Royal Flush (AR and SelenaFF)

[PeggersCove]

Her eyes were scanning over the documents, reading what she needed to know for a new law that her House of Commons was trying to pass… politics was a dirty game but it was something that she had been taught since she was a young girl by her mother. She had one of the best educations and now, it was being put to the test because… her mother was horribly sick in the country and she was now the Regent of the land. It was something that truly weighted on her mind as the twenty two year old woman was reading all the legal jargon. This had been an all-day affair with the paper and proposals for new laws and requests for funding.

Being the leader of a state was not an easy task… at least those were her thoughts as Louise Marie Therese, Princess Regent of the Hearts. And heir to the throne was sitting in the study that her mother had given her. Most of the time, she was overseeing tasks but not on the scale of being the Regent of a Country. It was scary and she knew that there was a lot that she had to do.

First, the no one was the inner circle knew of her mother’s illness. It was a possible life threatening one and that was what scared her as well… what would she do if her strong, powerful mother simply died of this illness. The Queen of Hearts was notorious for being a strong and capable ruler of this safe haven of a land. Well, that was a bridge that she would have to cross when it happened. However, she had to be strong and no matter what… the other Kingdoms could not and would not know… After all, they would strike.

There were trade agreements and the military was slowly becoming strong under the nose of their neighbours to the West, the Spades were powerful and strong as well… and if the other Kingdoms joined together well… it could cause some trouble. It was one of the reasons that there was a trade agreement to be signed with the Spades and a peace agreement. Of course, that would never truly guaranteed anything. However, they also had an alliance with the Diamonds if war was to occur.

Certainly, she had her doubts. Mother would be doing all of this if she was well and most likely doing a better job. Princess Louise was not the most popular of the three Princesses. The title went to her more charismatic younger sister, Princess Sophie. Louise was pretty but Sophie was… well, beautiful and charming with a fashion sense and always in the papers for being a darling.

Louise was a little jealous because she could not be like that… she had to be serious for the good of the land. Well, that was no matter… There was her youngest sister who was currently with mother in the country to make sure that everything was in order. It was a slight burden knowing that her little sister was with mother.

The peace agreement talks were set for tomorrow… and they would be arriving this evening. The rest of the palace was in a daze from preparing for the welcome and she knew that she would be whisked away from the true work with running a country to be washing, primped and made to look like a proper Princess. Well, she looked lovely now since she had hired someone who would help with this part of being a Princess.

One of the ladies’ in waiting came to her with news that she was to come and get ready for the next three hours so that she would look every part the Princess Regent of the Hearts Kingdom. Slowly rising, Louise did exactly what she was asked because… she was going to do all that she could to get this peace and trade agreement.

There was really nothing worse than her country going to war and she was not going to let that happen… she would be a perfect representative for her nation and those who had been sent to represent the Spades.

 

[SelenaFF]

Luther was, as most women liked to say, a heartthrob. But he was royalty, and was most of the time confined to his chambers, where he spent hour after hour reviewing the proposals sent to him by the royal advisers. Most of the time, it was just political mumbo-jumbo, and he would usually just skim through the papers before signing. His father, the king, had decided that his son would be in charge of the government, that lazy bastard. Luther disliked his father more than anyone, because he spent all day relaxing while Luther worked his ass off to keep the Spade Kingdom from collapsing. His younger brother, Maxwell, was a bit lazy as well, and he was a devious little child as well. He always seemed to be stirring up trouble.

Luther stepped out of the carriage and stepped onto the ground of the Hearts Kingdom, knowing full well that if this didn't go well, his father would get his wish: war. His father wanted to conquer all four Kingdoms, but the one thing that stood in his way was his son, who managed to keep him from blowing everyone, including himself, to smithereens.

Walking behind his personal guard, Luther couldn't help but wonder if his efforts would bring anything to fruit. His father might simply ignore the treaty, if they managed to get one, and attack anyways. Luther knew that if that happened, he would fight tooth and nail to stop him. He would not allow his bloodthirsty father to have his way. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

He stepped into the castle without realizing it, and there stood the Princess Regent, waiting to discuss the terms of the treaty. Luther gulped, knowing full well that the fate of their two Kingdoms was dependent on this treaty.

 

[PeggersCove]

She was the representative of her Kingdom at the moment, which was what she had to be. Plain and simple, yet she was incredibly nervous because these were her neighbours to the South. Louise stood there, the picture of a perfect Princess to represent the Hearts. Her red hair was piled on top of her head, her blue eyed behind spectacles as she was waiting for the representatives to enter. Her advisers, mostly older men and women were around her. There was a serene look on her pretty face as they came up. Someone made an announcement that they were the representatives of the Kingdom of the Spades. One of them was a Prince as she stepped forward and said, “I would like to welcome you to the Land of Hearts.” This was after announcements had made.

Everything was incredibly formal, it was the way that things were done in the formal world of Royalty. “You will be shown to your room and then, there will be supper at seven this evening. Do relax and make yourself at home.” Louise said, her words direct and polite. They would be given time to do what they wanted and settle. The actual peace talks would not be happening until the next day… after all, there was an allotment of time to be given for exactly that task.

After there was formal greetings…some of the servants came to escort them to their suites. Once gone, she was able to breathe again. The Prince was handsome, yes… but she would not think of such foolish things. She was to look like a proper Princess and then when the time came… they would go into the discussions about the future of their two great nations… but one of them was not scaling back her army.

 

[SelenaFF]

Luther nodded and smiled as the Princess Regent welcomed him to the Kingdom. "Thank you, I appreciate the warm welcome," he said, although he knew it wasn't really a warm welcome; it was stiff and obviously rehearsed, although he didn't blame the Princess Regent for that. He knew that she was toiling over this as much as he was. And he respected that. After she explained the housing accommodations he nodded, letting the servants guide him to his room. It almost a maze, it seemed.

When he arrived, he couldn't help but feel a bit amazed by the size of the castle and the route he had taken. Yes, his own Kingdom's castle was big, but he knew it was not this big. And he really didn't get to see much of the Spade Kingdom's royal castle anyways; he was always cooped up.

He sat down on the bed, and almost as soon as he laid his head on the pillow, he fell asleep. When he woke up, it was nearly six thirty. He quickly changed into more proper attire for the evening, then he briskly walked down to the dining hall, where preparation for the dinner had begun. He leaned against the wall, waiting until it was time to eat. Not that he could stomach anything. He was far too nervous about his father, and what he would do.

 

[PeggersCove]

The meeting had been a quick affair and then, the Princess was escorted to change into evening attire… so the purpose of her getting dressed up was to greet their visitors and then she was to change into something completely different. It made no sense at all but for some strange reason… that was the way of it. Sighing, she was in front of the mirror getting her hair taken out and then redo for the evening as another dress was to be wore. The colours of the King in reds, black and gold. It making her eyes stand out as she looked at herself in the mirror as it was all said and done and Louise knew that she looked lovely.

She was to be ornamental like a china doll. Her lips painted red, her eye make was black and her face powdered to be white as she thought that she looked like some sort of clown. She supposed that she looked pretty but almost unreal… but that was the illusion for ceremony sake. She was not always dressed like this in public.

Supper was to start and this was not a large event… no, that would come in a few days but the food was to be a feast. It was a way to intimidate them into thinking they were more powerful than they truly were.

All were games between nations… like chess board… at least that is what her mother had said. And in this time… she was going to take all of her mother’s advice.

The Prince would be seated next to her at the dinner as her guest of honour and so… they would be time for her to speak to him but not of the politics that would come soon enough.