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1honeymilkwrites1 · 7 months

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Frozen Blossoms

Bi-Han x F! reader

POV: You get pushed into an arranged marriage you didn't ask for, and it's to the heir of the Lin Kuei.

Tags&notes: drabble (for now?), arranged marriage AU, SFW, exploring emotions, Bi-Han can't process his emotions properly, Pre-MK1 or maybe it's an MK1 AU??

Your eyes bore into the reflection staring back at you. Your lips were painted red to match the deep shade of the dress that graced your body. A color you found uneasily fitting for the clan you were to marry into. Your hair was neatly tied back with a golden pin to hold it in place. The gems on the pin were in stark contrast to your dress, a shade of blue you had grown familiar with.

Chatter amongst your mother and relatives had faded into white noise as you yet again tried to grasp the reality of your impending future.

You were to be married off to secure an alliance with the Lin Kuei.

Initially, you had thought your parents were playing a cruel joke on you (they were never ones to do so, but you had still hoped). They explained the gravity of the situation. You knew that strife had been increasing in the area and that the Lin Kuei would offer protection that no one dared to rival. Your father shared similar ideals of honor and duty that the Grandmaster was privy to. However, the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei would not be so foolish as to strike up a deal without asking for something in return. Of course, your clan offered resources they found valuable, but it still would not be enough.

It just so happened that his oldest son was to take over the title soon, and that tradition deemed it necessary for him to take a bride.

And so you became the prized bargaining piece.

Naturally, the exchange of your hand in marriage for an alliance weaved its way into conversations between the clans.

Now here you were.

Your eyes trailed toward the door before a veil was placed upon your face. Could you make a run for it at this point? No, there’d be too many to stop you.

Your heart began to beat faster. Bi-Han was his name. He was always cold, much suited for the cryomancer. When the marriage talks began he seemed indifferent, you did not blame him; it wasn’t like you were ecstatic either.

But at the engagement, he didn’t appear happy. You sat across from him, his eyes pierced through you as if he wanted to disintegrate you on the spot. Yet he carried on his duties of presenting the betrothal gifts, which you accepted (it wasn’t as if you had a choice).

You wondered if he would look at you with the same animosity at the wedding ceremony.

—————

You proceed with the ceremony, ever the dutiful daughter. You repeat the vows like clockwork, as does he. You notice how stoic he sounds and you at least attempt to sound happy, albeit not very convincing.

Your families both rejoice, pleasantries and congratulations echo through the air. More so directed towards the respective families than they are at you or Bi-Han.

The rest of the night is spent masquerading under the facade of an eager, happy bride.

None saw through it, or maybe they did, and you chose to ignore their looks of pity. If they had been concerned, they could have spoken on your behalf prior.

Your mother would shoot you a sympathetic glance every so often, engulf you in her arms, and hold you for longer than needed, not that you truly minded. Maybe it was her way of attempting an apology. Yet you didn’t blame her for being complacent. She was no stranger to arranged marriages and this one was needed for the overall good. You will miss her at your new home.

On occasion, you felt as if you were catching the glances of the Grandmaster’s second son. He appeared understanding, his eyes shone kinder than your husband’s. You knew of the Grandmaster’s adopted son as well, he would smile whenever you looked his way.

His brothers seemed kind, why couldn’t Bi-Han come off that way?

Then again, perhaps you were jumping to conclusions. Who’s to say Bi-Han wasn’t as kind? Maybe his serious demeanor was just a front, the same way you kept up your own.

You would be able to tell later on.

Hopefully.

You don’t notice Bi-Han eyes drifting towards you while you remain lost in thought.

—————

The wedding concludes just as fast as it began. You were yearning for the end of it, yet dreading it at the same time.

You exchanged words of gratitude with the guests and said your goodbyes to your family. Reality was starting to hit you at this point. You were going to begin life anew with someone you considered a stranger at heart.

You tried to shake off the thoughts as you were ushered to your new bedroom. Moonlight shone through the windows onto the bed, sheets fitted a shade of crimson with flower petals decorating it. You bit your lip as you changed into your sleeping attire and sat on the bed. A few candles burned nearby, and you wondered if they were aphrodisiacs.

Tradition expected you to consummate your union on the wedding night, but surely he’d understand if you were nervous? You barely knew him… although you had to admit he was physically attractive. His eyes were piercing, his physique enticing, especially his biceps. You could feel the heat rise to your cheeks. You couldn’t help but wonder if he was well endowed…

What were you thinking? Perhaps it was your brain’s attempt to calm your nerves,

Time continued to pass by, and Bi-Han still hadn’t arrived. Where was he? Was he even coming?

You couldn’t stifle the yawn that hit you. Maybe he was busy talking to his brother or father? Or maybe he wouldn’t come.

Your mind began to wander. Maybe he had a lover he was saying goodbye to? Or maybe he had run away with a lover. You shook your head,

‘He wouldn’t, not if he’s as responsible and serious as he comes off as.’

You found yourself lying down and resting your head against the pillow. Hopefully, it would not come off as disrespectful. You were just relaxing until he showed up; if he showed up at all.

—————

You fell asleep, you didn’t mean to but the ceremony had exhausted you.

Bi-Han found you sprawled out on the bed, the blanket residing at your feet.

Truthfully, he avoided coming inside the bedroom. He had been pacing around in the main quarters before his father found him. The Grandmaster offered him words of advice and congratulations, which he begrudgingly accepted.

He had also spoken with Kuia Liang and briefly with Thomas. They both seemed to sense his disdain no matter how much he tried to veil it. They advised him to be kind and understanding of how his new bride must be feeling.

How would you be feeling? What stress would you have? You married into the strongest clan Earthrelm had. He on the other hand, now had one more burden to manage.

He hated the idea of an arranged marriage. He didn’t want to be tied down nor distracted from his duties as part of the Lin Keui. However, he knew it was necessary if he was to take on the role of Grandmaster after his father.

His mother and father had their marriage arranged as well. Bi-Han had a suspicion that they had feelings for one another before their engagement, at least that’s what his mother would allude to.

His new bride seemed to be adverse towards him. You barely looked at him, you barely spoke. Why were you so rude?

Both his father and yours had made arrangements between you two to interact prior to the wedding, yet you seemed out of touch. At clan banquets you were indifferent.

He had seen you with others. He had watched you before, prior to the public proposal of an engagement between you two. His curiosity had gotten the best of him so he had kept an eye on you at meetings and other affairs. You were lively, a smile could be found on your lips more often than not. You would speak with passion. You found enjoyment in training with your fellow clan mates. You had a habit of cracking your knuckles when nervous.

He tells himself he only became interested in watching you to better assess the situation; to see what he was getting himself into, or rather what his father had gotten him into.

Why were you so different with him compared to the others? He saw how you interacted with Thomas and Kuia Liang. Did you prefer them over him?

Bi-Han clenched his jaw. What did he lack that made you so apprehensive? He is second in command to his father, he maintains his form, and he fulfills any duty that is required of him. What more could you want in a partner?

Either way, this was an arrangement, he need not be so concerned with the actual ‘happiness’ of this marriage. He would fulfill his duties and he would expect you to fulfill yours.

Yet here you were, already failing at that.

Did you not want to consummate the marriage? Were you so careless towards tradition?

His eyes narrowed at your sleeping form. Did you have a lover? Is that why you were being so distant? If you did he would find out sooner or later, and he would deal with that nuisance swiftly.

He stepped closer. Your eyes were closed and the rhythm of your breathing was steady.

Now, he would be lying if he said he didn’t find you visually appealing.

Your lips looked soft and supple, your eyes warm yet inquisitive, your hands delicate compared to his.

Bi-Han scowled, what was he thinking? Was he already so easily distracted?

He groaned as he prepared himself to sleep. He had an early morning tomorrow, as were most mornings. His father and brother offered him the chance to stay in with his bride, but he wouldn’t bother. His duties towards the Lin Kuei stopped for no one.

As he gets into his side of the bed he notices you shivering and pulls the blanket over your sleeping form. He is able to do that much.

He doesn’t bother to cover himself, why bother when he is accustomed to the cold.

He maintains a noticeable distance between you two and turns his back away from you before he allows himself to fall into a slumber.

————

You wake up the following morning. The spot next to you is empty.

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