Long May They Reign

getting the council's help

(Scarlett was at TIFF tonight- she only went to the premiere of Marriage Story as the JoJo Rabbit premiere isn't for 1/2 hour where I am. But here's the cast photo-missing a few though- for it. Can't wait to see it!!).

*********
"You said there were circumstances to which the Vatican would agree to my taking the throne."
"Yes."
"I noticed the count and his men were remarkably gentle with me when you think about it. Even before you paid them. What did you do?"

"I did what any mother would. You were meant to be away with the king but you stayed."

"This is treason mother! If anyone ever found our we would be both hang!"
******

"Okay girls. Best kiss? Not your first, but your best. In detail!!!" Nat had stolen Maria, Laura and Peggy away from Sam, Clint and James to hang out. The ladies who'd been assigned to her a few weeks earlier were a bore and talked about nothing more than clothes and looked down their noses at her though she be a queen. A QUEEN! She missed her girls and therefore had made sure to distance herself from the new ones at all times and hang out with her friends whenever she could.

"You first Laura!"

"It was not a boy. It was a man." She stopped and smirked.

"And?!!! Go on girl!" Maria picked up a handful of grapes and threw them at her.

"Well... Either find yourself a man or take care of your needs yourself." She was egging them on but would never reveal it. And they knew it and they burst out laughing, Nat was red in the face as she thought about what Laura had implied.

*******
"Right now we have a problem. Russia needs more troops and as her queen, you must do something. Or at least acknowledge that your people are in need of help. The Bolshis have breeches the border once again." She could stans no more and rushed out towards the meeting room where she was met by Steve and Henry.

"Natalia. We've been talking about this business with Russia. At this moment we can not do anything that may threaten our alliance with the surrounding countries. Sending in an army might raise the suspicions of neighboring nations.
"No! You don't understand."
"Natalia. You know we would do everthing in our power to help Russia and to help you. However at this time there is only so much we can do and unfortunately that's not enough." Didnt they see?! Her country was falling apart, the same people who had murdered her family were back and she knew that if she went back herself she would not leave alive.

"We agree with you about sending help. We just aren't sure how."

"Why can't we just go to the council? Wouldn't they help an ally? Especially one as powerful as Russia."
"We are at a tilting point. If the Bolshis succeed once again we may lose Russia permanently. No one wants that and I am sure the council will realize that." Steve said. She gasped and hugged him. "Thank you!"
******

Natalia and Steven were currently sitting at a the marble table inside the enormous ballroom. They had been invited (forced) to attend a banquet in their honor.

"This is where the two of you will declare you intent to marry." At this the two teens stared at each other.

Steve was all for it but Natalia had other worries. Her country was being ransacked by those against her family continued rule and she was sitting in a ballroom instead of being in Russia with her people. She had told Steve about her worries before the dinner and he went to meet with the council of war counselors to see what they could do. Apparently, nothing. Even though the royal family ruled in a monarchy, they still had to go through the proper channels and the first channel was the council.

Natalia was not happy about that and has wanted to go and talk to them herself but she wasn't yet apart of the family and Steve reluctantly had to tell her that she could not. 

"It's not fair! My throne is hanging by a thread. You still have yours and will probably always have yours. I'm trying to keep mine!" She had practically screamed at him when she heard. She'd apologized later and he'd accepted it but she still felt horrible for directing her anger at him.

Sometime ago the revels began to flat their flutes lovely and dancers had started making their way across the floor.

It was too loud for anyone to overhear the conversation being spoken by two disgraced, only here for the entertainment of the crown traitors who had become dedicated to ensuring the takedown of both kingdoms.

"Your vision. Have you figured out how the warfare you saw all find its way inade the castle?"
"No."
"But you saw the fighting in Russia. If they are then this castle may see violence within its walls thats been unprecedented. We must ensure they marry. Then we can take what is rightfully ours."

"...And when the other royal families appear you are to-" Sarah was cut off by the clamor in the hallway and the doors opened.

"Your majesties, Lord Meron Carlos, Prince of Portugal."

"I am sorry to interrupt but I overheard of a princess in need of armies for her country. Portugal is willing to send its finest. If, m'lady, you agree to my proposal." He made eye contact with Natalia who felt Steven stiffen at his words and his hand grabbed hers.

"M'lord I am thankful for your interest but I cannot accept your proposal. I am already promised to Prince Steven here. I am so sorry." Here she squeezed Steve's hand in an act of comfort. She wasn't ever going to leave him. That was another of their unspoken promises made to each other.

*****

I will be back to start on the next chapter and upload the first chapter of my Evansson fic. For now I will be heading ovet to IG to see the JoJo Rabbit premiere. I'm so excited to see everyone and see what Scarlett is wearing to this one. That Oscar De La Rebta dress was gorgeous!
-RC
Update: