Politics wasn't Francine's best subject. Barely a minute past and already Francine began to doodle on a paper.
A marriage pact that is.
"Francine! What on earth?" A voice gasped above her, a hand snatched the paper away from her grasp. "This is an official document!" It was a father, serious as ever. He gripped the paper, waving it in front of Francine, frustrated. "You're supposed to represent this kingdom and you can't barely resemble that!"
Francine sighed, mustering up a grin. "Maybe rewrite it?" She offered genuinely. Her father shook his head, pacing around the room.
"The deadline's at a month, there's no more negotiations." Her father huffed, placing his hands behind him. Francine watched silently, following the movement. "And you know Queen Lovise is getting impatient. Besides, I don't understand why you wouldn't married-"
"Father, I only met him once, you know." Francine butted in, her voice was strained. She gripped onto the table, looking at her father. Father glared at her, a frown set upon his face.
"You could at least try to act, the people are looking forward to this event, so does Queen Lovise," He lectured, stopping in front of Francine, then shook his head. Francine pouted, rising from her seat, almost knocking down the ink. Francine stared at her father, swallowing softly. It's true that she met the prince . The short wild blonde hair, eyes deep as ocean, the kind that almost set every girls swoon. Francine was one of them, she admitted truthfully. Every time he glanced at her, she would blushed fervently and look away. She was considered as lucky since not all ladies from the kingdom could get to marry him, but marrying the prince also meant that her father will leave his throne to her, and she will become coronated as a queen. To Francine, it's too much for her, to become responsible for her father's-no, her kingdom and being diplomatic wasn't her best forte.
"I just don't understand why you can leave Gilbert your throne, he's the oldest, by the way." Francine muttered, looking at her feet. Father scoffed, opening his mouth, when the door gently opened. A boy peered in, glancing around the room. It was one of the elite royal guards, her Father's guards to be exact, but it will be soon be hers less than a month away. The boy smiled sheepishly, which Francine thought it was cute. Especially the way his brunette hair was slick back and groomed, giving him the elegance.
"King Fabius, your sons had arrived from the overseas, just as your requested." The boy swiftly bowed to him, before he straightened his back, briefly noticed Francine and dipped his head. "Your majesty," He greeted her with a smile. Francine drew a smile, trying to contain her excitement. Her spirits grew at the mention of her half-brothers' names. They are going to come see her.
King Fabius nodded his head. "Thank you, Ronan. Are they at the palace, yet?" He asked him.
"Yes, do you want to bring them over?" The boy replied, as King Fabius nodded again. The boy bowed again, before retreating back outside. Francine waited for the boy to leave, before she squeal and went over to hugged her father. King Fabius grunted with surprise, hugging her back before pulling away.
"Thank you," Francine said, beaming happily.
King Fabius chuckled, mildly, before he turned around, going out to the door.
"Just make sure you-" King Fabius said, extending out his hand to open it. The door flew wide open, as a boy stumbled in, letting out a surprise gasp. King Fabius stared at the boy as he straighten up his shirt and brushed his silvery platinum hair out from his eyes. Gilbert cleared his throat.
"I'm back," Gilbert said, bowing down to his father, before propping himself up straight. His shirt was half-buttoned, dirty and torn, with his hair wild and salty from the seas. At least that smile is what keeps his appearance better. Francine thought.
King Fabius kept a straight face, eyeing at his son, carefully. "Why can't you changed your clothes before came here? For gods' sake, you're a prince!" He asked, shaking his head slightly.
"But Ronan told me to come here quickly, hence why I didn't change my clothes." Gilbert explained, adding a smile afterwards. "And plus, I didn't bother..." He added in a low voice. King Fabius waved off the words with his hands, rubbing his temples. He let out a tired sigh, before he headed out to the door, muttering under his breath, something about being a failure.
Francine burst a smile, before rushing towards Gilbert.
"How's the seas?" Francine asked her half-brother, as Gilbert went forward, sitting on the polished mahogany table. He sighed, stretching his arms out.
"Stressful, actually. Couple of our guards fell sick, Ludwig can't sleep well, and I may or may not vomited all my food on me brother's shoes." Gilbert stated, his eyes shifted to his left, thinking. "I really don't remember,"
Francine chuckled, her eyes fell upon his shirt, seeing the stain up close. "Well your shirt says otherwise," She mused, pointing at his shirt. Gilbert looked down, his brows scrunched up together.
"Huh, I really did vomited," He phrased, suppressing a smile.
"Did you meet the Emperor?" Francine quipped, as she shifted her feet. Her brothers had went overseas to another kingdom, the Eastern Palace, to extend the peace treaty and their alliances. Normally it was her father's duties, but since the last four years, he had shifted his duties to Francine and her brothers. Francine took part in the domestic politics while her brothers took part in the foreign affairs.
Gilbert nodded his head. "He's pretty smart and knows what he's doing. We just signed a couple documents and papers and stayed at his palace for a while. He also hosted over-the-top parties." He told her. "Their clothes are just exceptionally elegant. All made of the finest silk and cotton. The Emperor's kind enough to let us bring a couple home,"
Francine mused, grinning slowly. Her heart raced with excitement, interested. She always imagined the Eastern Palace a mysterious place, she heard rumors about the kingdom believed and played with magic, but to them, it was just science. They are also exceptionally rich, even the villagers eat nothing but delicacies and wines. She also heard that everyone in the Eastern Palace was beautiful and exquisite. Their women wore long flowing silken dress as men wore flattering patterned keftas.
She almost felt envious but admire them.
"Before we left," Gilbert said, placing his hands on the table, as he looked at Francine. "The Emperor heard about your coronation and planned to congratulate you. I asked him, if I should put his name on the important guest list for the event and he promptly agreed." He finished. Francine cupped her hands together, breathing out slowly.
"Really? You really did that?" She asked, her pulse quickened. Gilbert nodded his head and laugh escaped from him.
"Of course," He chuckled, sliding off from the table. A knock came from the door. The same royal guard appeared, standing besides the doorway. Behind him was Ludwig, his hair neatly groomed and he was in his casual attire, a simple blue pikeur tailcoat over his ruffled white shirt.
Francine looked up, as she turned around to faced the door. "Come in," She announced as the royal guard nodded and stand to the side, letting Ludwig entered the room first, before he followed in.
"Your majesty," Ludwig said politely, hesitating slightly, more like a question instead of a greeting.
Francine grunted. "Enough with the formalities. I haven't got used to it yet," She sighed, flashing a look at them.
Ludwig nodded, adding a soft smile. "I haven't gotten used to it, too." He said to her, before shifting his glance at his brother. "I heard father's muttering about you," He said, as Gilbert rolled his eyes.
"I know that, hence I shall go and change," Gilbert flashed a smile, making a mock bow before strolling out the room, whistling in a off-key tune. Francine leaned against the table, drumming her fingers along the side. Ludwig fidgeted slightly, scratching his arms, looking rather unconformable.
"Aren't you a little nervous?" Ludwig asked, breaking the silence. Francine shook her head.
"I really don't mind the whole coronation-"
"I meant the marriage," Ludwig interrupted her, his eyes gazed steadily at her. Francine felt her heart plummeted slowly to her stomach. She frowned, nearly forgotten about her marriage to the prince. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted the royal guard stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"Queen Lovise just announced that she will arrive to the palace today," Ronan said swiftly. "She would be bringing her son, as well."
Francine straightened up, alarmed. "She couldn't possibly changed plans! Is my father notified of this?" She asked the guard, her voice brimming with shock. The boy nodded his head.
"Just a couple minutes ago," He replied to her, as Francine slumped back, leaning against the table. Ludwig shook his head, muttering something. He set his eyes on the boy, frowning.
"She must be getting tired of the delay of the marriage," Ludwig said, glancing at Francine. She jumped up, throwing her arms in the air.
"But it's only been delayed for year, that was the time when I was sick and couldn't even move and that was her idea to moved the date up to now," Francine scowled, folding her arms. "It wasn't like I dislike marrying a man that everyone swoons upon seeing him."
"And did anyone swoon and faint when you lay your eyes at them?" Ludwig countered, a small smile escaped from his lips. Immediately, Francine thought of a boy in her mind. It was when she was in a carriage, waving to the people she went by, until she came across a house, and saw him, gazing from the window. She could remembered clearly of his hair. Red. His steady forest green eyes gazed at her. She remembered the tightness in her chest, the longer she looked at him. His eyes was hollow and melancholy, the sadness behind his eyes. Francine parted her lips, as the image of the boy planted firmly in her mind. Francine, get a hold of yourself. Francine scowled to herself.
"Francine, are you blushing?" Ludwig smiled just as Francine looked up at her brother. She widened her eyes, covering her face with her hands. Her heart raced momentarily but relief washed over her when she realized Ludwig's referring to the prince.
"I know that, thanks for the commentary," Francine huffed, still covering her face. She peeked out from her hands, seeing Ludwig and Ronan next to the doorway, murmuring softly. She moved her head slightly to her right, searching for Ludwig's expression. He frowned heavily, flexing his fingers. Francine grew worried, she knew that a news is coming, usually it's bad. Of course, Ronan maintained a neutral expression, just like any other elite royal guards do. But Ronan are close to them and understand every personal events from their life. Ronan tightened his lips into a straight line, as he listened to boy, that Francine is unfamiliar with, possibly another guard. Francine strained her ears to listen to their conversation, but the low murmurings are hard to comprehend.
Ludwig nodded his head, solemnly. "Thank you, Antonio, you're dismissed."
Francine suddenly remembered his face from her several visits to the royal guards' headquarters. Antonio was one of the familiar faces that she seen in the headquarters. She heard several rumors about him, that he was born in the seas and that he was a son of the kingdoms' greatest hunter of the seas. Antonio hasn't say much about himself, but admitted that he, indeed, was born on the ship.
Antonio bowed his head, before he retreated away. Francine slowly dropped her hands down to her side, as Ludwig turned his head to face her.
"What is it?" She asked, quietly. Ludwig tensed slightly, swiftly glanced at Ronan before he answered.
"Queen Lovise's younger sister is also staying here, the Queen's request," He responded, looking away. He muttered softly under his breath and slowly paced around the room, nervously.
Francine furrowed her brows together, fearing those words. The Queen's younger sister used to be her tutor, teaching her fight with a sword and compete with other guards. She's a bit bitter and harsh, unlike her older sister, who's more poised and graceful. It was rough for the first few years but soon Francine grown used to her sword and managed to win every fights, except for Ronan.
"I suggest both of you to prepare of their arrival," Ronan spoke, in his calm manner. Francine had to admit that the boy had his ways to effect on people, even Ludwig calmed a bit and stopped paced around the room. "Your father should be waiting for you at the main hall," He added.
Francine stood up, gazing sternly at Ronan. "Tell Gilbert as well about the news. Tell him to come prepared." She said, as Ronan nodded and quickly left the room, holding the door for Ludwig to exit, before bowing again at Francine, and gently closed the door shut. She waited for the footsteps to died down, before she quickly moved to the window, opening its window. The cool wind fluttered against the drapes, as she leaned forward, propping her elbows on the sills. She sighed, closing her eyes. Below her, she could hear the clamor of sounds echoing across the courtyard. People bustling frantically to prepare any last minute decorations and the banquet. Her mind raced nervously as she drew back from the clamor, silently closing the window. Francine slowly went across the room, opening the door. Peering around the hallway, she quickly slipped out of the room, strolling down the corridor, her heels echoing against walls. She went downstairs, her hands lightly gripping on the handrail, until the warm essence of light caught her eyes. She stopped on the floor, slowly walking into the grand halls, her eyes spotted them. She tried to smile at them, but her face grew hollow and heavy.
Gilbert caught her expression, frowning, as he walked over to her.
"Hey, are you all right?" He asked softly. Francine shook her head. She sighed as she wished she would sugar-coated her reply, but truth always matters in her family, ever since her father, or even better, her foster father took her in as a child when he found her at the war-torn village. Although she couldn't remembered much of her past, expect for her tattered and dirtied handmade doll that she always carried around. It was given to her from a woman that she never met before. But she remembered the woman's cries mixed along with fresh newborn's.
Francine shook her head again, pressing down her dress with her hands. She straighten her posture, to look formal as possible, as she beckoned Ronan closer.
"Have the party ready to greet her, I expect everyone looking their best today and tonight." She told him in a brief whisper. Ronan dipped his head with acknowledgment as he took a step back before heading to the courtyard. Francine turned to glanced at her father with a smile.
"You seem ready," King Fabius said to her, Francine couldn't help but to look away.
"I don't look ready," She insisted again, sighing heavily.
"Yet," He quickly countered, before Francine could rebutted further, her father turned his gaze at his sons, his eyes soften slightly.
"Gilbert, try not to horrified our guests, especially the queen," King Fabius spoke, as Gilbert blinked his eyes before responded with a mild nod. "And Ludwig, try to act less...fidgety?"
Ludwig suppressed a faint smile, shifting his feet nervously. Gilbert cleared his throat, nudging his brother's arm gently. "Put your arms down, you look like a man who's trying to find his change," He whispered into Ludwig's ear.
Ludwig's face burned with embarrassment, as he quickly set his arms to his side. "But it itches," He mumbled to himself, avoiding the glare from his father.
"It'll be fine," growled King Fabius, as he faltered his voice as someone slipped back inside, holding several winter cloaks bundled around his arms. Francine watched Antonio handing the cloaks to them, before he came over and handed hers. Francine touched the softness of the cloak, as Antonio helped her put on the cloak. It felt cool but it soon began to warm a little. Feeling comfortable inside, she turned around, thanking Antonio.
Antonio smiled back at Francine, before leading the way to the courtyard. The breath of cold air hit her face hard and icy, as she buried herself deeper in her cloak, her face started to turned rosy red, stinging with the bitter wind. She could hear Gilbert shivered slightly besides her. Turning her head to the side, she spotted Ronan and several other guards stand in a formation, a straight row. They didn't have to wait long for the first carriage to roll by into the courtyard, followed by another one.
The first carriage parked near to them, as Ronan went up to it, slowly opening the door. A head appears from the carriage, glancing around, before he slipped out from the carriage. His vivid icy blue eyes fell onto Francine, a smile curled up against his lips. Francine's heart jolted, pounding against her rib cage. Ronan outstretched his hand to help escort the man down the carriage but he turned down his offer, or perhaps he didn't see since his eyes was set at Francine, as he climbed down from the carriage.
The man headed towards Francine, lifting her slender hands, before planting a soft kiss on the back of the palm. He quickly gazed at her, regaining his posture. Francine bit her lips, hating that the kiss still tingled in her skin, she rubbed her hand as she glanced back at the man.
"Matthias," She spoke, her voice slightly wavered as he smiled again at her.
"Francine," Matthias quipped, imitating her tone. Matthias glanced towards where her brothers are, as he mustered a greeting before he pay respect to King Fabius.
Francine switched her attention the two horseback riders, a tall man with glasses dismounted from his horse as he slowly walked to the second carriage, opening the door. A ivory skin hand reached out to meet the man's hand, before a woman appeared out from the carriage. The man's long blue coat fluttered against the wind as he stepped back, helping the woman land on the ground. Her beautifully ruffled violet dress swirled around her feet as she slowly stride towards them.
Matthias looked back, seeing the woman, a smile yet appeared again. "This is my mother, Queen Lovise," He said.
A/N: Normally I planned to make this longer, but after a while I started to realized I'm over my word limit, so I decided to divide up this chapter into two parts. I know it's confusing to some people about Francine's two brothers are Gilbert and Ludwig, but I did stressed out the word half-brother, meaning Francine aren't exactly related to them. There's actually a reason why I made these three as siblings. Germania actually consists of several tribes throughout Europe and some of the tribes are in a region where, today, is France ( the other part of France belonged to other groups such as Gauls and Celts). Language wise, French was part of the Germanic speaking language. From the 3rd century, Western Europe was invaded by Germanic tribes from the north and east, and some of these groups settled in Gaul. The Franks invaded the northern part of France during that time period, thus combining the existing dialects of the Roman Gauls and the Franks, created the old Frankish, or ancient French.