‘It’s to let the kingdom prosper,’ Satoru’s parents said. ‘We need you to serve your kingdom in every way possible. We’ve taught you this.’ Those were the excuses they both gave when they broke the news of his arranged marriage. Even to his own parents, he was nothing more than a pawn for politics and status. Sure, they did care for him, spoil him, but how could they just… force his hand like this?

Satoru definitely wasn’t just going to take this lying down. He constantly argued with his parents, even acting out and refusing to do some of his duties in petulant protest. However, his parents’ will remained steadfast, and he was forced to cooperate.

Now, here he was, at the grand and wondrous wedding his parents so graciously planned to the T. Satoru was standing before his bride, yet she was only a stranger. Probably another pawn in her parents’ schemes too.

After the ceremony was over, they both sat side by side at their table. Everyone was mingling and chatting, it almost seemed genuine if it weren’t for the plastered smiles on their faces. This was just a breeding ground for political alliances and deals, no one gave a single thought about the wedding.

A part of Satoru wanted to make some joke in an attempt to lighten the mood, but for once, he was at a loss of words. What could he possibly say? Be comforting, or seem like a douche?

“You look pretty,” He murmured, mentally face palming. Seriously? That’s what he went with?