Roleplay

(mhm!)

This was, in Cypress’ expert opinion, going to be the worst day of his life.

He paid little attention to the attendants that were flitting around the room, helping him get ready, mostly because he was too busy reflecting on what he had done wrong to be put in the situation he was currently in. Being married off to the crown prince of another kingdom—and not just any crown prince, he was sure there were plenty out there that would be tolerable at least, but specifically Prince Valerian of Blackthorne. It was like the stars had aligned in exactly the wrong way.

One of the attendants held a mirror in front of his face so that he could approve the needlessly complicated hairstyle they had done, and he nodded dismissively. After positioning his crown on his head and adjusting the cloak around his shoulders, he settled back to wait until he had to go hand his entire life away.

Valerian didn't know how to feel about this. He'd always known he was going to need to marry someday, and that he should have been happy that his future spouse was allowed to be male. If he'd lived a hundred years ago, the magics needed for two men to produce an heir would not have existed and he'd have to live with a woman tied to him for the rest of his life.

Well.

The problem was that it was Cypress. Which, obviously, complicated things. They hadn't parted on good terms. Valerian couldn't even remember what they'd argued about, but he remembered the horrible things they'd said to each other.

He'd take it all back if he could. Too bad he couldn't.

Time to play his part, again. He could play the a**hole. He'd do it. It might even be fun.

(A small part of him was excited to find out what Cypress tasted like. How it would feel to finally claim him as his own, sealing the pact between their families and making their marriage official. He pushed it away.)

Valerian's attendants were already done with him. They did a good job, the crown prince mused. I look good.

Valerian gave his reflection another once-over, satisfied with his hairstyle and outfit that perfectly complimented the shapes of his face and body as well as his natural colors.

He carefully sat down, waiting for his summons. In two hours' time, he would be married to his former best friend.

He hates me, doesn't he? Good.

Cypress was pulled out of his thoughts far sooner than he would have liked. Had the choice been his, he would have sat alone in that room for the rest of his life sooner than he would marry Valerian. But the choice was not his—it never really had been, and today certainly wasn’t going to be the day that changed—so when one of the attendants returned to retrieve him, he got to his feet without a word.

It might even be better if it wasn’t a royal wedding. That was the thing, whenever a future king married anyone, every single person in the kingdom was paying attention. He’d have to go through the whole ceremony as if he wanted to be there, as if he was happy about the whole situation.

If only I had been born a few years earlier, he thought idly to himself as he followed the attendant through the halls. If only I was the heir.

Valerian was roused from his thoughts by a timid knock on the door. Taking a deep breath, he opened it and gave the servant on the other side a cool smile.

Bowing, the servant led him through the familiar halls of his home, towards the palace grounds. He idly wondered if Cypress still liked flowers as much as he did.

No matter. He could always ask later. For now, he had to put his mask on again, exude an aura of cold charm and silvered words. It wouldn't do to appear ungrateful or sullen at his own wedding. He should be happy.

(why wasn't he happy?)

He could pretend well enough.

The servant led him to the ballroom doors, knocking on the intricately carved wood to signal the crier of their presence.

"Presenting, Crown Prince Valerian of Blackthorne!" she called, pulling open the doors to let him in.

Valerian was meant to walk to the pair of thrones that were set up below an arch, facing away from the door until Cypress joined him. Then they would turn to each other, join hands, and confirm their entrance into the willing marriage when prompted to by his and Cypress's fathers. After that they would exchange rings and kiss, sitting down in their respective thrones for awhile as the festivities started.

It seemed dull. But at least they were allowed snacks afterward.

Cypress didn’t pay much attention to his surroundings as the attendant led him to the ballroom. He knew it was soon to be his home, too, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. It wasn’t as if he liked it much, anyway.

He took a fraction of a second to collect himself as the attendant knocked on the ballroom door. This was a political marriage, after all. If he looked like he was being forced into it, that would do nothing but harm Asterdenn’s image, and upset his father. He wasn’t especially keen to do either of those two things.

He was even less keen to spend the rest of his life pretending to be happily married to Valerian, but that was a problem for tomorrow.

“Presenting, Prince Cypress of Asterdenn!” the crier announced, swinging the door open.

He did his best not to look at Valerian at all while he took his position.

Valerian's father, King Halcyon, glanced over at Cypress's father and nodded. "May the bride and groom face each other," he intoned, nodding imperceptibly as Valerian turned to face Cypress. "Join hands."

Valerian held both of his hands outward, palms facing up.

Cypress kept his expression carefully controlled as he placed his hands in Valerian’s. He already hated this. He hated everything about this. He knew what his role was, here, and he knew there was little he could do about it, but that didn’t mean he had to be happy about it.

He refused to meet Valerian’s eyes, instead focusing just to the right. Nobody else would notice, but he could spare himself that, at least.

Oh, someone's looking pretty today.

Even though Cypress refused to meet his eyes, Valerian locked his gaze with them anyway. They're the same color I remember.

King Halcyon cleared his throat. "Does Crown Prince Valerian of Blackthorne take Prince Cypress of Asterdenn as his wife out of his own free will?"

"He does," Valerian replied, keeping his expression steady.

The king of Asterdenn would have to ask Cypress the same question.

King Atreos, Cypress’ father, nodded once at Valerian’s confirmation before speaking himself. “Does Prince Cypress of Asterdenn take Crown Prince Valerian of Blackthorne as his husband out of his own free will?”

Cypress carefully repressed the venom in his voice as he answered. “He does.”

King Halcyon nodded in approval, removing a ring from his pocket. "Crown Prince Valerian of Blackthorne, take this ring as a gift from your father and present it to your intended."

Valerian let go of Cypress's right hand to accept the ring. It was a pretty ring, made of red gold and shaped to look like a flower. It suited Cypress quite well, in his opinion.

After expressing his gratitude for such a suitable ring, Valerian carefully slipped it onto the fourth finger of Cypress's left hand, before taking his right hand in his own again.

(thinking something like this but somewhat redder)