A/N-- Hello to all readers. For those of you who have read my story Step Forward Together, you know of my fluff and humour. This story is kind of fluff, but it is much less silly, and more serious.
In a way, from SFT and this, both deal with arranged marriages. This fic could be seen as the olden days, and it was inspired by on of my favorite bollywood films 'Jodha-Akbar'. If it helps to understand, Jodha and Akbar were in an arranged marriage, but it was strange since Akbar was musilm and Jodha was hindu. Marrying outside of religion was incredibly rare, and the couple had to learn about each other after the marriage. They never even saw each other's face before it.
In conclusion, i would say this is love after marriage, and SFT was love before marriage. The fics are each other's counterpart! So if you want, i suggest reading one and then the other.
I had a lot of fun writing this, so please enjoy.
PART 1
The march to the King of Artai's castle was only half a day of travelling from the Fuukan army post on the Artai border.
The leader, the Empress, was currently rather hungry, so looking forward to meeting with Artain King for the evening. And more to his feast...
The Empress of Fuuka was a fearless woman and strong leader. She had been ruler of her late father's throne since she was but at the tender age of 15, but she prevailed and led Fuuka to great titles and victories. Now at 19, she ruled more than half of Earl and governed most provinces.
They would be approaching the gates of the castle within the hour, and could see the impressive structure from their position.
The Empress had consented to meet with the King of Artai to discuss a problem of his, and she was more than willing to hear him out, since Artai would be a very useful accomplice in the future.
The Empress was an intimidating figure; she had the air of a conqueror. She was yet to lose a war in her name.
Arriving at the gates, The Empress and her small but strong escorts of her own battalion dismounted their horses to be led inside the large castle by the King's men.
"Your highness, the Empress has arrived and is awaiting your audience in the hall."
King Viola of Artai nodded his head and dismissed his maid.
"Daughter," King Viola addressed his young daughter as he and his wife stood up, "retire to your chamber to prepare."
The King and Queen walked off to the hall to speak with the Empress, leaving the Artain princess.
The Empress stood up from her chair in a respective manner as the King and Queen entered the hall. She received warm smiles and gave one of her own.
"Empress of Fuuka, I am honoured to have you dine in my castle this evening. This is my wife"
The Empress bowed her head, "The honour is all mine."
Her voice was gentle, but commanding and strong. The King was already impressed.
With the pleasantries over, the King and Empress collectively decided to get down to business.
"You see Empress; the province of Windbloom has threatened war on my kingdom. They want to rule Artai..."
The Empress took in the information and signalled for the elderly King to continue.
"Windbloom and Artai have always had a treaty, however they have always been stronger in military and war would mean our defeat... The King demands that Artai fall under his rule, and he demands my daughter to marry his heir."
"I offer my Empire to protect you." The Empress sipped some of the Artain wine.
The King looked at his wife and then back at the beautiful young Empress before him, clearly showing gratitude.
"Thank you Empress, however; that is not all I request."
The Empress's confusion was written clearly on her face.
"You see, my daughter is the object of many declared wars for her hand in marriage. She is to be 15 this winter. I wish for your help to stop the fighting."
Well, the Artain princess must be very beautiful to be able to cause wars for her marriage... The Empress mused to herself.
"I see, so there is something more you seek than just my protection?" The Empress asked.
"Yes. In return for Artai becoming a Fuukan colony, will you marry my daughter?"
The beloved princess of Artai sat in her royal chambers ready to have a bath. If all went well, tomorrow she would (according to her father) become the wife of the famous Fuukan Empress.
The princess was scared. She was young, only 14 soon to be 15, and would marry a rumoured heartless Empress and leave her parents side.
She had been the object of much affection since she first became 14 and her menstrual cycle started, signifying she was now a woman. She was indeed considered a rare beauty, and there were many people that had never even seen her before and requested her hand in marriage.
She had eaten dinner that night in her chamber, contemplating the discussion with her father earlier. He told her that he wanted her to be protected and this was the best way, and the Fuukan Empress would be able to help the Kingdom.
She had heard of the Fuukan Empress, one who had to shoulder the weight of an entire Empire when she had been as young as the princess herself.
The princess knew that she had been brought up since birth to be a worthy wife to a noble one day, since she was not the direct heir to her kingdom.
Her father had in fact remarried and she was the second child of his offspring. The first was his son Reito, who was currently visiting provinces to search for a wife or husband of his own.
One of her maids proceeded to wash her back, before they all sugared and properly cleaned her body. Effectively; she was now a completely hairless and clean young lady, beautiful as always and ready to become the Empress's wife.
She was made to be ready for the Empress to enjoy on their wedding night. It was an Artain tradition to properly clean a bride and groom for their wedding nights, known as the 'golden night.'
Tomorrow she would become the famous and infamous Fuukan Empress's wife, for the Empress to pleasure and do god knows what else.
Her father had ensured her that the Empress was a good match, rumoured to be extremely beautiful and would protect her.
She hated her parents for marrying her off. She was content with being at home; she just wished her brother would come home before she got married at least.
She knew she had to get married, for her father, for her kingdom; for her purpose.
It was her fate, if she liked it, or not.
"If my daughter were to marry you, my kingdom would be free of persistent suitors, and I believe the Fuuka government would scare off any war threats."
The King was right; there was no way to argue. The Empress, after a few long seconds, agreed.
"I shall wed you daughter."
"Excellent," The King, but mostly his wife, seemed relieved with her agreement, but the Empress suspected they had previously assumed she would agree.
There was, after all, no reason to disagree.
"I hope you will spend the night here in our humble palace, and tomorrow shall be the wedding before you leave. Thank you, Empress."
The Empress was amused that the King had it all planned out, and simply nodded her head in agreement. After tomorrow, she would have a wife.
How unexpected.
"Please, call me Natsuki."
She might as well give him the privilege; he was a good man just looking out for his kingdom and she might as well help him out by marrying his daughter and saving her from lecherous suitors.
And he was to be her father-in-law by this time tomorrow.
She was tired, so she excused herself to sleep.
It was a good political move to get married, as well. She probably would have to marry someone, preferably a woman, sooner or later so she might as well help a kingdom in the process.
It was an Artain custom for the offered bride or groom to cover their face in marriage, the princess upheld this custom by covering her face with a veil and the Empress had garlanded flowers to cover her own.
The Empress did not mind marrying the princess in the Artain ritual; she decided to let the parents fulfill their own desires of their daughter's marriage. She could care less.
Natsuki could see her bride through her flowers, wearing a beautiful red wedding gown. She could not see the face, obviously, but that could be seen to later.
For her part, the princess was also looking though her veil at the figure of her own fiancée. She was wearing a deep blue gown that was loose, but lovely. She could see the deep and dark blue hair of the Empress, and wondered what kind of person she was signing her future to.
The Artain priest finished muttering the wedding prayers and took one hand of each of the brides and dipped them in a water bowl.
He then released them and announced, "Natsuki Kruger, Empress of Fuuka." Natsuki responded by removing one of her gold plated bracelets from her arm.
The princess found the name of her future wife to be very beautiful, and blushed when her own hand was held by the gentle touch of another, but she also flinched.
Natsuki felt the princess flinch, and her heart hurt a little that her future wife was possibly very afraid of her.
The priest watched as Natsuki put the gold bracelet on the princess of Artai.
"You are now the loyal spouse of Shizuru Viola, princess of Artai."
Shizuru... The Empress blushed as she touched the princess Shizuru's very nice hand.
What a nice name.
"Shizuru Viola de Artai," the priest put a garland on Natsuki's neck.
"You are now Shizuru Viola Kruger." He garlanded her as well, and the ceremony was over.
To be continued of course! And a huge thank you to Omni-Obiter for editing :D