To rule a Kingdom (Valken & Presto)

[Presto]

"My lady, there is a man demanding he speak with you, it's-"

"No. The hour after my father's burial - we will not have guests. Please inform the people that we are grieving." Helena whipped her braided hair as she turned from the knight. It had been a day full of tears and anxiety and she was barely able to keep strong for her siblings. The King's death was...so sudden, she had been whisked away from her studies and brought immediately before the public eye. The people whispered, 'Who will now rule?' incessantly, as it was understood that the eldest princess had not even begun looking for suitors. Rubbing her temples in irritation, she passed of the visitor as another hysterical peasant who doubted her ability to rule even for the shortest time. Once Caderia prospered...but now was constantly threatened with war from neighboring countries. The old treaties crumbled, and even Helena could think of no way to pacify them. As much as she detested marriage at a mere twenty-three years old, it was an idea she was committed to.

Spotting the youngest of her siblings down the hallway, she strode with purpose. Attired similar to her, the young woman wore a flowing black mourning gown, laced tightly with the corset back. Certainly not the dress to be leaning over the balcony in. Had anyone been in their guests corridor, they'd be getting a scandalous show! "Christiana, why haven't you retired to your room?" The young blonde maiden didn't' even look up as her sister addressed her. "I was told that we have company. Very important company, the guard insisted." Her sweet, childlike voice only served to anger the elder. Did no one respect the passing of their king!? Her father had been the harbinger of peace and safety in their kingdom for over twenty years! Directing her rage toward her flesh and blood, she pushed the shorter girl down the hallway as quickly as her legs could carry her. "We are the rightful rulers of this land? Do you understand? We do not cater to anyone." Even as an apt scholar, Helena was constantly blocked by the curses of her lineage. Women were...not important. As if her word and studies were less adequate! It was a constant struggle.

Arriving to the main hall of the guest's wing, Helena was instantly thrown off. "These aren't...our men." Christine shied away from the unfamiliar gazes and turned bright blue eyes towards Helena. "What's going on?" Said men valiantly held the doors open as they passed, revealing a large, empty room. Her father liked to hold meetings with foreign diplomats here. A long, table filled a large part of the room, though many ornate chairs and decorations were off to the side. Calmly directing her attention to the man clearly waiting for them, she took a deep breath. "I don't know you. Speak your peace and then please, take your leave. It has been a long day."

"Ha! Are you kidding me?" Sina's voice visibly shocked the princesses, as she sprung up rather suddenly from her perch by the windows. "That's Victor Blackbriar," The brunette said the name with obvious distaste, the venom in her voice filled the room. "I bet you think you can waltz right in here and claim yourself king? It isn't enough to inherit a kingdom of your own?" Stalking forward, it was clear that Christiana and Helena were content to let the middle sister do all the talking. Even without years of constant study, Sina was brash and as blunt as any warrior. Unlike her sisters, the social dealings of the world came quickly to her. As soon as she laid eyes on the young prince, she had been plotting how to rally her people to stop him. Until...his men forced her into the room.

Moving to grasp Helena's hand in sisterly companionship, she returned her attention to the intruder. "If you think Helena will marry you, then your are more pathetic than I had first grasped. I know you didn't come to offer your condolences, so please, take whatever provisions you require and find yourself out of our kingdom."

 

[Valken]

The Blackbriar name was one that was known throughout all the kingdoms. His father ruled the smaller, but richer kingdom of Galeth off to the West. His younger brother was wed to the second Princess of the Kingdom Neveah to the South-West, and they had cousins in strong leadership positions in the Kingdom of Tyn off to the East. On this day the Blackbriar's name would grow even more legendary as Victor Blackbriar, the eldest of his siblings solidified his rule over Caderia. It was a plan Victor, his father and brother had concocted over eight years ago, and in another four the Blackbriar's would rule almost eight percent of the world. Of course neither his brother nor father knew of Victor's plan to make himself Emperor once the time came; but that was a plan for another day.

Victor had been living in the capitol of Caderia for the past thirteen months; in secret. Loyal men had been sneaking into the city in the guise of merchants, peasants, travelers and homesteaders. He had bought off most of the important men in the city guard – if not outright replaced them with his own men. Victor's infiltration of the city had been successful, and gone unnoticed by the men who ran the Kingdom. Only one little detail had not gone as planned. The late King managed to get himself killed a good two months before Victor had intended. The past couple of days he had been scrambling to push forward his plans, and he had managed for the most part.

While most of the city – the important people at least were attending the burial of the late King Victor's men had moved. The took the castle with ease; the men who were not already loyal to him quickly surrendered when they realized they had already been infiltrated. The rest of the city was coming along nicely. There were a few spots of resistance but Victor had his best men working at that. His original plan had been to turn the peasants against the last King; with his plans pushed forward the crowd was not as loyal to the Blackbriars as Victor would've wanted. But he would manage.

The Captain of the Guards, the royal secretary, even the head maid were all in Victor's pocket. The only higher-ups he hadn't wrangled in yet were the three princess. Ruling a Kingdom was something Victor only had training in, no practical experience. Breaking noblewoman was a regular hobby. Royalty was only a small step from Nobility; Victor was more than confident that the Princesses would only provide a minor inconvenience, and a major source of education. Becoming King was his entitlement, the Princesses would be his trophy.

Without having a proper knowledge of the castle himself yet, Victor had decided to meet the Princess in the room he was most familiar in. The room Victor and his Father had once met with the late King some nine years ago. It was fitting enough; in this room Victor had begun to plan the downfall of it's last owner. He had met the two youngest Princesses at that time. Both had been under ten so Victor doubted they remembered him. The eldest had been away at some covenant or school, learning to become Queen. A title she would no longer hold.

Suddenly the Princesses arrived all at once, dressed in their simple mourning clothes of black. He of course had simple descriptions of their appearances and personalities, so he recognized Helena when she commanded him to speak his peace, then leave in peace. Unlike the two sisters Victor could see Sina coming, so when she abruptly called out, letting her sister's know who he was he did not startle. Victor stood calmly behind the long table as the middle child berated him. She told him to leave, and her last word was accentuated as the large doors to the room slammed shut, the guards having orders to lock Victor in the room alone with the Princess once they had all arrived.

“I regret your Father's passing, it was most unexpected.” His voice was deep, full of authority and confidence. He began to walk around the table, toward the three girls. “I did not know him well, so I do not share your level grief.” He came to a stop in front of the girls, his eyes meeting each of them in order of birth, before they stopped on Christiana. His right hand reached out and he gently grasped her left hand, raising it up so he could plant a small kiss on the back of her hand, his eyes looking deeply into hers. His intentions were less than moral with these three girls; it would be a challenge to see if he could turn the youngest against her older sisters.

Releasing Christiana's hand his eyes looked back to Sina, who seemed to have taken command. His sources had indicated she might be the one to do so. “It is is my clarity that I have taken measures to secure a safe future for your Kingdom.” Victor loosely clasped his hands behind his back. Like them he was wearing black; although the leather he adorned was more akin to something a soldier would wear, rather than something to respect the deceased. “Word has been spread to your street criers. Messages sent to your noblewoman and men. I have assumed command of your city guard, your Generals have been sent commands. Since noon this day, I Victor Blackbriar am King of Caderia.” He paused, to let the sister's process what he had just told them. “Tomorrow evening I will be hosting a ball to formally announce my ascension. The three of you will be my escorts, dutifully showing the world your support.” No, their support was not necessary for his takeover, but it would help quell the peasants. Luckily Victor would have the rest of the day and the entire night to show these three Princesses what loyalty would mean.

 

[Presto]

The silence that damped the room suggested that three of its inhabitants had momentarily ceased breathing entirely. Helena and Sina were completely rooted in place. The thought of their kingdom passing into the hands of the scum before them was enough to completely floor their emotions. Christiana was much calmer in light of recent events By no means was the youngest unintelligent, but her focus was on consoling her sisters. Their father's funeral...being taken over that very same day, it was no coincidence. As the weight of the world crushed them, Helena couldn't take it. Biting her full lips, she leaned on the table for support. "How could this happen?" The question was obviously rhetorical. The late king was revered by his people. She had never heard anyone with a negative opinion on his rule. Why, then, were they so easily manipulated into giving up their divine right to rule? Helena didn't have to explain to anyone that in order for the people to accept Victor's rule, the princesses would have to give him their blessing...hence why he wanted them as escorts.

Feeling her heartbeat in her throat, Sina recovered slowly. Dark eyes fixed on the haughty man and she had the strongest urge to break his jaw. "You think we'll escort you as you complete a hostile takeover?" She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. Gaining courage from Sina's statement, Helena took the spotlight. "The people won't agree to this...not all of them. You need our support to keep civility, but you won't have it. You have declared yourself king and by sheer force the right is yours. Still, as King your people will revolt. I doubt there will be a kingdom left afterwards." As sad as thought was...it also gave her hope. If he sought to take their kingdom, then let there be no kingdom left for him to rule.

A standoff ensued, the three girls knew each other well, and gained strength in their numbers. It was summertime in Calderia, so the setting sun that shown through ornate windows warmed the air beautifully. Their kingdom was not the richest in their land, but it was beautiful. The kingdom was among the oldest surviving cities, so the architecture was foreign to the more modern kingdoms. Their father had liked it that way. He believed it protected them as much as preserved the history of their ancestors. Now the marble walls felt constricting. "What will you do with us? Throw us on the streets?" For once, Sina held a cautious, reserved tone. She did not show the fear that seeped into her bones but she couldn't see a good ending for the three. There were never happy endings for the ones who lost the war.

A cold chill made Christiana shudder as she hesitantly broke the silence."Can we...go to bed?" A sudden stretch overcame the teenager, and her body extended prettily. In truth, she couldn't see any way to fight Victor at the moment, and was unwilling to try. Christiana cared for the people of Calderia, but she was not headstrong or as knowledgeable as her sisters. Her simpler view taught her to take her time and examine her options. This day was over, and the devilish smile on the handsome man's face suggested that he knew it too.

 

[Valken]

The three Princesses were clearly affected by Victor's words. Which was no surprise, Victor had of course just announced the end of the world as they knew it. Helena leaned against the table and rhetorically questioned how this could happen. As Sina recovered she questioned Victor's desire to take the three of them as his escorts; which caused Helena to highlight his problem with the people. She suggested that the people would revolt and the Kingdom likely would not last. The middle child then questioned what he was planning on doing with the sisters; perhaps throw them on the streets? Then, out of nowhere Christiana stretched, showing off her body – Victor did not hide his wandering eyes admiring her before she questioned if they could go to bed.

“Bed will come soon.” Victor's eyes flicked between the three girls. “This talk is pointless. The Kingdom is mine. There will be no war I've spent the last year seeing to that.” That little hook would let the girls know that this wasn't something Victor hadn't just luckily walked into. “There is no question of what role the three of you will play. The only question is how easily you will submit to your new life.”

Reaching out Victor cupped Christiana's cheek, another fake sign of kindness. “You will all three support my rule, share my bed and eventually carry my children. I have decided and decreed as King. Disobey, and your punishments will be severe.” His hand came away from the blond's face, only to swiftly return as he slapped the same cheek he had just been caressing rather hard.

“Now kneel, and proclaim your loyalty and obedience to me.” Again Victor met each of the girl's eyes, Christiana's cheek a sharp red from his slap. “Or must I prove my point further?” His tone was still strong and commanding. He doubted the middle child would obey so easily, he was almost sure the youngest would do as requested, and the eldest was a wild card. Likely he would spend the night breaking the girls into his own personal sluts, and he couldn't wait.

((Sorry it's a bit shorter :/))

 

[Presto]

Christana's high pitched yelp of pain might have been heard by the townsfolk below. Petite hands came to cup her stinging cheek, and she turned a stony glare towards the man whom had just laid hands on her. She had thought he would be peaceful if only she had shown she was not objecting him. And of course, she was wrong. The rest of his speech only set her further on edge. Carry his children?! It sounded absurd but...if he really was the King, then he would get away with anything.

Swallowing harshly, the blonde could swear that her sisters were ignoring the situation. Surely it didn't that long. No longer was the man handsome and charming...but dangerous. They lived in a brutal time, and their father never concealed that from them. Severe punishments were definitely something they all sought to avoid. The careful rustle of fabric was faintly heard to all present in the room. If there were any doubts as to what was happening, Christiana's voice was hollow as she knelt before her King. "I promise that I will do whatever you ask of me, as is my duty, and your divine right." It was a simple pledge, and one that she had heard often in tales of old, when such allegiances were made.

Growling, Sina's hand curled once more into a fist, but her wrath was momentarily delayed. She had no idea who was more deserving of her rage - the usurper or her own weak sister. The tidal wave of emotion rippling through the room brought Helena back to Earth. Rushing over to Christiana, she turned her back on the menace to pat soft blonde hair in reassurance. "We do not kneel, Christiana. I know you are scared, but you were born royal, and you must not forget that. Don't sacrifice your pride so easily." Helena spoke with a comfort so profound, it was almost as if they were not being handed the title 'slave'. As strong as he was, Victor was one man. As long as they all stood strong, he would have trouble breaking them down.

Christiana resisted as Helena pulled her back into a standing position, but gave in and leaned into her sister for support. Neither of the two girls were fighters by nature, but they walked slowly to stand beside Sina - a last effort to protest. Again, the beautiful middle child spoke for them. "You think to make us your servants. We are not common peasants. We have knowledge and power and perserverance. We are not just going to spread our legs and accept your rule! Punish us as you will. We are daughters of Calderia, and we would never bow to you."

They hung fiercly to Sina's confident words, however hollow they were. Christiana was no longer bold enough to look at the man. She was content to stand by her sisters, her flesh and blood and support them. However, she did not want to draw any more attention to herself. As princesses, they had never been forced to handle physical hardships up front. His slap had suprised her, but also traumatized her. Never in her life did she fathom being in this position. All she had wanted was to better her subjects...maybe even become a healing woman. Physical pain just wasn't up her alley.

 

[Valken]

Victor's could hear a light ringing in his ears as Christana's scream of pain died out. He showed no outward sign of his discomfort though; her scream while not of the emotion he preferred was music to his ears, no matter how harsh. The slap, along with his quick speech seemed to do the trick for the youngest of the King's daughters as she fell to her knees before him. She then gave him a simple pledge, that she would do everything he requested of her, as was her duty, and his divine right.

Sina growled at her younger sister's oath, but otherwise remained silent. Helena however rushed over to the blond's side, pulling her back up to her feet while telling her that they did not kneel. Victor silently watched as the eldest comforted the youngest, the blond resisting slightly in being pulled up. Victor liked that Christana was so willing to obey; if only the two older sisters would sway so easily.

Then, the three of them standing side-by-side Sina spoke once more, telling him that they were not common peasants, they had knowledge, power and perseverance and would not simply accept his rule and bow to him. Victor met Sina's eyes and held them for a good couple seconds, before his eyes slid over to Helena to meet her own dark eyes. He would have held Christiana's as well, but the fairer of the girls was avoiding his gaze.

It was quite clear that once Victor broke Sina, the other two would follow.

“For your disobedience six orphans will be captured and flogged in the dungeons later tonight. Four because the two of you did not kneel and two more because Christiana did not remain on her knees.” He said the words calmly, but with a finality. He was not threatening the girls; he was a King issuing a sentence.

He paused for a few seconds, letting the Princesses work over his words before he moved. Probably faster than they thought he could he stepped forward and with his left hand grabbed a handful of Sina's hair at the scalp. He then pulled her body to the large table that was centered in the room, forcfully pushing her so she was bent over it; chest and face pressed into the hard wood top. His face turned towards the other two girls, silently commanding that they stay put.

In one smooth motion he leaned down and grabbed the bottom hem of Sina's skirt and began to lift it up. Quickly he long, bare legs were exposed, all the way until her tight, round ass was exposed to Victor and her sisters; covered by whatever undergarments she might be wearing. Letting of of her hair, Victor took the hem in his left hand and pressed down on the small of her back, keeping her in place. With his free hand he unbuckled his belt and quickly whipped it out from underneath the loops. His sword and gloves fell from their place behind his belt and clanged onto the floor. With trained ease he was able to one-handedly fold his belt in half, and without further ado he whipped it hard across Siri's backside. He did it again, this time across the back of her thighs.

He didn't want to bruise the girl's any more than necessary, so he turned his attention back on the two daughters who were not bent over. “Helena drop to your knees and pledge your loyalty. Christiana, if Sina does not pledge her loyalty as well I want you to get in the same position she is beside her, and lift up your own skirt. Unless you plan on breaking the oath you just gave?” Victor hoped that with Sina bent over, exposed and punished in front of them the eldest and youngest would obey. For her own part, perhaps the threat of the youngest receiving the same punishment would push Sina to obedience.