This is the dumbest thing I've thought of yet but
Prince Simon: You must convince me to consent to this marriage with one sentence.
Simon: I, too, have land.
Suitor 2: I'll give you a healthy child?
Simon: Any child of mine would threaten my cousin's claim to the throne. (Aka I don't want kids)
Suitor 3: I have a mighty army!
Simon: Yet not stronger than mine.
He finally turns to look at you and
"...Why are your tits so big."
He laughs so hard he almost chokes
Simon: I have made my choice
I finally fucking locked in and wrote this. Thank u for ur patience 🐿️ my beloved, I'm only getting kind of used to work now (slmost 2 weeks in) and only now can I manage to have enough brain power to write.
Anyways, this ask is peak, loved it, love ur brain so muh u have no idea
As a Prince, Simon was expected to marry eventually. He never wanted to, of course. After seeing the type of marriage nobles have — his mother and the king — he was glad to postpone it as much as possible. But it was still his duty, still an expectation that weighted on him since his very birth.
When Simon went to war, his focus was on fleeing the noble duties more than becoming some war hero. But, much to his annoyance, the universe had another fate for him. After years of stepping around marriage with the excuse that he wanted to gain honor on the field before ever setting down like that, the war was on. The current one, at least.
He still was left to bask in his title of war hero, a prince that not only was stoic and knew how to lead, was also strong and a damn good soldier. Which meant he managed to postpone his royal duties for quite a while; but in the end, being so well seen in high society and still not showing any interest in marriage started rumours, and soon, the weight of said responsability came barreling down on him all over again.
There was a ball, then another, then meetings, tea with potential suitors, aristocrats and nobles sending letters about their sons and daughters. Others coming by with gifts and trying to buy him to favour their children. All in all, Simon was annoyed.
He hated this, wanted to punch out half these stuck up nobles who were far too eager to push someone to him just for his wealth and status. Even worse when the suitor didn't look any interested either. The prince was seen huffing and puffing around the palace more often, training with the royal guards, beating the men as a way to put out his frustrations while also helping them get better at sparring.
That's how he met you. A friend of one of the guards. You weren't a servant, but no high society noble either. You were from a family of scholars and probably would've never met the prince had it not been for him deciding to train along the guards, and to his surprise, you had been visiting your friend at that exact time.
You didn't immediately recognize him, which he was glad for, because that meant you were treating him like any of the guards. Smiling casually and chit chatting, even offering some of the baked goods you brought for the guards. Simon was used to the royal chef's cooking, but yours was good too.
That's how he found himself training even more around the guards, not only having a break from interacting with potential suitors, but also getting to see you, who'd sit under a tree and watch the guards; sometimes not even watching, just silently reading, and he enjoyed the quiet as he sat beside you. Since you didn't recognize him, you didn't tense up or try to impress him. Once you even offered for him to lie his head on your lap under the shade as you read!
But, sadly, it was time he picked a suitor. He sat on his place on the throne room, his usually stoic look more of a scowl as he watched the many nobles around. He had requested lower nobles and guards to be present in the guise of wanting his fellow guards to be there. It didn't change a thing that you'd be present, and his face definitely didn't soften when he watched you go around.
"You must convince me to this marriage with one sentence"
He had said, half heartedly brushing off most suitors.
"I'll give you a healthy heir!"
I do not wish to have any heir threatening my cousin's claim of the throne.
He was starting to get bored. This was too annoying, he simoly wished to end it soon, but alas, he was stuck deciding which one of this dumb suitors he must pick.
Eventually he left his throne, walking for a bit. He wouldn't admit it, but his eyes kept searching the crowd, trying to get a glimpse of you. Why? He wasn't sure.
He hadn't meant to bump into you as he walked through the hall, but his softened as he looked down at you. You, on the other hand, was staring at him with wide eyes, mouth agape as you suddenly recognized the prince.
He stays silent. Not sure what to say, if he could say anything. He just watched as your eyes flit over his face, then moved down to the heavy, expensive outfit he wore, so different from the light, loose clothes he usually sported when training. Which must be the reason why the first phrase you blurp out is
"Why are your tits so big?"
You immediately slap a hand over your mouth, cursing yourself, that's a prince! But Simon is laughing. Big belly laugh, doubling over, almost choking on his own spit.
You watch as everyone turns to the prince, confused and shocked. It's not every day someone gets even a smile from Simon, much less a laugh. You're tense as he takes a deep breath and calms himself, still smiling as he nods at you.
He speaks loud enough for others to hear, and for that split moment, you forget that he was in this place to pick a suitor, your mind staggering, dread curling in your gut as you think that this is it, he'll behead you for your insolence.
There are curious eyes on you, and you force your gaze away from his, something you've noticed since the first time you saw him — training with the guards — was a hard feat.
As you watch the shocked, confused and even angry looks at you, you froze. Huh? You look back at the prince, and he's smirking. Your mind tries to make sense of what just happened and..
You squeak out, just remembering the reason of this ball in the first place. You expect him to name some amazing suitor from one of the many around, and humiliate you. So it's no surprise you're as shocked as the nobles around when he smiles and says, loud and clear.