Itachi pov
"You and I both know that any amount of trouble is not worth sacrificing peace."
She said to him, He wont ever admit it, but it took a few seconds to comprehend what all his fiance said. She wants him to realise that by marrying her he is inviting a lot of extra trouble. I wonder what extra trouble a privileged princess living in a responsibility free environment would invite.
As far as he knew, and judging by the information his mother had blabbered to him about her, she was a quiet person and a very dutiful princess. Obedient, her mother had described her. Yet he saw the rebellious fire she possessed inside her. Quiet, his mother had said, yet he came to know she won't hesitate speaking up when required. Dutiful, they said, yet here she said she is not quite interested in marrying him. What they didn't talk about was her patriotism. She would marry him, for the sake of her country. Indirectly contributing towards the maintenance of peace.
He realised he had been quiet for a long time when he saw her looking at him with calculating eyes. By almighty, what is going on in her mind?
"Any amount of trouble is not worth sacrificing peace," he agreed.
She nodded, with gratitude in her eyes.
Beautiful and elegant and pretty… his mother had said. She was right.
"So?" she asked.
He raised one perfect brow at her.
"Itachi-san, i want you to assure me that you won't put me in any extra problems."
This is confusing.
"What extra problems would I even cause you?"
"You remember you promised me freedom? I will do whatever I want. I want no interruptions, maybe that would do, in not causing extra problems"
Is she even understanding her sentences herself?
"As long as you are not betraying the Uchiha." he tried to add a dangerous tone but he was pretty confused.
Her brows furrowed.
"I don't intend to betray the Uchiha."
"Intend aside, if I find you doing even remotely anything that would harm or tarnish Uchihas and their name, I will make sure you regret it." he said successfully adding the dangerous tone.
"What all is considered 'betraying the Uchiha'?"
Good question, as soon as this woman learns the Uchiha ways, the better it is.
"You should talk to Uchiha-sama, my mother, regarding this."
He wont tell her, but the way Uchiha women are and are expected to behave is far from how his fiance is behaving right now. She was the perfect bride at the dinner. Calm, composed and obedient. But doesn't quite understand her.
Why would he even need to? he , quite frankly, is a very busy person. He won't be giving her any time of the day. As long as she is minding her own business and not betraying the Uchiha, he has no reason to pay attention to her.
His mother had said to him about what a marriage is and how to maintain it. But, neither does he truly want this nor she. There is nothing to worry about.
He saw her nodding.
She left. Quietly.
He was somewhat glad she told him that she doesn't want to marry but she is okay with this for the sake of her country. At Least he knows she wasn't forced against her will.
He went back to sleep again.
"There would at least be some truth in the stories i heard about you.."
"I don't react kindly to people demanding me.."
"I don't want this marriage at all.."
"...just a stranger."
Oh you don't know Hanare hime, I am a monster…
NEXT DAY
Hanare's POV
"Uchiha-sama , may I come in?" requested Hanare.
"Oh, Hanare, you may, you may." acknowledged Mikoto.
"Is something wrong, the wedding will take place in the evening, there is still time. Do you want anything?"
Hanare smiled.
"Mikoto-sama, I am here to talk about something."
And so she told Mikoto. About how she doesnt know what is expected from her. How she doesnt know the life and ways of Uchiha and how she doesnt way what all is considered betrayal and what all are the ways to ensure trust.
Mikoto gave her a roll of paper.
"When I was going to become the Uchiha Matriarch, I had the same doubts. My mother-in-law gave me this. You take it now. Go in your room and read it with patience. Everything will be fine."
…..
—-
I take immense pride in the chaste and dutiful behaviour of we Uchiha women. I fulfilled all the things which were expected from me as the Uchiha matriarch. My husband and my children were my first priority always. I always considered my husband's words as the ultimate truth. I fulfilled my every duty as a wife and a daughter-in-law. I never talked back to anyone from my family.
My emotions were always in check. I behaved how Uchiha women behave.
Calm, composed, dutiful, obedient.
I behaved how a wife should behave, how a daughter should behave and how an Uchiha princess and Queen behaves.
Uchihas follow rules and regulations created by our honourable late King Uchiha Madara. His only regret ever was befriending a Senju, a mistake which the upcoming generations of Uchiha never commit. Stoic, powerful, intelligent and proud are how Uchiha men are. Our men like our women because of the compatible traits these both genders possess and that is why an arranged marriage in the Uchihas almost never fails.
Betrayal. If there is one thing Uchiha's don't tolerate is this. Lies, disobedience and betrayal.
Killing our loved ones is the last mistake our enemies make. But even an act of hurting the family member of a royal king or prince would unleash the wrath of the uchihas.
Having any ties with the Senju and Uzumaki. Disclosing Uchiha secrets to any other person not of the palace. Breaking the code of conduct of the Uchiha women. Disrespecting any royal family member of a person of high status, all of this is direct betrayal to the Uchihas.
Lastly, behave how the family wants you too, do what is asked. Be the perfect uchiha bride and daughter.
Uchiha Shina.
I have no firm thoughts about this regime. This all feels so wrong. Everything in this letter asks me to sacrifice everything. And most important of all, self-respect too. No. no….
I ain't ever gonna do all this, i can act half the time but my soul will never accept this. But what can i do, i have to marry in this discriminating household. I can't even imagine the type of sigma male thinking all the males in this kingdom would have, what level of sigma male would Itachi-san be?
And these traits of women and men make them compatible for each other!? Compatible my ass. Dominating and arrogant male, meek and submissive woman. I feel like vomiting.
No matter what, i am not giving up on my oath of war*I won't let my in-laws become my whole world. I have my own issues to sort out, my own business and my own dreams.
Just a subconscious thought, how long has it been since I have not once thought about my dream, i haven't after that incident. I will clear this mess up and focus on my dream…..will this even be possible?
Back to previous thoughts, I am just going to marry the elder Uchiha prince, not selling myself off to become whatever these uchihas expect me to become.
And, I am already betraying the Uchiha! I am an Uzumaki! How would I reveal that my mother was Uzumaki and my father belonged to the Murasaki clan, a clan of crystal benders!
How would I reveal that I am adopted and that the Tanoshi Mura kingdom is actually betraying the Uchiha by not offering them a bride of the Tanoshi Mura kingdom.
This all is gonna give me a panic attack.
A knock on my door distracts me from my train of rebellious thoughts and wow, its my mother! How long has it been since she entered MY room after knocking?
"You should start getting ready, do I need to remind you that today is your wedding?"
"Your reminder is the last thing I need to hear today."
"You know what, I am going to finally get rid of you and your voice today."
"Just wait for some more hours then, mother."
Her lips curled."make it quick, we don't have time to waste."
_
"I had some traces of doubts before, but now, I believe we made the perfect choice. You know Itachi, she asked me for advice!" Mikoto gushed.
"She really must be very chaste, already wanting to learn the Uchiha way. Indeed, the traces of a good daughter-in-law!" she continued further.
"Hn."
"Itachi, you better be a good husband too. I know you will bear all this responsibility too, just like how you have always kept your parents word."
She doesn't expect anything from me, it will be ok if i don't give her the attention wives usually demand.
"Yes, mother."
"I am so proud of you Itachi."
"I will never let you down, mother."
His mother smiled, the only person whose smile warms his heart and his mothers love reaches him. He is blessed to have such a mother.
"Uchiha-sama, it is time."
Wow. I look amazing. Never have I ever looked so beautiful.
"You haven't applied much makeup!" the lady incharge said.
"No, I don't need it. Artificial things like that harm my beauty. I am fine with eye makeup and lipstick."
"But-"
"Keep your buts to yourself. I said I am okay with this much. The hairstyle is amazing and I look prettier than ever. I thank you for that. But please don't force me."
"What would the guests say, seeing the bride's face so devoid of glow." mother commented.
"I am not looking ugly, that much would be enough for the Uchihas."
"You-"
"I am done with this, i am going outside, just for a walk."
"Brides don't-"
"Please save me the crap."
I rush outside the four gigantic walls of the castle, making sure that no one sees me. I wouldn't want to tarnish both the family's reputation, wouldn't i?
I take one more look at the beautiful surroundings of the busy people of Tanoshi Mura.
Something still feels off. Ofcourse, my heart hasn't accepted this.
I breathe in.
I am going to be the wife of a man I don't love.
I breathe out.
I sense a presence going out of the castle. I turn back, and see an Uchiha soldier. Why is he going outside?
"Excuse me, what work do you have, which permits you to leave the castle? You could have told any soldier of Tanoshi Mura itself.."
He looks at me, "I am sorry your highness, but it is Natsuhi-sama who sent me for reasons I cannot disclose."
I eye him suspiciously. "Is this something related to the red cloth you are carrying?"
"Yes your-"
"Hime, Natsuhi-sama wants you to be present before her!" another guard shouted.
I mentally clench my teeth and get inside the castle.
"Come-on, you are finally going to wed." she smiled.
My heart started beating faster. Something is going to happen.
_
I skip all the details of the rituals I had never heard of being performed by the priest, me and Itachi-san. But yeah, I successfully composed myself and unflinchingly said, "I do."
Itachi-san's voice was just the same. He always speaks in the same tone I guess. Monotone.
I literally tuned out whatever the priest was saying except the last line, because my attention was on the people assigned to throw flowers on the incoming guests who had suddenly stopped doing their duty.
"The bride and groom may kiss." that snapped my attention back.
Something is fishy but i dont have the time to think. I looked at Itachi-san, I think he feels the same. But he leans in, I do too. Before we could kiss, I heard the cry I am all too familiar with now.
The cry of war.
Well, there goes my wedding.