Arranged Marriage (prince!Luke)
“You can’t make me, please don’t make me.” You whimpered, your eyes were beginning to well up in tears. Your father shook his head.
“Y/n, I’m sorry. I can’t do anything to change this. It’s how it must be done.” Your father answered gravely.
You felt your heart plummet and you stared at him helplessly. Your sadness quickly boiled into anger, your form shot up as your fists curled.
“That’s a lie, you’re a liar father!” You screamed, shaking. His eyes narrowed and your mother’s posture stiffened.
“Y/n, don’t you dare speak to your father like that! You are a princess! Behave like one!” Your mother hissed. You gritted your teeth.
Parents they called themselves was it?
“How should I behave like a princess when I’m being traded off like a slave?” You snapped.
Hot, angry tears were sliding down your cheeks now.
“I have a duty to the kingdom Y/n.” Your father reminded you sternly.
“And what about your duty to me? Your daughter? Does that even mean anything to you anymore?” You screamed.
Your fists were beginning to pale.
“That’s enough Y/n. You will marry the youngest heir of the Hemmings. They will come to collect you tomorrow and you will go quietly whether you like it or not.” He ordered.
You glared at your parents, trying to deliver the betrays you felt into your expression before fleeing to your room. The second the large doors closed on your back, you collapsed into a sobbing mess sprawling across the floor dreading the dark future that awaited you.
You knew what your fate was. You’d heard countless whispered stories about the Hemmings family. King Andy and Queen Liz led the most ruthless empire known to mankind. Their sons, Princes Ben, Jack and Luke were rumoured to be meticulous assassins. Their regime stretched across graveyards of burnt villages and mass bloodshed.
And you refused to have anything to do with them.
You needed to do something, anything. To get away, to-to run. Yes, you need to run. Run far. Run fast.
You quickly scrambled around for a satchel and started to stuff your clothes in it. You pulled out a sack from under your bag and begin to toss in anything that you cared for. Soon enough the little snitches of daylight began to peak through the curtains.
You need to move right away.
You fastened the cloak you had gotten to use to sneak out of the castle to visit the town square and had changed into plainer clothes. You stealthily snuck out of your room by climbing down the tree that was near your bedroom window. Once you got down, you began to tip toe through the stables when you heard voices you quickly hid.
“Who goes there? Reveal yourself immediately!” A man’s voice. You winced, silently cursing before stepping in front of him.
He was a tall, attractive man and had sandy blonde hair. He was dressed in fine clothes, however his clothes were dirtied and he was holding a bunch of carrots while standing next to an unfamiliar horse. He must be part of the cavalry.
“Who are you?” He demanded, frowning at you suspiciously. Your inside stirred at his words.
“I’m a lowly maid.” You lied smoothly, surprising even yourself.
“I was sent here to check on the stables as the stable boy is ill today.” The man nodded, buying into your lie.
“Shall I tend to him?” You asked him, gesturing at his horse. The man shook his head. You prayed he would leave.
“No, I prefer to take care of my horses. He’s been with me since I was a child.” He explained. You nodded, moving towards to exit once you realized he wouldn’t budge.
“Hold on, what is that?” You froze at his words, not daring to turn around. Your eyes widened at your sack and satchel.
Suddenly your adrenaline kicked in, you grabbed your things and sprinted towards to stable gates when you felt hands grip your midsection tightly. The man forcefully turned you around, he peered at your face suspiciously before one hand reached for the satchel and pulled out your crown.
“You’re a thief are you?” He demanded, his grip growing tighter. You shook your head in panic.
“No! No! I’m not a thief! Let me go!” You screamed and thrashed in his grasp.
He held on to you with one hand, ignoring your struggle while rummaging through your bag with the second. He pulled out your clothes until he pulled out a small painting of you and your family. He stared at the painting, his face impassive, his grip slackened.
“Princess Y/n!” He gasped letting go of your immediately. You stood there stunned as he bowed.
“I’m awfully sorry for my behaviour.” He rambled, stumbling over his own feet to bow again.
“I had no idea it was you, you have every right to punish me.” You stared at him oddly at his words.
“I’m not going to punish you.” You told him slowly. He relaxed and looked up, cocking his head sideways in confusion.
“I’m sorry I lied actually.” You continued, suddenly bashful at his change in behaviour.
“What are you doing here?” The man asked you. You bit your lip, torn between telling him another or to tell him the truth.
“I’m going out for a bit.” You answered carefully.
The man looked at you even more confusedly. You couldn’t help but giggle at his expression. Was it permanent? For some reason, it made him look adorable.
“Is the Hemmings family not coming to take you today?” He questioned. You clenched your fists at his words.
“That’s why I’m going. For good. I can’t go with them.” You confessed out of the blue, once again surprising yourself. The man’s expression hardened however.
“Why not?” You hesitated slightly at his tone but continued anyway.
“I have heard nothing but horrible stories about them.”
“You shouldn’t always believe what you hear.” You recoiled at his words, suspicion now prickling your spine.
“Why would you say that? Who are you?” You asked, moving back from him. His expression soured.
“Because, I’m Luke Hemmings, princess.” Your eyes widened at his bitter words, and you shook your head, moving further back.
This cannot be happening.
“Why do you hate me so much? That would rather run away than be with me?” He asked. You looked at his face at his words. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t lashing out. He was…sad?
“You’ve killed thousands how could I believe you wouldn’t kill me?” You whispered, terrified. Luke shook his head.
“I hate to kill. I hate war. That’s why I proposed this. So my father would agree to not go to war with your kingdom.” Luke explained, turning away from you.
“My father likes to win, he thrives on fear. I don’t want to be like that.” You felt your throat close up. Your mouth felt cotton dry.
“I’m sorry Luke. That was wrong of me, to presume things I’m so sorry.” You said, moving to stand next to him.
“It’s alright, I would be reluctant too if I heard the stories.”
“Of marrying yourself?” You teased. Luke turned beet red before rushing to correct himself.
“No! No! If I was in your position, as if if I was you-”
“I’m only joking you know.”
“Oh.” A relieved sigh fell from his lips.
“So um, I’ll just act as if I haven’t seen you.” Now it was your turned to be confused.
“Pardon?” Luke looked uncomfortable now.
“Well you’re running away right? I can just say that I haven’t seen you if that’s what you want.” He said timidly. You let out a giggle and shook your head.
“I changed my mind actually.” You told him shyly. Luke’s face broke into a hopeful grin and you felt something pull at your heart.
“Really?” You nodded, you were taken aback when he rushed forward to hug you tightly.
“I’m really glad you changed your mind.” He whispered into your ear. Now it was your turn to blush.