Chapter Text
Suddenly, a stream of visions flooded Paul’s mind, though a moment ago he could sense that his prescience had been weakened. In those pieces of possible futures, he saw one in which Chani died early in childbirth and his heart turned to Irulan before her mind was darkened with plans of treason; one in which the Emperor didn't lay hand on his house and Irulan became his consort; one in which Chani still died eventually but before that, Irulan and her had led a harmonious life as his spouses and he had several children with both of them, teasing him together like a pair of sisters as their kids played around; one in which they were just normal people unbound by schemes and power, he walked alongside Irulan to school and they came across Liet Kynes dragging his daughter to a local elementary institute while she kept screaming "I'm not going!!!!!" , and others…
He doubted if those outlooks had always been there, but he had never noticed them. Was it possible that these visions only came to his perception after he and Irulan ceased their long-term hostility? Those weird futures, he didn't know what lay behind those bright prospects, but perhaps they were all better paths for him, Chani, and Irulan, perhaps for everyone else…
The outlooks that Paul had seen in the cave, they did exist. Though he couldn’t attain those futures, they did exist, and he wasn’t the only Paul Atreides in the multiverse…
***
In a planet far, far away from Arrakis, people call it Neo-Earth, a sixteen-year old woke up in his bed as the alarm rang continuously.
Paul Atreides stretched his arms, hearing his back crack in satisfaction. Another morning, another school day…
After washing himself, he quickly ran down to the kitchen, knowing that his parents would have been there already for breakfast.
“Hi dad, hi mom.” He told them.
“Come eat your breakfast, son. Don’t be late for school.” Jessica was putting coffee powder into the machine while Leto was struggling with the new bread machine.
“Is it broken or something?” Jessica noticed her husband’s difficulty operating the machine.
“No way, I just bought it.” Leto continued to push the buttons.
“Darling, where’s the manual?”
“I… threw it away?”
Leto tried to recall where he had put the manual and Jessica shook her head, sighing God’s name. This house would probably explode if she took her eyes off it for a moment.
The machine finally worked though, and Leto screamed “Yes! Finally!” in relief.
Paul Atreides, sixteen years old, was born to Leto Atreides, the director of a printing company, and Jessica Harkonnen, an actress who often played La Signora ‘The Fair Lady’ in Commedia dell'arte. They met during one of Jessica’s performances and fell in love. Now here they were, married, living in an exquisite residence with their kids.
Yes, Paul Atreides had a sister, her name was Alia Atreides and now she was dragging herself down the stairs in her pink rabbit slippers, yawning.
“Can you stop running down the stairs like there’s a ghost after you, brother?” Alia threw herself on one of the chairs.
“Bacon, sausage or jam?” Paul asked, as if he didn’t hear any complaint.
“All…” Alia said, dropping her head on her arms on the table.
Leto and Jessica couldn’t blame her sleepy expressions. Waking up for school wasn’t easy for a nine-year-old girl.
The Atreides had toast, fried bacon, sausages, eggs and orange jam for breakfast. Cups of apple juice for Alia, while the rest drink coffee. Leto loved black coffee, Jessica loved spiced coffee with cinnamon while Paul often added fresh milk and condensed milk.
After breakfast, Leto took Jessica to work, Alia caught a bus as usual, while Paul walked to the house of his friend, who he frequently went to school with, Irulan Corrino.
Irulan was the daughter of Shaddam Corrino and Anirul Sadow-Tonkin, his childhood friend. Shaddam owned a chain of convenience stores and Anirul was an actress. Like Jessica, she often took part in Commedia dell'arte and her famous role was Columbina. As the mothers were colleagues, they introduced their children to each other and that was how Paul became friends with Iruland and her twin brother, Addam.
The sixteen-year-old Irulan Corrino was being woken up, but not because of her alarm. It was her twin brother, Addam Corrino. Ever since their mother assigned him with waking Irulan up, he had been taking that seriously, even resorting to the use of a frying pan and a metal scoop to make extreme noises.
“Wake up, wake the hell up, you sleepy hamster! Do you want to be late for school again?” He shouted.
“What the hell, brother? Leave me alone, it’s still early.” Irulan squeezed her blanket, unwilling to let go.
Addam sighed. Right, Irulan left him with no choice! He threw the pan aside and grabbed the blanket to remove it from Irulan’s grab.
“You made me do this, sister. Get up!”
“You…”
Shaddam and Anirul were downstairs, in the kitchen, speaking about trivial daily stuff as they were preparing breakfast. Hearing noise, they knew that their children had started the morning chase game.
“Who do they take after to have this habit?” Anirul sighed, putting a honey-dipped slice of bread in the frying pan.
“I don’t think we did this with our siblings as kids.” Shaddam shrugged his shoulders, putting eggs in the boiled water.
They poked each other with their forearms and laughed as they recalled some childhood memories. That was how their relationship was, loving and teasing, like both lovers and best friends.
Outside, Paul had reached the Corrinos’ residence and the chase of Addam and Irulan immediately came into his sight. As if too accustomed to this, Paul just watched as the Corrino sibling took turns being the chaser. He looked at his watch, the chase usually lasted for minutes and it was also their morning exercise.
“Young master Paul, would you like a cup of coffee inside?” Gaius Helen Mohiam, a member of the Corrinos’ housekeeper gang, came to him.
“Thank you Mrs. Mohiam, maybe another time. You can save that for Addam and Irulan.” Paul answered.
Realizing that they had a guest, Anirul went out to greet Paul and invite him in, yet he only responded politely to refuse.
“Enough with the exercise. Hasimir, can you stop them?” Sahddam said.
Hasimir Fenring was assigned the butler and bodyguard of the family; he had known Shaddam for a long time and had gained great trust from the head of the Corrinos. They were more like friends than a couple of employer-employee.
Hasimir quickly caught the Corrino siblings, restraining Addam with his left arm and Irulan with his right arm.
Another person arrived at the gate and Paul knew him. Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, or just Feyd, Paul’s maternal cousin-once-removed. Feyd’s father, Abulurd Harkonnen, was the half-brother of Vladimir Harkonnen, Paul’s grandfather. Though they were theoretically a generation away, they were born in the same year as Abulurd was much younger than Vladimir and he got married to Emmi Rabban quite early. Feyd was Addam’s classmate and his best companion in their school football team.
The chaos was relieved. They would bring their breakfast to school, as both had friends waiting.
…
“Bye dad, bye mom.” The siblings left and Shaddam and Anirul clapped in private. Finally those ‘little demons’ were away!
After a short sharing of paths, Feyd and Addam turned left while Paul and Irulan turned right. Despite being twins, Addam and Irulan didn’t study at the same school.
“Are you tired of having to chase your brother like that in the morning?” Paul started talking more freely to Irulan when they were alone on the road to school.
“If he stops waking me up by hitting the frying pan, I shall consider.” Irulan pursed her lips.
“He is just too worried about you.” Paul smirked.
“More like he is taking my mother’s “Addam, from now on, you wake your sister up.” too far.” Irulan puffed, “He just doesn’t miss a chance to taunt me.”
“Wake up before him and prank him back. You have that chance too.” Paul waved his hand.
“Well…”
“You complain but you want to sleep, huh?”
“I choose my slumber. Thanks a lot.”
“There’s nothing I can do then.”
They reached a crossroad and the paths were filled with vehicles, as it was the time for people to leave their residence for work or school.
“Give it to me.” Paul said, holding out his hand to Irulan.
“Alright…?” Irulan put the breakfast bag in his palm.
“I mean your hand.” Paul frowned, “Why are you giving me your breakfast bag?”
“We are old enough to cross the roads ourselves, Paul.”
“Safety is priority.”
“Fine…”
Irulan sighed, taking Paul’s arm with her hand and they safely passed the pedestrian to be on the other side of the road. Their school was nearby.
Crossing another few pavements, they happened to meet Liet Kynes. Dr. Liet Kynes was a biologist who had been working with Leto’s printing company to have his work published with the highest quality. As a familiar customer, Paul too had developed some acquaintances with the doctor.
Liet had a daughter, Chani, who was still in elementary school and today, like any other day, she still refused to go.
“No!!! I’m not going!!!!!! I want to see sand worms at the zoo!!!” Chani whined, grabbing one of the lamp streets.
Paul greeted Liet and Chani from afar and this was the first time that Irulan had met the biologist and his daughter. They had a brief conversation and Chani finally stopped delaying her trip to school.
“Kid…” Irulan clicked her tongue as they continued to leave for school. At the same time, she thought of when she and Addam refused to go as kids.
“Alia does that on every Monday though.” Paul grinned.
“Bet that Mr. and Mrs. Atreides have a hard time persuading her.”
“You can say so.”
Paul and Irulan had been spending their education at Caladan High school, an famed institute with rich history and achievements in teaching. One of Caladan's best traits was its lakes which made the scenery resemble a tiny planet covered in sea and water. There was no winter in Neo-Earth, the lowest temperature ever recorded amongst civilizations was only slightly below 20 degree of NE, so the students could literally enjoy aquamarine pools all days in a year.
Their classroom was located on block C, on the third floor. There were elevators of course, but they often chose stairs.
Settling themselves, Irulan took time before class to eat her breakfast. As adequate as usual, and she loved how her parents cooperated for a meal.
“I can give you one if you don’t feel filled with your breakfast.” Irulan noticed that Paul was looking at her.
“No need to, I’m not that hungry.” Paul smirked. If he wanted some parts of her breakfast, he would have asked directly. He simply loved watching, as her expressions and actions did resemble a hilarious golden hamster.
“If you want some of my bread, admit it”.
“No, really, you can have all of that.”
“Don’t ask to have some spare of it later.”
“Of course.”
An absolutely normal talk between Paul Atreides and Irulan Corrino during class days…
Beside lakes and pools, Caladan High School designed fine rooftops with trees and flowers for teachers and students to spend their times after class. These rooftops were obviously carefully monitored with surveillance cameras at certain corners and tightly guarded with safe fences.
Like many other students, Paul and Irulan found these rooftops fitting for leisure. They usually arrived together, yet today was one of a few days on which Irulan told Paul to be there first.
“So, what took you so long, Irulan?” Paul asked when he finally saw Irulan at the entrance of the rooftop.
“Bought you some milk here. Can’t simply believe your statement.” Irulan shoved a milk bottle into his grasp.
“Wow, careful!” Paul took the bottle. It was black sesame milk matcha with oat milk latte, one of his most preferred drinks. The beverage tasted good, and both black sesame and matcha had been proven to have mass health benefits.
“You didn’t have to.” Paul turned the bottle to both sides to look.
“Or you can save that until the evening class…” Irulan pursed her lips, starting to open her bottle. Her choice was strawberry matcha milk latte.
“Let me open that.”
“Alright.”
Paul opened the bottle and gave it back to Irulan to drink. The canteen and cafeteria of Caladan offered their buyers a wide range of food and beverages from common to exquisite, so these latte drinks were easy to be found as sand on the shore.
And Paul decided that he should drink his portion immediately. This drink was at its best when served cold.
“So, what intentions do you have for the future?” Paul asked.
“Why ask that?” Irulan said, chewing on the diced strawberries in her latte.
“Want to know.” Paul leaned comfortably against the balcony fence.
Irulan hummed, gently shaking her milk bottle.
“I think about further education in terms of history, literature and event recording.”
“Reasonable.”
Irulan had found herself engulfed in an intense interest in history since childhood, from the history of goods being sold at each convenience store her family owned, to the history involving Commedia dell'arte, her mother’s career. As she grew, she continued to follow the path and her effort brought her several achievements in history contests.
Paul didn’t show any astonishment knowing that Irulan was intending to pursue her passion. Irulan, from his perspectives, and he believed that all teachers had taught them thought so, was a gem in terms of literature and history study. She had always been on the very top of these subjects and her certificates along with medals and cups had filled a shelf at her house. Irulan even had an account for writing on Record of Your Own, a platform for wide ranges of stories. He, on the other hand, was barely having any idea about the future. He was good at several subjects, including scientific, social and physical ones; and his distinction was one of the reasons for his bewilderment in future career. He did think about his father’s printing company, yet a part of him thought otherwise…
“Does your brother know your intention?” Paul asked.
“He does. He told me that I should pursue my dream, would be easier for him to take over the family’s business as he has no opponents.” Irulan took another sip from her bottle. It might sound like a greedy brother trying to claim every piece of the family’s fortune, but Paul knew it wasn’t what Addam Corrino meant. Addam was a typical brother who teased his sister outside but cared about her inside, even to some overprotective point. Of course, how could a brother who was willing to beat the hell out of the one abusing his sister intend to get rid of her for fortune?
It was a wild situation, Paul recalled. Irulan slapped that dirty old man hard on the bus and Paul punched him. He ran, only to be later beaten by Addam, Feyd and their gang in some dark corner of their streets. He would never dare to lay his filthy hands on any woman.
“I understand what he means. But if he has any other intention besides business, I’ll simply support him to my heart’s content.” Irulan faintly smiled, but that faint smile couldn’t hide her affection for her twin brother.
Paul was an elder brother too, yet his relationship with Alia was different. The fact that there was a considerable age gap between them made Alia more of a baby to protect than a target of tease and a rival in achievement (but there was no doubt that Addam cherished his sister and Irulan did the same thing for her brother), though sometimes Alia showed herself to be much of an old lady in the skin of an elementary school girl.
“So, what about you?”
Paul gulped, thinking about when Gurney Halleck, the fencing teacher at their school, complimented him, and about the passion for stories he shared with Irulan.
He did imagine himself as the characters he read about once or twice…
“You know, it takes some people half of their life to recognize what they really want to do. So you don’t have to answer immediately.” Irulan said.
“And I will stand by your side.” She patted him on the shoulder.
“You know, were it not for our long time together, I would have thought you were an impostor.”
“Shut up!”
It was just a joke, and they laughed, though Irulan spanked his shoulder and uttered a half-annoyed-half-prideful “shut up”.
Quite an impact as Irulan too was a keen practitioner of fencing and other types of exercises, yet Paul didn’t really mind it.
“The weather forecast said it would be sunny this weekend. Want to go out?” Paul breathed out. Irulan was right, he had so much time to think about his future career and so much time to have his abilities developed.
“Amusement park, theater, museum or library?” Irulan guzzled her milk latte.
“Maybe I can find something.” Paul took out his phone. Caladan was a modern school with half of its teaching witnessed the attendance of high technology. Of course, students could get access to wireless connection from almost every spot within the school’s acreage.
'Notification: Cousin Feyd has sent you a message.'
Feyd and Addam studied at Arrakeen High school, an educational institute with no less reputation than Caladan High school. If Caladan resembled a small fantasy world of water, Arrakeen was like a construction complex on the desert with oases with its key shades of brown, golden and blue.
Since Feyd and Paul studied at different schools, it was rare that they texted each other during school hours. If Feyd texted, it should be something crucial.
“Hey hey, easy… What’s wrong?” Irulan tapped Paul’s back as he appeared to choke on his drink. What had Feyd sent him?
“I think you may want to check your message as well.” Paul said, trying to pull himself together. If Feyd knew, the possibility of Addam knowing the situation too would be 99%, and the possibility that he told Irulan would be 100%.
“Alright? But are you sure that you are fine?”
“Yeah… just some little uneasy feelings in the throat.”
“Alright…”
Irulan’s phone was hung right on her neck with a colorful strap in the same way they wore their student cards; and after switching the device on, it was her turn to choke.
“What! The! Hell!?” Irulan’s hand trembled, “Hasimir is married and he has a daughter who is now my brother and Feyd’s classmate?!”
“Honestly I’m surprised to the highest degree…” Paul cleared his throat, reading Feyd’s message again and in the photo he sent, his cousin looked obviously in the mood of ‘What the hell is happening?’.
“How in the Universe is he able to hide it from all of us?” Irulan screamed. She bet that her father had no idea about this as well.
From the information provided by their cousin and brother, Paul and Irulan knew that Hasimir’s daughter was Marie Fenring, born to him and his long-year girlfriend Margot Rashino-Zea. The two had been in a relationship from high school and after both graduated from their universities, Margot settled to live with Hasimir and she bore him a daughter. Later, Hasimir left their town, Palma, to be the butler and housekeeper of his long-known companion, Shaddam, who he befriended during one of Shaddam’s vacations. Margot stayed and became a local journalist. Though Hasimir was away, he and Marie remained close since her childhood as they had constantly been contacting through messages, calls (mostly video calls) and Hasimir never forgot gifts for his wife and daughter when he returned.
As Marie turned sixteen, Margot decided to join her husband in the city he was working, Kaitain.
“I think he has his own reasons, like he doesn’t want that fact to bother your father.” Paul justified.
“My father looks upon him as his own brother, Paul.”
“Hasimir just has his own pride and he is confident that he can support his family.” Paul waved his hand, “We’d better not question his cause. But it appears that from now on the family is united and that’s a good thing.”
“Imagine how hard my father is going to snap.” Irulan shook her head.
“That’s inevitable, but I don’t think he’s going to be upset for a long time.” Paul patted his friend on her shoulder.
“I should hope so.” Irulan exhaled. Couldn’t wait to see how her father would react when she returned home this late afternoon.
“By the way, I also have a vision that your mother and Mrs. Fenring will get along.”
“That’s a positive thing to hear, Paul Atreides.”
At the same time, there was a disarray down the yard and coincidentally, it happened on the side that Paul and Irulan could observe from their position.
A student was climbing in and to the surprise of the witnesses, all of whom were students, he managed to pass the fences and landed on the ground safely.
Curious, Paul and Irulan left the rooftop to see who that bold student was. It turned out to be Jamis, their classmate…
“That’s… Jamis…” Paul frowned. So this was why Jamie was absent for the period. He was simply… late…
“I don’t think he’s going to make it through the last boss…” Irulan said, trying to hold back her laugh.
The last boss in her sentence, of course, was Duncan Idaho, their class’ monitor. Duncan was a tall muscular guy whose strength seemed unparalleled. Highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat and fencing, greatly responsible and disciplined, it was undoubted that he had been trusted with the position of class’ monitor. Also as Duncan had formidable strength, students were less likely to violate regulations upon imagining how persistently he could chase them to have them under ‘trial’.
“Jamis, my friend, would you mind signing this disciplinary paper and submitting it to the lecturer?” Duncan appeared behind Jamis like a haunting spirit and grabbed his friend’s shoulder.
“No, I’m not signing it.” Jamis got rid of the hand on his shoulder and he started running.
Irulan recalled her chase game with her brother in the morning and gulped. Paul snorted at Duncan’s yelling “Get back here!” towards a sprinting Jamis.
It was a normal morning at Caladan High School…
The teacher of the 3rd subject was absent due to a sudden personal affair, so the class was given a vacant period, and Duncan took the time to make an announcement.
“Class, listen!” He clapped as a signal and as expected from a reputed monitor, the class remained silent as he started to speak.
“As we know, the foundation anniversary is approaching, and the board of administrators wants us to perform in a play. The script will be given later.”
“I have a question.” One of the students raised his hand, “What about the Drama Club? Is there any special reason for this appointment?”
“Good question.” Duncan didn’t seem to mind this interruption, “I expressed my doubt and our teachers said that our class was appointed with this task due to our achievements and according to them, we have the right factors for the main roles.”
“Great… They even chose who must play which role…” Jamis pursed his lips and it was an obvious mockery from the boy. After a chase, he succumbed to Duncan. However, the class monitor agreed to spare him, as long as he promised that there would be no lateness or absence without permission, which Jamis did. He would, as long as he didn’t have to sign any disciplinary paper.
“They did… And the main roles go to…” The whole class appeared to hold themselves back from breathing. Normally, it would already be a big spot of discomfort if forced to be a part of a drama whose plot they had no idea about. Then the discomfort of being forced to play the main roles should be far greater.
“Paul Atreides and Irulan Corrino…” Duncan read each word with both emphasis and uneasiness; and each word furnished the people mentioned with petrification.
“Here are the wooden cards carved with the destined roles that they wanted me to give you two.”
It took Paul and Irulan ages to react to the event, despite the noises of sympathy and awe. When they pulled themselves together, they must have spent every bit of their will to swallow back the “What the bloody hell is happening?” down.
“How?! What were they thinking?!” Irulan slapped the card hard against the table.
“I objec-...” Paul almost stood up.
“Objection is prohibited.” Duncan crossed his arms in ‘X’ shape, he was helpless in this matter as well. They yelled as if he hadn’t tried to reason with the teachers.
“I suggest you two take a look at your roles first. I don’t think they are too awful, at worst.”
Paul and Irulan reluctantly flipped the cards to have a look. As expected from a famed school for the foundation anniversary, they had the wooden cards carved with laze to point out who would play which role.
Unlike Duncan’s expectation, the situation didn’t get any better. As Paul and Irulan saw their roles, the Emperor and the Empress Consort, their faces became twisted in a more upset and shocked way.
No way! They would play husband and wife and it would be super cringy!
“No way!” Paul and Irulan screamed simultaneously.
“These are some things I can gather: They said there would be a sword fight and Paul is good at fencing. Also, he is tall and his look fits the charisma and description they want for the Emperor. Meanwhile Irulan has the look of a female ruler and she is good at history, there would be a scene in which the Empress would speak on behalf of the Emperor, or to their people to win the advocate for the Emperor or something I don’t know.” Duncan explained.
The explanation didn’t help at all. Their jaws dropped and they didn’t scream, but clearly the class monitor could hear the waves of annoyance from their minds. Now it came to his mind that his role as the Captain of the Royal Guards wasn’t bad.
After lunch, most members tried to sleep for the afternoon classes, and Paul and Irulan were taken into extraordinary dreams.
It was a dream, Paul knew it… There was something in his hand… Not the wooden card for roleplay…
It was… a knife…? How…?
Paul looked at the knife before glancing up, only to see a man in front of him and a bunch of people around.
The man in front of him… White, hairless and eyebrowless, in a black combat suit, fire burning in his eyes… Paul knew those face traits…
Feyd…?
But why were they facing each other…? And why did his cousin look like that?
Paul recognized some faces amongst the crowd. Mr. Corrino looked much older than he remembered. Irulan was right next to him, distinctive blond hair and green eyes, cladded in a weird chainmail dress similar to the costume of a warrior. Why did they look like that? Where were Mrs. Corrino and Addam?
A few more familiar faces… Mr. Gurney, his mother… Chani was there as well, appearing to be far different from the little girl Paul knew…
What was happening? Why was he dreaming about this?
It was a dream, Paul knew it, but he couldn’t understand…
It was a dream, Irulan knew it… She was standing right behind her father, amongst many people who were surrounding a small arena. A person had been defeated, or killed, with such an amount of blood dripping from his mouth and nostrils…
Her father appeared to be much older than she could remember. The winner strided towards them, full of killing intent…
She knew that black wavy hair and blue eyes…
Paul… What are you doing…?
His clothes looked like costumes from a sci-fi movie…
Irulan started to speak, which she found bizarre…
“Spare my father and I’ll be your willing bride.”
What…?
Her father knelt before this dark version of her friend and kissed the ring on his littlefinger.
The hawk…
Then Paul took her hand and some chill ran across her spine.
“You will be my Empress, and you will remain safe. We’ll rule over this Imperium together.”
People bowed before him and Irulan could hear ‘Lisan al Gaib’, ‘Muad’Dib’, ‘Emperor’, and the like of that…
Where were her mother and brother?
It was a dream, Irulan knew it, but she couldn’t understand…
The bells rang and they got up for the afternoon classes. Those weird dreams, plus the possible pressure from the teachers’ decision, were like buckets of water to the fires in their spirits. At least they must attend only two classes in the afternoon.
Paul and Irulan rarely talked after the announcement, unless about vital matters. As they took the usual path after school, one decided that they must break this restraint.
“You know, our families will be at the anniversary,” It was Irulan, “and my brother won’t miss the chance. Will be overly awkward…”
Paul sighed, gently shaking his head. Honestly, they were on the same wavering boat…
“You can imagine how hard Alia will cheer for my performance and laugh at me at the same time.”
“We are f… screwed…” Irulan smirked bitterly.
“We are fucked, to be accurate.” Paul poked his friend with his elbow.
“I tried not to say that, you know.”
“For real, we are fucked, just not to the extreme degree.”
Irulan pressed her fingertips against her temples. Paul breathed in, until he felt that both lungs and stomach were filled with air.
“You see, we can’t slip away, so we must cope with it.” Paul patted his friend on the back, “I don’t think the plot will be embarrassing.”
“Keep hoping, Paul.” Irulan raised her eyebrows.
Now… they had no other choices but their efforts to the greatest degree. The script was written by the teachers with vast knowledge about history along with the figures of an Emperor and Empress. As a result, they did have the right to look forwards to a logical plot, unless one of the scriptwriters harbored some insane ideas (like a half-stripped Emperor?). But the parents would attend the anniversary as well, so it wouldn’t go this way, truly wouldn’t.
Come to think of their reaction back then, they lost their temper. They would play a married couple; nevertheless, with the presence of parents, the furthest love scene Paul could think of was…
“So hey, can I lift you?” Paul asked Irulan.
“Paul, what are you saying?” Irulan frowned.
“Lifting…”
“For what?”
“I just want to know if I can try.”
She hesitated, but later gave him a nod. It was a weird request, but she believed him.
“Put your hands there.” Irulan told him and Paul put his hands on her side courteously.
“I’m counting to three.” Paul said and Irulan nodded.
Breathing out, Paul and Irulan counted from one to three before the latter was lifted from the ground. Irulan was tall compared to girls of her age, and firm, yet when it came to Paul, she looked rather slim and petite; and she was lighter than Paul had expected.
“What is this for?” Irulan asked again.
“Duncan told us that there will be a scene in which the Empress makes a speech on behalf of the Emperor, so I think they have a rather loving relationship, or at least they care about each other. Probably there will be some embraces or carries.”
“Alright… you have the point…” Irulan pursed her lips, but nodded concurrently in acknowledgement.
“You know, you are lighter than I thought.” Paul smiled, “Must buy you more snacks.”
“Can you put me down?” The feeling of being held in mid-air by her friend was somewhat new and weird to Irulan.
“Alright.” Paul slowly helped his friend steady back on the ground, “But you need more nutritions, I assure you.”
“Whatever…” Irulan shrugged.
“Must protect my Empress at all cost, right?” And Paul’s hand turned to Irulan’s head for patting, despite her “Can you please quit that?”.
They continued to walk the path. The mid-afternoon of a theoretical working/school day was serene.
“I wonder who my opponents will be, in the sword fight scene.” Paul continued. Now they took pleasure in dwelling in imaginary visions about the drama, as it did help them gain positive grades in their minds.
“Someone who wants to usurp you, I guess, or people who simply hate you. You know, the Royals have lots of enemies.”
“Greater if it’s a fight to protect the Empress and she stands by my side.”
“The Empress loves books more than swords, as I have heard. What will I do there? Hit the enemies with the books or what?”
“Excellent ideas!” Paul hit his palm with the side of his fist, “You know, books do lots of damage if you use them in the right way. Like this!”
Paul envisioned a book in his hand and he swung that visionary book as if he were trying to hit somebody.
“Gosh, Paul, that’s one of the weirdest plots we can think of.” Irulan almost burst into laughter. Paul looked silly and hilarious, yet she couldn’t deny that he did have vast imagination and skills in acting.
“Emperors love being protected and comforted by their Empresses, because I say so.” Paul stood up straight back and solemnly spoke.
“Fine then…”
“You see, Paul, you have the potential of an actor.” Irulan blinked once or twice as she watched her friend’s deeds.
“Actor?” Paul’s blue eyes widened. He looked both stunned and shocked.
“Look at you.” Irulan stretched her arms and she held his face between her palms, “Look at you, Paul Atreides.”
She looked at him… Her long-known friend… Not that small and skinny elementary boy anymore… He had grown, tall and handsome… Much taller than her, which forced him to lean down when she held his face…
“Eyes flexible in expressing emotions, face traits capable of winning sympathy and admiration… and wavy dark hair. People can’t resist men with fair skin, dark hair and blue eyes on screen.”
Irulan’s fingers proceeded to run through Paul’s wavy tresses and he looked at her. His eyes were still wide open, like a cat pampered by its master for the first time. Her fingertips were soft and her green eyes were brilliant in the afternoon sunlight.
They had never been this physically close…
After so much staring, Paul sensed a throb in his chest and the burning feeling from Irulan’s touch started to spread.
“H-hey…” Paul stuttered.
“What?” Irulan asked indifferently, though her lips curled into a faint smile.
“Can I have my pose back? My neck is exhausted.”
“Oh! Fine then!”
So close… They had never been this physically close…
“Well, do you seriously think that I can be an actor?” Paul asked after clearing his throat several times. He must thank the afternoon light for blurring the blushes on his cheek. If Irulan continued to stare at him as if he were the most magnificent statue she had ever seen like that, he might die, perhaps out of awkwardness…
“You have the eagerness to get insight into the plot and to practice your character’s moves. That’s a good point for acting, because actors and actresses must understand the roles they are going to play and are playing.” Irulan explained.
“Do I look like a potential candidate for an action movie?” He asked.
“Much like a fitting one for the role of leader, savior and the like of that, I think so.” She answered, rubbing her chin like a thoughtful scholar.
Not a bad suggestion, though Paul knew that it was easy to become a professional actor. He considered further, and his thought dwelt upon a vision of him and Irulan as a famous actor and a famous author or historian…
Acting was a type of art, films were art; writing was a type of art, novels were art. Actors and authors were both artists in their own ways…
An artist being with another artist…
Not a bad suggestion…
“Suddenly I think about when your novels gain popularity and when they are adapted into films and series, I’ll get to be the main character.” Paul said.
It was Irulan’s turn to widen her eyes.
No, it was like Paul was talking nonsense! She would never know what she could come up with until she started writing! Her self-indulgent scripts on Record of Your Own and her deliberate essays which brought her rewards were the clearest proofs.
“Look at how keen you are to be on the silver screen.” Irulan laughed, “We can try, and we’ll do our best.”
“Give me a super-cool speech before people. Like these: The Hand of God be my witness. I am the Voice from the Outer World. I will lead you to PARADISE!” Paul raised his arm upwards for the first sentence of the speech, put his hand on his heart for the second one and pointed at a far point for the third one.
Irulan watched the process, though she frowned, she became more assured that Paul had the talent to be an actor.
“Hold on.” She smirked, “Where in the Universe do you get those lines?”
“I don’t know, they just came across my mind… Like… I had actually spoken those words before…”
"I am Paul Muad’Dib Atreides, Duke of Arrakis!
E Rudhi Dina, heshiddanii: ne Lisaan al-Gayib(*)
Rhuin dimala ru a Siddim!"( **)
(*) The Hand of God be my witness. I am the Voice from the Outer World!
…
"A'dam reshii a'zaanta!(***)"
(***) Long live the fighters!
A voice in Paul’s head caused him to be absent-minded for a moment…
“Paul?”
“Nothing…” Maybe he had spent too much time in some sci-fi fictions.
“You act like you are a true saint amongst your principles. But that speech, somehow, resembles the tempting words of some cults.”
“But it sounds pretty cool, right?” Paul quickly put on a smile to cover his bewilderment.
“I guess…” Irulan was going to take in the scene as an idea for her upcoming stories.
“You have always been the chosen one to bear witness and write our story…”
It was a familiar voice…
Irulan blinked, turning to Paul.
“Did you say something about bearing witness and writing a story?” She asked.
“I… didn’t?” Paul told her.
“Maybe I got you too immersed in the plot, my Empress?” He smirked, patting her head again.
“Stop calling me Empress.”
“Anyway, we’ll do our best, right?”
“For sure.”
An afternoon with only classes, an afternoon on a path filled with light and wind. What could be better than some cool drink? Paul’s glance turned to a beverage store on his left…
“Hey, want to grab some boba milk tea?”
“Do I look so skinny that I need like 300 calories?”
“You do.”
“No.”
“My treat.”
Irulan raised her elegant eyebrow and crossed her arms.
“Offer accepted.”
So they got two cans of milk tea, this store sold their drinks in recyclable cans, blue pea mint tea for Irulan and black tea with milk foam for Paul.
“Hey, I suddenly have this idea.” Irulan said.
“And what is it?” Paul asked curiously.
“If I can’t get any spouse when I reach the age for marriage, take my hand, will you?” Irulan smiled mischievously.
“Sure.” Paul giggled, “So our children can be named Paulan?”
“I believe that.” She said, chewing the boba like a squirrel munching its nuts.
They laughed. It could be a joke, but their hand holding wasn’t a joke, like it was a natural thing to do, like they had been waiting all the time for it.
Affection amongst students wasn’t rare. Some lasted and led to marital unions, some withered as soon as they bloomed… To Paul and Irulan, the bond they had was precious, whether it was love or not, and they wished that they would always share the path of destinies.
It was supposed to be a cute and full-of-passion scenery, considering the look they gave each other, until the two noticed that standing on the opposite of the crossroads were Addam, Feyd and their new friend, Marie Fenring. Each was holding a cup of milk tea in their hand and they were staring at Paul and Irulan.
“You see, that’s my naughty female twin counterpart and her best friend who can put up with her personality.” Addam told Marie, pointing at his twin sister and Paul. Marie chuckled, silver hair sparkling in the afternoon light (Arrakeen obviously had no strict regulation about students’ hair).
“Hey! I heard that!” Irulan yelled at her brother from the other side of the road.
That was how the daughter of Shaddam Corrino and the son of Leto Atreides met the daughter of Hasimir Fenring.
As Margot and Marie moved to Kaitain, Hasimir’s place and schedule would be changed. He would live in his own residence with his wife and daughter, and his working hours at house Corrino lasted from 8:00AM to 5:30PM. To mark this event, Shaddam and Anirul held a feast for which they invited some of their friends and business partners, particularly the family of Paul and Feyd.
When the group of Paul, Addam, Irulan, Feyd and Marie reached the Corrinos’ residence, the first thing that hit their sight was a mess.
House Corrino was undoubtedly affluent with the convenience store they owned, so the yard of the residence was undoubtedly large. Shaddam, Leto and Hasimir had built their own hideouts to pick up a paintball fight and they screamed as they shot each other mercilessly. Meanwhile, the ladies were having a good time at the tea table. Jessica, Anirul, Margot and Emmi Rabban were all beautiful and aristocratic. Their elegance did take after the fairness of a fairy’s garden in the spring.
Feyd gulped at the scene of three men throwing paintballs at each other like three furious kids and he was glad that his father couldn’t come tonight, as he had set a crucial appointment with his customers. Abulurd worked in the food industry while Emmi was a quality expert and food was an indispensable part of convenience stores. Abulurd and Shaddam got along significantly (they did do dumb things together) and if he were here, Feyd doubted that he would have shot the rest three harder than anyone could imagine.
“Our fathers…” Marie said.
“Don’t say a word!” Addam and Irulan shouted.
“That’s not my father!” Paul rebuffed.
“Thank God mine isn’t here.” Feyd pursed his lips.
Alia was at some corner playing with a plane model and Mrs. Mohiam was there to watch her back, while other members of house Corrino’s housekeeper gang were preparing the table for the feast.
It was doubtlessly a normal day in the city of Kaintain…
-END-
This is how I imagine them in this Alternate Universe. Except for Addam and Marie, the images are taken from actors and actresses who had taken part in Dune (2021) and Dune Part 2 (2024).
Alia Atreides - Anna Taylor-Joy
Marie Fenring - Emma Corrin
Paul Atreides - Timothée Chalamet
Addam Corrino - Lucky Blue Smith
Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen - Austin Butler
Irulan Corrino - Florence Pugh
And Paul x Irulan's interactions 🐧:
The last chapter of this story. Great thanks and love to all enthusiastic supporters, especially who have been commenting on my story. Your encouragement means a lot to me and I shall forever remember such precious advocacy.
Link in case the memes encounter frequent errors for images: @condensedmilkcoffee