A Call on the King (Private)

by **Dutch-Empire** » Fri Nov 03, 2017 7:20 pm

The Private jet of the Imperial Family of the Dutch-Empire touched down in Winston, The capital of the Royally United Provinces. Empress Anna Charlotte had returned to her native land.

The Empress of the Dutch had been born in Winston, and had left the city some seventeen years prior, fleeing to Monaco after she had been forced to abdicate the throne in favor of her brother, King Leo III. While she had been selected to become Empress of the Dutch, she had watched from afar as her native country changed hands, even seeing her son Alfred, known affectionately as Alfie, get involved. But now her little Leo III was firmly on the throne once more and she wanted to pay him a visit.

With the Empress she had brought with her her large family.

The Empress was naturally the first off of the jet, she wore a short sleeve white dress that fell to her ankles, black high heels giving her several inches of extra height. In her hands she held a black folding fan, something she had her side ever since her beloved father’s death.

Anna Charlotte, Empress of the Dutch

Following behind the empress was her eldest son, Prince Jacques and his husband West Asbury, Jacques’ daughter, six year old Juliana holding hands with the both of them as they walked behind the Empress Though Anna Charlotte still didn’t like West Asbury, for he was a vile snake of a man in her eyes, she had long ago relented in his relationship with her son and granddaughter.

Following the Prince and Prince Consort of Orange was the Duke and Duchess of Armberg, Prince Jean, Jacques’ younger twin brother, and his wife Princess Charlotte and their daughter Princess Adela. This was the first time Princess Adela had traveled out of the country. Princess Charlotte held her five year old daughter in her arms.

Behind the Duke and Duchess of Armberg came the 29 year old former King Alfred, who had wiling abdicated the throne in his nations after ruling for ten years to spend more time with his children Theodosia, Alfred Jr., Arthur and Faustina and to become a philanthropist, making him very popular around the world. Also side him and his children was his second wife, Theodosia Bryce. Following his abdication, Alfred had taken the title, Duke of Wessex after his mother’s family name. His ten year old daughter Theodosia walked in between her eight year old brothers, Alfred Jr. and Arthur Jr. were twins.

Behind the Duke and Duchess of Wessex, along with their four children was Elizabeth Percy and her husband, Kit Neptune. Elizabeth, as she had stopped going by her royal title long ago, was at just 25 years old, a model, fashion designer, ballerina and actress, becoming a world famous star. She had been voted most beautiful woman in the world for the second time in a row. Her fashion empire was still growing, but her outfits were worn world wide. She was in a dress she had designed herself. Elizabeth walked with her husband, actor Christopher “Kit” Neptune. Elizabeth held her infant second son, Aleksander, known affectionately as Alec while Kit held their older son, the two year old Percy.

Behind them came Henry Percy, Viscount of Mendoza, 21 year old son of Anna Charlotte and the Count of Mendoza he was the only one of Anna Charlotte’s adult children not to have kids of his own. As such Henry had been put in charge of his younger half-siblings. Next to him were the younger twins, Princes Anton and Rafael who were both 14, along with Prince Christaan who was 13, Princess Stéphanie, who was 12. Henry held hands with the youngest ones, Arthur, known as Arty who was 10 and Ariana who was 8.

With the large Dutch Imperial Family having stepped out of the jet they paused and smiled as the press took pictures of them. They smiled and waved as they waited for Leo III to meet with them before they all went to the palace.

by **The Royally United Provinces** » Sat Nov 04, 2017 5:02 am

King Leo III

It had been many years since the King had seen his sister. She had been forced out amongst a cloud of drama and blood and most likely for her best interest, it’s good she hadn’t returned until now. This had been Leo’s train of thought for most of the journey to the airport. However as they drew closer, the sirens of the massive motorcade began drowning out his own thoughts. The best he could do was hold the thought for later.

As they drew closer, Leo looked about the limo he was riding in. At this point he had come alone, save for the small army of Royal Guards that accompanied he and his family at all times. It filled him with joy to think that his family, those he hadn’t seen in ages and those he had never seen, would fill those seats. He was swiftly brought from his suprisingly deep thought by his door being opened by a man in a full suit bearing the King’s coat of arms. The man was his longtime guard Jonah. A child when he had first enlisted into the military. Hand picked by the king for his guard. At this point, Jonah had become part of the family. A man the king could trust with his life and with his daughters. Considering his youthfulness as only age 23. The man was a masterpiece of the Kingdom.

Leo stepped out of his car, feeling good that his guard had shutdown the airport for this occasion. No paparazzi, no press, no public. He sighed in relief thanks to the rare peacefulness. Then came the jet. It was impossible to miss thanks to the Imperial markings and the jet escort it had received from the Provincial Air Force. He watched as it gracefully touched down and taxied to a stop right before him. This filled him with joy as he watch his family, larger than he remembered disembark. He made his way to his sister Anna and proceeded to hug his sister. They had been through too much and it felt good to see her and her family. “I see you’ve brought you’re whole bloodline with you. You’re whole clan if you will. It’s good to see you Anna,” he said with joy as they were ushered to board their convoy back to the Royal Palace.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Sat Nov 04, 2017 8:42 am

Anna Charlotte smiled happily. Only her closest loved one had ever just called her Anna. It was a little but sentimental thing for her. She hugged him tightly and laughed at his comment about her family. Of the three Siblings, Aubrey, Anna and Leo; Anna had by far the largest family.

“Yes.” Anna Charlotte looked back at her children and grandchildren. Elizabeth, now the mother of two had been just eight years old when they had left Winston. Anna Charlotte had only seen the birth of Leo’s eldest daughter before they grew distant. “My family is quite impressive. I do love being a grandmother.”

“Let’s see.” Anna Charlotte pointed to Jacques, who had been just 14 when they left Winston. “I don’t believe you’ve meet my granddaughter Juliana and son-in-law, Mr. Asbury.”

Jacques nodded his head at his uncle while West did a bow. West internally scowled at the empress. West had actually meet Leo III before, when Leo and Anna were both still Prince and Princess and their sister was monarch of the Royally United Provinces. Sure it had been brief and West had been but a teenager, but his mother-in-law was incorrect.

Juliana waved at Leo. “Hi.”

“And this” Anna Charlotte said moving along is Jean’s wife Charlotte of Armberg and their daughter Adela.”

“It a pleasure to see you again Uncle Leo.” Jean, always proper and favorite of Anna’s children bowed his head. His wife, Charlotte did a small curtsy.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Your Majesty.” Princess Charlotte said, a slightly German accent filtering through her words. The young princess Adela tilted her head looking at the man she had not yet realized was her grand-uncle. She weakly waved her hand.

Anna Charlotte took her little brother, for she would always see Leo as her little baby brother, by the hand and lead him down the line, introducing him to Alfred’s wife, Theodosia and their children.

“Hi.” Alfred smirked at his uncle. Theodosia, the elder one did a curtsy. “An honor Your Majesty. Theodosia, the younger one, followed suit and curtsied. “Nice to meet you.” The Empress moved into to her son-in-law Kit, Elizabeth’s young children. Elizabeth looked over her uncle’s suit, it was nice, but she could design something better. Placing Alec with one arm, she dug her phone out of her purse and snapped a picture of the King.

“And finally my little ones.” Anna smiled brightly at her youngest children. Anton and Christaan, both of the boys were quite bold and social both stepped forward while Rafael and Stéphanie, both incredibly shy hid behind Henry’s legs. Anna Charlotte picked up Ariana, her favorite and youngest daughter. At eight Ariana was rapidly becoming too heavy to pick up, but Anna Charlotte could manage.

“My darling Anton, Rafie, Christaan, Stéphanie, Arty and this,” Ariana smiled brightly “is Ariana. I do wish Henrique could have come.” Anna said, talking about her second and current husband, father of Jacques, Jean, Anton, Rafael, Christaan, Stéphanie, Arty and Ariana. “But He is so busy ruling his own kingdom lately. But he sends his regards. As do we of course.”

The Empress of the Dutch again took the lead as her family made their way into the convoy, still holding her youngest daughter as she spoke with Leo. “ And where is your family? It’s been so long since I’ve seen little Kira, though I suppose she isn’t little anymore, and I’ve yet to meet your twins, Amelia and Alice right? And your wife, dear Icelynn. Are they at the palace?”

by **The Royally United Provinces** » Sat Nov 04, 2017 2:18 pm

Leo graciously greeted all of his nephews and nieces. He was slightly taken back by the size of his sisters family, which seemed to have grown immensely since he last time he saw. It seemed unfathomable, the growth of her family. Nonetheless he was delighted to see them as they boarded the cars. "Why'd I'd have to see him on a day when he doesn't find himself preoccupied. He slid into his limo along with his sister. "Yes my family. They're at home. It seems best they didn't come seeing we would've lacked the space." It was a slight concern of his as soon as he saw his sister's clan leave the plane, but things seemed to have worked out. "Kira is not as little as you'd remember." He laughed a bit, "The twins are also at the palace with their mother. It should only be a short time before we get there. How have you been since you.. left." He let off a bit. The situation had been tense for the both of them. For both nations as a whole.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:27 pm

Anna Charlotte smiled tightly. She still had thin scar from where she had been attacked on her throat, covered up by expertly with make-up. She touched her throat without thinking.

“Of course.” If nothing else the Empress could talk about herself.

“Well, I after being placed on the Dutch throne things have been, complicated at times. You know I was quite surprised at your expertly executed execution of the Reds after they attacke me, but the Dutch were horrified. They wanted me to ban you, you know.” Anna Charlotte waved her fan. “And I finally got the States-General to stop fighting wars, that terrible Charles II died and my dear Henrique is king and Marie of Wied has sulked off to some Kingdom to be queen of, though I doubt she shall try and take my throne from me again. But it seems for every enemy I lose I gain another. The Hadels, a political party is hellbent on my destruction.”

Anna Charlotte scowled, opening her black fan and fanning herself.

“I swear, they are ever so disagreeable. They had the gall to get a Prime Minister elected! That awful Mr. Noorden. He is a vile and evil man! He dared to say that I spend too much money on my court! He says I shouldn’t be involved in politics. He is terrible. But luckily I finally have a Prime Minister I actually like. George Asbury, he is the perfect Minister. I pray he and the Reginten Party stay in power for years to come. Lord Asbury has been such a help, especially since poor Papa’s death.”

Anna choked up, holding back tears. It had been little over a year since their father’s death at the age of just 72. Étienne has been Anna Charlotte’s greatest advisor all her life and his death had come at the worse possible time for her. She had sobbed for weeks after his death and his elaborate state funeral in Poncherri.

“I know you and Papa never had the best relationship, you never did listen to him, for better or worse.” Anna Charlotte said hesitantly, dabbing away tears. Her twin sister Aubrey had been their mother Caroline’s favorite and Anna herself had been Étienne’s favorite. Anna had seen Étienne’s frustration of her little brother’s independence. He had married against Étienne’s wishes, and Étienne hadn’t believed he was fit for the Provite throne. But Anna knew that he had still loved Leo with all his heart. “But first Grandmére dies, and then Papa. I pray you come to his memorial, it is very beautiful.”

by **The Royally United Provinces** » Sun Nov 05, 2017 5:52 am

Leo didn’t notice Anna reach for her neck however it played over in his mind. He sat and listened intently to his sister. The execution of the Red family, the attackers of his sister, was a swift military special forces mission. It hadn’t been his proudest moment. The ‘brutal slaughter’ as it was called, of his families longest rivals. Not only in other nations had he come under fire, but in his own as well. Senators called it a massive abuse of his power and violation of rights. He snapped out of his thought, “You’ve don’t quite a bit. You’ve seen a lot as ruler and as for Prime Ministers, they come and go. They’ll be in your hair for a while but you’ll out stay them.” He was truly shocked by the resilience of his older sister. To survive an assassination attempt, keep on ruling, and make the unpopular decisions. She was truly a brick wall in her toughness.

Then she brought up theirs father’s death. It was still a raw spot for many in his family. As much as he didn’t listen or grew apart from his father, he was his last parent. His death had still hit him hard. “Wether I listened or not, he made me a better man. A better ruler and father.” He realized his sister had been through too much, and her two guiding forces in life had departed this life. He hugged his sister in consolation. “Things will be okay. I look forward to it.”

At that moment, Captain (Jonah) Ross, stepped out from the passenger side of the car. He made is way to the back and opened the door to let the royal family out. They had arrive at the historical and grand Winston Palace. A massive building that had housed every single generation of the royal family including Anna Charlotte. The line of Royal Guards saluted as the family passed. They made it to the door which was opened by the two attending guards. Leo III allowed his sister to enter first. From there he led them to the main living area where his family was waiting. It had been too long since his family had been together. He called for his wife and children to come and meet their guests.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Sun Nov 05, 2017 3:54 pm

“Yes, I suppose that we all own a great deal to Papa.” Anna Charlotte said as Leo held her. “He was the greatest advisor, the greatest man, the wisest monarch, the most loving father. No one shall ever be able to replace him.”

As the doors open Anna Charlotte stepped out and looked up at Winston Palace. She had seen his palace under four monarchs, her mother, her sister, herself and Leo shortly before she left the Royally United Provinces. It hadn’t changed much, this place that had been her home for the first three decades of her life. However she felt a slight emptiness to the palace. It was no longer her home. Instead it was the Royal Palace in Amsterdam that was her home now. How the times had changed.

It was however Anna Charlotte’s children that had a more profound reaction to seeing the palace. The younger children, Anton, Rafaël, Christaan, Stéphanie, Arty and Ariana had never been in the Royally United Provinces before, much less inside the Winston Palace. Jacques, Jean, Alfie, Elizabeth and Henry had lived in the palace as children, but only the eldest boys had lived in the palace when their grandmother had ruled. Of them, only Jacques and Jean had memories of Queen Caroline, usually forgotten, overshadowed by the manipulative nature of her advisor, lover and Consort Étienne and the excitement of her children, three monarchs.

But Jacques remembered his grandmother. That was one thing he and Jean had that none of their cousins could claim. Aubrey and Leo’s children had all been born after Caroline had died, but Jacques remembered times before either aunt and uncle were married when Grandmother Caroline would hold him and he would delight her with his admiration of her jewelry. He remembered running through the halls of the palace when his mother and the man he had thought his father, Henry Percy were busy and his grandmother and grandfather would try and keep up with him. He was sure that had had been Queen Caroline’s favorite grandson.

And Jacques remembered when his grandmother had died. Jean hadn’t understood what was happening, his young mind hadn’t yet comprehended the concept of death yet. In a rare moment, Jacques had been more knowledgeable and mature than his twin brother. He remembered everyone was dressed in black, his young mother and aunt both only twenty years old dressed in beautiful black mourning gowns, a crown on Aubrey’s head, a tiara in his mother’s. He vaguely remembered his uncle, who couldn’t have been more than 14. It had been winter, early December and his grandfather had worn pure white, for in his home it was white that was the color of death.

And Jacques remembered watching as his aunt was crowned weeks later and taking the title of empress, not just queen.

Jacques remembered his aunt’s wedding and the birth of his cousin Roman when he was eight and his mother ceased to be crown princess. He had been jealous of his infant cousin. He had been convinced he would get to rule, them this baby would be Emperor. He wished he could have traded placed with baby Roman.

Years later he had watched in horror as Roman had died, an Icarus who had flown to close to the sun and was engulfed in flames and shrapnel on television in front of millions worldwide. He now thought it ridiculous he had ever been jealous of Roman.

Jacques had been 12 when his cousin Kira had been born.

Jacques had been 14 when his mother became empress. It had been a strange time. He had pitied his cousins Roman and Matthieu for the loss of their Mother, but he had been so happy. His mother was on the throne and one day he would be ruler. Now, nearly two decades later the memory was fuzzy, but he recalled the feeling of euphoria.

But it was in early March of 2059 that Jacques had the most vivid memories of Winston Palace, only a few days after the attack on his mother. They were still wearing black in mourning of Aubrey, her body not yet cold and already the crown was slipping off Anna Charlotte’s head. She had never been prepared to ruled the Royally United Provinces, and the throne pasted to the even less prepared Leo, who’s reign began with a massacre. Jacques had scowled at having lost his throne. Jean had reminded him it was Roman’s birthright. Alfred had said the Throne was cursed.

Jacques glanced at his uncle. Jacques wondered if King Leo III was truly strong enough to rule. Jacques had been shot and put into a year long coma just by being heir to a throne. His mother was a rock, an immovable and unstoppable force, and had still fought tooth and nail, wading through blood for her throne. Was Leo made of the same stuff?

Anna Charlotte smirked a little as she entered first. She was the eldest living member of the House of Wessex, and most senior second only to Prince Matthieu, making her, the empress the Head of the House of Wessex. Good that her little brother realized that. It was very polite of him. Papa would have been proud. Anna Charlotte looked from her brother to the end the room, looking expectedly for her sister-in-law and her three nieces. She chuckled silently at the thought. Aubrey had had two boys, Leo three girls, while Anna had had more boys and girls than either one of her siblings. Her line had always been the largest, the strongest. She prayed Leo’s line was a fraction as strong as her own.

by **The Atmoran Diplomat** » Sun Nov 05, 2017 7:07 pm

Royal Palace of Winston
9 March 2076

Icelynn was sitting down enjoying a cup of Red Rose Tea—an iconic tea from her motherland—when her husband and his sister's family came in. She set down her tea and smiled and waved at Anna-Charlotte and her family.

While her husband entered his reign in a massacre and seemingly unprepared. However unlike her husband she wasn't unprepared, from birth her father ordered that she would be taught along side her elder sister Katherine, taught and raised to rule an Empire. When her husband's own Senate began to oppose him, she began to mediate between the Palace and the Senate. Even going as far as to convince her father the High King of Atmora to remain neutral and keep foreign powers from intervening if necessary. Surprisingly her approval ratings among her husband's subjects never faltered. Through the entire ordeal she was more than contempt to remain as the consort, nothing more and nothing less.

Icelynn's eldest daughter the 18 year old Crown Princess cheerfully greeted her aunt and her cousins. While the 10 year old Princess Amelia and Princess Alice opted to remain behind their mother.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Sun Nov 05, 2017 7:46 pm

Anna Charlotte, Empress of the Dutch Empire gave Queen Icelynn a small smile. She had always like her sister-in-law, a triumph Icelynn was perhaps unaware, for it was very rare that she liked other women. She had hated every one of her female prime ministers after all. Queen Icelynn was among those rare women she enjoyed the company with due to her great lack of ambition. The empress absolutely hated an ambitious woman, a Consort should act as a Consort, seen, not heard. A queen should be regal and refined, without outshining her husband, supportive, but not manipulative or influencing. In this Anna Charlotte could admire that Icelynn had succeeded in doing. Even better, Queen Icelynn didn’t speak much from what Anna Charlotte could tell, which was even better. She herself had been named Anna the Silent, for she could say the wisest things with the fewest words.

Perhaps Queen Icelynn had decided to do the wisest thing a woman could do and model her life after Anna Charlotte’s excellent and upstanding and moral lifestyle.

The Empress’ hawk like and intense hazel eyes looked over her young nieces. She had last seen Kira when she was just two years old and now she looked for any and all imperfections on the crown princess. The empress’ smile melted away as she looked over Kira critically.

“A pleasure to see you once again Icelynn, Kira.”

She then looked at the twins Amelia and Alice, whom her dear Papa has adored. They were the second female set of twins in their family and one of five sets of twins in their family. Her unsmiling look fell on them, marking any potential errors. She frowned at the way they stayed behind their mother. It was not ladylike to cower before family, especially family that were foreign dignitaries.

by **The Royally United Provinces** » Mon Nov 06, 2017 5:00 pm

Leo watched as his sister looked over his family. Silently judging as she went along. He noticed just as she had, that his twin daughters were hiding behind their mother. He coaxed them away from their mother, "Don't be afraid," he told the both of them, "family doesn't bite." He stood straight up and addressed his sister, "Anna, this is Amelia and this is Alice." He presented his twins before his sister. "They're quite shy if you'd excuse them." He understood that they were merely children. Ten year olds at that. It wouldn't be expected of them to be fully outgoing and to complete strangers for that matter. At least to him.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Mon Nov 06, 2017 7:03 pm

Anna Charlotte smiled. She didn’t like that her brother’s children were so shy. She only tolerated Rafaël’s shyness because she wanted him that way. He was to be the Consort of a queen or empress, and so he needed to taught to be submissive, at least in appearance. Anna Charlotte doubted her brother and Icelynn had thought that far ahead, so there was no excuse.

“Well at least their words are not rude.”

Anna Charlotte knelt down in a most ladylike way so that she was on Amelia and Alice’s level. She could see a bit of Aubrey and herself in them, at least in appearance as twins. Twins had a close connection, she knew from experience. She spoke softly and calmly, though as if she were talking to adults. Anna Charlotte held out her hand.

“Hello girls. I am your Auntie Anna, I’m your father’s older sister. It’s been a long time since I’ve been home. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

by **The Atmoran Diplomat** » Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:26 pm

Icelynn saw her sister-in-law silently judging her youngest children, she wished to say something. However she decided not say anything and just politely smiled. Icelynn would not reprimand her children for having their own person, even if that meant being shy.

Amelia stepped forward and spoke into a soft voice

"I'm Amelia, and this is my little sister Alice."

Alice nodded giving a little smile to her aunt, while still being noticeably behind her big sister.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 2:15 pm

Anna Charlotte nodded her head.

“Amelia is a wonderful name. As is Alice. Your step-grandma’s name is Alice you know.”

Anna Charlotte had surprisingly gotten along well with her second step-mother, former empress Alice. She was a strong willed woman, though mostly kept to herself, especially nowadays after Étienne’s death.

Meanwhile Jacques clasped his hand on Leo’ Shoulder.

“So, Uncle Leo, how has life been treating you? How is it to wear the crown?”

by **The Atmoran Diplomat** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:37 am

Alice spoke softly

"Momma says I'm named after my great-great grandmother Alice the old High Queen."

Amelia spoke more confidentially than her little sister

"And I'm named after my grandma Lexi's youngest sister."

Icelynn's great grandmother Princess Alice, Duchess of Burnaby is the second eldest member of the Imperial family at the age of 123 years old behind her husband Prince William, Duke of Burnaby the former High King of Atmora and King of Hasselt whom is 124 years old.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:26 pm

Anna Charlotte smiled though she turned her nose up at them ever so slightly. She didn’t much care for Atmorans, aside from her dear sister-in-law. They were so arrogant and so sinful. As a pious and religious woman Anna Charlotte valued morality and good religious sense. She prayed that her dear nieces were taught the right words of the Holy Bible.

“I hadn’t realized that you were after such... Atmoran figures. In any case, I have some gifts for you my dear Amelia and Alice.”

The Empress of the Dutch-Empire turned to her daughter-in-law, Princess Charlotte of Armberg. She waved her hand and Charlotte nodded, pulling out a pair of two thin necklace boxes. She handed them to Anna Charlotte who opened them, present two necklaces with small silver crosses on them.

“Here my, let me put these on.”

Anna Charlotte didn’t give them much time to think about, or choice. She instead did it for them moving up around them and putting the necklaces on them herself. She put on Alice’s first and then Amelia’s. Anna Charlotte smiled proudly at them.

“Perfection. A good soul builds good character.”

by **The Atmoran Diplomat** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:43 pm

Icelynn interjected between her sister-in-law and her daughters.

"Watch your tone when you speak of my family especially my dear great-grandmother. She's a sweet old lady that has done no wrong in her entire life, especially to merit such a tone of voice."

Icelynn like her elder sister the Empress of Atmora disliked when someone spoke illy of their family especially their great grandparents.

by **Dutch-Empire** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:04 pm

Anna Charlotte waved her fan at Icelynn dismissively.

“Yes, Yes dear, I am sure she is a delightful woman, though I highly doubt she is as innocent as you say. To you maybe. Everyone’s sins, no matter how well hidden from man are known to God. ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’.”

Jacques and West both groaned under their breaths. The empress had become a religious fanatic ever since her husband had become a king. She desperately wanted to return to Catholism, she believed deeply in the ways of old Rome, but her advisors said it would be an unpopular move. In response she had taking to contest prayer and bible reading as her way of making up for her late of official conversion back to Catholism.

by **The Royally United Provinces** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:07 pm

Leo noticed the tension brewing in the room. He had slight premonitions that something of the sort would happen. Atmorans, such as his wife, and the Dutch, such as his sister, have historically been uneasy about one another. He did his best to be polite to his nephew. One he was proud of. He felt he had potential to be a great man.

“Life has treated me well nephew. And holding the crown is well... eventful. Stressful at times. It’s a life I still wouldn’t trade for anything.”

He sensed that tensions were reaching a boiling point between his wife and sister.

“If you’d excuse me for a moment Jacques.”

He addressed his feuding family members. Subtle shots were being taken between the two before Icelynn snapped.

“Excuse us Anna but I must have a word with my wife.”

He pulled her aside out of earshot of the rest of the family.

“Icelynn. As much as I feel she is wrong in the way she spoke of your family. I know she was wrong. But we can’t have fighting now. Not now. They’re guests and they’ve only just arrived. Can you please hold your anger my dear? For family’s sake?”

by **Dutch-Empire** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:37 pm

As Leo pulled Icelynn aside, Anna Charlotte walked over to Jean, her favorite son. She whispered into his ear.

“I swear, I knew it.”

Jean whispered back to her.

“You knee what?”

“Icelynn. While I have always liked her, I knew that that blood of hers was trouble. The Atmorans, I don’t trust them and their fiery sinful blood. The majority of them are atheists you know.”

Jean rolled his eyes.

“Most Dutch are atheists Mother.”

“I am not Dutch by birth. My mother raised me as a good Christian.”

“Grandma is gone.”

Anna Charlotte snapped at her son, hissing as she whispered, tears in her eyes.

“I know! My mother is gone, papa is gone. Aubrey is gone. Roman is gone! And now Leo sits on my mother’s throne and I am scared. He was never meant to be king and I worry if he can stand it. It has been so hard for me, I worry about my little brother. It is through the grace of god that he is where he is. I do not trust Icelynn’s blood, not in Kira or Amelia or Alice. I do not want it to poison them. I do not want it to corrupt my brother.”

“Mother, Uncle Leo is a grown man, not the kid brother you remember. You must calm down.”

“Do not think to command me!”

Anna Charlotte growled at her son and turned away from him, fanning herself as she took a deep breath. It was her god given duty to protect the House of Wessex. She was the strongest member of the family, only she could maintain it. She had to be strong for everyone else, including her dear baby brother.

by **The Atmoran Diplomat** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:46 pm

Icelynn sighed

"Fine fine I shall hold back for now."

Kira smiled nervously as both sides of her family talked in privy.

by **The Royally United Provinces** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:09 am

Leo smiled and kissed his wife, “Thank you. Just while they’re here.”

He brought her back to rejoin the family. Hopefully he could keep the peace between the two of them for now. He spoke up for his family to hear.

“Thank you everyone for coming. Might I show you around? I believe a few of you may remember the palace?”

by **Dutch-Empire** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 12:34 pm

Anna Charlotte looked back at her younger brother, a regal mask hiding her sudden outburst from just moments before.

“Of course.”

Jean and Jacques smiled in unison. The palace had been their childhood home. The twin princes spoke in unison.

“Indeed.”

Alfred, he like Jacques and Jean had spent his childhood here, laughed and rested his elbow on his little brother Henry’s shoulder. Henry had been the last child of Anna Charlotte born in the Royally United Provinces, and had only been but very little when she had moved their family to Monaco and then to the Dutch-Empire. Alfred smirked teasingly at his brother.

“I don’t suppose baby Henry remembers.”

Henry scowled, but knew it was good natured teasing.

“I’m not a baby. And no, I don’t remember the palace, but I was only like four.”

Theodosia, Duchess of Wessex put a hand on her husband’s arm.

“Oh Alfie, don’t tease your brother.”

“Oh fine dear.”

Anton and Christaan rolled their eyes in annoyance at their older siblings. Anton stepped forward, his timid twin brother, Rafael followed behind him silently. The teenage prince looked up at King Leo and spoke, his accent sharp French due him being raised in the western mountains of Switzerland.

“Uncle Leo, ai think eet would be a pleasure to tur la palacé.”

A Call on the King (Private)

A Call on the King (Private)

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