[ WP ] As one of the children of the king , you alwayes knew one day you might be married off to strengthen diplomatic ties to allied nations . You just always expected to marry another human .

I knew my old man would never forgive me. For years I have lived under the old mans all mighty rule, walking on eggshells, peaking around the corners. Always moving from one shadow to the next as silent as my toes would allow. For the past three years I have only wanted one thing, one thing I desire from this world, for my older brother to become the monarch of the family. For the hands that rule the kingdom we reside in currently to become that of my older brothers. A forgiving and overall a new start to my measly life. 
 
 I'll never forget the night I was told of my future marriage, how my father sold me in revenge. With cold dark eyes staring, unforgiving, I eased on the side of caution as I picked at the food in front of me. The glare sharpened and the atmosphere darkened with each bite. The tension was about to break when all the sudden it changed. From night one moment to day the next, my father sat back with a smile, a rare moment in the last few years, all directed in my direction. 
 
 My brother and sisters, the servants, and even the damn dog pulled back in shock. The air was tight, my breath shortened and I waited in what had felt like an eternity of silence, broken only by the old mans white teeth as his smile grew, stretching from ear to ear. Reaching for something obscured by the tables decorations he sat down his silverware. 
 
 `` Boy...'' he spoke softly, amusement dancing in his tone. `` The time has come for you to contribute to this family. You have freeloaded for long enough and as the second born son your future has always been shadowed by your older brother. I have given much thought to this and after some small consideration I have decided to arrange a marriage for you''. With the end of his small speech he reached for his goblet and frank, never taking his eyes off me. 
 
 I was flooded with emotions. Anger at first, sadness, regret for never reconciling with him and then a small flash of hope. I was quick to conceal my smile. Maybe this was my chance to leave to some foreign country filled with adventure. To escape the old mans shadow would be a blessing in disguise. And a wife might not be a bad thing, all circumstances considered. I knew I had to play this right in not to seem over eager at the prosperity of escape. 
 
 Setting my knife and fork down slowly, I appeared, genuinely, shocked. I took everything in and even stared at my brother who watched but did not reveal any emotions. I turned to my father and with a whisper, asked `` when?''. I knew my father well enough and the bastard played dirty. If he knew I was excited, if he thought that I would be happy, it would all fall apart and he would ensure a worse outcome for my future. 
 
 With a returning smile, he took another drink and locked eyes with me, `` Next week. The marriage will take place in the courtyard. Invitations have been sent to the four kingdoms and the tailor has already begun working on your wedding attire''. 
 
 `` Next week'', I blurted, white knuckles grabbing the edges of my seat. `` Next week'' he replied. That was the last of our conversation that night. Small talk between my older brother and that of my younger sisters took place on the far side of the table with my father. I sat alone on my side. I wanted to ask questions but knew there was no point. Who, where, why, how's... none of it mattered. I knew that any further communication in regards to my now soon approaching wedding was irrelevant. His wish, his rule, his way. That's how its been for the last few years. 
 
 The following days were jam packed with activity. The kingdom in which we presided was in a flurry in preparations. The courtyard transformed from a garden to an event hall. Tents were erected. Decorations plastered. Everyone was excited and yet I still knew nothing of what was to come. I had dreams of a gorgeous woman in a far off land. I had worries of some dark and grotesque witch with body covered in warts, straight from the fairy tales we listened to as children. In the end I gave up. Anything would be better than the hell I had created for myself here, in my home. In a place that was once filled with laughter, love, and happiness was now a cage of misery. 
 
 The day of my wedding, I awoke to my father sitting in a plushy chair next to my rooms fireplace. He was deep in a book that I had left on the table. From the looks of it, he had been there for quite some time. I left him in peace for a few moments prior to making my presence known. Setting the book down, he turned to me. 
 
 `` You've been a better sport than that of what I was expecting. I almost feel bad for not discussing with you in more detail, my plans''. 
 
 He was goading me into lashing out. I knew he was, and this I downplayed him to the best of my ability without angering him. 
 
 `` Son, I look forward to this day. I will be standing as your right man in place of your brother. As my son it is my duty to ensure you have a prosperous future and as my blood, you are a reflection on myself, be ready by the mid day bells''. 
 
 And with that he disappeared from my room. I shook my head, finished waking up and grabbed breakfast. The kitchen staff was in a flurry and I was quick to not distract them. Everyone appeared to be happy for me and I was just going through the motions. A puppet without strings, I did my fathers bidding by keeping silent and to the shadows, going along with his desires. 
 
 The last few hours of my being bachelor were not filled with adventure, drinks, friends or food. I had either none of that or very little. I sat in my favorite tree and watched as most of people all over the lands made their way to our castle. Made themselves comfortable and connected. I watched humans interact with all the races of the neighboring kingdoms. 
 
 When the noon bells came, I made my way down the tree and to my room where I was met by a tailor. Washed, dressed and cleaned up I found my self in the gardens not too long after. I stood on the podium engulfed by flowers, banners and people. When my father made his appearance everyone stood and bowed. He stood behind me and with a confidence unmatched by others, the old man looked magnificent in his suit, like a work of art, framed and hung on the cobblestone walls within the great hall. 
 
 While everyone was anxious to meet the soon to be bride, to know who it even was and which kingdom we were strengthening our ties to, my father stepped forward and whispered just loud enough for me to hear and no other. 
 
 `` I want you to remember this day boy, for the rest of your days, today is the day you are married.The music begun to play, signaling the entrance of the bride. `` I also want you to remember how you wronged me. How you took and took and lied''. My heart sank with that. And I tried my best not to hang my head. 
 
 I never expected what was to come. To have spent what little life I had experienced, my destiny was revealed to me. I saw her arm first as she swiveled around, coming from the far end of the garden. It did n't occur to me at first that what I was seeing was not what I had expected. 
 
 Her face was hidden by a veil but her short stature and thick limbs gave her away. A small snout protruded from the veil, lifting it from her face, still hidden but the hint of two tusks. My mind was slower to put the pieces together than I would have liked. After a few seconds that stretched, I came to realize that my very soon to be wife was that of the Warg people. A bipedal species evolved from that of a Warthog. I was in disbelief and more importantly, I was embarrassed and humiliated as some laughs broke out. I stopped caring and turned to my father. 
 
 `` you're a bastard'', I said with wet eyes, mustering as dark and soft a tone as I could `` I will not forgive you for all of eternity''. With that I turned, stood my ground and went through the motions. I hope that my words inflicted some damage on him, but I knew they would n't. Before she was on the podium, I heard him whisper, `` You took my prized Bertha, my prized pig and ate her, this is my revenge son''. 
 
 And that was the last that we would talk. My old man's a bastard and he can keep his kingdom. I carried on for as long as I could. Come time to consummate I could n't and thus I ran. Throwing my heritage to the winds I said `` Fuck it'', and abandoned my life, kingdom, family and Wife. To this day, my people have been at war with the Warg over my actions and while I feel bad and some what responsible. I also feel a freedom in being able to choose my own path as well as wife. 
 
 It took me years before I was able to stomach bacon, The warg people do not eat bacon, respectively so, and the thought of giving it up forever was something I just was n't able to commit to. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

