Synopsis: When two neighboring countries clash, their rulers decide that a union between their prince and princess is the salve that will heal the wounds. Unfortunately, they fail to consider the two betrothed's own ideas and beliefs. What will the two nations do when they find that the promised are just as fiery as the dispute that threatened their homelands to begin with?
Disclaimer: This is my first story, so bear with me! I got my idea from movies like 'Marie Antoniette' and 'Ever After' you know, the basic arranged marriage, save your country, sort of thing, but of course, with the characters of 'Phantom.'
Which brings me to my next note--I own none of this stuff. I credit all the brilliant minds behind the original stories, and I thank them for their brilliance, I would never try to take what they worked so hard to create.
Another note before I start the story, both these countries will be fictional. I thought about using real countries, but in the end I decided against it. My love is in writing, not fact-finding, and I know that if I use a real country, such as France or England, I would be contradicting real facts. So, I will be mainly talking about a country based very much off the landscape of Scottland called 'Nothvale.'
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Negotiations
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Nicolette sat with perfect posture in the magnificent mahogany desk, surrounded by her advisors and close friends, yet her deep blue eyes were not focused on them, nor did they glance down at the various documents and parchments littered across the desk's gleaming surface. Her eyes were instead intently watching as the clouds darkened and the ominous rumble of far-off thunder sounded. Although the thunder was steadily growing louder, it was not loud enough to block out the sound of a pressing voice in Nicolette's ear.
"Your Highness, I implore that you divert your attention to the matters at hand..."
"Hmm? Oh, yes, yes. What are our options, Bayard?"
"Ah, hm," Bayard took a moment to clear his throat and straighten his cuff-links before continuing. "They are, limited, Your Majesty. As of right now, there doesn't seem to be much we can do," Bayard again cleared his throat and nervously tapped a regal-looking document sitting on the desk, "They have a request though, and it appears to be our only feasible option..."
Nicolette lifted her withered hands and placed the glasses that hung around her neck on a delicate golden chain. After she had comfortably adjusted them on her wrinkled face she picked up the document and started reading. The room was silent as the spectators watched the facial expression of their queen slowly fade to indignation as her eyes slide down the parchment.
"Why, Bayard! This is...why I can't even speak!" The old queen raised her hands, searching for the words to express her disgust at the contents of the letter, "Ridiculious! They cannot be serious about this, no?"
Bayard slowly walked over to the grand window Nicolette had been gazing out of earlier and watched as the first few rain droplets thudded against the immaculate glass, carefully considering his words before turning to face his queen again. "This can be a blessing, if we chose to make it one, Your Highness..."
"Oh please, inform me as to how this is a blessing!?" Nicolette tossed the document across the desk so the curious others in the room could read it, or so that those who could actually read could and the others could look over shoulders and pretend that the swoops and curves of the fine ink meant a thing to their eyes.
"Highness, think about it. This is the answer we were looking for! A bloodless solution, and a nearly unbreakable treaty between our two nations! The only other option we really have is to side with Hestengurd, and you know as well as I that a war would be declared as soon as you finished signing your seal. You also know our troops are nearly double of what Nothvale has, but their training! I have never seen warriors so, fierce and merciless. A war would be bloody and long, and our victory is not certain."
Nicolette slowly removed the glasses from her eyes and started to worry her thin lips between her false teeth. Everything Bayard had said was true! Yet, did they honestly think she could comply to this request? Did they not know what they were truly asking for?
"Alright Bayard, you are sure there is no other option. Then, I suppose there is nothing left for me to do. Call her in..."
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Ok, I know this isn't much right now, but I just want to seem if there is any interest before I go much further. I have the next couple of chapters ready to go, I'm just not sure about this story yet. Reviews are more than welcome! Thanks!