Prologue
The Royal court at the palace in Skyros was oddly formal for such a normal seeming day. Guards lined the walls, alert, but not more so than usual, the members of the Searthen capital nobility chatted idly to each other, discussing this and that, affairs and affairs of state fashion and glory. Some paid attention to those addressing the King. But when a Lady in a teal gown stepped into the middle of the room, her usual wicked grin on her features, a hush fell.
"We recognize the Alternian Ambassador, Lady Terezi Propel, and wish our greetings and good health upon Her Imperial Condescension." King's Jake de Harley's voice boomed out across the court. He sat regally, the ermine trimmed purple clock draped across the throne of Searth, half covering his dark brown doublet and caramel tunic. In his right hand he held the golden, ornate sceptre of his office, upon his mop of black hair sat a golden crown, inlaid with Diamonds Rubies and Amethysts.
Lady Terezi pinched her gown and spread it in a graceful curtsey, the brocade was heavy and threaded with red silk skilfully, it cascaded beautifully from her hands and whispered with each slight movement.
"My Empress sends her kindest regards," Only one experienced in reading body language would have been able to detect the subtle hint in her voice that suggested otherwise. "to you and your children." King Jake's right rand tightened slightly, his knuckles showing white.
"Has she reached a decision on the treaty yet?" The atmosphere of the court turned tense, very rarely did the King cut straight to the point like that. Very rarely did his children accompany him to court too. Crown Prince John instinctively laid his hand protectively on the shoulder of his younger sister, Princess Jade. They stood to the right of their father, slightly lower on the dais but still protected by the King's Guard. His sister flickered bright, green eyes over to her brother but she otherwise didn't respond. Jade wore the latest court fashion, a scandalously low cut gown that barely clung to her shoulder, the mixes of forest green and emerald with black embroidery set off her eyes and hair nicely. John wore a rich blue tunic with a black vest, cobalt blue leggings and a soft, comfortable pair of boots.
"Your Majesty" The courts attention snapped back to the Alternian Ambassador, the grin was still on her face, most had come to think of it as her default expression. Lady Terezi unrolled the scroll she had been hiding in her hands. "If I have your permission, Your Majesty?"
King Jake inclined his head once, slowly. He already knew what the answer was going to be, this was a pre-arranged signal to warn the guards stationed throughout the court to ready themselves for any potential situation.
The Ambassador's grey-green eyes didn't miss a thing, that woman had keen perception.
"To Jake, first of his name, King of Searth, Ruler of the Western Ocean and Lord of the Eagle's Plains.
Her Imperial Condescension Peixes, Express of Alternia, Beauteous Light of the True People, Called Conqueror acknowledges your failure to swear fealty to your true Empress and recognize her as your superior, and failure to adhere to the following demands; dismantle your Navy, dismiss your army, and divest all alliances, treaties and contracts that are not recognized by the Alternian legal system.
You are hereby ordered to execute all of the de Harley name and blood, and surrender your lands, your so called "nobility" and yourself to the Alternia Navy Fleet.
Failure to abide by these new demands will result in a declaration of War and extreme force that will ultimately lead to the destruction and erasure of everything that can be defined as Searthen in culture, name, reference, and history.
Signed, in blood, the Condesce."