September 2715, Manhattan Kingdom
The Grand Ballroom of the St. Regis sparkled, filled with the nobility of the Manhattan kingdom decked in their finest sipping wine from golden goblets and indulging in delicate pastries and opulent desserts. A beautiful cake, standing twenty feet high graced the center of the room, crowned with an exquisite replica of the St. Regis palace entirely made of sugar. A fountain spewed the highest quality wine close by, satisfying even the most discerning of palates.
Women danced around the room like butterflies, in colorful silks that swayed gracefully to the sounds of the string quartet. The men who partnered them were smartly dressed in tailored suits, and moved with an effortless elegance.
But all the glittering opulence paled beside the woman who was the center of court.
Caroline glowed, and would have drawn the eyes of all men even if she was not Queen. Caroline was surrounded by a crowd of eligible young men from around the kingdom, all vying for her favor. Caroline reveled in the attention, drawing them closer with a dazzling smile and quick wit. Her allure was undeniable, and combined with her beauty and position of power, most of the young men of the court had quickly fallen victim to her charm.
Tyler stood at her right side as if he belonged there, ready to anticipate any need Caroline might have. He watched in growing annoyance as Caroline lavished her attention on the Duke of Albany's son for much longer than he deemed necessary. Caroline's tinkling laugh and flirtatious smile, grated on his nerves as it always did when directed at someone else. Someone that wasn't him. Unable to watch any longer, Tyler arrogantly grabbed her hand as a new song struck up.
"Your Majesty, I do believe you promised me a dance?" Tyler said, pulling her to the floor and away from her many admirers.
Caroline had seen the flash of jealousy on his face, and felt a flush of triumph.
"I should reprimand you for your breach of protocol- not to mention manners," she scolded even as she admired how he looked in his perfectly fitted pale gray suit, blue tie matching the color of her dress. Her favorite color.
Tyler smiled assuredly as he pulled her closer.
"But you will not. Because now you can entrance all your many admirers with your superior dancing skills."
Caroline laughed lightly, before glancing over Tyler's shoulder. Her Lord Chancellor, Lord Alaric, gave her a dour look of disapproval behind his thick rimmed spectacles. Caroline frowned briefly, knowing where his disapproval originated from. He disapproved of her dancing with Tyler. He disapproved of her flirting. He disapproved of her acting like a young Queen of eighteen.
There was no man in the world that Caroline trusted more than Lord Alaric, and she respected his advice and knowledge immensely. However, she felt a rush of resentment. Why should she not dance and flirt and do what she liked? She was beautiful and young and she was the Queen. She would do as she pleased, Lord Alaric be damned, she thought rebelliously.
Caroline turned back to Tyler and threw herself into the dance with renewed vigor, her hands wrapping around his neck, idly running through his neatly cropped brown hair.
Hours later, Caroline and Tyler were still on the dance floor, Caroline laughing and breathing heavily. Tyler watched her, his eyes heavy with desire, his hands firmly placed on her hips. He pulled her closer, his eyes drifting down to her lips.
Lord Alaric suddenly materialized at Caroline's side and cleared his throat noisily, breaking the heated moment. Caroline sighed and turned to her Lord Chancellor. He stood out like a sore thumb among the butterflies and peacocks, in his understated grey suit that made him look all of his sixty years.
"Lord Alaric, you look quite dark and serious," Caroline mocked. "Is the kingdom under attack then?"
Lord Alaric cleared his throat again, and gave her an accusatory look, "No, Your Majesty, not that I am aware of."
"Good," Caroline said sharply. "Then lighten up. It's a party after all."
Tyler chuckled and squeezed Caroline's waist, while Lord Alaric watched suspiciously.
"Yes," Lord Alaric answered with dry composure. "I noticed. While I hate to interrupt the revelries, I need to speak with you."
Caroline looked at him expectantly. "Well? What is it?"
Lord Alaric looked pointedly at Tyler, "This is a conversation best had alone, your Majesty. As it is in relation to the safety of your kingdom."
Tyler bristled, ready to stand his ground against the dour Lord Chancellor.
Caroline rolled her eyes at the two men, and stepped free of Tyler's grasp.
"Tyler, I think it's best if you go cool off in the gardens while I speak to Lord Alaric."
Tyler was about to protest, then saw the warning in Caroline's eyes as she transformed from the laughing girl to the regal Queen. Instead, he leaned over to kiss her hand, lingering a bit longer than entirely appropriate.
"Your wish is my command, my Queen," he murmured huskily.
Caroline favored him with a heated smile, before turning away and leading her Lord Chancellor away from the dance floor, so they could talk in privacy. Once they had reached a deserted corner of the room, Caroline turned to Lord Alaric, a petulant look replacing her earlier smile.
"Alright, My Lord. What is this grave news that affects the safety of my kingdom? That cannot wait until after the dancing?"
"The Southern kingdoms are building an army," Lord Alaric answered succinctly.
This immediately had Caroline's attention, as she paled noticeably. There had been rumors of the Southern kingdom mobilizing for months now. But Caroline knew that Lord Alaric was not one to panic over a rumor. He trafficked in facts.
"How do you know this?" Caroline questioned urgently.
"My intelligencers reported to me tonight that the rumors are indeed true. King Marcellus has assembled an army, though we are not sure of the target."
Caroline held onto that, grasping for straws. "It is possible he is turning his attention to Washington D.C. They are weak, easy prey..."
"And after that?" Lord Alaric said urgently. "You know as well as I do, he will turn his eyes North once again. He has been waiting for the right opportunity, for a sliver of weakness."
"And I am the weakness," Caroline said bitterly. "An untried Queen. Would our armies hold?"
Lord Alaric shook his head. "If you are asking if it is a war we could win, the answer is I don't know. King Marcellus is a brilliant commander, his solders brutal. But we don't have to fight alone. Our only hope is a strong alliance, one that makes us stronger and gives King Marcellus pause."
Caroline sighed, knowing exactly what an alliance meant. The sacrifice of her freedom, sold to the highest bidder. "And when the time comes, I will sacrifice myself for this kingdom, do not worry."
"That time has come, Your Majesty. May I recommend sending to the court of New England? King Niklaus is young, one of the most eligible bachelors-"
"And a known womanizer! A jumped-up commoner who murdered his own King to steal the throne!" Caroline interrupted, not bothering to hide her disgust.
"And unequivocally the best soldier in all of the Kingdoms. His men are utterly loyal to him, would follow him to hell if need be," Lord Alaric responded quickly, trying to appeal to her reason.
"I'm sure that is exactly where he is going," Caroline muttered angrily.
"His army could save our kingdom. Prevent the Southern Kingdoms from fighting against us. And don't forget the rebels Rhode Island managed to infiltrate into the city, preaching about the end of the monarchy. We cannot afford a war right now, Your Majesty. Especially at the beginning of your reign," Lord Alaric entreated urgently.
Caroline glared at her Lord Chancellor, some part of her knew she was blaming him unfairly, but she couldn't help it. They both knew that when it came down to it, she would do whatever she must to keep her kingdom safe, her parents' legacy intact. That didn't mean she had to like it.
"Fine," she said abruptly. "Send word to the Butcher-I'm sorry I mean King Niklaus- that we wish for him to come to Manhattan to discuss future relations between our kingdoms. Write whatever you think best. And now, I am going to go back to the party and enjoy my last few days of freedom."
Lord Alaric shifted uncomfortably, causing Caroline to stop and search Lord Alaric's face shrewdly. "Unless, of course, there is something else you wanted to discuss?"
"You are right, as usual Your Majesty," Lord Alaric continued bluntly. "I think it is best you send Lord Tyler away during King Niklaus's visit."
Caroline eyes blazed with anger. "Is that so? And why, Lord Alaric, do you think that would be best?"
"Your Majesty, there is talk. In fact, the court is full of rumors all saying the same thing. That you will not marry for a strong alliance, but instead will marry Lord Tyler for your own pleasure."
Caroline scoffed, "That is preposterous. The man is married for god's sake."
"And as Queen, it is in your power to dissolve that marriage," Lord Alaric answered. "I don't think Lord Tyler believes it is quite so far-fetched. Nor does it help that your uncle is doing all he can to help spread these rumors, broadcasting his avuncular concerns to all who will listen."
Caroline smiled bitterly, "Don't worry, Lord Chancellor. I know my duty, regardless of what Lord Tyler or the court thinks. And I will manage my dear Uncle Mason. He thinks he can manipulate me, but he will soon find out that I know the game better than he thinks, know his moves before he even thinks to makes them. He always was a terrible chess player." Caroline smiles with a glint of anticipation.
"As for your advice in regards to Tyler," Caroline continued, her smile gone. "I will take it into consideration. But if I send him away it will be because I want to, not to please you. Not because I am scared of my uncle. And certainly not to please King Niklaus. I am not a little girl to be scolded or ordered about. I am Queen and you would do best to remember that. Now, if you excuse me, I have a party and a dance partner to get back to."
Lord Alaric nodded and bowed deeply. He had served Caroline's parents long enough to recognize the haughty command for what it was. The end to the conversation.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Caroline nodded once, and walked back resolutely to the dance floor calling impatiently for music and Lord Tyler. Tonight she would act the young Queen with no reservations, and damn the consequences.