Rifiuto: Non Miriena
A/N: Written: 2015, Found: 2018- Licia
Laughter filled the kitchen, as Cook told them of a six-year-old Raven, chasing after a ten-year-old Mikalos, begging him to play 'house' with her. The older woman sighed, a wistful look coming over her features. "After tomorrow, they won't be playing anymore. It'll be real."
"If you don't mind me asking," Cedar started once the laughter had died down. "But... what exactly is going to happen tomorrow? I mean... it's just a ceremony, right? They exchange vows and rings and kiss."
"Just a ceremony? Oh, child. Tomorrow is more than just a simple wedding ceremony. Tomorrow is the day that Ravenna and Mikalos will become husband in wife, not just spiritually or ceremonially, but physically as well."
Cedar's brow furrowed. "Physically?"
The woman nodded, as a scullery maid quickly removed a fresh loaf of bread from the oven and covered it with a cloth to cool. The older woman removed the dough she'd mixed from the bowl and sprinkled flour over it, working her hands into the soft concoction to knead it. "Yes, as men and women often do together."
It was then that the students exchanged confused glances. "Um... Together?" Darling ventured tentatively.
Cook stopped her kneading, turning soft brown eyes to them, drinking in the confusion on their faces. "No one has ever... explained the ways of the flesh to you? Any of you?" The students shared embarrassed glances, all blushing red at Cook's question. Such matters were not discussed nor even considered in Ever After. Sexual Education was not taught in schools, and therefore, that left the teenage population left to struggle with uncertain feelings and developing changes that no one knew how to really address. A moment passed, before the older woman chuckled softly, taking pity on them.
"Here in Marberly, we are more aware, more accepting of sexuality and what it entails. The act of intimacy is strictly between a man and a woman who have chosen to be together for all eternity; in ancient times adulterers and adulteresses were put to death. Now they are shunned. Children may explore their sexuality when their minds begin to become aware of themselves and others. Sex is considered very personal to all involved, and intercourse even more so- not only the act of intercourse, but the act of childbirth- both are very intimate processes."
"What do you mean... intimate?" Briar asked, as Nicola took a sip of her hot chocolate, cheeks beet red, beside her. Cook studied the young princess, a small smile on her face. She dusted the dough in flour again before continuing her kneading.
"On the day of the wedding, after Mikalos and Ravenna have not only shared their vows but been fastened together- hand-fastened-" She clarified at the looks. "They will throw the four cornhusk dolls into the bonfire's flames- they represent the four faces of the Goddess, the four aspects she looks for when granting a marriage-"
"What are they?" Briar whispered, hands wrapped around her mug.
"Love, loyalty, honor and unity." Everyone turned as Mira entered the kitchen, a notepad in her grasp. "Would you be willing to look over a couple things on the menu, Cook? Raven wanted your approval before she agrees to it, after all, you are in charge of the feast." The older woman nodded with a smile, clapping the flour off her hands and accepting the pad with the list on it. She was silent for several minutes, crossing things off or adding things on. Once done, she turned back to the students.
"Once those are thrown into the bonfire- by doing so, Mikalos and Ravenna are showing that they will honor the Goddess by allowing those four aspects into their married life- anyway, once those are thrown into the fire, they will slip off to a small encampment not far from where the reception will take place."
"Wait," Ashlynn set her cup down. "They're going to miss their own reception?"
"The beginning of the reception is more of a... a place for the guests to mingle while the bride and groom give their offerings to the Goddess." Mira replied, setting her notepad down and taking a seat at the table, accepting a mug Cook set before her.
Cerise raised an eyebrow. "Offerings?"
Mira nodded.
"Are they other dolls?" Cedar asked innocently, and Mira snorted softly.
"Those specific offerings are a little more... personal. Strictly between the bride and groom."
"What could possibly-" Hunter stopped, his eyes widening as Ashlynn turned to him.
"Honey, what is it?"
Mira smirked as Cook chuckled softly. "I think he finally got it."
"Got what?" Nicola asked, as confused as the rest of the girls, even as Hunter's cheeks colored bright red and he glanced at his girlfriend.
Mira sighed. These things may not be discussed in Ever After, but they were in Marberly now- even if only for the wedding- and it would be better if they learned now rather than later. "The majority of the guests at the reception will be keeping an ear finely tuned to the encampment not far away." She replied, lifting the mug to her lips again.
"Why?" Cedar asked, Briar slowly began to put the pieces together.
"Wait... you don't mean-" Mira nodded. "So... so during the reception, Raven and Mikalos will be... having sex?" She whispered, as though the very term would bring about the end of the earth. Another nod.
"It's tradition that immediately after the ceremony, the bride and groom slip away to 'prepare' the next offerings that will be thrown onto the fire for the Goddess. In ancient times, the groom was required to taste the bride's 'virgin blood' before the high priestess- a nasty little custom that has thankfully fallen out of favor in recent years. In its place, the first act between them will be sex- oral. Her arousal is to be tasted before her blood is spilt. It's a funny little tradition who's meaning has been lost to recent memory, but kept none the less. Once her arousal is tasted, then the barrier between her legs can be broken through penetration. Once that's done, the sheet that's stained with her blood and the fluid from her arousal is to be thrown into the fire, an offering and a thank you to the Goddess."
"That's..."
"Disgusting." Hunter choked out, finishing Briar's hanging sentence. Mira chuckled, rolling her eyes.
"That's tradition." She set her mug down. "Once Raven's blood has been spilt and the offering made, they'll join the reception. From that moment on, it's nothing but a party."
"So... what? We all just listen as they have sex for the first time?" Cerise asked, horrified.
"These could have been ancient times." Mira replied. "Back then, there was no enclosure, the act was done once the vows were exchanged and they were fastened together- on the marriage platform, before the entire court." The horrified looks made her laugh at their innocence, and she set her mug down after finishing, grabbing the notepad. "What do they teach you in Ever After? Do you know anything at all about the human body or the nature or stimulation of sex?" And without another word, she was gone, heading back upstairs to the sitting room, where Raven was still in talks with the High Priestess in regards to the ceremony, Mika by her side. Cook returned to her kneading, letting her thoughts gather before speaking.
"Ravenna is a smart young woman. She knows what she's doing. And she loves Mikalos and he, her. They are well suited to each other, not just in temperament or skill or love, but in body as well. She was always meant for him, from the time they were children. Mikalos is a strong young man, he will care for her in ways no other man would be able too. He knows her, he honors her, he loves her; that is rare quality in a man of his age. And he wants her for her, not her throne or crown. He sees no value in a country he does not belong in, except that it is hers to rule, and so he will marry her, and live with her and create a life with her. Too few men nowadays want a woman for herself- they see the ruler, not the woman. He sees the woman, not the ruler sitting on the throne."
"He won't be king, then?" Darling asked, brow furrowing. Cook shook her head.
"He will be her consort, but he will not rule by her side. He will share her bed, but not her war room- unless she asks him too. When it comes to court, or state visits, or anything of that nature, he will be by her side, but he will have no power. He wishes for none."
"He simply wants to be her husband." Ashlynn said, understanding now. Cook nodded.
"He will be by her side when she gives birth to her heir, he will be involved in the child's upbringing; his role in her life will be that of partner, lover, husband and father. King is not one of them."
"But her father-"
"Her father took over the throne after Ravenna's mother was taken away. Marberly had to have a ruler, and Ravenna was too young- she was merely six-years-old at the time. It was a rare circumstance." She returned to kneading the bread dough. "Prince Mikalos has always had a unique understanding of his place in life. He's always understood where he belongs and what he's meant to do and be. And it's always revolved around Ravenna. She is his whole world."
It was Ashlynn who spoke up next. "Raven said that when he was dismissed from Ever After High, he asked Headmaster Grimm to let her stay and finish her year. That it wasn't her fault, but his. He took the blame, even though, technically, it was both of them."
The older woman smiled softly. "That sounds like Prince Mikalos. For his family, he will bend over backwards, but for Ravenna..." She sighed. "For Ravenna, he will die, if it means keeping her safe."