Warnings: Typical yandere stuff, fratricide, royal sexism, arranged marriage (no smut for once!)
A/N: Heavily inspired by the brothers in Stardust, feel free to request stuff for these two while I write the fic with the demon.
It's unfair, but you can't say you're suprised. As a lady of the court and the princess no less, you knew a day would come when your father would push for your marriage, whether or not you felt ready. Your mother, kind and sweet, was beloved by the kingdom and her husband, but when she passed, your father began to worry amidst his grief. He had planned to listen to your mother and allow you to choose a husband you loved, but the sudden reality of his kingdoms situation suddenly came crashing down onto him. He didn't know if he could rule without her, or how much longer time on earth he even had. Therefore, preperations were made, and invitations sent out to neighboring kingdoms. After a rigourous process of examination, two suitors have made it to the top. From the kingdom of Lineus, Prince Secundus and his brother and Prince Octavian.
Lineus was a powerhouse, both of military and industry, so your fathers draw towards ana lliance of marriage was no suprise, no to mention the kingdom was in need of a leader, as the queen of Lineus had recently abdicated. What you could not get past, was the kingdoms customs of ascension to the throne. The first king of Lineus was a blood thristy man, a conqueror, and had many children from many women across the realm. However, upon the illness which marred him, he decreed that whichever son wanted the
throne must claim it himself, by any means necessary. Thus began a tradition, of sibling on sibling bloodshed which spanned generations. The last king was killed early on, as a few generations into the tradition someone realized killing the king was a good way to jump start the process. He was found in bed, purple from strangulation, but with posion in his blood, a bump on the head, and a snake bite on his wrist, amogn other ailments. To date, each of his twelve sons had proudly boasted it was surely there attempt that took his life on that fateful night.
After years of sabatoage and danger, only two brothers now remain, and with there dearest mother deciding it was time to step down, it was anyones game.
Secundus was charming and second-born, certainly, a perfect example of a golden child. Second born, he had much to prove, especially as more and more brothers were born. Being born earlier also means the privilege of more parental time and attention in the early years. He's a showpony, boisterous and bright, thoughwith a neediness and fragile ego that rarely shines through. A master fencer and horse rider, he had immediately offered you a choice ride on any of his prized mares, a breed brought over from deserts far away. His wealth and charm had one over your father, bringing him to the top.
Octavian, eight born, was remarkable in a way much like his brother but drivenn by different motivations. When you are younger in a line of homicidal maniacs, you learn to hold your own. The youngest are most at risk, what chance does a baby stand against a vengeful teen? He's smart, frighteningly so. He couldn't defeat his much older and stronger brothers with strength, so he turned to intellect. Trained animals, underground rings of assasins, and a deep interest in all plants posionous and harmful were all trademarks of his kills, less based on brute force and swordplay. Being a middle child, he had a lot of time to himself, especially amongst his twelve brothers. Early on, he decided not to yearn for the affection of his father, to impress and showboat like his elders. No, the king couldn't possibly last long anyways, he would prove himself in the end. He impressed your father with knowledge of your lands. His brother had only managed to answer the first three questions before getting bored threatening the man who handed out the test.
Both brothers, the most evenly tied pair of any in there line, now sit at two ends of a far table, both choosing the take the head of the table seat. Between them, you, nervously fidgeting with the silks of your gowns as you wait for the first course of the evening to be served. The chef, one you've known since childhood, enters.
"Thank you, Luke-Pierre." You smile politely quick to begin eating the crustacean as to take your mind off the tense nature of the evening. The chef smiles, nodding his head in respect. "Of course, my lady. It's lobster, braised in butter and herbs, oregano and a little lemon. Asparagus will come later."
"Exquisite cuisine," Octavian compliments, taking a sip of wine as he savors the food. "One thing I envy your kingdom for my dear, is the seafood. I wish I had spent more time along the coast as a boy, alas, I burn somethign terrible."
"You'dve drowned in the waves of our homelands coast." Secundus snickers, inspecting the fine food with his fork. "With your weak little arms, might've done us all a favor, saved me the trouble." He sends a wink way. "But I agree, fine food. What was your name, chef?" He beckons over Luke-Pierre with a smile.
"Ah, its Luke-Pierre, majesty. It's a high compliment, I hear the food in your land is filled with many wonderful and foreign ingredients!" The man stammers, half honroed and half terrified. Secunudus just tilts his head slightly. "I have to ask though, you seem to have left out an ingredient when you told our lovely hostess about the recipe." You feel the table jolt before you can even process, and gasp as Secundus grabs the servant by his collar, the dining fork now held to his jugular by the golden haired royal. "Yes, seems you left out the ever so subtle hint of posion, a compliment to the butter?" He threatningly presses the metal to the chefs skin, relishing in his squirming. "Tell me, what was the flavor benefit of that?"
"He wouldn't, he's been our chef for years!" You exclaim in horror, both hands out. "And I- I won't have you harming him, please! This is supposed to be a lovely dinner. I know the traditions of your people, but I am begging you to keep it far from me." Your face is pale and eyes pleading. "I beg of you."
The room goes silent, and Secundus looks at the chef, then you, his gaze softening. With a sigh, he drops the chef, waving him off and shoving the tray of food towards him. "Very well, it isn't as if I'm fighting a lowly chef for the throne. And you're right," he puts his hands up in mock surrender. "This evening is supposed to be about you, my lovely lady. I apologize for my outburst, I shouldn't have been so brash. Besides," He takes a sip of the large ale mug before him, a drink more hearty than his brothers. "I doubt he acted alone."
Across the table you glimpse Octavian grinning into his wine glass. "What was it you said earlier? Something about 'taking me out of the way, saving yourself the trouble?' A simple return of the compliment, brother." Octavian jests. Secundus huffs simply huffs. "it's stupid, a simple posioning that smells obvious is below you. And now I have to wait another twenty minutes to eat."
"You'll live." Octavian says, before pausing. "Or preferably, maybe you won't." Secundus sneers are him rasther chilishly. It's unverving, they speak of it like children arguing over dessert or a toy, as if it's normal, casual. Not spilling the blood of family. It makes your stomach churn.
"I want you to know," The black haired prince turns to you, raising his goblet towards you, "I agree completely. My brother, he's brutish, uncouth. He kills for sport, not for duty or a place in line like some of us have to. I agree that it should be kept far, far from an innocent like yourself. As long as I'm here, I'll never hold your servants at fork-point." He coos. "Ah, t-thank you. That... means very much to me, that you care to impress me so." You stammer, a pc answer, one your father would want you to give. "On that subject of keeping the fratricide far from you, could you have a servant come and remove the chandilier from above me? The rope is rather frayed, my brother thinks himself a genius for this childish trap, and I don't feel like moving. I am enjoying the food." He continues to eat nonchalantly, and with a shaky hand you motion for a servant to fetch a ladder.
"I'll have you know it was rather intelligent of me to know where you would sit at the table, you know." Secundus huffs, and Octavian rolls his eyes. "Hardly. You arrived to dinner a half hour early to sit in that exact spot. What was I meant to think you were up to? You're never on time for anything."
As dinner fizzled, you were more than happy to quickly depart from your chambers. Dressed down in your nightgown, a knock at your door grabs your attention. Standing, you open a the door to see a similarily dressed down Secundus, in a rather low cut unbuttoned shirt. "I apologize for that display at dinner," He coos, leaning on the door frame. "He just gets me so riled up. But I should've been focused on you."
"Well, really, its fine. I just... it was a lot. Sort of stressful." You swallow awkwardly, but try to stand up straight. "Its been a long night, so-" You attempt to close the door, only for the man to push his way in. His hand firmly lands on your waist, and he places a kiss on the nape of your neck.
"You just haven't had the chance to see the real me. The charming me, sensitive me. The me inside." He pauses, then grins. "Though I'm sure the me on the outside doesn't disappoint either." He invites himself over to your bed, half sprawling out on the sheets. "So, me. I'm prepared to tell you all my qualifications to be your husband. What would you like to know?"
You really would rather him leave but swallow those nerves. "Well, how do you treat women in your country? We- we have women in power here, and marriage rights." You tilt your head expectantly.
"Of course. We don't traditionally have women inherit the throne, but our mother took over for us when father died... prematurely." He pauses. "Which, I take credit for by the way, but that's neither here nor there!"
Ignoring this, you keep asking. "And your mother, was she ever... at risk?"
"Goodness no! I love my mummy!" He stops, cheeks flushed as he coughs into his hand. "Ah, what I mean is no, as woman don't typically inherit the throne but are treasured, mother was of course of limits. She would love you, I'm sure. She enjoyed strong, inquisitive girls." He holds out a hand, which you reluctantly take. "That brings me to my next point, enjoyment." Warm lips meet your finger tips, making you shiver as he kisses them one by one, a show of sensuous devotion.
"I take a great enjoyment in your company. You are smart, and charitable to your people. Image is much in this world, and your people regard you the way mine regard me! We would be perfect. But I assure you, you could take enjoyment in me too."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean-" You've never heard words so heavy from any lover. "I mean, its not really ladylike for me to talk about that sort of thing."
"And I understand, you don't have to." He nods, but his gaze remains heated. His hands grip your waist. "I am strong, virile. I could give you what no other man could, I would guide you and teach you. If only you would let me show you." He nips at the shell of your ear. "I'll admit, I was something of a flirt before this, but the fire I felt with your beautiful frame pressed to mine on that horse ride is unlike anything I have ever felt." Despite his focus being mainly on sex and reputation, when he pulls away you can see a genuine reverence in his eyes. "I truly believe, given time, you could be the first person I ever truly-"
"Ahem." A creek from the door makes you both pivot your head. The tall, dark haired figure in the door way hides his cold gaze with a hint of amusement. "Surely our dear princess didn't invite us to dinner so you could feel her up like a common tavern girl?" Octavian chuckles lowly.
"Hardly. I was merely conversing with her. Sharing with her my many suitable qualities." Secundus huffs, gently releasing you from his grip. Knees weak from the tension and still reeling from Secundus's advance, you sink onto the mattress.
"Well, seeing as you don't have to many, I'm sure you're done now. I'd like a moment with our dear lady." Octavian shoots him a warning glare, and while his brother would never usually back down, he's confident enough in his display he approaches the door. "Goodnight, princess. I look forward to seeing you again in the morn."
No sooner than he is out the door, Octavian is before you, on one knee, your hand in his own cold one.
"I... suppose you are here to share your qualities as well?" You murmur. He sends you a slight smile, and shakes his head.
"I can get them out quickly, but I confess, I'm not the man many princesses would imagine as the perfect prince. I am quiet, introverted. I cannot fight nor am I physically impressive. But I am smart. I adapt, I learn, and I can rule with you for the kingdoms benefit. You would not be some-some piece of my brothers collection, his lovely pet to show off. You would be an equal." His eyes are earnest. "I know what it is like to feel overlooked, or like a pawn. I was another pawn in my fathers game, slaughter in the name of tradition. And you are much the same, any man could have come in here and made you his bride, you are a lamb to slaughter. But I took charge, I beat expectations and my brothers, and I offer you the chance to do the same."
"I- I appreciate how you relate to me, this is just- all so much." You feel a churning in your stomach. It now settles in what you saw between them, and how they looked at you. Madness. Devotion, but marred with an obsession.
He sighs, bowing his head and nodding as he stands. "Of course. I will be blunt, I'm not here to pin you to your bed and forcefully romance you like my brother. But know this, I will be devoted. It will not be an animalistic joining of bodies, it will not be sex. It will be lovemaking, I will worship you as I wish someone had me when I needed it, and I can only hope you do so in return." In a move opposite of his brothers groping and heated whispers, he places not but a light, chaste kiss upon your cheek. Heading to the door, he smiles, calmer now. "In the morning, i should love to see your palace gardens. I've heard your kingdom has such unique flowers, and I wish to see if they compare to your beauty amidst my research."
With that, he closes the door, and both the feeling of flattery amd weight of the choice you must make and the inevitable bloodshed that will follow mix within you to create an anxiety you are sure will marr your rest.
