Prompts

Hogwarts Gym - Level One - Push Ups - Write 1000 words about your OTP

Auction - Day 1, Auction 1 - (trope) arranged marriage

Pinata - Easy - (trope) sharing a bed

Herbology Hangout - (relationship) lovers

HA - Games development - Elder Scrolls - Write a fic set in medieval times

365 prompts - 21. (word) match

1000 prompts - 808. (trope) arranged marriage

Writing Club - Disney Challenge - Royal!AU

Writing Club - Trope of the Month - Arranged Marriage - Royal!AU

Writing Club - Showtime - (action) kiss

Word Count: 1006

Not So Bad After All

Scorpius recalled the feeling - as he lay in the large canopied bed. He cast his mind back, to the array of emotions that had chased each other through his head as he had waited at the pulpit. His back had been dutifully turned and an odd mixture of annoyance and boredom had filled his body - he resented this match to an unknown princess from a foreign country. What need had he, a second son, to wed for political alliances? Surely that was the job of his brother? England had an heir, married to the crown princess of France and well on their way to producing heirs of their own if rumor was to be believed. Why had he been drawn into their games?

Then the organ had begun to drone, cutting through his internal whinging and setting his body humming with nervous energy. He felt the adrenaline begin to pump through his veins as he struggled to remain stoic and unmoving on the outside. This urge to flee and remain free was not something he could indulge - it would bring shame on his name and likely put a price on his own head. Not something Scorpius was willing to risk.

Then had come the impatience. The cathedral was unnecessarily long and the procession unnecessarily slow. The ancient looking bishop stood before him, facing down the aisle - watching the bride make her slow progression towards him. He could feel the collective breath of the congregation. Was their anticipation good, or bad? He had never met this princess, the second born of Scotland. He had heard that she was pretty enough, and fairly intelligent, but who would tell him otherwise? Their union meant to unite two peoples continuously at odds. This symbol might calm their warring fathers, but Scorpius doubted it would make much difference to those unfortunate enough to live on the borders.

Finally, he had been able to discern the soft footsteps as they approached the altar - the whisper of satin against stone - and he almost tried to picture her, a vision in white, but could not. He had startled slightly as the music abruptly stopped and the man in front of him jumped to life.

"Who gives this woman in holy matrimony?" he had intoned, in a voice that rang solemnly in the sudden silence.

"I do, her brother. Prince Hugo of Scotland, heir to the Scottish throne," had come a rough, Scottish brogue. They had deemed it unwise to take the king from Scotland and leave the country vulnerable - even for this act of peace - though they had been unwilling to send her alone.

"Then let us proceed. Step forward, your highness." And in that moment, Scorpius had been granted his first glimpse of his future wife. She had been shorter than he had expected, her head tilted forward and much of her face and features concealed under a heavy veil. But she seemed lithe and shapely, nothing too horrible.

Though as the ceremony had preceded, Scorpius had begun to grow concerned. She barely breathed, and her answers to any questions posed to her were barely audible to Scorpius - the Bishop had had to lean within touching distance to hear her. As did all men, Scorpius desired an obedient wife but he did not wish to be shackled to a mute. Did that mean she was an idiot? He did not want to father stupid children, surely his own father would not want that.

"You may kiss the bride." The statement had come as something of a shock, Scorpius had not realised it was over, so lost had he been in his own concerns, and he hesitated. The Bishop had made a motion, gesturing towards his wife and Scorpius had dutifully turned. Before the whole church he had seized the ends of the intricately detailed veil and thrown it back to reveal her to him.

A rueful smile tugged at his lips as he remembered being struck dumb. She was no conventional beauty, but it was undeniable in the sharp lines of her face, the smooth and creamy skin, the contrast of fiery waves that framed a surprisingly delicate face. Her mouth was small, with soft pink lips and a gentle blush graced her cheeks. She was the embodiment of grace and poise, Scorpius had won himself a handsome wife, something to be proud of, but it was more her expression that struck him. Her voice was meek and obedient, but in that moment Scorpius had witnessed a spark within the sapphire depths that spoke of wit and intelligence.

He had seized her quickly and - to cheers and applause - sealed the deal with a kiss.

"What has you smiling, my lord?" his wife turned from her dressing table. One hand still held the silver-backed brush that she used nightly to brush her hair. She looked like an angel, draped in silk nightwear and smiling softly, affectionately at him.

"I was thinking about our wedding day." Scorpius shifted as she glided towards the elaborate bed they shared, allowing her space to slide in beside him.

"How coincidental," she murmured, snuggling closer to him. Her red hair fanned out across the pillow and a wicked smile curved her perfect lips. "I was just thinking about our wedding night."

"Oh were you, my lady? What exactly had you so troubled?" Scorpius shifted closer, slipping an arm around her waist beneath the covers.

"We have been neglecting our duty," she pouted, "to our kingdoms. There are currently no heirs for England or Scotland and it is our duty to produce them."

In one swift movement, Scorpius maneuvered himself on top of her, grinning down in satisfaction. "Well, my lady princess, we cannot neglect such an important duty. We had better get to work."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and tugged him close. Her next words were murmured on to his lips: "Oh we had."

It seemed that serving his kingdom, had turned out to be a rather pleasurable affair after all.

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Much Love, MaryandMerlin x