The prompt is: "Do you believe in love at first sight?".

Warnings: arranged marriage

When you had first heard that you were supposed to marry the King of Wessex and Mercia you had been enraged.

You had always known that the day would come for your father to choose a match for you, but you had always hoped you could have at least stayed in your homeland.

You were from Northumbria, and though your father, the King of Northumbria, wasn't a supporter of Alfred's 'one England' policy the younger King had somehow weaseled his way into a betrothal with you, most likely to secure a bond to built his strong England.

You had never met the King of Wessex and Mercia, but you had heard a lot about his ambitious plans, his quick and logical thinking, and his health.

The people that had met him said that he was approximately your age, which was a start, since there had been more than enough arranged marriages in which that wasn't the case.

Nevertheless you were happy he was sickly, since it would make you a widow sooner rather than later, and you already disliked your betrothed.

He hadn't done anything to offend or anger you, but the fact that you were going to have to marry him and having to leave your home for it was enough, in your opinion.

It was a late betrothal, that was true, most people got married far earlier, but you had tried to keep out of the marital business, and as it seemed so had the King.

The journey from Northumbria to Winchester was long, hard, and uneventful.

You were traveling with your father and a guard of a dozen men, your mother and siblings remaining in York since your marriage to the King of Wessex and Mercia didn't seem too important to them.

When you reached Winchester you were tired and beaten by the journey, and were in this state greeted by the King and his court as well.

You felt like you looked the part of a highwayman rather than a Princess, your hair disheveled, slightly sweaty and tired, and it angered you to know that this was the first time your betrothed layed eyes on you.

Only when you descend from the horse with the help of one of your footmen did you let your eyes stray for the line of royals in front of the castle, finding the King in the middle of it.

He was young, yes, and for the first time since you knew of the betrothal you didn't mind it all that much.

His long dark hair was framing his face, dark eyes looking back at you with an expression you couldn't quite interpret.

Most men would look at you in a way that made you uncomfortable, but his expression was full of awe if anything.

You waited for your father to approach the line of royals with him before you made your way towards your future husband.

He was beautiful, you had to admit that, and his eyes that caught yours were too captivating to look away.

When you stopped in front of him your heart was racing as you bowed to him, waiting for the first words your husband would ever say to you.

When you came to stand again and looked back up at him you were still waiting.

"Welcome to Wessex, my lady", he pressed out as he finally took his eyes from you, not once looking at you again when he exchanged a few words with your father before he took him inside the castle, leaving you with his mother, who smiled at you in a mix of pity and disdain.

She took you inside, linking her arm with yours as she explained the duties you would have and how to care for the King properly, before stating that she would 'fix you up' as soon as you arrived in your quarters.

The fact that she felt the need to take control of your looks and that your future husband had barely spoken a word to you didn't anger you as much as it hurt you to see his disinterest.

You still didn't want to marry, you didn't want to stay somewhere that wasn't your home and you didn't want to serve a King that wasn't yours, but after seeing him you had felt differently, almost vulnerable, and his disinterest had hurt you far more than you wanted to admit.

During evening meal it was much the same.

You were sat next to your betrothed, but other than short pleasantries he kept silent, keeping his eyes on his plate and excusing himself early, a blush creeping up his cheek as he bid you a good night.

You knew that behavior from being around younger men that didn't know how to behave around a woman, awkward silence or stuttering, but it couldn't be that the King of Wessex and Mercia, a man that had accomplished so much already was as awkward as a boy around his future wife.

The next day you were asked to join the King for a walk through the gardens.

His castle was impressive, bigger than the one you had grown up in, and the gardens were beautiful, something that brought a smile to your face.

When you reached the King he stood up from where he was sitting, putting his left hand over his stomach and wincing slightly as he did so.

It was a small gesture, but you noticed it nevertheless.

He was unwell, and though you didn't want it you couldn't help but feel a bit of worry bubbling up inside you.

You had disliked him before you had even met him, but as soon as you had seen him your heart had opened, letting him in without giving you a say in the matter.

You were silent, waiting for him to speak when he did so.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?", he asked you, making you look questioningly at him as you felt a blush run up your cheeks.

It was an unusual question, especially since you had come to the decision that he was shy, so you kept silent to listen to him.

"I do not", he continued and your heart fell at him crushing the slight hope that he returned the feelings you had so quickly developed for him.

"But I believe in attraction... and that love can grow from that", he explained as he motioned for you to join him in walking down the path that was surrounded by all kinds of greens and flowers.

After a short silence he turned to face you, taking in a deep breath before saying what he had obviously had on his mind.

"I am very much attracted to you, my lady", he told you softly, merely breathing out the words rather than speaking them, but your heart began to race wildly at his confession.

You didn't know what to do but the King kept looking at you, waiting for a response, before his face turned blank again, and he let his eyes wander over the gardens in disappointment before you found the courage to speak.

"I too am attracted to you", you answered him, and his face lit up, a small smile forming at his lips as he nodded softly.

You could hear a breath he was holding leave his lips as he turned to smile at you.

"Thank you, for being so considerate, and for agreeing to marry me. I intend to act as best as I can, towards you as my future wife and mother of my children, and for my country", he told you, his soft tone making you smile at his gentleness.

"Thank you", you answered him softly, as softly as he had talked to you, as the two of you shared an honest smile, one that warmed your heart and face as a blush painted your cheeks a soft shade of red.

You were sure that you would grow to love each other, if you didn't do so already, and for the first time in your life you were proud to stand by the man that had the ambition to bring all England together under his rule, and that was the kindest man you had ever met.