Wife to the Elven Lord (Anti-Hero X BemusedBird)

[BemusedBird]

Eliza stood at the bow of the ship nervously chewing on one plump lip. She had called this ship home for the past couple of weeks, and as her bright green eyes studied the sliver of land Eliza felt equal measures of excitement and dread. It would be a relief to be back on solid ground, her almost constant nasua would finally cease. She longed for a bed that didn't move with every great wave. Although if possible she would gladly stay aboard another couple of weeks if it meant going home to her family. Instead, Eliza found herself in a foreign land about to be wed to a complete stranger. Bitterness filled her, she had hoped that one day she would be lucky enough to marry for love as her parents, or rather her mother had. Unfortunately, her father didn't have the same sediment. Perhaps if her mother were still alive, or if she'd been born a boy things could be different. Sadly, as a girl, there was only one positive thing she could do for her family, and this terrible wedding was going to be it. Closing her eyes Eliza let out a long breath. There was no point thinking of maybes or being angry about her situation. This was her life now and she had to make the best of it.

Turning away from the impending land Eliza leaned against the railing and watched the crew as they prepared to dock. The man ran back and forth shouting over the wind at each other. Multiple of the men were high in the air taming the wild sails. Another to the side of her dropped the anchor. Knots were being untied and overall there was an excited energy as they too got to spend some time on land. She marveled at the freedom they had. A piece of strawberry blonde hair trailed her face, pulled free from the twist she had put it in. She wanted to look nice for her future husband, in preparation Eliza had worn one of her favorite gowns. It was a beautiful blue and cream concoction, cut just low enough to expose a little of her creamy cleavage. It tapered in at her narrow waist and flared at her thick hips. The material was perfect for their mild climate back home, but here she was already beginning to break a sweat

After what seemed like a lifetime, and no time at all they were docked. The captain escorted her off the ship and into the hands of a very annoyed Mr. Tomkin. The man took her hand as she stepped off the docks, but as soon as she was on steady ground he released her as though she had burnt him. The man wiped his hand on his pants in disgust. A strange feeling went through Eliza. She had heard that some of the elves didn't like humans but she hadn't realized that she would encounter their dislike so quickly. Mr Tomkin quickly ushered her into a carriage to be brought to her new home. Eliza thought this was strange too, why didn't her future husband come to greet her?

The carriage itself was a phenomenon, a decently sized open box on wheels but no horses at the front to pull it. She turned to ask Mr. Tomkin how it would work but he had already turned, walking away from her. It seemed that she would arrive at her new home unescorted. Before she could think to get out the carriage started moving on its own accord pulling her deeper into the city. Eliza barely knew what to think. At least the view around her kept the girl distracted from the events. Plants and foliage were everywhere. They grew wild wrapping around the tall buildings and signs. They were in colors she had never seen in nature before. Startling shades of pink and purple. Even better than the view was the wonderful scent of this place. It smelled of fresh pastries and something else just as sweet but she couldn't quite place.

Before Eliza knew it the strange carriage was pulling up to another beautiful building. The carriage stopped by itself at the front step. Eliza didn't wait for anyone's help this time. Not wanting to experience the rudeness of Mr. Tomkin again. Climbing out of the carriage gracefully she approached the main door. Her windswept hair tickled her cheeks made pink by the day's sun.

 

[Solo]

There was something calming about the dawn of early morning. In the stillness of the quiet, cold morning air, there were no royal obligations. No one, much less ten at the same time, was chattering in his ear about this edict or that ball; no one was concerned with the placement of his long, blonde hair or his jewelry; no one's eyes were fixated on him as he stood, straight-backed and poised, on the balcony attached to his quarters, overlooking the foggy valley below, and there were no spoken words for anyone to eagerly hang on.

It was his only hour of peace, clawed from the day by missing out on sleep, but though it left him yearning for a second cup of strong coffee partway through the mid-day meal, it was worth it.

Especially that particular day.

All his life, Rhys knew he would have little control over the events in his future. From a young age, he had been raised to rule, forgoing normal childhood experiences like cavorting with friends and attending school to make room for strategy instruction and private tutoring. From the ways of the ancient magic to battle strategy to fencing, as he aged, Rhys related to those his age less and less, and soon, even those of somewhat comparable social status were at arm's reach. Just before his father had passed, he had confirmed what Rhys had always known: he was born a pawn, and would end his long life as a king. There was no room for anything else. And while Rhys cared immensely for his people, there was always an inkling of yearning for something more.

Now, he would not only be a king, but a husband, and, eventually as expected, a father. Self-doubt wasn't a concept Rhys was intimately familiar with, but it crept in during those quiet moments he stole alone — moments that never lasted long, as proven when one of his knights knocked at his door, opening it shortly after.

"It is time," spoke Kyr, one of Rhys' favorites; if they had been permitted to, he often thought they would have been friends. Rhys simply nodded, leaving his private world at the top of the castle behind, the balcony door firmly shut behind him as he allowed himself to be dressed in the royal mail and robes suitable for public appearance. And just like that, the mask of cold indifference slipped into place, a well-practiced routine to appear as he was expected to.
​

---

The morning and afternoon were a whirlwind, and soon enough, word came that the soon-to-be queen had docked. In the middle of a terribly dull assembly related to the re-positioning of troops along the border with the human kingdom — after all, just because the marriage was to take place didn't mean they could afford to lack vigilance — Rhys was whisked out, led to another, smaller room, outfitted only with a few plush armchairs for furniture, though handsomely adorned with decoration as the rest of the castle was.

And then, the door swept open and Rhys was met with the woman he was to spend his entire life with... and he felt nothing.

Love stories were told over and over in the kingdom, from bards' sonnets and songs to novelists to courtly intrigue whispered in the castle halls, and while Rhys had never placed much stock in them, he had at least expected to feel something for his eventual counterpart, but while he knew from the start that she was human, he was wholly unprepared for the lackluster aura surrounding her.

You'll learn to love her, rang in his ears, words spoken by an elder advisor in his cabinet.

Doubtful, he answered in his mind.

"Announcing Miss Eliza," rang out from one of his knights, a scrawny young man with a squeaky voice that grated on Rhys' ears. Bowing politely — though a bit shorter than a royal addressing — Rhys soon straightened up to study her further, making it no secret that that was exactly what he was doing.

"Charmed," he finally spoke, though his tone left little to the imagination on how he was truly feeling. "Leave us," he beckoned his knights, settling himself into one of the armchairs. Whether she joined him or not was of little concern to him, but he at least had to act the part.​

 

[BemusedBird]

After the way her morning had gone, the title of Miss shouldn't have surprised Eliza. Unfortunately, it did. This may be her first day here, but she was still a princess and deserved the respect of her title. A sinking feeling settled in her stomach as she hoped that her time here wouldn't be filled with such disgrace. Eliza; who was used to keeping her true feelings hidden, did not let her inner turmoil show. She kept a polite smile on her face. After all, today was not the day to start trouble.

It didn't take long to set eyes on her husband to be around the scattering of servants. He was, of course, gorgeous but Eliza had known he would be. It was all her maids could talk about before she left. They had not been wrong. Between his striking features, and the prettiest eyes Eliza had ever seen he was indeed handsome. She gave him a deep curtsy, noting his tone, she had to bite back a smirk. It appeared he was even less thrilled with their pairing than she was. "I'm sure," Eliza replied not hiding the touch of sarcasm. As she rose, Eliza noted that he seemed to be appraising her. Her shoulders straightened a fraction at the realization.

Eliza wondered what he thought of her. She had been too interested in the town and its people to take the time in the carriage to fix her hair. It was sure to be wind-blown, she could feel a few loose curls at her face and neck. For a moment she regretted not taking the time, but quickly dismissed the thought.

Eliza waited as he dismissed the staff and took a seat in one of the large chairs that adorned the room. When it became clear that he did not plan on playing the niceties with her; by inviting her to join him, Eliza took it upon herself to select a chair directly next to his. With no other reason other than to irk him. She turned her body to face him and inspected him the same way he had done to her only a moment before.

After the silence stretched on to the point of awkwardness, Elisa spoke "I understand that our situation may not be ideal, I hope that we can at least become friends." She offered to him.