My Snippets: Part 2

Nobility and Deceit 🔞

By royal decree, she was now and forever his property.

Sasusaku AU snippet. King Sasuke; Princess Sakura. An (chosen?) arranged marriage in an attempt to settle a war between their family's countries. (Little does Sasuke know about the deceit on his elders' part, and the part they plan to play in the 'accidental' death of his new bride; unwilling to let bygones be bygones even after all of these years.)

18+ due to dark & sexual themes, cursing, gore, death; IF continued. (I might turn this into a story...)

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Haruno Sakura knew how to play her part well; the silent, meek little lamb sent into the lion's den stood poised and proudly at the altar; ready to fulfill her duty to her country and her family.

It would be considered her small contribution and an honor to help end this centuries-old feud after all, and what better way to fortify a union than through a centuries old tradition.

But deep down she felt in her heart that she was really just selling her soul to the devil... for her country's own gain.

She would get nothing from this in the end... other than a lifetime of suffering. Just as her mother had said because once this was all over with, by royal decree, she would be forever his property; and what kind of life really would that be, Haruno Sakura wondered as her gaze slowly shifted to the man standing on her right.

A man that she knew very little about; other than rumors.

A man that she'd just met only hours prior to walking down the aisle; in a wedding dress of his mother's choosing.

A man that she was expected to wed without complaint...

... all for the good and the sake of her parents' kingdom.

It came as no surprise that the young King was a strong, quiet, and perpetually stoic man; she'd heard many tales throughout the years of each of his supposed conquests and the dark means in which he'd succeeded. She hoped that they were falsified and she wouldn't be next; that this wasn't somehow a ruse to end her life for the sake of their country's own gain.

But, regardless of the rumors, he didn't seem like a harsh or cruel man; aside from his outward appearance. Yes, he was a more placid individual (for a King) but she didn't get any ill vibes from him. He'd welcomed her kindly... showed her around his massive home and its exquisite grounds, all while calmly answering all of her many inquiries; no matter how trivial or mundane they might have seemed.

He'd introduced her to her servants, and to her surprise he knew each by name, before leaving her alone to settle into her bedchambers that she'd be allowed to reside in for the first month of her stay, before moving into his room. That's where they helped bathe and dress her for the ceremony; going over the finer, more traditional details of what was to come. The very thought of moving into his room, and what would be required of her thereafter was enough to send an uneasy shiver down her spine.

The elder clergyman cleared his throat, looking at Sakura expectantly, and she realized with great horror that she'd been daydreaming again and had missed his speech. She needn't worry though because her husband-to-be nudged her gently with his heel to encourage her to face him; his gaze capturing hers as her breath hitched in the back of her throat.

There was something different in his eyes when he looked at her now.

Something that she couldn't quite place or decipher.

It surprised her.

But also (shockingly) caused her nerves to settle a little.

Her heartbeat galloped faster when he recites the priest's words, before lowering slowly to his knees, his eyes never leaving hers. They'd gotten to the part of the traditions that the maids had warned her about... and she wasn't entirely prepared for them.

She felt suddenly weightless.

Breathless at the sight of the great Uchiha Sasuke on his knees.

For her.

'Only for her...,' a voice in the back of her head whispered, but Sakura tried to ignore it and focus on the task at hand. This was the portion of the ceremony that she'd been told would represent the "devotion" her husband would provide for her after their joining. Showing her how he will be able to always care for her, provide for her, and protect her for all the days of her life. She wasn't sure she believed in all of that nonsense, but she had to admit that seeing him in this position wasn't as unpleasant or as uncomfortable as she had first feared it would be.

In fact—

She bit at her bottom lip nervously as he adjusted himself on his knees. He bent low, his hands placed on either side of her bare feet as the clergyman continued. Then Sasuke reached over for the small bowl next to him... plucking the soaked cloth inside it and wringing it out thoroughly before bringing it towards her.

She gasped when he purposefully lifted her right leg up by the knee; her hands frantically grasping onto his shoulders to hold herself upright as he began to dab the blessed and warm liquid over her foot. She couldn't hide the deep blush on her cheeks when his lip twitched into a slight smirk; his eyes still holding hers hostage. His hand slid down her calf when he lowered it to the ground; only to reach for the left and repeatedly the same process over again. Her cheeks were flaming hot when he was finished, but his smile had fully vanished by the time he stood up again.

She almost thought she'd imagined it, but her focus was drawn elsewhere before she could think on it further when a goblet of amber liquid was placed in her right hand. She followed the priest's instructions and turned around fully to face Sasuke, her left hand lifting at the same time as his to grasp onto each other. Sakura looked at him bashfully, her poised demeanor waning at the intensity behind his eyes and actions.

Was he really not the fearsome King she'd heard so little about, and feared he would be?

Was he really and truly somehow... different than most of his clan, and the rumors that surrounded them?

"... and so, by the power...(they lifted up the goblets at the same time)...I now pronounce you... (the rim of their glass touched their lips). My King..," the priest said as he bowed low and deep. "It is time."

Uchiha Sasuke gave her a simple nod before they downed the sour beverage in one swift go. The crowd around them erupted as they tossed the glasses on the ground; shards raining down around them as he leaned in. "You may now kiss your bride," the priest roared above the commotion.

When his lips touched hers, sparks flew; and for the first time since arriving in Konoha, Sakura felt as if she could actually (maybe) be happy here and make this place her home.