A Friendly Affair [AMW Only]

[Chrinthanium]

Richmond House
Nov 5, 2017

Protocol at these events was strictly enforced. Everyone was announced as they entered Richmond House by a man in military dress uniform with jangly medals and a gray-white beard. Ryan and Peter, as the hosts, were already in the living room where drinks would be on offer to those who attended. It wasn’t often that Nathaniel request a formal dinner with anyone. In fact, he often avoided them like his brothers were known to do; however, as Emperor, there was precious little he could do to avoid them all. The fact that he even invited people to one meant he had something to share and wished to do it in a very prim and proper setting. These kinds of announcements were always an official announcement, sometimes involving the desire to ennoble someone or to introduce someone as a lover or a fiance or that there was an addition to the family of some sort.

The large living room seemed to be less fancy than most anyone would expect. It was the room Peter and Ryan used more often and was designed for their comfort more than its own form. It was also a way to relax the guests before they went into the formal dining room. That wasn’t to say the room was devoid of imperial grandeur, it was more low-key. The sofas were a light blue without pattern, the carpeting was a light tan giving the appearance of the ocean meeting the sand. The walls followed the beige color that dominated most of the regularly-used rooms while they were adorned with more portraits and curtain-flanked windows. To the front was a 1 meter wooden cabinet, also in a dark wood, that contained the entertainment components that were to be kept out of the way with company in attendance. It was set into the wall as to provide a seamless look to the room. The television itself could rise from behind the cabinet as needed.

“Mr. Michael Jennings accompanied by Mrs. Jennings,” the Sergeant at Arms stated as Mick and Charlotte entered the living room. Mick was not used to such formal affairs, though he did manage to rent a tuxedo while Charlotte wore a floor-length silver gown that shimmered in the light.

“How ya goin, mate,” Mick said as he shook Ryan’s hand, “Long time.”

“Everything’s good,” Ryan said with a smile. “Mrs. Jennings, I must say you look more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

“Always a charmer,” Charlotte said as she curtseyed to Ryan. “Noah and Cooper should be here in a minute. I think they’re still trying to suss out the parking.”

“No worries,” Ryan said. “Peter’s upstairs being bullied into wearing a tie by you know who.”

“Mr. Noah Jennings and Mr. Cooper Jennings,” bellowed the Sergeant at Arms as the large-framed Cooper entered with the more slender Noah.

“Your Highness,” Cooper said as he bowed while Noah smiled and followed his brother’s lead.

“Noah, Cooper,” Ryan said with a smile, “good to see ya, mates.”

As the four Jennings’ began to enter the room, a server came offering glasses of wine in both red and white. If someone wanted a more informal beer, such arrangements were already made and were on offer at the guests request.

“Bloody ties,” Peter said as he entered the living room, Ryan shooting Peter a confused look while everyone else more or less pretended to ignore the outburst. Ryan kept playing with the black tie in spite of the fact it could not have been positioned more perfectly, as per Nathaniel’s usual attention to detail.

As the group began to shake hands and introduce, Andrea arrived, wearing a white dinner dress that came off of one shoulder. Black gloves extended from the tips of her fingers up past the elbow. Her Italian-made purse was black and white. Her earrings were so full of diamonds that one feared a bright light from the wrong angle could turn it into a laser. Her hair was not down around her neck but coiffed into a brilliant bun decorated with a tie that had white roses on it. Real roses at that.

She extended her hand to the kneeling Mick Jennings, with the hand pointed downwards. He took her hand and kissed it gently as his wife curtseyed.

“Mr. Jennings,” Andrea started, “we finally meet in person. And your good lady wife is a stunner, if I say so myself.”

Charlotte placed her hand over her chest as she blushed slightly, “Your Majesty, I am deeply flattered. Of course, you are the definition of grace and beauty. And I must say, you look fabulous.”

Andrea smiled politely, “Just something I threw together.”

“She didn’t throw that together,” Peter said quietly in Ryan’s ear.

“Knowing our mother, she probably had all that lying around waiting for a day like this,” Ryan replied quietly to Peter. “I just wonder when Nate’s gonna rock up.”

“On time, as always,” Peter replied. “Probably just after Danforth and Luke get here.”

“So,” Andrea said as he continued chatting with Shane’s parents, “it seems that your Shane has captured the heart of my son, the Emperor.”

“Seems that way,” Mick said as he took the pint of lager that was given to him. “Of course, Shane’s a good kid. Always has been. He’d make anyone a good husband.”

“Mick,” Charlotte said shaking her head.

“And your son capturing Nathaniel’s heart so soon after my son’s last romantic dissolution is astonishing. Your son must be an amazing man to do so.” Andrea said swallowing her dislike for what she felt was nothing more than a disaster waiting to happen.

“Well,” Charlotte said, “It’s not like Shane’s not been heartbroken before.”

“Captain Danforth, OBC, Commander of the Imperial Life Guard and Mr. Lucas Davis,” bellowed the Sergeant at Arms.

“Captain,” Andrea said as she offered her hand to Danforth who bowed and kissed it. “And Mr. Davis.”

“Your Majesty,” Danforth said, “as always a pleasure to see you.”

“And I’m Mick and this is my wife Charlotte. We’re Shane’s parents,” Mick said with his bear paw extended for both the men to shake.

“A pleasure,” Luke said as he smiled.

Cooper and Noah were standing away from Andrea and the entry way and a bit close to the stairway from which Nathaniel and Shane would come down from.

“When are we gonna eat,” Cooper said a bit louder than he would have like to at that moment.

“Once His Majesty arrives,” Noah said. “Can you believe it?”

“Believe what,” Cooper said.

“We’re gonna get Emperor Nathaniel as a brother-in-law, mate,” Noah said as he took a sip from his pint.

“Well, Shane’s track record tells me that’s not gonna happen,” Cooper said. “If Shane doesn’t fuck it up like he does.”

The Sergeant-at-Arms cleared his throat as he stood by the staircase, “His Imperial Majesty, Nathaniel IV, by the Grace of God, of Chrinthania, Emperor accompanied by Mr. Shane Jennings.”

Nathaniel descended the staircase with Shane in tow. Nathaniel’s black tuxedo was modern, bow tie perfectly tied by his own hands. It accentuated his slender form. Shane wore a similar outfit, though his seemed to adhere more to his figure being a man who was more built than Nathaniel for the most part. Both men looked as though they were a power couple in that moment. Both men were on display. Both men were about to enter into this affair with their best smiles on, their politest conversation, and then entertain for the first time as an item.

Charlotte smiled as her son came down behind Nathaniel. She put her arm around Mick and squeezed his shoulder. Mick could feel a tear welling up inside him. How they loved seeing Shane dressed up and how much they realized how everyone’s future may now be tied up with the man Shane walked behind.

Andrea for her part seemed to genuinely smile. For the first time she realized she could be wrong about Shane, seeing, as she thought, how well he cleaned up. She wasn’t entirely sure how accepted he would be mingling among the aristocracy, but she was certain now that he could look the part and, perhaps, if Nathaniel was dead set on this going the distance, she could reluctantly accept it.

The entire room bowed to Nathaniel as he reached the bottom of the stairs, Andrea bowing lower than anyone else in attendance. Shane walked to Nathaniel’s side once the protocol was entertained. Nathaniel looked at Shane and smiled, then took him by the hand and walked with him into the living room.

“Fuck me, mate,” Cooper said not realizing what he just said in front of the Emperor, “you look almost respectable.”

Shane’s eyes quickly fixated on Nathaniel as he laughed off the slight faux pas and then looked back to Cooper and Noah, “Not so bad yourself, Coop. And how did ya manage to get Noah in a suit? He barely likes to wear clothes.”

“Bribery,” Noah said as he took another sip.

Andrea pushed her way forward with Mick and Charlotte at her side. Mick and Charlotte deferred to Andrea to speak first, “Why, Nathaniel, you look amazing. And I must say, Shane, you look quick enchanting. If I didn’t know any better I would think you were a young prince.”

“Goon on ya, mate,” Mick said as he patted Shane on the shoulder.

“Your Majesty,” Charlotte said as she curtseyed, “my husband and I consider it an honor to meet you, Sir.”

“It is a privilege to finally meet you as well, Mr. and Mrs. Jennings,” Nathaniel said as he took Charlotte’s hand and kissed it with suave determination. He then extended his hand to Mick and gave it a firm shake.

“Quite a grip you got there, Your Majesty,” Mick said. “You work out?”

“A little,” Nathaniel said. “When you shake a lot of hands, you get good at it.”

“Dad,” Shane said with a smile as he reached out and hugged his father and then his mother. “You both look amazing. Can’t believe you got Cooper and Noah here. No one else come?”

“No, love,” Charlotte said, “you know how busy they all are and the younger ones still got school in the morning.”

“No worries,” Shane said.

“I wonder why your brothers are not here to talk to you,” Andrea said.

“Because we always talk to him,” Peter said as he walked up behind the crowd forming in front of Shane and Nathaniel. “Shane, great to see ya, mate.”

“Likewise, Your Highness,” Shane said with a wink.

“Your Majesties, my Lords, ladies, and gentlemen, if you could all follow me to the dining room, dinner will be served shortly,” the sergeant said. The crowd followed behind the Sergeant and the Emperor as he led them into the formal dining room.

The formal dining room at Richmond House was centered around a long, dark stained dining table that was rounded at the far ends. The matching chairs included red upholstery with comfort in mind. Each setting was placed perfectly by the staff, with the serving plate under the salad plate, three crystal glasses to its upper right in order starting from the center with the water glass, red wine glass, and white wine glass. Below the crystal glasses were cups and saucers for tea with a blue periwinkle design. The soup spoon sat next to the cups and saucers and led next to the teaspoon and then the dinner knife which sat beside the plates. To the left of the plates were the forks in proper order from the plates with the dinner fork beside the plate and the salad fork to its outside. Beside that sat dark red linen dinner napkins. Completing the setting was a bread plate with its butter knife crossing the plate diagonally pointing towards the dinner plate. Just above the dinner plate was the cake fork, its tines pointing to the right, and the dessert spoon above it pointing towards the left.

The room itself was quite large, used traditionally by the Heir to the Chrinthani Throne for over two hundred years to host formal dinner parties with the elite of Chrinthani society. The walls, which were a light beige, were adorned with portraits of former Crown Princes. In particular, from the left was a portrait of Crown Prince Ian Thornton, who would go on to become Emperor Nicholas V and father of Nathaniel IV, the current emperor. Beyond were other portraits around the room, each one a properly appointed distance from the other until the back wall, which had three large windows flanked by curtains. Between each window was a portrait. The floor was marble, the only portions covered by an elegant rug were under the dining table itself. To the left were double doors which led to the formal residence of Princes Ryan and Peter, the current occupants of Richmond House. To the right was a single door which led to the servant’s room where the dishes would be loaded up from the kitchen and brought out by staff wearing formal uniforms (more often a tuxedo with tails including white gloves). Beyond the servant’s room was the kitchen.

Nathaniel was seated at the head of the table with Shane to his left. To the left of Shane, and around and down the long side of the table, sat his two brothers followed by his mother and father and Princes Edward and Michael. To their left and around the next corner sat Andrea with an empty chair beside her. To her left and around the next corner sat Danforth and Luke, then Peter and Ryan, then Prince Andrew and his wife and that rounded out the seating arrangements.

Dinner went by with the usual fancy flair that the Imperial family was known for. The causal conversations were kept to a dull roar, as was the case in such a formal setting. Peter and Ryan continued to be entertained by their uncle Andrew’s stories about his travels abroad while Cooper and Noah were reminded a few times to behave better. As the food and beverages were consumed, Andrea kept looking down the table at Nathaniel and Shane. She noticed how it seemed neither man was much interested in anyone else in the room apart from when those around them entertained them in conversation. Everyone so often she would quickly glance at the empty chair and remember how it was when her husband was alive how they would look at each other much like how Shane and Nathaniel seemed to be doing. Andrea caught up with her nephews Edward and Michael as dinner continued learning that Edward was finally dating someone of proper stock while Michael’s two daughters were quite the precocious three years old. Charlotte and Mick were thoroughly impressed with their across-table neighbors Peter and Ryan and felt like they were connecting quite easily.

As the staff began to clear away the dinner dishes and refill the wine glasses, Nathaniel stood up at the head of the table. He picked up his wine glass, which he left empty, and with his right ring finger tapped the glass with his ring until the limited conversation came to an end.

“I suppose you are all wondering why I have asked you all here today,” Nathaniel began. “Before we get into all of that, I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for attending. I wanted to bring us all together to have what I hope is the first of many more gatherings. As to why we are here in such a formal setting, I can only say that it is because Shane and I have a very big announcement to make.”

Charlotte once more put her arm around Mick and started to squeeze his shoulder. Noah felt the moment far too intense for him as he realized he was about to learn that he would probably be related to the Emperor. Cooper sat there in complete silence. Andrea began to take a long sip from her wine glass.

Nathaniel continued, “Last night I asked Shane if he would marry me.”

Charlotte’s face lit up with glee as Mick and Noah did a double take with each other. Ryan and Peter, as well as Edward, Michael, and Andrew all looked down towards Andrea who seemed to knock back her entire glass of wine. Danforth and Luke broke into smiles while Cooper shook his head with disbelief.

“And I said no,” Shane replied.

The shock that hit the room came out of the blue like a lightning bolt. No one, not even Andrea, knew what to say as she had the wine steward refill her glass.

“Not that I don’t wanna,” Shane continued, “But, it’s not the right time. We did decided that we would live together, though.”

“I want to say that I am disappointed,” Nathaniel said, “and I am, but I am just happy that Shane and I will be living together.”

“Living together where,” Noah asked. Charlotte simply shook her head.

“At Brightmore,” Shane added.

“So, all this fancy dinner was just to tell us you’re gonna live together,” Peter asked.

“No,” Nathaniel replied, “I do have something else to announce. I wanted to inform Mick is to be created a Member of the Order of the Chrinthani Empire and you and your family are invited to Brightmore Palace on the 26th of November for your investiture.”

“An OCE?” Mick said, “For what?”

Nathaniel chuckled slightly, “For service to commerce and industry as one of our nation’s premier hotel builders.”

“I’m speechless,” Mick said.

“That is a grand gesture, my son,” Andrea said, “and I, for one, congratulate Mr. Jennings on his achievement. A toast to Mr. Jennings!”

[Chrinthanium]

Shane's Apartment, Bondi Beach

Mick Jennings stood in front of the balcony window and looked towards the sea as the waves crashed against the shore as a bright sun straddled the horizon. He'd only been in the apartments once, and that was the day Shane moved in. It felt like it has only been a day, but it had been a few weeks now. And just that quickly, what seemed like Shane's independence finally coming to fruition turned into his father once more helping him pack up his life. There wasn't much that had to be moved, really. Just personal affects of Shane's that needed to come along. A video game console, a laptop, all of his clothes, family photos, and things of that nature all being placed back into the boxes and bags they once occupied just a month and change ago. Professional movers were going to come and collect the rest, some going into the palace, but most going into storage. To say that Mick was proud of Shane and his new-found independence would be an understatement. Now, he was concerned that Shane was giving up far too much for a man who he had turned down, in a manner of speaking.

"Mate, you sure about this," Mick said as he turned towards Shane who busied himself packing clothes into a suitcase. "Are you really sure?"

"Of course," Shane said as he looked up from the case. He pushed his hair from out of his eyes as he spoke.

"Might just wanna keep the flat, just in case," Mick said. "I mean, you did turn him down."

Shane stood up and shuffled his bare feet on the floor. He walked over to Mick and escorted him outside onto the balcony. The slight chill in the air caused Shane to break out in goose pimples as it cascaded across his bare torso. He walked with Mick to the railing and looked out over the sea. Shane took a deep breath of the salt air. He turned towards Mick and spoke, "Only because I love him."

Mick shook his head, "Is this a gay thing?"

Shane chuckled as he took one foot and placed it on the bottom rung and leaned himself over the railing slightly propping himself up with his folded arms. "You're a fuckin' legend, Dad. No, this isn't a gay thing. Look," Shane sighed slightly, "I just, I just have always moved so fast in love and I don't wanna stuff this up."

Mick leaned against the railing, facing the balcony door. He turned his head towards Shane and cleared his throat, "Then, why are you moving in with him?"

Shane stared forward fixated on some building in the distance. His eyes seemed to shift slightly as he tried to formulate the answer into something that would sound somewhat intelligent, "I dunno. I'm not sure what I'm doing. I just know I wanna do it. I mean, I can't figure it out. It's like I just feel I belong with him. Like it all kinda fits. It's like I can't imagine a day without him, without hearing his voice, or without feeling him next to me. Christ, I must sound stupid cause this feels really incoherent."

Mick turned towards Shane and put his hand on Shane's shoulder. Shane turned towards his dad. Mick smile, "No, it doesn't. That's how I feel about your mother. She's my world, mate. And if someone makes you feel half as loved as your mother makes me feel, then you've got no worries because that's the one."

Shane tilted his head down and smiled, "Did I stuff this up by saying no?"

"I saw the way he looked at you, Shane. I see how you look at him and how your face kinda lights up when you talk about him. She'll be right," Mick said. "Now, let's get the rest of this packing done."

[Chrinthanium]

Nathaniel’s Private Apartment, Brightmore Palace

Nathaniel sat on a sofa drinking a cup of coffee while Ryan sat next to him with a cup of tea. As Ryan sat there sipping his tea, Nathaniel put his mug on the table beside him and turned towards Ryan.

“So, you think that was a good idea, then,” Nathaniel said.

“Well, Nate, you kinda have a bit of a problem with finding love,” Ryan said as he took another sip from his cup, “the last one was just bad. I told you, Petey told you, even Danforth told you and Danforth never says anything.”

Nathaniel shrugged, “You live and learn.”

“Yeah, learn not to get too into it too quick,” Ryan said. “I get that you and Shane are clicking right now, but the fact is you both are making the best choice. Getting engaged is a big deal. You don’t know him all that well yet. Maybe you’ll find out you two aren’t as compatible and then you can break it off without too much fuss. Maybe you’ll find that you two work out perfectly.”

“She’ll be right,” Nathaniel said using a phrase he wasn’t known to use.

“I see he’s rubbing off already,” Ryan said. “Never heard you say that before.”

Nathaniel shook his head, “Yeah, well, things happen, I guess. I just... feel that there is something there worth exploring. He is a good guy, Ry. And, I know I should have spoken to you about when we first started to explore a relationship. He was your mate first.”

“No worries,” Ryan said. “Just don’t break his heart, Nate. He’s kinda one of those blokes who feels things stronger than most.”

Nathaniel cleared his throat,”I see that. I also see that Mother did not explode at the announcement.”

“Probably because you didn’t get engaged. It woulda been a much different story if you had,” Ryan said as he took another sip of tea.

Nathaniel sighed heavily as he leaned back on the sofa slightly. He took a deep breath and then shook his head, “What am I going to do about her, Ry?”

“You need to put her in her place, Nate,” Ryan said. “Whether or not she likes it, you’re the head of the family. You need to put her right and tell her she can’t just order us about like servants and go around talking to Shane like she did.”

“Like she did?” Nathaniel asked as he sat back up in his seat.

“He texted me and told me she call him a commoner who’d never understand our world and how our world would never accept him,” Ryan said. “He said he’d never felt so small before.”

“Did she,” Nathaniel said as he began to flex his jaws. “I will have to talk with Shane about it before I go to sort her out, though.”

“You should,” Ryan said. “You should also tell Mother where to get off. Ever since Dad died, she’s been like this. It’s not healthy.”

Nathaniel took Ryan’s words and let them rattle around in his head. She had changed since that day. Though, the change wasn’t as drastic as Ryan indicated. Nathaniel was full aware of all the fights that his father and mother had gone through. It helped that his room was next to theirs. It helped that the interior walls of the palace were thinner than most people would’ve expected. He remembered vividly how his mother and father argued about Nathaniel playing soccer. And how they argued about Peter switching from violin to guitar or about how Ryan never seemed to learn how to apply the filter between his thoughts and his words. He had also heard his father pull rank on his mother many times, much to her chagrin. He knew if he did as Ryan asked, he’d be in for the fight of his life.

****

“So you mean you knew,” Mick said as he talked to Noah.

Noah shrugged, “I didn’t know know, y’know. I just kinda figured it out.”

“How,” Shane said.

“I reckon only a gay guy would watch that much soccer,” Noah said with a smile and a wink.

“But Nate played soccer,” Shane replied.

“My point exactly,” Noah answered.

“Shut up, ya fuckwit,” Shane joked.

Mick shook his head with a smile. The sound of his boys bickering back and forth was part of the things he enjoyed hearing the most. As long as it was playful, that is. Noah and Shane were close enough in age and temperament that they rarely fought and when they did, they often were over it in a few hours at the most. Now that Shane had moved out of the house, the bickering --at least the playful kind-- was missing. Having three young daughters sharing a bathroom was turning out to be the casus belli for World War III in the Jennings household and that was not the bickering that Mick preferred.

“Too bad he ain’t got a sister,” Noah said. “Then we could both marry royalty.”

“Give it a rest,” Mick said, “The only title you’re gonna have is asshole, mate.”

“Glad to see I’m so loved,” Noah said.

“Don’t wanna ruin your mood,” Mick said, “but what about this dream you kept telling me about. Seems you’re letting it go.”

“Not really,” Shane said, “I’m still gonna do it.”

“How,” Noah asked. “If you’re gonna be playing house with you know who.”

The how was probably the one question Shane couldn’t answer. He probably hadn’t even thought about the how up until Noah asked the question. The thoughts simply flooded his mind. How would he live with Nathaniel and try to open his own business at the same time? How would it look if Nathaniel’s significant other was opening a business? Would that cause a conflict of interest in some way? Would there be something else that could arise because of who Shane was dating that could put the dream into jeopardy? And just how would it all get started?

“She’ll be right,” Shane said as he took the exit.

***

Nathaniel, Cooper, and Charlotte were stopped in front of a portrait of Nathaniel’s father which adored the corridor that led to his private apartment. Nathaniel pointed out that his father was wearing the naval uniform of the Imperial Chrinthani Navy. In particular the winter blues, which were actually black. It was an officer’s uniform with sashes across it for the orders of chivalry to which he was sovereign as well as aiguillettes and other various and sundry forms of distinction. In the portrait he was standing in front of the Chrinthani Throne which sat on a dais in the throne room. It was only ever used for very special occasions anymore.

“He was a very handsome guy,” Charlotte said as she admired the portrait.

Nathaniel smiled at Charlotte, “Thank you, Mrs. Jennings.”

“Please, call me Charlotte, Sir,” Charlotte said.

“Nothing like a personal tour of the palace with the man himself,” Cooper said as he slapped Nathaniel on the shoulder.

In spite of the level of familiarity Nathaniel was granting them, he was unused to people slapping him on the shoulder. Particularly in such a way that he felt like he’d just scored a try. Still, he paid it no mind. As he noticed Cooper standing in the palace wearing a pair of thongs and boardies, he figured Cooper wasn’t quite well versed in the Imperial life. Nathaniel thought the tank top was bit too casual for the palace, but he was Shane’s brother and Nathaniel would be far from ready to criticize his choice of outfit.

“Well, Cooper, it is a great honor to show people around. Sometimes I do pop out to greet the tour and last year I actually took the tour group through a few extra rooms,” Nathaniel said rather proud of his previous moment of glory.

“I bet that gave’em a thrill, mate,” Cooper said. “So, what’s through that door?” Cooper said as he pointed at the large double doors with gold trim.

“That,” Nathaniel said, “is my private apartment. Shane will have his own adjacent to mine down at the far end. Across from mine was Peter’s own private apartment. We used to all share one when we were kids, but as we grew up, we got our own. Shane will be taking over Ryan’s old apartment. Now that he and Peter live in Richmond House, they are both sitting empty.”

“How much for a night’s stay in the empty one,” Cooper said with a wink.

“Just ask Shane,” Nathaniel said with a sarcastic wink.

Cooper started to chuckle, then caught the gist and just cleared his throat. Charlotte shook her head to stop from laughing. Nathaniel began to move everyone down the hall past the doors to his apartment. The corridor felt longer than it actually looked as every so often the solid-color walls were broken by portraits of former emperors and other Imperial family members. Nathaniel led them to the door of Shane’s own private apartment.

“This will be Shane’s,” Nathaniel said as he reached to open the door.

“If he’s gonna be living with you,” Cooper began, “why’s he got his own rooms?”

Nathaniel laughed, “Well, in spite of the living together, he gets his own rooms. That is just how we do things. He gets his own space for those moments when he may want or have need of such privacy.”

“In case you two have a fight, I reckon,” Cooper said.

Nathaniel shrugged, “Whatever purpose he sees fit to use it for.”

“Your Majesty... Nate,” Charlotte said, “I want you to know that I really appreciate your taking us around the palace. You’re ace, and I hope your mother’s proud of ya.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Jennings,” Nathaniel said as he opened the door. “They will be here in a few to get things moved in. You do not have to lift or do anything. Shane can just tell them where to put things. If you all want something to eat or drink, there is a phone on the wall by the bathroom door. Just press 4 for the galley and they will whip up most anything you could want.”

“Please, call me Charlotte,” she said again as she shook Nathaniel’s hand.

“So, maybe I can get them to do a snag sanga,” Cooper said.

“Right, then, I will leave you both too it. Shane will be here soon and I have to go take a meeting with the Prime Minister.” Nathaniel slapped Cooper on the shoulder with a particularly intentional thud and then smiled and walked away

[Chrinthanium]

November 8, 2017

Shane sat on the edge of the bed and smiled as Nathaniel gave him a kiss on the lips. Then, Nathaniel disappeared through the door of the private apartment and headed off into the corridors to deal with his morning government papers and to handle a full morning of audiences. The moment Nathaniel disappeared, Shane leaned backwards onto the bed, he legs hanging off the side, and then looked up at the ceiling. The ceiling was bland. He knew there had been work done to the ceiling as evidenced by the slightly discoloration between the new paint and the old paint. He continued to concentrate on that part of the ceiling. It was strange. It seemed like something was there and then removed, not so much an actual repair. Curiosity, being a strong emotion, finally overtook Shane as he stood up on the bed itself to get a more closer inspection. Even standing on the bed he could barely reach the section of ceiling. There was enough light in the room he could make out the slight shading problem was circular in nature. He started to chuckle once he realized that a chandelier must have hung in that spot but, for whatever reason, it was removed. His curiosity settled, Shane flopped backwards onto the bed, his head barely missing the headboard.

He pushed back his brown mane removing the hair from his eyes and took a deep breath. He reached over to his bedside table and grabbed his smartphone from its top. The device light up and displayed the time. He smiled noticing it was just before 9 in the morning. In his previous life, he would have already been on the jobsite for two hours. Now, being Nathaniel’s live-in partner, he had opted to resign from his brief stint as the construction office out of fear his close proximity to Nathaniel would cause an already pressing boss to become almost unbearable in requesting contracts with the palace. Even when he returned to his employer, the requests that they be remembered if anything was ever needed caused a slight shiver to run down his spine. The fact that people would attempt to use his relation with Nathaniel was something that had Shane disliked. He didn’t want people to use him to get to Nathaniel. If they wanted to befriend Shane, so be it. That he didn’t mind at all. In fact, Shane was known to keep a large group of friends and being new to the area, he hoped that he would find some more. If they only wanted to know him to get to Nathaniel, then they could look elsewhere.

Shane slid out of bed and walked over to his chest of drawers and pulled out a pair of red boardshorts, known locally as boardies, and slid them over his boxer briefs. Barefoot and bare chested he walked from the bedroom into the large living room. The room itself resembled a fancy version of a living room with its high-end furniture done in a contemporary and complementary style. A large sofa faced a credenza on which were a few video game systems, a blu-ray player, and a smattering of remote controls. Shane looked at the wall above it as the very large 65-inch wall-mounted television stared at him blankly. He followed the flat metal bar that went downward which was a tunnel for all the wires connected to it. Stationed around the room were surround sound speakers, something Shane hoped to take full advantage of. A pair of recliners bookended the sofa, perhaps for moments when Nathaniel needed to recharge without going fully to bed. Behind the sofa was a small decorative long table on which some of Nathaniel’s mail sat waiting for him. The table edged a pathway which led straight from the front door of the apartment through to a small dining room where Nathaniel could take a private meal with Shane away from other people. There were other doors, mostly closets where various and sundry items would be kept. The one thing Shane really noticed was this room, and the whole of Nathaniel’s private apartment, was devoid of items that anyone would associate with the palace. It was as if Nathaniel wanted a space that was only his and did not, for the most part, remind of him the heavy burden he carried. It amused Shane that Nathaniel kept the apartment that way; an oasis in a sea of royalty.

Now, the only question that Shane had on his mind was what to do.

****

Across the top of the page in the upper right corner was a simple line below which was written “Imperial Assent Granted.” There were no other indications of how the line operated nor were there any expectations of how the user was to behave. With a broad stroke, Nathaniel signed his name across that line in its Regal fashion, Nathaniel, R.I. with the date written in his own hand beside the signature. The Roman numerals associated with him were omitted normally, with the exception of certain particular documents which required a delineation of which Emperor Nathaniel has signed them. After his signature, he passed the document off to Luke Davis who fastened a small white felt arrow upon which the Imperial seal was affixed via stamp--the days of wax seals were long gone. This process was repeated until all Acts of Parliament that required Nathaniel’s assent were given his assent. The task was not as tedious as it sounded, though. Nathaniel always knew what those documents contained through his weekly meeting with the PM as well as the cabinet minutes he read on a daily basis. In spite of whatever personal leanings he may have regarding the laws, he never withheld his assent. If the government elected by the People wanted this law, then this law they shall have. He believed if it became unpopular enough, Parliament would amend or repeal the law in future. So automatic was his signing these documents that he inadvertently signed a copy of the morning newspaper that was handed to him by Luke.

“Well,” Nathaniel said realizing his mistake, “you should keep that as a momento or something to sell online later on. That is after I finish reading it.”

Luke chuckled, “Signed copy of a newspaper the Emperor read. Should fetch a good price online. Might be able to fund my son’s university tuition.”

Nathaniel cleared his throat,” You are not old enough to have a son at university.”

“No,” Luke said with a now-beaming smile, “but my girlfriend is pregnant and it’s gonna be a boy!”

Nathaniel stood up at his desk and gave Luke a warm, congratulatory hug, “Good on ya, mate.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Luke said forgetting that Nathaniel was a hugger.

“Let me know when she is having the baby shower and I will send her a gift,” Nathaniel said.

“Yes, Sir!” Luke said excitedly.

“And remember the Christmas party invite include a plus one,” Nathaniel said with a wink.

Luke laughed slightly, then put the signed Acts into the box for their return to the Parliament. He then handed Nathaniel the pile of cabinet minutes that he often read first unless Luke directed him otherwise as was the case today.

“The list doesn’t mention anything big discussed. The treasury dominated discussions today. Something to do with the GST. Outside of that, mostly seems to be the PM putting forth the last efforts of the current session before it is closed next month for summer recess.” Luke said.

Nathaniel nodded as he shifted the cabinet minutes off to the side. He extended his arm until his watch became visible and then bent his arm so he could check the time. It was nearing lunch and Nathaniel was particularly hungry after having skipped his breakfast this morning. He didn’t have the heart to wake Shane up while he slept so peacefully. He left instructions for Shane to contact the kitchen if he was hungry. What Nathaniel promised was that he would have lunch with Shane.

“How is the diary looking,” Nathaniel said as he looked at Luke.

“The audiences are finished, the Acts are granted assent, you have a two o’clock with the Privy Council and nothing between now and then. Don’t forget you promised the Governor of New Britannia a few minutes of your time to discuss your visit in February.” Luke said. “Shall I order His Majesty lunch?”

“Actually, I have a lunch date with Shane,” Nathaniel said.

“Very good, Sir,” Luke replied.

“I told him I would arrive around noon or so. I best be off,” Nathaniel said as he began to walk out of the office.

***

He felt something on his shoulder. It caused his eyes to crack opened. Through a bleary stare he could make out a figure, sometime hovering over him. As his eyes opened wider and his vision cleared slightly, he could just make out it was Nathaniel with a big smile. The feeling on his shoulder was Nathaniel’s hand. Shane rubbed his face slightly as he shifted himself from a sideways sleeping position on the sofa to an upright sitting position. He stretched and yawned heavily, then took a deep breath. As he did, Nathaniel sat down beside him. Shane smiled and then put his head on Nathaniel’s shoulder.

“I did not want to wake you. You looked so peaceful. Busy day so far?” Nathaniel said.

Shane wanted to say yes. He wasn’t able to tell Nathaniel yes. While Nathaniel busied himself with whatever daily routine he had, Shane sat in the living of the private apartment. For the first hour or so he watched television and learned breakfast television wasn’t quite his cup of tea. Then there was a frustrating interaction with a war game on the video console which nearly caused Shane to throw the controller into the wall--an action he stopped himself from doing at the last minute. A trip onto the information superhighway turned into another moment of frustration when Shane learned that social media can move fast, but not quite fast enough to entertain him for hours at a time. Finally, he decided to stretch out on the sofa and get a few more hours of sleep which is where Nathaniel found him.

“Not used to having nothing to do,” Shane said.

“Once you get settled in here you will figure out what to do with your time,” Nathaniel said. “Like possibly come up with a business plan for your dream.”

“Yeah,” Shane said as he took a deep sigh, “I don’t wanna get into debt, but I don’t have enough money saved.”

“I know a bank that charges low interest. Really, if I put in a word, no interest,” Nathaniel said with a smile.

Shane’s eyes lit up with joy as he responded with childlike enthusiasm, “Nate, which bank?”

“Me,” Nathaniel said. “Seriously, I can lend you the money with no interest because you are far too sexy to charge interest. You can pay me back whenever, no problems.”

Shane pondered Nathaniel’s offer. It was the best deal he was going to get, but Shane worried about money coming between him and Nathaniel. When his family wasn’t as affluent as it was these days, he remembered his parents arguing over money. Someone spent too much money, someone owed someone money, can’t afford to buy this toy or that toy, and the bills were do where does the money come from.

“I don’t know,” Shane said hesitantly. “Money can cause arguments.”

“Shane,” Nathaniel said, “I would not offer it if I was worried about it.”

“Well,” Shane said trying not to be rude, “what if instead of a personal loan you just kind do it professionally.”


Nathaniel shrugged, “You want me to charge you interest?”

“I just,” Shane huffed, “I just don’t wanna fight about money if something goes wrong.”

Nathaniel nodded, “If it makes you happy, then we can try it that way. I just hope you can write up a business plan with all the bells and whistles because my accountant will want to see that.”

“Accountant?” Shane asked.

“If we do it professionally, then he would be involved. Of course, if you just want a personal loan, let me know and I can have the money to you tomorrow if you tell me how much.” Nathaniel said.

“No, professional,” Shane said feeling better about the decision, “I think she’ll be right if we keep it that way.”

[Chrinthanium]

Brightmore Palace
Wednesday November 22, 2017

Shane sat in the living room of the private apartment, beside the sofa was luggage packed for the trip. In his hand was his smartphone on which he was reviewing the weather in Philadelphia. The idea of cold weather was not something he was happy to see, but the fact that America was in the Northern Hemisphere meant that while Sydney was beginning to heat up, America was about to cool down as they slid through Autumn towards Winter. What was most exciting for Shane was to see his grandmother. He hadn't seen her since he was 15 years old. After his grandfather passed away she remarried to an American businessman who had done fairly well for himself. They had a luxurious apartment in the city's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. She also had her own money, something that was given to her by her son and Shane's father. Not that she cared much for money, but it didn't hurt in a place like America. It didn't hurt in Chrinthania, either.

As Shane sat checking the weather, the door to the private apartment opened. Nathaniel strolled in wearing a perfectly-tailored black suit. It certainly set off his white dress shirt and the yellow tie and matching pocket square. He smiled at Shane as he traversed the living room and sat down beside him. Shane leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Seems you are ready to go," Nathaniel said.

"Aww, yeah," Shane said. "Not gonna lie, I'm stoked. Haven't seen my grandmother in years."

Nathaniel nodded, "Well, about a day from now you will."

It was at that point that Nathaniel's personal valet entered the room with a luggage cart. The cart could have come from any high-end hotel with its brass handles that met a rack for hanging items. He was dressed in a three-piece suit of dark grey with a red tie and a light blue shirt. Once into the apartment, he stopped and bowed towards Nathaniel, then nodded to Shane. Nathaniel pointed at the neatly-arrange luggage at the edge of the sofa, which the valet quickly walked over and began to load with care. Nathaniel then disappeared into the bedroom. As Shane stood up and attempted to assist, the valet stopped while stooped and shook his head no towards Shane. There were some rustling noises from the bedroom as Nathaniel appeared with several suit bags with hangars sticking up from the top. He gently placed them over the arm of the sofa and looked towards Shane. Then Nathaniel grabbed Shane's backpack and handed it to him. Shane reached into the front compartment and produced his passport.

"It is not often I see one of these," Nathaniel said with a curious smile.

Shane shrugged slightly with the kind of look that would let anyone in the room know he had no idea why. "You don't have a passport?"

Nathaniel chuckled as he made a gesture with his hand for Shane to hand over his passport. Shane took a second, then handed over the document.

Nathaniel then held up the passport unopened with the front cover showing to Shane, "See what it says here? Empire of Chrinthania?" As Shane nodded a no-duh glance at Nathaniel, Nathaniel opened the passport and then held the passport open with the forefinger of his hand pointing at the words written on the back of the front cover. "His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Foreign Affairs," he said from memory, "requests and requires in the name of His Imperial Majesty and to all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer of this passport to pass freely without let or hindrance and to render to the bearer all such assistance and protection as may be necessary." Then Nathaniel flipped the page past the nation's name written in full in multiple languages, albeit it in much smaller print, to the page with Shane's personal information.

"And?" Shane said.

"Well," Nathaniel continued, "you can see you are the bearer of this passport. And the greeting inside the front cover means this passport is issued in my name. That means, for all intents and purposes, your ability to enter and leave Chrinthani is granted by the very same man with whom you cuddle at night. Since this passport is issued in my name, I do not need a passport. Even if I am going on vacation with no official business."

"Aren't you a tall poppy," Shane said with a slight smile. "Well, we commoners still have to show this unless we wanna bunch of strife at customs."

Nathaniel laughed, "You will not have to deal with customs as long as you travel with me. That is why we had you itemize every single thing you were bringing into America and California. All of this can be settled before we even leave Sydney. That and we already know what we can and cannot bring into each country, so we know not to even think to take it with us."

"It that why my Vegemite got struck off the list?" Shane asked.

"I am afraid so," Nathaniel said. "I think we can both go about ten days without it."

"What about all those B vitamins I'll be missing," Shane said with a laugh.

"I guess we will both have to do without until we return. Anyway, we better get on the move."

-----------------------------------------

Sydney International Airport

The car drove along the back parts of the airport out of the way of the jets landing and taking off. Through some areas not often seen by people other than airport staff and maintenance workers until such time as a special hangar appeared towards the far end. It was a simple, white-on-white hangar of the typical variety. There were no special markings, no official seals of any kind on the hangar. There was a simple black plaque with white numbers and letters which stated IM-101. The car came to a rest outside of the hangar. The car stopped just outside the wide-opened hangar revealing a sparkling business jet over 30 meters long and over 30 meters wide, slightly wider than long. It stood around 8 and a half meters high. The livery was basic white, though on the tail there was a single symbol; a crown with the words "Empire of Chrinthania" encircling it, all in gold. The Bombardier business jet, purchased from an American company, was the newest plane to bear the Imperial seal. Unlike its predecessors, it was a transcontinental craft.

Nathaniel's door was opened by the driver, who then raced around to open Shane's. Nathaniel stood there in his suit, the fleeting sunlight grasping onto the horizon illuminating the aircraft in its hangar. As the flight crew continued their pre-flight checks, Nathaniel's valet began the process of carrying luggage into the hangar. Shane walked up beside Nathaniel and took him by the hand. He looked at him with a smile.

"So, this is the plane you were telling me about," Shane said.

"Yup. She is a beaut. Just wait till you see the inside," Nathaniel said as they were escorted by one of the flight staff to the entrance of the plane.

Upon entering the plane, Shane was immediately in the plane's galley. To his left was the cockpit with its door open and a modern flight system staring at him complete with weather radar. He could just see to the side of the copilot's chair a stick, often found in these fly-by-wire crafts. The galley itself was black and white and full of straight lines. The oven was immediately before him on his entrance, to its right a counter space and beyond that a spot with two pots: one for coffee, one for tea. Across the aisle from it were two seats. As Nathaniel described them, it was a staff lounge since a 15 hour flight was something that would require someone to grab a nap during the ordeal. Through the first bulkhead and Shane and Nathaniel were in a section with 8 seats. The color scheme was chocolate brown and creme, with the leather-bound seats in cream along with the plane's interior walls, the collapsible tables and any woodwork were in chocolate brown. This area was also bound by a further bulkhead which opened to a dining compartment that could hold eight people. Beyond that was a lounge with a divan and a television that rose from a credenza that appeared to hover off of the floor. Beyond this was another bulkhead which opened into a small en suite bedroom with a small queen bed. There was a television on the wall in front of the bed. Everything about the plane hinted at elegance and power, luxury and functionality. Furthermore, it seemed to give each compartment a level of privacy with each compartment becoming more intimate the further back they went.

"We are not that big," Nathaniel said with a sheepish shrug. "Worse case, one of us can take the divan."

"Swanky," Shane said. "Kinda looks like something a CEO would use."

"That is what they were built for. It works for me, too," Nathaniel said. "So, we are going to stop in Los Angeles to refuel, then we will head off to Philadelphia. We should be there in roughly 24 hours. I suppose that will be early Thursday morning there?"

"No, it will be like we never left," Shane said. "I remember that back when I was 15 and we helped her move, we got to LA like a few hours before we actually left because of the time zones."

"Long day," Nathaniel said with a sigh. "Oh well, at least we will not be late."

"Probably gonna be early, Nate," Shane said. "One in LA, we can get her our arrival time."

---------------

Philadelphia International Airport
Wednesday November 22, 2017 (again)

The plane landed as a successful flight ended. Nathaniel and Shane were dressed, both in suits this time. Nathaniel had called his personal tailor to give Shane a small present: a finely-tailored suit. It was a mid-grey color, simple and smart. He didn't wear a tie, but a white cotton dress shirt unbuttoned a few buttons was worn. Nathaniel, for his part, wore black. He wore a white dress shirt with a red tie and a white pocket square. He was all smiles as he began to walk towards the plane's door. Shane walked two steps behind him. This wasn't out of protocol, but more out of the fact Nathaniel had been ready to disembark a full hour before Shane was even done washing. The steps were dropped. Two Secret Service agents exited the door and quickly made their way down to the tarmac. A moment later, Nathaniel appeared awaiting his greeting from President Benjamin Maresial.

[Amerique]

Philadelphia International Airport
Cordoned Security Area
Wednesday, November 22, 2017 16:00 Eastern Standard Time (UTC-05:00)

Luckily, the period of near-freezing showers and wind from the morning had passed over the City of Brotherly Love leaving behind a seasonal nip in the air as Emperor Nathaniel's private jet made touchdown on the runway of Philadelphia International Airport. The trip was rather impromptu and did not have the trappings of an official state visit as the young Emperor traveled halfway across the globe to share in the American holiday with his new beau. Nevertheless, an official escort of three F/A-18E/F Peregrines had been providing a close bodyguard across the North American continent for the Chrinthani Imperial Family's Amerique-made jet, exchanging duties with the Imperial Chrinthani Air Force escort fighters near Hawai'i, and their signal to the tower upon leaving escort when the Bombardier jet entered final approach over the city limits of Philadelphia had indicated the preparation of the reception party on the airport tarmac.

While this was not a visit requiring special state duties to formally visit the President or Congress, the tarmac was nonetheless a welcome fit for a king - or emperor - to a nation that did not typically deal in monarchical pomp and ceremony. A velvet carpet lined the path from the stairs to the limousine provided by the Chrinthani embassy and was flanked on either side by a cordon of soldiers in dress uniforms with parade M14 rifles and a marching band for the flight line ceremony. Somewhat further afield behind a protective barrier, was a select throng of reporters excited by the peculiarities of foreign monarchy, particularly young and famous monarchs like the Chrinthani Emperor. The staunchly republican nature of the American Republic's institutions and fervent anti-monarchist history had instead, in recent times, bred a curiosity and fascination among some of the American people with the archaic and peculiar institution that the unscrupulous of the free press had been more than happy to oblige. As the private aircraft taxied to the assigned protected space, President Benjamin Maresial awaited at the end of the carpet in a simple black suit with a sky-blue tie with slate-gray diagonal stripes running its length.

Benjamin had generally warm impressions of the Chrinthani people. They were a lively bunch and he could remember in his youth how Chrinnies passing through the field hospital in Drapol helped distract from the terrible situation with optimism, rowdiness and humor, a quality he appreciated due to his own penchant for levity and rebelliousness in the face of sometimes stifling military discipline. He could remember they were some of the few who could keep up with him in soju and beer at the on-base afterhours bar, that's for sure. What little shore leave he could get to escape the awful, unnecessary conflict were in either Pindet or, on rare occasions, Chrinthani cities like Preston, where he could still fondly remember a one-night shared reprieve with a gorgeous Chrinthani nurse with flaxen hair. Maresial had made it a point to make a sojourn to Chrinthania after the war and an alcohol-laden adventure across the East Coast and the great Outback with a close friend he had made while in Drapol was the last he saw of the land down under, though he could still remember the hospitality and the red soil of the Chrinthani mainland.

Now he found himself much older than before, perhaps only a little wiser and, in a twist that might shock his younger self, the President of the Republic, due to meet the Emperor of that whole country. As the air stairs were joined to the private jet bearing the Imperial Seal of Chrinthania, he approached down the flight line with the ceremonial marine guard saluting along the way and stopped a few feet away from the bottom of the stairs, roughly half the way down the carpet. Emperor Nathaniel and his entourage appeared and the fanfare of the band began, first with the Imperial family's anthem, then Chrinthania's, followed by the Starry Banner as Nathaniel made his way down and received salutes from soldiers on guard.

As Nathaniel approached the President, Benjamin extend his hand out in a hearty gesture, addressing him, "Your Majesty, welcome to America."

[Chrinthanium]

Never before had Shane ever been a part of anything like this. These kinds of events were often only seen on television news stories when Nathaniel went abroad. Now, he was living this moment in time. He was experiencing just a small glimpse into what life would have in store for him if the relationship with Nathaniel continued on as it seemed likely to do. As Nathaniel's security detail stood waiting and Nathaniel began to step down towards the tarmac, Shane continued his pace a few steps behind Nathaniel. As the Imperial Anthem played, Shane found himself singing along with it almost out of habit, the same with the Chrinthani National Anthem. It helped that Shane wasn't alone in singing the anthems. A small contingent of Chrinthani soldiers who'd been serving alongside the American Army at Fort Dix, Outremer were also singing along, though they were much more audible than Shane could ever want to be. Nathaniel returned the salutes of the guards as he passed. Once Nathaniel stopped in front of President Maresial, Shane continued until he had come to Nathaniel's side.

Shane was taken back in his mind to the first American he ever really got a chance to know. The tall American student, who was called Trevor Williams, was a nice enough guy. Shane recalled how he used to speak about the merits of a republican form of government and how monarchy was outdated. This opinion didn't stop Trevor from wanting to visit Brightmore Palace while trying to catch a glimpse of either Nicholas V or Prince Nathaniel (as he was at the time). He even remembered when Trevor met Prince Ryan and was taken aback by just how 'normal' he seemed. All in all he had fond memories of the only American he'd ever gotten a chance to know and hoped that most were like Trevor.

Nathaniel extended his hand with a bright smile on his face, "Mr. President, it is an honor to meet you and a great pleasure to be in America. Please, allow me to introduce my partner, Mr. Shane Jennings of Melbourne, Georgia."

Shane smiled brightly as he extended his hand to President Maresial, "How ya goin', Mr. President."

[Amerique]

After giving the Chrinthani Emperor a hearty handshake, though one in what he presumed was a respectful fashion, President Maresial let out a light chuckle as he shook Shane's hand, "I'm doing well, yourself? I love your straightforwardness, Mr. Jennings. You can call me Benny, I get tired of hearing 'Mr. President' from time to time." The President turned to Emperor Nathaniel and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, if you'll pardon my expression, your better half has a lot of chutzpah. Good man! Maybe we'll sling back a few beers some time."

Despite reaching the latter half of his term as President, Ben still wasn't quite accustomed to dealing with royalty, and wasn't quite sure he ever would with the myriad rules and ceremony involved. He had kept in mind not to touch the person of the Chrinthani Emperor unless invited to first and kept the handshake brief and respectful though not too timid. Nevertheless, he perhaps felt that his experience with Chrinthanis meant he could get away with more informalities than he would otherwise with other royalty. This wasn't a speech or an official state dinner or ceremony so he knew, without being recorded, that he could just speak more personably in his typical style and approach the Emperor and his potential consort-to-be as simply normal people.

President Maresial led them down the cordon towards the color guard and the awaiting official limousine with tinted windows. The flight line presented their rifles in a salute as the entourage passed by.

"You'll have to pardon us for the throngs of reporters here today, some are from standard news outlets though there's also a bit of the tabloid and gutter press here today, pushing their way for any scoop about your personal lives. All of them have a job to do so they're looking for any scrap of information they can find and some are more zealous than others. There's also some fans here and there, including some of your lads by the right end in Chrinnie fatigues. If you wanted to say a few words or sign a few autographs, that's up to you, they all have security clearances. No one would begrudge you if you just wanted to duck out after this long flight, hop in the limo and get to a nice penthouse hotel room. Your limo will have a protective motorcade from the diplomatic service and Philadelphia PD."

The color guard featured the official banners of the United Republic of America and the Empire of Chrinthania, both somewhat similar designs with similar founding principles and representations. They were distinguishable particularly at the finials of the ceremonial standards, with a golden eagle perched atop one with a tricolor pennant tied around the finial and draping down while on the latter rested the Imperial crown with tassles of gold lace. Both flags were lowered down at a 45 degree angle as the heads of state approached the color guard line. Down the Chrinthani line was the Imperial standard of House Thornton, the banner of the Imperial Life Guard and the Imperial Chrinthani Air Force while the American line featured the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, the United Republican Air Force and the First American Grenadier Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard" of the Republican Guard, who typically provided honor guard for state events but were also a fighting force in their own right. While the flight line guard were dressed in modern dress uniforms with double-breasted navy-blue greatcoats with polished buttons and peaked caps, the men of the 1st American on the color guard were in traditional 18th century uniforms of blue-faced-white with white-lined black tricornes and gaiters past the knee. The limousine itself was Chrinthani from the Imperial consulate in Philadelphia on special service.

"Your Majesty, for now I must take my leave. I hope you both enjoy Philadelphia. I'm a New Irelander myself but I would hop on the train here for the weekend when I was younger for some great times with college friends or to catch a show. I know some good pubs and dive bars around but nowadays I'm either too old or too 'presidential' to go there anymore. You could maybe get away with sneaking around to some places if no one notices," President Maresial said with a smile and a wink while shaking the hands of both Shane and Nate.

[Chrinthanium]

“As good as,” Shane replied to President Maresial in that magical Chrinthani way where the simile ended before the comparison ever happened. “I’m a straight forward kinda bloke, Mr. President--Benny.”

Nathaniel chuckled as Maresial excused Shane’s informalities, “His straightforwardness was something about him that caught my eye early on. I would not have him any other way.”

As the President excused the throng of reporters, Nathaniel had already sized up the crowd. He recognized a few faces from the CBC News who worked at a few bureaus scattered around. In particular one quite attractive middle-aged gentleman who used to do the evening news in Sydney. The Emperor was well aware of the job the news agents had to do. He was even more aware of the fact he was the news. It wasn’t often Chrinthani Emperors came to America, and he knew this was going to be covered widely back home and probably at least a bit on American television. Smile and wave, that was Nathaniel’s go-to movement as they processed down the line. Smile and wave, nod at a few people calling for him to turn towards them for a better picture, then smile some more as the shutter clicks echoed across the tarmac.

Knowing that members of the Chrinthani military personnel were on-hand to greet Nathaniel gave immense joy. If his father hadn’t died so young, Nathaniel might have had a proper royal career in the Chrinthani Army. Because of that desire, he’d always held the members of the Chrinthani Armed Services in quite high regard. At every function Nathaniel attended, he made a point of shaking their hands and speaking with them. This time would be no different. As soon as Nathaniel was able, he walked over to the gathered Chrinthani military personnel and smiled. He stood for a few pictures taken with smartphones while Shane stood by President Maresial not wanting to interfere in Nathaniel’s duties. After a few moments of shaking hands, he returned to Maresial and Shane.

“Mr. President,” Nathaniel said as he shook Maresial’s hand, “we are staying until Sunday morning. Did Our Ambassador Wilkinson invite you over for dinner and drinks on Friday? I hope he did, Mr. President. He was told to do so. I hope you can make it. It is a simple, informal affair. Then, Shane and I will be spending Saturday soaking up some local culture. I am certain the embassy has an itinerary all set up. They keep me on a tight leash sometimes. Mr. President.”

It was then, from his periphery, that Nathaniel noticed two Chrinthani military persons with their back towards him, Shane, and the President. Nathaniel cocked a cheeky smile and walked up behind them, photobombing them. They didn’t notice Nathaniel walking up behind them, perhaps they were talking among themselves too much or too busy trying to perfect their poses, but once they reviewed the picture, they turned back towards Nathaniel, who was still standing there with his big grin, and saluted. He returned the salute, gave them a suave point to tell them bye, then returned to the group.

“Sorry, I cannot resist a good photobomb,” Nathaniel said.

“Your Majesty,” one of the security detail officers said holding the limo door open, “we have to go.”

Nathaniel nodded. “Mr. President, if you are able to attend, please let the embassy know. It has been my honor and privilege to meet you and I hope My government and yours can continue to work closely together on the challenges that both of our nations face in the divided international climate.”

Shane was escorted to the other side of the limo by a security officer.