"King Garon of Nohr has honored us with two betrothals. His daughter Camilla to your brother, Ryouma. And you, Hinoka, to his eldest son, the crown Prince Marx." That was the first thing her father had told her when he had returned from a journey to the country of Chevalier.
During that journey, apparently the two kings had met by chance on neutral ground and had come to an accord— an end to the war in exchange for an arrangement of marriage.
Hinoka had been eight at the time. She remembered how at first she'd been silent with shock, unsure how she was supposed to respond to her father's announcement. Then her child-self had gathered the courage to ask, voice cracking, "You mean, I can't choose who I marry?" Who I love, had gone unsaid.
Sumeragi had answered her as a king. "For the sake of peace Nohr's prince, Marx, must be your husband. This choice has been made for the good of Hoshido, because you are its princess."
His answer had struck her as a heavy blow. There'd been no apology, only chilling finality— the king had made a decision, and if she refused she'd dishonor her title as princess. Hinoka couldn't remember what she said to her father afterwards, only that she'd run.
Run until she'd found her mother and then cried huddled in her lap. She'd cried as only a child could. Cried over being promised to a complete stranger. Cried at the fear that one day she'd leave her home to never return. Cried at the unfairness of having no choice. Her mother had stroked her hair and murmured comforts until her child-self had quieted.
"You may cry, my child, but please do not let your heart grow bitter." The words her mother had whispered into her ear were clear in her mind despite the years that had passed. "This promise has been made with hope, that you might know peace in your lifetime. You are strong and have a good heart, I'm sure the Prince will love you."
At the time, Hinoka had petulantly spat that she did not want anything from Nohr's prince. But the words of that day, both her father's and her mother's, stuck with her. A piece of her future had been decided, but she could choose how to meet it. Her mother was right, she was strong. Her father had reminded her that princess was a title, duty to her kingdom was her birthright.
So as she grew up and left childish fears behind, Hinoka had decided to meet destiny head on. No running to hide, and no more tears. She would fight, and she would hope.
.o.O.o.
Hinoka remembered Ryouma's wedding to Camilla in the spring of last year with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. How her brother and his bride had drank from three stacked dishes of consecrated sake before the priest. How the Nohrian princess had been surprised by customary gifts of dried cuttlefish, kelp, and thread. Her brother's bride had appreciated gifts like a folded fan with fine lacquered wood framing more.
It felt like she had been there just yesterday, yet four whole seasons had passed. Spring had come again and now it was the turn of Hoshido's princess to be wed. The entire royal family save Takumi had traveled for four fortnights to the capital city of their neighboring kingdom and new ally, Nohr. They had arrived one day ago, tired from the travel through the rugged foreign countryside. There had not been much time to rest though, as the preparations for the royal wedding had been in full swing and many formal documents for agreements to sign. Day had passed to night and then broken to morning in a flurry, and now...
Hinoka now wore the traditional white kimono of marriage, cream makeup painted over her face and neck, the white tsunokakushi meant to hide her horns of envy. She wasn't sure what her mother-in-law could possibly offer for her to be envious over, as her groom was Nohr's crown prince so one day the title of queen would be hers. She wasn't entirely comforted by the assurance.
"Prepared?" Sumeragi asked, taking her elbow gently.
Hinoka didn't trust herself to speak with the anxious lump in her throat and stinging eyes, so she nodded and took hold of her father's arm so he could walk her down the aisle as dictated by Nohrian custom. When the Hishidonese royalty came before the entryway, two pages pulled open the massive doors to the sanctuary. As they entered, she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.
There was no procession of musicians and shrine maidens to walk before her, though a quartet of stringed instruments in the corner of the sanctuary played an unfamiliar tune as she and Sumeragi took measured steps towards the dais where her groom stood waiting.
The room Hinoka walked into was taller and larger than any structure back home, save Shirazaki's castle. The church was built with soaring walls and a vaulted ceiling of smooth, unblemished stone of a dark color. Unlike a shrine in Hoshido the sanctuary was totally enclosed from the outside world, even the many high-up windows blocked the view and instead were glowing starbursts of differently colored glass. Although it seemed to the princess of Hishido to be a cold, claustrophobic sort of place to worship, it did keep out the storm which currently raged in Nohr's skies. The heavy rainfall pattered down on the windows and threw warped shadows across the floors. Countless lit candles made up for the day's dim sun, their flames shimmered from the perimeter of the room and cast dancing light against the walls.
The majority of the room was taken up by rows of polished wooden pews and those who filled them. It was a royal wedding so only the invited could attend, and yet she was still taken aback by the size of the audience and how they easily fit inside the room. Among the crowd, Hinoka hardly recognized a single face, though they all stared unabashedly at her— some smiling, some curious, some regarding with clear disdain. She held tight to Sumeragi's arm as they walked down the center aisle between the filled pews.
The second prince and princess of Nohr stood on the right side of the audience at the very front, along with Nohr's queen and the king's three concubines behind them. Prince Leo observed the procession coolly while young Princess Elise appeared to be near bouncing with excitement. Hinoka's gaze flitted past her future mother-in-law, too nervous to want to dwell on any expression the queen wore.
Ryouma, Camilla, and Sakura stood on the left side of the front crowd, all smiled encouragingly at her. Hinoka thought on the past year and how happily her sister-in-law had lived with her family, refusing to let her heart sink at the thought that they would leave Nohr without her.
The way the jacquard silk of her wedding kimono had been stitched together, the cloth wanted her to bow her head and yield. But she refused. Instead Hinoka drew her shoulders back and she raised her head, ignoring the wrinkles that resulted. Still it was a strain to maintain as they walked, despite her years of martial training. Hinoka could feel sweat gathering down her back and between her shoulder blades, dampening her hair underneath the headdress. Beneath the painted makeup her skin started to itch, the sweat would only worsen it.
Hinoka wondered if her sister-in-law had felt so oppressed by her clothing on her wedding day. The gauzy white gown had been a shock with its sumptuous ruffles, see-through lace, and plunging bustline. But thinking about it now, that Nohrian gown must've let her at least breathe, even if the veils and skirts dragged and trailed in her wake.
The thought made her remember how Ryouma had dressed a year ago. In the striped hakama, black kimono and haori of the montsuki traditional for grooms, embroidered with the white crest of Hoshido. It was so different from what the man she was about to marry wore.
The Nohrian prince was dressed in dark polished boots, black tailored breeches, a matching vest, a tailed coat, a white long-sleeved shirt and gloves, a white cravat cinched high on his neck, a purple sash and cape that was trimmed with white fur were held in place by a golden chain and broaches. His blond head was only adorned by a circlet made of black metal. Save for the cape, his clothing were all surprisingly form-fitting.
The music of the string quartet quieted to silence as they climbed the steps of the dais that led to the altar before the looming statue of the dusk dragon. Hinoka forced herself not to squeeze her father's hand as he brought her forth to Prince Marx. This was the custom in Nohr, for the groom to stand separate and wait for the bride to be brought by her family and given to his. All the more time for the bride to break it off and run, Hinoka supposed.
But what took her by surprise was the identity of the cloaked figure who had stood with his back to her and the audience. She had assumed it was a Nohrian priest, but when he turned to face them— it was Nohr's king Garon! Her body tensed and her mind wildly tried to think of why the king would stand at the altar to preside over a marriage, even if it was for his son and heir.
Her father though took it in stride, nodding to the other king who nodded back. Then Sumeragi slipped his arm out from hers, and it took all of Hinoka's self-control not to reach for him as he descended the dais to stand with her family. Measuring her breaths, she turned away from the comfort of their familiar faces and stood facing the altar as her groom did. It seemed to be the sign Nohr's king had been waiting for, as he raised up both his hands and began to speak.
Hinoka felt herself exhale as king Garon's speech revealed itself as a supplication to the gods and his people to bless their union— that at least seemed to be the same as a Hoshidonese ceremony, even if there was no priest. But it did not last long, Nohr's king growing silent as he gestured to his eldest son.
Prince Marx turned to face her fully, so she did the same with him. Hinoka guessed this was the stage in the ceremony where the groom read out the marriage vow, although he must've memorized it as he held no scroll or paper before him. Instead those dark eyes gazed directly into hers. Prince Marx looked as stern and serious as always, brow furrowed and forehead creased.
If Hinoka hadn't been staring intently, she would've missed the way he licked his lips before speaking the vows.
"You cannot possess me for I belong to myself. But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give.
"You cannot command me, for I am a free person. But I shall serve you in those ways you require, and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.
"I pledge to you the first bite from my meat, and the first drink from my cup. Any that strike you will be striking me, to them shall be shown no mercy.
"I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night, and yours the eyes into which I smile in the morning.
"I pledge to you my living and dying, equally in your care, and to tell no strangers our grievances.
"With the gods and people as witness, this is my wedding vow to you.
"This is a marriage of equals."
Those words had reached her heart and Hinoka felt overfull by the time Marx's vow ended. Without conscious thought her body moved— until she embraced her groom with a gentle hold. This close she felt his chest expand as he inhaled in surprise, but his body didn't tense up. Instead after a moment his arms rose to return the embrace, just as gentle.
She heard a murmurs from the crowd, though she could not make out what was being whispered. The Hoshidonese princess knew she must've broken custom, but she couldn't find the resolve to care. Although she was glad in that moment for the cream makeup hiding the blush she could feel hot on her face.
King Garon cleared his throat loudly and Hinoka felt Marx's hold slip away from around her. Once they stood apart, Nohr's king asked. "Hinoka, daughter of Sumeragi and Ikona, do you accept this marriage vow given by Marx, son of Garon and Ektrina? Do you take him to be your husband?"
"I do." There was no hesitation in Hinoka's answer.
"Then the gods and all gathered here bear witness," Garon's voice rang out, echoing against the stone walls. "To the union of not only Marx and Hinoka as husband and wife, but the joining of Nohr and Hoshido! Whatever may come, this day our kingdoms are bound by oath and blood."
Her father had said something similar, a year ago at Ryouma and Camilla's wedding under the sun-dappled sakura trees. An alliance, a marriage of states, this was why they had been arranged to wed. In Hoshido the audience had cheered at the announcement, at the promise to the end of wars with Nohr, at the promise of peace. But this crowd remained silent.
"Bring forth the rings." King Garon's voice snapped like a whip.
A page scurried up the stairs and held up a velvet pillow where two golden rings rested, one band bigger than the other. Prince Marx plucked up the smaller, then gently held her left hand with his gloved ones. She watched as he carefully slipped the ring onto her third finger, the one said to contain a vein that connected directly to the heart. Once the band was in place, he then proceeded to remove his left glove and she realized that it was her turn.
Hinoka grabbed the remaining ring off the pillow. A perfect circle, with no beginning and no end. An ancient symbol, for love that was given will be given in turn. Setting aside the musing on symbolism, she touched her groom's hand— bare skin made contact with bare skin for the first time between them. His hand flexed in her grip, but subtly enough that she only felt it rather than saw the movement. Ignoring the warmth and calluses of his skin, she slid the ring onto his finger until it rested snug.
So it was done. The papers had been signed when they had arrived at the castle. The vows were spoken and rings exchanged. She was now a married woman, wife to the crown prince of Nohr.
Hinoka thought that was the end of it, but before she could turn away from the altar Marx tipped her face up with his bare fingers. She didn't fight him, though it was a surprise. The positioning forced her to look him full in the face— in that moment his forehead wasn't creased with concern and his mouth wasn't the stern line it had been throughout the ceremony. Somehow that frail smile made his eyes brighter.
He kissed her softly, on the mouth— There was a shrill whistle and then the crowd erupted into applause.
.o.O.o.
After the kiss Hinoka and Marx had walked down the aisle, hand in hand, as husband and wife. Once both royal families had exited, then all the audience been herded into the great hall of Nohr's fortress-like castle. Long tables had been arranged for the banquet. Hinoka's seat was beside her new husband at a table near the raised throne, at the right hand of king Garon. And her own family were seated just on the other side at the left hand of queen Ektrina.
While it was a relief to be off her feet, Hinoka found the Nohrian chairs a trial in its own way. All her life she had sat with her ankles neatly crossed, feet resting either on the floor or tucked slightly back and to one side. But these chairs were high up off the ground, and forced her body into hard angles— it stretched her legs strangely and she found it difficult to relax while her muscles protested. But with a few measured breaths from her core, her body finally settled into the alien posture. After all, she'd endured more strenuous stances during training— the trickiest part was that she'd only had a single day to adapt to this new posture.
She'd have the rest of her days to grow accustomed to the tall chairs, Hinoka supposed, as the servants set about serving the dishes.
Swiftly the long wooden tables were crowded with plates of steak strips with sauce, cream stew, buttery gratin, sliced cheeses, cut fruit platters, leafy salads, and fresh sliced loaves of white bread. Crystal decanters of grape wine, Makras red and Amusia white, glinted in the light of the lit chandeliers and sconces. It was all far different from the meals of home.
Regardless, it all looked and smelled delicious. But then Hinoka glanced down and noticed the flatware— spoons, forks, even multiple knives! She could feel a sweat breaking out as she realized she hadn't a clue how to go about using so many. Was there an order to it, from the outside in or inside out? Could she get away with only using one throughout the meal?
A burst of sudden tittering laughter from the far side of the Great Hall made her look up, and Hinoka realized that she still had an audience— these unfamiliar Nohrian nobles would be watching her. They'd be looking for weaknesses, and even something as paltry as table manners could become ammunition used against her. Her hands fisted into the silk of her kimono on her lap as she tried to stop them from shaking.
A gloved hand brushing her fist caused Hinoka to nearly jump out of her skin! Glancing to the side, she found Marx looking at her from the corner of his eye. With eye contact made, he reached under the table again and tentatively brushed the back of her hand. She wondered what it was Nohr's prince was trying to do, calm her down? Or perhaps... did he wish to hold hands as they had coming out of the sanctuary?
Before she could do more than relax her grip, suddenly another presence stood just behind her shoulder.
"My lady." At her elbow a smartly dressed, silver-haired servant held out a pair of chopsitcks, ivory with golden handles.
Hinoka breathed a sigh of relief, thanking him as she accepted the chopsticks.
Her husband withdrew his hand and shot the man a muted smile. "Thank you, Joker."
"Tis an honor to serve." Joker replied, before he whisked himself away to see to the other guests.
With the chopsticks Hinoka was able to comfortably sample the banquet's many dishes. Her husband and his family seemed to be content to eat without chatter which she was thankful for. She did not eat her fill of any one dish, appetite only mild because of nerves, but it was good to taste what Nohr cuisine had to offer— she found none of it completely disagreeable to her palate. A good omen, considering her future contained much of the same.
After the first course was cleared, Hinoka noticed the next consisted mostly of meat uncut and artistically displayed up their platters— beef, mutton, duck, venison, boar, pheasant -alongside bowls of desert like berry pudding, peach bavarois, and sweetrolls. Considering that Nohr's capital of Vindam was landlocked it made sense that there was a distinct lack of fish. But such variety in the platters of meat for one setting felt like a deliberate display— of what, Hoshidonese princess wasn't sure.
It was with this change of dishes that conversation broke loud across the long tables— the clearest to her ear was the exchange between her father and now father-in-law.
"So Garon, we haven't met face to face since the wedding in Hoshido." Sumeragi spoke loudly and clearly enough for his voice to carry throughout the great hall. "A pity the sun does not smile upon our reunion as it did then."
With only the seat of Prince Marx between them, Hinoka heard Nohr's king hrmph before he said, "Yes, well, despite any belief that I command the very clouds in the sky— the weather is quite beyond the control of the crown."
"I suppose it's to be expected, what with how Nohr pays tribute to the Dusk Dragon. What better blessing than a storm like this?" As if the god in question listened in, thunder boomed in the distance. Her father laughed, "Whereas our patron deity, the Dawn Dragon, blessed us with clear skies and soft sunshine. It if proof the union of our children meet with divine approval, each expressed in their own way."
"I am sure the gods would rather receive plentiful offerings from both our kingdoms than subsist on prayers for victory on the battlefield alone." Garon replied dryly.
Hinoka held back a groan as she realized the two kings were verbally sparring. It was better than them actually coming at each other with drawn weapons, but still— she couldn't deny the second hand embarrassment at how willing the rulers were to bait each other in public.
"My king, I would remind you that today belongs to your firstborn son and chosen heir." Queen Ektrina didn't even look at the ruler she was addressing, but continued to cut the food on her plate. "I would be so saddened if it wasn't a happy occasion for him and our new daughter-in-law."
Hinoka never would've believed it if she hadn't heard it, but Nohr's queen had just chided king Garon! The constant din of the Great Hall suddenly dropped into a dead silence. All were holding their breath as they waited for the king's response.
King Garon broke the eerie quiet with a sharp bark of laughter. "Well said! This is a happy occasion. Sumeragi, can you agree that we not bicker about who bested who... for now?"
"Mmm, agreed. We have the rest of my stay to settle it." She could practically hear the smirk in her father's voice. "You have a wise queen, Garon. Pity I had not met her earlier."
This time the queen did turn her face to the speaker. "You flatter me, Your Majesty. But I admit, I look forward to getting to know your daughter, she seems most charming."
"Yes, Hinoka does my kingdom proud."
She felt the blush rise in her cheeks and was once again grateful for the cream makeup.
"Your son seems very... mannerly."
"Marx has always been of a disciplined nature." Queen Ektrina's tone was light, as it had been throughout the table banter. "I have no doubt that he will treat the princess rightly."
It was surreal to be spoken of, without being directly addressed. But by the way Prince Marx hadn't so much as blinked, Hinoka guessed it must be a normal thing within Nohr's court. It did remind her of how roundabout praise was given back home, lest one get a big head.
The quartet of musicians, who had up until that point been playing slow and soothing music, picked up the tempo and began to play bawdy songs that begged to be danced to. With a loud whoop Princess Elise jumped up from her seat and stole over to the left side of the head table. Hinoka realized that she had darted over to Camilla, which only made sense considering they were sisters who hadn't seen each other for the span of a year.
From her seat Hinoka couldn't make out what was being said between them, but a piercing, "What!?" Rang out over the banquet's din, and then the blond hair girl suddenly stood beside her husband.
Her lips were pursed in a ferocious pout, with even the slightest hint of tears edging her pale eyelashes. "Camilla says we can't dance until you do!"
Prince Marx set down his fork and knife, and primly wiped his mouth with the napkin before responding, "That's true. The right of the first dance belongs to the bride and groom. It's not polite to precede them-"
"Then what're you waiting for?" Princess Elise threw up her hands, exasperated. "Camilla's finally home and I want to dance with her!"
Prince Marx didn't shake his head or sigh at the demand, if anything the softening of his mouth indicated that he was amused. "Prince Ryouma might want to dance with Camilla too, Elise."
"Well then, you'd better get out there on the dance floor so we aren't waiting all night!" The blonde girl huffed, crossing her arms and looking her older brother square in the eye.
Hinoka had to cough to cover up a chuckle that had escaped her— it seemed her husband's younger sister was quite different from sweet but shy Sakura.
Suddenly king Garon's voice boomed over. "Yes, enough waiting. It's time for the first dance!" He clapped his hands and the servants moved in to clear room in the Great Hall for a dance floor.
Marx rose from his seat so Hinoka followed suit, servants drawing the chairs further back so that they could move away from the long table. Princess Elise chirped an excited, "Thanks!" Before trotting off to the left side of the head table once more.
They walked to the cleared space, where about the edges of the Great Hall the crowd had gathered. When they kept walking toward the hall's center, it hit Hinoka— A shrine maiden had not dedicated any sacred dance to them, but it seemed they were meant to publicly dance themselves.
She caught onto Prince Marx's sleeve and he came to an immediate halt, quickly turning to face her. "This is not... " Hinoka wondered why she had not been told of this 'first dance' when being read the schedule of planned events. "My kimono is not made for dancing."
Marx's expression became even more pinched, his eyes darted over her assessingly and lingered on the narrow cut of the cloth covering her legs.
"Brother, I may have a solution." Nohr's second prince spoke as he strode up to them. He dipped his blond head at her, "So long as Her Highness has no objection to a little magic being preformed upon her?"
There was a cunning gleam in Prince Leo's eyes that had Hinoka hesitating, but the entire room watched and waited. So she asked, "What did you have in mind?"
The younger man smiled at that, the curve of his lips confident. "I've been dubbed the 'Gravity Master' because of my talent, and it's not an empty title. I can cast a spell on your shoes to make it so that your feet won't touch the ground by the slightest margin for a while. So long as you have an anchor you shouldn't have to worry about tripping or falling. Your dance partner should suffice."
They both looked to Marx, who simply nodded. "I'll take the restriction of your skirt into account as I lead you through the steps. You're meant to hold onto me during the dance either way, so support shouldn't be an issue." Both men seemed confident in the plan, so the Hoshidonese princess swallowed any doubts and nodded.
The furrow of Marx's brow relaxed ever so slightly and he gave his younger brother a subdued smile. "Thank you, Leo."
"My pleasure." The younger man replied smoothly, drawing out a tome from the folds of his cape. "If you'd please give her some support, brother. This spell can be disorienting."
Prince Marx's hand took hers, while his other arm gingerly wrapped over the obi about her waist. Hinoka felt the beat of her heart start to quicken as she recalled that Nohrian dances maintained this sort of close contact between partners. Although the reaction seemed silly considering she'd be much closer than this to the man by the end of the night. Prince Leo's free hand made a gesture and a circle of glowing runes appeared— before vanishing with a flash! Then Hinoka's grip tightened on Marx's hand and she felt his arm draw closer in response as her feet slowly rose off the ground— and kept her floating imperceptibly from the floor, just as the second prince had promised.
With Prince Marx's arm secure about her waist, he led her out into the center of the dance floor. Hinoka moved her legs as they went though her feet didn't touch the ground. She had to keep herself from laughing over the fact that she literally walked on air! Once they were in the center of the floor, Prince Marx place a firm hand at her waist and directed her own to holding onto his shoulder, anchoring her floating form. His free hand took hers, and she allowed herself to not only look but study her husband's face.
Prince Marx's head of hair was surprisingly lovely, golden blond with gentle curls. His nose had the slightest crook to the bridge and was a little on the large side, but he had the kind of face where a big nose was flattering, offset by sculpted cheekbones and a strong jaw. The line of his mouth was stern and his brow seemed to be ever furrowed, and it made his eyes look smaller than they actually were. Although her husband's eyes were dark in color they shone with life, his gaze regarded her steadily however not scrutinizing. He was looking at her, acknowledging that another human being looked back— not looking through her lost in his own thoughts, or focusing on only one physical feature or another. Hinoka liked Marx's eyes.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yes." She answered.
They were partners from this day on. Their dance began.
Author's Notes:
An extremely self-indulgent "what if" fic, where I can focus on the politics of the upcoming game's setting. There will be inaccuracies in game lore, and I'm going off 70% headcanon for the worldbuilding. Also this is very much an examination of the characters based on my impressions on what little's been translated. If you like it, hope you'll stick around!