Chapter Text
"Can't believe my father is forcing me to wed her. Of all the people." Arin mumbles, buttoning up their dress shirt. "I'm hardly even eighteen. Hell of a birthday gift, get married, without a choice."
Arin's eyes glance around the room. It's covered in her face. Her stupid, stupid face.
They finish buttoning up their shirt, and then move towards one of the larger posters plastered to the wall.
They reach up, prepared to tear it down.
A pain hits their back, and they freeze, eyes glued to the face of Mina Ha, their betrothed.
Suddenly, it doesn't look all that bad anymore. That glare that could burn someone down makes Arin's legs feel like jelly. All they can think of now, is how pretty she is, their mind blurring.
They don't notice as the arrow in their back evaporates, or as the Cupid outside of the open window behind them, flees.
Today is the day! Today is the day where Mina will get everything her parents told her was important; a fortune of the Gods.
The Fairfax Inheritance.
Mina looks over at the photo of her betrothed in the mirror. She sneers, disgusted by it.
She's being tied up into her dress — one she designed herself, she couldn't trust anyone else to make it perfectly.
"Hurry up!" She snaps at her handmaids. "And someone bring me something to drink!"
The drink that Mina is handed is a deep red. She sniffs it, finding it is odourless. She takes a sip, fruity and floral and magical. She stares into the eyes of the photo of Arin Fairfax as the drink is absorbed into her body, her mind hazing over.
All Arin can remember is a blur, until they can see the beautiful woman from their photos walking down the aisle. She's in a gorgeous white dress, and it takes a moment for their mind to catch up that she's getting married.
The hurt they feel is short-lived, as that beautiful woman, Mina Ha, stands in front of them. Mina is getting married to Arin. Their heart soars. The can't even hear the officiant over the glee in their heart and mind.
Mina is walked down the Aisle, to see Arin's face and body standing there at the altar waiting for her. Arin, who she can barely think about being ugly and looking stupid now, all she feels is a deep, aching yearning for them.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."