Chapter Text
Tav could remember the first day she met the little Lordling she was destined to marry. Her dress had been too itchy, her raven hair coronet braided too tightly. The sun was beating down, she detested summer. The sweating, overstimulating humidity. It had truly been the worst day.
Her father had smiled at her warmly, offering words of encouragement and reassurance.
“Young Wyll Ravenguard is a very advantageous match, Tavira. You’re a very lucky girl.” He’d told her, patting her head. Being thirteen years old, she’d shrugged him off but he had laughed.
She didn’t feel lucky. She didn’t want to get married, she wanted to ride on her horse through the fields of her kingdom and shoot her bow. She wanted to sit against her favourite tree and paint. She didn’t like people. Especially not boys.
When the carriage had pulled up outside the Ravenguard Manor, Tav had sunk into her seat, her arms crossed. Her father chuckled, and grabbed her hand.
“Come now, Tavira. You mustn’t be rude.”
“I don’t want to.” She snapped, “I hate him. I hate marriage.”
“Tavira.” Her father warned, his tone stern. He rarely took such a tone with her, but it still wouldn’t make her budge. “Your mother and I were arranged to wed from a young age, and though we did not love each other at first, she quickly became the love of my life.”
Tav's heart tugged at her fathers words. Her mother had died only two years prior, and had even been the one to arrange the match with the Ravenguard heir. At the time, Tav had been excited at the thought of it, her mother had made her delighted at the thought of falling in love. But when her mother died, she had seen the way her father went into himself. The man he had become for the months after, a shell of himself, and she had vowed she would never fall in love. It was that seed of fear that made her so against marrying Ravenguard’s son.
“I know, father.” She said quietly, avoiding his sky blue gaze. Where her father was all fair and light eyed, she had taken after her mother with her raven hair and eyes the colour of the evergreen trees that grew around their kingdom. Her nurse had told her that it wounded her father to see her in the early days after her mothers death, as Tav had taken after her so closely.
“Do it for me. For your mother.” He said softly, planting a kiss on her forehead. Tav took a deep breath and uncrossed her arms, allowing her father to lead her from the carriage.
When she set eyes on Wyll Ravenguard she immediately felt as insecure as young teenagers did. She wished she could hide her freckles and still squishy cheeks.
Wyll was the picture of royalty. His posture rigid, his face schooled into serene perfection. He would make a good king one day and she knew it. A just King and his wild Queen. As she approached, he stooped into a low bow, coming up to meet her gaze which immediately made her cheeks burn.
“Lady Tavira. It’s a pleasure.” He extended his hand to her. Tav paused, looking up to her father who gave her a reassuring smile.
Cringing, she extended her hand to Wyll. He planted a soft, albeit slightly wet, kiss on her pale hand. She snatched her hand away as he rose, much to her father’s dismay.
“Theodric!” Ulder Ravenguard boomed, opening his arms to her father. The two men embraced with the comfort of old friends and long standing allies that they were.
“Ulder, it’s been too long.” Theodric grinned, patting the man on the back heartily.
“I am sorry to hear about your late wife,” Ulder said solemnly, genuine sympathy shining in his dark eyes, “A great loss for the entire realm.”
“Thank you,” Theodric said thickly, “Allow me to introduce my crown jewel, my daughter Tavira.” He motioned to Tav and she immediately lowered into a lopsided curtsey.
“A delight to the realm indeed, you have your mother’s beauty Princess.” Ulder said, giving her a warm smile. “And my son, Wyll Ravenguard.” Ulder pushed Wyll forward gently.
“Sir,” Wyll bowed to her father, “An honour to meet you.”
“Very well trained indeed,” Theodric bellowed, “You should be proud, Ulder.”
“I am indeed,” Ulder beamed, “Come, we’ve had the servants cook up a feast after your long journey.”
“You better have some of that whiskey I love so much.” Theodric grinned as he followed his old friend up the steps into the palace.
Tav turned to Wyll then, the awkwardness between them palpable.
“Tavira.” Wyll repeated her name thoughtfully once their fathers had disappeared through the palace doors. “That’s a very serious name.”
Tav frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “It sounds like the sort of princess who spends her days judging peasants and poisoning people.”
Her mouth fell open slightly. “I do not poison people.”
“Mm.” Wyll hummed, beginning up the palace steps. “You certainly looked like you wanted to poison me.”
Tav glared at the back of his neatly braided head. “Your hand kiss was wet.”
Wyll stopped dead. Colour rose immediately to his cheeks as he whipped around. “It was not.”
“It was.”
“It absolutely was not.”
“It felt like a dog licked my hand.”
Wyll groaned quietly, burying his face in one hand. “Gods, now I’m never doing it again.”
Despite herself, Tav smiled a little.
Over the next seven years, Tav had visited Wyll’s kingdom every summer with her father, and in the winter around the solstice Wyll would attend the festivities in her kingdom with his father.
The first few visits had been painfully awkward. Wyll was painfully proper, Tav painfully stubborn.
At fourteen, Wyll had laughed when Tav fell from her horse attempting to jump a stone wall and she had pushed him directly into the river for it.
At fifteen, Tav caught him kissing a kitchen maid behind the stables and blackmailed him into teaching her how to play cards and gamble properly.
At sixteen, they’d argued so fiercely over a hunting route that neither spoke to eachother for two entire days before Wyll appeared outside her chambers one evening holding a peace offering of sugared almonds and muttering, “You’re unbearable when you’re angry.”
At seventeen, they snuck away from a banquet together after enduring one too many comments from nobles discussing the heirs they would someday produce. They sat shoulder to shoulder atop the palace walls, boots dangling over the edge as Wyll admitted quietly that sometimes he feared becoming king.
“You’ll be good at it.” Tav had said without hesitation.
Wyll looked genuinely startled by her certainty.
At eighteen, they danced together for the first time willingly rather than by command. Wyll had stepped on the hem of her gown halfway through the dance and Tav laughed so loudly the entire ballroom turned to stare.
By nineteen, they had become something easy. Familiar. Wyll knew she hated overly sweet wine and crowded ballrooms. Tav knew he rehearsed speeches under his breath when nervous and hated disappointing people.
They bickered constantly.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re dull.”
“You say that every year.”
“Because every year it remains true.”
The kingdoms adored them together.
Servants whispered fondly whenever Tav and Wyll bickered through banquets side by side, certain it was only the stubbornness of youth keeping them from admitting their love. Their fathers would exchange knowing looks over goblets of whiskey whenever Wyll rested a hand at Tav’s back to guide her through crowded halls, or when Tav sought Wyll first after long weeks apart.
Once, she and Wyll had lingered outside her fathers study after being dismissed early from supper, neither particularly eager to return to the crowded ballroom below.
Inside, their fathers spoke freely, unaware they remained nearby.
“They’ll make a strong union one day,” Ulder had said warmly. “The realm will be safer for it.”
Theodric hummed thoughtfully, though Tav recognised the concern in it immediately.
“I only worry Tavira does not look at him the way I once looked at her mother.”
There had been a pause then. The quiet clink of glasses and pouring, no doubt her father’s favourite fire whiskey.
“She’s young,” Ulder replied gently. “As are they both. Love comes with time. Friendship first, then loyalty, then love. There is no stronger foundation for a marriage than that.”
Wyll had shifted awkwardly beside her at the words, suddenly very interested in the embroidered carpet beneath his boots. And Tav, strangely unsettled by the conversation, had looked away too.
Not because the thought of loving Wyll was unpleasant. It wasn’t, life with Wyll would be easy, safe and above all else it would be kind. He held no expectations of her, he’d been her shoulder to cry on, she’d opened up to him on her grief from her mothers death, as he had shared vulnerability with her.
Perhaps one day love would come exactly as their fathers promised it would. At least that was what she hoped.
The morning of her twenty-first birthday was a blur of celebrations. A luxurious bath with her favourite lavender oils to make her skin soft and smelling like a dream, followed by a long pampering from her maids. They ensured her hair was perfectly curled, loose over her shoulders only the face framing strands braided back off her face. A small dusting of rouge across her cheeks and kohl lining her eyes. Her chief maid had helped her pick the most beautiful dress, a deep violet velvet dress that hugged her lithe figure with skirts that fanned out at her waist.
As she watched herself in the mirror, she knew her ladies-in-waiting and maids had taken extra effort today for another reason besides her birthday. Her and Wyll had come of age, and it was expected that today he would propose marriage to her.
Though they had been promised to each other for just under ten years, today would mark their engagement as official. It was meant to be the happiest day of her life, and yet her stomach was in knots. She gripped the soft blanket she always held close, one her mother had embroidered for Tav when she was just a baby. It stayed in her chambers for safe keeping, but she held it close in moments of anxiety and stress.
“You look so beautiful, princess.” Maria, her first lady-in-waiting, smiled softly as she finished brushing through Tav’s dark curls.
“I’m sure Prince Wyll is going to be delighted to see you today.” Charlotte, the youngest maid in her staff, grinned softly. Maria nudged the young girl. Though it was clear Wyll and Tav would soon be wed, it seemed everyone liked to keep some air of surprise for the proposal.
“Your father is waiting for you downstairs, King Ulder and Prince Wyll arrived not too long ago.” Maria smiled sweetly.
Tav took a deep breath.
“There is no need to be nervous, princess.” Maria said softly, helping Tav to stand. “It’s your birthday. Today is a special day, all about you.”
“That is what makes me nervous.” Tav said softly, adjusting her corset.
She made her way to the reception area of the palace where her father, King Ulder and Wyll waited. Tav hesitated at the top of the grand staircase, hiding behind a large marble pillar. She watched as the three men interacted, Wyll shuffled awkwardly on each foot. He was dressed in a fitted crimson doublet, decorated with gold embroidery, his kingdom colours. A small gold crown sat atop his brow, his hair perfectly braided.
Over the years, she had noticed how he’d grown into a strong young man from the gangly limbed boy he’d been when she first met him. She saw the way the female servants giggled and blushed when he walked past. How they turned beet red when he offered them a kind smile. Tav thought she might’ve felt jealous, he was a very attractive young man, but nothing ever stirred besides humour and teasing.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out from behind the pillar.
Wyll’s eyes immediately flicked up to the top of the staircase, and he stilled. She could feel his eyes on her, taking her in. The dress, her dark hair contrasting against her pale skin, the light make up. He smiled softly as she descended to him. Their fathers hadn’t noticed her yet, this moment was only theirs. It felt as it did when they’d sat on a rooftop of the castle under the night sky when they were young teenagers, no expectations on them. Just companionship, and a deep respect for the situation they were both in.
When her father did turn, he immediately broke into a large smile.
“Tavira! You are a vision.” Theodric smiled warmly.
“A true beauty, isn’t she Wyll?” Ulder nudged his son. Wyll cleared his throat.
“Magnificent.” He said softly as she approached him. He took her hand and placed a gentle kiss atop it.
“Not so wet this time.” Tav teased.
Wyll chuckled softly, “I’ve had plenty of practice.” He pulled her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Happy birthday, Princess.” He murmured.
“Happy birthday, Tavira.” King Theodric pulled her into a tight hug.
The rest of the morning was a blur of breakfast, attending court and receiving presents from courtiers from both kingdoms. Jewelled necklaces and embroidered silks, bouquets of winter roses, hand written well wishes and blessings for prosperity. By midday Tav’s cheeks ached from smiling politely.
By the evening, the palace had transformed entirely for the celebrations. Musicians played from the balconies overlooking the grand ballroom, their songs echoing through halls bathed in candlelight. Noblewomen glittered beneath gold chandeliers, their laughter blending with the clinking of crystal goblets.
Tav danced with dukes and lords she barely knew, accepted endless birthday wishes and endured far too many comments about what a radiant future queen she would make.
“You look exhausted.” Wyll murmured quietly as he reclaimed her for the third dance of the evening.
“I am exhausted.” Tav muttered back, allowing him to guide her into the dance despite the way her slippers already ached against her feet.
“That’s unfortunate.” Wyll said solemnly. “I was just about to challenge you to a duel.”
Tav snorted softly, earning several scandalised glances from nearby nobles.
“You’d lose.”
“I absolutely would not.”
“You cried the last time I beat you at archery.”
“I was fourteen.”
“You still cried.”
Wyll sighed dramatically. “You truly are determined to ruin my image tonight.”
Tav smiled despite herself.
The dance ended beneath applause as the musicians slowed into something softer. Tav noticed the way the ballroom shifted then, subtle but immediate. Conversations quieted. Courtiers turned their attention towards the centre of the room.
Her stomach sank. Wyll seemed to feel it too.
For a brief moment, they simply looked at one another. Then duty settled back over them both like heavy velvet.
Wyll stepped forward, reaching for her hand as nobles gathered closer around them.
“Tavira.” His voice remained steady despite the faint tension she could see lingering beneath it. “For many years now, our kingdoms have looked toward this future with hope.”
Gods, they had rehearsed this.
She could practically hear Ulder correcting his posture and her father insisting she smile softer.
“You are my closest friend,” Wyll continued gently, “and there is nobody I would rather stand beside as we guide our kingdoms into peace.”
Wyll lowered onto one knee, the entire ballroom collectively holding its breath as he presented a delicate ring of gold and violet gemstones.
“Princess Tavira Theodric,” he said carefully, “would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
The room erupted before she had even answered, courtiers already smiling knowingly amongst themselves as though the ending to this story had long since been decided.
Tav looked down at Wyll.
Kind, patient Wyll.
Safe Wyll.
Her oldest friend.
This was what she was supposed to want.
And perhaps, one day, love would follow exactly as everyone promised it would.
“Yes.” Tav smiled softly, offering him her hand. “Of course I will.”
The ballroom burst into applause as Wyll slid the ring onto her finger and rose to his feet. Someone cheered loudly near the back of the hall. Her father looked moments from tears while Ulder beamed proudly beside him.
Wyll leaned close as the musicians began to play once more.
“Well,” he murmured dryly against her ear, “that was terrifying.”
Tav laughed quietly, catching her fathers eye across the room. He offered her a pleased nod, and raised his goblet.
The future of both kingdoms was sealed with applause, gold chandeliers and a kiss pressed carefully against her knuckles rather than her lips.