Forbidden Love (IronStrange)

3.5

Fall, The Year Of Our Lord 1628
Stark Castle, Stark Lordship, Isle Of Stone, a province of King Edward I
Tony

It's almost time for the harvest feast and I've been putting off talking to Victor for two weeks, even though I promised myself I'd do it the day after Natasha's funeral. I tell Stephen I have private business to do and send him to the library with Wanda and Loki. Then I corner Victor in the hall by the barracks.

"I need your approval for something," I tell him, grabbing his wrist. He looks confused and a bit scared.

"What?"

"Do you approve of me, as in like, if I wish to marry Stephen?" I ask quickly. He laughs suddenly, realizing my intention.

"Well, yes, I suppose," he says slowly, "But only if I get to help plan the wedding." I grin, releasing him and pumping my fist.

"Of course! But I need a good dagger, it's traditional to propose with a small, intricately carved knife. I have five of the metalworkers already on it, but I don't know if they'll be done by tonight or tomorrow. I want to do it tonight, at the harvest feast." I fidget as I remember all the things I need to do to make this exactly right. Victor sets a hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me.

"I can talk to the metalworkers, you set up anything else for tonight that you need and tell me if you need help. It's going to be fine, Stephen is head over heels for you." Victor smiles, turning me around and giving me a small shove in Pepper's direction.

"Tony," she says.

"Yeah? Listen, Pep, I need you to make sure it's a really grand feast for tonight. Madame Cherrie should already have most things prepared, but would you go check? And then have someone wipe down all the tables and benches in the feasting hall. Thanks!" I start to walk away, but she grabs my arm.

"Tony. There's a revolution on the mainland. The king is dying, and a man has declared himself emperor. He swears he'll give vampires, werewolves, and humans equality. They say he's already spoken to the Forest Clan, Flameweld Pack, Polar Pack, Calamis Pack, Deseoto Pack, and the Sea Clan. People are asking if we support the emperor or the king, and if we outright declare fealty to the emperor, we'll die when the king's troops win." Pepper looks upset over it, and makes it seem like the king's factions are certain to win, even if the king dies right now. I don't care, honestly. We're a small province, nobody cares about us.

"We support the emperor. What is his name?" Pepper frowns.

"Emperor Julian. He won't last long—"

"He will with two vampire clans and four werewolf tribes at his back. Does he have plans with any other clan or pack?"

"Reportedly, he's sent men to the Ancient Clan, Fierro Pack, Chase Pack, and Star Clan. I don't know of anything else."

"Then we hail Emperor Julian the First." I walk away to find Thor, wondering how smart my choice was.