Steve knew the moment the man entered the throne room he wasn't like the others. Not only was he significantly younger than the old men who made of the kings of the lands Steve had just conquered, he didn't carry himself like any noble would. Steve had to fight down a smile every time he tilted his head too far forward in an effort to keep his eyes firmly glued to the floor because his circlit was precariously placed at best. Steve was honestly amazed it didn't clatter to the floor as he, alongside the other kings, knelt in front of Steve's throne.

But it didn't and so Steve took a moment to just enjoy what else was happening. He had all the great kings kneeling at his feet (well, almost all of them, but it was hardly an irritation to attack The Hydra Union again and make his point to Alexander Pierce personally). This had been his goal for years; the conclusion of over a decade of planning and training. Of organizing and struggling and and bloodshed now, finally, they had succeeded.

He had put an end to the incessant wars and united all the territories into one country.

Steve felt a little vindictively pleased as he stood from his throne and paced in front of the old kings, knocking their crowns off one by one until he reached the obvious not-king. "And who are you?" He asked and the man flinched subtly.

"My l-lord Pierce's heir, sire." He stuttered. Steve had to fight down a smile; teasing him was honestly fun and it was becoming more obvious by every passing moment this man was not nobility, nor did it seem likely Pierce had sent him as some kind of assassin or agent. He was a proxy meant to do nothing more than die in Pierce's place. And if Steve wasn't wrong, the man knew it.

"I wasn't aware he was married nor did I believe he had any children." Steve answered and again the man flinched.

"He-he isn't. Doesn't. I'm, uh, his ward. Sire. My name is James." The man, James, shrunk down in a way that didn't suit his build nor the station he was claiming to have.

"James." Steve repeated, trying for something soft. A small amount of the tension in James' shoulds eased, until Steve said "Stand up." He swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment fearfully before he stood, keeping his head bowed.

Steve walked around James slowly, studying him from head to toe. There were all kinds of little things that confirmed Steve's theory; the clothes were made of expensive material, but hastily tailored and not nearly as perfect a fit as they appeared at a distance. His boots were old and well worn, scuffed up in a way no noble would be seen wearing. And of course, the circlet. It wasn't silver like it might first appear but something cheaper and lighter and not nearly designed carefully enough to be genuine.

Steve stepped up close to James' back, close enough to feel the heat of the other man's body. Leaning in close to his ear Steve tapped the circlet. "Keep bowing like a servant and you'll lose your crown." Steve whispered and James flinched again. This close, Steve could feel the way he started trembling. "Do you think I'm a fool?"

"No." Steve started slightly at James' quick answer and then smiled a little at the confidence in it. James was frightened, understandably, but thankfully not dumb.

"Good. Then how about you tell me the truth. What did Pierce threaten to make you play his heir and die in his place?" Steve asked, still in a hushed voice that made James shiver.

James swallowed hard, but seemed to resign himself as he took a deep breath. "He saved my life and gave me a job. I owe him a life debt." He answered, also quietly enough only the pair of them could hear.

Steve considered that for a moment. "Then if I spare your life now, would you owe me one too?" Steve asked. James jerked away from him suddenly, the circlet finally tumbling from it's precarious resting place, and whirled around to face him. Now that James had his head up Steve got a good look at the lovely features of his face. He looked a bit rough around the edges perhaps, but he was far from an unattractive man.

His blue eyes were particularly stunning and abruptly a plan formed in Steve's mind. It was a bit wild, perhaps, but then his unorthodox strategies had won him his empire. So he smiled and gently ran his thumb over James' cheek bone. James looked startled, but there was something hopeful in his expression that hasn't been there before.

Steve released his face and stepped back. "Sam." Steve ordered without looking away from James so he saw the way the hope faded. His friend stepped up beside them, waiting for Steve's order. "Escort him to the bathhouse to get cleaned up and commission some new attire for him that fits properly. After all, it wouldn't do to introduce my fiance to the citizenry in dirty boots and borrowed clothing."

James looked surprised and confused, but the hope was back and it made Steve's smile turn into more of a smirk.

"Of course, sire." Sam knew him well and had no doubt already figured out Steve's plan. It wouldn't surprise him either to find out Clint and Natasha were already working behind the scenes to make sure everything went smoothly.

James didn't start to move even as Sam gently pulled his arm; instead he stared intently at Steve and offered a quiet confused "fiance?"

Steve nodded and stepped forward slightly, using one hand on James' hip and the other around the back of the brunet's neck to draw him close. They fit together surprisingly naturally. "Of course. I think you're simply stunning and a marriage between myself and Pierce's heir would surely be to the benefit of us both, as well as our people. Don't you think?" Steve made sure to speak clearly, letting everyone in the room hear it.

Pierce's spies, and Steve had no doubt there was at least one, would report to the man exactly what Steve wanted them to; that Steve had instantly fallen for and was now engaged to Pierce's heir. Even if Pierce "disinherited" James, James would now forever be under Steve's protection and Pierce's people would no doubt become confused. It wouldn't take much more to get them on his side after that and Pierce had given him the perfect chess piece. Steve's Queen, and he couldn't wait to see a proper crown on James' head.