Arranged marriages were not a foreign concept, and Roxana had long accepted that her father would sell her off one day to whomever gave him the greatest benefit. The king of a foreign land was one such benefit, with Roxana having no problem with leaving this god forsaken family. In a silent form of rebellion, she'd gone out some months ago, smearing the so cold purity nobles so honored. But it had to be the universe's twisted joke to make said rebellion her betrothed.
How could she not recognize him, when she'd already seen everything that hid beneath the luxurious fabrics he wore. The solid arms that embraced her and held her up against him, the large hands that caressed every part of her, the lips that had touched her own and left marks across her skin, and those eyes that burned with passion as they held each other until the sun rose. Someone who was meant to be a fleeting moment in her life now stood before her, being introduced as her partner for the rest of her life. One would think that a blessing, but not when he was everything opposite of her. At least, opposite of what her family stood for.
Roxana had no love for the Agreces, but she knew where she stood in the eyes of society and the acts she had committed. She took no pride in them, but she held no regret or shame either. And now she was meant to stand side by side by some...honorable hero? What contempt he must hold to wed the daughter of a family that dealt with and lead the filth of the underworld.
But even worse than that was the gall this man had to leave before she could walk out on him. Roxana had no intention of attaching herself to him, but it hurt her pride to be the one left behind. And she wasn't one to take kindly to insults.
A perfect smile remains on her face through boring introductions and conversations held between both parties, and it remains until they decide to leave the pair to themselves. Taking a sip of her tea, her eyes meet his, her smile clearly not reaching them.
"We're both aware that this is an unavoidable situation, but that doesn't mean we need to make it any less comfortable. Shall we discuss any expectations we may have for this arrangement, your majesty?"
One of the parts of why Troy didn't want to become king at first was this: the politics. The idea of an arranged marriage is such a demeaning and primitive practice, but as someone from another planet and having to play by this one's rules, Troy feels his arm was twisted in participating. Plus, as king he can actually make lasting change in the cultural landscape, so he may be marrying some stranger now, but he'll make sure his children and their children won't have to. There were many reasons Roxanna was picked for him. His clean and good reputation hoping to balance out the dealings of her family, or perhaps there was some foul play involved with Roxanna's family pulling some strings to ensure she is wed to someone so powerful.
Whatever the reason is, Troy can't hide his surprise to see a familiar woman who's come to know in an intimate manner. There's an unmistakable blush on his dark complexion while they exchanged formalities, with representatives doing most of the talking for them. Then comes the time that they're left alone to "get to know" each other, their representatives only steps away but out of earshot. That smile on her face, he knows fury when he sees it, so he just meets it with a sheepish grin and easy-going words.
"We're on the same page, so that's a good start" he quips, taking a shot of his drink before putting his glass down on a tall table. "It feels weird to call me 'your majesty'"
It’s this very casual attitude that made him doubt he was a noble when they first met. It’s also what helped her feel more comfortable around him, but now? That would be a luxury.
“What else would I call you,” she scoffs, taking another sip of her tea. They didn’t even exchange names that night. It was another line she was drawing in the sand, formalities a convenient shield from intimacy.
“Or should I be addressing you as ‘dear’ for appearances? ‘Darling’, perhaps?”
"Well if you want to seem excited with the idea of marrying me, feel free" Troy finds his sense of humor after that momentary feeling of being disarmed. Troy can't help but smirk, arms crossing and feeling the unusual fabric of the barong he's wearing. "Just call me Troy, honey."
He'd be lying if he said he didn't mind the sound of either of those endearing names from her. While it does feel like a cosmic joke is being played on them, Troy's more shallow side is appreciative of getting arranged with a beautiful woman.
"Sounds reasonable. I do too." Troy nods, always the honest man. "I don't have a lot of expectations. I let myself get strong-armed into this for diplomatic reasons, so if you want to live the life of a single woman, young and free despite being married on paper, I won't stop you. I'll do the same."
That said, that would apply to him too. He can keep sleeping with other women whenever he wants despite having this marriage. He wonders how she'd react to that idea.
"If you get caught, I guess" He shrugs. It probably will, if he has to think about it. The people, especially his people, wouldn't want a queen who cheats on their beloved king if they found out. There's a double-standard as always, with him being sure the criticism for his would-be infidelity wouldn't be so bad compared to hers.
“I meant if you were to take other women.” She waves him off as if he said something silly.
“If I’d ever been caught for anything, I wouldn’t be here before you.” Not that she had any intentions of seeking other partners, but she doesn’t see the need to clarify that.
“I have more to lose than you do, so I need to know if your future lovers will be a concern. I don’t care what or who you do, but know that I won’t leave anything that gets in my way alone. I expect you at least know how to be subtle about it?” Her father had 13 wives, as did many other noble men. Even before knowing who her husband would be, Roxana had little expectation for loyalty. If Troy turned out to be the type of noble cut from the same cloth, she wouldn’t be surprised, but she may be a bit disappointed.
Troy takes a moment, feeling himself rushing to get a point in that he's not thinking clearly. The pressure of this wedding is enough to get to the weary, recently crowned king.
"No" he says, sighing quietly and putting his drink down to focus solely on Roxana. "On second thought, I think that life is behind me."
Arranged or not, Troy feels himself smile at her, thinking that he respects her enough to abandon his old ways. Or maybe, she interests him far more than he lets on?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
How could she not recognize him, when she'd already seen everything that hid beneath the luxurious fabrics he wore. The solid arms that embraced her and held her up against him, the large hands that caressed every part of her, the lips that had touched her own and left marks across her skin, and those eyes that burned with passion as they held each other until the sun rose. Someone who was meant to be a fleeting moment in her life now stood before her, being introduced as her partner for the rest of her life. One would think that a blessing, but not when he was everything opposite of her. At least, opposite of what her family stood for.
Roxana had no love for the Agreces, but she knew where she stood in the eyes of society and the acts she had committed. She took no pride in them, but she held no regret or shame either. And now she was meant to stand side by side by some...honorable hero? What contempt he must hold to wed the daughter of a family that dealt with and lead the filth of the underworld.
But even worse than that was the gall this man had to leave before she could walk out on him. Roxana had no intention of attaching herself to him, but it hurt her pride to be the one left behind. And she wasn't one to take kindly to insults.
A perfect smile remains on her face through boring introductions and conversations held between both parties, and it remains until they decide to leave the pair to themselves. Taking a sip of her tea, her eyes meet his, her smile clearly not reaching them.
"We're both aware that this is an unavoidable situation, but that doesn't mean we need to make it any less comfortable. Shall we discuss any expectations we may have for this arrangement, your majesty?"
I thought I replied to this already orz
Whatever the reason is, Troy can't hide his surprise to see a familiar woman who's come to know in an intimate manner. There's an unmistakable blush on his dark complexion while they exchanged formalities, with representatives doing most of the talking for them. Then comes the time that they're left alone to "get to know" each other, their representatives only steps away but out of earshot. That smile on her face, he knows fury when he sees it, so he just meets it with a sheepish grin and easy-going words.
"We're on the same page, so that's a good start" he quips, taking a shot of his drink before putting his glass down on a tall table. "It feels weird to call me 'your majesty'"
Lol
“What else would I call you,” she scoffs, taking another sip of her tea. They didn’t even exchange names that night. It was another line she was drawing in the sand, formalities a convenient shield from intimacy.
“Or should I be addressing you as ‘dear’ for appearances? ‘Darling’, perhaps?”
orz
He'd be lying if he said he didn't mind the sound of either of those endearing names from her. While it does feel like a cosmic joke is being played on them, Troy's more shallow side is appreciative of getting arranged with a beautiful woman.
no subject
“Returning to my initial question, what are your expectations for this marriage? I prefer clear lines rather than things being left unsaid.”
no subject
That said, that would apply to him too. He can keep sleeping with other women whenever he wants despite having this marriage. He wonders how she'd react to that idea.
no subject
“Will that pose any threat to my position as queen?”
no subject
no subject
“If I’d ever been caught for anything, I wouldn’t be here before you.” Not that she had any intentions of seeking other partners, but she doesn’t see the need to clarify that.
“I have more to lose than you do, so I need to know if your future lovers will be a concern. I don’t care what or who you do, but know that I won’t leave anything that gets in my way alone. I expect you at least know how to be subtle about it?” Her father had 13 wives, as did many other noble men. Even before knowing who her husband would be, Roxana had little expectation for loyalty. If Troy turned out to be the type of noble cut from the same cloth, she wouldn’t be surprised, but she may be a bit disappointed.
no subject
"No" he says, sighing quietly and putting his drink down to focus solely on Roxana. "On second thought, I think that life is behind me."
Arranged or not, Troy feels himself smile at her, thinking that he respects her enough to abandon his old ways. Or maybe, she interests him far more than he lets on?