To Court a Princess (Semi-Open; TG me)

[Leasath]

Hello! It's been a long while since I really RP'd on the NS forums but I'm hoping to have a good one here. Open to all of Greater Ixnay, and if you're from out of region feel free to TG me and join in.

EDIT: By the way, every reasonable suitor has an equal chance at the Princess's hand!

The Imperial Palace, Cléricot, Vannois
1:02 PM Vannoisian Standard

"Catherine, please, just hear me out-"

"You know, I believed you when you said you weren't going to betroth me to anyone!" Catherine of Vallois - Thirteenth of her Name, though one can only remind her of that fact at their own risk - resisted the urge to throw the heel she had just taken into hand at her brother. "I thought you cared about what I wanted - about what Marie will want!"

The Emperor of Vannois grimaced at his sister's obvious anger. As she threw the shoe further into her large closet in favor of a classier pair of stilettos, he inched forward, already dressed in a sharp dark suit and tie.

"You have to understand that you don't need to marry a single one of these men, Cat." Her blazing glare his way made him sigh. "They're just here to meet you, you can dismiss them as soon as-"

"But I can't, and you know that." She was accusatory, viciously so, and Audric nearly stepped back at his little sister's anger. "Representatives of near-every kingdom in the Empire will be coming- the bloody King of Sarzieu is coming for my hand!"

"And Sarzieu is all but irrelevant due to Poigny's marriage to Phillipe of Adnet, sister." Pulling a hand across his face, Audric looked at his red-faced sister. "I have ensured that you can dismiss all these men with ease. They are throwaway Kings and Princes, Dukes as well. All very suitable for a husband - and none powerful enough to challenge me without another royal backing them." Looking at Catherine's still-curled lip, he threw up his hands, but before he could speak she shook her head.

"I know you think you're doing the best you can for us, Audric. Really. All you do comes from that big heart of yours." She turned, face somewhat pained. "I don't want to get married at 18. I know you have to; I know many of our cousins were betrothed at birth. But I want to live before I have to give all this up..." At that confession, the Emperor moved forward to put an arm round her shoulders.

"You needn't marry, then! I will not order you, no matter what Louis of Sarzieu wants." He pondered for a moment. "No matter what any petty king wants, at that. I simply want you to have the chance at love early in life like so many Vannois are denied." He did not mention himself; Kailey was a pleasant girl and they had only met so recently and, to be fair, he had arranged the betrothal for the valuable alliance to Pauldustllah. Nobody made him do it. "I never assumed you would fancy any of these men, and I told them the same. If they get too confident, you may shoot them down or come to me..." He grinned at her affronted look. "... or not. I trust in your judgement; I've only gathered the candidates." She looked uncharacteristically nervous for a moment, and Audric raised an eyebrow. "What? Soemthing else?"

"Will-" She cleared her throat, willing her face to not telegraph her embarrassment. "Will Joseph be there?"

Audric reined in his first reaction, which was one of surprise. Joseph of Viermasse was the Crown Prince of his relatively influential kingdom on the western seaboard of Vannois. His father, the venerable Gérald III, was nearing the next great adventure. Due to Viermasse's importance and influence with the other petty Kingdoms of Vannois, Audric had not asked the young man's presence for this quasi-debut for his little sister. He knew they got along well - Joseph was Catherine's second favorite male companion behind the former Crown Prince Louis-Xavier of Narçon (disinherited after his coming out of the closet, though not willingly by either his father or Audric. Old laws held many proponents even today.) and was not linked with the young woman simply due to the constant presence of escorts on either the Imperial or Viermassian side.

Making a split second decision, Audric nodded.

"The Crown Prince will be in attendance, although he'll be arriving later than the other guests. He had to attend court at the behest of his father this afternoon, and-"

"Oh shush with your lies. I'll call him, you send the official request to attend." She grinned at him- still slightly subdued, but happier now that her friend (and love interest?) was to be invited. "Go on then. Tell the dogs I'll be a moment more."

[Valipoli]

Simeon Mathers walked into the King's study in the early afternoon. As the royal vizier, he had access to all areas of the palace, with exception for the royal family's private chambers. He carried with him the invitation to travel to The Vannoisian Empire of Leasath. It had been several months since the Halagan conflict, when several national leaders had gathered in response to the pirate threat in the region. During this time, both Emperor Audric and King Valgard had struck up a dialogue on other matters. The two had remained in contact and were working to solidify diplomatic ties with each other's nations. On one such visit King Valgard had been introduced to Princess Catherine, briefly. Although they hadn't interacted or spoken past the formal introductions in front of the news cameras that were covering the visit of so many leaders, King Valgard had been quite taken with her beauty. When he heard of this invitation, he made the arrangements at once.

"The helicopter is ready to take you to the airport your Grace. Your belongings have been transported already." The King stood up and grabbed his day pack, and filled it with his personal belongings -tablet, phone, and a few other items- and made his way out of the office accompanied by Simeon.

"And my sisters? Have they finally prepared for the trip as well?" He asked. Simeon nodded, "Yes your Grace, princesses Victoria and Valentina are at the helipad already." As he walked out of the palace onto the pad, he boarded and sat across from his sisters. After arriving at the airport, they boarded the King's private jet, and traveled to Leasath, arriving in the late evening. They exited the aircraft and made their way into the secure wing of the airport, wondering what arrangements had been made for their arrival.

[Luxew]

562 Prinzgartenstraße, Kirschhugel, Arcadius, Luxew

Ludwig had eyed the creme envelope nervously ever since the he fished it out of his mailbox. The seal of Emperor Audric made him question his sanity, and the aged signature of his father, who he had estranged himself from several years prior, made him collapse in what he thought was the beginning of delirium. When his wife, Caroline, finally came home after yoga, she had found Ludwig on the couch, wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets, silently muttering to himself about random, insignificant things Caroline didn't know anything about. She was puzzled, her head tilted gently to the side. Caroline was as confused as Ludwig was, fishing the creme letter of his mailbox only hours earlier.

Caroline set down her yoga bag on the dinner table, and across from her was the letter, with the seal of the Vannoisian Emperor Audric and her father-in-law's signature. She, too, eyed it, however, more enthusiastically. "Honey," she called out. She knew he wouldn't respond, as she had finally figured it was this letter that caused this "delirium." "When did we get this letter from the Emperor of Vannois and your father? Today?" She had picked up the letter, turning it over once or twice, examining the clean creme envelope with a bright smile. It was smooth to the touch and smelled of lilac, delighting her with thoughts about the courtly activities* at Cléricot and Saint-Nazaire. Then it struck here; maybe this was an invitation for her family to move there. Her smile gently faded. That was simply her dreams. It was a possibilty, though, her husband being directly descended from the last Emperor of Luxew, and maybe, this was their time to live like the noble family she had married into all those years ago.

She reluctantly started to rip open the envelope, even if it pained her to ruin the lilac-smelling creme paper. Inside, was a little paper, which too was creme, folded into a rectangle. Caroline lifted the paper from the envelope, and gently unraveled the tenderly folded paper. She frowned. It was written in a boring, realistic manuscript, not the elegant calligraphy she expected from Vannois. She focused her eyes on what the words meant, and not how they looked. The letter read:

To whom it may concern,
With the permission of my confidant Emperor Audric and his closest aides, I, your father, Prince Karl Friedrich, wish to extend an invitation for you to come visit the imperial court and myself in Vannois and entertain yourselves at a special ball. Please do bring all the grandchildren, as many members of our own family will be in attendance, such as the Viscount of Bethune, Prince Amadeus, Prince Adolf Maria, Princess Marie d'Avagour, and potentially, your "king" of a brother Joachim. You also need to remember, my dear son, that I am old and frail. I'm nearly a century old!

I also extend a special invitation to my favorite grandchild (there is too many to choose from), Josef Leopold, too finally introduce him to what courtly life truly is. Also, I do have special gifts for all the grandchildren, but especially one for Josef, as he is nearly a man at the fine age of sixteen. I hope he remembers me, son, as its been years since you left me, and my closest allies have said you'd nearly doubled the amount of children you had since that cold December night in a decade ago.

Enclosed in the letter should be the name of the tarmac that my private jet should be waiting on. It should have enough room for all twenty-five of you, as your brother Joachim, and his family, shall be joining you, and your cousin Amadeus and his family as well. Please be diligent in your formalities both to your family and the Court of Emperor Audric, as your niceties shall prove fruitful whenever the time comes. Connections are everything in Audonia.

Please send my love to all my grandchildren.

Your father,
Prince Karl Friedrich, Rightful Emperor of Luxew

Caroline set the paper down and ripped the creme envelope in half. A little note fluttered out onto the table, with her father-in-laws lazy, aged handwriting. She picked it up, and slowly examined it. "Augsbad Municipal Airport, Runway 1C. 11:30 AM, Tuesday, the 1st of next month," She read, slowly. 11:30 AM? Tomorrow? Today was surely a Monday, and tomorrow was the the first of the next month. Her heart was beating it felt as if it would tear out of her, bouncing across the heart in endless euphoria. She collapsed into the open chair behind her, a big, joyful grin imbued into her face. It was like her wildest dreams have come true, and they had. She would be swept off to a place she'd always wanted to see, and meet the Emperor himself!

She hopped onto her feet and ran into the living room, where her husband, still intoxicated with silly aberration, was wrapped up on his cocoon of blankets. "Honey, honey!" She shook her husband wildly, destroying his cocoon. She began spinning lies, which were part truths in the end "Did you read this letter? We've been invited to Vannois, on the permission of the Emperor! Supposedly he wants to meet all of our children and us!" Ludwig stared blankly at her.

"I don't want to," he responded simply. "I'll have to see my father."

Caroline sighed. On a whim, she slapped him, leaving a noticeable mark on the side of his cheek. "Up the ante, Nassau! Grow a spine, as this is a once and a lifetime chance! You don't want me to divulge the juicy details of are wedding night, or should I say, a lack of one! Or, how-" Ludwig but his hand up, and gulped air nervously.

"Fine. I'll deal with it. First off, though, we where both tired on our wedding night," he said. Caroline sighed. "Anyways, when do we leave? And we have to take all the children?"

She looked at the paper, carefully analyzing it. "Yep. We'll also have your lovely brother and your cousin Amadeus's family in attendance." Ludwig flopped his head back into the couch. "We also leave at 11:30 AM tomorrow." He looked back up at her, before flopping his head back into the couch.

"It could be worse."

"Mhm," he muttered. "Much worse."

"I've always loved you for your optimism," she said, leaning over and kissing his forehead. "Let's just be ready in the morning."

"Hell yeah."

"That's the spirit, Luddy," she smiled. "I'm going to go get the kids from wherever they are at."

"Never call me that again."

"Oh no, I will," she said, grabbing the car keys off the hook. She smiled. "I'll see you once I get back with our boatload of kids. Why did we have so many?" She opened the door, too, delirious. She was drunk on euphoria, and so would be her husband, when he saw what destiny at in store for them. Well, destiny being Karl and Emperor Audric.

*Those courtly activities are surely raunchy when Teresa was Empress

[Leasath]

A short time later...

"Presenting His Imperial Majesty Audric III of Vannois, Second of His Name, Emperor of Vannois by the Grace of God, King of Vannois, King of Bahdaan, King of Iustus Sumus, Lord of the United Kingdoms and of the Rellesian Kingdom, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Protector of the Realm." Nodding in thanks at the herald for using his abbreviated titles - nobody needed to know of his county holdings, lord - the Emperor stepped out into the large hall that they were holding most of the festivities in.

"Your Radiance, the Princess Kailey requests an audience?"

"In a moment. I must meet a greet first. Please inform my betrothed that I'll be just a moment." Waving off the now-bowing servant, he swept over to the group sent by the King of Ditoise; the medium-sized Kingdom was the northernmost of all Vannoisian island holdings, centered in the metropolis of Eglie. His Majesty had sent his second son, Cyrille, and so put himself out of the running for the Princess's hand almost immediately. While Cyrille was a pleasant young man by all regards, he was also a known womanizer, and neither Catherine nor Audric would allow any marriage to an unfaithful individual, no matter his position.

As Audric took homage from the Ditoisian delegation, Catherine herself stood alongside her closest friends; the Viscountess Anne-Claire of Avilès, Joseph Prince of Viermasse, and Aurélie of Vingues daughter of the Count of Vingues. The Viscountess was Catherine's elder by a year, and Aurélie was the same age as the Princess, while Prince Joseph was roughly 2 1/2 years older than the stunning 'Flower of Annecy.' The Princess and Aurélie attended Royal Academy for Young Ladies, in Saint-Nazaire, together, while Anne-Claire had graduated some months earlier and now was attending the Royal University of Lentor Va. Each had grown up together as their families holdings were extremely close to Cléricot and so they were easy playmates for Royal children.

The Prince of Viermasse, on the other hand, was a relatively new addition to the now-quartet of young adults. More a companion of Audric due to them not only attending the Imperial Academy for Young Gentlemen but also their positions as heirs to their father's lands (and Audric wanting as much influence as he could gather before becoming Emperor), the Prince had not caught on with the younger Catherine until her brother's purchase of FC Orien and subsequent attendance alongside the Princess and Emperor at matches at the aptly named Stade d'Audric III. He had gone one to be spotted with her - and the Viscountess, and Aurélie as well as various male chaperones - across the Empire and even in Rellesia. It was commonly thought that he would be the most likely man to be chosen as the Princess's husband should the choices be limited to Vannoisians, especially after the coming-out of the former Crown Prince of Narçon, though with a set of foreign Princes and even Kings supposedly visiting the Imperial Palace the betting companies were scrambling.

"Joseph, do you think Catherine will find her man?" The Viscountess - commonly called Anne by her friends - nudged the Prince and grinned, gesturing slightly to the distracted Catherine. The Princess was currently fending off some son of the Duke of Pullac, of which there were at least a dozen, with the help of Aurélie and a protective server.

"I think it is a possibility, of course." Joseph sipped his dark red grape juice, native to his home of Viermasse and even his own county holding, Aubersart. It was common of the Emperor's favorites to be asked to keep clear heads throughout Royal functions, and while Joseph had not been asked tonight he decided it would be best if he put on a show or at least could if he needed to. "Though I should think it will be someone rather more magnificent than I."

"And why would that be?" Catherine had returned, smirking at her friend.

"Erm- I-" The Prince spluttered, having flinched at the younger woman's voice. "I wasn't- we weren't-"

"Hush, Joseph. If I find a future husband here, it'll be the first sign of the apocalypse..." Pondering that statement for a moment, she looked up at her friends. She was quite short, to be honest. "Don't tell the Archbishop I said that. I know he's been lurking around here and as much as he is a nice guy..." Shaking her head, she looked toward the large, ornate front doors to the grand hall. From there would be coming men not even of Audonia, let alone Vannois; though she would be the first to admit that she preferred an unknown evil to the insufferable Karl Friedrich of Luxew who was undoubtedly coming along for the ride. Shaking off her momentary disgust, she jumped back into conversation.

[Luxew]

Later, in Saint-Nazaire

To Josef Leopold, the plane ride was insufferable. He had felt like the clothes and items of his suitcase, carelessly and tightly packed into his luggage, as his family had been packed into a tiny, infernal 80s-era private jet that was painted an ugly beige. In many ways, it was like his beige suitcase. His family was especially boisterous during the two-hour jet ride, teasing Joachim over his now ex-Kingship of some backwater country Josef had never heard of and arguing about his grandfather, Prince Karl Friedrich, who had somehow attained a place among the Emperor's favorites, even if Karl was a senile old man purely living based off his royal ambition. Josef had tried to separate himself from the brood by locking himself in the on-flight bathroom and facetiming with friends, but every three minutes either his mom, his aunt Anna, or his cousin Konstanze came in with a baby, or he overheard someone joke about him holing himself up in the bathroom. When he figured it was fruitless to remain in the bathroom, the plane was only halfway to Saint-Nazaire. He fell onto his knees in disgust.

When the plane had finally landed, he celebrated in silence, so he wouldn't awake one of the eight or ten sleeping babies. In all, there where a total of eighteen or so kids, not counting his cousin Viscount of Bethune's three more who would be waiting in Saint-Nazaire to chauffeur them to more large place. The sheer majority of the children, however, were his own brothers and sister. When they finally got off that godforsaken, repugnant thing of a plane, they were greeted by what seemed like some sort of secret security agency, with three men all clad in the same, depressing black. Did the Luxish government not like the ex-Royals leaving to some foreign country and here to detain or dispatch them? Behind them sat a caravan of all charcoal sedans, and at one, old man appeared, closing the car door behind him.

The old man was somewhat creepy. He looked ancient, with his back hunched into a some painful 120° angle. His head was like a turtle's; tiny, wrinkly, and snail-like in the way it moved. His eyes were obscured by what looked like glasses out of 70s movie, with their large, aged, and tinted lenses and brass rims. He walked, well, staggered towards them, leaning on his cane for dear life. He wobbled gently, and moved towards Josef at a lethargic rate. A smile swept across the old man's face, somewhat frightening. His grandfather stalled for a, moment, taking in a deep breath and adjusting his awful glasses. When he began moving again, he seemed to move even slower, and Josef figured it would be after sundown when the old man reached them. When he finally standing opposite his father, Josef guessed this was his grandfather, the ninety-something old man who begged for a crown.

"Ooooh, if it isn't my oldest, Ludwig August," he said, patting him gently on the right cheek. He spoke in a thick, Luxish accent, yet, it was oddly Vannoisian in a sense. His father had told him many times that his grandfather refused to leave his residence in Cléricot until his pipe dream of a restored Luxish Empire came true and he would fly like an angel over to the throne, and then, once the crown was placed upon his head, he would die, probably from a ebullience-induced heart attack. He made his way past Josef to Joachim, repeating the coerced formalities as he did with Ludwig. "It's the king, isn't it? Such grandeur! Oh, but you've been deposed." His grandfather let out a hearty, mordant laugh, moving on until he reached Josef. He put his arm of his should, rubbing it like a person who doesn't understand some people don't like to be touched by creepy, hunchbacked men who look like they will collapse any moment from sepsis or a heart attack. "If this isn't my favorite and oldest grandson!" Karl smiled warmly, yet, it wasn't as warm as it seemed.

"Yes, hello, grandfather," Josef said, adjusting himself slightly.

"No need to call me that! Call me grandpa, or papa, or even Karl if you want!" His "politeness" disturbed Josef, struggling to to push the old man to the ground and scream 'pedophile.' His endless beaming was probably the most disturbing of all, reminding him of clowns in horror movies that smile while they kill their young victims. Josef was extremely curious how a man of extremely concerning demeanor could weasal his way into the court at whatever city the Imperial family resided in. Josef hoped that Audric and his own family shared similar sentiments regarding such a detestable old man. He could see why he bought that unpalatable beige jet that belonged in a museum dedicated to ugly and old jets, just like him. "My, you are so tall! You are so handsome, and so strong! You are a model royal with your physical demeanor!" He coughed into Josef's ear. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen," Josef said, looking away.

"Such a fine young age! You remind me of when I was sixteen. I was such a young st-," Karl begin reminiscing, as Josef looked on hopelessly. Seemingly, the rest of his large family had dispersed into the many cars, and he was stuck with this old man that was his grandfather Karl. "Well, enough about me. Please join me in the car." He led Josef by the hand to to his black sedan, struggling to do so. Josef, on the other hand, was wrestling with the thought of pushing his grandfather to the ground, as he felt he was dragging him to his ultimate doom. He eventually took the lead, and lead his grandfather into the car, letting him sit down it whatever seat he wanted to. Josef decided on a whim to sit opposite of him. "Anyways, Josef," he said after giving the driver the go-ahead. His demeanor had suddenly become more serious, his expressionless eyes revealed after he took off his glasses. "You could've already figured this trip isn't exactly for audience with the Emperor."

Josef was startled, his eyes bulging out of his head like one of a puffer fish. "What does that mean?"

"I mean, I am here to help you get a nice gift," he reached into his pocket. Josef was horrified. What gift was this and what was in his pocket? Thoughts circled through his head like a hurricane. The seconds ticked by like centuries in Josef's head, until Karl only pulled a tiny picture, of a girl that looked his age. She was a spectacle to Josef, with her gentle brown hair and nice eyes. Yet, to Josef, it was weird that he carried a photo of her, Did he have a menagerie of girls that he just took photos of? "That is Her Imperial Highness Lady Catherine, Princess of Vannois, and sister to Emperor Audric. She has recently come of age to wed, and is looking for available groom. I requested audience with Audric to extend an invitation to your family for her grand courting ball. Since you are more down-to-earth, then say, all the Vannoisian princes, dukes, counts, viscounts, and what not, you should be a perfect match for her and should bring our deprived family back into the limelight."

"How old is she? I'm only sixteen," Josef questioned, both curious and puzzled. He hadn't had a girlfriend since he was in seventh grade, yet, he felt marriage was something for more adult-like people.

"18. I know she is older than you, but, with your betrothal, it will let you and her know each other more and allow you to bond," he said, putting his glasses back on. "I guarantee this is entirely worth it. Plus, she would be choosing you. Did I tell you how much it grieved the Emperor to allow Catherine to choose her future husband? Pah! Anyways, we should be pulling into the palace grounds right now."

[Azura and Montemayor]

Cléricot, Vannois

A muffled hum broke through the silence as Daniela lowered the backseat windows of the car she was in. Much like at home, the summers in Vannois were brutal, with temperatures in the hundreds for days at a time. Although not that hot today, she had begun to feel herself sweat a tiny amount on her brow, and hoped for some relief from the heat. She couldn’t say she was surprised though. Her driver had shown up at the airport a half an hour early, and instead of parking in the shade of a hanger or having the car run briefly before she landed so to cool it down inside, he had sat it out directly in the sun and had gone inside the terminal to cool off, meanwhile allowing the temperature inside the car to steadily rise. As the wind blew in through the two open windows she felt momentary relief, relief that swiftly disappeared as the cabins temperature moved to match that of the air that was blowing in, which wasn’t much cooler than what the cabin had been originally.

Daniela had been in Vannois for five days before this, taking a nice vacation away from her somewhat chaotic life, and family, back in Tiran. She had been in Vannois before, but never for the sole purpose of vacationing, and she had to admit, she was enjoying it very much. Today, on the sixth and what was supposed to be second to last day of her trip, she had decided to take a detour from her original plans and visit one of her dear friends in Cléricot, Princess Catherine. She would be lying to herself if she were to say that it was just to visit her because she wanted to though. She knew perfectly well that there would be multiple young men there for her to look at, any of which she could have some fun with should the opportunity arrived, but even that wasn’t her main reason for the detour. Given to her directly from the Emperor, she had a message to deliver to Emperor Audric. She didn’t exactly understand what it meant, but no amount of prodding could get her uncle to tell her what it really meant.

Daniela had finally begun to get somewhat comfortable in her seat when she recognized the Vannois Imperial Palace in the distance. She hadn’t seen it for quite some time, normally speaking with Catherine over face chat, or sometimes seeing her when she visits Azura and Montemayor. After another two or so minutes, the car approached one of the gates that entered onto the palace lands. Putting up her windows, she could hear her driver talking with the guard who manned the station, and shortly after the car proceeded up the drive. Reaching the front entrance to the palace, the driver stopped the car and got out to open Daniela’s door for her. Stepping out, she stretched and took in the view. The Imperial Palace looked quite nice, especially in the summer when everything had bloomed. Having a short conversation with her driver instructing him where to go and what to do should she need him, she proceeded into the palace, passing guards stationed at the entrance. Now she start the difficult task of finding Catherine.

[Leasath]

At the Airport

The Emperor had spared no expense in retrieving his acquaintance, the King of Valipoli. The duc de Vogüé himself, Régis - a second cousin of the Emperor, no less - had been sent to await the King alongside a handful of guardsmen brought from the Imperial Palace. The Duke had not been stationary long before the delegation arrived, moving into the secure terminal that was reserved for governmental and Royal use.

"Ah, bonjour, monsieur!" The Duke moved towards them, hands open and to his sides; he had dealt with paranoid foreign guardsmen before, and once you get taken down by one Pauldustllahni you've been taken down by everyone. "I am Régis, le duc de Vogüé and cousin of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. Allow me to welcome you to Vannois, and to Cléricot." Looking quickly at his watch, he nodded to himself. "You are right on time, of course; there is a motorcade ready to take us to the Château immediately."

At the Palace

"Monsieur, the Valipolian delegation has arrived at the airport.."

"Merci, Amaury. Is there anything else?"

"Oui, Your Radiance... The Luxish have also arrived.. and they seem to have brought north of two dozen people." This revelation caused Audric to swear, before belting out orders in rapid French. His Cléricottian accent revealed itself in his annoyance.

"They breed like bunnies, I swear it. Show them in, but the children are to be kept under the supervision of servants in the second antechamber along with the others. They will only be tread upon in here." At the servant's nod, he dismissed him, and almost immediately after spotted Daniela of Azura and Montemayor. Excusing himself from the company of his betrothed - who had taken to observation much like himself - he refilled his glass and moved to intercept her.

"Daniela- I was not informed of your arrival." Allowing a small smile, he nodded off to her left. "Catherine and her cadre should be there, if I recall correctly."

Outside the Palace

"Euh, monsieur, welcome to the-" Viewing Karl Friedrich's expression, the servant resisted the urge to roll his eyes and switched seamlessly into English. "Welcome to the Château de Cléricot, also known as the Imperial Palace. Please allow me and my fellows to escort you to the main hall; we will also escort all of your children under 12 to a nearby antechamber, at the request of the Emperor. The ballroom is far too dangerous for such little ones." Giving no reason to believe that this 'request' was anything but an order, the servant smiled.

[Azura and Montemayor]

The Imperial Palace, Cléricot, Vannois

"Merci, Audric. My trip here isn't an official one. I have just come to see Catherine... And perhaps some others. Also, since you're here now, my uncle has given me a message to deliver to you. He said to tell you that 'The Watch has Ended.' I don't know what it means, but I guess you do." Finishing her brief conversation with Audric, Daniela turned and headed in the direction he had told her Catherine was in. Daniela, whose main language was Slovak, the official one of her nation, had learned French when she was younger, and was happy to be able to practice it when she was in Vannois.

Seeing Catherine, Daniela picked up her pace and went up to her, a smile forming on her face when she saw Daniela. Bonjour, mon ami! It's so nice to see you again. I see I came at the right time, all of the young princes that are going to be around for the picking. I hope you find one that suits your needs, unless you aren't interested in getting married?"

[Ghant]

Due to the future events nature of this thread, please consider this post only semi-canon, as I reserve the right to make changes to canon in the eleven years between 2015 and 2026

“A Song of Summer”
Inperiala Palace
Ghish, Ghant
Summer 2026

The girl laid on her bed, combing through the pages of her secret diary, contemplating the thoughts and feelings of times long since passed. Her long, full dark brown hair would upon occasion creep around to the front of her face, causing her to shake her head to get it out of her eyes, nose and mouth. Sometimes that would fail, causing her to have to free a dainty hand to move the hair aside.

She was wearing a comfortable white bed gown that wrapped over her shoulders with thin laces, revealing a slender girl with fair, unblemished skin. She was barefoot as well, and tapped her toes against the pillows. Her round face rested in her hands then, and she exhaled deeply as she turned through the pages until she reached a blank page. Thinking for a few minutes, she decided to pick up her pen and set to writing…

Summer nights, a spirit’s song
Thoughts and feelings running strong
Night wind blows the stars along
And moments stretch to hours

Moonlight wraps in silver rays
The green and gold that paint the days
An argent spell softly lays
Within the veil of night

Wreathed in mist the forest lies
Beyond the sight of others eyes
A peaceful hunter gently tries
To find his way within

At peace this night among the trees
The scents of summer on the breeze
No hint is left of winters freeze
The earth is warm beneath

Believe in a kiss and not a knife
A moments peace rejecting strife
Touch the earth, the heart of life
And sing a song of summer

…She had barely finished when a knock came upon her door. “Sara,” a masculine voice called out. “Can I come in?”

Sara knew that it was her father. “Just a minute,” she called out as she disposed of her diary underneath her mattress and hopped off of the bed, rushing to the door. Opening it, she found her father…the Emperor of Ghant. Emperor Nathan IV was 38 years old, but hadn’t seemed to change much in appearance. He was tall with a youthful face, grey-blue eyes and brown hair that seemed to be thinning. Wearing a forest green tunic and dark blue slacks, he smiled at his firstborn child as he stepped inside.

Nathan looked around the large room. It was well lit and painted in bright colors, with a large bed at the back of the room, flanked by tall windows on either side with flowerbeds in the sills. There was a fancy rug in the middle of the floor, paintings on the walls and family portraits, and bookshelves all along the walls lined with books. And there were more dolls and dollhouses then Sara often realized…although she did then when her father walked around, looking at them. “…I never realized you had so many dolls,” her father told her.

The Princess Imperial of Ghant could only blush and grin sheepishly. “Oh how I do enjoy their presence, father, for people that I do love and cherish had gotten them for me. Uncle Martin, Uncle Michael, Mother and you, grandmother, grandfather, great-grandmother…”

“Yes, of course,” Nathan interrupted slightly and with a smile of his own. He approached a bookshelf and pulled out a random book. “Tales of Thule by Boroth Bearbane… good grief, do you…”

Sara giggled, and interrupted with a gentle voice. “It is a good book, father. It tells the stories of the great warrior Boroth as he travelled throughout the Kingdom of Thule in the late 17th century, fighting great beasts and warriors of renown.”

“You know, Sara,” Nathan said as he shut the book and put it back on the shelf. “You are too smart for your own good. I was like you…reading all these things, stories of the past. My childhood passed me by pretty quick,” he said as he took a seat on the bed.

“Thankfully, father, I don’t have Uncle Albert to take mine away from me,” Sara said with a thoughtful expression as she went and jumped up on the bed next to her father. “And I have many friends to help me remember that in spite of myself, I am still a girl of eleven, to be twelve come November.”

“…If the dolls might serve as any indication, I would say that you haven’t forgotten that you are a little girl either,” Nathan said as he stroked his daughter’s hair. “Which reminds me…how is school?”

Her hands in her lap, Sara looked up at her father. “It is well…straight A’s, as it happens. And dance class is quite well, our instructor says that I am a natural!”

Nodding, Nathan told her, “of course, your mother was a natural too. At your age, she dominated the ballroom floor. And yes, all of your teachers, instructors and tutors have said nothing but the best things about you. I am very proud of you, and do you remember what I promised you, if you did so well?”

Sara’s face beamed, and her deep blue eyes shone enough to where she noticed it even in the reflection of the glass of the window. “That you would let me attend a ball!”

“Indeed, attend a ball…and I have just the one.” Pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket, he handed it to his daughter, who took it and began to read what it said.

“...A ball at the Imperial Palace in Cléricot, Vannois, for the honor of Princess Catherine, brother of Empress Audric. Oh father, this is so exciting!” Sara exclaimed as she turned to give her father a tight embrace.

Nathan beamed in turn, and embraced his daughter back. “You deserve it, Sara. You are very intelligent, polite, and kind. You have always done what is expected of you and have never disappointed your mother or I, not even one time. You have earned this and more, and I trust that you will represent your country in the best possible fashion and conduct yourself accordingly.”

“Thank you father,” Sara said softly into his chest. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby girl.” Nathan planted a kiss on her scalp. “Now, as far as who is going with you. It will be a decently sized party, your oldest brothers and sisters in attendance as well…”

“…Nathan too?” Sara asked, suddenly with a hint of anxiety. Not that she didn’t love her twin brother…it was just that his personality could be a bit…strong. To say the least.

Sighing, Nathan nodded his head. “Nathan too, dear.”

Sara took a deep breath. “…Oh…”

---

---

…A King should never sit easy…

Granted, he was no king…not yet anyway. He would be though, as Crown Prince of Ghant. The Obsidian Throne he sat upon would be his, in time. The grand throne room, cavernous, ancient and magnificent would be his in time to do with as he pleased. He would sit in judgment over those who broke his laws, and disobeyed his will. Those who insulted him, his siblings or his mother, would suffer his wrath.

He often fantasized about it…what he would do to those people he didn’t like. That smug, arrogant whore my father shames my mother with…Isabella of Lusitania, and those whorespawn children of hers that my father has showered with titles and positions. The thought made him disgusted, his skin crawl. It made him grip the arms of the throne even harder, his hard, deep blue eyes peering out into the faint light of the throne room, down the length of the patterned carpet that ran its length in between towering columns.

A creaking noise could be heard at the other end of the throne room, and the double doors began to open, sending the noise throughout the vast chamber. His mother, the Empress of Ghant busted through in a flurry, flanked by guards that locked eyes with the Crown Prince’s own, flanking the throne that would one day be his. Hopefully sooner rather than later…may my father be struck down so I might rule and restore the realm to rights.

“There you are, I have been looking for you,” Empress Sophia called out to her son.

“Where else would I be, mother?” Crown Prince Nathan, often condescendingly referred to as Baby Nate, responded to his mother, while he leaned back in the throne.

“Sparring, perhaps, with your brothers or your trainers. I know how much you love to play with your swords,” Sophia said, with a faint smile.

“I do, mother, but it gets boring after awhile,” Nathan responded as he brought an arm to his chin, the fingers on his hand rubbing in front of his face as he examined them. “John is no good, Victor doesn’t play at arms, and Leo gets sent down to the mud where he belongs. Hard to believe he was named after the great Prince Leo of Ghant who led Imperial forces in the Ghantish Civil War, and that Usurper Emperor of the Latins. Such a waste, it is hard enough for me not to laugh in his face. Father should have named him something more befitting of the weakling that he is…something like Francis.”

The Empress sighed as she came to stand before the throne. “Oh, my dear, sweet boy, you should learn to be more accepting and loving of your family…”

“Why should I, mother?” Nathan snapped back. “For years you have suffered my father disrespecting you and dishonoring you with these Ohaides and their spawn. Had I been you, I would have had them pushed down a flight of stairs while they were expecting, and then had them send back to where they came from in chains. This is your Empire, and your family, and you let these whores and my weakling father run roughshod over it and cause our empire nothing but embarrassment and humiliation. I promise you mother, that when I am Emperor of Ghant, I will do right by you and make you proud. I will be an Emperor that is respected.”

That made Sophia smile, although sadly so. “You have been listening to grandfather, haven’t you?”

“Grandfather is the King of Dakmoor, and he rules it well. The nobles respect him, whether by love or fear. He does nothing that would paint the kingdom in a negative fashion. Yet, father shuns his example out of spite. Oh how I despise him!” Nathan cried out.

“But he is your father all the same, son, and you will be Emperor in time. Your responsibility is to be a good son and heir, one worthy of the title.” Sophia studied her son, and urged him to come to her by gesturing with her hand upon outstretched arms. “Come to my, sweet boy. Do you wish to demonstrate to the world of your worthiness, of your value and readiness to ascend?”

Standing up from the throne in a swift motion, the boy stood tall and proud. He was wearing an elaborate court uniform, solid black with gold trim, encrusted with opal and amber. A cloak flapped behind him, and he began to descend down the steps to the floor. “There is nothing more in all the world that I covet more, than an opportunity to demonstrate myself to any and all who would see.”

He saw his mother better up close. She looked as she did in the pictures he had seen of her in her youth. Still beautiful and graceful, with long black hair and fair, unblemished skin. Her deep blue eyes, like his own and his twin sister Sara’s, and John’s, looked out towards him. Nathan outstretched his hands and embraced his mother. “Good…I will have you know that there is an event that I would like for you to attend and represent your country at.”

“Is that so, mother? Pray tell, what is this event you speak of?” He asked, in a sharp, inquisitive tone.

“There is a ball at the Palace of the Emperor of Vannois, being held in the honor of Princess Catherine. Many royals shall be in attendance, and I would have you go, to represent Ghant and mingle with young royals of an age with you,” Sophia explained.

Nathan staggered back, and frowned. “You would have me attend some foreign ball so I can waste my breath on vapid royals, and feign interest in callow girls that are hardly good for anything besides breeding?”

“I would, my son. You don’t have to like it, you just need to do it, because you are Crown Prince and it is expected. Besides…Princess Claire will be there…” Sophia offered a smile as she beamed in her white gown.

“There is only one woman I want, mother, and that is Princess Marcia of the Late Roman Empire,” Nathan said back, folding his arms. “I shouldn’t have to waste my time with Princess Claire.”

“And yet,” Sophia said as she put a hand on his shoulder. “A wise young man plays the field, and keeps his options open. Claire is the sister of Emperor Audric of Vannois, and is of the highest pedigree. She is even a great-granddaughter of Princess Teresa of Ghant, you know. There are very few matches of higher caliber than she.”

“Fine, mother, fine, I will go,” Nathan sighed in his reluctance. We shall see about this Princess Claire. “…Who else is going?”

“Let’s see,” the Empress recalled as she tapped her chin. “Sara, John, Valerie, Princes Peter and Paul, your cousins Ethan, Leona and Gemma Hyla, Nestor, Fiona and Grace Zuria, Jori, Anna and Bella Haro…and Victor, Leo and Diana.”

Nathan recoiled from his mother. “Victor, Leo and Diana? You must be kidding, mother! Victor I can tolerate, but Leo and Diana? Hardly. They are fit for kitchen duty, not for an Imperial Ball!”

“My sweet boy, you must realize,” Sophia said firmly. “That not only are Leo and Diana your father’s children, but they are also the nephew and niece of Emperor Jason Augustus of the Latins. They are…worthy in that regard.”

“Worthy of being my servants, maybe. Emperor Jason is a whoremongering idiot too, just like father. All they ever do is put their feet in their mouths. Why should I ever consider him in anything I do, mother?” Nathan protested with a stomp upon the cold hard floor off to the side of the carpet.

“Because, son, being Emperor often means dealing with and accommodating people that displease you. You will learn in time, that you will always get the things you want, provided you have the patience for them. And consider this. You are the heir to Ghant, not John or Victor or Leo. You and you alone will sit the Obsidian Throne and rule all of the land from it. Every highborn girl will come from every corner of the world to seek your favors and entice your attentions. For you are the most eligible young prince in all the world, and if would but learn to be patient and will yourself to be at least somewhat accommodating, the world over will be your oyster,” the Empress explained as she stroked her son’s hair.

Nathan smiled then, and wrapped his arms around his mother tightly, pressing the side of his face against her. “I will be the Emperor that Ghant deserves, mother, I swear it, by the Old Gods and the New. I will go to Vannois and lead this party, and represent my country as befits the Crown Prince of Ghant. I will make you proud.”

Sophia kissed her son’s scalp, that crop of short, dark brown hair, and stroked it gently. “Good, my son. Very good…that is a start. And be good to your brothers and sisters. Do not let them come to any harm or shame.”

“I won’t, mother, not even to Leo or Diana. My sisters will receive no favors without my assent, rest assured. I will cause injury to any man who even dares to attempt to earn the favors of any of them, he thought with a grin.

“Good…in that case you and the rest should prepare to leave, for you will be leaving on the morrow, and shall arrive in time to rest and get ready for the festivities,” Sophia said as she turned to walk away.

“Don’t worry mother, I will be ready,” Crown Prince Nathan stood in the same spot there in the throne room between two columns. He smirked as his mother walked away. I will be ready for anything…

[Leasath]

Upstairs…

A young girl stood on a large balcony, overlooking the main courtyard of the sprawling Château de Cléricot and the dozens of nobles, servants, and guardsmen passing through it. One of her favorite hobbies was people watching at random times during the day; she would venture out to the balcony and simply observe the many people who worked for the benefit of her family, and of her nation. Of course, she was careful not to be seen while up here. That would lead only to points and cameras flashing and bows whenever any poor man or woman tried to enter the Château.

Marie-Claire, or simply Claire, was proud of being a Princess, sure. She was glad her brother was Emperor and that she got everything and anything she could conceivably want. But there were times when she, interested in how the world worked for the other half, also was proud to become a commoner even if for a moment. She learned much more about how people act around each other in that manner than she would in a million teas and luncheons and the like with her fellow nobility. Not everyone was so proper. Why, she had even heard one man-

“Princess, you were supposed to be downstairs half an hour ago. You know your brother does not like tardiness.” Claire was jerked out of her thoughts suddenly, and half turned towards the speaker, face still facing out so that she could calm herself. “Thankfully most of the foreign delegations have not yet arrived, though I’m sure you knew that.” Now calmed, Claire looked to her nanny, who winked at her.

“Hélène, I was just watching…”

“Just like always, my dear. I know. Now please get yourself downstairs because as much as you use that excuse, I doubt that His Radiance will want to hear it today.” Claire’s nose wrinkled.

“You know you don’t need to call him that, right?” Jumping down from the balcony step, she moved past the nanny – who followed her a few steps behind – and to her room to fetch the shoes she had kicked off earlier, after being left to her own devices on the understanding that she would be at the door to help greet some 45 minutes ago. “He’d rather family call him Audric.”

“And yet I am not family, Marie-Claire.” Shooing the girl to a seat, she snatched up the expensive shoes – left sideways and haphazard on the floor, for goodness sake. They’re worth more than I make in a year – and put them onto the young girl’s feet. “We’ve had this conversation before, you know.”

“I know.” Leaning forward a bit to help the older woman, she sighed. “You used to call him Audric though. I think he liked it more. Nobody calls him that anymore.” Hélène stopped, looking up at the child’s face.

“You and your sister do. All his friends do, and your family.”

“But all of them don’t matter..” Looking at the nanny’s still uncomprehending face, she shook her head. “Never you mind. You’ll get it someday.” Now that the shoes were on – flats, as she was still quite dreadful in anything lifted – she jumped up, and her formerly serious face was now grinning. “Now, to find Catherine a husband!”

“You know…” Hélène started, teasing the Princess by trailing off.

“Know what? Tell me – I need to go down there in a moment.”

“There’ll be boys your age there. Even a Prince or two from what I hear.” Claire’s eyes widened, then narrowed all in a moment.

“Probably just petty Kings and their sons. Not like I haven’t dealt with them before.”

“A certain Crown Prince of Ghant will be in attendance, little one; as well as his siblings.” Claire’s head turned imperceptibly to the side as she moved, now walking out and down the hall. “Plus half of Luxew seems to have turned up for this – I’m sure a lovely boy is just waiting for yo-“

“Do you want me to stay up here all night or what?” Claire turned for one last moment before heading downstairs. “Because right now that sounds better than getting hounded by Vannoisians and foreigners.”

“No, no, feel free, my dear. I did not mean to hold you.” With a huff, Claire turned and bounced downstairs, a little more uncertain than she had been before. Handling Vannoisians was easy; just get Audric to her side to threaten the little – and sometimes big – boys simply by his presence. The foreigners though? They’d either be too dim to realize what they were doing, or too persistent to care.

Wonderful.

Meanwhile…

Audric simply raised his eyebrows at this information. I thought the economy might trigger something…

“Merci, Daniela.” He murmured as she departed. Looking towards his sister, he winked as he caught her eye before turning and moving towards a nearby group of young unlanded nobility. There was never a wrong time to cultivate allies, of course. Or for good conversation. At this point, Audric just wanted something to stimulate him while he mulled the passed code-word.

“Daniela!” Catherine called, attacking the foreign woman with a hug. “I thought I had missed you here in the scrum – might’ve already caught a little lordling and all!” She grinned, quickly re-introducing the Azuran and Montemayori to her friends. At her questions, she shrugged. “I don’t rightly know, to be honest. There’ll be a fair amount of men here I’ve never met, so that’ll be new. Instead of a bunch of over-the-top Princes and Duke’s sons, I’ll have some new meat... Not that I'd ever do anything out of the ordinary, of course, regardless.” Winking at the somewhat red-faced Joseph, grinned at her friends.

[Luxew]

Karl staggered from the car, dangerously balancing on his wobbly, ornate cane. With his wrinkled, veiny hands wrapped onto the car and his cane, he managed, after a few minutes, to make it to his feet, ignoring help offered by the servant. Josef quickly followed, the photo Catherine in his hand. He looked at her photograph, admiring her wavy, brown locks that barely passed her shoulders. He stuffed the photo in his pocket, so he wouldn’t be seen with it. The last thing the wanted was to be spotted admiring a photograph of Catherine.

Meanwhile, Karl had occupied himself with the Vannoisian servant, who had barely moved from when he had greeted him and Josef. He observed Karl, waiting patiently for him to say anything. Karl, however, glared at him earnestly, without reprieve. Either barely moved, retaining their somber composures, even if their humanly grit was as low as Lake Chambéry during the Drought of 1997. Eventually, with their eyes exhausted from the war of glares, Karl resorted into word. “Monsieur,” he said, leaning on his gold-garnished cane, his hand shaking gently with his age. “I would like to inform you my family as a whole was invited, and the whole family shall be in attendance. If Audric desires for the younger children, such as Lady Katherine, to play elsewhere, I accept. However, anyone above five stays with the delegation.” The servant observed him with general disdain, his eyebrows furrowed and his lips gently frowning. “I assure you that my grandchildren and cousins are well-behaved and proper princes and princesses. If they weren’t – he sneezed – I wouldn’t have invited them!” Karl let out a hearty laugh, sounding a half-century younger. “Now, please monsieur, attend to more important matters. Also, please show Lady Anna the location in which Princess Katherine and Prince Ludwig will be during the celebration.” The servant nodded, and fetched Anna and the two younger children out of the flood of Nassau brood.

Josef had kept his eyes on the photo, even if it was stuffed deep in his pocket. He found himself stare into his pocket unconsciously, and only revert to normalcy when he saw someone examining at him with a perplexed glare. He made his way up the minute flight of stairs located in front of the opulent baroque façade of Cléricot. He looked up before entering through the palatial doors, observing the gold-gilded windows, which were astronomical in size, and the elaborate, white friezes that framed it all. He found himself observing it for a while, until he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.

“Your grandfather wants you,” his mother Caroline whispered into her son’s ear. “I don’t know for what, but he’s making it out to be something important. Something about your sister Katherine? Perhaps another Catherine?” Josef sighed. Karl was the one who had sewn the seeds for what he felt as budding love, and the senile, old man would taunt him about it until he finally saw her face to face. His mother opened the palatial doors, letting a tall man who resembled former President Baasch and her son in. “Thank you,” he echoed the tall man, wandering into the grand foyer of the palace, which was as equally resplendent of the exterior, if not even more. Paintings, which were enormous in size, where fixed to the wall, picturing numerous Vannosian emperors, empresses, and generals, depicting them as omniscient and glorious. The barreled ceilings held crystal chandeliers, which hung below the heavens themselves; angels, clouds, and what looked like God himself stirred above him, watching him with every sing move.

“Josef, are you alright?” His mother asked, putting a hand on his shoulder, her eyes worried. “You’ve been in a trance. Remember, your grandfather wants you.”

Josef shook his head. “I’m fine, thanks. Where is he again?”

“He should be somewhere over th-,” she pointed to the portrait of queen, which, according to the plaque below, was Teresa of Ghant, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw something. “He’s over there! Under the picture of,” she squinted. “I can’t see. That one painting with the white guy with his legs cross and big, fake black curls.”

Josef nodded. “Thanks, mom. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“I’ll be in the main ball room if you need me,” she leaned in, planting a kiss on his forehead. Josef blushed, his cheeks flushed with blood. Carolina leaned back out and smiled. “I’ll always love you!”

“I love you, too,” he said, waving goodbye. He began walking into the crowd towards the portrait of the man with the big, fake black curls, to where his mother had supposedly seen Karl. Many had gathered under the portrait of the man, most of whom were chuckling softly as someone crowed on about Ilona Csonka. Josef spotted the tall man, who snorted loudly, his wine glass perched above his blue tie. He began to maneuver his way through the crowds, using his best “excuse me’s” and other niceties expected from men his age. He began brushed past younger men, who appeared much more handsome and preeminent than him. Are they potential suiters as well? He though. Josef felt a tinge of jealousy well up inside him like a cliché teenager during rom-coms. He moved on, until he found his grandfather Karl, surrounded by all the men, japing at every known official in Ixnay.

Karl paused. “Well, I’m sorry fellows, for I must give you a generous respite,” he said, giving a toothy smile, his dentures visible through his white beard. “I will be back momentarily, but carry on without me.” Karl wobbled on his cane, meeting up with Josef. They made their way back out of the swarm of men, who themselves began to disperse without their honey.

“So, you must find Lady Catherine before any of the other potential suitors do,” Karl said, looking downwards. “Your cousin, the son of the Viscount and Viscountess of Bethune- er, what’s his name. Andrew? André? And- Andreas! Your cousin, Andreas, is too competing for the hand of lovely Lady Catherine. He’s older than you, and grew up in Vannoisian court life, so he’s more familiar with what Lady Catherine would probably like.”
“Who’s Andreas and the Viscount of Bethune?” Josef asked, genuinely confused.

“The Viscount of Bethune is Amadeus’s older brother, Walther Johann. Andreas is Walther’s only son, and is revered as one of the more appealing men throughout Audonia,” Karl snickered, leaning dangerously on his cane. “Yet, you will be Catherine’s blessing in disguise.”

“How?” Josef queried, passing through a doorway into the ballroom.

“Well, if I can recollect correctly, Andreas is either sodomite or a whoremaster. It’s one or the either,” Karl said, shaking his head. He sighed, the pebbles rumbling in his lungs. “It’s a shame that many in our family have faltered onto rather amoral lifestyle. Anyways, on a lighter note, I’m going to let you go into the wild. Find the lioness of Vannois and claim her for yourself, even if you must fight like a lion for her.”

Darkness enveloped Josef. He suddenly felt nervous, being thrown into an inescapable abyss, and his only ‘help’ had wobbled away. He stared out across the ballroom, until, he realized, he was staring into the eyes of another.

[Ghant]

Saint-Nazaire, Vannois

At least father travels in style, I will give him that.

The Crown Prince thoroughly enjoyed the amenities of the private jet, which seemed in many ways like a house, living room, bedrooms and bathrooms chief among the features that made it feel as such. The girls, to his knowledge, had spent their time getting their gowns and hair ready, while the boys were getting dressed and preparing themselves to be presentable in the greatest possible fashion.

Nathan sat stone-faced in the company of the likes of his brother John and half-brothers Victor and Leo. Also was their cousin Peter and his eighteen year old son Paul, the one who was being prepped to meet and greet Catherine, although their cousin’s on their grandmother’s Zuria side were also in the hunt, should Paul’s efforts prove to be fruitless.

“…You know,” Paul began to say, “Many royals of Luxew will be present. One even married my uncle, her name is Annemarie.”

“Yeah, and what a waste that turned out to be,” the Crown Prince responded in a snide tone. “They have no power, no influence, no actual crown nor throne. They might as well just be rich commoners, which is nothing worth batting an eyelash at.”

“…What if one of them strikes your fancy?” Prince John asked his elder brother curiously. Prince John had the Dakmaran look…jet black hair, deep blue eyes and the unblemished skin that marked their mother’s house, only difference was that John was short, small and weak. Always a sick puny boy…God has me suffer such detestable brothers.

“I would sooner pass them off to Leo. A lowly Luxew princess far down the foodchain might be considered a match of high prestige for him,” Nathan said of his half-brother with a laugh, despite him sitting not too far away.

“I wonder if one of them will test their fortunes for one of our sisters,” John asked again, stroking his chin.

“…If one of them dares an attempt with any of our sisters, I will most certainly take exception,” Nathan responded, leaning back into his seat. “At best I may consider Diana as a possible match, but even then, our dear half-sister might be too good for them. We might have to save her for some petty king or princeling that would dare to ingratiate himself with the Imperial House." Diana, like her full brother Leo, had hair and eyes the color of mud.

The Crown Prince made good use of his time on the plane before the final descent. He dressed in a fanciful court uniform of black with white and gold trim, featuring a matching set of black gloves, cape and even the Crown Prince’s crown, a circlet of obsidian and opal set amongst gold. John dressed similarly, cape included, the only different being he went without the gloves and electing to wear a shorter cape then his brother. Victor wore neither gloves nor cape and had his uniform tinted with a green sash, that complimented his raspberry blonde hair and hazel eyes. Princes Peter and Paul wore altered court uniforms to reflect their stature, while the Zuria, Hyla and Haro cousins wore uniforms that reflected their house colors, namely green, blue and white, the rainbow shields of Hyla and black, green and blue, respectively.

“Your Highness would be pleased to know that transportation from the airport to the palace has been arranged in the form of sedans,” Prince Peter explained. “We should find ourselves at the Palace in little time.”

“Good, this pleases me greatly,” Crown Prince Nathan responded, almost smiling. “I would remind everyone,” he said as his eyes passed between his three brothers, “that I expect the lot of you to be on your best behavior, and to not forget yourselves.” With those last few words, he looked at Leo. “I also need not remind you to remember courtly precedence. It is me, followed by John, then Victor, and then Leo lastly.” Leo the Last, how fitting. “I would also encourage you to be vigilant for the sake of our sisters. Do not let any of these foreigners attempt to compromise their honor. Failure to adhere to my wishes will incur my displeasure.”

“Understood, as always,” John responded timidly, to which Victor, likewise, nodded slightly, as if to show his agreement without trying to draw too much attention to himself.

Elsewhere on the plane, the girls were gathered, chief among them Princess Imperial Sara, Princess Valerie and their half-sister Diana. The three got along quite well, brothers besides, Although it should be stated that Valerie was slightly more willful then Sara.

Sara wore a very pretty white ball gown that was both modest and proper for a princess of her rank (there were none higher ranking then she in all of Ghant, being the eldest daughter of the reigning Emperor), and she had on a black sash and diamond tiara to signify her position. Her hair was in a partial bun with some of it flowing behind her being held up with a white ribbon. Valerie resembled her sister, although her features tended to take more after their father, while Sara took after their mother. The younger princess had grey-blue eyes and brown hair with the slightest hint of dark red, while she was also freckly about her shoulders and arms, a few on her face even. She was also wearing a white dress, although her sash was teal, and had a matching colored ribbon to keep her hair in place. The two of them tended to their younger half-sister Diana as well, fawning over her like a doll.

“Mother said that Princess Claire is of an age with us,” Valerie said to her older sister. “Perhaps she would like to be friends.”

“Let us hope that is the case,” Sara agreed as she tinkered with Valerie’s hair. “It is important for us to make friends with foreign-born princesses, for one never knows what fruits such friendships might bear.”

“You sound like mother when you talk like that!” Valerie began to giggle, wrinkling her nose in the process.

“That is true, but not a bad thing either. Mother is wise and well-versed in court politics. She intends for all of us to do well for ourselves in the future, and that will require us to make friends and leave good impressions on those we encounter in high places,” Sara explained with a sort of determination.

Valerie didn’t seem convinced. “…Do you think Nathan will ruin it for us though?”

Sara couldn’t help but sigh at that. “Let me worry about him, Val. He just needs the right encouragement.”

As soon as the princes, princesses and nobles were prepped for the upcoming festivities, the plane began its descent, and eventually landed. From there, the Ghantish party emerged in the appropriate order from the plane, guards, retainers and servants in tow. They all made their way from the plane down the steps onto the tarmac, and into the vehicles designated to transport them to the palace.

Once they had arrived outside the palace, it was time for their grand entrance. The Crown Prince made his approach with Sara on one arm and Valerie on the other, while there was a train of the rest walking after them, guards and retainers flanking them on either side. Once they approached the entrance, the herald announced them to whoever was due to receive them.

“May I present, Nathan, Crown Prince of Ghant, Vicelord of Ghish and Heir Presumptive to the Obsidian Throne. John, High Prince of Ghant, Sara, Princess Imperial of Ghant, Valerie, High Princess of Ghant, Victor, Prince of Ghant, Leo, Prince of Ghant, Diana, Princess of Ghant. Peter, Prince of Ghant, Paul, Prince of Ghant, Ethan, Leona and Gemma of House Hyla, Nestor, Fiona and Grace of House Zuria, Jori, Anna and Bella of House Haro. All respects given to their knights, guards and retainers, sworn in service to His Imperial Majesty Nathan of the Imperial House Gentry, Fourth of His Name, Emperor of Ghant, King of the Ghantar, Lord of Ghish and Protector of the Realm, and Her Imperial Majesty Sophia, of the House Dakmaran, Empress of Ghant, Queen of the Ghantar, Lady of Ghish and Princess Royal of Dakmoor.” Having said all that firmly and loudly enough, the herald once again drove the butt of his staff into the pavement, and stepped aside.

“Thank you Lord Herald,” the Crown Prince said politely, smiling at him and then at the servant at the entrance. “It is my hope that the Chateau de Clericot shall receive us with the honors befitting us of our rank and station.”

Sara and Valerie both did curtsies on either side of the Crown Prince, before Sara spoke. “I very much look forward to the ball, good sir,” she said politely with a twinkle in her deep blue eyes. “Would you do the honor of escorting us to the main hall?”

“If you would be so kind,” Nathan finished, with a look towards the servant that implied that there was little choice in the matter as far as he was concerned…

[Leasath]

The Emperor had gathered what family he had present at his sides as the Luxish and Ghantish delegations arrived, glad that his little sister had left her rooms for the first time all day and that Catherine was able to extricate herself from her friends long enough to greet quite exceedingly important individuals. He had also fetched his cousins; Jean-Christophe, commonly called Jean, of Alès who was now 11; Adélaïde of Clermont-Ferrand, who was 16; Harold of Parim, who was of an age with Catherine; and his Uncle and Aunt in the shape of Artois, Grande-Duc de Famére, and Camille of Anouilh. In all the House of Niort-Parthenay was well represented despite the majority of their extended family having been called away to settle disputes, attend important events, or naval exercises (it was the 'popular' branch nowadays for the bored Prince).

As they waited, Catherine had been checking and rechecking her nails, hair, dress, and for any marks on her arms or face to make sure she was presentable for these foreigners. The petty Kings and their children were used to her rather excited behavior as a child, and so she had a decent amount of leeway regarding those who she had lived amongst her whole life. As for these men from outside Vannois? Who knows what they would want in a woman.

It was with some surprise that she caught the eyes of a man she didn't know, then. Of course, she had caught the eyes of more than one entranced individual this afternoon, often simply winking and flashing a smile at them before turning back to her friends and curling a lip at their blatant staring. The boy in front of her, however, was new. Not unattractive, of a decent height, kind eyes. She was poked in the side by her brother, who pointed out that he was one of the Luxish men after her hand - though which one, he could not say.

"He does seem an interesting character, though, I must say. He's about as frozen as you are right now." This snapped her out of it, and she simply smiled at the young man before focusing on the Herald's ringing voice calling for attention to the entrance of the Crown Prince of Ghant and his family. Most of the room went silent, awaiting the young royalty with bows and a welcome from Audric.

"It is with great cheerfulness that I welcome both the Ghantish delegation, and that of Luxew. I thank you for joining us." Gesturing to those alongside him, he continued. "This, is my own family, and the Royal Family of Vannois. The Princess Catherine, Duchess of Annecy; the Princess Marie-Claire, Duchess of La Couronne; Artois and Camille, Grand Duke and Duchess of Famére; Jean-Christophe, Heir to the Duchy of Alès; Adélaïde, Heir to the Duchy of Clermont-Ferrand and Sister to the Queen of Rellesia; and Harold, Heir to the Count of Parim. I also wish to introduce my betrothed, Kailey Princess of Pauldustllah, and-" Sure to not trip over his words, Audric spotted his mother, who not only had not informed him of her arrival but had not even set foot in this Palace since his father's death"- the Dowager Empress Hélène of Antigueux." At this, the family bowed for the delegation and for their Emperor, before moving towards the Ghantish to speak with them, Audric and Hélène in heated yet near-silent conversation.

"Where do you get off deciding to come home and not informing me nor my sisters?" Audric raised an eyebrow, the only out-and-out symbol of his displeasure. "On a day such as this all must be in order, including you."

"I simply wished to come and see my eldest daughter's future husband, child. I already missed out on meeting my son's future wife, if you remember." The Dowager Empress rolled her eyes, causing Audric to growl out an order to keep her composure.

"If I can deal with you being here, you can forget about my betrothal for one night. Now, let us greet the Crown Prince." Audric moved away from his mother, back to the head of the pack of Vannoisian royalty. All bowed as he greeted young Nathan. "Welcome to the Château de Cléricot."

[Azura and Montemayor]

As Catherine left to go greet the delegations from Ghant and Luxew, Daniela excused herself from the small group that remained and went off to look for a balcony or patio. Her uncle had told her to inform him as soon as she had delivered his message to the Vannoisian Emperor, which she had failed to do, instead deciding to mingle with Catherine and her friends. Wandering down a hallway, looking now for any room that could give her enough privacy to make a call without being overheard, Daniela begun once more to wonder what the message could have meant. It couldn’t have been that important. If it was he wouldn’t have asked me to deliver it, right? Probably just something to do with Stefánia, I shouldn’t worry about it.

Coming across a set of doors that exited into the gardens, Daniela silently went out through the doors and shut them behind her. Scanning her surroundings she saw no other royalty or staff, who were all presumably inside greeting the foreign delegations. Reaching into her handbag and retrieving her cell phone, Daniela unlocked it only to realize that she had no way of contacting her uncle, something both of them must have forgotten when discussing this ‘plan’ that they had made. Her uncle, as far as she knew, did not have a cell phone, and relied on other people to send out messages and orders for him.

Moving through the winding hedges and flowerbeds, Daniela found a stone bench near the middle of the garden. Stopping to sit down, she once again took out her phone and inserted the number for her father. If anyone would know how to get in touch with her uncle, it would be his brother. Maybe she would even be lucky enough and it would turn out that her father was in Tiran so he could deliver her message in person. The ringing that came through the phone seemed to last forever, so long that Daniela thought her father might not answer, but right before she was about to end the call the ringing stopped and her father’s heavy Slovak accent came through the speaker.

”Ahoj, Daniela! Are you having a good time in Vannois?”

Relieved, Daniela slipped into her native language. ”Yes father, I’m having a good time. Listen, I need you to tell Uncle something for me, would that be possible?”

”Well..” her father began, ”I suppose I could try to get in touch with him, but I’m in Wukatia right now. Can it wait?”

It seemed that luck was not on her side this time. ”No, father, it cannot wait. I’m in Cléricot now. I just delivered a message to the Vannois Emperor, and he told me to let him know after I did so… I guess neither of us realized that I had no way of contacting him from here.”

”Daniela..” her father sounded slightly worried. ”What was this message that you had to deliver?”

”I’m not exactly sure. It was just something about a watch ending. I don’t think it was that important.”

”Of course, of course… Not important. Don’t you worry I’ll let him know that you delivered his message, honey. I hope the remainder of your trip is as good as the previous part has been. Zbohom.”

”Zbohom, Father, Daniela said, ending the call. Her father’s tone for the second half of the conversation did not escape her, she knew that something was bothering him. Unsure of what it was though, she stood and begun her walk back to the palace, checking once more to assure herself that no one else was present in the garden that could have overheard her.

Reaching the door she had exited through, she reopened it and walked back inside. Returning the way she had come down the corridor, she entered the main area where everyone was gathered.

[Ghant]

Chateau de Clericot
Saint-Nazaire, Vannois

The Ghantish party was received personally by Emperor Audric, apparently, much to the Crown Prince’s delight. I would have expected nothing less, he thought as he listened to the Emperor’s greeting. After he introduced all of his family members, the Crown Prince said, “tis a pleasure to be here,” the Crown Prince said after the introductions were concluded. Afterwards he bowed slightly with an inclination of his head to each man in turn, and then for the women among them, he did something else entirely.

“Adelaide, the name of a former Empress of Ghant, it suits you,” he said to her as he took and kissed the back of her hand. To Camille, he said, “Camille, a name so soft and smooth upon the tongue, like honey.” Attractive, certainly, but far too removed from the main lines to be of much use to the Crown Prince.

Then came Kailey. “Princess Kailey, niece of the Queen of Pauldusttlah. His Majesty the Emperor Audric is a fortunate man, truly. Dare I wonder, how fares your younger sister, Princess Tera of late?” Princess Tera was a name that was thrown around as a potential future bride for the Crown Prince. Fortunately, there were still a few years to see how things played out, but as a sister of the future Empress of Vannois, Tera would remain a frontrunner, along with Princess Claire, he suspected.

Next came Catherine. “Princess Catherine, small wonder so many suitors have traveled the world to be here to vie for your hand, for wars have been started for lesser beauties then thee.” This one was a delicate situation. While it would be nice to see Paul and Catherine get together, should that transpire, it would undermine Nathan’s own future potential match with Claire, seeing as how the Emperor might be loathe to see two of his sisters married to two Ghantish Imperial Princes. If Paul ends up with Catherine, that will make Tera more likely then Claire for me, he thought. While that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, he took a certain degree of pleasure at the thought of young women vying for his affections, and for his crown.

Lastly came Princess Claire, whom Nathan lingered before, just for a few moments, before taking her hand and kissing it gently upon the back. “Princess Claire…the name is said to mean clear. A most fitting name, for clear is your radiance, like a clear summer day. I very much look forward to the pleasure of your company this evening.” Nathan did like Claire…something about her made him smile…

The other members of the party were conducting similar greetings, and it did not go unnoticed to Nathan that his sister Valerie blushed and smiled sheepishly at Jean-Christophe of Ales. I will need to watch that one, I do not doubt. Elsewhere was Prince Paul of Ghant, who greeted Princess Catherine very personally, seeing as how they were of the same age and he undoubtedly found her quite attractive. “It is as my cousin the Crown Prince says, your highness, that wars have been started for lesser beauties then thee. Would that the Greeks knew of you, lest a thousand poems of you might have been spoken for all time.” Paul, to his credit, stood just over six feet tall, and had brown hair and grey-blue eyes. While not particularly strong, he was lean and broad-shouldered, and well connected. His aunt Seraphina was married to the main pretender of the defunct throne of Azura and Montemayor, while he had an uncle married to Princess Annemarie of Luxew…another house of a defunct throne.

The Imperial House and the former royal house of Luxew were both known to be prolific dynasties, and had often intertwined when there was an excess of family members to go around. Yet without formalized power like they enjoyed in the old days, they were considered fallback options at best these days. Although he didn’t doubt that at least one of his noble red-headed cousins might shack up with one of them.

Nathan watched as Paul approached Catherine once more with a proposition. “I can think of no greater honor then if you would accept my offer to escort you to the ballroom, your Highness. As much as I would like to escort you to the heavens where you belong, the ballroom will have to suffice.”

Damn, cousin, I see you out there working on that Princess. Paul certainly was a smooth talker like his father and grandfather, although whether that would pay off would remain to be seen. If Aunt Teresa were still alive, I do not doubt that she would be quite enraptured at the prospect of more dynastic relations with Ghant. Afterall, it was Teresa who famously said, once you go Ghant, nothing else you shant.

With an extension of his arm, Nathan asked Claire, “would you do me the honor of showing me to the ballroom, your Highness?” If anything, it will give me a chance to see you up close.

[Luxew]

Ludwig August & Caroline
Ludwig and Caroline merged at a banquet table, concernedly looking over their shoulders every few minutes, scanning the ballroom for a decrepit elderly man with his ornate cane and senile stagger.

They had worked meticulously to distance themselves from Karl, as their relation to him was purely unwarranted and disparaging in their eyes. Caroline surveyed the quiches and cheeses, her eyes pacing between the brie and mozzarella cubes, her hands hovering between both piles. Ludwig, who had reached for finely aged wine, kept his eyes away from the various snacks, and peered through the crowds. He'd reluctantly agreed to come here with his estranged father, whom he had barely said a word to yet. Ludwig preferred for it to remain that way, and he was still mainly oblivious of what was the big idea of this ball and his father's invitation, like he had been drugged for the past few days.

Caroline eventually, after a serious tug-of-war in her mind, decided that it was sensible to take a few cubes of each, stuffing them onto a porcelain plate. She swipped a few quiches, shoving one into her mouth. Ludwig slowly sipped on his wine, his reservoir of alcohol in his glass slipping away. He disliked drinking as a whole, but when he was nervous, he refrained from his juices to hard liquor, usually whiskey. Sadly, the Imperium didn't accommodate such tastes, and wine, he supposed, was a compromise, if marginal at best. He downed the last few drops of the red, fermented grape drink. By the time Caroline finished filling her plate with hors-d'oeuvres, she was greeted by a reserved Ludwig who was halfway through his third glass of wine. Caroline coughed.

"Hello, my love," Ludwig said, lifting his glass up to his lips. He wasn't drunk, or buzzed yet, yet, Caroline was concerned. When Ludwig was anxious, and alcoholic beverages were available, he was like a college student attending his first frat party, or the person who recently became old enough to drink legally for the first time. "What is wrong?"

"What drink are you on?" Caroline inquired, her head tilted to the side, her eyes similar to those of an angry ninth grade algebra teacher.

"Third," Ludwig responded, with puerile smile. "What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong with that?" Caroline reiterated, her as sharp as Hallingberg Steel. "We are at a ball! We are guests, and we are expected to act as courteous guests to the Emperor, who is in earshot." She sighed, bringing her head to her palm. "Give me the drink, before you are as plastered as your aunt during our wedding."

"That's what eventually killed Aunt Margarete. Cirrhosis of the liver is not especially key to longevity," Ludwig cawed. Caroline sighed, bringing her head to her palm. “Aunt Margarete was an alcoholic in the end, and that was just leading to her death.”

“No kidding,” Caroline scoffed. “Also, don’t change the subject. You cannot be drinking like a drunkard at this ball. Give me your drink. Now.”

“I’m no pawn in your chess game,” Ludwig said, annoyed. “I’m not drunk, and you have no right to make wily demands. I could demand you to throw all of that food away.” Caroline tilted her head back, her neck protruding like an ostrich’s. Her lips twitched, as Ludwig took another sip of his wine. She closed her eyes, and shook her head.

“I’m no pig,” she crowed, walking away. “You are a disgraceful alcoholic.”

“I didn’t call you a pig, Caroline,” he said, pursuing her. “I’m not an alcoholic, either. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you are…”

“Thanks,” Caroline echoed, making a sudden turn. An ill-prepared Ludwig tried to follow.

Thump

Ludwig fell flat on his chest, moaning in paint. It was like someone had punched him in the stomach. His wine glass had shattered, and little pieces of broken glass sparkled before him. He felt all the eyes in the room were upon him, judging him immensely. He staggered to his feet, much like his father. He brushed off his knees. “Sorr-,” he was interrupted, by a red-stained Emperor Audric blankly glaring at him.

Josef Leopold

Josef had met Catherine for the first time.

Even though they were yards away, they found each other in the crowd, frozen to each other. They hadn’t said a word, or touched each other, but Josef felt her kind, yet tenacious dark eyes revealed her whole personality. He had learned more about her from her eyes then from his senile grandfather, or the photograph of her. Catherine had smiled at him. She had looking away, burning her eyes and her bright smile into his mind. The ball had enamored him, while Catherine stole his heart like a romantic bandit. He looked away, his cheeks flushed.

Josef, still intoxicated on seeing the real Catherine for the first time, made his way through the crowds, towards her. Using his niceties, he managed to get a glimpse of her and her brother, Audric, as the greeted his cousin, Andreas.

Andreas was as old as Catherine, and possessed a strident charm and charisma that even Josef could fall for. His ash blonde hair was slicked back, and he stood a head taller than Josef. His eyes were always calm, and kind. His cousin, Itta, once said that, “Anyone could find comfort in his eyes.”

His happy demeanor turned sour quickly. Jealously exploded like a volcano, is insides as hot as lava. He clenched his fists and closed his eyes, trying to ignore Andreas. He didn’t mind the other petty lords conversing with her, but, he didn’t want to compete with his own kin over the relationship status of Lady Catherine. It would be a loss that would scar him forever if Catherine’s hand fell to Andreas.

He turned around, trying to calm down. He didn’t want to make a scene. Josef didn’t like being the center of attention, particularly when he conveyed himself negatively. He exhaled heavily. He walked ahead, ignoring his niceties. He slid past the other guests who were waltzing and gently discussing the matters of the imperial court. He bumped into a younger looking couple, refraining from any apology.

“Excuse me?” A masculine person called out. Josef turned around. He didn’t recognize him, but in his company was Marie-Claire, the younger sister of Catherine. Before the younger boy could take action, a loud thump echoed throughout the ballroom, followed by glass shattering. What has happened, Josef thought.

[Leasath]

Audric

It looks as if the Luxish are already indulging, the Emperor thought, making his way towards the refreshments alongside Kailey and a few retainers. He had said his temporary goodbyes to the Ghantish, thanking them for their coming, and almost directly noticed one of the elder Luxish delegates. Having not yet greeted any of them, he had just made his way over.

"Excuse-moi, I-" He had barely spoken when the man suddenly turned and tripped, splashing - thankfully relatively cheap - red across Audric's front. Looking down at his ruined suit before staring at the man below him, he clenched his jaw. A retainer stepped forward, looking to wipe away some of the wine, before the Emperor threw a hand up in his face. "Obtenez cet idiot hors de ma vue. Je vais chercher un nouveau costume." [Get this idiot out of my sight. I'll go get a new suit.]

"Très bon, Votre Majesté."

As the Emperor stormed away - and conversation started picking up about the obviously drunken and certainly mentally impaired Luxish noble's faux pas-, his betrothed stood nearby while servants helped the Luxish man up. She smiled at him.

"It seems you've pissed the Emperor right off, sir. I wouldn't suggest getting within his line of sight again, if you can avoid it. Trust me." She walked off, finding her Ladies in Waiting before moving towards a group of lords and ladies from Iustus Sumus.

Catherine

"It is wonderful to meet you all." Catherine murmured, the thought of the young man she had seen before slipping out of her mind at the sight of yet another relatively desirable man. "And I must say, even I have never been so flattered as I am at that compliment, sir. I must assume you are Prince Paul, yes?" She smiled coquettishly, almost not noticing another man approaching as her little sister led the Crown Prince off. Turning slightly so that she could speak to both of them, she nodded her head politely. A Luxish man, perhaps, or did Duke Frederique have another son?

"And I am afraid that I don't know your name, sir. I am Princess Catherine." She had gotten the introduction in as Paul propositioned a jaunt to the ballroom, which she could do nothing but accept - not that she minded, really. "Oh- I'm sorry, I'll have to catch up with you later. I'm sure we'll meet again." Taking Paul's arm, she moved away towards a side exit, winking at one of her friends.

Marie-Claire

"Of course." The younger Princess smiled lightly at the Crown Prince. I see nothing wrong with him at first glance, but a conversation will be telling, surely, she thought. She caught a glimpse of each of his siblings and saw a good few around her age. Perhaps this would be worth more than just finding a husband for Cat, then.

[Lacus Magni]

Imperial Family Personal Plane
en route to the Imperial Palace, Cléricot, Vannois

The Princess Maria was the oldest of Latin Emperor, Jason Augustus’ children. His only child from his first marriage, Maria always received preferential treatment from the Emperor, yet still remained closer under his watchful eye. This trip to Vannois would be the first visit she would undertake on her own. At 18 years old, Maria was a spitting image of her mother at the same age: standing near 5’5” with long, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Today, she traveled with her close friend and second cousin, the 16 year-old, Justin, Lord of Vindóbona. Her Highness and His Lordship would likely be the last of all guests to arrive at the Vannoian Ball.

Nevertheless, the Princess was excited for her next venture outside of Latium.

“Have you ever been to Vannois, Justin?” she asked her cousin.

“Never,” Justin responded. “Mother has shown my photos of it and told me of her state visits there with Uncle Jason,” he told her. Justin was the oldest son of Deputy Consul and Senatorial Tribune, the Duchess of Vindóbona. “You’ve been, haven’t you?”

“Once. I went with father when I was very young,” Maria told Justin. “Very lovely from what I actually remember,” she finished with a laugh.

“Well the only sights I want to see are the other Princesses,” Justin laughed. Justin has, since a young age, always looked up to the Emperor, including his perceived womanizing.

“Such a child,” Maria smiled to him. “I’m sure there will be plenty of Princesses there…though I’ll just have to tell them to steer clear of you, cousin.”

Justin shook his head with a laugh. “I don’t know why I still hang around you.”

“Because I introduce you to all the Princesses,” Maria shot back in jest.

“Ah yes, that’s it,” he smiled. “Your Ghantish cousins are going to be in attendance as well, aren’t they?”

**Fasten seatbelts for landing** the planes intercom rang out.

“Yep,” Maria smiled. “Little Leo and Diana. They’re what, 10 and 8 years old now I think. It will be nice to see them,” she finished as she fastened her seatbelt while the Imperial plane began its descent. “I’ll have to get a picture with them to show father when we get home.”

“He’s alright with that family now?” Justin asked her, having overheard stories of Jason Augustus’ anger to the [i]Imperial Affair[/s], as it were.

“Appears to be at least,” Maria said unfastening her seatbelt before standing up to exit the plane. “Father doesn’t really talk about his feelings much.”

The two walked down the stair-car and entered their car to take them to the Ball. “Well, mother always says he is very busy…but I’m sure you know more about that than I,” Justin told the Princess.

Maria nodded her head and simply replying, “Very,” while finding her seat in the car.

“Anyway, you should introduce me to Princess Catherine,” Justin said as the car began driving off.

“Should I?” Maria questioned. “You better start being nicer then,” she teased him.

“You should, and besides, I can keep away all the princes that start to pester you,” Justin offered in a slightly joking tone.

“And here I figured you would be more into finding some alcohol to drink,” Maria shook her head with a laugh.

“I never said I wouldn’t try to have a little drink or two,” Justin told her as the car approached the Palace where the Ball had already begun. “Better late than never, eh cousin?”

Maria took a deep breath and adjusted her navy dress before exiting the limo. “Better late than never,” she repeated.

[Ghant]

Chateau de Clericot
Saint-Nazaire, Vannois

Baby Nate

The Crown Prince was quite satisfied with the welcome provided to him by Audric. It is good to know that he acknowledges our importance. He observed as Audric went off with Kailey not long thereafter. Under normal circumstances, he might have been inclined to join them in their partaking of food and beverage, yet at present he had the attention of Princess Claire…which he was loathe to relinquish. If only because you may prove yourself worthy of being my Empress.

"Of course," was her response to his proposition of her joining him in the ballroom, with a slight smile to accompany her words. Nathan returned the smile, and reached out to take her arm for interlocking, before proceeding to walk with her upon his arm. I see nothing wrong with her at first glance…some conversation ought to be revealing. “I wonder how you feel, my princess, about all of this being for your sister. I for one am glad for it, since it means that less attention is paid to you. Treasure gone unnoticed is treasure for the taking,” the Crown Prince told her with a grin.

“Naturally, my Princess, I am curious to learn more about you and your interests. Sure you have more than just looking pretty.” Thinking for a moment as they walked, he continued. “My twin sister Sara and younger sister Valerie are interested in traditional ladylike pursuits. They both possess the feminine graces of their milieu, with a keen interest in music, poetry, singing, dancing, reading and writing. They are enthralled by songs and stories of romance and adventure involving dashing princes and heroic knights. I wonder if you share such interests.” Should that be the case, I doubt you will ever find a more dashing prince then I…

Assuming that people had begun dancing, the Crown Prince was prepared to begin a dance with her, as was expected for such an event.

Paul

"And I must say, even I have never been so flattered as I am at that compliment, sir. I must assume you are Prince Paul, yes?" Princess Catherine asked of Paul, while some Luxish princeling dared presume interruption. Let’s see what I can do, Paul thought to himself as he straightened up for a proper response.

“Indeed, your Highness, I am Prince Paul of Ghant, son of Prince Peter. It is with great joy to know that mine kind words are of great value to thee.” Catherine spoke to the Prince of Luxew, and accepted Paul’s invitation, by taking his arm and beginning to walk with him towards the ballroom. It was upon this that he continued to speak to her. “Would it be reasonable to assume, my Princess, that you find yourself somewhat overwhelmed at the suitor prospects that you face at present? It can be so…did you know that the Empress of Ghant, in her youth, was often courted by upwards of twenty young men a week, for her eligibility was considered so great.”

In the event of a dance, Paul was fully prepared to initiate a dance with Princess Catherine. “And if you would honor me with a dance, my Princess, I would be much obliged.”

Sara

“…Is he gone?” Valerie asked her older sister Sara as they took note of him going off with Princess Claire. “Brother is such a pain in the butt.”

“It would seem so,” Sara nodded, although she reserved commentary on the last statement. “Don’t get any ideas though. Mother and Father will be upset if you got into any trouble. That and we need to set a good example for Diana.”

“Did you see Jean, of Alès, Sara?” Valerie asked as the sisters and their entourage made their way inside. “He is very handsome, don’t you think? Do you think he will ask me to dance?”

Sara couldn’t help but shake her head. “Maybe…but for what it is worth, I thought Harold of Parim was more so.” While Sara was more disciplined and refined, Valerie was a bit more mischievous. She was prone, like father, to getting into situations that could easily be perceived as being unbefitting of a person of such a high position. And because Sara was the older sister, it often fell upon her to keep Valerie out of trouble. Which way Diana ends up swinging remains to be seen.

“What about the Luxew princelings? Some of them seemed decent enough,” Valerie pressed her older sister as she looked around. “Oh look, one of them just spilled something on Emperor Audric,” in her giddiness, Valerie couldn’t help but laugh.

“Don’t laugh at that, the Emperor was just shamed at his own ball. And the last thing either of us want is for the Emperor to have a negative perception of our delegation,” Sara insisted.

Valerie then mocked her older sister in a patronizing voice. “Oh, my name is Sara and I am Princess Imperial of Ghant! I am so smart and proper and woe be they who do not recognize it.”

“…That’s not funny, Valerie! I’ll tell mom!” Sara threatened her softly.

“…Nuh-uh.” Valerie shook her head with a smirk. “Mother will blame you for letting me act funny at the ball.”

“Yes-huh!” Sara insisted. I swear this girl will drive me mad. “Mother knows that you like to cause trouble because you think its amusing.” Please God, give me a distraction…

[Poslar]

Palace of the People, Office of Duke Felix Chrisitansen:
The young duke was angry, more than that.
"I told you I don't want anything of this nonsense ! How old is she 30 ? Like the last one you want to 'introduce'."
The man at the other side of the desk was not impressed at all.
" As you know sire, Ingrid Winter is 28 and the heir to one of the mo..."
" I don't give a care. Hjort, I play along because I must, because you and you're idiotic party enacted a law..."
" That is irrelevant sire." Simon Hjort got practice with discussions like this, after all it was the fifth one this week, since the death of glorious Magnus Christiansen, third duke of Poslar his stuborn son had taken the duty and he was the last member of the ancient house.
" This one is different. I admit that I would favor a Winter or a Rotschild or even a Commoner from Poslar but this one is important." He handed a letter. " This is from the Empire of Vannois and Leasath as you may..."
" Wait a minute, this is about Princess Catherine yes ?"
" Yes sire, as I said the Empire of Vannois an..."
The Duke didn't paid that much attention while he tried to find anything about the girl. To his surprise there were nearly as much matches as about the Empire, certainly more than about Poslar.
"...raw earth materials and the position make it perfect for a geostrategic." Hjorts voice droned over, he was skilled in this art, no one in the politic of Poslar really paid much attention.
" I believe you have me this time Simon, at least we have things in common so this very well might work but I don't give any promises."
He printed a few articles about the Princess and pressed a button. "Alexander ? The Dragon I should be ready to take off in three hours, no press release this time please. Send a docket to Gudmunson, we are accepting the invitation from the Empire of Vanois and Leasath. That would be all for the day."

One day later:
The flight was idle, even the one air hole over Vancouvia was nothing to mention, well at least for him formerly ltc of the Poslari Airforce. His security guards were fine as well but the same could not be said about the adjutants. Blood young people and wannabe Ambassadors, in the most cases they earned their place trough money and influence so it served them right.
Just in time a BMW 7 and 3 SUVs appeared in front of the airport, Alexander knew his work as a secretary for house Christiansen, after all he had served his father and he was a apprentice under his grandfather as well.
There would be no Police escort, after all he distasted this 'protection measures' whole heartly and avoided them as often as possible, in the past it was not uncommon that he would appear in the Nightlife of Freeport unannounced, starting a city wide search mission.

Of course this was probably one of the reason why he was sent to the Academy of North Port, even if he escaped the Island was sparely populated without anything worthy to be called 'Nightlife.' So he was prepared for a life in the Air Force until his father died.
Again he recalled what he knew about Princess Catherine. While he prepared for the first impression.
He wore his best suit, black, decorated only with two medals, the silver dragon badge of the Air Force, the golden badge of Poslar and a red tape around the right arm in memorial to his father. His light brown hair was tamed, not an easy task that took at least one hour, and his step had still the precision that exposed him as a former soldier.
When he reached the great hall he saw that he was a bit to late, most of the other guests were allready in attendance.

He prepared for the attention as he noticed the herald at the front door, after all this years he knew the protocol by hearth.
" I give you attention to Duke Felix Christiansen, fourth duke of Poslar, shield of the faith, sword of the realm, choosen of the Dragons and the rightful ruler of Poslar, the isle of twait and the oversea protectorates !"
Confirming the protocol he made his steps towards Emperor Audric to greet the host. 'Well at least this is more interesting as a Party from the Winter Family, the Dragons may curse me if I have to endure another of their garden festivals.' He thought while he was waiting to be greeted.

[Leasath]

Imperial Family Personal Plane
en route to the Imperial Palace, Cléricot, Vannois

The Princess Maria was the oldest of Latin Emperor, Jason Augustus’ children. His only child from his first marriage, Maria always received preferential treatment from the Emperor, yet still remained closer under his watchful eye. This trip to Vannois would be the first visit she would undertake on her own. At 18 years old, Maria was a spitting image of her mother at the same age: standing near 5’5” with long, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Today, she traveled with her close friend and second cousin, the 16 year-old, Justin, Lord of Vindóbona. Her Highness and His Lordship would likely be the last of all guests to arrive at the Vannoisian Ball.

Nevertheless, the Princess was excited for her next venture outside of Latium.

“Have you ever been to Vannois, Justin?” she asked her cousin.

“Never,” Justin responded. “Mother has shown my photos of it and told me of her state visits there with Uncle Jason,” he told her. Justin was the oldest son of Deputy Consul and Senatorial Tribune, the Duchess of Vindóbona. “You’ve been, haven’t you?”

“Once. I went with father when I was very young,” Maria told Justin. “Very lovely from what I actually remember,” she finished with a laugh.

“Well the only sights I want to see are the other Princesses,” Justin laughed. Justin has, since a young age, always looked up to the Emperor, including his perceived womanizing.

“Such a child,” Maria smiled to him. “I’m sure there will be plenty of Princesses there…though I’ll just have to tell them to steer clear of you, cousin.”

Justin shook his head with a laugh. “I don’t know why I still hang around you.”

“Because I introduce you to all the Princesses,” Maria shot back in jest.

“Ah yes, that’s it,” he smiled. “Your Ghantish cousins are going to be in attendance as well, aren’t they?”

**Fasten seatbelts for landing** the planes intercom rang out.

“Yep,” Maria smiled. “Little Leo and Diana. They’re what, 10 and 8 years old now I think. It will be nice to see them,” she finished as she fastened her seatbelt while the Imperial plane began its descent. “I’ll have to get a picture with them to show father when we get home.”

“He’s alright with that family now?” Justin asked her, having overheard stories of Jason Augustus’ anger to the Imperial Affair[/s], as it were.

“Appears to be at least,” Maria said unfastening her seatbelt before standing up to exit the plane. “Father doesn’t really talk about his feelings much.”

The two walked down the stair-car and entered their car to take them to the Ball. “Well, mother always says he is very busy…but I’m sure you know more about that than I,” Justin told the Princess.

Maria nodded her head and simply replying, “Very,” while finding her seat in the car.

“Anyway, you should introduce me to Princess Catherine,” Justin said as the car began driving off.

“Should I?” Maria questioned. “You better start being nicer then,” she teased him.

“You should, and besides, I can keep away all the princes that start to pester you,” Justin offered in a slightly joking tone.

“And here I figured you would be more into finding some alcohol to drink,” Maria shook her head with a laugh.

“I never said I wouldn’t try to have a little drink or two,” Justin told her as the car approached the Palace where the Ball had already begun. “Better late than never, eh cousin?”

Maria took a deep breath and adjusted her navy dress before exiting the limo. “Better late than never,” she repeated.

A lingering Vannoisian nobleman headed off the two Latins, greeting them.

"Bonjour, bonjour. I am Jean-Michel Dufresne, comte de Paves. Welcome to the Chateau." He gestured inside large double doors, which led to the main hall. "A member of the royal family will be within to greet you."

Chateau de Clericot
Saint-Nazaire, Vannois

Baby Nate

The Crown Prince was quite satisfied with the welcome provided to him by Audric. [i]It is good to know that he acknowledges our importance. He observed as Audric went off with Kailey not long thereafter. Under normal circumstances, he might have been inclined to join them in their partaking of food and beverage, yet at present he had the attention of Princess Claire…which he was loathe to relinquish. If only because you may prove yourself worthy of being my Empress.

"Of course," was her response to his proposition of her joining him in the ballroom, with a slight smile to accompany her words. Nathan returned the smile, and reached out to take her arm for interlocking, before proceeding to walk with her upon his arm. I see nothing wrong with her at first glance…some conversation ought to be revealing. “I wonder how you feel, my princess, about all of this being for your sister. I for one am glad for it, since it means that less attention is paid to you. Treasure gone unnoticed is treasure for the taking,” the Crown Prince told her with a grin.

“Naturally, my Princess, I am curious to learn more about you and your interests. Sure you have more than just looking pretty.” Thinking for a moment as they walked, he continued. “My twin sister Sara and younger sister Valerie are interested in traditional ladylike pursuits. They both possess the feminine graces of their milieu, with a keen interest in music, poetry, singing, dancing, reading and writing. They are enthralled by songs and stories of romance and adventure involving dashing princes and heroic knights. I wonder if you share such interests.” Should that be the case, I doubt you will ever find a more dashing prince then I…

Assuming that people had begun dancing, the Crown Prince was prepared to begin a dance with her, as was expected for such an event.

Paul

"And I must say, even I have never been so flattered as I am at that compliment, sir. I must assume you are Prince Paul, yes?" Princess Catherine asked of Paul, while some Luxish princeling dared presume interruption. Let’s see what I can do, Paul thought to himself as he straightened up for a proper response.

“Indeed, your Highness, I am Prince Paul of Ghant, son of Prince Peter. It is with great joy to know that mine kind words are of great value to thee.” Catherine spoke to the Prince of Luxew, and accepted Paul’s invitation, by taking his arm and beginning to walk with him towards the ballroom. It was upon this that he continued to speak to her. “Would it be reasonable to assume, my Princess, that you find yourself somewhat overwhelmed at the suitor prospects that you face at present? It can be so…did you know that the Empress of Ghant, in her youth, was often courted by upwards of twenty young men a week, for her eligibility was considered so great.”

In the event of a dance, Paul was fully prepared to initiate a dance with Princess Catherine. “And if you would honor me with a dance, my Princess, I would be much obliged.”

Sara

“…Is he gone?” Valerie asked her older sister Sara as they took note of him going off with Princess Claire. “Brother is such a pain in the butt.”

“It would seem so,” Sara nodded, although she reserved commentary on the last statement. “Don’t get any ideas though. Mother and Father will be upset if you got into any trouble. That and we need to set a good example for Diana.”

“Did you see Jean, of Alès, Sara?” Valerie asked as the sisters and their entourage made their way inside. “He is very handsome, don’t you think? Do you think he will ask me to dance?”

Sara couldn’t help but shake her head. “Maybe…but for what it is worth, I thought Harold of Parim was more so.” While Sara was more disciplined and refined, Valerie was a bit more mischievous. She was prone, like father, to getting into situations that could easily be perceived as being unbefitting of a person of such a high position. And because Sara was the older sister, it often fell upon her to keep Valerie out of trouble. Which way Diana ends up swinging remains to be seen.

“What about the Luxew princelings? Some of them seemed decent enough,” Valerie pressed her older sister as she looked around. “Oh look, one of them just spilled something on Emperor Audric,” in her giddiness, Valerie couldn’t help but laugh.

“Don’t laugh at that, the Emperor was just shamed at his own ball. And the last thing either of us want is for the Emperor to have a negative perception of our delegation,” Sara insisted.

Valerie then mocked her older sister in a patronizing voice. “Oh, my name is Sara and I am Princess Imperial of Ghant! I am so smart and proper and woe be they who do not recognize it.”

“…That’s not funny, Valerie! I’ll tell mom!” Sara threatened her softly.

“…Nuh-uh.” Valerie shook her head with a smirk. “Mother will blame you for letting me act funny at the ball.”

“Yes-huh!” Sara insisted. I swear this girl will drive me mad. “Mother knows that you like to cause trouble because you think its amusing.” Please God, give me a distraction…

Marie-Claire

The young Princess blushed prettily at the foreign Prince's compliments. He was quite right, of course; unbeknownst to many was the fact that Audric himself had basically made the youngest of his siblings off limits to suitors by refusing to betroth her until she was of a mind to request such an arrangement. By allowing this quite unprecedented freedom of choice to the valuable hand of a Princess he had scared off the more conservative Vannoisian nobles and impressed the liberal contingent enough to obey his wishes without question; and valuable foreigners such as the Crown Prince of Ghant were unaware, which was quite perfect for the ambitions of the Emperor if they took a liking to Marie-Claire or, in the past, to Catherine.

"I must say that I will enjoy your company greatly with all these compliments, your Majesty." She smiled, somewhat shyly, but showing off a glimpse of pearly white teeth. "I confess that many of those interests shared by your sisters are compatible with my own. I will be the first to admit that I find reading, especially novels of the great feats of past Emperors and Kings of Vannois, to be my most favorite past time." Claire fell into step with Nate, dancing in a manner that would make her royal tutor quite proud.

Catherine

"I must say, you have hit the nail on the head, as it were." She gave him a grin, her white teeth fully visible for a moment. "It's not so often that one has to deal with an entire royal ball of men in their honor, and for no other, though I cannot imagine having 20 dashing men after my hand each day. What madness - and fun, to be sure." She moved to dance, much like her younger sister had begun with the Crown Prince, and danced with even more finesse as she had moved beyond the royal tutoring in the subject. If she were to be honest, dancing might have been her most favorite hobby despite being a bit too short to be a true professional.

Spotting Audric returning to the main floor, looking less thunderous than before. Hopefully he doesn't kill the Luxish brood here. The younger Prince was considerable..

Harold and Jean

"Cousin, do you see those two young Ghantish girls there?"

"Yes, sure.. What are you thinking?"

"Well," Harold of Parim brought a hand to his chin, smiling, "I do think that they are the only good looking attainable women I've spotted so far."

"I might agree with such an observation, my good man." Jean of Alès winked at his cousin. "What say you and I make our ways over there, hm?" At Harold's nod, the two young nobles moved towards the foreign ladies, Jean smiling lightly at the one he seemed to recall being named Valerie while the two men bowed to both.

"My Princesses, allow my to introduce my cousin and I personally. I am Jean of Alès, son of the Count and Countess of Alès; this is Harold comte de Parim. It is our absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Palace of the People, Office of Duke Felix Chrisitansen:
The young duke was angry, more than that.
"I told you I don't want anything of this nonsense ! How old is she 30 ? Like the last one you want to 'introduce'."
The man at the other side of the desk was not impressed at all.
" As you know sire, Ingrid Winter is 28 and the heir to one of the mo..."
" I don't give a care. Hjort, I play along because I must, because you and you're idiotic party enacted a law..."
" That is irrelevant sire." Simon Hjort got practice with discussions like this, after all it was the fifth one this week, since the death of glorious Magnus Christiansen, third duke of Poslar his stuborn son had taken the duty and he was the last member of the ancient house.
" This one is different. I admit that I would favor a Winter or a Rotschild or even a Commoner from Poslar but this one is important." He handed a letter. " This is from the Empire of Vannois and Leasath as you may..."
" Wait a minute, this is about Princess Catherine yes ?"
" Yes sire, as I said the Empire of Vannois an..."
The Duke didn't paid that much attention while he tried to find anything about the girl. To his surprise there were nearly as much matches as about the Empire, certainly more than about Poslar.
"...raw earth materials and the position make it perfect for a geostrategic." Hjorts voice droned over, he was skilled in this art, no one in the politic of Poslar really paid much attention.
" I believe you have me this time Simon, at least we have things in common so this very well might work but I don't give any promises."
He printed a few articles about the Princess and pressed a button. "Alexander ? The Dragon I should be ready to take off in three hours, no press release this time please. Send a docket to Gudmunson, we are accepting the invitation from the Empire of Vanois and Leasath. That would be all for the day."

One day later:
The flight was idle, even the one air hole over Vancouvia was nothing to mention, well at least for him formerly ltc of the Poslari Airforce. His security guards were fine as well but the same could not be said about the adjutants. Blood young people and wannabe Ambassadors, in the most cases they earned their place trough money and influence so it served them right.
Just in time a BMW 7 and 3 SUVs appeared in front of the airport, Alexander knew his work as a secretary for house Christiansen, after all he had served his father and he was a apprentice under his grandfather as well.
There would be no Police escort, after all he distasted this 'protection measures' whole heartly and avoided them as often as possible, in the past it was not uncommon that he would appear in the Nightlife of Freeport unannounced, starting a city wide search mission.

Of course this was probably one of the reason why he was sent to the Academy of North Port, even if he escaped the Island was sparely populated without anything worthy to be called 'Nightlife.' So he was prepared for a life in the Air Force until his father died.
Again he recalled what he knew about Princess Catherine. While he prepared for the first impression.
He wore his best suit, black, decorated only with two medals, the silver dragon badge of the Air Force, the golden badge of Poslar and a red tape around the right arm in memorial to his father. His light brown hair was tamed, not an easy task that took at least one hour, and his step had still the precision that exposed him as a former soldier.
When he reached the great hall he saw that he was a bit to late, most of the other guests were allready in attendance.

He prepared for the attention as he noticed the herald at the front door, after all this years he knew the protocol by hearth.
" I give you attention to Duke Felix Christiansen, fourth duke of Poslar, shield of the faith, sword of the realm, choosen of the Dragons and the rightful ruler of Poslar, the isle of twait and the oversea protectorates !"
Confirming the protocol he made his steps towards Emperor Audric to greet the host. 'Well at least this is more interesting as a Party from the Winter Family, the Dragons may curse me if I have to endure another of their garden festivals.' He thought while he was waiting to be greeted.

Audric

After he had changed into a new, unstained suit and tie and made his way back down to the ball - entourage back in tow despite an attempt to avoid them by begging off with his betrothed - he spotted another newcomer, who looked to be from outside the realm of Ixnay. Making his way towards him, the foreigner spotted the Emperor of Vannois and Her Peoples, and they met halfway. He had caught some of the introduction of the Duke, as he learned, and nodded his head.

"Welcome to the Chateau de Cléricot, Duke Christiansen. I am Audric, Emperor of Vannois." Gesturing to his sides, he continued. "This is my betrothed, the Princess Kailey of Pauldustllah, and my mother the Dowager Empress Hélène."

[Ghant]

Baby Nate

The Crown Prince of Ghant, despite himself, blushed sheepishly in response to Claire’s reaction to his polite words. What magic is this that this Princess would make my face flush like some girl? The Crown Prince was no stranger to flattery. All over Ghant, young women who would one day be subject to his rule came to court to curry his favor and possibly his future romances. But he would not give it, for as much as he loved his mother, she was from, essentially, a vassal house. The Crown Prince wanted to set himself apart by marrying a Princess of equal rank, so that he could be better equipped to remind the rest of the country that he was a man apart, one who was owed obedience and respect.

Claire and Baby Nate began to dance…she is quite good, he thought. So am I. Baby Nate began to dance with her in a such a way that would make his mother proud, while Claire began to speak. "I must say that I will enjoy your company greatly with all these compliments, your Majesty." She smiled, somewhat shyly, but showing off a glimpse of pearly white teeth. "I confess that many of those interests shared by your sisters are compatible with my own. I will be the first to admit that I find reading, especially novels of the great feats of past Emperors and Kings of Vannois, to be my most favorite past time."

“This is good,” the Crown Prince commented as they danced. Never shy, he looked her in the eyes from time to time when the opportunity permitted. He wondered what she thought of his deep blues, severe and unyielding like his grandfather, King Malibar of Dakmoor, who he fancied himself the protégé of. “For you are one truly worthy of such compliments. I do not distribute them lightly,” he said with a smile. “My sisters are here, and I do not doubt that they would savor the opportunity to meet you. My sister Valerie has a strong taste for such histories of past Emperors and Kings and their various deeds. I myself am not averse to it either.”

Baby Nate had to be careful here, for he was not as learned as either Sara or John. “I do know about Thibault and Teresa, and all the wonderful things they did during their reign. And their love, which was so powerful as to even be felt today. What they had, that is very profound, and I wonder if I will ever know what that feels like…do you? I have no doubt you will, a Princess of your caliber, beauty and inclinations, young men would slay dragons just to earn your affections…”

---

---

Paul

"I must say, you have hit the nail on the head, as it were." Catherine grinned at Paul and showed him her pretty white teeth. "It's not so often that one has to deal with an entire royal ball of men in their honor, and for no other, though I cannot imagine having 20 dashing men after my hand each day. What madness - and fun, to be sure." Catherine led Paul out to dance, and began to do so with finesse.

Paul, like many younger Ghantish princelings, was quite skilled at things like dancing, and wasted no time in matching her step for step. He smiled as well, showing her his own white teeth. Then he laughed. “It is a delicate process, of that much I am aware. At least, you have the luxury of being able to vet them all in due time. As for me, well, I must confess that you are very well mannered, are skilled at dance, have lovely teeth and are exceedingly beautiful. Considering all of that, I would say that it won’t be easy for you,” he grinned playfully.

As they continued to dance, Paul wasn’t shy in putting in some of his own dance moves, if only to demonstrate his skill on the floor with her. “It’s a shame Teresa isn’t around anymore,” he mused. “May she rest in peace…she had very interesting views on dancing that used to tell when she came to Ghish. I was younger then, but I appreciated the humor all the same.” Paul remembered how Teresa would always say that dancing ability is not only an indication of how well someone can dance on the floor, but also in the bed…

---

---

Sara and Valerie

As the Princess Imperial and the High Princess walked around together amongst their entourage, they were beset upon by the two young men that they had observed earlier…Jean and Harold. It was Jean who spoke to them, offering an introduction. "My Princesses, allow my to introduce my cousin and I personally. I am Jean of Alès, son of the Count and Countess of Alès; this is Harold comte de Parim. It is our absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The reactions from the two princesses was markedly different. Sara stood tall and stiffened her back to look dignified and austere, while Valerie turned a shade of beet red and shyly glanced at Jean for fleeting moments. It was Sara who spoke thusly. “I am Sara, Princess Imperial of Ghant, eldest child of Emperor Nathan IV of Ghant and Empress Sophia. This is my sister, Valerie, High Princess and second of station.” Sara, no stranger to how a Princess of Ghant ought to be treated by men of high position, did a curtsey before extending her arm so that the back of her hand might be kissed. She looked at Valerie out of the corner of her eye, prompting Valerie to do the same in turn. “Our other…half-sister Diana is among out entourage.”

“…To what are we owed the pleasure?” Valerie asked demurely, smiling bashfully at the young men, Jean especially. She had very nice teeth, straight and white, which arguably was her prettiest feature, aside from the freckles on her shoulders and neck.

---

---

A surprise visitor

The cabin of the private jet was nice and tidy, and for the most part, devoid of the remains of alcoholic containers. The man had found other ways to ease the anxiety of flight, mostly through certain drugs that put him into a lull, or helped him sleep. He was, after all, thirty eight years old now, and could ill afford to be getting drunk and seen in such a state.

His party was relatively small, consisting of himself and a small detachment of retainers to ensure his security. He had a lovely lady with him too to keep him company and help steer him out of trouble, if only because at this stage of his life it was better to be safe then sorry. And when the night is through I will have someone to share some love with, he thought with a grin.

The real reason why he was here though was over his parental anxiety, on account of his children…daughters especially. He couldn’t, despite his efforts, trust a relative to see to their conduct, so he decided he would attend himself, and try to be discreet to avoid embarrassing his children or drawing too much attention to himself.

When the plane finally landed and came to a stop, he emerged and headed straight for the limo waiting to take him to his destination. He was dressed in regal dress, as he found it more becoming as he had gotten older. His lady, and his entourage, followed suit and joined him in the vehicle.

While they were driving along in their approach to the palace, he took the time to brush up his reddish-brown hair (admittedly more brown with age) and make sure his outfit looked presentable. Always an overly affectionate man, he brushed his lady’s arms and kissed her on the cheek, here and there.

Eventually, they arrived at the Palace, and he emerged with his entourage in tow. When they approached the entrance, he came to a stop, while the herald announced him to the guards and servants out front, presumably. “May I present Nathan of House Gentry, Fourth of his Name, Emperor of Ghant, King of the Ghantar, Lord of Ghish and Protector of the Realm.”

Papa Nate, as he was called, inclined his head and stood tall and proud as best he could. He was still tall and lean, although granted not so strong as he had once been. He smiled and said, “sorry for the unannounced arrival…sort of a last minute decision if you don’t mind…”

Then something caught him out of the corner of his eye. Well well. His so called niece, the Latin Princess Maria was present with her cousin (and possible half-brother). He raised an eyebrow before speaking. “Hello Maria…strange, running into you here. How are you?”

[Lacus Magni]

Maria

The Latin Princess finally entered the Chateau and the two were greeted by some Count that she was unfamiliar with. “Thank you,” she smiled to him as he pointed her and Justin to the double-doors containing the main event.

Justin entered the main hall first, quickly followed by Maria. The pair looked around the hall where all the guests appeared to have already been introduced to one another. “Look there is little Leo, oh and Diana,” Maria smiled.

“You shouldn’t have taken so long to get ready, eh Maria,” Justin poked at her.

“Sush, you,” she smiled to him. “You’re the one who begged me into to dragging you along,” she continued as Justin looked around the hall for girls his age.

Just then Maria heard a familiar voice near call out her name.

“Who is that?” Justin whispered to Maria. “And damn, who is that lady by him.”

“My sort-of uncle,” Maria told Justin. “Please don’t embarrass me, cousin,” she finished as she and Nathan neared each other.

"Embarrass you? When have I ever done that," Justin laughed, causing Maria to narrow her focus on him with little laughter.

“Hello Maria…strange, running into you here. How are you?” Nathan told her with a raised eyebrow, making Maria smile. My visit was hastily planned, he must be wondering why I’m here, Maria thought.

“Uncle!” Maria said trying to show excitement at seeing Emperor Nathan. “Yes, very strange seeing you here. Though a very welcome surprise,” she grinned to him. “I’m doing wonderful, thank you for asking. Very pleased that father has finally let me travel on my own for once,” she told her Uncle at her relief that her father, the Latin Emperor, was finally beginning to ease up on what she perceived to be overprotection. “He hadn’t mentioned that you would be attending, only that a handful of your children were,” she said flashing a smile to him once she finished rambling on.

Justin coughed slightly causing Maria to snap out of it, so to speak. “Oh, I’m so sorry. This is my cousin, Uncle,” she said introducing Justin. “Justin, Lord of Vindóbona.” Justin had that typical Claudius Nero look about him, sharing many facial similarities with Maria’s father, Jason Augustus.

“An honor, Your Majesty,” Justin told him as he nervously extended his arm to shake the Ghantish Emperor's hand.

Maria quickly took over the conversation again. “So, Uncle, how has Ghish been? It's been awhile," she finished with a cunning smile.

[Azura and Montemayor]

Aurel Doležal
En route to Cléricot, Vannois

Aurel sat in one of the smaller private jets that his family owned for transportation around the nation and to the closer nations surrounding Azura and Montemayor. Facing the front of the plane, he was in one of the comfortable chairs that were situated throughout the cabin. He was all alone on the plane except for the pilot and co-pilot that were in the cockpit out of view. Aurel had been completely in the dark when it came to the ball that was being thrown in Cléricot, which he contributed to his mother and older siblings. Aurel was known to be a partier along with one of his cousins, much to the objection of his family. The only way he had found out was by a post on a social media site made by his cousin Daniela who was in attendance.

Looking out the window to his right, the landscape of Vannois sprawled out underneath him. He had been to Vannois countless times before for a variety of events, but he had to say he was looking forward to this one the most. Not only would there be Vannoisian Princesses, but Princesses from many other foreign nations. He would have settled for just Vannoisian or his native Azuran or Montemayori girls, but with such a large variety he couldn’t stay away.

Sitting back in his seat, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom, “We are approaching Cléricot, please prepare for landing.”

Latching the seatbelt across his waist and shutting off his electronic devices Aurel prepared for the final approach before landing.

****

Stepping off of the jet and onto the stairs that were set up along the door, Aurel made his way to an awaiting set of cars that would transport him to Château de Cléricot. Once he was in his car and felt it begin to move he pulled out his cell phone and switched it on. Finding his cousin Daniela’s number in his contacts, he sent her a text message. “I’m on my way to the palace, meet me near the entrance.”

****

Passing through the security outside Château de Cléricot, Aurel’s car drove up the drive and stopped at the main entrance to the palace. After being let out of the car by his driver, Aurel made his way into the palace. Entering the main ballroom, he looked around for his cousin Daniela. Finally seeing her approaching him, he waved and walked towards her helping to close the distance.

Daniela Doležal

Daniela knew perfectly well that her cousin would have wanted to come to this ball, but her mother had told her, in no uncertain terms, not to tell him about it. To her defense, she hadn’t told him, she had just put it somewhere she knew he would see it. Receiving a text that he had arrived and to meet him, she went to a table near the main set of doors to the room and sat down, sipping a glass of red wine she had gotten moments earlier. Back at home she had just turned the age that was legally allowed to drink alcohol, but in Vannois there was no minimum drinking age, so there would be no issues in that respect.

The distance from the airport to the palace wasn’t that far, or at least it didn’t seem like it when she had made her way here. Finishing her glass she left it on the table and went over to a table with food on it. Taking a small plate, she gathered some small snack food and went back over to her table. Knowing that Aurel enjoyed partying, she hoped that he would be able to be civil, as most of these “parties” he attended were at night clubs where he wouldn’t have necessarily had to show his courtly manners. Most of the times she had been with him he had been, and as he got older she assumed he would be able to control himself, especially when he could legally drink here.

Seeing movement at the doors out the corner of her eye, she turned her head and saw Aurel entering the room. Leaving her plate at the table, she made her way towards him. As he saw her approaching he too made his way towards her. “Daniela, I cannot thank you enough for alerting me of this. I would have hated to miss it.”

Smiling it him, Daniela brought him over to the table she had been sitting at. “I know, I know. But you cannot actually think that I meant for that to be for you. I would never have disobeyed my mother.”

Unknowingly confirming Aurel’s suspicion, she sat quietly as he looked around the room, undoubtedly looking at the several beauties that were here. While a lot of them were older, some were around his age, and she knew that he would be delighted.

[Leasath]

Marie-Claire

"I must say, I think myself and your sisters may get on splendidly, though I will admit that I am quite glad just now regardless." Red dusted her cheeks as she blushed, grinning somewhat embarrassed at the foreign Prince. All said, she was really quite taken by the young man - more than any Duke or Vannoisian Prince that had come after her or her elder sister before.

"I do hope to find a bond as strong as that of my great-grandparents. Grandmother Teresa was a most wonderful woman, and the tales she would tell of her courting by my great-grandfather were some that I shall never forget - or stop fantasizing about for myself, truly." Pensive for a moment, she smiled once again, the expression coming easily. "I do so hope to find such storied love, some day. It would be so very like the stories."

Paul

Catherine slapped his arm playfully at his compliments, blushing and laughing lightly.

"Its enough trouble finding men outside of Vannois, let alone outside Audonia. I am quite glad that such men as yourself have made the trip." She winked, somewhat sly, as he spoke again.

"Ah, Grandmother Teresa. Her 'interesting views' extended far beyond the dance floor, as I'm sure you know. Her sense of humor was sadly not inherited by Audric - personally I'm holding out on his firstborn to be half so hilarious. It would do for a presence such as that at so many stuffy meetings and balls we attend."

Harold and Jean

"Well, madames-"

"We were hoping-"

"That you would consent-"

"To a dance-"

"Or two-"

"Or really as many as you wish." Jean ended the back-and-forth with his cousin with a broad grin, and resisted the urge to wink at the blushing beauty before him. "Or none, if that is your wish, as well. We exist to provide entertainment, Your Majesties."

Audric

Excusing himself from the foreign leader, the Emperor of Vannois spotted Nathan of Ghant entering the large ballroom. He had been informed by contacts in airports across Cléricot about the Ghantish Emperor's arrival, and was awaiting him when he went to speak to the Latin Princess. Deciding to let his guests finish their conversation, he caught a young Luxish Princeling - Josef-Leopold, it seems - looking somewhat listless. Deciding to overcome his annoyance with Luxish guests for a moment, and hoping for a less ridiculous introduction, he walked over to the young man.

"Hello- I believe you are Josef Leopold, of Luxew, no?" He waved off a courtier, who was ready to confirm the guess, allowing Josef to speak.