dark red , dune

II

IVY FELT THE AIR leaving her lungs with every knot that was tied on her corset; she was being dressed for the ceremony— even though everything had already been decided.

she wasn't used to the feeling of so many people being attentive towards her. it's strange actually , everyone asked her if she needed anything , if she was alright , but the one person who never asked her anything was paul.

she didn't like paul. but hell , if she's going to be married to the guy they should try and talk sometimes. but paul kept blocking her out , or that's what ivy thought.

she heard a knock on the door— she turned around , somewhat struggling and saw lady jessica , leto , and paul all standing outside the door waiting for her.

"you look gorgeous miss ivy." leto said with a smile , lady jessica nodded her head in agreement and paul just stood silent.

his eyes stayed on ivy , he didn't say anything. but ivy couldn't tell if the way he was looking at her was good or not.

"let's go ivy." lady jessica said

ivy got off her stool , she walked towards the atreides family and stayed behind with paul. the whole way out the two didn't speak to each other once , paul would look at ivy a couple times , ivy would look at paul but that was it.

once they were at the doors paul put his hand on ivy's lower back causing her to flinch.

"sorry" paul whispered to her.

ivy stayed quiet , paul's hand stayed still and firm. the two did not talk , they knew that once the people saw them they had to act and fool the people that they were in love.

they stood outside , right next to lady jessica and leto. paul giving smiles— his hand moving from ivy's back to around her waist.

a group of people emerged from the ship , ivy tensed up.

paul slightly turned his head , "stop being so tense , relax a little." he whispered in ivy's ear.

she relaxed a bit— paul pulled her more towards him as they stayed quiet and waiting for the people to speak.

the man bowed— "by the grace of shaddam IV of house corrino , ascendant to the golden lion throne of padisihah emperor of the known universe , i stand before you as herald of the change. we are witnessed by members of the imperial corp."

ivy looked at all the people standing behind him , she could feel herself about to tense up again.

"....and as sister of the bene gesserit." this time both lady jessica and ivy tensed up , paul was confused— he had no idea why ivy was acting like this.

he continued to listen , "the emperor has spoken. house atreides shall immediately take control of arrakis and serve as its steward." he said putting the scroll away— "do you accept?" he asked leto.

leto stepped forward , "we are house atreides , there is no call we do not answer there is no faith that we betray. the emperor asks us to bring peace to arrakis , house atreides accepts." he shouted , causing the people to begin shouting.

paul turned towards ivy— "see that wasn't so bad was it?" he said , ivy couldn't tell if he was mocking her for being so tense or actually being caring.

-

"i have a surprise for you." paul told ivy , "since we don't like each other very much , guess who came back that we can talk to instead of each other?" paul asked his fiancé.

ivy immediately smiled , "duncan! he's back?!" ivy shouted. she wanted to run out of the room and go looking for him.

duncan was one of the only people who didn't treat ivy like a princess. he genuinely cared for her and gave her advice , and even helped her train when she felt like she was losing her touch.