Married to Duke Atreides [Paul Atreides x Reader fanfic] Dune (2021)

When I Met Duke Atreides

"Nothing is fair in love and war."

From "Muad'dib: Family Commentaries"
By The Princess Irulan

Caladan is so blue.

One of the first things you noticed about Caladan was the blueness of the sky, the water, and the sea. This sense of solemn nostalgia made you feel some sort of eerie comfort, especially right after landing on this ocean planet.

You admired the pureness of nature; how its will is unpredictable, wild, and unforgiving. The crisp wind raking through your dress, the refreshing mist dancing in the air, and the swirling of the dark clouds over your head - how could you blame the planet's nature? It was something you could grow to love.

And when you met him, you felt his unstoppable nature. Paul Atreides could not be described in the same way as Caladan's nature. He was more than that. A wild force of his own. Someone you didn't know you could love right from the first sight.

He was beautiful and you felt him seduce you as both of you greeted each other. His charming smile struck your heart like lightning and made you tremble like a rumble of thunder in return. The way his eyes followed your every move, wherever you walked or whenever you idled by, perhaps he wanted you to notice his stare from how obvious he was making it.

Even before meeting Paul Atreides, you were told about your role. You overheard the conversation your parents had with the Reverend Mother. Her voice was cold, void, and demanding when she instructed; "There are plans for her to be married into House Atreides."

There was no one here to blame you for taking a liking to the Atreides' heir so quickly. To say that you were excited was a little bit of an understatement. Then again, excited wasn't the best word to describe your emotions. It was strange to pinpoint your feelings.

Looking at Paul, you saw your admiration being mirrored back. Being young and naive and unaware of the Emperor's schemes might have been enough to set up your downfall - but you could never be blamed. Because how else could you have fought back?

•••

Duke Leto Atreides was also charming in his own way.

When you met the Duke, he reflected your graceful greeting. His smile was one of guarded content, more staged than genuine. Supposedly curated from all the years of meeting important people, near enemies, and wealthy friends.

The older man was quick to step to the side and have his son take over. Perhaps it was discussed that you were to be married into the House, or perhaps it was obvious that Paul already had his eyes set on you - whatever it was, Duke Leto caught on to his son's sudden fixation and allowed this relationship to build on its own.

You tried to remain reserved, calm, and distant, but Paul never failed to make his pursuit for you obvious. At least it didn't take long for both of you to realize that you both wanted each other. You didn't want the others to notice how intense things had gotten, you wanted to keep up a good image.

However, Paul was never bothered by superficial things like that.

•••

Paul kissed you for the first time while walking along the shore.

You remembered the night as clear as a hologram, it constantly replayed in your mind and never failed to make you wither in sweet embarrassment.

It started off as a regular night walk, your racing heartbeat was almost as loud as the crashing waves. Both of you were walking quite close to each other, occasionally stealing glances and filling the bubbling silence with comments about the weather.