the weight of the ceremonial cloak felt heavier than usual , each gold thread a chain binding him to a fate he hadn’t chosen. today , he , prince germund , was to be wed. not to a lady of grace and beauty , as he had always envisioned , but to maeck , the very epitome of their rival house , prince maeck. the name alone conjured images of craggy mountains and cold , calculating eyes.
he stood beside them at the altar , the scent of expensive incense battling with the faint , metallic tang of his own resentment. they were taller than him , a fact that grated on his nerves , even in his elevated ceremonial boots. their hair , a dark , rich brown , was too perfectly coiffed , their jawline too sharp , their eyes ––– when he dared to glance ––– a startling shade of green that , even from this distance , seemed to hold a mocking glint. they looked every bit the arrogant , entitled prince he'd been taught to despise since he was old enough to hold a wooden sword. and despise them , he did. openly. vehemently.
“ by the will of the gods and the accord of our houses , i now pronounce you wed , ” the high priest intoned , their voice echoing in the grand hall. his stomach churned. this wasn't a union of hearts , but of kingdoms , a bitter draught to seal a fragile peace after generations of bloodshed. their families had been at each other’s throats for centuries , and now , to prevent further slaughter , we were the sacrifices.
the reception was a blur of forced smiles and clinking goblets. he barely tasted the food , his attention constantly drawn to maeck , who somehow managed to look both bored and impeccably charming as they navigated the sea of well-wishers. they caught his eye once , a flicker of something unreadable in those green depths , and he quickly looked away , their jaw tight. he wished he could vanish , or better yet , simply punch them.
later , in the privacy of the chambers that were now , horrifyingly , theirs , the air was thick with unspoken animosity. his valet helped him out of his finery , their movements hushed and quick , sensing the storm brewing. maeck's guards had done the same for them in the adjoining dressing room , their whispers barely audible through the thick oak door.
when maeck finally emerged , clad in a simple dark tunic and trousers , they simply leaned against the doorframe , arms crossed , those accursed green eyes raking over him. “ a fine performance , prince maeck , ” he drawled , his voice a low , smooth baritone that was almost as irritating as the smirk on their face. “ one might almost believe you were pleased. ”
now shrugging off his last ceremonial sash with more force than necessary. “ your enthusiasm was truly heartwarming. a true master of deception. ”
they simply raised an eyebrow , a small , humorless smile playing on their lips. he pushed off the doorframe , moving to the wardrobe. “ let us establish one thing immediately : we are bound by law , not by choice. our public demeanor will be one of a united front , for the sake of our houses. in private , ” he gestured around the opulent room , “ we shall exist as two strangers sharing a very large , expensive gilded cell. do i make myself clear ? ”
