=Astrid's POV=
(Friday, 8/3/18-4:30 pm)
(Berk, Archia Isle)
(The Great Hall)
I was never going to forgive my parents for this. Arranging me to marry some guy I never met to secure a business merger contract? I was told two months ago, my parents came to my room as I was chatting with Heather, my best friend, through texting. Mom had said we needed to talk about my future, and I first though they were going to be on me about college applications, or getting a job, or worse, my dad wanting me to work at his company. I had no interest in business stuff, I wanted to work with dragons. I know I didn't have my own dragon yet, but I was sure I would bond when the time was right. I hoped to either train them, or be a trainer to teach others. I would also take dragon racing, but that depended on what dragon I bonded too. Some weren't built for speed, so that idea to become a racer was on hold, for now. My father told me that due to complications with his company, and knowing I didn't want to take over it; he decided to keep it alive through a merge with another big company that was struggling some. I thought the idea was cool, and then I got informed the merge contract was to be secured through an arranged marriage. As soon as the words left his mouth, I understood why I was being told about a business thing. I was to be a part in the marital contract to ally the companies and secure the merge. The other part, was obviously the guy I'd get married to, and all this while I'm only seventeen years old!
The whole thing was awful, and ridiculous. The part that probably made me mad more than upset I was being forced to marry someone, was that my dad said in old Viking tradition, I was not to know who I was marrying until the day we faced one another for the ceremony. I argued that we didn't live in those times, but my father held firm and promised it would be a good match. My father reassured that the man chosen was a hard worker, sense of humor, bit sarcastic, and good looking. My mother added that this guy was supposedly kind-hearted, and easy going. They both said that I would be very well taken care of. I knew I had no choice because I was a minor, but I'd still fight all I could to get out of this. Even today, I tried to escape, but didn't get far. My dad posted guards at the house, and even here at the hotel. They were right outside my doors, the hallway entrance and the sliding doors out into the main area of the hotel. My mom tried to include me in wedding things, but I wanted no part and only chose things I had no choice in, such as maid of honor and bridesmaids. I did pick my own wedding dress, and how I wanted my hair.
What I was not fond about was that in true old Viking style, me and this guy were supposed to legalize our marriage by having sex. I was still a virgin, vaginally. My parents didn't know this, of course. I've masturbated before, externally to avoid breaking my maidenhead. Guys I've dated and had sex with know that with my vagina, it's only foreplay rubbing, and if we fuck; it has to be protected and anal. I knew that as long as I was under eighteen, my parents could arrange me to marry someone. I never thought it would be for a business contract, but whatever, I knew to stay a virgin until I was beyond the age that they couldn't make choices about my life for me. I was already told my mom and this guy's mom would be coming to check that we did the deed, so I wasn't getting out of it. With any luck, this guy wouldn't be a nervous wreck and we could get it over with fast. I didn't even care if I didn't orgasm. I wasn't gonna give this man an easy time. My parents promised it was a good match, we shall see if that holds true. Did they pair me with someone who can match me, or did they give me a guy who won't be able to handle me.
The one little issue we had with today, aside my failed escapes, was that the girl I picked to be my fourth bridesmaid ended up bailing for a family thing, so I had a certain dress size to fill and was getting nowhere. At least until Heather returned with the other three and said that one of the groomsmen brought a date that wore that size, so I guess it's sorted out. The odd part about all this is that I knew all the people in the bridal party, so the person I'm marrying today must be someone that I know in school or something. My bridesmaids and maid of honor were sword to secrecy on telling me who my husband to be is, so I guess I'd be finding out soon. It's just about time that I walk down the aisle. I was standing at my hotel room door, waiting for my father to come get me.
There was a few light raps on the door. "Astrid, are you ready?" My father asked.
I took a deep breath. "As I'm not getting a choice, I'm as ready as I'm gonna be…" I mumbled as I opened the door to see my dad.
"That's my good girl," Dad leaned forward to kiss my forehead. "You look beautiful,"
"Thank you…" I wasn't going to hate him, or my mom. I wasn't going to forgive this, but I wouldn't hate my parents.
"Come, everyone is waiting for the bride," My father let me link my arm to his, while my other hand held the bouquet, then he guided me to the entrance of the room. I was with him behind the line of bridesmaids and Heather. I guess this was it. I'm getting married.
Everything started the way I was told it would. My bridesmaids would walk first, then my maid of honor. After that, it was me and my dad. As I reached the doorway, I tried to see who I was marrying, but couldn't quite see with the other girls still walking. Finally, the music changed and I had a clear sight line ahead to see a boy standing where the groom was meant to; he had auburn hair and green eyes. I knew exactly who he was too. Hector Haddock. I was marrying Hector?! I suddenly wanted to run. A perfect match? Hector and I couldn't be more unmatched! How had I not seen it?! My father's long time friend was Spencer Haddock, and both of them had powerful companies. Merging the two would undoubtedly make them number one on the island, but this contract was only happening and secured through Hector and I getting married. It makes sense. I'm my father's only child…And Hector is his father's only kid too. Why did I not see this before? Secure business through the marriage of your only kids, just like the old days where alliances between tribes were done through marriage. Oh, I am not going to give this man an easy time with me, but I knew Hector was stubborn and wasn't one to give in. Just like me, though, we wouldn't shame our families.
I wonder how Hector felt about this whole thing. He seemed calm, but I can't tell if it's just an act or not. I know that I'm only playing the part. When I reached Hector, my father let me go and kissed my cheek. "I love you, princess," Dad whispered as I hugged him.
"I love you too, Daddy," I told him as he beamed and then took my hand. I felt a bit nervous when he took Hector's and brought ours together, his way of letting me go and turning my care over to Hector.
"Take good care of my little girl," Dad warned Hector.
Hector bowed his head respectfully to my father. "On my word and with my life, sir," My dad let go of my hand and I almost grabbed it back to beg him not to give me up, but I refrained. I was Astrid Hofferson. I was fearless. I wouldn't be weak in front of everyone, and certainly not in front of Hector. I held firm as my father walked to his seat beside my mom, Heather stepped forward to take my bouquet from me as Hector brought me gently to the small, raised step he was on where we stood before the officiant. I could see that Hector was trying to smile at me, I suppose I should too. I'm sure it would look great in our pictures that everyone was taking and would compile into a wedding album if we looked miserable. I gave Hector a smile and held his hands.
"Are we ready to begin?" The officiant inquired with a smile.
I really wanted to say no, and I felt like Hector did too…But there was a lot riding on this.
"We are," Hector and I said at the same time.
. . .
=Normal POV=
(5:00 pm)
The ceremony felt like it was dragging for Hector and Astrid. The officiant when on and on about the joining of two lives, who had objections, the long vows of forever love, then exchanging rings. Finally, everything was done and all the man had to do was announce them as husband and wife and they could kiss, then get on with the reception. The ceremony was nice, but it was long; both could silently agree that maybe they should have taken more of an involved approach to some wedding planning. The vows to stay at each other's side were your average ones of sickness and health, joy and sorrow, etc. The ring vows were a bit extended, going on about how the represented never-ending love, like the circle of the ring, honoring and cherishing one another. The ring was a symbol of their love and commitment to show to others. It was a whole lot of unnecessary for an arranged marriage around a business contract. Regardless, it was past all that and had come to an end.
"Family, friends, and honored guests…You have bore witness to Hector and Astrid vowing to love one another forever and join their lives into one, and these promises are seen through the exchanging of bands, the symbol of their faithful commitment and love to each other. It is my great honor, and privilege as an officiant of Berk in the Barbaric Archipelago to pronounce you as husband and wife," There was a pause as Hector and Astrid fake smiled in joy, but the message between them was clear. A quick kiss, as per tradition to finish the ceremony and seal their vows with a kiss. "To seal this ceremony, and your union…You may now kiss!"
Astrid sort of froze in making a move towards Hector, but he made up for it by stepping towards her and pulling her gently towards him so their bodies were pressed together. An intense red color crept onto Astrid's cheeks as Hector light cupped the right side of her face and placed a quick, but soft kiss on her lips. Astrid returned the gesture, and they split apart no more than three seconds after it had started. Everyone was on their feet, clapping and cheering. Spencer and Marcus were holding their wives, who were a tearful mess, but eventually the mothers hugged while father's shook hands with congratulations and welcoming one another to the family. Hector and Astrid could only stand next to one another, their hands connected still by a replica of the old ceremonial hand-tying sash for weddings.
"Kiss her again!" Someone shouted, and most laughed and looked in anticipation.
Hector and Astrid inwardly smiled, she gave a nervous laugh as Hector just shook his head. "One was…More than enough," Hector stated. No one really cared, they were still all cheering and talking about things.
"We're doing pictures next!" Vivian called. Hector and Astrid sighed, both understanding that this was just the beginning of a long night to go along with the long day.
. . .
(6:00 pm)
It took a while to get through pictures because friends and family wanted the most and in different groups, Hector and Astrid were already mentally done with tonight. Everyone was treating this like a real wedding, happy for the couple and it bugged the two people who got married because none of this was real to them. Both Hector and Astrid felt like it was a nightmare and they were stuck in it forever. However, with pictures done, dinner had arrived and everyone was taking their seats. Hector and Astrid were sitting together, alone, at a table that faced everyone else's. Their dinner was served first, but the waited for everyone else. It was clear they weren't going to be able to sneak from sight to talk about things, so it might work to do it while everyone was eating and having their own conversations.
"You looked surprised to see me earlier," Hector mentioned.
"I didn't expect to find that I was marrying you," Astrid remarked. "You didn't look shocked to see me," She added.
"I wasn't," Astrid looked at Hector slightly now. "I knew I was marrying you two months ago. Didn't…You know you were going to be marrying me?"
Astrid shook her head. "No. My father only said that an arranged marriage was being set up for me to marry someone to seal a business contract. He said it was old tradition that I wasn't supposed to know until we saw one another at the wedding. But you knew about marrying me?" Hector nodded. "Now, I'm more annoyed that you knew and I didn't."
"I take it you hate this as much as I do?" Hector inquired.
"You really are as smart as they say," Astrid lightly scoffed.
Hector fought rolling his eyes. "Yeah, well smarts say that our father's need this to save their companies by merging…" He paused. "Think we can attempt to make this work?" He asked.
"If you think for even a second that I'm going to try and learn to love you, Haddock, you got another thing coming…" Astrid threatened with slightly narrowed eyes.
"Don't expect you to do something that I won't do either. I didn't say learn to love one another…I said attempt to make this work. You know, work together? That thing where two people help one another out to get things done," Hector informed.
"I know what it means," Astrid snapped under her breath.
"If you know what it means, then stop making me explain and give me a yes or no. Regardless of the situation that we've been forced into marriage, I'm willing to try and make things work with you to save our father's companies and keep us, at least, somewhat not as miserable. I'm not asking you to love me, I'm not asking you to even like me…But I am asking if you'll work with me for them. Things could go a lot easier for both of us if we try to get along in this," Hector stated.
"Fine…What are we then? And don't say husband and wife," Astrid took a bite of her food.
"That's what we are, Astrid…But I get the context, so how about a fair compromise?" Hector offered as Astrid glanced at him to go on. "We work together, as partners, and married couple in the eyes of the public, and family…When it's just you and me, roommates, at least?"
"Why didn't you include friends in that other people part?" Astrid wondered.
"All my friends and your best friend know how much we both hate this, and if they see us not acting like we're madly in love married couple, it won't be shock them and they'll go with it and also not spread any rumors about things between us not looking right…So we can act like roommates with them," Hector explained.
"And what is our living situation? I haven't been told anything." Astrid inquired.
"Me either, but I asked my dad right before the ceremony and he said that tomorrow morning after our mom's did the check that we slept together, we would be going to breakfast with our parents to discuss the living arrangements," Hector enlightened.
Astrid mumbled a bit about him mentioning the virginity check happening tomorrow morning. "What do you think will be decided? We still have another year of school," She figured to ask as it seemed he was told more than she was.
"Not sure. I asked my dad what happened beyond tonight, rather, the reception. If we were going to live apart, but be married, or together in their place or yours. Meaning our parents' places. Dad had responded with neither because back in Viking times, which I'm really starting to get tired of hearing as a reason for all this, after a couple married; they would have their own life. So…I'm assuming that after the party tonight, we'll be staying here at the hotel and they will be back in the morning to check things, and then we'll all leave to go to breakfast. Based on dad's response, the decision will likely be that we get our own place to live. Whether that be house or apartment." Hector theorized.
"Seems like the logical way things would happen," Astrid agreed. "Guess we'll know tomorrow." Hector nodded in agreement with her. There was a little silence between them now. "I know this probably isn't the place for it, but I want it out of the way before the party ends…" Astrid paused as Hector looked at her to continue. "Are you a virgin?"
"No," Hector replied honestly. "Why?"
"Cause I am, obviously…" Astrid looked down shyly. "I've…Had sex before, but it was anal, to keep my purity…"
"Still didn't answer why you're asking if I'm a virgin or not," Hector pointed out. Astrid didn't say anything. "Are you nervous about doing it?" He questioned.
"No. The only reason I haven't already done it was because I knew my parents could arrange me to marry before I turned eighteen…I only wanted to know for the sake if this would be awkward, doing it with someone who had never done it before…I've heard first times can be odd and uncomfortable." Astrid remarked.
"Because there's usually nervousness in getting caught or doing something wrong. But since you know now that this wouldn't be my first time, you know I know what I'm doing. Does that set you at some ease?" Hector asked.
"I suppose…Just don't get any ideas that I'll enjoy it," Astrid huffed. "This is only for the legality of our marital contract for the merge…" She added.
"Hey, it doesn't give me any more pleasure than you that we have to do this…I prefer sleeping with willing partners," Hector retorted.
"I'm willing," Astrid argued.
"For the sake of a legal obligation, not because you want to have sex with me," Hector countered.
"You expect me to be happy about giving my virginity to someone I don't care about out of legality?" Astrid stated.
"No, but who would you give it to if this wasn't the situation it is? You just told me the only reason you haven't lost it yet is that you knew you were expected to stay pure as a minor for the sake of a possible arranged marriage. You said you've had sex before, just anal, so that was obviously with ex-boyfriends," Astrid didn't say anything to him at first.
"Sometimes it was just because the chance was there…" Astrid mumbled.
"Which proves my point that you've obviously done it with people you don't care about anal, and if you weren't expected to stay a virgin until you were eighteen, you'd have given it up long before now," Hector remarked. "So if you want to make this easier on both of us, keep to the idea that we're roommates with benefits, and all we're doing is fucking because the chance is there. That's all it is. Nothing meaningful, no feelings…Just sex, a quickie to relieve sexual frustration. All our moms will check for is that you bled."
Astrid felt like she annoyed him, but at the same time, the way he put it made her realized he was right. They didn't have to make love like other couples did on their wedding night, it could just be a meaningless fuck, like a hookup. Still, though, she was a virgin and she knew that it could hurt. Embarrassed, Astrid looked down a little. "Fine…Just don't ram me, though…"
"Not my first time fucking a virgin, Astrid," Hector told her. "I won't hurt you intentionally, that's not the kind of guy I am. Now, stop worrying about it, and let's just eat. Once everyone is done, they'll expect us to dance,"
Astrid finished her food quietly, so did Hector. At least the awkward talk was out of the way and hopefully, tonight between them wouldn't be too awkward. This day and night were almost done, but this ordeal they were stuck in together would never be over because Hector and Astrid were married and expected to stay such until death parted them.
