arranged marriage with ashe
pairing: ashe ubert x gn!reader
tags: wholesome fluff, post-war setting, noble!ashe (inheriting the gaspar region), crestless!reader, friends to lovers, caring!ashe
while ashe was born merely as a commoner, he became the heir to lonato, after his and christophe's death
he hadn't expected to become a noble like this, nor was he prepared for the responsibilities coming with it
suddenly he was expected to marry someone, simply because he was a lord now and that's how things are
there weren't as many people interested in marrying him, due to ashe not having a crest, but he still had a few proposals
one of them was from your family. you didn't bear a crest, which was a bad thing for most people, but ashe was quite glad to hear about that
it would mean he wasn't forced to have tons of children with you, just to continue the bloodline
instead, it would be up to the two of you to decide if you wanted to have children or not – though ashe would've prefered to adopt, instead of having children of his own
he quickly sent back a letter to your family, asking to get to know you
and just a few weeks later, ashe got to visit you and your family at your mansion
it was quite large compared to his own, making him wonder why such a rich family would even want to marry their child to someone lesser than themselves
when ashe met you, he was quickly blown away by how good looking you were. the letters really weren't lying
though he didn't plan on marrying you for your looks! he wanted to get to know you and hopefully marry you for your kindness
the first day together, you and ashe spent in the garden of your family
ashe quietly listened as you told him about all the different flowers growing there, amazed by how much you knew
after a while, the conversation shifted away from the flowers, as ashe was eager to learn more about you and your family
you tried to put on a smile as you praised your family, but ashe could see right through it and when he confronted you about it, you revealed the truth to him
you were upset with your family for always dictating your life, even choosing the man you'd marry for you!
you didn't want to be bound to someone else, you didn't want children or getting married – at least not yet
you wanted to see the world first, discover new things and live your life, before you decide to settle down
ashe could understand you very well
and after everything you just told him, he proposed something: he'd ask for your hand in marriage! once you moved to his mansion, you'd get to be free and decide for yourself
he wouldn't force you to marry him, nor would he force you to have children or do anything you didn't want to
and if you decided you wanted to marry him, after you got to live a free life and do as you please, he'd be waiting for you…
you agreed to that deal and the same night, ashe asked your parents for your hand in marriage!
ashe wasn't sure if you'd still want to marry him after you got a taste of a free life, but he was content with the way things were
you deserved to be free and he was certain that you'd make the right decision!
