Story concept: Dune style tale. EJ is a very powerful King of the Dimera family and of the galaxy they live in. Sami is the daughter and 3rd child of Earl Roman the Prude and is marrying his second child Carrie to Duke Austin of the House Reed and Roberts and go to the capital planet to get permission and blessing from the Emperor. While there the Emperor sees Samantha when they come to present Carrie and Austin to EJ, he sees Sami in the back of Roman and Carrie and asks about her and basically demands he marry her.

My King

Prologue:

In a galaxy far, far away…

The Galactic Empire rules all.

Throughout the centuries there have been wars in order to attain full dominance and rule over the many noble houses and the planets they rule, but in the end the mighty DiMera's found victory on the battlefield and in the hearts and minds of the many houses and planets of the Imperial Galactic Empire. Some say the real war was over the spice, which in some, it is said, can make them immortal if ingested enough, by keeping them in the same state as they were when they took the spice treatments, but could deform others if taken in more than safe dosages as is the case of the Priesthood of the Holy Star. When the DiMera's found victory their leader and new Emperor Santo the Great made it near impossible to overindulge in the Spice, but some have seen to acquiring more than their share. After Santo was crowned Emperor he took the spice treatment and made it law and tradition for his heirs and other legitimate offspring to take the treatments, and also acceptable for the spouses of his heirs to take them as well. As you could imagine why would an immortal sovereign need an heir? But Santo devised a way, after your heir is born he must go through a series of tests, not only in studies but also on the battlefield as well in real life and after the heir has proven himself to be competent to rule the heads of the noble houses are to put the heir to their own questions and tests in order to come to a consensus if he will be a good King. After Santo abdicated for his son Stefano to rule the people were happy for the fresh blood on the throne and he did succeed in ruling well, but his own life was plagued with a series of heirs whom seemed to be taken away from him by poor health or in accidents. His former heir Antony was killed on an off world hunting trip to the dangerous planet Tinuaun on his 22nd birthday before he was to take the spice treatments. After his death Stefano and his wife Victoria tried for another child but was wrought with miscarriages. He then went to his father and begged for his help and Santo deigned it possible for Stefano to take a second wife. He wed the 22 year old Duchess Susanna of the noble house Domaya and within two years of their marriage they gave birth to Prince Elvinto Jention DiMera III. To this day Stefano the Triumphant is the only royal / noble to have two wives and has since been made illegal to have more than one spouse at a time.

Today is a day that all stop and take heed of the importance of what today represents. On the Capital Planet of Tuskano we celebrate Emperor Elvinto Jention DiMera III's 120th birthday and marks his 95th year of sovereignty over the Galactic Empire DiVion. All who are ranked high enough is required to attend from all of the noble houses and planets. In the two front rows seats the highest ranking nobles, some of which are related closely and distantly from the King. The Earl, Roman of Braden of the noble Planet Salemite has arrived with his wife Lady Marlena and their children heir apparent Eric, first daughter Caroline, second daughter Samantha, and second son Randolph. They have such high rank because of their accomplishments on the battlefield and also because of how fast the former Earl Sean II of Braden went to the aid of the DiMera's in the last struggle of power decades previous amongst the Great Houses. They are the one of last of the Great Houses to arrive as is the honor of their rank only one other family is to be seated before the Royal house arrives. Prince John 2nd son of Santo the Great Duke of Taiden of Planet Camdon Black. He arrives with his wife Lady Isabella, heir apparent Braden, second son Jason and daughter Belladonna. They are seated as all prepare for the arrival of their King.

Sami POV

This is my first time to attend a royal celebration, now that I am 9 years old. My older sister Carrie tried to make my mom leave me at home saying that I was still too young even though our brother and I are twins and are the same age. After I countered with that my mother agreed that I was old enough to attend and then winked at me when Carrie stomped off. I have never seen a place more beautiful, it seems as if the room was dipped in gold and light and it is as if we are sitting on the clouds themselves! The room is decorated in the Imperial colors of black, gold and crimson. We are seated at the first row on the left, and I am told that it is because of my families rank and that I should be proud to be of the house Braden. I am, but it seems my only reason for being in this world is to be married off to reduce conflict or to create alliances between houses. If I had my way I would travel to all the great houses in a quest for adventure and never marry, then spend the rest if my days on the planet Angelica to watch the never ending waves. I hear it is the most beautiful planet in the galaxy. Though I would disagree and say it is the second prettiest as I believe my home planet of Salemite is or was the prettiest before I came here to Tuskano.

"When does the king arrive Eric?" I ask my brother curious to finally see the King.

"After his Uncle Prince John is seated along with his family the King will arrive Sami… are you nervous?" he asks me with a smirk on his face.

"Of course I'm-

"You are Sami, it is all you have been talking about since you found out you could come, so shut it!" Carrie interrupts me and in the process makes me feel foolish.

"You shut it Carrie, Sami and I were talking and I asked her that question not you!" Eric defends me and makes a smile break out on my face.

"Children shush! You bring no honor to our house by you three bickering with each other." Our father admonishes us.

"Yes Father." We all say in unison.

As we quiet down the Kings Uncle and retinue arrive and are seated. Prince John is well celebrated in the Empire and is said to be a man of great conscious, whatever that means. His wife Lady Isabella is said to be the nicest woman and their children are close to Eric and my age but are younger by a year to Carrie. Even though my sister is only 12 years old there have been talk of her wedding into the house of DiMera to either one of Prince John's sons or to the combined House of Reed and Roberts' heir Duke Austin. I care not as long as she is sent away from me so that I may not receive any more of her dubious company. Where we are seated we have a front and up close view of the Imperial throne that the Emperor will be seated to be blessed and presented his gifts, after which he is to speak and give a prayer to the gods and then we are to be taken to the reception hall for the ball to begin. The processional has started as the horns have begun to play signaling the arrival of our most loved King, My King.

The first to arrive to the throne is the High Priest of the Holy Star to which we bow, after him his fellow priests arrive behind and line up by his side. The next to arrive is the head of The Sisterhood of the Waning Moon, who are said to have in their possession the art of magic and other dark and light arts as well as being able to see the future and have direct contact with the gods. After her and her sisters are lined by the throne the air in the room noticeably changes as well as the music to signal the arrival of the Emperor.

As he walks down the aisle to be seated I am captivated by him and realize that what I have learned about our eternal sovereign does not hold a candle to his true beauty! He stands as tall as the heavens almost 6 ½ feet! On his person he wears all black with lining of crimson with gold epaulets on his jacket with gold and bejeweled buttons and a gold sash across his right broad shoulder that goes under his left arm adorned with his accolades in jeweled form, and with black leather boots. He turns and greets us as his people with a wave and I am transfixed by his smile and how it lights up the room, I look around the room and see that I am not the only one to have been affected by the presence of our King as they say he is the spitting image of his grandfather Santo the Great. He sits upon the Galactic throne and we all say in unison "Long live our Eternal Sovereign!" three time and then we sit.

"Thank you all for attending the celebration of my 95th year on the throne and my 120th birthday," Wow his voice is so smooth, refined and cultured I learned he was tutored off the capital planet of Tuskano on the planet Sharlom that has produced our most famous intellectual minds and is known as our scholar planet. "I am pleased to have you all here as we cannot all be in the same room at one time often. Let us today bask in the honor of being a part of the illustrious nobility of the Galactic Empire and enjoy are blessings to the fullest for ourselves as well as those who could not attend as well as those whom have gone home to see the great Star." He finishes and we clap in his honor and then the head Priest and Head Sister both bless him in their own way and we all say in unison "Blessed it be!"

Each house then presents the King with his gifts, in order of rank. I have never seen so many extravagant and expensive gifts given to one person at one time. There must be at least 10 great and lower houses here today and each gift just gets more and more beautiful and BIG, ha-ha! When our turn comes my father and mother present our king with the most beautiful gold and bejeweled sword and shield. I recognize it as being an ancient possession of our house.

"To our beloved Emperor we present an ancient piece from the House Braden and of The Planet Salemite. It has been with us for over half a millennia and was given to us by your ancestor of the House DiMera. We now present it back to you as a token of our loyalty to the great Imperial Galactic throne of the DiMera family." My father then hands it to him and we watch as he inspects it and we can see a genuine smile cross his face.

"This has to be the most thoughtful gift I have ever received. It is like receiving a gift from my ancestor through you, your grace. May I ask what inspired you to give this to me? I know that if I were to have to give this up I am unsure if I could." He inquires with a handsome quirked eyebrow. My father then looks at me and smiles and then reaches for my hand and I am not sure who is more surprised, my sister or our King.

"Well actually I was quite stumped and thought what would be the best and most meaningful gift I could give and I must have said it out loud, because before I knew it my youngest daughter, as you see her right here, told me-

"Why don't you let your daughter tell us what she said, if you would allow her your grace?" the king surprises me yet again.

"Of course my King, Samantha tell the King what you told me when I couldn't decide." He tells me and then gives me a look of encouragement. I hesitate and look to my brother for a life line and he smiles at me but I also see my sister. Carrie giving me a smirk as to say I will make a fool of myself. I turn to the king and blink repeatedly not knowing what to say.

"It is ok my child, the King would like you to speak, nothing will happen." My mother tries to belly my fears, and then out of nowhere the least think we all expected happens, the King himself comes off his throne and scoops me and takes me bake to sit with him.

"Now I hope I have not overstepped myself by putting matters into my own hands and bringing you up here to sit next to me, but I really want to know what made you believe that what your House presented to me was the best they could give. I mean what is so great about a sword and a shield, I must say I own a few, and they are all the same." He tells me in an arrogant manner. I have no words, but yet I cannot help what comes out of my mouth.

"But it is the best and I would not have suggested it to be given to you, as our Emperor, if I did not believe it was not appropriate, your grace. It matters not the quantity of ones armor but of the quality, and this set not only is of a priceless quality, but it has also has sentimental value to not only my House, but to yours as well." I tell him freely as my heart races.

"What value would you put on such items, in you humble and qualified opinion, my Lady Samantha?" he asks me with mischievous eyes that I have noticed have flecks of green and gold and not just a warm brown glow.

"The value is as I said before priceless in monetary means, but in value of true meaning, they are a representation of the love and care The House Braden has showed The House DiMera, and of the mutual respect that we both share. Also the thoughtfulness in your ancestor showed by giving them to us, and also the thoughtfulness we show by taking good care of them and presenting them to you today as a gift, in your honor, your majesty." I say and hear a gasp from the audience, and see my mother and Sisters eyes bulging out of their heads and also see the head of the Sisterhood smiling at me.

"Well I believe you are right, my dear. You have a very bright mind and future and I hope your mind and talents are being nourished and explored. Who knows you and I may meet again one day, hopefully not in a debate. I think you would eat me alive!" he comments and the room erupts in laughter. He then stands and walks me back to my father and as I go to my seat I see the heir to the House Harkonnen dressed in all red and for some reason a shiver runs through me and not in a good way.

"Thank you all for the gifts and your presence as well, now it is time to feast!" he says most jovially.

We all meet into the ballroom and are seated as before, by rank and relation to the King. We are seated close to the House DiMera table. We feast and enjoy the celebratory dinner, until the Baron Harkonnen comes, or floats more like, to our table in a false sense of welcome.

"Your grace that was some gift you bestowed upon his majesty! You really know how to upstage the rest of us." He tells my father then smiles, while showing his decrepit teeth and even from where I am sitting I can smell his rotten breath.

"Your daughter is something special as well." He says directly looking at me and smiling instantly making me nervous.

"Yes we are very proud of her." My father says tightly.

"She well make a man a great wife one day. Definitely." He says as he gives me a gross smile.

My father goes to snatch him it seems, but before he can Prince John comes and calms him down.

"Your grace, Roman! How have you been? And must I say you have a definite jewel in your daughter, Lady Samantha." He tells my father and winks at me as I blush.

"Yes we think the same, your majesty. She is very special to me and my House." My father tells the Duke who then goes to save us some more by asking the Baron to look at something for him. After the feast the dance begins and I am now talking to the children of the House Reeds & Roberts along with my sister and brother. I can almost see Cupids' arrow sticking out of my sisters and the young Dukes backs already. The looks they are giving each other… I just hope father does not see, as it is not her 18th year yet.

"That was some display earlier, little girl. Speaking to the king out of turn in that haughty way of yours." The second son of the House Reeds & Roberts tells me with a smirk.

"I was asked to tell him how I helped my father, by his majesty and I did. How is that being haughty?" I ask him with a confused look.

"Because, he only wanted a sort answer not a synopsis of a novel, like the one you gave him." he laughs at me and for some reason it makes me doubt myself and I can feel the prickling of tears.

"Lucas don't be mean! She was only doing what the King asked of her." His sister Wilhelmina defends me, but it's too late I am off running to the other side of the room hoping to escape, but am stopped by the heir of the House Harkonnen Brandon Bayler, the Barons nephew, who is my age.

"Why did you stop me, Lord Bayler?" I ask just wanting to get away.

"You seemed upset Lady Samantha. I didn't know what else to do but see if you were alright." He smiles at me and I find myself smiling back and go to answer him, only to be interrupted by his sister Lady Nicole, as if her being a lady weren't a joke.

"You should have just left her alone brother. The gasps where not because what you said was clever, but because you presumed to tell the King how he should feel, instead of telling him it is his will to feel whatever he like. I am surprised he didn't banish you, hahah!" she tells me in a harsh tone.

"Nikki that is enough! I am very sorry for my sister and her comments to you Lady Samantha, excuse us please." He smiles and I nod as he takes his sister away from me. I begin to believe I am alone until I feel a presence behind me.

"You are not alone child, and if that is what you believe then you are wrong. Do not let the talk of your lesser get to you." The High Priestess the Sisterhood tells me.

"I said nothing of the sort Holy Mother." I say knowing she must have read my mind.

"No, I did not read your mind before child, but I did just now. Yes it is one of our many talents in the Sisterhood, of which I believe you would flourish in. You would never feel loneliness again." She tells me and I would love to never feel that feeling again. I feel it every day and if I could have it taken away it would be the best feeling. I go to answer but I hear the voice never would've thought would come to my rescue.

"There you are, Lady Samantha, I have been looking all over for you. I have a question to ask of you." I look at him with a furrowed brown wondering what question he could ask of a 9 year old, and see him looking at the Holy Mother.

"In private Holy Mother." He says as he gives her a tight smile. She bows and then leaves us alone and me still pondering. We stand in silence for a few minutes before I have to ask what was going on.

"Your majesty… you have something to ask me?" I ask as my heart races.

"No, but I have some advice for you, my lady, if you will permit me to give it." I nod readily and he continues.

"I can see that you are a very smart young girl, scholarly and I would just like to pass on the advice that a very important person in my life gave me once, ok?" I nod, "Beware of smiling faces in the light of day and in the dark of night. The priestess may have laid out a very tempting offer of never feeling lonely, or pressured, or whatever she told you, but beware of someone who offers you your life's dream wrapped up pretty with a bow on top, you may not want what is truly being given to you." He advises me and I furrow my brow trying to decipher this.

"Do not worry yourself now, it will come to you soon, shall we go speak to you father?"

"Yes, please your Grace." I say as he takes my hand and walks me over to my father.

"I think I have solved your dilemma your grace." He tells my father as we walk up to him. I see my father's face relax as he picks me up and hugs me.

"I thank you your majesty. Samantha where have you been?" he asks me.

"I think I can answer that, you see I asked her what I could do to become as smart as her and she was teaching me, so the fault lies with me Roman, don't be upset with her." He says as he winks at me and I smile.

"I will leave you all to mingle. It was nice meeting you Lady Samantha." He tells me and just like that he is gone.