Imperial Introductions (IC|Invite-Only)

[Kingdom of Derita]

En Route to Zydos

Empress Dowager Amelie de Hollande, the second wife and widow of the late Emperor Andeja II grinned as the coastline of Zydos came into view as she saw in her wicker chair on the deck of the Laliberté, the impressive pre-Collapse yacht that she was borrowing from from son-in-law, Prince Lorian. The yacht, once a pleasure ship for the widowed Emperor of Connuriste, had passed into the hands of his grandson, Lorian, who in turn left it in the disposal of his wife, the Duchess of Hyrea, the Empress Dowager’s eldest daughter. But it was the interest of her middle daughter, Princess Mamela, who interested the Empress Dowager today.

As she had not given birth to an heir to the Celestial Throne, which was instead held currently by the Empress Dowager’s step grandson, she had looked abroad for the success of her daughters. She’s hoped to marry her eldest, also called Amelie, to the king of Colfico, but that had ended poorly, and while her daughter lacked a royal crown, she had married the wealthiest of princes on the continent. There had been greater success for the Empress Dowager’s youngest daughter, Alara, who’d fallen in love with and then married the heir to the throne of Great Hyruke.

This left Mamela, the middle child. Not for lack of trying. The Empress Dowager had tried to find a suitable match for her last unmarried daughter, but none had proven successful. Not that Mamela minded, free-spirited and uninterested in politics or the dynastic plans of her mother, she’d enjoyed dancing with who she wished when she wished under the hospitality of her elder sister. That was until Mamela had started to host her liberal salons, which was part feminism hall and part gossip column. Mamela had promptly left Hyrea for Colfico City, as guest of the Queen of Colfico.

However, Mamela had proved too much for Queen Adriana, their radically different personalities causing tensions. Mamela, used to the vast fortunes of the Celestial Empire and her brother-in-law, found the modest, all but impoverished, and tiny court of the Colficoan royals like a tiger in a cage. When her half-brother died, and her nephew had allowed her back in the Celestial Empire with a stipend as a member of the Volonte Dynasty, entitled to her as an unmarried princess and daughter of an emperor, Mamela had jumped for the chance. And perhaps Mamela would have been happy to leisure about in the apartments of her nephew’s sprawling palace.

But then Zydos had gotten an emperor. The Empress Dowager, still determined to find the greatest matches for her daughter, had seen an opportunity. Collecting her daughter, she had convinced Mamela to at least entertain the idea of marriage. Having done so she was able to do the same with the newly ascendant Emperor Jerem of Zydos. This prospect, approved by the Celestial Emperor, who wished to seen his aunt happy, and the Inama, who wished to see Mamela married off, the Empress Dowager, her ladies and Princess Mamela set sail south to Zydos, for Amelie de Hollande to introduce the Emperor hopefully to his future bride.

[Zydos]

Jerem waited in Empire Tower, the largest tower in Zydos, and possibly one of the largest buildings in the world. He was sitting on his throne in the top floor of the tower. He was waiting for the Empress Dowager to get here with her daughter. Let’s see if I find love here, it has been 4 years, but felt like forever. He looked out his telescope and saw the Deritain ship.

Jerem summoned the Chancellor, John Hamill. “John, is everything prepared? We can not mess this up, got that?”

“Yes, my Emperor. I do wonder, how could you to replace Alison? She was perfect for you. You’ll have to find someone equally kind, equally loving—”

“Equally quirky?” Jerem asked John, “I know, my old wife—your niece—seems irreplaceable…but I have to go on! Keep moving forward to help the empire!” He paused, composing himself, as he felt a bit stressed, “I have to move on.”

John nodded, “Well, anyway, we have everything prepared, shall we go to the docks to welcome them here to our great empire? Or do you want me to go alone to greet them?” John then started to walk. Jerem got up, “Yes, let’s go.”

Jerem and John rode to the docks, seeing the culture of Empire City all around. I mix of modern urban and islander influence, along with an spice of the old imperial age architecture and culture. An amazing sight for the two leaders.

[Kingdom of Derita]

The Empress Dowager stepped off the Laliberté with the aid of the guardrail. Amélie de Hollande was a regal woman, even in her middle age, her head held high as she descended the steps from the yacht onto the dock. She was a tall thin woman, with skin the color of sandalwood. She wore an all white dress and white gloves, the symbol of her mourning for her husband, even all these years later. She would mourn for the rest of her life. Unlike her former step-daughter-in-law, Amélie had no intention of ever remarrying. A small crown sparked on her head, her black hair braided into a bun.

A group of four ladies, former noblewoman who’d remain in the service of the Empress Dowager followed after her, like artful shadows of their mistress. The Empress Dowager looked at the city, noting that it had some similarities to Aukusa City, more in its blend of architectural styles rather than shared aesthetics. She spiked the approach of two men and new one to be Emperor Jerem, recognizing him from his attendance of the Celestial Emperor’s coronation. Her eyes flitted over him,like a trader inspecting a stallion they were considering purchasing.

“Your Majesty,” the Empress Dowager said with a tilt of her head. She was after all, still an empress, widow or not, once an empress always an empress as far as Amélie was concerned. She need not curtsy. Nor would she.

As she did so, Mamela made her way off of the yacht. Where her mother had gently glided down the gangplank onto the docks, the Princess strutted down as if it were a catwalk. Mamela was just three inches short of six feet, her skin a shade lighter than her mothers, closer a burnt caramel. Her shoulder length hair was black, forming a perfumed cloud of coils around her head. A silver diadem headband sparkled amidst the black coils.

Where Mamela had once subscribed to the belief that unmarried Deritains should wear a veil when traveling abroad, she had long since abandoned that, showing off her fine features, her full lips and dark brown eyes. Her eyeliner was artfully done with subtle hints of silver glint, along with fleck of silver glitter resting across her face and arms like freckles made from stardust. Diamond dangled from her ears and more formed a chicken around her slender throat.

The Empress Dowager but her lip as she turned to see her daughter. That was not the dress that they’d agreed on. Amélie had picked out a lovely modest purple summer dress for her daughter. That was not what Mamela wore. Instead the Princess wore a long black and silver dress with the telltale empire-waist so popular in the Celestial Empire, but it was sleeveless, it’s square neckline a bit to low for Amélie’s taste. But that wasn’t the part that shocked the Empress Dowager. It was the fact that most of the black dress was shear.

Admittedly nothing vital was seen, Mamela was wearing a silver and black brassiere and stays that blended with the dress, and her black shift beneath kept it decent, through from the thigh down one could easily see her legs and the black pump heels she wore. Even the black gloves she wore were shear. Truely scandalous by the pastel fashions of the Celestial Empire. Mamela matched up the dock, stopping beside her mother, and dropping into a perfect curtsy.

“Your Majesty,” repeated the Empress Dowager, gesturing to Mamela, “please allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Princess Mamela.”