｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა unmarried au! ໒꒱┈• ｡ﾟ

The young prince thrived in a growing castle, always under construction as the kingdom progressed, and the royal family dug its roots into the rich, new soil. The first born son to a first born son, the new kingdom needed to be strong, perfect, even. The pressure to be as perfect as his father and his father before him nearly crushed him the first time he wore his crown on his head. The gold, accentuating his royalty, also underlined the burden of his future.

Such fantasies of love felt so far away, despite his own parents being a love match. It felt as though a hand was guiding him to be perfect in every aspect. His shot was excellent, his intelligence in his studies were exemplary, and his physical capabilities while hunting and training were perfectly calculated.

By the time he became King, he decided it was time to find someone as ‘perfect’ as he was, for the lack of a better word. Someone tolerable, dutiful, suitable enough hips for childbearing, and at least half a brain. The last bit was more of a preference, than a requirement. The concept of feelings were pushed to the back of his mind, for reasons he couldn’t name…

The sound of his mother sobbing over his father, lying motionless in their room. The way she rubbed the pale face of the late king, how broken the sight of her beloved there— it fully changed Odysseus.

…

Odysseus had made a list. Many ladies of the ton were written out in a book. During calling hours, he’d visit them on the list, ending up crossing out after he was back home. His pen scribbled across names, harder, depending on how aggravating the visit was. Then, at night, he’d relieve stress with a pleasing face at another brothel. Day in, day out, searching for a tolerable wife while the sun was high, then working off the frustration between legs as any man did in this era.

His head ached in pain while he sat at his desk, praying to the Gods. Hera, not Aphrodite, for the process to hurry along.