Day 15: Ezrabine- Arranged Marriage AU
Sabine sat on the throne beside her mother, thoroughly uninterested in the entire ordeal about to take place. Personally, she was much more thrilled by the idea of continuing the war and destroying the enemy. But apparently that wasn't "beneficial." That's what her father said at least, and her mother -one of the greatest warriors she knew- even agreed.
So now, instead of wiping out the enemy like they should, her parents and the rulers of the kingdom they had been fighting decided to arrange a marriage for her and the other rulers' son. Not something Sabine found to be exciting. But, she loved her kingdom, and her people, and that was the only reason she was obliging.
She didn't know the boy, didn't even know what he looked like.
A guard came into announce the other royalties' arrival.
"The moment of truth," Sabine thought sitting up straight. "Have to look good."
The throne room doors opened wide and in came the king, queen, and "long-waited" prince.
It was all Sabine could do to hold back a groan. The king didn't look so bad, and the queen looked nice too. But the prince, oh the prince. He looked cocky and insufferable. The way he walked, and she could only imagine the way he talked too. Maybe she would find out...
Her father stood up to greet them. "King Kanan, and Queen Hera! A pleasure to welcome you into our home."
"The pleasure is ours, your majesty," Kanan said with a bow, his family following suit. "We are truly humbled by your generous invitation."
Sabine's mother stood up. "We are so happy that you accepted. Especially with so much to discuss, regarding the marriage of our children."
Sabine nearly gagged. She hated all of this formality. Her mother wasn't fond either, but she could tolerate it. But Sabine would much rather be out practicing in the range.
"Allow me," Sabine's mother, Ursa, continued. "To introduce our daughter, Princess Sabine Wren."
On cue, Sabine stood up and curtsied, a hundred times rehearsed. She really didn't like this.
"And, allow us," Queen Hera said. "To introduce our son, Prince Ezra Jarrus."
In a similar manner to Sabine, the young man came forward and bowed. He stood up straight and cleared his throat. "It is my pleasure to meet you, princess. I look forward to getting to know you, and hope to have the honor of developing a deep friendship."
His parents looked proud, and hers seemed pleased as well. Sabine internally groaned. "It is all my pleasure, prince, to welcome here and make your acquaintance. I assure you, your sentiment of our relationship is returned." Was the statement completely true? Surely not. But maybe it would become true, and it was what everyone wanted to hear.
On the upside, Ezra sounded more intelligent than she had originally perceived him to be. It was clear he had thought out what he would say (most likely having consulted his parents), but he hadn't offended anyone, so it counted for something.
"Speaking of developing a friendship," Sabine's father spoke again. "Perhaps, Sabine, it would be beneficial if you were to show Prince Ezra around the grounds. The gardens, perhaps?"
Sabine turned to face her father and curtsied. "It would be my pleasure, Father." She turned to face Ezra again. "Your highness?"
Ezra strode up to greet her at the base of the dais. He offered his arm to her, and she accepted it with as much pride and elegance as she could muster.
"This way," she gestured with her other hand, pointing to a side door.
Together they walked out.
"So, Sabine," Ezra began. "What sort of hobbies do you have? If any. What do you do for fun?"
Sabine inwardly cringed. A typical question, but small talk was exhausting. Though, discussing her personal interests was probably better than describing the history of every topiary; which she had basically already done. And he hadn't presented the question in a formal way; a point in his favor.
She took a deep breath. "Well, primarily, I am deeply absorbed in art, painting specifically. I have several finished pieces, even some hanging in our castle. Others we have given as gifts. I'm sure your family will receive one. At least one."
Ezra nodded. "That's interesting. I did notice on the way to the throne room some very fascinating works of art. I can only assume they're yours. Very impressive."
Sabine smiled. "Thank you."
"What else do you do in your free time? When you aren't learning to run a kingdom?"
"Well," Sabine said. "I also happen to be an excellent archer. One of the best in my kingdom, if I may add. Bested only by my mother, and my teacher."
"Wow. That's amazing!" Ezra smiled. "I'm not too bad at archery. But I definitely wield a sword better. Which, if I may add, I am very good at, bested only by my father...who is also my teacher. So, only one person, but that comes with its own issues sometimes. Though, overall, it's really great."
Sabine looked over at him. "You and your father are close?"
They sat down on one of the benches lining the pathways.
"Yeah," Ezra said scratching his head. "We have our differences sometimes, but overall we're good. I'm also pretty close with my mom too. She's great. I think you'd like her."
Sabine laughed. "I'd hope so. Wouldn't want my future-mother-in-law to dislike me. That...wouldn't do."
"So, what about you and your parents?" Ezra asked. "You get along with them?"
Sabine sighed. "Yeah, most of the time. My dad and I bond over art. My mom and I focus on the warrior side of our culture together. It's pretty great. Sometimes issues arise over what I should be focusing on: art or fighting? Then there's when they team up against me and tell me "You've got to focus on learning diplomacy and how to run a kingdom." You know?"
Ezra laughed. "Yep. I know that one. Sure do. My parents aren't usually debating with each other what I should do. Honestly, my mom handles a lot of the diplomatic stuff. So, sometimes they'll debate: sword or word? But when they both agree on "word". I'm not winning that argument."
"It's kind of unfair sometimes, you know?" Sabine said sitting down on a bench. "I don't always get a say in my destiny. No one ever asked if I wanted to rule a kingdom."
Ezra sat down beside her. "I know what you mean. It is disappointing sometimes. And now, I guess at some point we'll have to worry about one big kingdom. And how is that good?"
"Ugh!" Sabine threw her head back. "Don't remind me." She immediately sat up straight again. "I'm sorry! That probably came off wrong. I didn't mean-"
Ezra brought a hand up. "Hey. It's alright. I understand. I don't think either of us were too thrilled by this."
"Yeah," Sabine sighed. "But, I do owe you an apology. I definitely wasn't interested in meeting you at first. Then, when you came in today, I think I had you pegged wrong. I assumed you were stuck up, cocky, and completely insufferable. But, you're not. So...I'm sorry."
Ezra shrugged. "It's no big deal. But, apology accepted. To be fair, some may say that your predictions are right on the mark. Bullseye, I believe is the term you'd like." Sabine laughed.
"Take my body guard for example," Ezra continued. "He'd agree with you. For sure. And, probably some of the other servants as well. My parents think I'm great though. Most of the time."
Sabine laughed again. "Well, I'm glad to know that maybe my ability to read people is working to some degree. But, I didn't see any bodyguard."
"Yeah, they told him to wait outside the throne room doors," Ezra chuckled. "He was not happy about that."
"Do you get along?" Sabine asked.
"Usually," Ezra said. "Most of the time. When I'm not trying to run away from him. Not that it does me much good anyway. Always worth a try though. But, Zeb and I are friends. Good friends."
"Is that his name?" Sabine inquired. "Zeb?"
Ezra nodded. "Sort of at least. Full name, Garazeb Orrelios."
"Sounds like he's good at his job," Sabine noted.
"Oh yeah," Ezra said. "He's top notch. Can't afford not to be. Mom would murder him. That, wouldn't be pretty."
"The queen's got a violent streak?" Sabine laughed.
"Absolutely!" Ezra shouted. "Don't make her mad. I've been on the receiving end of that. Not. Fun. Neither is Dad really. Also really scary if he's angry."
Sabine shrugged. "Yeah. It would probably be scary if my dad got angry. But he just doesn't. And my mom gets annoyed too often to be scary. And I'm as stubborn as she is, so it doesn't work out they way she wants to when she's mad at me."
Ezra nodded, but couldn't think of more to say. They sat in silence the next few minutes. Perhaps nothing needed to be said.
Sabine looked over at her betrothed. "You know, Ezra," she said. "I think we can make this work. I was very skeptical at first. But, I really do think this will work."
Ezra wrapped an arm around her and she moved closer to lean against his shoulder. He nodded in agreement. "I think so too."