Kurzheim, the Southern Isles
August 29th, 1840
2 days until the Queen Dowager's visit
Fritz fell into formation with his new Company, having finished recruit training a few days ago. While training continued as always, he had been given much more liberty. Things didn't change too much, as there was a considerable upheaval and reorganizing in the ranks. Over half the officer corps was dismissed or resigned, meaning officers suddenly found themselves in much higher positions.
Fritz had been sent to Company A from the training company, but it wasn't long before the now-Captain Schmidt was assigned as their Company Commander. Fritz was still trying to get a read on what kind of officer Schmidt was. The fact he was still here was a good sign, of course. The only serious change was the inclusion of Lieutenants to lead the Platoons, and the First Sergeant. The First Sergeant was the senior NCO in the Company, and was the CO's right hand man in regards to discipline and training. Theirs was Oversergent Olsen. The 39 year old NCO was below average height, with grey hair and moustache. With a face scared by pox, wind and blades, he was a grizzled looking man.
Olsen had spent his entire life in the army, to the point that he was a drummer boy in Napoleon's Grande Armée. Rumor had it he survived the Russian Campaign of 1812. If that was true, he was one tough son of a bitch. While not a drill master on the level of Wulfhart, Olsen appeared to be better at demonstrating practical combat drills.
It was time for Weekly duty assignment, and everyone was crossing their fingers. One Platoon, out of the 9 in the Battalion was going to get the short straw- Manor Guard duty. The duty was bad enough as is, with NCOs and officers going off the handle for minor flaws with Kit and constant drill practice. Plus, some VIP was coming to Kurzheim so they would be under a microscope the whole time.
The Company formed, Olsen performed an about face, saluting Schmidt, quietly addressing the younger man, before Schmidt saluted in return. Olsen then stepped to the side as Schmidt stepped forward to address the men.
"Good Morning, Gentlemen." As trained, the men responded with a similar greeting. "As you know, it's time for weekly duties assignment. As it stands, 1st Platoon will perform Camp details, 2nd Platoon is to conduct training, and 3rd Platoon has been selected for Manor Guard duty."
Fritz muttered a curse. He was assigned to 3rd Platoon.
"As the Platoon handling Manor Guard, 3rd Platoon will also be the first to receive a replacement officer. Lieutenant Bondsen is to meet you at the manor for further briefing. Stay sharp, and do as you're told. Make the Company proud. Dismissed."
Fritz fell out and made his way over to begin collecting his kit for the march to the Manor. It was going to be a long week.
…
August 30th 1840,
The day before
"Still no news, my lord."
Hans groaned. While certainly worried about his Grandmother's visit, that didn't mean his plans would stop. Hans believed in the "First Hundred Days." That the first 100 days of rule where crucial in setting the tempo for the rest of his reign. To lose steam or initiative during this period would relegate his rule to mediocrity. As such, he had been working non-stop during this period.
And yet there was only so much he could do. No one was interested in seriously investing in Kurzheim possible Porcelain industry. A few had meekly contributed funds and support, but no-one really wanted to go toe-to-toe against Royal Copenhagen. No one except a man named Gregers Sendsen.
When Hans purged the Officer Corps, a number of civilian officials had gotten the message: times were changing. As such, one such official was the Magistrate for Kanton. Hans had chosen a Gregers Sendsen as a replacement, due to his background in managing mines. Shortly after arriving, Sendsen had discovered Hans' inquiries for investment, and Sendsen had offered to foot most of the bill.
Hans sighed and entered the meeting hall. Waiting for him was Sandsen, rising to greet his new Lord.
"Ah, My Lord! Pleasure to meet you!"
"Likewise, Mr. Sandsen. I hope your voyage wasn't too unpleasant?"
"It was a good as what can be expected, my Lord. Now, I hear you have a proposition for me?"
"Yes. I have recently discovered Kaolin in the clay surrounding Kanton, making the material excellent for Porcelain production. If we had a good facility set up, we could begin making Porcelain. Good Porcelain."
"And you only need a Partner? My Lord I would be more than pleased to be that man for you. I assume the factory would be located in Kanton?"
Hans was both ecstatic and suspicious. As Magistrate, Sandsen would be highly susceptible to corruption as both the employer and administrator of the town. Not to mention a sizeable concentration of power on Kurzheim- easily abused power. However, He wasn't dealing with a list of candidates, or even a short list. It was this shady man, or nothing. As much as Hans smelled a trap, Hans had no choice. He would make a deal with the devil. He wasn't going to be stupid however. The Facility had to be close, but there was no way he was letting it be with Kanton's jurisdiction.
He put on a diplomatic, warm smile and shook the man's hand. "I am glad to hear that you would be gracious enough to be a business partner. Unfortunately though, we had already decided to locate the factory near Forladtnr, to facilitate shipping." It was bullshit, but he was the lord. Sandsen couldn't really do much even if he could prove he lied. But Sandsen wasn't going to take the blow laying down, either.
"I see. In our case, a two prong approach is best. I put funds forth into the clay pits of Kanton, increasing raw material production and shipment, while you commit your funds to building the Factory and hiring workers on that end."
It was a clever idea, which offered Sandsen what he wanted. To develop the clay pit was the less risky of the two ventures: if the Porcelain factory failed, he could easily sell to the various pottery cottage industry on Kurzheim, while cutting workers and wages. And he still had control over the Porcelain plant, by controlling the materiel needed to make the goods. On the other hand, he was also giving up claim to the real money maker, the factory itself.
Hans nodded, agreeing to the plan of action, even if he was very uneasy about his new "partner." He would pay more than he had wanted, meaning a smaller plant than intended, which was unfortunate. But he was more worried about the jackal of a man he had invited to work with. He would talk to Wagner later about this. If anyone on Kurzheim needed watching, it was Sandsen.
…
Hans and Johanna had started their evening meal, and were quick to discuss a few things, namely, the last meal: lunch with Gregers Sandsen.
"You know that man is a weasel, right?"
"Sandsen? Yes, of course. Why, have you met?"
"No, but I have heard of him. Man is one of the most ruthless industrialists out there. Most would fire strikers or troublemakers. Sandsen makes them disappear."
"That is… unsettling. Know anything else?"
"Well, I know his activities eventually forced him to sell his mine and 'retire', and that despite his charm and manners, he's not exactly one you would be proud to declare a friend."
"Figures the only man who wants to do business with me is another monster. Any weaknesses?"
"Well, his only son is a bit of a wimp, really. We might be able to use him to get at his father, if need be."
Hans paused, amazed that the demure woman in front of him just put blackmail and possible hostage taking as a viable option. Maybe he had underestimated Johanna…
As he pondered that thought, another unusual but regular sight occurred. A woman wearing a maid's uniform came up to the table, bowing to Lady Johanna before sitting down to eat near her. Tall, with golden hair held back in a white head piece, matching her white apron and black dress. At first glance this woman would blend in with the other maids, but an attentive eye could catch differences. Her apron, while used was far whiter betraying lack of use, than most of the other maid's. Also, her dress was of better quality and material, revealing a better salary.
Hans had recognized the woman as Johanna's maid of honor from the wedding, and had figured the woman to be her Lady in waiting. When asked however, she had insisted she was just a maid, to the point of not even giving her name. This mystery ended tonight.
"So, Johanna, care to introduce your Lady-in-waiting?"
The woman paused bringing up a spoonful of soup, attempting to deflect the attention. Her green eyes shot daggers as she straightened her posture.
"My lord, I am but a maid-"
"Clearly. That's why you eat with the lady almost every night, instead of with the other staff. And why my housekeeping staff does not have you on the books. You clearly were a maid, as the staff knows your name, and is very loyal to you as I haven't hear as much as a peep about you, but let's not fool ourselves."
"Her name is Kristina. She's my personal maid, and has been since we were both children. She's a dear friend to me, and that's all you need to know."
Hans nodded, willing to take his small victory. He was puzzled over both ladies intense defensive attitude on the subject, but he was not willing to stick his hand into the badgers nest, especially before such a crucial event as tomorrow. He would let sleeping dogs lie.
…
Kristina closed and locked the door to the North Wing of the Keep behind her, as she lifted the lantern and made her way through the hallway. Of the three wings that jutted out from the central keep, the north was the smallest, with the Upstairs being the most restricted ward. Formerly the childcare wing, the wing was repurposed by Johanna into her private sanctum. While Hans was certainly allowed access, Johanna had subtlety hinted that he was a visitor there, not a resident. Kristina was the only staff allowed access, as not even Klara ventured here.
Johanna had kept and updated her childhood bedroom, while Kristina stayed in the old Nanny's room. The other rooms, once meant to be rooms for other children, had become Johanna's personal library, study, and hobby room. It was not too difficult to keep a few rooms clean, especially when the only one using them was as neat as Lady Johanna was.
Kristina entered her Lady's room, to see Johanna preparing for bed, already in her evening gown. Kristina had already prepared the room for the evening, and was only was checking one last time to ensure everything was to her mistress and friend's expectation, as well as talk in some privacy.
She turned the lock so the door would lock when the door was closed and she stepped in.
"Anything else, My Lady?"
"You can cut that out you know. I really don't care what Hans thinks of our… friendship."
"He still puts me off, Johanna. So I'm careful. Besides, he may get jealous."
"I don't care what he thinks Kristina. Not yet anyways."
She looked at Franz's portrait, pausing with sorrow.
"He was a good man, Johanna, but you need to stop torturing yourself over him!"
"I don't know Kristina. I'm open to the possibility of loving Hans now, but it still feels wrong! Like I'm betraying him…"
"Well, Hans being a bastard aside, Franz would want you to be happy. It's been three years, it's not wrong to find another man to love. We can never replace Franz, but it's not wrong for a young, beautiful woman such as yourself to move on."
Johanna nodded, having avoided another crying spell thanks to the sage advice of her oldest friend. Kristina decided a change of conversation, and mood, was needed.
"Besides, to be fair, you haven't been completely loyal to Franz, you know. And I've been wondering if your marriage changes things. Like it did with Franz." Kristina added while smiling devilishly.
"No, Hans isn't there yet." Johanna smiled back, while sitting on her bed. "It's been since before I got married, hasn't it?"
"I haven't pushed things, because of concern over your marriage, my lady." Kristina gently kicked the door closed with her heel of her shoe, locking them in from the outside world. "Care for a revisit of the old days, before the Grandmother arrives?" Kristina closed in, gently stroking Johanna's cheek.
"I don't see any reason not to…"
With that the two women locked lips, as Kristina gently pushed Johanna onto the perfectly made bed, while undoing the bow holding her apron in place. Johanna's hand fumbled for the lamp, extinguishing the lamp, leaving the two to continue their passion in the darkness.
…
August 31st, 1840
Mere moments before the Queen Dowager's visit.
The Pier of Forladtnr was a cesspool of organized chaos. The Queen's ship was sailing into harbor as last minute changes and planning was conducted. Soldiers from 3rd platoon scrambled from place to place as the site where their formation was to be held kept changing, leading to both Oleg and the newly promoted Sergeant Major Wulfhart becoming quite agitated. Everything was about image, to the point that even Wulfhart wore the Southern Isle white rather than the Prussian blue. The Regimental musicians stood by to play the Nation Anthem, among other things.
On the civilian side, Hans and Johanna struggled to position the staff in a neat and orderly formation, as the skeleton staff still on duty rushed to finish preparations for the Queen Dowager's arrival. Hans had been up since dawn, tired and weary from days of preparing while still not neglecting his duties. He had hardly noticed that Johanna had slept in, and her slightly improved mood. Even now, a stream of staff had been bringing concerns to him.
"My lord, what sheets am I to put out-"One maid began before being cut off.
"Green, the finest sheets we have in that regard. Use mine if need be!"
Chef Hauser ran up, out of breath. He had stayed at his post in the kitchen till the last second, preparing the kitchen for today. But there was details he needed. "My Lord, anything I should know about the Queen Dowager's taste in food?"
Hans' mind raced, trying to remember dinner with his Grandmother, if she had any obvious taste for certain dishes. Nothing.
"Klara!"
The older woman appeared behind him, black book in hand. "Yes my Lord?"
"Anything on the Queen Dowager's food tastes?"
She flipped quickly to a dog eared page, bringing up her reading glasses up for a moment, before letting them drop back to her chest, held up by a string around her neck. "No seafood, tolerates vegetables, enjoys baked goods."
"Chef Hauser."
"I can make do, my lord." He bowed and turned, swearing under his breath, as most of his ingredients were seafood. However, he had spare materials, and with hard work, the Queen Dowager would eat well tonight.
Hans turned, sweating as the ship edged alongside the pier, Sailors making preparations to dock onboard. On the Pier, the staff had finally sorted themselves out, forming a neat line. The Soldiers and Band moved a last time, before waiting at parade rest. Wiping away the sweat on his brow and checking his pocket watch, he straightened his uniform and moved to his assigned spot.
The official reception party consisted of Hans, Johanna, Klara, Oleg, and Kristina. The stood neatly, in silence as the Marines aboard the ship formed up, ready to present their official party. The first was the Captain, moving to the top of the gang plank as the moment they had waited for arrived.
Footsteps sounded, preempting an older woman who despite her age, still had a well-shaped figure and tremendous grace and beauty. Wearing a Grey Dress with green gemmed and golden cased jewelry and tiara, gloved hands and good boots, she walked smoothly and briskly for any non-sailor, let alone one in her early 60's. Her once vivid red hair only had a few dull streaks left in an otherwise grey mane, still quite impressive, as was her relative lack of wrinkles. She was the talk of royal courts everywhere, on just how a woman her age still looked decades younger. Not even Hans knew.
As she approached the plank, the Captain began to announce her titles.
"Presenting the Queen Dowager, mother to our beloved Queen and Grandmother to the Crown Prince-"
The Queen Dowager, propped herself up, clutching her hands as her blue eyes cast a cold glare at her Grandson, a stare that always proceeded a stern scolding. The Military band began a drum roll that would roll into the Nation anthem, as the Honor Guard gave preparatory command for Present Arms.
"-Queen Ariel, of the Southern Isles!"
The Command of Execution was given as the soldiers presented their rifles while their officers saluted sharply, with their colors lowered in salute. The Band rolled right into the national anthem as Queen Ariel calmly and gracefully strode off the ship, as the greeting party bowed. The former Queen quickly approached her grandson, coldly starting into his eyes as he recovered.
"You've been a bad boy, Hans."
Bit of Notes-
Good news is I finally got off of having 12 hours of duty every day. Bad news is I generally have 8 hours of tower guard, every day. At least in terms of 1 week on, one week off. So sadly, stuff still takes forever to update, and will likely continue to do so. However, in the Christmas spirit, I will TRY to post the start the next sequel to Faith and Duty around Christmas. Key word- TRY. Even our week off is technically patrol week, which means long missions, some lasting more than a day. As always, Hans' Fate will limp along, as governing and political games are not my strong suite, but it is fun.
Elephant in the room- Johanna and Kristina. I don't know why, but the idea popped in my head and it just made sense. Maybe it's my male mind being biased, but it does. However, for those of you worried this will become smut, don't. I still intend to keep this story "classy" and next chapter will go deeper into the two woman's relationship, explaining why they are a thing.
Also I don't write sex scenes. I just don't. I'm not afraid to tell people that characters are going to, or have had sex, but that is one thing I do not feel comfortable on. I'd be tempted to "contract" it out to other writers, but that would add stupidly long amounts of time to the already crappy 2+ week update time. I'm not opposed to the idea of doing so in the future, when I have much more time on my hands and adding a week of back and forth correspondence isn't such a bad thing. Then again, if you all react negatively to the idea, I have no problems with that. Certainly makes my life easier.
Second Elephant in the Room. Yes, that's Ariel from the little Mermaid. And Yes, Melody from the Little Mermaid 2 is Hans' mother. Let that sink in. Ha, couldn't help it. And yes, I did refer to the Ballroom scene from the latter movie, in which the young boy offering a dance to Melody being a very young King (then Sir) Frederick. The lore has the Southern Isles be effectively Denmark, and Eric is also hinted at being from Denmark, so I decided to mix the two universes together. Some changes will be made that might upset purists, but I do try to keep true to both Frozen and The Little Mermaid.
Glossary-
Queen Dowager- A widowed Queen. In countries where a King usually rules, or the crown passed down to the next generation, a Queen that survives her husband but doesn't take the crown is not just forgotten. If the Queen was the Mother of the sitting King, she becomes the Queen Mother. In this case, after King Eric passed, the crown passed to his Daughter's husband, King Frederick. Had Elsa married before her coronation, this is what would have likely happened.