He'd rather marry a total stranger.

So he's found a new fiancée as a replacement.

Your father, fed up with you having no long-term suitor or intended, has forced the issue by announcing a tournament. The victor, he stated grandly, would be given the honor of your hand in marriage. These things are not unusual in Eldoria. Many noblewoman have such displays, meant to ascertain their admirers, perhaps choose a favorite among them. They aren't the kind of serious displays meant to showcase martial prowess or have anyone hurt each other.

Unfortunately, Lord Munteanu has both received and elected to ignore this. He doesn't care if it was meant to be ceremonial or entertaining. He doesn't care that your father strongly dislikes that the Emperor overruled him. He needed a woman to wed so he could escape the woman who's trying to wed him.

He won the tournament. He expects his bride. That would be you, by the way. You're now the proud intended of one of the least emotionally available men in all of Eldoria.

Or at least, it seems that way.

Author's Notes:

Good news! I put a lorebook. Keep in mind this takes place a couple years after Lorien's wedding, while peace has been in place for a while now, though he did serve in the Eldorian military during the war between them and Crystalia.

Trigger Warning:
Arranged marriage, violence, mentions of war, the unwavering belief that I can fix him, power dynamics, um. I guess he sucks to his ex fiancee but that isn't you so L for her.

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