will have to find the time for such an outing. Assuming that… We won’t have to take escorts along with us?” He asked, giving his mother a significant glance.

“Oh! That’s wonderful, I would love to talk to her again. Oh goodness, I’m excited all over again! Thank you for telling us this, dear Avery. I’ll look forward to receiving her note.” She expressed, as the broach glittered on her breast. Dorian could only roll his eyes at his mother getting excited about wedding preparations. Prince Avery had only been here a few minutes, scarcely more than an hour, and she was already flying into a fantasy about it.
 
Escorts? Avery hadn't considered that. Did they need them? He wasn't sure what the customs were here and if they would be warranted given their situation. Either way, it wouldn't bother him. He wondered if Jakob would come but the man would likely be busy. He still had to work whilst he was here.

Avery just smiled at the Queen's enthusiasm, finding it...intense. She seemed to be really happy to both hear from his mother and having this marriage go ahead. Everyone seemed happy bar the two that were getting married. He tried not to sag in his seat. "Are you tired, my Prince?" Jakob asked quietly, spotting Avery's mood from a mile off.

"Ah, yes, a little. I apologise. It was a long journey" He said, directing his words to the other's at the time. The journey had been fine really, but it was long and this whole thing had exhausted him.
 
Dorian sucked in a breath through his teeth. He could tell that Prince Avery hadn't liked how he had brought up 'escorts'. It had just been his coded way of asking his mother if they were going to be followed by the palace guards or not. But now, he had put Avery on the defensive.

"Oh! Avery, dear. Let me know if there is anything that you left behind or if there is something that you would like me to pass onto your mother. I'm sure that she would want to know that you're safe and sound and enjoying your time here." She insisted, blinking when Jakob asked Avery if he was tired.

"In that case, Dorian--" She was cut off by said Prince standing up.

"I know mama," Turning to Prince Avery, he bowed and offered him his hand. "Will you let me show you the way to where you'll be staying?" He offered, with an encouraging smile.
 
"I'll be sure to" Avery said, appreciating the offer. He had left a lot behind. Everything couldn't fit in one carriage but he brought everything important. He would send for the rest once he was settled, whenever that would be. Part of him expected the to all to turn around and say they had changed their minds, that there would be war after all. He tried not to think that way.

Avery glanced to Prince Dorian as he stood, returning the encouraging smile with a small on of his own. "If you could, I would appreciate it" He said, taking the offered hand and standing. He glanced to the Princesses and the Queen. "It was lovely to meet you all. I hope we can spend more time together" He bowed his head and then looked to Prince Dorian, nodding his head to say he was ready to go.
 
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