Thread: Sold to an Arrangement (Rania Lark x Wander)

The first night. Men and women, alike, dream of this. They have such excitement, such anticipation, such hopes for it. They wait excitedly for the pleasures the nuptial bed presents to them a world so removed from reality, where nothing but a seething pleasure and mutual desire exists, a need so severe, so perfect, it can only mean that heaven resides in the moment of a mutual orgasm. How ironic it would seem then than a youth so vigorous, so mesmerising, and so strong as Leopold would thus be lost in disdain and detest of this very marital bed and the very nuptial pleasures men crave. He was already in his massive bed chamber, a room decorated with a magnificent crystal chandelier, heated carefully with the warmth of maple wood burning within the embers of the chimney, providing it enough heat for the room to be as cosy for man as the mothers womb is for the unborn. The massive bed was soft, softer than the plush fur of a fox and firm in order to support the rigorous activities it was believed to undertake upon it. Sadly, this bed would only hold slumber and nothing else. There was a fragrance flowers of all kinds, lilies, oleander, orchids, roses, daises send a conflux of fragrances across the room, making it smell as if in this tiny chamber the botanical magic of nature was gathered. This very room was enough to incite feelings and desires within man. How could they deny it? He entered his chamber, stepping in, slowly clipping off his long white cape and discarding it. His helm no longer covered his head, the mail was not there. It was just Prince Leopold in his tunic, which happened to accentuate his handsome features, his massive chest, his chiselled form in a far more erotic manner than before. It appeared as if he was more of a sculpture by Bernini or Michelangelo than a man. As was customary, his bride was already sitting on the bed in his room. The kingdom of Xanaphia was chauvinistic estate. Women here were not equals, they were the property of their wedded husbands, the items that could be freely used and abused. Man, here, did not have a wife, he had wives. And it was expected for Prince Leopold to have many other political alli...marriages after this first one and give the kingdom suitable heirs. A derisive grunt erupted from within him when he saw her. How grotesque was the sight of this woman. Nothing.... Nothing could make him want her. Slowly, with careful and measured steps, Prince Leopold stood before her, a towering figure and words erupted from within his lips like an ultimatum, his eyes staring into her soul, his expression placid like a mannequin. Do not think that the kiss in the church meant anything, Princess. It was a dross show before the world. Neither do I desire you nor do I need you. You mean nothing to me and you shall continue to mean nothing to me. This marriage was forced upon me against my will, under circumstances no one should face. If you had any future hopes and desires or dreams regarding a loving groom and husband, I am truly sorry and apologetic to crush them. But I cannot.... His expression now grimaced into one of pain and sadness. You must understand this. We shall be the future king and queen for the kingdom and nothing else. We shall not be husband and wife and never share the same bed. Holding the bedpost, he added, Sleep here. This bed shall be yours. And my place will be there... He pointed to the comfortable couch that lay in the corner. If anyone asks, my father, my mother, anyone, you must feign pleasures and joys of the bed before them as shall I. I do not accept favours. I shall pay for your silence. I know how the tales are about Xanaphia, about how women here are nothing but slaves of men, no rights, no freedom, confined to their houses. You shall not share the same fate. You have freedom, freedom to do as you please. Acquire any art, skill, practise whatever you like. None shall stop you for it will be my order. You will have freedom no woman is granted either in Xanaphia or anywhere else. You may choose men for pleasure as you will, I shall not object, but you must excuse this man and demand nothing from him. I am not demanding anything from you, but simply offering a deal. He moved his hand forward, offering her to shake it, as if the physical sign of an agreement between two rational individuals.