Context: Almost since birth, you were made to be friends with a foreign prince named Ruksa. From the Ruta royal blood, he bore the distinct features and strength of his people. A strength that has proven too great for many of his opponents. And you, unfortunately.

Setting: Lunae

Tags:[MM4F][Arranged Marriage][Tsundere Prince Speaker][Kuudere Princess Listener][Enemies to Lovers][Size Difference][Fantasy][Old Regrets][Argument][Mild Lore Drops][Slight Conspiracy?][Remorse][Desire][CW: Implications of Abuse/Mentions of Death/Injury]

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***

[K] = The King, your father

[T] = Ruksa, the Ruta prince, your fiance

***

Note: "Amara" is a loose translation in Ruta that means: "My love", "my desire", etc.

Second note: Āmi tōmāra roughly means "I am yours", "I need you", etc. Ruta is kind of bastardized Bangla mixed with some Hawaiian influences :3 Also, he totally thinks the Listener doesn't know, lmao.

***

[Scene opens within a carriage]

[SFX: A carriage cantering along]

[You sit silently across from your father, the King. He gives you a gentle smile before peering out the window]

[K] “Ahh, Lunae. A land of perpetual twilight, black-sanded beaches, and warm, crystalline waters. Such a beautiful kingdom. The Ruta truly do keep it well preserved. Perhaps, if we’re lucky, we might see some of those glowing plankton in the ocean this time! Won’t that be nice, dear? You’ll be able to soak your feet and relax, for once.”

[Pause]

[K] “Now, dear… I know you are taking this arranged marriage very seriously. I appreciate it, truly, especially with poor Orsum being ill. I do wonder if he’ll recognize me this time… Poor old boy. Don’t tell him I said that, hehe. I’m getting on in years too much to be wrestling a full-grown Ruta. Don’t let them bully you, OK?”

[...]

[K, softly] “I know he hurt you… I know that you’re making an immense sacrifice for the good of our people by agreeing to wed him still. Just… try and remember that, somewhere in him, is a good man.”

[Pause]

[K] “Don’t fear the idea of facing Ruksa again. The boy is brash, hot-tempered, and never knows how to hold his tongue, but you’ve trained hard to handle him and the other Ruta men. Just because they’re a lot bigger than us doesn’t mean you have to fear anymore.”

[...]

[Your father rests a hand on your shoulder, tone gentle]

[K] “... I know that this is difficult. You and Ruksa have history together, not all of it good. This marriage will pay off so handsomely if you two can just make nice. Please just try. For me, alright? All of your training, all of that sacrifice… it comes down to this, Sweetpea.”

[Pause]

[SFX: The carriage coming to a stop]

[K] “Here we are… Let me talk to Orsum while you catch up with your fiance. The old man is, ah, short on time, and I am sure he’s eager to get things moving. Just try and be civil with Ruksa, OK? I’ll be back soon.”

[Your father hurries off while you survey the beach around you. It’s not long before a very large figure creeps up behind you]

[Pause]

[R] “Pfft, you’re still no fun, I see. Can’t even get in a mild-mannered prank before you ruin it.”

[Pause]

[R] “... It has been a long time, yeah. Not even a hateful letter between us. Had to find others to bother that actually have senses of humor.”

[Pause]

[R] “... No, I haven’t forgotten how I hurt you. You won’t let me, no matter how many times I’ve asked you to forgive me, no matter what I’ve offered to make things up to you, you refuse to acknowledge the person I was before that fucking day!”

[Pause]

[Ruksa rubs his face with a sigh]

[R] “Look, Amara, I don’t want to fight with you.”

[Pause]

[R] “Then why did I come over here? Tch, this is going to be my kingdom, I’ll go where I please. And I wanted to get a good look at you. See how you changed over the years.”

[Pause]

[R] “You still look… like you…Mmh. Āmi tōmāra…”

[He licks his lips, eyes everywhere on you before he clears his throat and glares]

[R] “What about me, huh? Grew into the muscles a bit more, and now I’m full-sized for my kind. C’mon, I know you used to peer at me when we were teens! Or is the idea that you might be pressed against these muscles too much for my little Ice Queen, hm?”

[Pause]

[He shifts so he’s in front of you. His burning golden eyes peer coldly down at you as he moves closer]

[R] “No comment, hm? What do you think then, Amara? Still scared of me?”

[Pause]

[He seems taken aback as you step around him and head more toward the gathering grounds]

[R] “Hey! I’m not done talking to you yet! We haven’t seen each other in almost seven years, you’re just going to show up with this Ice Queen attitude after I’ve been dreaming we-!”

[He trails off, letting you get ahead of him]

[SFX: Heavy footsteps]

[Pause]

[He growls a little under his breath]

[R] “So, what, now you’re too good to talk to me? Is this how our oh-so-wonderful marriage is going to start? Or should I expect that we’ll spend another seven years in cold, bitter silence? Because it’s already bad enough that you’re going to be the person I wake up to for the rest of my life! Could stand to at least make it a reasonable Hell!”

[Pause]

[He stops as you turn to face him. A million emotions flood through you but you stay calm]

[R] “Excuse me…? I did too apologize! Multiple times!”

[Pause]

[R] “Look, I… I never meant to hurt you. I promise I didn’t. I’m twice your size, we show affection with play wrestling, I NEVER meant to physically harm you like I did!”

[Pause]

[R] “... Did you ever ask me to stop? I… Umm… I-I don’t remember…”

[Pause]

[He looks away, scowling]

[R] “...I honestly don’t remember… I remember we used to play together every time I was over. I remember we used to have a lot of fun. I remember that you were crazy shy, and I had to drag you out so you’d keep up with the games, then… Then I picked you up one day and squeezed too hard and… and you were screaming in pain, screaming for help, and your father and guards ran out and screamed at me while I just… stood there, crying…”

[His eyes drift down to your hips, expression unreadable before it flashes to anger]

[R] “Hey… what’s with that scar on your leg? It’s massive! Who did this to you?!”

[Pause]

[R] “Listen to me. You’re going to be my wife, like it or not, so things like this are very much so my business! Someone, something, hurt you, and I want to know what it is. So stop being a stubborn, icy idiot, and let me help you!”

[Pause]

[R] “What… What’s happened to you?”

[You look into his eyes for a moment, wondering if something is going to happen]

[...]

[R] “Amara, please… Please talk to me. No one should be giving you any kind of trouble except for me.”

[SFX: Footsteps on sand]

[R] “Amara!”

[You leave him standing in the shade. You’ve work to do]

[To be continued]