An Arranged Marriage

Your eyes widened as you heard the news, your fist clenched and your eyes began to water. You couldn't even believe the words coming out of your father's mouth, this couldn't be happening.

"What?!"

Your father suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, "you heard me and do not yell at the table. You are marrying the first prince Ren Kouen." He scolded as he went back to eating.

You were gaping at him as you began to stutter out words, "w-wait! Y-You're just going to sell me off like that?!" You yelled, slamming your fists on the table causing your siblings to flinch and plates to shift.

"Yeah! That's not fair! How come she gets to marry Kouen!"

"I agree!"

Your father sighed as you siblings created a ruckus. He slammed his fist on the table, "QUIET!" He bellowed. All of the loud noise quickly dispersed until nothing was heard.

Your mother only swirled the alcohol in her glass and sighed as the wine showed her reflection, slight bags were under her eyes from exhaustion over the years. It was clear to see that those past years hadn't been good to her.

Your father sneered, "it's the only way to secure this country's safety."

You jaw clenched and you glared at him before you could say something your brother spoke up.

"Now come dear sister, surely you can agree with father's decision."

You glare shifted to your younger brother, he always had to agree with your father terms.

You turned back to your father, who was still idly eating his dinner as if nothing happened. "Excuse me? But what about the heiress to the throne? Once you pass who will take the throne?" You asked as you were the known heiress to the throne after your oldest sister had left and abandoned the kingdom.

Your father thought and then spoke, "the heir to the throne will now be passed on to your brother, Wendell," he said simply as he was the next in line.

You stared at him in disbelief, shot a glare at your brother and then proceeded to leave the room. As you left your servant, Kazue, caught up to you and asked what happened. Kazue had tan skin and a white mustache, as well as white bushy eyebrows, he was also bald. 

You stopped and stood with your fists clenched, "I'm being married off to Kou empire's first prince, Ren Kouen and as per the Kou emperor's request I can't meet him or even see him until the day of the wedding."

His eyes widened slightly, he then frowned, "the nerve of that pompous king! Marrying you without consent," he said, his tone having a slight huff.

You grabbed his hands and looked down at them, "I don't like the idea either, but... Marrying me to Kouen and uniting the kingdom with Kou is the only way to stop the upcoming war."

The kingdom of Ryukyu has been in several disputes and negotiations for the past weeks. War seemed to be just around the corner until the Kou emperor suggested an arranged marriage between you and the first prince to unite the two nations and keep peaceful relations.

Your father liked the idea, after seeing how qualified Kouen was and after hearing of the army of Kou. Although he wouldn't say it to your face, it was also a way of getting rid of you.

Kazue sighed, "you know you are like a daughter to me, I remember taking care of you all those years ago and even now-" he cupped your cheeks and kissed your forehead- "so if this is what you wish for me to do, I will do it. For you."

You smiled and wrapped your arms around him, "thank you."

"Anything for you."