Yanelis Kalino has her head resting on the palm of one of her hands, watching with an amused smirk as her counselors bicker and debate back and forth about various things. Her favorite hot topic of the day was in regards to what to do with a new territory they obtained after a rather heated war. It was a kingdom that insulted her greatly by giving her a sub-par prince for a harem that wasn't established yet. The son they sent was rumored to be mistreated badly, but the extent wasn't known until his arrival. Come to find out, he was dumb, with a form of an intellectual disability when he arrived. He was also only fourteen, and while attractive with features, it was apparent that the family just wanted to do away with him. Prince Jun Tigin now belonged to her, which the frightened child he was has settled in nicely with her doctors assessing him with teachers to see how they may be able to help him. A year later, the war started, and now three years after that, she's the victor.
"Might I suggest that Lady Zalaka Brecc take care of the territory for now? She was one of the leading forces in conquering it and has been diligent with seeing to the needs of the people there thus far." Count Jebuk Aznárez finally speaks up, silencing the others as they listen.
"Excellent idea cousin, I was just thinking that Count Gyda Brecc has raised her well. I shall like to see what she can do with the place with all of her determination!" Yanelis quips with her smirk widening, all at the table bow their heads in respect.
"Of course Empress, the most beloved by the gods, has truly the most foresight of us all." Earl Leontios Severina somberly says with the rest agreeing.
"Enough of the groveling, what's next?" Yanelis sighs, slightly annoyed her amusement was gone. She could allow that though as surely something of interest would come about.
"Sister, I believe we should consider your heir." Princess Chantal Kalino speaks up after a pause with apparently no one else having a comment.
"What silliness, that's why I have you." Yanelis says without a care in the world. However, the council immediately start to pester her about this.
"Sister, great Empress of all, please take this more seriously! I cannot be your heir!" Chantal argues with the deepest and most devoted of bows. Usually she would wait for them to be in private to speak against her, but this subject wasn't something to be entertained.
"Our noble and wise Empress, please heed her words for what she says I must agree with. Princess Chantal is aware that she isn't suited for such a task and holds no wishes to do so." Count Jebuk Aznárez argues gently. Him being her third cousin doesn't hold nearly as much weight as his common sense and dutifulness to their empire.
Yanelis hums while the council continues to try and persuade her. With a slight motion, a dagger soars through the air suddenly, catching several off guard. It sinks into the table, piercing a place on the map as it does so. Everyone relaxes at this, some tucking their weapons away, as they look at the Kingdom of Phasikar which now has a dagger through it. Yanelis looks pleased, chuckling at the curious looks.
"Chantal, send word that I would like to take a husband from this kingdom. Insignificant as it might be, fate has chosen it for this task, so let's not disappoint." Yanelis easily states before standing. She spins and starts to head out of the chamber with purposeful strides.
"Yes Empress, I will at once! Bidding many blessings to our Empress!" Chantal replies, bowing with the rest as they do a similar bidding to send her off with. Chantal looks at the other kingdom on the map, a bit concerned that things wouldn't go smoothly. She shakes the thought away and takes her leave, quick to research the kingdom before sending any requests.
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Asteropaios Crandomna prepares himself for another day of being the bastard child of King Diamait Crandomna, ruler of the Kingdom of Phasikar. Since his birth, he has resided in this tucked away keep within the borders of the kingdom. As forgotten as he was, he was still considered an important member of the royal family, if only as a desperate backup or a useful trade offer for marriage. As he leaves for his breakfast, a journal catches his eye as it glints at him. He brushes his fingers on it, the only thing to help him know his late mother Marta Coquard. She was the beautiful daughter of a viscount that had the misfortune of catching King Diamait's eye. Soon after, he had taken her as a mistress, moving her to this keep when she fell pregnant.
"Prince Asteropaios, the King has requested your attendance at the castle immediately." The head servant of his estate, Giorgia Philin, announces after knocking on his door. She used to serve his mother and had taken care of him as if he was her own since then. There were a total of three maids, two butlers, a stable hand, a chef, a physician, and a groundskeeper with his two helpers that maintained the small keep.
"Very well, I suppose they found someone to sell me off to then. Please have everyone ready my personal items for travel. Who will be coming with me?" Asteropaios replies after a slight pause, his face serene despite his churning emotions.
"My Prince, it shall be myself, head butler Lumturie Meksi, maids Arila Blaku and Cirilla Casaletto. Your favorite horse, Sandshine, will be accompanying us as well. We are to attend to you and aid you in settling into your new position." Giorgia respectfully tells him, a glint of sadness in her eyes.
"Who are they sending me to? I can't imagine anyone too great would like a lesser prince for a husband." Asteropaios asks, curiosity gnalling at him as he leads them to his favorite place to eat. A small balcony that overlooked the gardens, always offering him a sense of freedom.
"My apologies Prince Asteropaios, but it wasn't stated as to who sent the request." Giorgia tells him as she follows him to his seat. The maids start serving him as the butlers worked on packing everything. "We only know they are from the east." She adds in.
"The east?" Asteropaios murmurs, a furrowed brow showing his contemplation. "Bring with literature regarding their customs, territories and culture. I wish not to make a fool of myself when we finally make it there." He announces, gaining instant compliance as two maids race off to do so. He focuses on forcing himself to eat knowing that they would be leaving shortly after.
Two days of travel later he finds himself being announced to the royal family. This is the first time in years he's seen his father, and ever that he's met any of the others. He always knew his purple eyes marked him as a royal, but the golden hair from his mother was a bit of a slap to the Queen's face, seeing as all of them had shades of brown. But, she looked pleased, Queen Vivian Crandomna that is. She sat pristinely beside King Diamait Crandomna, both looking elated as they grinned at him.
"Asteropaios, our dear son! You must feel elated to have the honor of marrying someone of such high status! Nothing but the best for my kids, of course." King Diamait boast with chuckles.
"It's wonderful to see you so healthy little brother, we wish you a safe trip!" Princess Ealanor Crandomna exclaims in greeting, the eldest child.
"Please make sure to do our family proud!" Princess Geila Crandomna states next, glee oozing from her as she eyes him with joyful malice.
"We're sure you'll be well taken care of by her majesty, so don't worry!" His younger brother, Prince Omar Crandomna adds in.
"And do remember, you still reflect our family." The youngest of the siblings says seriously, Prince Baochi Crandomna was oddly expressionless.
"May I ask who it is I am to marry?" Asteropaios asks cautiously as he barely shoves his anger and discontent down and far away from showing.
"Oh dear, has no one said?!" Queen Vivian covers her mouth in feigned shock. "Empress Yanelis Kalino has made a request that a suitable prince be sent to marry her! You're your father's eldest son, so naturally you must fill the request to appease her!"
Asteropaios recovers from the shock of this, carefully having a cheery and compliant face afterwards. "Of course, thank you my Royal Family for bestowing me with such an honor. I shall not disgrace you or your intentions towards the Empress of Kuxecaea." He humbly bows, as calm as possible on the outside. However, on the inside he's panicking. The Empress had a deadly reputation, and a very deranged way of handling things! Rising, he catches Prince Baochi's look on his face, realizing the boy of not even seventeen was jealous. However, he was well aware that he was being sacrificed and not expected to live long with the Empress as a wife. "Your highnesses, when will I be departing?"
"Right away, now that we've told you! It was good seeing you again boy, have a safe trip!" King Diamait replies, waving as he's getting escorted out.
"Nice meeting you!" The rest call, too cheerful for his liking.
On the road, alone in his carriage with his thoughts, he can clearly see what he must do. It wasn't enough to force his mother to his whims until her death for them! No, the man now wished to sacrifice him after destroying everything else about her and her house! He clenches his fists in anger and contemplates this, glaring out of the window at the convoy of knights delivering him to his soon to be wife.
Vengeance would be his, and it would taste sweeter than anything in this world. This, he sullenly swore to himself, and his mother Lady Marta Coquard.