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"Come on guys. Give me a break here!" King Liam laughed, shoving an equally amused Drake. "I've never played this before."
Maxwell turned to his brother, Bertrand with a grin. "It's good to see him smiling again."
"Aye. Kara's condition has since turned him into a man baby," Bertrand said nodding.
"Hey," Maxwell chided. "Less harsh, will you?"
Liam turned to Maxwell and Bertrand. "Max, would you tell Drake to quit mocking me? I've had my fair share of that."
Maxwell grinned. "Alright, Mr Walker. Your turn. Let's see if you can beat him."
"If I beat him,do I have the permission to relentlessly mock him?" Drake questioned.
While Liam groaned, Maxwell sighed. "No"
"Then I'm not interested, thank you." Drake shrugged.
"Drake..."
"Alright, alright" Liam interrupted. "If you win, you can mock me"
"I want King Liam's word on that." Drake didn't budge.
"I just did," Liam replied.
"No, what I got was an affirmation from my friend, Liam. I want the King's affirmation on that," Drake nodded.
Liam sighed. "This guy. Okay, I...King Liam of Cordonia hereby give you the permission to...."
"Say my name"
"Hereby give you, Drake Walker, the permission to mock me..."
"As brutally as I want?"
"As brutally as you want" Liam affirmed. Drake finally cracked a smile.
Maxwell hit Liam on the shoulder. "You actually gave him that permission?"
"Sure," Liam rolled his eyes. "It's not like he could do any better. This is an American game. And we're all Cordonians, if I fail...then it's a safe bet he will as well."
"Yeah, except Drake is pretty good at games. Come on,he used to whop your ass plenty of times as kids." Maxwell chided.
"Well, you weren't there to see it. He could as well have been over exaggerating. He wasn't that good." Liam said stubbornly.
"Whatever man. If he wins, I'm not getting sucked in to help you when he roasts you" Maxwell reclined against the chair watching Drake.
"....And I win!" Drake announced.
"What?!" Liam scrambled to the board. "How did you.....!"
"What did I say?" Maxwell sighed.
"Well,it doesn't take much to become a pro when you watch Kara go at this game" Drake grinned.
Maxwell didn't mistake how warm his voice got when he referenced Kara.
"But that's..." Liam frowned at the board. "That's an zero. Look at that bragger, you landed your dice on a zero, you lost"
"I did...except the zeros actually scores you 55 points, so..." he clicked his tongue.
Liam groaned, glaring at Drake.
"Do I get to go at it?" Drake grinned.
Liam sighed. "Just be gentle, yeah"
Drake laughed, then hesitated. "Nah. You've been through a lot in one day." Then he smiled. "It's good to see my best mate smiling again"
Liam smiled warmly. "Ever since Kara got her diagnosis...it's been pretty hard, not only on us but Ariana as well. Thanks for doing this for me guys."
Maxwell grinned. "Anything for the monarchs of our great country."
"Speaking of monarch," Bertrand butted in. "I received a telegram from the Prime Minister of Drakovia, he..."
"Bertie!" Maxwell said. "What have I told you about being a buzz kill?"
"I don't recall you ever mentioning anything about bees," Bertrand frowned.
"No, it's...it's okay. Play time's over by the way," Liam said, his serious demeanor up. "What is it, Bertrand?"
Bertrand gave a subtle glare to his brother, Maxwell, then turned to Liam. "I received a telegram from the Prime Minister of Drakovia. It says the Prince and other emissaries are coming in to discuss with us,"
Liam rubbed his forehead. "Is this about that treaty they're proposing?"
"Likely," Drake crossed his hands behind his head as he reclined deeper in the chair. "Drakovia's a small nation by comparison. Helping them could further strengthen their international ties. Don't forget building allies against future threats."
Liam sighed, tiredly. "Drakovia is nothing but trouble. Scandals everywhere. Have you forgotten the King exiled his heir? Because he allegedly murdered his fiancee?" He sighed again. "I'm sorry but they're just some things a king must take into consideration when doing business."
"And how short of scandals is Cordonia?" Bertrand quirked a brow. "Should I bring up a list? Your brother's abdication? Your father? The assassination plot? Your marriage? Ariana's birth? Berthelemy? We're one of the most respected nations in the world but even that doesn't stop us from taking a dip in the scandalous ocean every now and again."
Liam shook his head. "My kingdom has nothing to do with Drakovia's. Until Prince Trystan is proven innocent, he's still guilty of murdering his fiancee."
Drake shifted. "I heard they reinstated him back in place," Liam shifted his attention to him. "Turns out the allegations against him were proven false, after all."
"Besides, Drakovia's done really great things" Maxwell interjected. "The prince helped solve those nasty murders orchestrated by that cult that got the world on its toes. He's not that bad."
"Well," Drake shrugged. "Jury's still out on that. Can't ever forget that one time he tricked me into losing my prized football."
Bertrand blinked. "That's it?"
"I was 6, Bertrand. So yes, that's it"
"So?" Maxwell turned to Liam. "What'd you think?"
Liam sighed. "I think...I need to check on my wife," he rose from the chair. "I'll decide on it and make my decision tomorrow. When's the Prime Minister proposing?"
"Latest? Probably in two days' time." Bertrand replied.
Liam nodded. "It's settled. I'll head out now. It's been a long day but..." He smiled at his friends. "Very worth it."
Liam walked across the Grand Hall, nodding to every royal guard that bowed to him.
As expected, the Royal Palace of Cordonia always had guards every room, but ever since Kara became his wife and Queen, she complained that she wasn't used to having people at her every beck and call while she slept. So he reassigned the guards at her room. But after the events of last year, when her life had been threatened, there was no way he was taking such a dire risk again.
He walked into her room.
Kara was lying in bed, and her face lit up in a guilty smile when she saw him. She had been trying to reach for a bar of chocolates when he got in. An American Influence.
Liam hurried to her. "Darling," he took her in his arms. "What are you doing? You know you're not supposed to be trying to get out of bed." Then he looked around. "Where's Hana? I thought she was taking care of you."
Kara sighed. "She's in the next room. She's reading to our daughter."
Liam didn't miss how her voice cracked, or her eyes Misty. He let out his own sad sigh.
Kara laid her head on the pillow, looking up at the ceiling. "Can you believe it Liam? I can't even read to our own daughter. Me, a mother. I can't..." Her voice caught. "I'm just so tired of everything"
"I know, honey" he kissed her forehead. "But we have to take things slow. It'll take time but the doctor says you'll get better."
"So until then I'm just supposed to what? Lie in bed all day?" She shot back. "I want my life back, Liam! I want to be a mother to Ariana again! I want to be your wife again! The doctor says I'm getting better? It's been three weeks Liam!" Her voice broke. "What if I never get better? What if I'm paralysed forever?"
"Hey, hey....don't say that." He said soothingly, cradling her. "I promise you till my breath cease that I will do everything in my power to ensure you walk again. And it's not just me. Drake, Maxwell, Bertrand, Hana...our people. We're doing everything we can. You'll get better, I promise." He kissed her forehead.
Kara closed her eyes, tears spilling forth. Then she breathed. "Okay..." She sniffed. And gave him a watery smile. "I'm sorry. I know you must have had a good time earlier today...and I ruined it."
"Don't be. I'm not supposed to even have a good time when you're so...so distraught" Liam said, feeling extremely guilty.
"It's the American Grinch in me. I don't like seeing someone happy when I'm not happy," Kara smirked.
Liam laughed and leaned in to passionately kiss her. Then he rested his forehead against hers.
She sighed longingly. "I've missed you. Once I finally get off this bed, I'm going to ride you all day long."
Liam laughed, caressing her cheeks. "I can't wait."
She smiled at him. Her blue eyes shining. God, she was so strong and Liam wanted to see her get better already. But he trusted the doctors. They knew what they were doing.
"Any news on our Western front?"
He held her hands. "The Drakovian Emissary is requesting a meeting with me."
"Drakovia?" Kara repeated. "That small country out East?" She wondered. Liam nodded. "I've been brushing up on the Kingdoms along the coast. Isn't Drakovia the one with the exiled heir?"
Liam nodded. "Not anymore, according to Drake. They were able to prove Trystan's innocence in connection with the murder of his ex-fiancee."
"Wow," Kara breathed. "And they want a meeting for what?"
Liam shrugged. "Who knows. We've gotten all kinds of meeting since Cordonia become the highest ranking kingdom in the EU. Won't be any different from the others, I'm guessing."
Kara studied her husband. "You're thinking of bailing, aren't you?"
Liam sighed. "I'm just....a worried husband, is all. Politics is a whole other headache I'm not ready to take on right now."
Kara nodded, slowly. "and the others?"
"They all think I should meet with them," Liam replied. Then studied Kara for a moment. "What do you think?"
"What do I think? Well, I think....you're the King. Politics isn't ever running away. You should meet them."
"But Kara, you..."
"Look, Liam, I'm ill but I won't let myself be a liability. I can look after myself and I've got Ariana and our friends to keep me company if I ever get lonely. If the shoe was on the other foot, would you appreciate me ditching my responsibilities to be with you?"
Liam sighed. "If you need anything, you'll call for me."
"I always do." Kara grinned and kissed him. "I love you"
Liam nodded, "I love you." Then he got up. "I'll say goodnight to Ariana and join you in bed."
"Now? It's only 9" Kara gave a small gasp. "Oh, baby, you must be so tired!"
"You don't know the half of it," Liam groaned. "I'll be back." Then he stepped out of the room.
"Daddy!" Ariana flew out of bed and into his arms when he stepped into her room.
"Hi, flower! How's my girl?" He kissed her numerous times.
Ariana giggled. "Aunty Hana's reading to me. I'm learning new words!"
"Oh, really? Can you tell Daddy what you learned?" He balanced her on his hip.
"I learnt 'extinct', 'exist' and 'dinosaurs'! Dinosaurs are big and scary" she scrunched up her face to emphasize.
Liam laughed. "That is true, though" he let her down. He turned to Hana who was beaming with pride. He hugged her. "Thanks for taking care of my girl"
"Of course," Hana nodded. "I love her, too."
Liam chuckled. "I know." Then he released her.
"How's Kara?" Hana asked in a low voice so Ariana didn't hear.
"Kissed, hugged and happier."
Hana laughed. "Only her husband could do that."
Liam grinned. "You should get to bed. It's after 9." He turned to Ariana. "Tell aunty Hana goodnight, flower"
"Goodnight Aunty Hana!"
"Goodnight sweetie" Hana bent and gave her a hug. "Dream of Narnia and Castles tonight, okay?"
"No dinosaurs?" Ariana asked.
Hana chuckled. "No, no dinosaurs." She let her go. "Goodnight, Liam"
"Night, Hana" he smiled as she left. Then he picked his daughter and tucked her in bed. "Okay, flower. It's light out"
"Okay, daddy"
"Have you wished your mum goodnight?" He asked.
She nodded enthusiastically.
He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I love you, flower"
"I love you so so so much, daddy!" She replied.
"Sweet dreams?"
"The best! I'm dreaming of Narnia!"
Liam chuckled. "That's my good girl. Don't forget to say your prayers alright?"
"I won't. Good night Daddy!"
"Goodnight, princess" he kissed her again and left.
2 days later
Prince Trystan Thorne stood in front of King Liam. And he'd, as expected, brought three other emissaries. His fiancè was an African-American, which to Liam's surprise, was grom New York as well!
Kara would make such quick friends with him.
Trystan was exactly as the tabloids described. He was exceedingly handsome and was very cocky about it.
"We thank you for receiving you as prompt as you did. I'm sure as monarch of this great kingdom, you had other pressing matters to attend to." Trystan said.
"Can't ever say no to a kingdom offering to trade with us. Especially one with a reputation like yours" Liam smiled.
"Ignore whatever gossips you read in the papers. Blatant lies I tell you," Trystan said dismissively.
"Really?" Liam cocked an eyebrow. "I hear it's a very pleasant country with great faunas and plenty of wildlife. Also very rich in diamonds, cobalt and silver."
"Oh." Trystan paused. "Yeah, all that is true. Ignore the rest gossips...all flanderizers" he chuckled. "Have I introduced my fiance? Sloane Rose?"
Sloane gave a slight nod. Really American. Liam could spot his manners.
"Liam." Just then his friends filed in. "May I introduce members of the High Court and my friends? Lord Bertrand of House Beaumont and his brother, Maxwell. This fine lady is Lady Hana and this is...."
"Oh you needn't introduce us, Liam." Drake interrupted. "We're already acquainted, isn't that right Trystan?"
Trystan cocked his head "Can't say that we are. Remind me, are you the scared little boy that once wept over a ball?"
Drake narrowed his eyes. "Charming as always."
Trystan shrugged. "The years have been good to me."
"You mean the years when you lost your place and your crown?" Drake issued sarcastically.
"Drake" Maxwell hissed.
Trystan turned to Liam. "Forgive me, your highness. Drake and I have quite a history, one I've gladly put behind me but seems he's not willing to."
"Is it my problem that you're so insufferable?" Drake shot back.
Trystan ignored him, talking to Liam. "I've come to do business here not get involved in petty squabbles."
"Well, you were off to a great start." Drake interjected, rolling his eyes.
Trystan grinned. "Can we talk about our propositions now?"
"Please." Liam urged him.
"I've had a few dealings with your father, Constantine, before the throne was passed to you. And I've been in contact with a friend of yours, Olivia"
"You know her?" Hana asked.
"She's a friend of my sister's. But knowing her is a bit of a stretch, she's an acquaintance. She assures me you make good decisions for the good of your people."
"Desperate are we?" Drake mocked.
"Trading with Drakovia would be good for Cordonia" Trystan said ignoring him.
Liam folded his arms. "I can't just trust that on your word. I'll need a list on why and how it not only benefits you but my people as well."
"Well, Drakovia has a slew of raw minerals that we could trade. The obvious are silver, diamond, cobalt but let's not forget gold, beryllium, tin, boron. We also boast a wide variety of rare and exotic flowers, not only are they worth a lot of money, but they're used from everything from food delicacies to medicines. We're quite a wealthy bunch."
Liam nodded. "Interesting"
"That's what you could lead with?" Drake chuckled, then turned to Sloane. "How'd you put up with this guy?"
"Simple." His face was bland, "I tie him up and spank his ass red." Sloane said without hesitation.
There was an awkward pause between the Cordonians, and Trystan cleared his throat, his face flushed.
"So, what do you say?"
"All valid points" Liam nodded. "But I'll need to consult with members of my Court. But in the meantime, you and your men should make yourselves at home." He gestured to a guard. "See to them their rooms.'
The guard bowed and escorted them out.
Drake cursed. "Years, and that boy is still as insufferable as the day we met!"
"Right, years...one would think you would have gotten past it by now." Bertrand said.
"Trust me. If you've ever been pitted against Trystan Thorne, you never would."
Immediately the guards showed them to their rooms and left, Sloane turned on Trystan. "What the hell was that? I thought we said play nice!"
"And we did. You weren't going off on them like you did me when we first met." Trystan said.
Sloane pinched the bridge of his nose. "The plan was for you to play nice, not me."
"Oh."
"And what? You start mouthing off to a friend of the King once we got here? Whatever happened to diplomacy?!"
"I left him on the porch."
"I'm serious, Trystan. You've worked so hard to get to the point, why blow it off now? Why gamble with the future of your people?"
Trystan sighed. "No, you're right. I'm sorry, Sloane. It's just....been so long I've went on a mission like this. One that not only concerned me but my people as well. But classic Trystan ruined it."
"It's not ruined yet."
"And how long is yet?" Trystan retorted. He sighed, and held Sloane's hands. "I'm sorry. I'm just being a jerk."
"It better not be to me," Sloane eyed him.
Trystan chuckled. "No, not you. Never you. To that Drake guy, maybe. But starting now, I'm playing nice."
"I don't even know why the hell you're playing nice. You're always nice."
"To people I love like you and Mags and Ruby and Luke. Not people I dislike...like that Drake guy."
"And people you intend to do business with?" Sloane raised a brow.
Trystan shrugged. "I'm multi talented."
Sloane laughed. "Of course, you are. Just what am I going to do with you?"
"Have sex with me?" Trystan grinned sunnily
"Here?" Sloane laughed. "Yeah, thanks. But I'm waiting till we hit the waves back home"
Trystan let him go with a faux-surly look. "You're no fun"
"One of us has to be since your fun comes in different, unpredictable flavors" Sloane grinned.
"Come on!" Trystan tickled him. "I made up that shit about Drakovia and it's flowers sound really good."
Sloane laughed, pushing his hands away. "You did. It's why I'm not roughhousing you to the bed right now and making you regret what you did"
Trystan kissed Sloane. "Thanks, though. For putting up with me."
Sloane groaned. "I wonder just how many times you'll have to apologise when we're married"
"Probably for the rest of our lives." Trystan said and Sloane chuckled. Trystan passionately kissed him. "Are you sure you can't make an exception?" He asked between kisses.
"Make an exception for what?" Sloane moaned.
"Sex" Trystan pressed his body closer, wrapping his arms around his waist. "Plenty of sex"
"Well...." Sloane broke off when Trystan kissed behind his earlobe. "Damn, you're so good."
Trystan reached down. "Wow, I wasn't far off" he said referring to his erection. "Aw, you do want me"
"Of course I want you! What am I? A block?" Sloane asked pushing Trystan to the bed. "Just this one exception."
Trystan grinned. "Just get here already, will ya?"