Author's Note: Sorry it's taken me so long to get this updated. I've been busy. Fortunately, I have something of a backlog of chapters, so I should be able to keep up with the story. I also apologize if it's moving rather slow. Can't be helped; there's a lot of set up I want to do. This is going to be a rather long fic; up to eight chapters, including the prologue, and that's just introduction. Thanks to my beta Storm. Anyway. Please R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Gundam Wing characters or story. I'm merely borrowing them for a bit. Anyway, I don't have any money to be sued for.
The kingdom of Century was widespread, a tribute to the greatness of their army. They had conquered every kingdom that they encountered, and there were many who thought that it would keep expanding. There was no one to stand against them.
Not at first, anyway. But then reports had started coming in from the border regions that a new army was slowly encroaching on Century. It was slowly but surely taking territory for it's own. And so far, there had been nothing that could stop the army's inexorable advance.
As it took more of Century, reports became clearer. It was the army of Romefeller, lead by the king's own nephew, or at least so the rumor claimed. No one in Century was terribly clear as to why Romefeller was invading, but it became apparent that they were not the only victim. They were invading everyone.
Noventa frowned at the reports coming in from the front lines. He wasn't terribly sure who was in command of the Romefeller army (he gave little weight to uncorroborated rumors), but whoever was leading the armywas certainly a military genius. He wasn't too clear on the losses the enemy was suffering, but it was clearly a smaller number than Century was.
He had a headache. Things really couldn't go on like this. His kingdom was taking staggering losses. Is this what comes of empire building? His predecessor had been a great fool. When Noventa had inherited the throne of Century after the bloodless coup four years ago, he had also inherited a diplomatic nightmare. After the wholesale destruction of Sanc and the general murder of Sanc's royal family fifteen years previously, Century had had no friends. Not that it had stopped the former king from conquering all their surrounding neighbors. All of the countries neighboring Century were afraid they were next, and many people had tried to rebel. Such insurgencies had been ruthlessly dealt with by the former king, and there were mass graves dotting the countryside to prove it.
But Noventa was different in many ways, and had spent his rule trying to rebuild diplomatic relationships and more importantly, much needed trust. At the present time, most people had grudgingly accepted rule under Century law. There were exceptions: gypsies swore allegiance to no one and never had, and there was the remnants of a conquered kingdom in the desert who still refused to acknowledge it.
There was a critical lack of data in the current situation. Some regions fell so easily that it was practically a given that the citizens had rebelled, welcoming the Romefeller army, and Noventa didn't know why. Did they really think Century was so bad?
He needed to open diplomatic channels to Romefeller. That clearly should have been done before, so that at least he wouldn't have been taken by surprise by being invaded. Maybe the current situation could be defused. He was privately of the opinion that Century was too big, and would be quite willing to cede territory to Romefeller. He just wanted a peaceful end to the conflict.
He sighed, and caught the eye of a waiting servant. "Can you please fetch Lord Darlien?" Darlien was the best diplomat in Century, and almost fanatically devoted to peace. It had been because of him that there was progress in rebuilding diplomatic ties. Even if people didn't trust Noventa, or Century itself, they tended to trust Darlien.
He counted himself lucky that Darlien had decided to remain in Century. After the fall of the Sanc kingdom, few would have blamed him if he had fled. But he had stayed, doing what he could to keep the damage under control. What Century would do without Darlien… He was getting older, and some had already suggested gently to him that he should retire. At least he had been grooming his daughter Relena to take his place. Noventa had met her once or twice, and she had her father's way of gently manipulating people. At the age of sixteen, she showed every evidence of being a wonderful diplomat.
Something occurred to Noventa. He knew that while King Dermail had no children, he did have a nephew who was only a few years older than Relena. Noventa's own children were grown and married, and his granddaughter was far too young for him to consider marrying her off. If a political marriage was necessary, Relena would be the logical candidate, nearly the only candidate. He sighed again. He'd have to speak to Darlien about that as well. He didn't look forward to it; Darlien was extremely protective of his daughter.