bakerstreet | Arranged Marriage.

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Arranged Marriage.

Marriage for love is a such a modern concept. In the past, marriage was
recognised as a social contract. Unions were entered into for many
reasons: to obtain property, to unite families, to carry on a bloodline,
et cetera. Whatever the reason, congratulations, you're getting married!

HOW IT WORKS:
❧ Post a comment with your character's name, canon, and any preferences.
❧ If there's a specific set of circumstances you like best, set the scene.
❧ Or leave your comment blank and let others use RNG to choose the scenario. Feel free to mix and match.
❧ Please note the prompts below are merely suggestions and you're more than welcome to come up with your own situation.
❧ Have fun!

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR MARRIAGE:
① Station → You come from a royal, noble, or otherwise distinguished family who has chosen a suitable spouse for you.
② Feud → You are being married to put an end to the bitter enmity between your two families.
③ Economics → Your economic state and/or your station will improve through the union, though one of you may be marrying down.
④ Empire → You and your spouse are merging your businesses and/or property to create something more influential or profitable.
⑤ Tribute → You have been offered as a gift or appeasement, alternately you're the spoils of war.
⑥ Bloodline → Carrying on your distinguished family name has fallen to you and the equally well-bred spouse of your family's selection.
⑦ Disapproval → Your marriage has been arranged to keep you away from the person with whom you truly wish to be.

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:
① First meeting → This is the very first time you're meeting your future spouse.
② Courtship → To get to know each other and encourage affection, your family has approved of you going on dates.
③ Engagement party → Be it a huge, formal affair or a small, intimate get together, you're celebrating (or pretending).
④ Wedding day → The big day!
⑤ Reception → The big party!
⑥ Wedding night → Every meme needs a smut prompt, right?
⑦ Honeymoon → Where will you go with your new spouse and what will you do there?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The war they fought was brutal, both sides took heavy hits but the kingdom of Ylisse prospered and in the end won. Lucina made her way into the courtyard flanked by two pegasus knights. She was dressed down from battlefield attire, wearing a tunic and stocking befitting of her status.]

Are you Hei?

[She smiled before waving the knights to stay back. She never cared for a lot of protection, just for a sword by her side.]

I apologize for the entourage and keeping you waiting, I had to attend a peace negotiations as well as a war counsel. Now have you been briefed as to why you and your sister are here?

[Upon seeing Lucina, he was back on guard. She was the one who managed to knock him out in the first place. Still, with her words and how he was treated, what else could they want? It was easier just to get rid of the two.]

My sister told me nothing, wanting to keep it a surprise. But I assume you don't want us dead given our status at the moment. There's no doubt we lost anyway.

Your sister told us quite a story, I'm sympathize with the troubles the two of you have gone through.

[The woman was seeming a bit nervous herself, shifting uneasily from side to side. It was as if she was about to be the bearer of bad news. Taking a deep breath, she stopped beating around the bush and looked into his eyes.]

While the two of you are indeed in our custody, it's not in a conventional way. Especially with how our war traditions are, and while we're trying to separate ourselves from the very much less excepted parts we haven't reached to where I personally can make those decisions, it's a counsel that does. But our country intends to support the two of you...Ah, what I'm trying to say is really is that the two of you have a choice to make, you can either leave or you'll become...er property, for lack of a better term, of the royal family.

Edited 2017-10-22 12:45 (UTC)

[He rose his brow at the last bit. Property? Possibly similar to how they were used before. Then why did Lucina act the way she did? His sister seemed happy as well. Something bothered him about all of this.]

What do you mean property? Like your own personal assassins or guards? Or is there something else I'm missing?

[She hesitated, looking slightly nervous about talking with him now.]

Something like that...I have a few more meetings to go to but I'll be meeting with you later on in the evening during dinner. I thought greeting you as soon as possible would be best.

[She was either too embarrassed to say or perhaps her time was truly short. Either way she waved goodbye before making her way back towards the knights. One looked ecstatic while the other one seemed like she couldn't care less. There were questions but she waved them off as she disappeared with them to go about her business.]

[Dinner huh? Well he wouldn't say no to a meal. This place was bound to have good food. That and he doubted he could just force the information out of her. Would look poorly on him and his sister anyway; did not wanna eliminate her rare happiness.

So he would go back to her, waiting until they were called upon for her dinner.]

[Both him and his sister were invited as well as escorted up to where Lucina was. The room itself was small and cozy, no room for hiding much at all. When they were let in the woman was standing next to an open window, seemingly enjoying the evening breeze before waving to them in greeting.]

How are the two of you doing today, being treated well I hope?

[While Hei was still a bit uneasy, he put on a friendly face for the sake of his sister. She in the meantime was happy to see Lucina, bowing while saying yes, explaining in detail everything she loved about the castle. Hei nodded along with her.]

I admit I had some doubts, but this castle is indeed impressive. Thanks again for taking care of us despite our previous fight.

[Does make him wonder though. Does Lucina even remember their scuffle? Maybe that was the reason for her nervousness?]

[A warm smile made it's way to Lucina's lips, she was glad his sister was enjoying herself despite circumstances.

When Hei spoke, she glanced over at him before pointing at the spot she knew what hurt.]

I'm glad you think so, as well as it's no problem at all. How is your head by the way, have our healers been able to take a look at it yet?

[He nods. Healing magic could work wonders, but some things had to heal naturally. He didn't really hold a grudge against Lucina either, not when she did make his sister happy and took them in.]

So long as no one touches my head, I think I'll be okay. However, I hate to be rude, but I still want information about what you said earlier.

[His sister, Pai, crossed her arms. Not at Lucina, but at her blunt brother. She understood, but hated how he rushed things like this.]

[At the mention of before, she looked flustered. Adverting her gaze for a moment as she tried to gain her composure.]

Ah, yes. I was honestly trying to figure out how to word it correctly. Would you give me a little more time to think of the right words?

What exactly is there to--

[A hard elbow to the gut stops him, making him cough. Seeing the irritated face on his sister, he relented. He may have technically surpassed her in skill, but he did want Pai to be happy. Kinda deserved it given what had happened. He looked back to Lucina with an apologetic look.]

I apologize. Didn't mean to be rude about my question. Take as much time as you need. Although, why did you invite us up here?

[That did not get an elbow to the stomach this time, Pai being curious as well.]

Well....Ah, how to put into proper words... Essentially the two of you are Prisoners of War which I know you know, specifically my prisoners due to tradition and because I fought and won with Hei and then took Pai into custody after.

[Lucina was starting to look a bit nervous again.]

As my 'Prisoners', I have to give the choice of either leaving the castle and essentially Ylisse or taking on a chosen duty that I assign...Which I had informed both of you about before and promise to compensate properly. I did want to initially absorb the two of you into the court but the counsel won't let me so if the two of you decide to stay, you're with me for better or for worse...

[Not much of a choice. They could hardly leave now. Well, Hei didn't want to make Pai unhappy and she liked it here. That and being by themselves could likely leave them vulnerable to any assassins from the past that wanted revenge. Glancing at Pay again, he definitely knew she wanted to stay.

He looked over at Lucina again. As much of a gamble as it was to stay here too, she didn't seem that bad. Worse comes to worst, they could sneak out and flee somehow.]

I think we'll take the option that allows us to stay here then. To be honest, this place has treated us better than other areas.

[The Princess looked relieved to hear that, smiling softly after before looking slightly concerned.]

If the two of you are treated badly by anyone here, tell me and I'll have a word with them.

[There was a soft knock at the door before a servant came in with their dinner on a rolling cart. They set it down on the table quickly before leaving with a small bow.]

Shall we chat about what kind of jobs you'd like over dinner?

[Huh. Neither had thought they were having food here of all places, expecting more of something in the dining hall. Both of the siblings nodded at Lucina, taking their seats.]

Depends. What kind of jobs can we choose from?

[If there was a cooking position, Hei might have made the right move. Then again, that would likely cause him to be watched all the time for a while. Pai on the other hand seemed to be just thinking about it, almost ignoring the food.]

Well, the sky is the limit. I may ask for assistance every now and then with a battle or to be accompanied to political parties if they two of you don't mind. If you do then I'm content to drop it.

[Lucina was being polite and waiting for them to take the first bite. She didn't want to seem like she was starved and couldn't wait or hold polite discussion. The political parties is where she would most need at least one of them, it would help keep certain unwanted advances from happening, especially if she could get Hei to say yes.]

[That one was an understandable one, but an option he was hesitant to let Pai have. If they were left with no choice, Hei would have to go in her stead. Given his talent for combat Though, it was likely this was the best option for him.]

And if we don't choose that, what else did you have in mind?

[She tilted her head curiously at Hei's words. A tad saddened to hear them, but understood where he was coming from.]

Just as I said before, I'm content with dropping that. I understand not everyone wants to pick up a sword. And those who have before may not necessarily wish to do so again. I'm not here to force you into any decisions, I was just laying options on the table for the two of you to choose from.

[He turned to look at Pai, the both of them then turning around and away from Lucina, voices barely above a whisper; for all their time as slaves to the other kingdom, they did learn how to discuss things privately. Though Lucina might be able to hear bits and pieces, particularly with the way Hei seemed frustrated.

Really it was down to Pai bringing up good points. If Lucina were to somehow die for whatever reason, their position here could be compromised without sufficient trust, maybe even blamed for it. That and she was about to take the position if he would not, something he was strictly against. They finally turned back around with Pai smiling, but Hei keeping his poker face on.]

I changed my mind. I'll take on that position of helping you. As for Pai, she said she would settle with being a maid or something.

[She was already used to such tasks back then. It was extremely doubtful doing a job like that could be worse here.]

[Hearing the change of mind brightened Lucina's expression. Though, she was trying to contain her excitement over being able to win them over.]

That's great to hear, thank you for considering the positions more. I'd like to keep the two of you close so I can ensure fair treatment from the rest of the court until they are use to your presence. So, Pai, I'd like you to be a personal maid then and Hei what is it that you would like?

Considering what you mentioned before about possibly being thrust into battle, I would like to be your guard.

[If he was going to be thrown into a battle in the future, he might as well have a position that kept him ready.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Arranged Marriage.

perfect!

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Is the direction going okay for you?

It's going fine! :)

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