Arranged Marriage

[bostonhowler]

It's a trope near and dear to our hearts. Arranged marriage.

Maybe it's for the family. Maybe it's for a friend. Maybe you know the person and have been expected to marry them for years. Maybe it's the wedding day and you have no clue who it is you'll be tied to for your natural life. Maybe you've been married a while, and you're just now starting your life, away from the expectations of others. Or maybe, the "others" are watching, waiting, making sure this marriage sticks.

Prompts for those who need them:



Reasons:

1. Station → You come from a royal, noble, or otherwise distinguished family who has chosen a suitable spouse for you.
2. Feud → You are being married to put an end to the bitter enmity between your two families.
3. Economics → Your economic state and/or your station will improve through the union, though one of you may be marrying down.
4. Empire → You and your spouse are merging your businesses and/or property to create something more influential or profitable.
6. Tribute → You have been offered as a gift or appeasement, alternately you're the spoils of war.
8. Bloodline → Carrying on your distinguished family name has fallen to you and the equally well-bred spouse of your family's selection.
7. Disapproval → Your marriage has been arranged to keep you away from the person with whom you truly wish to be.

Scenario:

1. First meeting → This is the very first time you're meeting your future spouse.
2. Courtship → To get to know each other and encourage affection, your family has approved of you going on dates.
3. Engagement party → Be it a huge, formal affair or a small, intimate get together, you're celebrating (or pretending).
4. Wedding day → The big day!
5. Reception → The big party!
6. Wedding night → Every meme needs a smut prompt, right?
7. Honeymoon → Where will you go with your new spouse and what will you do there?
8. Been at this a while → Just starting to get to know the other person

Comments

[fitzthomas]

Joscelin can’t help it:

He laughs, and feels himself relax for the first time all day.

“They can certainly try,” he says, once he trusts himself to speak again. “My Grandfather of blessed memory was the King.” He lowers his voice conspiratorially. “And between you and me, Uncle Joe—” (The current king, Charles-Joseph IV) “Doesn’t much care for his own son and rather likes me better. If anyone tries to insult you, I’ll sic the bloody Palace on ‘em.”

He holds her hand tight.

“Misa...promise me. Promise me you won’t let them get to you.”

[the_gardens_apple]

She'd grown up among the court. To him, they weren't vicious. To a bastard daughter who was the shame of her father? That is a different story. It's never been anything overt. No, that wasn't the style of the court. Instead, it's always been little asides, little things that might have been insults, but might not have. She has to walk a very fine line and decide which way to fall with those. It almost never goes well for her.

And Joss coming to her defense? That had just made the pettiness worse at times, when he wasn't around. Their public betrothal isn't going to change any of that. Their marriage might not change any of that.

But through it all, she'd kept her kindness, her gentleness - her pushing of Joss into the topiary besides (he'd deserved it). She's the one the palace staff like. She is the one who hears a lot of rumors before they become public knowledge and can deftly use it to help Joss, his father and the King. All because she does not "put on airs". Her mother was a simple maid and she sees no reason not to be kind to those in that station now.

"I can't promise that, Joss." She says, softly. "You know what they are like." She wraps her arms around herself. "But I'll try."

[fitzthomas]

Joscelin knows that there are many eyes watching them, and he finds that he absolutely doesn't give a damn. He takes off his jacket and drapes it across Misa's shoulders. She'd taken care of him while they were children. Now it's his turn.

"Whatever happens, we'll face it together." It's a brave statement from a naive boy of seventeen, but it's sincerely meant. "I'll be the dashing prince and you the beautiful princess and we'll make them think twice about ever crossing us."

[sensitiveapple]

She pulls his jacket around her, glad for the warmth. Despite the warmth of the sun, the wind has a chill to it, and she's tired of them being on display.

She actually giggles about that. "Dashing huh?" She's not going to counter his 'beautiful' remark. It's nice to hear, even if she's heard it from people time to time.