Chapter Text
“Y/n, I do not care! You will go into the throne room and meet with the suitors at once!”
“What happens if I do not? You cannot strip your only daughter of her title! What would happen to the precious House of y/l/n?”
“I may not be able to strip you of your title, but mark my words, I will make sure you live life as a peasant! Now go,” your mother yells at you.
“You are an insufferable mother,” you whisper under your breath.
“And you are an insufferable daughter. Now go before your father becomes angry.”
You scoff and stomp down the hallway towards the throne room. Once you arrive, you sigh deeply before standing up straight. You pull at the neck of your dress where the material annoyingly itches you, this was going to be a long day. The guards open the door and announce your entry. You take your time as you walk along the red rug that leads to the thrones, keeping your head high and taking slow steps. The room is made of beautiful white marble floor and white walls with gold details. Large floor to ceiling windows line the walls where you can see some of the kingdom far away in the distance. You sigh with discontent as you sit down in your chair. You look around at the suitors, rolling your eyes as they all devise with their fathers the best plan to capture your heart, and power. Your father motions for the trumpeter to play the royal fanfare, silencing the sea of men. He stands up.
“Gentlemen… Thank you for coming all this way to the great Kingdom of Paradis. I hope the journey here was of good nature and safe travels.”
Your father rambles on with his speech and the crowd listens intently. He has such a way with words, that it is nearly impossible for people not to listen, it’s his best skill as king. Sadly, his reign is coming to an end. As your 21st birthday approaches in a few months, it is time for you to take the throne as queen; but first you’d need a man to take as your husband, ensuring the next generation of your family’s dynasty.
“Please, allow me to introduce my daughter” he motions for you to stand up, “Princess Y/N.”
You wave and courtesy to the sea of men, not even bothering to smile. You immediately sit back down.
“Now, these next few days you will be fed the most exquisite of food from the palace chef. And for you suitors, good wine to drink after your private meetings with the princess.”
The room erupts in laughter, you roll your eyes and rest your chin on your hand which rests on the arm of your throne.
“But first, you will all be acquainted with the princess.”
*****
One by one, all the suitors come up to greet you. They are announced by a guard, and bow first to the king, then you. Their name, title, and family are announced.
“Viscount Hugo, of the Lexer family… Earl Otto, of the Hertzberg family.”
They all either look too young, too old, or too boring. As the last one comes up, you figure you must have had your hand kissed by 30 something different men at this point. As the last one leaves the room, you flop into your throne. You’ve been prepared your whole to take the throne, why did it matter if a man was at your side? It was not going to change your knowledge of politics, the regions, and trade, but due to some dumb rule made years ago, you needed to have a husband.
“That was not that bad, eh?”
You roll your eyes.
“Ah yes, because I love strange men coming and kissing my hand, knowing they probably have not brushed their teeth in days. Quite lovely indeed.”
“Oh, stop it with that mouth of yours,” you hear your mother say as she walks in.
“Y/n, look at me.”
You look over at your father.
“You must understand that this is the last batch of suitors traveling from the regions to meet with you. The people are anxious to hear the announcement of your engagement. You must pick quickly. Our family has ruled this land for 3 centuries, if you do not have a husband, you will not have an heir. If you do not have an heir, you will end our bloodline as a disappointment. Regardless of heirs, my brother, Marius, is always looking for a reason to take the throne from us. If you become queen without a husband, he will surely call for a meeting of council and deem you unfit for the throne. He is an evil man; he will try to incite war with our neighbors to take their land, ultimately bringing our kingdom to its knees.”
You gulp at your father’s words. He never mentions his estranged brother under any circumstances. You feel the pressure set on.
“If you do not pick a man from this group, I will choose for you. Do not make me do that.”
You nod to signify that you understand. This just got serious.
*****
Throughout the day, you meet with multiple suitors. You spend all day on your feet walking around the palace with each one of them. You learn their names, where they come from, and their families. You try to ask them of politics and their ideas, trying for your father, but you mostly end up hearing their ‘if I were king’ speeches. They all seem to forget that even though they will become your husband, you will be ruler. Later in the evening your father gives a grand toast to kick off dinner. He sits at the head of the table, your mother next to him, and you across from her. You play with your food while everyone else eats. Your mind far away from the dining table. You are drawn back to attention when the guards announce the entry of the head of the military, and his commander in training, Erwin Smith. The military head is a short, husky fellow with dark hair and fiery eyes named Michael Easthart. His commander in training, is tall with blonde hair and blue eyes. You’ve seen him before, in the stables. He leads the new recruits on training missions, mainly showing them how to ride their horses and use their weapons. With Easthart retiring soon, Erwin will take over his position. They walk to the table and Easthart speaks in a hushed tone.
“Your majesty, forgive us for intruding, but we must speak at once.”
You listen intently. You lock eyes momentarily with Erwin, who stands silently next to him. He’s good looking to say the least, but impossibly arrogant. He made history as one of the youngest commanders in training, rising to power in a short time, and it’s gone to his head. Although he’s only 4 years older than you, he acts as if you are a child compared to him. He’s stoic but you can see the judgment in his eyes. Your father glances at your mother, they share a look, and he gets up.
“Men, while I am sad to leave while the wine is still flowing, we must retire to bed. The princess is tired and must rest before meeting with the suitors again tomorrow and making her decision. The servants will show you to your sleeping quarters.”
With that, all three of you get up, and walk out. Your father and Easthart speaking in hushed tones. Your mother walks to the royal quarters. You try to follow your father, but he turns around and stops you.
“You must go to your room at once y/n.”
“Why? Am I not your successor? Am I not allowed to hear of politics anymore?”
“This more than simple politics, and you must be rested for tomorrow. Erwin, walk her to her quarters, and return to us at once.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“But father!”
Your father raises his hand, signaling for no more. He turns around. Erwin’s hand goes to rest at your lower back as he guides you away from the two men. You try to eavesdrop, but you move away too quickly.
“They could at least clue me in,” you grumble to yourself.
“I thought princesses were supposed to be elegant, not brats who cannot listen to orders.”
You stop in your tracks and go slack jawed. You’ve never been talked to like this by someone outside your family before.
“Excuse me? What did you say?”
“You heard me. And move it, I need to return to your father quickly.”
Your blood boils and you see red. You go to slap him, but he catches your wrist and smiles. You scowl at him.
“I hope you know, regardless of your position in the military, I will be the queen you serve one day,” you sneer at him.
“And I hope you know, regardless of your status, you will not earn respect by being a brat. I have worked for my position; you were merely born into yours.”
Your heart sinks at his words, but you do not let it show. Before he can say anything else, you march into your room and slam the doors. You toss and turn all night at his words and your duties for tomorrow.
*****
Your lady in waiting, Leila, wakes you up gently.
“Your majesty, wake up. Today’s the day.”
You groan as the realization hits you. You’ve been dreading this day for the past 5 years when your parents first alerted you of its nearing.
“Leila, I simply might pass away today. If I asked you to poison my food, would you do it for me?”
She laughs while pulling the covers off you. She takes you to a bath she has drawn and lets you bathe while she prepares your dress for today. Stepping out, you style your hair in your favorite way before getting into the dress. You walk with her to the main dining room. Before she leaves you, she pulls you into a tight hug.
“Good luck today, I know it is scary but just think, your parents were strangers when they met, and their love blossomed. The same could happen to you.”
You tear up at her words, she’s truly one of your best friends and could read you like a book. You thank her and she gives you a kiss on the cheek. She heads back to your room to make your bed. You pull yourself together before entering the grand hall. All of the men are eating breakfast, your mother and father doing the same. You sit down to eat.
“Busy day, eh?”
Your father pokes his elbow into your side, and you chuckle. You eat fast, you have to spend time with all the suitors again before you announce your decision tonight.
*****
Dinner rolls around and you sit exhaustedly in your seat, eating the delicious meal sat before you. You have a headache from your busy day and trying to make the decision. None of the men seem remotely likeable and you silently curse whoever made this rule. They all are power hungry. You never expected to find true love out of this, but it would be more than nice to meet a man who would respect your authority, not try to take it.
After everyone eats and drinks, you walk with your parents to the balcony that allows you to address the public. The kingdom has arrived at the palace gates for the announcement and the celebration in the palace afterwards. All you can do is internally panic. You have no name of a suitor to give to your parents, and the time is coming soon to tell them.
King’s POV
I look over the loyal subjects, every one of them here to celebrate my daughter and her future husband. I look over at my wife who smiles at the crowd, undoubtedly remembering when I chose her to be my wife. I look over at y/n.
“Well daughter, now is the time. Who do you choose to wed?”
She smiles nervously and looks down at her hands.
“I, uh… I did not choose. None of them are suitable.”
My wife and I nearly faint. None of them? Not even one?
My wife begins, “y/n! Now is not the time for jokes!”
I look over at her and I can see she is telling the truth. She bows her head in shame. This simply cannot happen. She must give her announcement tonight. Plans are already underway for the wedding in 3 months, and her coronation in 6. If no answer is given tonight, the people may leave feeling anxious for the stability of our family.
“Very well then,” I start. “I will pick for you.”
I look around the room of suitors and fathers, all waiting on the edge of their seats to hear the announcement. While I am upset with her, I agree with y/n, none of them look suitable for king. That is, until I spot Erwin who is only here to supervise new guards in training. He is smart, comes from a respectable family, he knows the inner workings of the military. That plus y/n’s knowledge of politics and the regions, they could be a powerful couple. He’s dashing and close to her age as well. This could work out nicely. I turn to y/n.
“Before I call him over, you must tell me that you will not make a scene. You have had countless men come and ask for your hand. You chose this fate.”
Tears well up in your eyes, you can’t believe this is happening. He’s right, you picked this fate.
“Erwin, come here please.”
Your POV
Your eyes widen at who he calls over. No no no no this is not happening. Anyone but him, please. You want to protest but you have already pushed your luck too far.
“Yes, your majesty?”
“You are going to wed y/n. I will speak tomorrow with your parents after celebrations. This is the only option we have. Please, do this for your kingdom.”
Erwin looks dumbfounded, but he does not protest. He looks between you and your father.
“I… I a-accept. Thank you for choosing me your majesty.”
Your father looks pleased with himself and smiles before letting out a hardy laugh. He turns to the guards and gives them the information to announce.
“Very well then,” your mother says. She fixes your dress neckline and adjusts Erwin’s hair. “You two must look your absolute best for your debut as a couple. I remember when it was your father and I walking out onto that balcony. I was a nervous wreck.” She looks away and you can see her disappear into her mind. “Anyways, I will tell the ladies in waiting to spread the rumor around court that you two were dating in secret, and that is why you refused to take any other suitors. We will make this work.”
You are numb with shock at this point, barely focusing on the advice she gives you. All you can do is imagine your new, miserable life with your soon-to-be husband. Your mother takes your arm and wraps it around Erwin’s and sends you out to the balcony. When you step out the guards announce you two.
“Taking Princess Y/n’s hand in marriage, Captain Erwin of the Smith family!”
The trumpeters play the royal fanfare and the crowd screams in excitement. It was no secret that many of them did not believe you would ever marry, but here you are now. In the distance fireworks are set off in celebration. You take your free hand and wave to the public, plastering a fake smile to your face. Erwin does the same. You are about to turn him around and walk away when he pulls you in for a deep kiss, pulling you in close to him. The crowd gets even louder, and still cheers even as you walk inside while your father goes to address them.
“What was that” you say as you push him away from you.
“Relax, it was nothing more than to show them a happy couple. At the end of the day that is all they want. A beautiful love story from the people that rule over them. I thought you knew what politics were?”
He chuckles as he walks away. Watching him leave you realize that you will now be forever tied to this man in some way. You nearly pass out from the thought.