ARRANGEMENT
Princess Irulan Corrino x Reader
For @julieromanoff
You were the ruler of one of the lower houses, humble yet held in high regards among the greater houses like Atreides. Earlier in your life you called Paul Atreides a friend, practically a brother.
You received word that the Emperor Corrino was sending an emissary to your planet, quite uncommon but you and your house did your best to receive said emissary with open arms.
The shuttle landed in front of your palace. Sleek, black as the outer rims of space. Then down came the platform and with it - her. Princess Irulan Corrino
Hair as blonde as the sands on the shorelines of your home. Eyes as hazel as the rich textures of the trees that graced the landscape. All of her wrapped in a silvery dress with a cowl of rich, pure silver that glistened in the morning light.
You had heard of her beauty. But the stories did not do her any justice nor did it capture the radiance of said beauty that stood before you
She pulled out a long silvery scroll, a decree from her father meant exclusively for your house.
“(Y/N) of House (L/N)” she read aloud. “I come bearing an edict from my father Emperor Shaddam IV. Will you accept?”
She locked eyes with you. The mere action of which brought a flutter to your heart.
You took a deep breath before speaking up, “I will accept said edict”
Irulan gave a nod before continuing to read the edit.
“By the order of Emperor Shaddam IV it has been decreed that…” her voice broke a little as she did a double take on the written text.
You practically held your breath. What could House Corrino, the Emperor Shaddam IV want with your lower house?
Irulan clears her throat and looks up from the scroll to you, “it has been decreed that (Y/N) of House (L/N) will marry my daughter Princess Irulan Corrino. W-Will you accept?”
You could tell that there was an air of fear, uncertainty in her voice as she locked eyes with you. You had to be sure. You had to be able to give her an out.
You spoke up for all of your house and all who accompanied her to hear, “on behalf of House (L/N), I will accept the hand of the princess…but only under one condition”
The sound of a pin dropping could practically be heard
You continued, “My condition is only if the princess will accept me in return”
You could see Irulan’s eyes soften a little, a feeling of peace that you were giving her an option in all this. And then she gave a little nod.
“I will” she said softly. You couldn’t help but give her a soft smile in return.
That was a little over a month ago. Emperor Shaddam wanted the marriage to take place within a few weeks. Irulan found herself on edge. Your small act of kindness in giving her a choice in the matter warmed her to you a little. But she still barely knew you, despite your insistence on spending as much time talking with her as you have.
The wedding ceremony and feast went off without a hitch. Every house had sent an emissary to bless you and her with gifts and such. But it was the thought of what happens after the wedding that made Irulan a little uneasy.
She found herself pacing the bedroom chamber of House (L/N). The low lit candles flickering, softly illuminating her features as she tried to steady her beating heart.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain” Irulan knew that litany like the back of her hand and yet it did little to quell the anxiety building inside her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the bedroom door opening. In stepped you with a bottle of wine and two glasses. You offered her a gentle smile, the same one you gave when she first accepted.
“Hello” you said softly
“Hello” she responded nervously
“Y-You looked lovely at the wedding” you tried to break the ice, “you look lovely now too”
“T-Thank you” she eyed the unopened bottle of wine, “what’s that for?”
“An old family tradition. We make wine on these lands,” you say nervously, “we bottle one of these for each child of the family born. This one was mine and I choose to share it with you.”
Irulan couldn’t help but feel touched. A perfectly aged bottle of wine. One meant for a couple on their wedding night.
You let her uncork the bottle and you served the wine. You raised your glass to her.
“May your days be many. And may all who look upon you call you blessed” you said to her, an old family blessing.
The rich taste made its way down your throat and hers. A perfectly aged red wine.
The mere perfection of its taste made Irulan let out a small little moan.
“Aged perfectly”
“Just for the right moment” you say with a small smile.
Irulan’s eyes landed on the bed. Instantly her nerves returned.
“I-I suppose w-we should…” she couldn’t finish the sentence. She simply sat down on the bed, her eyes looking into yours
“But do you want me? Truly” you asked her quietly.
Irulan couldn’t deny that she felt a certain attraction to you but it was all so much for her right now.
“It’s expected of us. Its duty”
“Duty and desire are two separate entities.” You said with a small smile. “I…I am willing to wait. I won’t touch you until you desire me.”
“What?” She found herself asking, “don’t you desire me?”
“I do” you answered matter of factly, “but…I want this marriage to work. And I want every single time we are together to be our choice. Not a matter of duty”
Irulan’s heart gave that little flutter again. That damn flutter would do her in.
“Thank you” she whispered softly, her hazel eyes gazing into your soul.
“I can take the chair” you reached for a pillow only for her to grab your hand.
“I don’t mind sharing the bed” she whispered back.
It was the start of something. Something that would deepen and take root. Something more powerful than fear. Something that become Irulan’s new litany. It was love. A love that would make for a strong marriage. But it was a love that would take time.
But you were patient and you looked forward to seeing it grow.
