Chapter Text
Tyler Navarro had just turned eighteen years old, meaning he needs to get married to continue the family bloodline.
He had been staring at the dying sun from his balcony for quite a while now.
Marriage.
What's supposed to be a ceremony of happiness and love. Yet, he doesn't feel either of those things right now.
Tyler steps back inside as the temperature drops and the sky turns black. He toys with the frills on his sleeve.
Tomorrow, he's supposed to go through a list of women from nearby kingdoms and choose one that he likes to marry.
He keeps fiddling with the ends of his sleeves as he's sat down on the edge of his bed.
He's not really sure how he could just look at someone and choose them to be his wife.
~
“Do you think I’d be a good husband?” He asked the maid who was assisting in his bedtime routine.
“Of course, I do, sir!” She answered enthusiastically.
Tyler knew she was just saying that to make him feel good. She’s paid to say that. He wants an honest answer from someone once in a while.
He opens his mouth and closes it shut, then opens it to say something again, then ultimately chooses to not talk.
The maid exits his room and shuts the door.
Tyler’s footsteps feel heavy as they step on each creaking floorboard. He approaches his bed and crawls into it, feeling like he's being forced to.
“...Will I be a good husband..?” Tyler whispered to himself, boring holes into the ceiling as he stared at it. “Of course I will…” He murmured, mocking the maid's reply from earlier.
He properly laid down and shut his eyes, thinking about the next day, wondering what he’d do, what sort of outcomes would happen, who’d he choose… and… he can sense himself not being able to sleep from this constant thinking.
~
Tyler sits at the throne down the long hall, right beside his father.
He’s declined about eight women already. He actually hasn't cared to listen to their reasoning to marry him. Hell, he's barely glanced at them.
Tyler glanced across at the guards lined up against the marble pillars on the sides of the hall. He realized he’s been looking at the princesses’ guards more than the princesses.
And when he waves his hand away to another princess, he catches himself looking at this new princess's knight.
He can't really see this knight's face, just his eyes. His dark brown, piercing eyes. Tyler can see the furrowed and bushy eyebrows through the helmet.
He tears his eyes away to look at the princess this time and his heart skips a beat or two.
“Maybe this is the one?” Tyler asks in his head. He barely stares at the princess or even hears what she's saying.
He suddenly realizes she's waiting for his answer.
“Tyler?” James Navarro cuts in, making Tyler blink a couple of times. “Is Shelby Watkins going to be another no?” He questions.
“No!- I mean, not as in ‘No, I don't choose her.’ I’ll- I’ll marry her,” Tyler spews out.
He walks down the platform his throne lays on and steps forward to Shelby, taking her hand and swiftly planting a kiss on it, giving her a shy grin.
Tyler sneaks a glance at the knight beside her. The man’s eyes were dark and unwavering, watching Tyler carefully.
Everything else was a bit of a blur. Days flashed by of constant preparation, commotion filling the castle each second, even the people outside the walls chatted about the upcoming wedding.
Tyler marched through the corridors during the night. He examined the banners laid across the walls, flowers wrapped around the pillars, and the tidy floor.
He stared down at his feet, watching each step he took. He really should be in bed by now but couldn't seem to fall asleep at all. Tyler’s been up for a couple nights now wondering how the marriage would go.
What if Shelby didn't like him? What if he didn't like her? What if, what if, what if, what if… what if he just doesn't like women at all?
That sudden thought made him stop in his tracks.
What a ridiculous idea. How could Tyler even think of that? What would his father think? Hell, what would anyone in the kingdom think? The young prince Navarro, not interested in women. He scolded himself and brushed those thoughts away, burying them deep inside his head again.
He does like women. Maybe not particularly the woman he’s chosen but he does like women. He's attracted to them. He’s had a crush or two.
Tyler continued his nightly stroll, heading back upstairs.
Not liking women… not enjoying the thought of marriage, how could Tyler ever think of such things?
He sat down at his roll top desk, opening a drawer to the right and took out his dusty journal. Tyler flipped through the pages until he stopped at an empty page. He wrote down the date and started to jot down his feelings.
“In about two days, I’ll get married. I’m supposed to be happy. It's a day of happiness, why shouldn't I be happy?” He scribbled down on the parchment, debating if he had spelt ‘happiness’ correctly before shrugging and continuing to write. “I had an odd thought tonight. I wondered if I was attracted to women at all. It was a really stupid idea. I know I like women. I’m getting married to one! So why did I ever think of that?” He set the pen and journal back into the drawer and went over to lay down in his bed.
Tyler knew he wasn't going to fall asleep so easily. It’ll probably take an hour for him to really nestle into bed properly.
~
It was finally time for the ceremony. Tyler was in the middle of testing out his suit. His stylist was straightening out his tie and adjusting the fabric around his body. His hair was getting smoothed out by someone else. Tyler glanced up at the mirror across from him. He watched silently as his curls were brushed softly.
Tyler looked good. The scarlet suit wrapped around his body just fine, it complimented him perfectly. He saw how his hair was swept and stuck there with a hair product. His stylist had finished adjusting with his sleeves so he dropped his arms to his sides.
That same nervous tick came back again, he began to fondle with the end of his sleeve. Tyler remembered he shouldn't be messing with them and immediately stopped, he glared down at them, seeing them all wrinkled now. His fingers twitched, aching to foil them again. He swallowed and let out a shaky breath.
“Are you ready, Tyler?” James asked with his hand resting on his son’s shoulder.
His head perked up to make eye contact with James. “I'm a bit.. nervous,” well that was one way to describe what he was feeling, it wasn't exactly accurate, but he couldn't seem to properly describe this weird feeling. “But, I’m ready.” The words on his tongue didn't feel right, like they were sour and just fell out of his mouth.
Tyler waited at the altar.
Shelby began to slowly amble down the aisle.
She was gorgeous. Tyler knew that. Her hair was pinned up nicely, her dress dragged on the ground behind her, it was flowy, matching beautifully with gloves, veil, and jewelry.
Tyler can understand that Shelby looked amazing, that he looked charming. He saw the hushed awes that people let out when they saw the two of them. He heard the sniffles when Shelby stopped at the altar to stand in front of Tyler.
The priest's words were pretty much muffled for him. He tried to listen. He really did. All he did was stare at Shelby under the veil. His eyes darted to her eyes. Her eyes were dark and for some reason… he could sense something other than joy behind those eyes. A glimpse of an emotion that he cannot tell.
“Do you, Tyler Navarro, take Shelby Watkins to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you honor and cherish her; love, trust, and commit to her, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw at you both, until death do you part?”
Hearing his name made Tyler snap back into reality. A smile crawled up his lips as he took Shelby’s hands in his. “I do,” he stated. Again, the words that escaped his lips didn't feel right.
“Do you, Shelby Watkins, take Tyler Navarro to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you honor and cherish him; love, trust, and commit to him, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw at you both, until death do you part?”
Shelby looked up at Tyler and returned his grin. “I do,” she confirmed, digits wrapping around Tyler’s a bit tighter.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest announced. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Tyler inched forward the second he said that, then he stopped for a moment.
His gut seemed to twist, nothing about this wedding felt right.
Shelby seemed to pause as well. Lips centimeters away from each other, yet the two couldn't seal the kiss just quite yet.
Tyler could feel everyone anticipating for the two of them to kiss already. They were waiting, staring, staring so hard they were boring holes into them.
He slowly pressed his lips onto Shelby’s. They separated after a couple of seconds. A couple of seconds too many for Tyler’s liking.
He then heard people clap for them. He leaned back and looked at the guests in their seats.
They were all so happy. Smiling at him and Shelby. Some were even crying. They're happy. Shelby seemed happy. The priest was happy. He felt like the only reason he was smiling right now was because his brain just wanted him to copy everyone else.
As his eyes scanned the people in the ceremony, he then stopped at the guards at the door. There was that same guard. Tyler can only tell from those dark eyes of his.
The corner of his lips played a wider grin at the sight of the knight.
The wedding seemed to go smoothly. People congratulated him as they walked by. He cut the cake, he had a dance with his bride, they painted a picture of excited newlyweds.
~
The ceremony came to a very slow end. Tyler and Shelby went back to the castle, they were sent to a room across from Tyler’s bedroom to get to know each other more.
“I heard you're really into dinosaurs.” Tyler said to clear the awkward silence between them.
Shelby lit up at the sudden opportunity to talk about paleontology. “I am! My friend works at a library, well she owns it - family business. I always visited and I’ve always picked up books about dinosaurs!”
“Me too! Well, I probably don't know as much as you.” Tyler explained. Maybe he will like her. Although, this ‘like’ feels… less than romantic. He might just need to get to know her more. He’s bound to fall in love.
Tyler finds himself roaming through his castle walls again. He couldn't seem to fall asleep. Again. He was beginning to wonder if something was wrong with him.
He bonded with Shelby. He kissed her. He danced with her. And yet he doesn't feel a bit of attraction towards her.
Tyler can hear the clanking of a knight’s armor approaching him. The noise made him have a brief thought of Shelby’s own guard. The knight that was closing in was probably going to ask why Tyler was up so late, why he wasn't with his lady.
He should just try to sleep or something. He's exhausted. He was tired at the ceremony. The constant restless nights have been getting to him. So he quietly heads back to bed, not knowing that the guard that was trotting down the hallway he was in, had been the guard he's been eyeing for days.
Waking up with someone beside him was a strange sensation. When Tyler sat up, being woken up from glares of sunlight seeping through the window curtains, he had realized how far away he and Shelby were.
Weren't married couples usually cuddled up or something? The two of them looked like they were about to fall off of either side of bed from how much distance was between them.
He reached over to shake Shelby awake. Both of them had a breakfast banquet waiting for them downstairs. Their families will be sitting together to eat and talk about how their kingdoms will collide.
“Shelby?” He asked.
She gave out an annoyed hum and got up. “I’m up, I’m up..”
They both sat there quietly. Tyler was drumming the mattress with his fingers. “I don't know if I really wanna go to that banquet.” Shelby admitted.
Tyler glanced over at her, surprised that she said that. “You know what? Me too,” Tyler laid back down.
“Buuut.. I know my dad. He runs a stern business. All about money.” Shelby forced herself to plant her feet on the cold, wooden floors.
“He cares,” Tyler commented. “I mean, I’ve seen him, he cares about you.”
She just answered with a simple head nod. They forced a smile when they made eye contact.
Tyler let Shelby take the bathroom to change. He quickly shifted into more formal attire and waited for her to come out.
She stepped out in a pink dress.
She’s stunning. A thought that was shoved into Tyler’s head.
He let her link her arm around his before heading downstairs into the dining hall. They sat in the two empty chairs next to each other in the middle of the table.
Tyler’s eyes searched the room, darting around frantically. He saw the guards from yesterday at the doors. Their irises were too light to be the knight he was aiming for.
He then stopped at his and Shelby’s father. He couldn't quite make out what they were saying from all of the other people's conversations. Something about unifying, sharing money.
Tyler stole a glance at Shelby, seeing the uneasy expression laid on her face. Even if he can't see himself, he can tell that he was making the same face.
He had to play the good husband though, he shouldn't be uncomfortable around his new wife. So he leaned over. “Shelby?” He first asked to bring her attention to him. “Are you okay? You seem a little… off.”
She peered at him for a second before nodding. “Yeah! Yeah, I’m great.” She lied, being a tad louder than she wanted to. Shelby coughed and patted her chest to clear up the awkward octave. “Absolutely perfect.” She added, in a more normal tone.
Tyler nodded, picking up a fork and knife, slicing into a cooked sausage. He took a bite and chewed. Chewed slowly. These were the same sausages he’s had before and now they taste off. Everything is just off for him now.
He tries to convince himself that he's just nervous, he needs to get used to the new marital status.
After forcing himself to swallow the rest of the sausages, eggs, and salad, he set the cutlery down and peeked over at Shelby’s own plate. She was probing the food around with her fork, twisting it around her fingers.
“Hey,” he nudged her softly, speaking in a low voice. “You don't like the food?”
“Not really.” She mumbled, putting the fork down on the side.
“We should just leave.” Tyler suggested.
Her eyebrow quirked at the rebellious idea. Shelby took a quick look around before smiling and nodding.
The two hurriedly got out of their seats and rushed to the door.
Tyler headed to his original bedroom whilst Shelby was bolting outside. He stopped in his tracks. “Where are you going?”
“Oh, uhm, the library,” she scurried to a stop. “The one my friend owns.”
“You could get caught leaving.” Tyler stated.
Shelby huffed and walked over to him, figuring she should just hang out with him or something.
“Well- leaving the front door atleast.” He added, the statement making her grin.
Tyler led her to his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He opened the door to his balcony. He inspected if anyone was at the ground, leaning over the railing. “I think you can go,” he looked back at her and extended his hand. “You can climb down this ivy. It’s safe, I’ve done it a couple times.”
Shelby eyed the long ivy crawling up the wall. “Areeee.. you sure?” She questioned.
“Yes. I’m sure,” he rolled his eyes, urging her to take his hand again. “It’s on a trellis. It’s sturdy.”
She grabbed his hand and cautiously approached the railing, draping her leg over the ledge and planting her foot firmly on the other side.
Tyler continued to hold her as she stepped over and got on the ledge properly. She grabbed into the trellis and then put her other hand on it. She noticed the trellis was thicker than a normal one, the sides of it were worn out and there seemed to be noticeable dents where a shoe would fit.
“Did you make this just to sneak out?”
“I- maybe!” Tyler admitted shyly. “I just like going on hikes, and I’m not allowed to go outside without guards surrounding me all of the time.”
Shelby hummed in agreement, continuing to carefully step down the trellis. She reoriented herself as her feet touched the ground.
There was a pounding sound at Tyler's door, making his eyes widen. “You need to go!” He called out.
She nodded her head jerkily, she got a few steps in before turning back. “Tyler!”
He turned back from the door to Shelby.
“Thank you,” she smiled, then ran to the library.
Tyler hastily shut the balcony door and rushed to answer the person at the door. He fumbled with the doorknob and swung it open.
“Tyler!” His dad exclaimed. “I was looking for you.”
“Were you?” Tyler’s voice cracked as he joked. He made himself smile.
“Where did you and Shelby go?”
“Just- just bonding. Getting to know my… my lovely wife,” Tyler felt like he had just ran a marathon. He attempted to calm down his breathing, to look as casual as possible.
James nodded with a ‘knowing’ grin. He left at that, assuming he was leaving Shelby and Tyler alone.
Tyler closed the door, a soft click sound as it was shut. He sighed and stumbled to his bed, sitting down on the edge of it.
As he sat there, he wondered why Shelby had raced to the library, just to see her friend. Maybe she wanted to tell them the good news? Wanted to inform all of the things that happened during the wedding? But then again, she didn't look entirely excited. Well, she had that joyous look on her face, it didn't reach her eyes.
Admittedly, Tyler knew he was faking the blithe look, and he can tell that Shelby was as well.
They didn't like each other.
Yet.
He just needs to lie to himself until he genuinely falls in love with her.