The broken gear

Royal Family Tension

As they ate they talked about what happened while Thomas was gone. There was a meeting with nobility from the Transylvanian puppet state. They wanted to decrease tensions between their nations. They thought that if they increased relations with the British Empire, then Austria-Hungary would increase relations with them as well, and possibly even Germany.

"Thomas," called his father. He had a short bushy mustache and slightly curled black hair that was slowly turning gray as well as dark brown eyes. "There's some news you might like to hear."

Sarah chuckled.

"What is it?" he responded.

"You're getting married."

Thomas spat out his drink. "What!"

Nelle's eyes widened.

"Listen-" said his father before being interrupted.

"I'm sixteen!"

"Listen! We can't force you to marry but we want you to at least consider it."

"Why didn't you lead with that, and that still doesn't make the situation better."

"Everyone calm down," said Thomas' mother in a raised voice. She had wavy brown hair that reached her lower-middle back and hazel eyes. She also had a faint streak of gray hair on the right side of her hair. "Just consider this for our future and everyone else's."

"But, Arthur and Hazel are older then me. Wouldn't they be better suited for this?"

"Don't drag us into this." said Arthur. He looked like an older version of Thomas but Thomas had a more oval-like face. Arthur also barely had a beard.

"Yeah, stop being so selfish," said Hazel. She had similar hair to her mothers but in a darker color. She had an oval face and light brown eyes.

"How am I being selfish? And how did all of this happen in like two days?"

His father stood up. "Quiet! We got a call from some advisors and officials from our empire, Hungary's and Transylvania, we organized a date for you to meet. We think it could reduce tensions and prolong the monarchies in Europe. She's another noble from Transylvania."

Thomas sighed. "What's the date?"

"In a few days, possibly 2-3."

They ate mostly silently after that. Thomas still had many questions. Why not marry a noble from the empire instead of an occupied area/puppet state? Why him and not Arthur or Hazel? And why his family and not another?

After they finished Thomas and Nelle walked over to a hall of rooms on the east side of the manor. The carpet was red with a yellow outline. The easternmost door on the left side of the hallway was made of dark wood with a sign in silver letters "Thomas". There were empty rooms across it and to its side. To its left was a bathroom door. Thomas had the hallway to himself most of the time. The rooms were bland with little to no decorations. The only decorations were flowers that would be put to make the rooms seem nice. Nelle stayed in the room directly to the right of Thomas'.

She looked out the window and saw a garden lit up by 40 inch street lights that were designed for decorations. She saw Natuna.