Raeni felt a small bit of guilt at running off to her friends while her aunt was so distressed with the fire that had killed the crops, but it had only been a stray spark from a cigarette that had started it off and it wasn't like they didn't have more fields of edible plants. Besides, it had been made abundantly clear to Raeni that she would never need to worry about running a country so this development didn't concern her. Loki had already announced his desire to help them recover from the accident so they would be fine.
The princess was having too much fun to be overly worried about anything right now. Her boyfriend had readily taken her back when she'd told him the huge part she played in helping negotiate the treaty. She'd been out with him and her other friends since she'd been caught eavesdropping the day before. They took a trip to the mining village and attended a dance that was being held in celebration of the new alliance. The teenagers had danced until just before dawn and then climbed partway up Mount Kito to watch the sunrise.
"We were thinking we could go down to the fishing village later and take a boat out. Some of the guys want to try and get all the way to Puerto Rico." Her boyfriend told her.
"I'd love to," Raeni sighed, it would be so much fun to set foot on land off of the little island, "But the celebratory banquet is tonight. They'll be signing the treaty and I want to watch."
"Your aunt has finally done something right by signing." The boyfriend stated.
"Yeah," Raeni hated how he always disapproved of everything Aunt Lusca did, "Things can only get better from here on out, right?"
"Absolutely! Hey, you think you can get me in on that banquet thing?"
"Totally! You can go as my date!" She grinned and elbowed him playfully. He didn't smile back.
"Awesome."
"I'd better head back so the worrywort queen doesn't get too worried about me. I'll see you tonight, okay?" She kissed his cheek, rose, and began the hike down the mountainside.
When she got back to the palace she was humming a sappy song she'd heard on the TV and twirling her waist length blue hair around her fingers. She began dancing a bit as she strode down the halls to her aunt's room. The tune was silly, she knew, but it was so catchy and great for twirling around the palace.
Arriving at Lusca's bedroom door in the residence wing of the building, she was about to knock when she heard shouting from inside. Raeni paused and listened. Eavesdropping was the best way to get information when she wasn't allowed in important meetings.
"...even suggest this?" Aunt Lusca's voice shrieked, sounding almost as mad as she'd been when Raeni told her about her boyfriend. It was not a comforting sound.
"It's not a suggestion if you'll recall our conversation from last night." Loki snarled.
"You can't possibly expect me to…"
"Do you want Lyron to survive or not?"
Raeni's eyes widened. Her aunt was protesting a decision that would help the survival of the island? Why would she put Lyron's future in danger? True, the princess didn't know what this decision was but according to her boyfriend the queen didn't have a good track record with making wise ones while Loki had created world peace.
Someone cleared their throat. "Forgive me. I meant no disrespect. I just do not see how this contract would be logical."
Raeni silently cheered as Lusca apologised. That should set things right. Loki would convince her and then things would go as planned… whatever the plan was. Rather than listen to more of the conversation, the fifteen year old began dancing through the halls again, singing happily as she went.
"Did you have to do this? I was thinking that you could be trusted. Did you have to ruin what was shiny? Now it's all rusted."
o*o*o*o
Treaty Banquet - Lyron Palace
At least her niece had been found. That was something good about today. And her dress was fairly comfortable. Those were the only optimistic things she could think of at the moment. Even Raeni being found was tarnished by the attendance of the princess' boyfriend. Lusca could never remember his name, but she knew he wasn't really interested in her niece. He only cared when Raeni brought him information about the mistakes the monarchy was making so he could those facts or rumors to rally his friends against her.
"Aunt Lusca! Did you see the lineup for songs?" Raeni smiled brightly, still clinging to the idiot's arm.
"For dancing? No, I haven't looked," The queen had other things she was thinking about, "Is there something wrong with it?"
"No, but I asked them to put on the list especially for you."
The excitement of a surprise lit up the girl's face and Lusca couldn't help but smile. She brushed Raeni's hair out of her face and tucked it behind the small tiara the girl wore.
"I'm sure it will be wonderful, I can't wait."
"Are you okay?" The princess asked, "You look worried."
"No, no, I'm just tired is all. I did not sleep much last night, um, I was too excited," She sighed and rubbed her bare shoulders tiredly, "You look lovely by the way."
"Thanks!" The girl spun to display her turquoise and pink ballgown. It was supposed to resemble a particular beach on the island where the sand was rosy and the waves were so bright it hurt your eyes to look at them, "You look pretty!"
Lusca hadn't even paid attention when her one lady-in-waiting had come in and picked out a dress, done her hair, and painted her face with makeup. As usually, her head carried one of her tiaras, this one bigger than the one she normally wore and with more blue gems.
Glancing down, she saw that he dress was poofy and cobalt blue. It was strapless, which caused her to have to pull it up every once in awhile. She didn't care much for details beyond that. It didn't matter what she looked like. Loki was the main focus of tonight. She was only there to surrender her power and sign whatever contracts he told her to.
"Is the king here?" The boyfriend asked, looking around.
"I'm certain he is around somewhere. Probably introducing himself to the other guests." She wearily looked over the crowd of the village mayors, councilors and their families, other important people in the running of Lyron, and a few personally selecter guests that Lusca had wanted there for support. Above the typically short islanders she easily spotted Loki. He met her gaze across the room and she saw the warning there. Tonight she was only there for appearances. He was running this event and the schedule depended on his preferences.
Councilman Agwe entered the room later than everyone else. He was one of the three people on the island who knew that the crop fires had not been an accident and he looked tired. A smudge of soot was on his face and when the old man approached his queen she smiled as comfortingly as she could and wiped the black spot off his dark face. His white beard stood in stark contrast to his skin and the wrinkles in his face had never seemed deeper.
"The fires?"
"Out. We saved five percent of the potatoes and two percent of the maize. The beans were singed but as long as none of the toxin got to them they will survive," He shook his head, "If the crops on the other side of the island had been attacked we would need to announce a time of famine."
"Have we succeeded in clearing off the strange poison?"
"Touching it causes vomiting and high fevers so it has been slow work. We have a few hazmat suits borrowed from the laboratories, but there is not enough."
"Do we have any idea what it is?"
Agwe rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Whatever it is it feeds off of the magic on the island and that makes it all the more powerful."
"Does it pose any health risk to the villages?" The people were the most important right now. Even if all of their food supplies were destroyed Loki promised them more. However, the imports would only be useful if the people lived to use them.
"It causes illness only when touched and it has begun to root itself in the ground so there is no fear of it blowing to residence areas.
"You have my permission to use any available palace grounds for planting. Tear up the gardens if you'd like," They held nothing but memories of the previous night anyway, "But don't begin until he has left, and don't put it any reports."
"If that is what you wish, Your Majesty."
"It is," She sighed as she saw Loki heading for the raised platform, "If you'll excuse me, I think it is time for the signing."
Lifting her skirt enough to allow ease in walking, she hurried to the little stage and was followed by her seven advisors. Beside Loki she noticed another foreigner. He must have been smuggled onto the island along with the arsonists. This man was nearly as tall as Loki but that's where the similarities ended. He wore a bright and authentic smile, his dark eyes seemed happy, and deep skin tone indicated possible African heritage.
"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you," He smiled at her. His accent sounded Kenyan, "I thank you for hosting this charming party to announce the wonderful news."
"I'm afraid I didn't catch your name." She stated, a small smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. At least this man knew to be polite.
"I am Faraji Yeboah, one of King Loki's advisors."
"In that case, I am sorry for you." She grinned.
He stared blankly at her. "It is a great honor to serve the man who brought our world to peace. I see nothing pitiable about it."
"Mr. Yeboah, it was a joke." Her smile vanished.
"Oh." The man rubbed his arm awkwardly and looked away.
Loki wrapped his arm around her waist suddenly and cameras began to take photos. She only recognized two of the eight photographers as islanders and she wondered just how many people Loki had smuggled onto her island this day and the one previous. The size of Lyron meant that there was little need for her to be interviewed publicly. There was one newspaper for the whole island unless they sent out runners to get different ones. Being photographed from every angle was unnerving and it took Lusca a moment before she'd adjusted enough to the flashes to smile.
When the cameras stopped Loki pulled out the official copy of the treaty. A few more pictures were taken as the king, queen, and all of their advisors were handed pens. Lusca felt the cold metal of the fountain pen in her hand and her stomach clenched.
"Before we begin," Loki smiled at everyone watching, "I would like to announce an amendment that Queen Lusca and I have agreed is needed in this treaty." The amendment that would most likely ruin her life, even if it saved her country.
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Those who were in favor of the alliance were worried that something had happened to prevent Lyron joining the union of the rest of the globe. People opposed had a high hope that the same thing was about to occur.
"To strengthen our alliance we have decided on a matrimonial agreement."
Eyes across the room widened and Lusca felt Agwe grab her elbow. She look in his eyes and saw great concern. She could tell that he was both questioning her decision as well as begging her not to go through with it. He'd been a close friend to her father and she knew he thought it was his personal duty to ensure her safety.
"If Your Majesty does not mind the sentiment of such an action," Loki's arm left her waist and he got down on one knee. Lusca thought she might be sick, "Would you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Her heart picked up speed. Her mind screamed in protest. Her legs felt like they might give out. She didn't know why her body was reacting this way. They had discussed this topic earlier in the day. She had known it was coming and yet she felt faint. In the panic her mind wanted to throw out a joke, but she kept it contained. And idea crossed her mind. In front of all these people he could hardly threaten her so why not put in her own terms and conditions?
"If you make me one promise." She replied. His confused and angry expression made her smile.
"And what is that?" He asked, recovering quickly.
"You must promise never to wage war on Lyron." Asking for anything more would be too dangerous as he was already holding her people's survival over her. This still seemed like it was too much to request by the look on his face.
Agwe stepped forward and, using magic, altertered the document before them. The new section stated that, in the result of a marriage treaty between Lusca and Loki there could be no war provoked from either side. Loki glared at the old man and Lusca immediately feared for his life. However, rather than argue the point, Loki rose from his position, roughly jammed a golden ring onto her finger, and produced a pen. He signed his name at the bottom of the paper and gestured for her to do the same. Breathing heavily, she signed her name right beneath his and moved aside for her councilors to do the same. The last signature on the paper was Yeboah's and when he'd finished everything was official.
The audience clapped, some enthusiastically, some only because they knew they had to. When Lusca looked to her niece she winced. Raeni was eagerly applauding and smiling brightly. The girl looked a fool with her blind excitement.
"Majesty, would you care to dance?" Loki asked, offering his hand. Elegant music had started, played by a small orchestral group.
"Would you mind terribly if I sat out for a bit?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper. Her whole body was trembling now and she knew that if she attempted to dance she would make a blunder.
"I would mind, in fact." He replied, claiming her hand and leading her out to the dance floor. His hands were as cold as ice, which matched the look in his eyes. Lusca could hardly breath as other couples began joining them on the dance floor. She was engaged to a monster. In the near future she would be married to this horrible man. The thought turned her stomach and caused her to shake even more.
"Please, may I stop?" She felt as though a light breeze could knock her off her feet.
"It would appear odd if we were to stop in the middle of the dance," He squeezed her hand in warning, "You will continue."
"Why have you done this?"
"Dancing is quite a normal thing to do at a banquet such as this." Loki replied with a smirk. He nodded to a couple that they passed on the dance floor.
"You know what I mean," Lusca hissed, "Where is the logic in this engagement?"
"Simple. My advisors suggest that I marry and I am following their advice."
"Why me?" Lusca was twirled, though her feet barely moved. Even after she'd stopped spinning it felt as if the room continued to.
"Not only is it the easiest way to keep an eye on you and Lyron, but I also find you to be intriguing."
"There are other 'intriguing' women in the world who are far more powerful than I am. Marry one of them and leave my island."
"Ah, but that would involve getting to know a female that I find detestable and I'd rather not," The hand on the small of her back pulled her closer to him and she cringed as he bent to whisper in her ear, "Besides, I find you to be amusing and I do like to be entertained."
Lusca pulled back swiftly and tried think of an excuse to stop dancing. Perhaps feigning an injury would do the trick. Or if she could find some important matter that needed attending to then he would have to let her go. What if she fainted? Would he fall for it and allow her to stop dancing then?
"You will finish this dance," He ordered, seemingly reading her thoughts, "Or you will regret it."
"I feel ill."
"Pity." Loki spun her again. As she turned she spotted Agwe looking on with concern. She wished that he would step in and help her, but she could think of no plausible reason for him to do such a thing.
"When will the wedding occur?" It was a fair enough question, though she doubted he had an answer at this time.
"How long is a typical Midgardian engagement?"
"Typical?" She couldn't keep from snorting, "Will this engagement be anything close to typical?"
"Here in Lyron it does not matter so much that our marriage is for political gain, your people understand that this is for their own good. Many cultures would agree that it is a justifiable reason to wed, however there are those that are romantics. The Americans, for example, would probably throw a revolution if they knew. I've heard they value love very highly. For the sake of keeping them from protesting in the eyes of all the world we will be an ordinary couple."
Lusca stared at him. "What story will you feed them to make them believe such a thing?"
"I'll say that on a trip to the Caribbean to make agreements with a newly found country I met a queen who stole my heart. You shall continue the tale by saying that you were shocked by my kindness and quickly fell," He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and she winced as if he'd hit her, "After spending a bit of time together we decided that marriage would be a wise decision for both of us."
"By the volcanoes, if they believe I think you kind they are all missing part of their minds." She heard the music begin to slow and breathed a sigh of relief.
"The Midgardians will believe. I control the media at the moment and that will stop rumors from spreading. To the world we shall appear the ideal couple."
"And what does being the 'ideal couple' involve?"
There was no reply. The song ended and the dancers clapped. Before another song could begin Lusca pulled away and attempted to put as much distance between her and her fiance as she could. He watched her retreat with a scheme in his shining eyes.
A/N: Thank you so very much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Like I said, I'm really just writing this story for fun, but a little feedback would be nice. Thanks again, please follow/favorite/review! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers or the few lyrics I borrowed from Taylor Swift's Bad Blood.