Marriage Candidate
Prompt: Period piece where Reader’s father is an emperor who sets a hunting contest to see which suitor deserves your hand in marriage. Reader is part of the hunting contest as well.
Gender: fem!Reader
A/N: No animals were harmed in the making of this oneshot. 😂 This the first time I am trying a choose your own adventure fic. Pick your favorite character and go on an adventure with them~.Â
Word Count: 1,314
“As we know, the winner will be eligible to pick any man or woman they wish to marry. Rejection is forbidden. Oh, would you look at the time? I shall cut my speech short as it is nearly time for the contest to begin,” the short, boisterous man glanced towards the contestants on the right of the stage. “Would each contestant step forward and introduce yourself? Also, add who you are interested in marrying if you win the contest.”
You accepted the microphone and cleared your throat, “I am the Princess of the Northern Territories-“
“Ah, yes. Who does not know your family-” the event organizer interrupted but quickly became silent when you glared at him.
“The man I am interested in marrying is…”
All the heads of the families waited with bated breath and prayed you would call the name of one of their sons. An alliance with you would give them social status and power and make it easier for them to puppeteer anyone they pleased.
You glanced over at the man who had caught your eye a lot time ago and smiled.
“Sin.”
He began to hear people around him murmur but was not surprised. Women were attracted to his looks but when they learned he was the silent time or spoke in riddles, they rejected him.
“Takami.”
Well, he was not expecting you to say his name, but what a pleasant surprise – pleasant to him, at least, he can’t say the same for the people who whispered around him. After all, he didn’t have a great reputation and was associated with shady business.
“Kasumi.”
Wait, you knew his name? His family had taught him to maintain a low profile since he was a child because they wanted him to be a special “asset” to the family. To fulfill their wish, he never spoke to anyone openly, dressed as plainly as he could, and always tried to blend in with the crowd.
“Taiga.”
Wait wait wait wait…WHAT? Him, you were interested in him? The younger son of a barely known family that did nothing except lazy around all day? He wasn’t even supposed to come to this gathering in the first place. Nekome had to tend to a situation, so they sent him as nothing more than a replacement for his older brother.
So, how did he catch the attention of the emperor’s daughter?
You weren’t happy to hear the people whispering about your decision. If your father gave you the freedom to select your husband, who were they to comment on your decision? Why did it matter to them who you chose?
After all the contestants announced the names of their potential bride or groom, the event organizer grabbed his gun and fired a shot into the air. “The event has officially commenced. May the contestant with the strongest desire emerge as the victor!”
‘Strongest desire?’ Your expressions darkened. You had to face countless struggles for months just to get permission from your father to enter this contest. Ever since you were a child, you only had one simple wish – to marry the man of your choice.
The older you grew, the more you realized that your wish was not as simple as you thought. Your title held power, the kind of power people would do anything to have, and to protect the throne and the citizens of your kingdom, the king chose to strip away your rights to select your own marriage partne. Then, you heard about this contest and decided to convince your father to let you enter. For weeks on out, he said no, but you didn’t give up, not after hearing that he would be one of the marriage candidates.Â
This was your only chance to make your wish a reality, and you were not going to lose. Your trusted helpers gathered the necessary equipment and followed you on your warpath.
Within two hours, you gathered many prizes, and though you had the energy, your attendants begged you to take a break. You headed towards a large tree to rest but stopped when you heard the sounds of leaves crunching from behind. Grabbing your hunting rifle, you spun around to hit a potential target but gasped and quickly lowered your gun. What was he doing here? Was he following you for the past two hours?
“What are you doing here? Only the contestants are allowed on these grounds. You will get me into trouble.”
“I apologize, but would you answer one question?”
His low, deep voice sent a shiver down your spine. Was his voice always this sexy? Was this the reason he didn’t talk much? He didn’t want to attract even more attention from women than he already does. Brushing aside your thoughts, you nodded, “Sure, but please make it quick.”
“Why me?”
You pressed your lips firmly together, not wanting to reveal your heart to him. “Would a simple “I like you” answer your question?”
He chuckled, “It would. Then, I shall take my leave.”
Sin turned around but glanced at you over his shoulder one more time. “I hope you win.”
“I know, and I apologize. I will take my leave shortly,” he smiled, “I am certain you are aware of my reputation, so would you mind telling me why you chose me?”
“If you don’t mind, can I turn the question around on you? Did you want me to choose you?”
Takami’s eyes widened, but he regained his composure and chuckled, “You are far more interesting than I assumed. Not at all. I am honored you selected me. Well, then, I will take my leave before I get you disqualified.”
“Alright. Be careful on your way back.”
He stopped a few feet away, and without turning around, he said, “I will be waiting at the finish line to celebrate with you.”
“Ah, s-sorry! I wanted to ask you a question. I promise to leave after you answer,” he whispered.
“Let me guess,” you playfully tapped your right index finger on your chin, “you want to know why I chose you?”
Kasumi smiled and nodded, “Also, would you please reconsider your decision?”
Reconsider? You shifted your weight from your right foot to your left and averted his gaze. Kasumi knew it was inappropriate to ask you directly, but if you brought him into the spotlight, his family’s mission would remain unfulfilled.
“I am so-”
“Kasumi, I don’t know why you want me to reconsider, but can we talk about this after the contest?” The heaviness in your voice tugged at his heart.
“Sure. Princess (y/n), I am sorry,” he bowed and began heading out of the area, but before he vanished from your sight, Kasumi turned around and met your gaze. “Forget I asked that question. Be sure to win the contest.”
“I know…I almost got hit by a bullet,” he mumbled.
“Wait, they didn’t see you, right?”
“No, I hid in time. Princess (y/n), look…I wasn’t supposed to be here today. Nekome, my older brother, was…is the original marriage candidate. It’s better if you choos-”
“Taiga, I didn’t make a mistake,” you chuckled. “I meant to choose you. I know who Nekome is, but I like you better.”
His jaw dropped at your confession. Most women who visit his family as potential marriage candidates prefer Nekome, so how were you more attracted to him than his brother? Taiga didn’t know what to say.
“So, my dear, Taiga. If you have received your answer, could you return to the main event area? I don’t want you to get hurt, nor do I want to be disqualified.”
“Y-Yeah. Oh…um…good luck…hope you win.”
As you watched him leave, your cheeks turned red. His words motivated you even more, but you couldn’t help but rethink his last words. Does this mean he likes you?