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Deep in the gardens of the imperial palace in the small alcove they’ve carved out for themselves, Paul Atreides sat alone on a stone bench. It was a quiet sunny day on Kaitain, a slight breeze could be felt, rustling the fallen leaves.
The distant faint footsteps approaching pulls Paul out from his trance. He was waiting in anticipation for this moment, finally managing to free himself from his fathers lectures and teaching about how to handle business as Duke of Caladan, to prepare him to rule when the time comes. Paul need not turn his head towards the source of the footsteps as it approaches for he already recognizes the familiar sound. They’ve already done this song and dance countless times before, every time he has come to visit.
“Irulan,” he says softly, a smile forming. He turns his head to face the Princess and is met with her radiant smile in return, but Paul could sense there was more behind the smile and her beautiful green eyes, she was in pain. What pain he did not know but it troubled him deeply to see her like this. The princess took a seat next to him, turning her body towards him. “Irulan… what’s wr–” Paul tried to ask before being cut off.
The Princess left Paul speechless as she trapped his lips in a searing kiss, putting all her emotion into the kiss. His question died on his lips as he quickly reciprocated.
As if she got her fill, Irulan pulled away, tears welling at the corner of her eyes. Paul’s worries soon returned as he reaches up to wipe the salty droplets from her eyes. “Irulan what’s wrong?” He questions again, searching her face for any clue.
Irulan sniffles, more tears falling as she looks at Paul intently. With one more breath she steels herself at the news she was to deliver. “My father says we won’t be seeing each other anymore…” she manages to speak out.
Paul is initially hit with confusion, his mind racing with any possible explanation. Why would the Emperor tell her this, they had been careful with their rendezvouses. No one knew of their incursions except Duncan Idaho who caught them once and promised to keep it secret. “Why would your father say that? He didn’t find out about us has he?” Paul asks her as he takes her hands seeking to comfort her. He knew it was risky to be so close to the Princess but titles be damned there wasn’t stopping them and their attraction to one another. It was more than just a fling and they both knew it.
She shakes her head. “No… I know he doesn’t know of us, Paul.” Being a trained Bene Gesserit, Irulan would know if her father suspected anything, Reverend Mother Mohiam doesn’t know either and Irulan knows she would blab about it to her father. “He didn’t say much, I tried to find out more but he wouldn’t elaborate! He just says that your family won’t be needed to visit Kaitain anymore.”
Paul didn’t speak as he wrapped his arms around her, tears threatened to fall from his own eyes at seeing the love of his life in such pain. The realization struck him that this would be their last meeting, and within the depth of his mind, he feels the need to add “for now.” And he knows it to be true, he just knows it. As he holds her close he runs his hand across her back in a soothing pattern, his shoulder damp with the princess’s tears.
“This isn’t the end Princess.” He declares. “We’ll see each other again… maybe I can get my father to get a betrothal between us. We’re of age, surely your father could see some sense in that!”
She looks up at him in surprise, surprised that he was willing to marry her, that she meant that much to him, “you’d do that Paul?”
“Of course…” he sighs. “I love you Irulan and I’ll try my damndest.”
“Paul I… thank you.” Irulan smiles weakly at him. “I love you too.”
“Just a small step back.” He says before pulling her close and joining their lips together, wishing this moment would never end.
Days turned into weeks that turned into months and eventually two years had passed since that day. Despite Duke Leto’s best efforts, communication with the Imperial court were far and few in between and only consisted of important business regarding the empire. Any proposals to wed his son with the princess fell on deaf ears. Eventually realizing the attempts were futile, Duke Leto stopped trying and saw his son deflate in front of him.
Paul hadn’t felt as lonely as he has now. Before his only friends were those trusted adults under the direct command of his father. Irulan had been a breath of fresh air, someone his age, someone he could be more with than just friends, but now he was left without her. Sometimes he would have dreams of her, that they were older and she was at his side, with twins in her arms.
He has tried to confide in Duncan about his dreams. His old friend’s words have been hanging above him ever since. “Dreams make good stories. But everything important happens when we're awake. Because that's when we make things happen.” He desperately wishes those weren’t dreams and the stubborn part of him refuses to let Irulan go.
Not long after the Emperor decrees that the Atreides were to take control of Arrakis.
Paul realizes after his father’s death and he and his mother, the Lady Jessica are forced on the run, that the Emperor had been plotting their fall since that day Irulan says they wouldn’t be seeing each other anymore. His heart breaks for her, he knows she had nothing to do with it, it was all the Emperor’s doing. He just prays that she knows of the horrific crime her father had perpetuated.
He still hopes to see her again. His Irulan.
Irulan’s breath hitches when she sees the familiar face of Paul again. Under the dirt, blood, and soot was the man she loved. Relief washed over her, he was still alive. He was victorious, his fremen had defeated her father’s Sardaukar as well as the Harkonnens. Paul Atreides now controls Arrakis. Irulan couldn’t help but be proud at Paul, for overcoming all and defeating the wretched man that was her father. Against all odds Paul survived the fall of his house and came out stronger than ever. He rallied the fremen to his cause, he succeeded and there was a glimmer of hope for them once more, Irulan thinks.
When their eyes met after such time away, they knew the feelings they still held for one another remained strong. He kept his promise, she thought, they would see each other again. His expression softened at the sight of her before his attention was diverted to her father.
Even in defeat her father was too blind to see that it was over. “As a servant of the Imperium, you will bow at my feet!” The Emperor proclaimed, Irulan noticing the shakiness in her father’s stance and voice.
“Father…” she tries to plead to him, to stop him before he gets himself killed. She may no longer hold any love for him after she found out what he had done, but he was still her father. Enough blood has been shed today, but her pleads were ignored once again.
Paul merely scoffed at his words. “Your feet? You’ll be lucky to keep your head.” He says as he catches Irulan’s gaze. He grins, this was his chance, to solidify his reign and be with his love again. “I'll take the hand of your daughter. She will remain safe. And we will rule together over the Empire.”
She senses the conflict within her father, but takes action before he could utter anything more that can jeopardize the fragile peace they have at the moment, no one else has to die. She rushes to him, causing his Fedaykin to reach for their blades before he raises his hand for them to stop before he closes the gap between them, enveloping her in his arms.
“Paul…” she sighs into his chest, feeling the warmth of him around her.
“My Princess.” He kisses her forehead, underneath her chainmail hood, as he pulls back to take in the sight of her, still breathtaking as the day they met.
“I will be your willing bride.” She announces to the room, feeling her father's eyes drilling into her, “we will rule the Empire together.” With that she bridges the gap between them and kisses him for the first time in ages, ignoring all the eyes on them now. She runs her fingers through his curls as he wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her close.
“Muad’Dib!” His fremen allies chant in excitement.
She reluctantly pulls away, still looking into the eyes of the man she loves who she can tell feels the same way. “So… Paul Muad’Dib Atreides?”
He chuckles softly “don’t” he says before shushing her laughter with another kiss, being met with another thunderous applause from the crowd.