The Governor's Ball (IC | TG to Enter)

[Haroa]

Orélian de Mauléart, the Governor of Haroa, a land that was partially under the control of the Empire of Derita and partially under the control of the United States of Conner, stood at the windows of the Royal Governor's Palace looking at the sun set.

Governor de Mauléart had been the governor for the Deritains controlled section of Haroa for the last decade or so. Governor de Mauléart was a royal governor, a veteran solider and one of the biggest land owners in all of Haroa. Haroa was a beautiful little country, with jungles and beaches, coral reefs and small cities. The capital city, named by the founder of the Governorship of Haroa, Port-du-Renou was walled on four sides, though it spilled over in the area between the wall and the Gulf of Galaire. On a great hill in the western most part of the walled city of Port-du-Renou sat the Governor's Palace. The Governor's Palace was a massive building in comparison to the small architecture style of most Haroan houses. With it's pillars and massive glass windows, it was the jewel of Port-du-Renou.

Governor de Mauléart was nervous. Today he would be meeting with some of the most important royals in the Volonté Hegemony. His biggest worry was the famous Duc d'Angoulême, the Lord Marshal of Great Hyruke and Scotland. The Duc d'Angoulême had a reputation for success, and he knew that the Duc would no doubt see the atmosphere as a rebellion in it's infancy and he would smother it in it's crib. Governor de Mauléart had no desire for that.

Over the last 19 months, the situation in Haroa had gotten worse and worse. Before it had started out as just protests. Then the protests grew. And they grew. Then they started getting violent. Then in late December of last year a full scale riot happened. Already over 200 people had died. Thousands had been injured and it was merely getting worse. They all called for one thing, Haroan Independence. They no longer wished to be the yoke of Derita and the USC.

Governor de Mauléart meanwhile had tried to keep the peace. The Governor had many sympathies towards those who wanted independence. However in the flip side, he was a royal governor, the keyword being royal. He had fought for the Deritain Crown for eight years of his life. For years he had considered himself Deritain. He spoke French, the language of Derita. He had been appointed as governor by the King-Emperor himself ten years ago. And now, as he neared the end of his term, for he new that with chaos barrelling closer that he wouldn't remain governor long, he wondered where his loyalties truly lied.

"Pourquoi les choses doivent-elles être si divisées?" Governor de Mauléart said to himself with a sigh.

"Oh mon frère, mon cher." Said a woman. Governor de Mauléart turned away from the window to see his youngest sister. Angélique de Mauléart.

"Ne te regarde pas si triste. Aujourd'hui est la nuit d'une grande fête. Pensez à combien il sera amusant." She said walking up to him till standing next to him.

Angélique de Mauléart was a lovely petite woman. While her brother towered at 6'5", she was a mere 5'5". Angélique had tough but soft brown skin, her brown eyes a dark brown to the point of where they were almost black. She had her black hair in dreadlocks, which went down her back. She wore a Rohan style dress, with it's high waist and short sleeves it was great for the Caribbean atmosphere. It was black from the waist up and it was beige from the waist down. She wore no jewellery, for it was an unpopular thing in Haroa to wear jewellery.

But one could not let the beauty and feminine aura around Angélique fool them. For Angélique was the leader behind the revolution. Angélique had been leading raids and riots since December, though she and her brother kept a close correspondence, it did strain their relationship. While Governor de Mauléart tried to maintain peace and order, Angélique tried to break it apart and overthrow the government. She wanted a strong central democracy that she was sure couldn't exist from what they had now. The only answer was force.

Je suis inquiet. Pas triste." Governor de Mauléart responded.

"Pourquoi?"

"Ma sœur est le chef des rebelles. Comment ne pas être inquiet Angélique?"

"J'ai lu la logique commune par Michael Levou." Angélique said, changing the subject.

"Je parie." Governor de Mauléart said with a laugh. "Levou est un vieillard fou, avec des idées révolutionnaires comme toi. Vous devriez tous les deux être les meilleurs compagnons que je dis."

"Oh soit tranquille." Angélique rolled her eyes and looked out the window. "Je suis assez dame pour assister à cette balle, n'est-ce pas? J'ai mis la partie révolutionnaire de côté pour aujourd'hui."

"Oui. La famille royale y assiste."

"Les Tyrans."

"Silence vous-même!" The Governor of Haroa said in horror.

"Le Seigneur Maréchal et son frère, qui est dit cruel et sa sœur, qu'on dit vain." Angélique practically spat that the words.

"Le Seigneur Maréchal est de bons amis avec le prince André."

"Le plus libre des esclaves? Ha!"

"Je ne pense pas que vous compreniez Angélique. Vous pensez à un âge révolu. La révolution est désordonnée."

"N'essayez pas de sonner comme un père pour moi." Angélique scowled at her older brother. He had the annoying habit to try and act like she was his daughter rather than his sister.

Governor de Mauléart sighed as Angélique spun around and walked away from him.

"Quelqu'un doit."

---

Outside of the Governor's Palace cars and limousines were pulling up. They were the wealthiest families of Haroa. They were the ones with the closest ties to Derita, though they weren't actually noble. They certainly acted like it. A few among them were not of the wealthy, but they were a small minority, those of such public important they simple had to attend. Included in this was Michael Levou, who's book, Logique de Commune, was currently the bestseller in the governorship as people loved the revolutionary ideas, inspired by the Dutch rebellions of Wieringa two years ago.

Another revolutionary was Hanactré Montez-Ravonia, who was leading the revolutionary effort in the USC controlled parts of Haroa across the gulf. There things were much worse. The "democratic" government of the USC was oppressive and everywhere, making it much harder to rise than in the Deritains controlled part, where they had more freedom over themselves if not freedoms. But even then, in Port-du-Renou, those who were the haves were content.

Montez-Ravonia was attending the ball with fellow revolutionary and friend, they wealthy Jean-Jacques Boyére who's family owned much of the rich lands in the north of the country. The Boyéres, like Governor de Mauléart were moderates, but Jean-Jacques had always swayed a little to the revolutionaries' side. He was an accomplished lawyer, and he had on more than one occasion kept dozens of revolutionaries, including Angélique out of jail.

There were many who would be attending this ball, among them several foreigners that were both in support and against the idea of an independent Haroa.

[Polonge]

A limousine pulled up to the Governor's Palace in Port-du-Renou in Haroa, Derita. The limousine was all white and as most limousine were, fancy and expensive. The limousine stopped and the door opened up to reveal Gilibert du Harhoin, also and more commonly known as the Count de Montayette. Montayette, stepped out and grinned. The 21 year old was excited to be in Haroa. After his involvement in Wieringa's Rebellion two years ago he had become a sort of superstar with revolutionaries, and he was more than happy to join the Haroans and their struggle for independence.

[The United Netherlandes]

Another limousine pulled up behind the Count de Montayette's. This one carried another set of famous revolutionaries, the war hero Jans Lorens and his new husband, Alexandre Hamolten, the Minister of Treasure for the United Provinces. Lorens was a young man of only 23, the same age as Hamolten. Loren's wore his military uniform, though as usual, he neglected to have the hat, letting his long wavy and frizzy hair go down his back in a ponytail. He smiled, his freckle splashed face lit up as he gazed at the Governor's Palace.

Hamolten stepped out next to Lorens. He could smell the. Coolness of the air, the scent of sunshine even as the sun set and the smell of fruits from the jungles outside of the city walls. It was beautiful and delightful. Hamolten just hated it. He hated the Caribbean. It was his home and he hated it. He had nothing but awful memories of the Caribbean. He wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

"Denk je echt dat dit een goed idee?"

"Natuurlijk Alexandre. Waarom zou ik niet zeker."

"Niet slim met me Jans krijgen."

"Één van ons moet slim zijn. en geen overtreding, maar je bent soort hopeloos."

The two men laughed. Hamolten rolled his eyes. Him and Lorens had an interesting relationship, just banter was common between them. Lorens wasn't exactly touchy feely, and Hamolten was fine with doing so right back. Hamolten punched Lorens in the shoulder and laughed.

"Lk ben echt neuken slim eigenlijk!"

The two walked up to the Governor's Palace and Lorens smiled as he saw Montayette, his old friend from back in Batavia. Montayette had only recently left the United Provinces, but still it was good to see him. Lorens elbowed Hamolten.

"Kijk. Het Monte!"

"Ha, zie ik."

Hamolten smiled and waved to his friend switched to French, the language that Montayette spoke best.

"Monsieur Montayette. C'est sympa de te revoir."

[Polonge]

Montayette spun around and smiled brightly as she hugged the shorter Alexandre and Jans. He was happy to see them. He had been Jans' bestman at their wedding. Montayette stood between them and put his arms around the two and started leading them inside.

"Monsieur Hamolten, monsieur Lorens, ou est-ce Monsieurs Hamolten-Lorens maintenant?"

[The United Netherlandes]

Hamolten and Lorens both laughed and blushed. In all honesty they hadn't given it much thought as to their last names. Neither one really wanted to change it. They were content with how they were. Even their marriage had only been a formality. They had known they loved each other long before that. Besides, they were clearly on the cusp of yet another great adventure and Hamolten had no desire to be bored with talk of such domestic things like last names and if they should change them or not.

"Nous n'avons pas encore décidé."

Lorens laughed. While he wasn't good with speaking in French, he understood it very well.

"Lk ga een drankje nodig hebben als we gaan praten over de laatste namen!"

"Heeft Haroans drinken? Omdat de hele Deritain ding?"

"Laten we bidden dat ze drinken."

[Airellia]

Adalie Chevalier's classic black limousine sweeps into to Governor's driveway. She slides out of the the car faux-confidently, and smooths her navy blue, floor length dress. She took a deep breath, this was her first major event as a member of the upper class.
Adalie had grown up in an industrial neighborhood. As an exceptional student, she had been given a scholarship to one of Derita's best universities. After receiving her degree in political science, she started a political analysis business. Recently she has been working very closely with the Haroan government in understanding the political situation.
She walked up the stairs and fixed a smile on her face. Adalie paused at the entrance and glanced around the room, searching for a familiar face. Her gaze fell on Montayette. She had met him once or twice and had found him quite charming but rather immature. Nevertheless, she walked up to him and smiled. "Montayette! C'est si bon de te voir." she glowed. Turning to Hamolten and Lorens she held out her hand "Je suis désolé, je suis incroyablement grossier. Je m'appelle Adalie, enchanté. Je dirige une société d'analyse politique et travaille avec le gouverneur. Et vous, quels sont vos noms?"

[Polonge]

Montayette smiled brightly at Adalie. The Count had many friends and he loved to see them, since he was so lonely back home at his estate. He loved to be out and about and it was for that reason that he knew many and he was happy to see such a lovely lady like Adalie Chevalier, even if he only vaguely remembered her. He had a lot of friends after all.

" Il est si agréable de vous voir ma dame. Tu es superbe."

[The United Netherlandes]

Hamolten took Miss Chevalier's hand and kissed it. His eyes looked up at her with intelligence and mischief. Alexandre was quite the flirt, infamous for being such a ladies man. He swung both ways and was known to flirtatious.

"Alexandre Hamolten. C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer. "

Hamolten kissed her hand again and a smirk spread across his face slowly. Lorens, his husband, blushed and kicked Hamolten in the shin. Hamolten let go of Miss Chevalier's hand and jumped. He frowned at Lorens, but the freckled solider simply smiled. Hamolten waved his hand towards Lorens.

"C'est mon mari, Jans Lorens. Il ne parle pas le français, mais il peut le comprendre."

Lorens nodded as if to prove his point.

[Airellia]

Adalie smiled playfully giving a twirl "Je l'espère! Cette robe coûte un bras et une jambe!"
She then diverted her attention to Hamolton. She smiled politely as he kissed her hand, not knowing what the appropriate response was. To be honest she was more interested in his parter. He had an aura of kind intelligence and she wanted to hear what he had to say. "Does everyone speak English? Perhaps we can be more inclusive of Lorens." she asked with a heavy accent.

[The United Netherlandes]

Lorens smiled.

"Ah, English I know."

Hamolten snorted.

"Anglais, bah. Qui parle cela? Les Conneriens et les Hyrukiens."

Loren's rolled his eyes at his husband.

"Not everyone can speak in six different Languages like you Alexandre."

Hamolten smirked. He was excellent with words, both written and spoken and as such he knew many languages, his native Dutch, French was the universal language thanks to Derita, Russian, Arabic and English.

"It shall be seven soon. I am trying to learn Arrancan."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"You are insufferable Alexandre."

"Je t'aime aussi Jans."

Lorens pushed Hamolten away via his hand to his face and did a polite and curt bow to Adalie. Lorens, was much like Hamolten in his crude and rude ways, he was known among his friends for constantly throwing things, cursing and flying into fits of rage and being upfront and honest. But Lorens had a more widely known reputation of being a kind and quiet young solider. Lorens, unlike Hamolten, cane from a wealthy family that had taught him proper etiquette and manners.

"You must forgive Alexandre, he doesn't know any better. I am honoured that you wish to include me in the conversation."

[Airellia]

Adalie chuckled at the young couple's antics.
"It is not a problem. It is the least I can do."
These two young men seemed so at ease. Could they tell that she didn't belong here? That she was a ball of nerves? Of course they could. She felt as if she were wearing a transparent mask barely concealing the fact that she was just a factory worker's daughter.
She shook her head, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "You can do this. You worked hard to get here." she mentally recited to herself a few times. She reapplied her smile.

"Alexandre, you insult English! It is not as pretty as French; but it is the language of business." She teases.

[Polonge]

Montayette shook his head looking at Adalie. Montayette spoke English with a heavy accent.

"Perhaps once decades ago English had been the language of business, but now, it is the excellent language of French that is needed to survive.

[Haroa]

As the guests entered the Governor's Palace, they were greeted with music and bright lights, and already there were many local notables chatting. Although alcohol was technically illegal in Haroa, since it was under the command of the prohibition happy Deritains, it flowed freely here. The Mayor of Port-du-Renou, Maxius Venederïe was sipping champagne, imported from Derita, and chatting with the philanthropist couple, San and Andra Eralaire.

Mayor Venederïe and the Eralaire were loyal royalists, they were terrified of the growing discontent in Haroa. Venederïe himself was hoping to replace Governor de Mauléart as the leader of the governorship.

"Pouvez-vous croire de Mauléart? Accueillir une balle pour essayer de dominer le seigneur maréchal." Mayor Venederïe said with at laugh.

"Comme si." Andra said.

"Il a laissé les choses échouer hors de contrôle." San said, looking around for Governor de Mauléart. While the majority of people liked Governor de Mauléart, the interestingly excitement had strained his popularity. Most, like the Eralaires simply wanted the Governor to get control of the situation. But the moderate man seemed unlikely to do that.

---

Angélique walked around the edge of the ballroom of the Governor's Palace with her sister, Chantale. Chantale de Mauléart was the adoptive sister of Orélain and Angélique. Unlike her adoptive brother and sister, Chantale had pale skin and light brown eyes. She wore a Rohan style dress that was much like her sister's, only her's was white and blue.

With the walked their friend, Adelina Gauges.

Adelina, named after the Queen of Genes, a revered woman even in Haroa. Adelina looked more like a sister to Angélique ever could, she had dark skin and dark hair, dark red lips and dark brown eyes. Chantale inwardly sighed looking at Angélique and Adelina. She was thin and tall while they were shorter and perfectly proportioned. She wished that she was more like them, dark and beautiful. Instead she was pale and stood out. She wished her hair was frizzy and soft liked cotton rather than smooth and straight.

"Orélian dit que la fête commence au coucher du soleil." Adelina said. She was dressed in a lovely bright yellow dress, her frizzy hair put in a tight ponytail.

"L'invité est sûr de montrer." Angélique said as more people arrived. She threw daggers with her eyes at the Mayor of Port-du-Renou, that wretched royalist worm.

"Penser, grands esprits comme Levou et Boyeré dans notre ville." Adelina responded with an excited giggle.

"Et sexy comme Montayette!" Angélique said. Adelina and her both swooned. Angélique especially liked Montayette, despite never having met him. He was a brilliant politician, solider, revolutionary and he was young and handsome. Chantale knew he would be perfect for Angélique. Chantale lacked such a high opinion of the count. He seem to her to have bumbled his way to stardom more than anything else even if he was a war hero and whatever.

"Allez, vous êtes libre d'y aller."

Angélique and Adelina both smiled and kissed Chantale on the cheeks and then dashed away to go find the famed Montayette. Chantale walked them go, graceful and elegant like princesses. She continued to walk alone around the edge of the ballroom.

"Réveillez-vous, vous semblez si triste." A deep voice said. Chantale turned to see her adoptive brother, the governor.

"Mon Dieu. Tu m'as fait peur."

"Pardonne-moi."

Governor de Mauléart smiled and joined his sister. Chantale was older than Angélique, though still years younger than the Governor. Orélian had always played the part of a big brother, even if their skin tones were so starkly different. Chantale had been orphaned through tragedy and had spent the first decade or so of her life terrified. Oréliam had taught her to feel safe.

"C'est correct, je suis simplement nerveux à ce sujet." Chantal sighed.

"Nerveux? Vous craignez pour l'avenir. Je peux dire" the Governor said quietly.

"Angélique veut aller à la guerre."

"Je connais. Elle a envoyé des gens crier sur la place."

"Si cela empire, il y aura de la violence sur nos côtes."

"Mais regardez les nouvelles idées dans l'air." Governor de Mauléart said smiling, quoting their younger sister.

"Espérons que ce sont des fleurs dans l'air et non la peste."

The two sighed. The Governor left his sister to herself and went walking towards the front of the ballroom to greet his guests. Chantale stood there and watched. Her place as at the edge of the ballroom.

[Airellia]

"What do you know monsieur? You live in your ivory tower. You may be a war hero, and have fought for us; but you do not know the Haroan people like I do. French is the language of the nobility. It is important for this flamoyant lifestyle!" she says passionately, gesturing around her. "Regular people, and other nations are starting to use English more. We are going to need to speak English too if we want to win their support."
Immediately she regretted her words. Had she let them know too much? She wanted to hide her poorer roots. If they found out she'd lose all the respect and power she had worked for.
"Je suis désolé. Je ne voulais pas te manquer de respect," she apologised. "Je pense que je peux aller réappliquer mon rouge à lèvres. Quelqu'un peut-il me diriger dans la direction de la salle d'eau? Vous savez ce que je vais le trouver par moi-même."
She hastily walked towards the edge of the ballroom concealing her fidgeting hands. Her thoughts consisted of a mixture of beating herself up about her statement, scenarios about how she could have handles the aftermath better and worry. Perhaps this distraction, preventing her from noticing the woman she bumped into.
"Je suis désolé." she sighed defeatedly before looking up to see the Governer's adopted sister "Merde." she said under her breath. "Est-ce que vous allez bien? Vous êtes magnifique!" she said anticipating a scene.

[The United Netherlandes]

Lorens looked at Hamolten and punched him in the arm.

"Ow!"

Hamolten frowned and rubbed his arm. He sometimes forgot how strong Lorens was, he looked and acted so delicate at times it was easy to forget he trained soldiers and knew hand to hand combat.

"What was that for?"

"Oh, now you want to speak English."

"What?"

"What is wrong with you. You made that poor girl feel bad."

Lorens punched Montayette in the arm as well.

"You too."

[Polonge]

Montayette was shocked at Adalie's sudden outburst. He wasn't used to that. And he was friends with Hamolten, who was infamous for his fits of passion. Montayette usually charmed and befriended, he didn't usually offend. It made him feel sad.

Winced as Lorens suddenly punched him.

"Jans, pas besoin d'une telle action. Je vais m'excuser une fois que je la reverrai."

[Airellia]

Adalie glanced back at the men she had been standing with earlier. Lorens seemed to be punching the other men. She closed her eyes and clenched her fists while walking the rest of the way to the bathroom. God, she was stupid. She hadn't even let them respond. They probably wouldn't have even been angry. She might as well reapply her lipstick, walk back and apologize before proceeding as if nothing had happened.

She returned to the men. "I'm really sorry for over reacting like that earlier. This is the first large court event that I have been invited to and I am ridiculously nervous. I have heard stories of what nobles do to their mouthy inferiors, and feared the worst. I hope you can forgive me for the bruises on your arms." she smiled hopefully

[Haroa]

Chantale de Mauléart blushed as she looked at the woman who had accidentally bumped her. Chantale was fine, she was used to being ignored and passed over. No one ever noticed the pale adopted de Mauléart sister. She was a mere novelty, the poor girl who had been adopted by the Governor's parents. Or most didn't even know she existed as far as Chantale knew. She glanced again at the woman and blushed, looking down at the ground feeling embarrassed.

"Vous êtes trop gentil." She said quietly.

As the woman walked away, Chantale walked away as well, in a different direction, wanting to disappear.

---

Angélique de Mauléart and Adelina Gauges walked arm in arm over to the Count de Montayette. Adelina was blushing, her dark cheeks faintly red, matching her lips. She, the youngest child in the wealthy but politically stupid family of the Gaugeses, was very impressed by the famed Montayette. He was so handsome.

Angélique, on the other hand was more interested in the mind behind Montayette. The young nobleman had made himself famous by being a radical and an ambassador, when he was only a teenager. He was a war hero, true, but Angélique was more interested in the way he could lead people than the fact that he had destroyed a royalist army single handedly with a single missile.

"Votre Grâce, enchantant de vous rencontrer." Adelina said doing a perfect curtsy.

"Monsieur Montayette, c'est gentil de votre part de vous joindre à nous ici à Port-du-Renou." Angélique said, smirking up at Montayette. She wouldn't curtsy just because he was a count. It would betray her very strong beliefs.

[Polonge]

Montayette nodded his head to Adalie. And spoke in his heavily accented English.

"You worry not my lady. I am only half Deritains nobility. The beautiful and charming half, but I lack their superiority complex towards others."

He glanced back at Jans and smiled an evil smile.

"I will get him back, you need not worry. Next time I make pastries, he shall have none of them."


Montayette straighten up just as Adelina and Angélique arrived. Names starting with an A were ever so popular. Montayette bowed to the two women.

"Je devais simplement venir ici."

It came out more like he had wanted to come to Haroa rather than he actually had to. In fact he wasn't really supposed to. But his superiors had learned long ago that he would do as he wished either way anyway.

[Airellia]

Adalie rolled her eyes at the girls fawning over Montayette. She could see exactly why females of all ages were drawn to him. He was smart, kind, brave and charming. Nevertheless the girls' sickly sweet words made her physically sick. She made a silly face over Montayette's shoulder directed at Hamolten and Lorens asking, in a sense, if this happens all the time. She broke out into a mischievous grin.
If this continues all night, I'm going to need some alcohol she thought. "Does anyone want champagne?" she asked.
In part she wanted to find the governor's daughter. She was not conventionally beautiful; but, strangely transfixing. Anyway, she seemed like the only other sane woman here.

[The United Netherlandes]

Lorens gasped looking dumbfounded at Montayette. The count was a jack of all trades and made wonderful pastries, to be denied one was annoying if nothing else. Lorens put a hand to his forehead dramatically.

"You are so cruel! So cruel Monte."

Hamolten rolled his eyes and looked at Miss Chevalier. He gave her the closest thing to an apology that Hamolten could give. He was as stubborn as a mule, and he refused to say anything that he didn't think true. He didn't know when to shut up and he would never back down nor apologise.

"I am sorry to offend you, but I stand by what I said."

As the two young women walked over, Hamolten noted that they were very beautiful. He glanced at Lorens, who never looked at woman truly, was smirking at the face that Adalie was making. Lorens smiled even more when she started talking about alcohol.

"Grab three glasses. And one for Alexandre."

[Airellia]

She laughed at Lorens "Of course, although I'm not sure if I have enough hands to carry that many glasses!" she joked.
"Montayette, you must bake for me some time, I have a sweet tooth!"
She turned away to get the drinks before stopping, "Oh, and Alexandre, I am not offended; but I am right. I can show you the stats. I am an analyst, I know the trends better than anyone."

[Allitaria]

A large, blue- and- white HS-144 Patriot helicopter lands in the courtyard, escorted by an F-35AT VTOL jet. The helicopter shows heavy battle damage, and the jet is also heavily damaged. Both aircraft have their weapons deployed, but they retract the armaments upon landing. The rear ramp opens, and out come 4 Allitarian Marines dressed in ceremonial uniforms, followed by The Allitarian Leader, Sir Gordon Hawkins. The leader, escorted by his Marines, make their way to the manor. Sir Hawkins politely rings the doorbell. "Hello," he says, believing their is a security camera that can hear him, "It is I, Sir Hawkins of Allitaria. I'm terribly sorry to interrupt the ball, but we are here on an extremely urgent matter. We have come to deliver an item of utmost importance." Two Allitarian soldiers carry a heavy container off of the helicopyer. "The two aircraft you see behind me have been attacked on the way here by unmarked MiG- 21 fighter jets. Clearly they do not want the special package delivered. We must see the Governor of this estate at once!"

[Kingdom of Derita]

An all black limousine with the emblem of the Volonté Dynasty and the Hollande Family on the hood pulled up to the Governor's Palace. Servants, all pale and blue eyed and with blond hair opened the doors to the limousine as the three royals inside stepped out.

The first was the famous Duc d'Angoulême, as he was known across the globe. Here in Haroa they had taken to calling him the Lord Marshal, on account of him being granted that title after his uncle, the late King Charles II of Espana had made him lord marshal over two of the countries that he had taken over. The Mad King Charles had overthrown the Great Hyrukian Government and then the Scottish government, occupying them shortly before his death. The Duc d'Angoulême was nothing like his uncle, despite having worked with him closely in his last few months. Now that his cousins (though not cousins to each other) were the King and Queen of Espana he hoped they would end the militaristic policies of Espana. However King Charles III (who was the Duc d'Angoulême's first cousin via his mother) and Queen Josefina (who was his fourth cousin via his father) had seem to just keep the status quo so far into their reign. The Duc d'Angoulême looked at the Governor's Palace and was not impressed. Haroa was a mere speck in the giant empire of Derita, lead by The Duc d'Angoulême's third-cousin-once-removed, the beloved and feared King-Emperor Christopher II of Derita.

The King-Emperor, as he was referred to by all with solemn respect, hadn't bother to attend the Governor's ball, in fact none of the Imperial Family attended. The King-Emperor had reigned over his massive empire for 47 years and wasn't going to be held by a mere governor. That was a job for a minor Royal like the Duc d'Angoulême.

But even the Duc d'Angoulême was important, the product of two royal families, the Borbòns of Espana and the Hollande-Volontés of Serbia and Brabant. The Duc d'Angoulême had just last year captured the feared General Geist, an insane terrorist that had caused the death of millions over the last two decades. The Duc d'Angoulême was ago a highly skilled General, having found in countless battles and wars over the last 12 years or so. He was also best friends with his cousin, the future King-Emperor, Crown Prince André, meaning put bets on him.

The Duc d'Angoulême, a man of only 33 years old, was handsome, as all Deritains were. For generations Deritains had bred their people to be beautiful and they were recognised as being the most beautiful people in the world. The Duc d'Angoulême had caramel colour skin, cinnamon brown wavy hair and fierce gold-ish brown eyes that were like a hawk, as if he were an angel that could save you or just as easily destroy you and everything you ever loved.

Deritains royals were offend thought of that way, as Angels. They were something to fear or to love.

The Duc d'Angoulême wore a ceremonial royal blue military uniform with a black high collar and black buttons and black combat boots. A royal blue cloak was on his shoulders, the black eagle emblem on it. On his head was a navy blue bicorn hat with blue, white and black feathers pinned to it.

Following him was his brother, Prince Charles Ferdinand, named after his uncle, the late King Charles II and his other uncle, Prince Charles Ferdinand, Duc d'Hasselt, but most just called him Prince Charles. Charles was 31, and like his older brother, unmarried and handsome. A fact that annoyed their mother, Infanta Antonia to no end. The older sister of the late King Charles II of Espana was sad to see that none of her children had produced children of their own. She was sure that Prince Charles was a failure, to be so old and still have no wife and no little ones. Only the Infanta's youngest son was married, making him her favourite. Naturally, Charles had a case of middle child syndrome, as he wasn't considered by his mother to be as honourable and noble as his older brother, who was forgive for his lack of marriage and children do to his many awards and honours, and nor was he as good as his quiet and humble and family making little brother.

Prince Charles was dressed in an all black suit with a black ascot and black pearl pinned on it.

The last one out of the limousine was the only sister of the Duc d'Angoulême.

Princess Marie Karoline. She was in short, a fairytale tragedy. She was a princess yes, but she had nothing else really good happen in her life. She had been married, but the man she loved had been a commoner and had been hated by her mother, and then after three years he divorced for another woman. For years she had been alone and depressed. But she has remarried to the Crown Prince of Sweden and Gotland. But he had never loved her and then divorced her. To add insult to injury, her second ex-husband went and later married Marie Karoline's own aunt. Although in hindsight she had dodged a built as the now King of Sweden and Gotland had his wife (her aunt) imprisoned for suspected treason.

Marie Karoline had spent the last few years in the Principality of Geneva, ruled over by her friend, Empress Charlotte of Connuriste will taking care of the children of the Empress of the Dutch, who had fought two wars with Marie Karoline's uncle, King Charles II of Espana, and was now in exile following the revolution in the United Provinces that Hamolten, Lorens (as Dutchmen) and Montayette (as foreigner looking to help a revolution) had played a part in. Marie Karoline had found love with a woman, Évelyne Valen, but Évelyne had let their relationship progress extremely slowly, and then as luck would have it, Évelyne had been killed in a terrorist attack by General Geist (who was later captured by Marie Karoline's brother).

The princess had just buried Évelyne seven months ago and had finally stopped mourning only 5 months ago. Today was suppose to cheer her up and allow her to be entertained by her brother setting the commoners straight as to who was in charge.

The Princess today wore a long white dress with a golden design of a dragon on it, and with long slits down the sides that showed off her long legs. She walked in Gold colour heels and she had on a pair of golden earrings. Her frizzy brown hair was fluffed out, reaching past her her shoulders.

The three royals walked into the Governor's Palace.

[Airellia]

Adalie wandered around the ballroom searching for a maid holding champagne flutes. Suddenly the hub-bub of the the ball died down. The silence put her on edge. She scanned the room for the source of the change in mood. Her gaze landed on three new comers. They had an air of grace, power and immense wealth. Then it clicked. The Lord Marshal, Prince and Princess. She swept into an elegant curtsy and averted her eyes disguising the twinge of hatred and disgust. They may be beautiful but, at least the boys, were rotten to the core.
She continued back to Montayette, Alex and Jans, and holding four champagne flutes. "Dirita's finest are here, probabley to stamp us into submission. Urgh, I hope we gain our freedom soon. This is getting ridiculous" she said coldly. Nevertheless she kept smiling so as not to alert the Diritians to her traitorous speech.