The Royal Pain (Closed)

[Mephistophelily]

Closed for Mephy and Anael

Please Note: This is using a fictional country, which would be located in Eastern Europe.


"I quite understand, Armond. There have been a number of incidents such as this, and perhaps it is time that a new chapter is reached in our current situation..."

Princess Mara raised her gaze slightly from the book she was reading, the pale blue shimmer of her eyes lost for a moment as they narrowed with her hidden smirk. Her father was being quite kind to the old fool... Armond had been an adviser to the crown for years; far before Mara had even been born, and possibly even during her grandfather's reign. The man's age was certainly beginning to take its toll on him, causing decisions to be made that left even the Princess dumbfounded. Time for a new chapter, indeed.

Her father truly did try to be a kind man. Even with the somewhat chagrining comments made by the aging adviser, he managed to smile and compliment him, though the suggestions made were often left unused. Mara wasn't sure if she would have her father's temperament when it came to such things herself; she was known quite well for her stubborn side and short fuse. Still, she idolized her father, in turn making him the doting parent every girl dreamed of.

"Are you- Are you asking me to leave, your highness?!," Armond stammered, his raspy deep voice managing to crack with the words.

"Do not think of it as such a horrific thing, my friend. Consider it a retirement, from so many prosperous and glorious years. Times have changed, Armond. It is time for us to change as well." The king held out his hand, beckoning for Mara to come to his side. Curling into the crux of her father's arm, she simply watched the older man for a moment, a slight twinge of pity coming through her. He truly did seem upset by all this, as if ready to cry. "I will treasure every word of wisdom given by you, Armond," He continued softly. "But I need to consider the future. In years, this will all be passed to my daughter and the man she chooses as her husband. The decisions I make now will effect them..."

"As you wish."

The man's words were bitter, causing Mara to lose any sympathy she may have had. "Father...," She murmured as Armond started from the chambers, losing interest in his already. "Have you come to any decisions on my birthday?"

"Mara, we have weeks to think about that. Right now, we need to focus on our soon to arrive guest. Put your own desires aside for the moment, dear. Remember, you are the second most influential figure in this country. To be seen as selfish as a horrible thing. You promised to work on that for me." He smiled at her, running a hand against her cheek. "You look so like your mother. I met her at your age... Just turning twenty three years..."

"Father." Her voice was flat, a twinge of embarrassed annoyance twisted into it. "What of our guest, hm? I should get ready to meet him."

"Yes, yes, you do that. I have my own preparations to make. Keep in mind, Mara... He will be quite different from Armond. You will need to watch your tongue, and your manners."

Hmph. This was her castle, her country. She would do as she pleased. Still, she forced a smile, nodding at him. "Of course." With a quick hug, she left his chambers, heading for her own room. "I want a silk dress. Red. No, no- Blue," she called to the woman waiting at her door, receiving a nod in response to her request. "And nothing with a low neck line... I don't want this new adviser to be a perverted old man staring at my chest."

[Anael]

Major James William McKinnon had just been promoted from his position of advisor to the Ambassador to the United Nations, to an advisor of the Crown. At 32, James was considered young for an advisor, but he had seen his fair share of the world. His life as an active duty soldier had ended when he had been shot in the chest whilst on an intelligence gathering mission. The scars showing the entry and exit points were a constant reminder that the world was not as safe a place as many believed.

When he was young he attended private boarding school before going to university and studying politics and international law. He had a shrewd mind and his lecturers thought he would be a member of parliament within the year. James had other ideas and with his education and upbringing he accepted a commission into the army. He quickly climbed the ranks and was soon the second in command of the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion.

After he had been shot, it was decided that he take on an advisors role, because his mind was too good to lose. The UN had been his first posting, and he must have made an impression, because within 6 months he had been transferred to the crown. It had all been a bit of a whirlwind, but here he was, looking in the mirror of his room at the Castle, as he slipped on the green jacket and did up the polished buttons on his No 2 dress uniform. Today was the first day in his new position, one where he was not sure what he could contribute, but orders were orders so here he was.

His Army training combined with his education made him a disciplined man who respected his seniors and ruled over his juniors. He could be diplomatic when required, but his sharp wit and quick tongue had offended some minor ambassadors at the UN, much to his Boss’s amusement. Collecting his regimental cap and white gloves from the table by the door he headed out of his room and left the barracks for the Kings Chambers.

Slipping the Cap under his arm he slipped his hands into the gloves, hiding his rough, marked hands from view. When the bullets were flying soldiers often didn’t notice minor injuries that left their mark. Here a burn from a spent bullet casing that pinged out of the breach and onto his palm, there poc marks from flying chunks of masonry stopped by his hand as he protected his eyes. Stepping out into the late afternoon sun, Major McKinnon put his cap on and nodded to the guardsman who stamped to attention as he passed.

The courtyard was quiet and his precise regimented footsteps rang out as he marched towards the royal quarters in the round tower, his polished boots crunching on the gravel. He had only been to the Castle once before, 10 years ago when he was posted as part of the royal guard. A 3 month tasking that was more of a show than guard duty. He did not see anything of the King, but he was sure that there were eyes behind the windows. He did however remember the Princess. She must have been only 12 or 13 but daily she would walk down to the courtyard and stop to examine the 2 guardsmen on duty. She would pull faces and tell jokes and try to get them to laugh, with little success and usually ending in disappointment.
As he approached the Round Tower, he lifted his head to look up at the flag before fixing his eyes straight ahead once more. He was sure that someone was behind those windows watching. He pushed it from his mind as he entered the Tower, tucking his cap under his arm. A royal steward glanced at him, “Major McKinnon? This way please Sir.”

James nodded and followed the steward up an ornate staircase. He had never been in the Round Tower, and the plush carpets, suits of armor, paintings and tapestries were impressive. The first floor was the home to the Kings study, offices and Reception rooms. The second housed more private suites and rooms for more personal meetings and the third contained the Royal Quarters. There were also guest suites somewhere.

The Steward surprised him by continuing up to the second floor. They paused outside a polished Oak door. The steward knocked and entered.

“Major James McKinnon, your Majesty”

James instinctively did what any soldier would do when in the presence of a superior. His body snapped straight and his eyes found a patch on the wall opposite, his arm came up and he saluted.

[Mephistophelily]

"Ahhh, Major. Yes, yes, welcome. It's been some time..." The King paused for a moment, waving his hand dismissively at the man beside his newly arrived guest. "Come, come. Things have changed quite a bit since you were last here. I do hope that they will change further because of your arrival, as well."

The King paced to the window overlooking the gardens, resting his fingers idly on the glass. "Change is something that most fear. I welcome it, and feel that it is time for a greater development of it... The decisions I make not only effect what is done in my lifetime, but in the reign of my daughter. I would prefer that the person I rely on be someone with a vast background of experience, and an understanding of how decisions can affect so much..."

He frowned slightly as he spotted Armond passing through the high rose bushes, a few of the guardsmen accompanying the older man in his travels. "I trust that a man such as yourself has these things, as well as a mind full of ideas."

He went on to explain some of the previous discussions that had been started with James' predecessor, barely noticing the increasingly large space of the door that had been left open a crack by the excused steward. Mara peered through the opening, a slight frown on her face over the positioning of the men inside the room. Her father could be seen clearly, going on and on about this and that- While the one who left her curious was off to the side of the room, out of her line of sight.

"Probably yet another old pook," She huffed under her breath, straightening and folding her arms over her chest as she frowned.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, Miss Mara," The Steward whispered, shaking his head as he came up behind her. "He is quite different from Sir Armond..."

"Hmph." Mara didn't bother to look back at the man, her eyes still set on the doorframe in hopes of catching a glimpse of this new arrival. "Where is he from? His voice sounds strange."

He laughed. "Strange, you say? Imagine what you must sound like to him, Miss Mara."

"I sound perfectly normal. He is the one who speaks curiously."

"Of course, Miss Mara... I shall leave you to your... ah... explorations." With that, the man wandered off, chuckling to himself along the way. This finally received a look from the young woman, her eyes narrowed slightly before looking back at the door.

---


((OOC- Mara))

[Anael]

"Ahhh, Major. Yes, yes, welcome. It's been some time..."

“Yes your Majesty, it has..” He lowered his hand and bowed his head in respect.

"Come, come. Things have changed quite a bit since you were last here. I do hope that they will change further because of your arrival, as well."

The Royal Steward was dismissed and as he backed out of the door, pulling it to as he went, James stepped further into the room, moving to one side. He did not want to feel isolated in the middle of the room in the presence of the Monarch.

"Change is something that most fear. I welcome it, and feel that it is time for a greater development of it... The decisions I make not only effect what is done in my lifetime, but in the reign of my daughter. I would prefer that the person I rely on be someone with a vast background of experience, and an understanding of how decisions can affect so much...

I trust that a man such as yourself has these things, as well as a mind full of ideas."

James listened patiently as the King explained some of the recent discussions on which he required advice and options presented to him. After a while the King paused and turned from the window and cast his eye over him.

”Sir, change is inevitable. On the whole it is generally for the good, but as we both know, with the good comes the bad. Yes there are those who fear it, but that is because they do not realize that change is about adapting, evolving and keeping ahead of the game. Animals that do not adapt and evolve fall foul of natural selection. An Army that does not adapt gets beaten because its tactics never change. A country that does not move forward will lose respect.

However, there are some things that should not change, it is a delicate balance, one that I hope we can achieve to make your daughters reign as successful as yours. Talking of your daughter Sir, I remember the days when she would inspect the guard each evening, has that changed or is that a tradition?”

Thinking he might have overstepped the mark from advisor to more personal matters, James quickly went back to the topic of conversation.

”Sir, you are right to change and keep the country and the monarchy moving forward. I would be honoured to advise and guide you towards a successful future for our country, but the decisions are yours to make Majesty. I do not hope that I have overstepped the mark, but us humble soldiers are rarely asked for advice and opinions.

He paused and tried to relax. Despite the King being quite at ease and relaxed, pacing by the window, James was stood ramrod straight, only his head really moving. The King looked deep in though, almost as if assessing an applicant at an interview.

While he waited for a response, James looked around the room from his position at one end. The room was an odd shape, but then any inside a Round Tower must be. He assumed all the rooms has the curved outer wall with windows overlooking the gardens or grounds. The Windows were set in deep alcoves showing how thick the tower walls really were. Doors to the adjoining rooms were set in each end of the office. A large mahogany desk stood near the window where the King was pacing and the walls were adorned with the expected paintings and tapestries. The door to his right led back out to the landing and grand staircase. A large display cabinet blocked his view out of the door which appeared to be drifting open ever so slightly.

In the corner of his eye he caught the King look up at him and his attention was drawn back to the Monarch.

[Mephistophelily]

A smile turned upon the King's lips, nodding as he listened to James. "Change is not something that can be taken lightly. I, for one, welcome it. Accepting it might be difficult for some of those around me... but they will understand the reasons behind it. The advice I have received in the past made such thoughts impossible, being convinced immediately that to change even the slightest detail in our ways would cause an uprise. That is the last thing I intend to happen. I simply wish for my people to be safe, happy, and know that their best interests are in my thoughts."

At the mention of his daughter, the King laughed again. "Ahh, Mara. Yes, yes, she's still quite as curious as ever. I had hoped that with her age, it would cease... but it seems to have only gotten more- inquisitive. Please, let me know if she pushes that too far with you. I wish for you to be comfortable here, Major. I don't want my daughter to make that hard for you."

Turning back around fully, he started towards James, his fingertips tapping against his opposite palm. "I appreciate your honesty, Major. I ask only for your advice, and your insight on inquiries that may be brought before me. Sometimes these decisions can be quite difficult for me, and to have it seen through a new set of eyes can show different views that I didn't see myself. Your opinions on such matters will be greatly valued, and help to shape my final decisions..."

He paused, an eyebrow raising as he caught the still-moving door behind James. "You were asking on my daughter, Major... I do believe she has already presented herself." Clearing his throat, he gestured toward the door, smirking as it opened further. "I thought as much. Come here, Mara. If you wished to meet our new guest, you simply needed to ask."

Mara hesitated, getting up from the crouch she had taken outside the door as her hand pushed it open a bit more. The man remembered her? Her interest in the guards- but there was never any men at the castle that were that old...

Stepping into the room, she moved cautiously to her father's side, looking over this new man. "You are not what I expected....," she said softly. "You are not at all like Armond...."

Her father laughed. "Yes, that is part of the reason why I have asked him here. Armond was... certainly becoming a unique man."

[Anael]

James listened as the King spoke his mind, his heart was true and his logic could not be faulted. Yes, he could certainly work with the King. He would listen, provided the ideas were sound and the advice not flawed, unlike some he had worked with. He relaxed a little as the King laughed.

"You were asking on my daughter, Major... I do believe she has already presented herself. I thought as much. Come here, Mara. If you wished to meet our new guest, you simply needed to ask."

James turned as the King gestured towards the door. It eased open and in stepped the Princess. It was foolish of the Major to think that she would be just like she was 10 years ago. His eyes made a quick assessment as she nervously made her way to her father’s side. It seemed that she was doing the same to him, trying to correct the mental image she had created in her head.

"You are not what I expected....," she said softly. "You are not at all like Armond...."

"Yes, that is part of the reason why I have asked him here. Armond was... certainly becoming a unique man."

“Major James McKinnon your Highness” he said, introducing himself. He reached out, offering his still gloved hand. The princess hesitated, momentarily caught off guard, before she took the offered hand. James quickly reminded himself that he was not shaking the hand of a battle hardened soldier, but a Princess, and carefully shook her hand with only the lightest of squeezes before releasing it.

[Mephistophelily]

Mara hesitantly took the Major's hand, still eyeing him over. It was going to be quite the change; getting used to this younger man instead of the walking half-dead dust and bones that was dubbed Armond.

He was gentle. Even with the gloves on, she felt the warmth of his hand; a cautious touch from his grip that reminded her of how strong a man he must actually have been. She smiled softly, retracting her hand carefully. "Has he been shown around yet, Father?," She asked suddenly, her eyes yet to leave the new man.

"You talk as though he's not in the room, Mara. Only the rooms along the walk to this room, I presume. Is that right, Major?" The King glanced between the two people before him, resting a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I'm guessing that little Mara here would like to show you around..."

"If you'll allow me, Major." Mara nodded, the smirk still resting on her lips. Perhaps this younger man wasn't such a terrible thing after all. He could help Father deal with the mess that Armond had created, and Mara had someone new to be intrigued by...

"Are you certain that I was done with him?," The King asked with a smile of his own, looking down at her with a mischievous shine to his eye. All the troubles he may have faced as King were easily forgotten when given the chance to tease her, and he ceased every opportunity to do it. "Perhaps there was more I wished to speak with him on..."

"If you wish to talk to him more, he'll need to know how to get back to your chambers, Father," Mara replied flatly, raising her chin slightly as she reached out for the Major's hand. "There are many different routes through the castle, but my father seems to think everyone already knows them. I'll show each of them to you, Major... and perhaps even a few that he doesn't know about." She glanced back at him with that, sticking her tongue out at the regal man.

A laugh came as a reply. "Very well then...! I leave you to her, Major!"

[Anael]

Princess Mara’s eyes locked on his and he held her gaze as he felt her slowly withdraw her hand, her fingers brushing against his palm and then his own. She smiled at him, a soft gentle smile her eyes almost sparkling. There was a small pause, silence, the King watching with interest and amusement. James smiled at her, a sort of half grin of amusement and interest. Then she spoke, her eyes not leaving his:

"Has he been shown around yet, Father?,"

"You talk as though he's not in the room, Mara. Only the rooms along the walk to this room, I presume. Is that right, Major? I'm guessing that little Mara here would like to show you around..."

“Yes Sir, this is my first visit to this part of the castle. I have only seen the inside of the barracks and guards quarters. I guess I should get acquainted with the rest of the castle.”

"If you'll allow me, Major."

Mara was quick to offer to show him around and the Major was going to jump at the chance to spend some time with the Princess, although he didn’t want to appear keen. She had certainly grown up since he was last here and there was something about her cheeky smile and the twinkle in her eye. He felt like he was being eyed up by a cat that now had a new toy. She obviously felt that she had the upper hand and that he, as the new employee, was someone she could assert her authority over. He would have to see about that, superiors only ever got the respect they deserved from him, would she earn it?

It would be beneficial to be given the tour though, to find out where he was supposed to work, where he would find the King and where he was not permitted. He was no longer a guardsman here and he was guessing that his new appointment gave him almost unlimited access to the castle, but maybe not quite everywhere. He would have to find out.

He might also see if he could find some better accommodation, after all, Armond was not quartered in the barracks like he was, so there must be other places, and it might make more sense to be closer to his office, cupboard, or desk in the corner of wherever he needed to work. He would have to see on that one too.

”If your Majesty permits it?” he said turning his head to the King and breaking eye contact with the young Princess.

"Are you certain that I was done with him?, Perhaps there was more I wished to speak with him on..."

"If you wish to talk to him more, he'll need to know how to get back to your chambers, Father, There are many different routes through the castle, but my father seems to think everyone already knows them. I'll show each of them to you, Major... and perhaps even a few that he doesn't know about."

"Very well then...! I leave you to her, Major!"

James bowed his head at the King and felt his hand being grasped by the Princess. He caught her sticking her tongue out at her father and carefully swallowed a laugh. Since he had been first introduced to her he had seen several little sides to Mara and he wondered to himself if this Princess was a kitten or a lioness. She seemed protective over her father, yet she also seemed to be mischievous and to some extent flirty. His arm tugged as she pulled on his gloved hand and his cap almost fell from beneath his arm.

“Your Majesty,” James turned to Mara, whose eyes were watching him with interest. He allowed her to lead him by the hand from the room. “So your Highness, take me on this Magical Mystery tour.”

[Mephistophelily]

"Father thinks it's funny to pick on me, even in front of new people...," Mara complained as she led James out into the hall, glancing back sourly at the King's door. "It's only fair I get to tease back if he wants to be that way."

She quickly gave him a smile, her eyes taking a quick moment to trail over him. The quick obvious statement of him being unlike the previous adviser was a definite understatement; this man was far more than just younger and more able bodied. The way he carried himself was far different, his military background sticking out immediately even without his current attire. Still, he did seem to have a slight hint of a playful side; she had caught the twinge of a smirk during the exchange she had with her father, and his comment on accepting her invitation was a slight jest.

"This is more than just a tour. You should know that now," She stated matter-of-factly, still holding to his hand. "You made it sound as though I should know you when you spoke to Father. You were here once before? I... I don't quite remember you. There have been soldiers from all over the world wandering here, so you'll have to forgive me for not remembering everyone..."

Another hallway, a flight of stairs. "Down here is the kitchen. Most men seem to like knowing where that is. The cook doesn't mind people sneaking in for a bite or two when he's not around, but you need to be careful not to leave a mess. He doesn't care for that at all... Very loud. Lots of yelling."

She finally released his hand, stepping around the large wood table in the center of the room to pluck an apple from the bowl in the center of it. "My father is a very lighthearted man, as you've seen, Major. Unfortunately, he... he is also weak hearted." She frowned with that, hopping up onto the table and crossing her ankles before taking a small bite of the apple. Swallowing it down, she shook her head, glancing at him again. "He doesn't like to speak of it. My father is ill, and refuses to acknowledge it. There is something wrong with his heart, Major. I want you to watch after him. Please." The added word seemed a secondary thought on her part, a lingering pause before it had actually left her lips.

Her eyes widened as the sound of footsteps came from the outer hallway, Mara quickly jumping off the table and stuffing the apple back into the bottom of the bowl before grabbing the Major's hand. "Let's go out to the gardens," She stated hastily, pulling him out the doorway and smiling at the stout chef that she nearly plowed over.

[Anael]

James listened as Princess Mara felt the need to explain the reason for her moment of jesting with her father. She seemed to be clinging onto her childhood moments in a world in which she would soon need to rule. He couldn’t fault her for it and it was quite amusing seeing the teenager in the princess come to the fore. The way she talked about her relationship with her father so openly to James made him feel very welcome. She cant have many friends in a place like this and if Armond was the person she spent the most time with learning about being a monarch, then it must have been a hard time.

"This is more than just a tour. You should know that now. You made it sound as though I should know you when you spoke to Father. You were here once before? I... I don't quite remember you. There have been soldiers from all over the world wandering here, so you'll have to forgive me for not remembering everyone..."

James chuckled “Princess Mara, forgive me, I didn’t expect you to remember me in any way. Soldiers come and go here every few months. Since your father and I were discussing tradition and change, I merely wondered if you still played your little game with the soldiers….”

More hallways, more stairs and there they were in the kitchen. How he would ever remember his way around here he didn’t know, but he was sure that it would eventually sink in. James suppressed a chuckle but did let himself grin as Mara told him about the chef. She released his hand and pinched an apple from the bowl in the centre of the table. He removed his gloves and tucked them neatly into his pocket as she sat herself on the table. He relaxed and leaned on the edge watching her.

"He doesn't like to speak of it. My father is ill, and refuses to acknowledge it. There is something wrong with his heart, Major. I want you to watch after him. Please."

James stood still, his mouth opened but no sound came out. He had no idea that the King was ill. This changed a lot of things, maybe his appointment here was not as a new advisor, but as someone to help guide the young Princess through what could be tough times, or to help the King prepare his Kingdom and his daughter for each other.

He nodded “Of course Princess, I will watch him.” There was a silent pause as their eyes locked and then a sound startled Mara and she grabbed his hand and he had to dodge the edge of the table as she dragged him towards the doorway that led to the gardens, the pair of them almost bowling over a small stout man in an apron that can only have been the chef. The sour look on his face can only have meant they left at the right moment.

Mara skipped across the gravel path and onto the grass of the gardens, leading him towards a walled garden next to a small orchard. She laughed. The sun was high in the sky, the shadows short. They crossed into the small walled garden and walked the paths, she released his hand once more.

“So your Highness, do you still play games with soldiers?”

Her cryptic answer made him stop and think, and before he could say anything she giggled and ran off back towards the castle. She slowed as she reached the corner and James caught up with her. They passed round it and Mara looked round as if checking to see if anyone was watching. She swept aside some ivy and taking him by the hand, pulled him through a small door hidden behind. They appeared to be at the bottom of a disused servants staircase, a narrow corridor led off between the outer wall and inner one.

“So is this one of your shortcuts your father doesn’t know about? Or is it just where you like to play hide and seek with new employees?” James grinned as he jested with her, wondering what her response would be.