NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: I took the liberty of creating our thread, Lamoni. Credit is given to the nations of Damirez, UnitedKingdom2, Lord Sumguy and Mephras for the influence that their RPs had on my idea.

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Ever since the Queen, Charlette VI, had been coronated after assuming that she would never become the monarch of her beloved homeland, life in the Queendom was relatively peaceful with few, if any, problems. The economy flourished, more children were born into the Royal Family, and Parliament went about its business of proposing and debating new laws. Charlette would, at times, appear to greet her subjects at community events, charity galas and even at a nightclub with Amanda Parker, one of her cousins (Amanda had to persuade Charlette to do so) and for all of this did she earn fame and the love of the people. In the Marble Palace, Charlette would be watching the latest films, listening to classical music, or just admire a work of art that she had bought to adorn the walls of her gallery. On some days she would talk to her friends such as Reginald's wife, Duchess Victoria who always had something to say to her as she would partake in tea and biscuits while looking at her children frolic in the palace garden. Watching them, one day, would make Charlette think about starting her own family but she would not focus on such thoughts too much. Throughout her days, the proposal of Prince Iohannes of New Chalcedon was still on her mind as well as the face of Gerald Smythe, that Lamonian diplomat who had spoken to her at the pre-coronation gala. To her, both of them were quite interesting people; one was the son of a murdered Emperor and the other of a simple diplomat. However, she decided to call upon Gerald Smythe; something about him interested her the most (although she did not mean to disregard Iohannes; she still thought about him and his proposal alot) and made her want to talk to him again. While she was educated in the technology of the day, she decided to take some paper and a pen to write a letter for Gerald. The letter, written in beautiful and exquisite handwriting which was similar to calligraphy, was swiftly sent to the Lamonian Embassy (she assumed that Gerald would be staying there); reading as follows:

"Mr. Smythe,

It has been my personal desire to meet you again after we had a brief but enjoyable meeting at the gala. I must invite you to enjoy some tea and sandwiches with me at the Marble Palace; where we can discuss the events of the day and so forth together. If you are unable to visit me, tomorrow, shall we say, then I understand but wish you and your father the best in life. Thank you for your time in reading this letter; which is short because I must deal with matters of state.

Sincerely,
Charlette VI,
Queen of Anglia and the Norwich Islands and Countess of Acroix"

Charlette smiled as she handed the letter off to one of her butlers before taking a walk in the garden to contemplate the recent news about Alice le Poitevin, her Mistress of the Robes, giving birth to the child of Anthony Thornton, Charlette's regent and now the baronet who was also Anglia's Foreign Minister. Such events always made Charlette smile although her own birth, which such events did remind her of, had a sour taste in people's mouths so to speak. When it became night, she simply turned on her high definition television and flipped through the channels until she found something interesting to watch.

OOC: Lamoni, you can post a reply to the letter Charlette sent. Just send him over in your reply.

"Mr. Smythe,

It has been my personal desire to meet you again after we had a brief but enjoyable meeting at the gala. I must invite you to enjoy some tea and sandwiches with me at the Marble Palace; where we can discuss the events of the day and so forth together. If you are unable to visit me, tomorrow, shall we say, then I understand but wish you and your father the best in life. Thank you for your time in reading this letter; which is short because I must deal with matters of state.

Sincerely,
Charlette VI,
Queen of Anglia and the Norwich Islands and Countess of Acroix"

Upon receiving the letter, Gerald bade the messenger to stay until he had composed a response; also on paper.

To: Charlette VI,
Queen of Anglia and the Norwich Islands and Countess of Acroix

Your Majesty,

You may count on me to show up at the Marble Palace mid-morning tomorrow. Such will give me time to complete my duties for the day, leaving me free to respond to your polite summons. I enjoy Your Majesty's company, and it will be an enjoyable visit.

Sincerely,

Gerald Smythe,
Ambassadorial Aide,
Lamonian Embassy,
Anglia

His response letter completed, Gerald sealed it in an envelope, and handed it to the messenger for delivery to the Queen. The messenger hurried off, and Gerald prepared for the rest of his day. Tomorrow would take care of itself. and he was very much looking forward to the meeting.

-THE NEXT DAY-

It was at precisely 10 AM that the diplomatic security SUV had dropped Gerald off at the Marble Palace. The SUV and it's driver would wait for his meeting with the Queen to end, and the driver had brought quite a few books with him in order to stave off boredom.

Gerald walked over to the doors of the palace, and was admitted when it was confirmed that he had business before the Queen.

"It is nice that you are here, Mr. Smythe. The Queen has been quite anxious to meet you and I must say that you look handsome today. We'll just walk through the Palace Gallery on our way to her."

"Thank you for noticing, Eglentyne. I must say that I too have been anxious to meet with her again as well."

As they walked through the Gallery, Gerald passed an eerie portrait of Matthew Parker; the stern young man with a heart of gold colored iron whose eyes seemed to follow Gerald as he walked past the portrait; as if it were studying the man meeting one of his descendants. The eyes, of the color blue, were fixed upon Gerald and looked as if they were literally moving.

Gerald had seen portraits of people where the eyes had seemed to move before, and it didn't bother him. It more amused him than anything. So it was with a smile on his face that Gerald saw the woman that he favored standing next to a patio table, and bidding him sit.

As he took his seat, Gerald answered the Queen. "It is a very pleasant surprise to see you again as well, Your Majesty. Might I have the honor of saying that you look lovely in that dress?"

Dressed in one of her simple dresses, Charlette waited inside the confines of her palace for Gerald to arrive; having recieved his letter with anxiety bubbling within her. She had been eager to meet Gerald ever since she first sent him the letter and, when she heard that he would be visiting today, had donned her one of her finest spring dresses and ordered maids to prepare some tea and biscuits for her and Gerald to partake in; along with some small but delicious sandwiches. Walking through the Palace Gallery for a brief look at the portraits of her ancestors before heading outside, Charlette thought about her school lessons concerning Matthew Parker; who had secured his descendants' hold on the throne in 1812. She could remember how her tutor taught her about Matthew's emulation of the British nation despite his admiration for the politics of Jefferson. Most members of the House of Parker, she had learned, deeply admired British culture and thus cricket, teatime and other British customs, etc were imported into Anglia and are still widely loved to this day. Charlette found her way to the patio tables awaiting her outside and took her seat at one of the chairs. She sat there, thinking about her ancestors, while waiting for Gerald.

Gerald was led to Charlette by a greenhorn maid whose name was Eglentyne; having been recently hired to work for the Queen at an ample salary and who usually showed up to work with a bright smile upon her face. "It is nice that you are here, Mr. Smythe. The Queen has been quite anxious to meet you and I must say that you look handsome today. We'll just walk through the Palace Gallery on our way to her."

As they walked through the Gallery, Gerald passed an eerie portrait of Matthew Parker; the stern young man with a heart of gold colored iron whose eyes seemed to follow Gerald as he walked past the portrait; as if it were studying the man meeting one of his descendents. The eyes, of the color blue, were fixed upon Gerald and looked as if they were literally moving. Eglentyne did not notice Gerald's reaction, if any, to this as she beckoned him to follow her more quickly. She was dressed in a maid's outfit and donned lace stockings that made her quite appealing for a fling or two but every maid was kept in line by their boss and they could lose their job for fooling around.

Gerald was brought to the patio table; where he laid eyes upon Charlette who immediately stood with a smile on her face. "It is a pleasure to see you, Gerald. Please take your seat."

"Thank you for noticing, Eglentyne. I must say that I too have been anxious to meet with her again as well."

Eglentyne smiled at Gerald before they found Charlette; after that she seemed to have disappeared without a trace.

Gerald had seen portraits of people where the eyes had seemed to move before, and it didn't bother him. It more amused him than anything. So it was with a smile on his face that Gerald saw the woman that he favored standing next to a patio table, and bidding him sit.

As he took his seat, Gerald answered the Queen. "It is a very pleasant surprise to see you again as well, Your Majesty. Might I have the honor of saying that you look lovely in that dress?"

"Thank you for the compliment, Gerald; this dress is one of my favorites. Now, tell me, how has life been for you as an aide to your father? I am interested in learning more about you, my guest."

Charlette smiled. "Feel free to partake in tea, biscuits and sandwiches; all of them are for us to enjoy."

"Thank you for the compliment, Gerald; this dress is one of my favorites. Now, tell me, how has life been for you as an aide to your father? I am interested in learning more about you, my guest."

Charlette smiled. "Feel free to partake in tea, biscuits and sandwiches; all of them are for us to enjoy."

"My duties have encompassed a variety of different tasks. I hope that you will understand that I can not talk about anything that is classified, but I have done things ranging from administrative paperwork, to solving disputes between staff, to even learning to shoot various weapons of the security staff in the underground target range. I've learned that shooting off some rounds using the AR-44 is an excellent method of stress management."

Gerald poured himself some tea, and asked Charlette if she would like some as well.

(OOC: AR-44: http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/a2.html )

"My duties have encompassed a variety of different tasks. I hope that you will understand that I can not talk about anything that is classified, but I have done things ranging from administrative paperwork, to solving disputes between staff, to even learning to shoot various weapons of the security staff in the underground target range. I've learned that shooting off some rounds using the AR-44 is an excellent method of stress management."

Gerald poured himself some tea, and asked Charlette if she would like some as well.

(OOC: AR-44: http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/a2.html )

Charlette asked Gerald for some tea before replying to what he had told her.

"I do understand that you cannot talk about anything that is classified; but it is nice to see that you are making yourself useful, not that I mean to be rude by saying that. We have shooting ranges all across this beloved nation of mine; though I usually don't take part in them as much as other people I know. As for myself, I have attended galas for charities, went to a nightclub with my cousin to dance to techno music, and have donated money to various causes. Just recently I took part in the celebrations over my cousin, Amanda giving birth to a healthy daughter. She's the cousin who took me to the nightclub."

Charlette took a sip of her tea. "I've mostly resided here in quiet solace while my cousins marry and have children and so forth. Only George, an assistant curator to the Duke of New York in his museum and Mary Jane, the CEO of M.J Fashion Company remain single along with me....but enough of that for now. Perhaps you'd like a tour of the palace?"

Charlette asked Gerald for some tea before replying to what he had told her.

"I do understand that you cannot talk about anything that is classified; but it is nice to see that you are making yourself useful, not that I mean to be rude by saying that. We have shooting ranges all across this beloved nation of mine; though I usually don't take part in them as much as other people I know. As for myself, I have attended galas for charities, went to a nightclub with my cousin to dance to techno music, and have donated money to various causes. Just recently I took part in the celebrations over my cousin, Amanda giving birth to a healthy daughter. She's the cousin who took me to the nightclub."

Charlette took a sip of her tea. "I've mostly resided here in quiet solace while my cousins marry and have children and so forth. Only George, an assistant curator to the Duke of New York in his museum and Mary Jane, the CEO of M.J Fashion Company remain single along with me....but enough of that for now. Perhaps you'd like a tour of the palace?"

Gerald poured the tea for the Queen, finishing the pouring with flourish.

"It is a fact that shooting weapons is not for everyone. I had no idea that you might like Techno music, Your Majesty. Maybe we can go to such a nightclub if you wish. Congratulations for your cousin. Childbirth is a wonderful event. I wish her and her daughter the best.

I would very much like a tour of the palace. I am personally new to the whole idea of being with royalty, so I don't intend to offend by what I say next. Would it be acceptable if I called you Charlette in private?"

Gerald poured the tea for the Queen, finishing the pouring with flourish.

"It is a fact that shooting weapons is not for everyone. I had no idea that you might like Techno music, Your Majesty. Maybe we can go to such a nightclub if you wish. Congratulations for your cousin. Childbirth is a wonderful event. I wish her and her daughter the best.

"My cousin is the one who likes techno music; she just wanted me to come along and I decided that I would after we talked about it for a while. She also plays tennis, you know, but has retired from it for a while so she can raise her newborn daughter."

I would very much like a tour of the palace. I am personally new to the whole idea of being with royalty, so I don't intend to offend by what I say next. Would it be acceptable if I called you Charlette in private?"

"A tour with you, Gerald, would be alright. Sure; you may call me Charlette. After I finish my tea, we can go on our tour."

"My cousin is the one who likes techno music; she just wanted me to come along and I decided that I would after we talked about it for a while. She also plays tennis, you know, but has retired from it for a while so she can raise her newborn daughter."

"Your cousin sounds like she was good at Tennis. It is a good game, but I never really had the time to follow it."

"A tour with you, Gerald, would be alright. Sure; you may call me Charlette. After I finish my tea, we can go on our tour."

"Thank you, Charlette. It would please me greatly to go on a tour of the palace with you." Gerald drank more of his tea, and munched on a sandwich.

"Your cousin sounds like she was good at Tennis. It is a good game, but I never really had the time to follow it."

"She plays what is called real tennis and has apparently played in tournaments."

"Thank you, Charlette. It would please me greatly to go on a tour of the palace with you." Gerald drank more of his tea, and munched on a sandwich.

Charlette smiled. "What did you do before you came here?"

Charlette smiled. "What did you do before you came here?"

"Would you like me to begin with my birth?" *A mischievous wink* "Seriously, I completed degrees in Business, Anthropology, and another degree that I don't quite remember the name of at the moment.

After I graduated, my father chose me to study to be a diplomatic aide, and when my father was eventually given the ambassadorial position to Anglia, he chose me to be his aide. He claimed that I had the best scores in my class. No one had told me how I placed, so for all I know, that claim could well be true.

I also liked to attend Renaissance Faires as a character. A lot of the time, I would go with a group of friends, who were all dressed as characters from King Arthur's court at Camelot. I myself would dress up as Sir Lancelot. He was the most bloodthirsty of the lot, which is ironic, considering the job that I now hold."

"Would you like me to begin with my birth?" *A mischievous wink* "Seriously, I completed degrees in Business, Anthropology, and another degree that I don't quite remember the name of at the moment."

"I completed degrees in subjects such as History and Politics; but I would study a variety of things when I was in University. I can still remember the friends I made, the teachers I met, and the loud parties that kept me up at night." Charlette giggled. "I could have sworn that I heard a keg of beer roll down the hallway with people running after it."

After I graduated, my father chose me to study to be a diplomatic aide, and when my father was eventually given the ambassadorial position to Anglia, he chose me to be his aide. He claimed that I had the best scores in my class. No one had told me how I placed, so for all I know, that claim could well be true.

After graduating, I basically did a variety of things and tried to have fun in my life as much as was possible. When I was told by the Lord Chancellor that I would be Queen....that changed my life forever."

I also liked to attend Renaissance Faires as a character. A lot of the time, I would go with a group of friends, who were all dressed as characters from King Arthur's court at Camelot. I myself would dress up as Sir Lancelot. He was the most bloodthirsty of the lot, which is ironic, considering the job that I now hold."

"We have such fairs here, you know and many people still joust, Gerald. We still remember the medieval side of our nation's culture."

"I completed degrees in subjects such as History and Politics; but I would study a variety of things when I was in University. I can still remember the friends I made, the teachers I met, and the loud parties that kept me up at night." Charlette giggled. "I could have sworn that I heard a keg of beer roll down the hallway with people running after it."

Gerald grinned. "That sounds just like my college days. The parties, friends, and professors. Of course, it would've been more than one keg in the university that I went to." Gerald thought that Charlette had such a pretty giggle, and he found himself wanting to hear her giggle or even laugh again.

After graduating, I basically did a variety of things and tried to have fun in my life as much as was possible. When I was told by the Lord Chancellor that I would be Queen....that changed my life forever."


"They could not have picked a better person to bestow such an honor upon, Charlette."

"We have such fairs here, you know and many people still joust, Gerald. We still remember the medieval side of our nation's culture."

"Lamoni was settled well after the medieval period, so we generally attend such faires out of nostalgia."

Gerald grinned. "That sounds just like my college days. The parties, friends, and professors. Of course, it would've been more than one keg in the university that I went to." Gerald thought that Charlette had such a pretty giggle, and he found himself wanting to hear her giggle or even laugh again.

"My roommate, Helen Middleton, and I tried our best to get good grades while dealing with the professors who would give us tests, the boys who would flirt with us and the parties that would be quite loud. I can remember Helen trying so hard to drown out their noise. We were also members of a sorority, Zeta Epsilon Gamma or Z.E.G and I fondly remember my sorority's parties and galas."


"They could not have picked a better person to bestow such an honor upon, Charlette."

"That was an unexpected compliment....thank you."


"Lamoni was settled well after the medieval period, so we generally attend such faires out of nostalgia."

"My nation was founded during the Medieval period."

"My roommate, Helen Middleton, and I tried our best to get good grades while dealing with the professors who would give us tests, the boys who would flirt with us and the parties that would be quite loud. I can remember Helen trying so hard to drown out their noise. We were also members of a sorority, Zeta Epsilon Gamma or Z.E.G and I fondly remember my sorority's parties and galas."


"I was the one that all the other guys hated; the college girls were all over me. I dated quite a few of them, but it rarely got beyond that. Some people muttered about it, but I just ignored it. I also tried to get good grades, but it wasn't exactly easy with the loud parties everywhere. I was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, which I remember fondly.

"That was an unexpected compliment....thank you."

"You're welcome, Charlette."

"My nation was founded during the Medieval period."

"I am sure that Anglia has a long and heroic history."

"I was the one that all the other guys hated; the college girls were all over me. I dated quite a few of them, but it rarely got beyond that. Some people muttered about it, but I just ignored it. I also tried to get good grades, but it wasn't exactly easy with the loud parties everywhere. I was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, which I remember fondly.

Charlette smiled. "A lot of the guys wanted to go out with me and/or Helen but we usually shrugged them off although I did like a few of them. Most people knew that I was the King's daughter and so people did take a serious interest in me."


"You're welcome, Charlette."

"You are a nice man, Gerald."


"I am sure that Anglia has a long and heroic history."

"Anglian history is quite long and filled with all sorts of events and people. Let's start the tour; I'll show you an important painting that I have here in this palace."

Charlette led Gerald into the gallery after telling Eglantyne that she could take away the cups, etc from the patio. The painting that Charlette and Gerald found themselves looking at was a massive painting that depicted a man recieving the Crown of Anglia; his blue eyes focused on the crown which was in the hands of a clergyman in liturgical robes. A beautiful woman, a femme fatale, stood near the man as if in admiration and awe and there were all sorts of people around the throne including members of the Knights Templar. It was a painting of an elaborate coronation with all the pomp and ceremony one could expect.

"In 1812, Matthew Parker was coronated as the King of Anglia after James III died without an heir because his wife was barren; he never wanted another wife. Matthew Parker was chosen because he had a claim to the throne and many people in Parliament admired him for his class, his gentlemanly attitude, and his apparent abilities. This painting, painted in 1812 by a court painter, shows him recieving the crown from the Archbishop of Anglia with his wife, Isabelle Hauteville, standing nearby. Isabelle, described as a seductively beautiful woman by many, often supported her husband and helped him at times. I claim paternal descent from Matthew Parker, Gerald, and I've spent a lot of time learning all I can about him. In a way, I admire him."

Leading Gerald down the gallery a bit, they stopped at a portrait of Matthew's family. "My descent from King Matt, as he was fondly called, begins from his heir, Prince Francis. Francis wanted to emulate the British Empire and so he brought British culture, etc here to Anglia. King Matt's other children married and had children of their own but Francis was the foremost of them because he had been born first. Francis was a gentleman who often played croquet, spent time at the opera, and married a British woman by the name of Anne Croft, who was born into the British aristocracy."

Charlette smiled. "The Anglian treats Britain, primarily England, as the abode of the ancestors; the point from which we all came into existence. To be an Anglian, one must remember that their ancestors came from England and that we are all Englishmen and women at heart, at spirit, and in our blood. Now, let's continue our tour."

Charlette showed Gerald basically every inch of the Marble Palace from the Servant's Compound to the kitchens until they found themselves standing at one of the many doors. "This is my room; it's where I sleep and study. Let's go inside."

Charlette's room was furnished with all the luxuries expected in the bedrooms of royalty but it also had a lot of books laying around, a portrait of a regal looking woman hanging on the wall, and a couple of letters from Helen Middleton who wrote enthusiastically when she heard of Charlette becoming Queen. "Feel free to look around, Gerald. Some of the items from my childhood are still here like this music box. My mother would play it to help me fall asleep."

bump

bump

OOC: Look above this bump for my post.

(im not in this but I have a question to ask)

Would Helen be your sister?

(im not in this but I have a question to ask)

Would Helen be your sister?

No. Why do you ask?

(I'm not in this one)

Charlette smiled. "A lot of the guys wanted to go out with me and/or Helen but we usually shrugged them off although I did like a few of them. Most people knew that I was the King's daughter and so people did take a serious interest in me."

It just sounds like Helen is your sister. Anyhow, I was only curious.

(I'm not in this one)



It just sounds like Helen is your sister. Anyhow, I was only curious.

OOC: That's okay; I understand. Helen is just a student at Charlette's university who became a close friend of hers.

OOC: that's cool. I was just wondering thats all.

Charlette smiled. "A lot of the guys wanted to go out with me and/or Helen but we usually shrugged them off although I did like a few of them. Most people knew that I was the King's daughter and so people did take a serious interest in me."


"I wonder though, did they take interest in you for you, or was their interest based on the fact that you were the king's daughter?"

"You are a nice man, Gerald."

"Thank you, Charlette. I try to be."

Charlette's room was furnished with all the luxuries expected in the bedrooms of royalty but it also had a lot of books laying around, a portrait of a regal looking woman hanging on the wall, and a couple of letters from Helen Middleton who wrote enthusiastically when she heard of Charlette becoming Queen. "Feel free to look around, Gerald. Some of the items from my childhood are still here like this music box. My mother would play it to help me fall asleep."

"Thank you, Charlette." Gerald took his time in looking about the room, reading the titles of the various books, and noting the various other things in the room. It had made an interesting place to end the tour; especially as how he'd never been in a Royal's bedroom before. Everything in the room seemed to EXUDE comfort and privilege. Though, Charlette was still the best/prettiest thing in the entire room. At least to him, she was.

"I wonder though, did they take interest in you for you, or was their interest based on the fact that you were the king's daughter?"

"I'm assuming that it could have been a mix of both. I never went all the way with a man though."



"Thank you, Charlette. I try to be."

"It is always good to be nice."


"Thank you, Charlette." Gerald took his time in looking about the room, reading the titles of the various books, and noting the various other things in the room. It had made an interesting place to end the tour; especially as how he'd never been in a Royal's bedroom before. Everything in the room seemed to EXUDE comfort and privilege. Though, Charlette was still the best/prettiest thing in the entire room. At least to him, she was.

"Here are some photographs that I've kept from my past, Gerald." Charlette said as she brought out some photos for Gerald to look at; including a photo of her standing with the members of her sorority outside the sorority's headquarters. "There's Helen standing right beside me along with some of our friends in the sorority. We took this picture around graduation time....after all we all wanted to say our goodbyes and the like."

Charlette took out a university yearbook and smiled. "Feel free to flip through it. I've had this yearbook since I graduated university; this is the special graduation edition. You should see all the pictures, short stories, lyrics and so forth that it has."

"I'm assuming that it could have been a mix of both. I never went all the way with a man though."

"There were several women who tried to go all the way with me in college, but I didn't let them. You know how women will sometimes swarm over a particularly good looking and popular guy. It was fun being the center of attention at times, however."

"It is always good to be nice."

"What was that old saying? Oh yes, 'you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.'"

"Here are some photographs that I've kept from my past, Gerald." Charlette said as she brought out some photos for Gerald to look at; including a photo of her standing with the members of her sorority outside the sorority's headquarters. "There's Helen standing right beside me along with some of our friends in the sorority. We took this picture around graduation time....after all we all wanted to say our goodbyes and the like."

Charlette took out a university yearbook and smiled. "Feel free to flip through it. I've had this yearbook since I graduated university; this is the special graduation edition. You should see all the pictures, short stories, lyrics and so forth that it has."

Gerald looked at the pictures first, and nodded when Charlette pointed out Helen standing next to her. "People rarely see the friends that they had in college after they have graduated and moved on in life. However, I suspect that a lot of your old friends will be seeing a lot of you in the media. Royalty and politicians attract cameras like flies. Still, I think that it would be interesting to meet Helen at some point."

"Thank you, Charlette." Gerald handled the yearbook with care, and looked at what was contained within. As you might expect, he paid a lot of attention to anything that had even a passing mention of Charlette in it. Finally, he pointed out a picture, and asked Charlette about it. It looked to be some kind of dance, and you could see Charlette in a very nice dress that accentuated her features.

OOC: IC post coming soon.

"There were several women who tried to go all the way with me in college, but I didn't let them. You know how women will sometimes swarm over a particularly good looking and popular guy. It was fun being the center of attention at times, however."

Charlette smiled. "Some men had women swarming all over them at the university but I was not part of them; as I value looks and character. I won't get myself involved with a good looking man who is not honest with me for example."



"What was that old saying? Oh yes, 'you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.'"

Charlette laughed a little. "Some men and women have admirers swarm them like locusts on a wheat field."


Gerald looked at the pictures first, and nodded when Charlette pointed out Helen standing next to her. "People rarely see the friends that they had in college after they have graduated and moved on in life. However, I suspect that a lot of your old friends will be seeing a lot of you in the media. Royalty and politicians attract cameras like flies. Still, I think that it would be interesting to meet Helen at some point."

"I've seen several of my friends from my university days recently; such as Helen. She recently got married to a fellow classmate named Constantine Campbell and has a son and daughter living with her. I've kept in touch with her for quite some time and she was overjoyed to hear that I was named the Queen of Anglia."

"Thank you, Charlette." Gerald handled the yearbook with care, and looked at what was contained within. As you might expect, he paid a lot of attention to anything that had even a passing mention of Charlette in it. Finally, he pointed out a picture, and asked Charlette about it. It looked to be some kind of dance, and you could see Charlette in a very nice dress that accentuated her features.

"That was one of our university's dance nights; we could take a break from studying and go dancing along with plenty of other activities. That dress was one of my favorite dresses and I still have it today, you know. I also still have my graduation outfit and if you look on the wall, you'll see my diploma from university. I've always been proud to have graduated, Gerald."

Charlette smiled at him; she did think that he was an attractive young man but at this moment she had no other feelings for him that may be classified as love or even a crush. "Would you like to go into the city, Gerald? Also, you are more than welcome to stay for dinner; I'll have someone notify the embassy. She was only recently hired but is a hard working young woman."

bump.

Charlette smiled. "Some men had women swarming all over them at the university but I was not part of them; as I value looks and character. I won't get myself involved with a good looking man who is not honest with me for example."

Gerald wondered if that was some sort of hint or not. However, he also knew that he would have to confess his feelings to her. "I understand," was all he said at that point, however.

Charlette laughed a little. "Some men and women have admirers swarm them like locusts on a wheat field."

"Not always healthy for the man or woman in question, i'm afraid."

"I've seen several of my friends from my university days recently; such as Helen. She recently got married to a fellow classmate named Constantine Campbell and has a son and daughter living with her. I've kept in touch with her for quite some time and she was overjoyed to hear that I was named the Queen of Anglia."

"I congratulate her on finding the person for her, then. That is one thing that everyone can agree on in life."

"That was one of our university's dance nights; we could take a break from studying and go dancing along with plenty of other activities. That dress was one of my favorite dresses and I still have it today, you know. I also still have my graduation outfit and if you look on the wall, you'll see my diploma from university. I've always been proud to have graduated, Gerald."

Charlette smiled at him; she did think that he was an attractive young man but at this moment she had no other feelings for him that may be classified as love or even a crush. "Would you like to go into the city, Gerald? Also, you are more than welcome to stay for dinner; I'll have someone notify the embassy. She was only recently hired but is a hard working young woman."

"I am sure that you look just as good in the dress now as you did then. And, I too have always been proud to have graduated from University. I would love to go into the city with you, Charlette; and I happily accept you invitation to dine with you tonight.

Charlette, if I told you something, would you promise me that you won't get angry?"


*Gerald paused for a reply*

"Charlette, I think that you are certainly the most beautiful woman that I have come across, and I wanted to say that I have a crush on you. I am perfectly fine with the two of us being friends, but I needed you to know."

Gerald wondered if that was some sort of hint or not. However, he also knew that he would have to confess his feelings to her. "I understand," was all he said at that point, however.

Charlette smiled. "One day I will find someone to love; but until that day comes I am glad that I, a single Queen, at least have my health."


"Not always healthy for the man or woman in question, i'm afraid."

Charlette giggled a little. "Especially if you are a princess!"

"I congratulate her on finding the person for her, then. That is one thing that everyone can agree on in life."

"She is really happy with him, you know; I think that I would have taken an interest in him but we are just friends."

"I am sure that you look just as good in the dress now as you did then. And, I too have always been proud to have graduated from University. I would love to go into the city with you, Charlette; and I happily accept you invitation to dine with you tonight.

Charlette smiled. "Flattery is a skill of yours, Gerald? I must say that it will be a pleasure to have you eat dinner with me."

Charlette, if I told you something, would you promise me that you won't get angry?"

"It depends on what you would tell me but yes, I do promise you."

"Charlette, I think that you are certainly the most beautiful woman that I have come across, and I wanted to say that I have a crush on you. I am perfectly fine with the two of us being friends, but I needed you to know."

Charlette was amazed and was silent for a while before speaking. "I...never knew that you had a crush on me. I do find you attractive and all but I do not think I love you at the moment...I am not angry that you told me about it. You just wanted to lessen the burden of holding it in, Gerald, and I am glad that you are honest."

Charlette giggled a little. "Especially if you are a princess!"

Gerald smiled warmly.

Charlette smiled. "Flattery is a skill of yours, Gerald? I must say that it will be a pleasure to have you eat dinner with me."

'You don't know the half of it, Charlette.' Gerald thought.

Charlette was amazed and was silent for a while before speaking. "I...never knew that you had a crush on me. I do find you attractive and all but I do not think I love you at the moment...I am not angry that you told me about it. You just wanted to lessen the burden of holding it in, Gerald, and I am glad that you are honest."

"It felt like I might explode if I had held it in much longer. I wonder... you are the first woman that i've ever really reacted this way to."

"It felt like I might explode if I had held it in much longer. I wonder... you are the first woman that i've ever really reacted this way to."

"I understand that you may have such thoughts and feelings for me but as of the moment, I must confess that I do not have the ability to reciprocate due to the absence of such thoughts and feelings for you in the confines of my mind. Nevertheless, you will be welcome here."

Charlette smiled before she inquired about the time. "It seems that the time for dinner is nearing us. Let us take our seats at the table. Follow me, Gerald."

As they walked together to the dining room, Charlette began to silently contemplate Gerald's confession and began to think about her own feelings. She did feel that he was an attractive man but did she have any feelings of love for him? She'd think about it later, she thought, as they finally found the table while Eglantyne and others began to lay out some glasses of wine and cutlery. A butler announced what they would have for dinner before Charlette began to speak while using a fork to pick up a meat ring (OOC: onion rings with meat inside instead of onions). "Have you played rugby, Gerald? It is one of our nation's most popular sports, I believe. Recently I attended a rugby match in Thomasville and was given a skybox in the stadium. Peering down from it, I could see all the players pushing and shoving each other for that ball. I have had some time in athletic activities but I don't play rugby. I have seen Bettingham, the Lord Chancellor, partake in golf as well."

As the food was eventually brought out, Charlette continued to speak to Gerald in that refined and sophisticated tone of voice that she posessed as a result of careful grooming and cautious upbringing. "Tommorrow we can go on our tour of the city unless you wish to do so during the night. It would not be a problem for me at all really. You should see Clinton Square and some of the other landmarks in Newcastle. There is also the Royal Crypt; where all the monarchs of Anglia have been laid to rest; although it is the King/Queen's choice as to where they are laid to rest really. When I die, I just want a simple tomb although I would understand if it was adorned with all the items one expects of the tomb of a monarch but let us not talk for long about morbid matters. Tell me more about yourself, Gerald. There must be more to you than just being the son of Gregory Smythe, the Ambassador of Lamoni to Anglia."

bump.

"I understand that you may have such thoughts and feelings for me but as of the moment, I must confess that I do not have the ability to reciprocate due to the absence of such thoughts and feelings for you in the confines of my mind. Nevertheless, you will be welcome here."

Gerald was very glad for the fact that he was still welcome in Charlette's presence. He knew that as royalty, she could have done almost anything that she wanted to him, and no one would object.

"Have you played rugby, Gerald? It is one of our nation's most popular sports, I believe. Recently I attended a rugby match in Thomasville and was given a skybox in the stadium. Peering down from it, I could see all the players pushing and shoving each other for that ball. I have had some time in athletic activities but I don't play rugby. I have seen Bettingham, the Lord Chancellor, partake in golf as well."

"Rugby is not as popular a sport back home as it is here, Your Majesty. Gridball is more popular, though I have seen a few Rugby matches in college in my time."

"Tommorrow we can go on our tour of the city unless you wish to do so during the night. It would not be a problem for me at all really. You should see Clinton Square and some of the other landmarks in Newcastle. There is also the Royal Crypt; where all the monarchs of Anglia have been laid to rest; although it is the King/Queen's choice as to where they are laid to rest really. When I die, I just want a simple tomb although I would understand if it was adorned with all the items one expects of the tomb of a monarch but let us not talk for long about morbid matters. Tell me more about yourself, Gerald. There must be more to you than just being the son of Gregory Smythe, the Ambassador of Lamoni to Anglia."

"There is indeed more to me than just being the Ambassador's son, Your Majesty. When I was in college, I had no idea what type of degree that I wanted to pursue, or even what career that I wanted to have. So I ended up getting three different degrees. The one that influenced me the most however; was my Anthropology degree. The study of Cultural Anthropology is one where you must have objectivity, and you can't project your own moral views of right and wrong upon what other cultures do. There are not a lot of people who can do that, but the intellectual rewards are worth it."

(OOC: i'd say more, but the bed is calling to me)

"Rugby is not as popular a sport back home as it is here, Your Majesty. Gridball is more popular, though I have seen a few Rugby matches in college in my time."

"You must enlighten my mind about the rules of Gridball, Gerald. I would be most interested in learning about the sport."


"There is indeed more to me than just being the Ambassador's son, Your Majesty. When I was in college, I had no idea what type of degree that I wanted to pursue, or even what career that I wanted to have. So I ended up getting three different degrees. The one that influenced me the most however; was my Anthropology degree. The study of Cultural Anthropology is one where you must have objectivity, and you can't project your own moral views of right and wrong upon what other cultures do. There are not a lot of people who can do that, but the intellectual rewards are worth it."

"Cultural Anthropology? I think that such a field would be appealing to some of the people I know but I have devoted myself to the study of history and politics along with a variety of other fields as I believe it is good to learn as much as you can in this mortal life of ours. Mind you that I am more concerned with the moral state of Man....."

Charlette smiled slightly. "Latitudinarianism is my religious philosophy, Gerald. We Latitudinarians do not believe so zealously in doctrine and ceremonial matters preferring the idea that Man, his morality, is much more important. Doctrine and ceremony does not stop even men of the cloth in the committing of sins. No person on this Earth is perfect, Gerald. No one ever will be."

Charlette was silent for a moment before smiling. "Let us speak of more better things, Gerald. I think it would be alright if you stayed here tonight instead of going back to the embassy so Eglantyne will make sure you get to your guest room which will be some rooms down from my own. If you need anything, Eglantyne will assist you."

(OOC: i'd say more, but the bed is calling to me)

OOC: I understand. Also, I'm going to fast forward.

After Gerald and Charlette spent more time together it was time for everyone to retire to their beds to the night; with Eglantyne taking Gerald to his guest room while Charlette walked silently to her bedroom to get changed into her purple lace nightgown before getting into bed with one of her many books to read before she would fall asleep but as she changed and read her book she could only think about Gerald; his confession of love for her was constantly being recited in the confines of her mind over and over again. She tried to drown out the voices by reading her book but then she placed it down on the bed and sighed when such an act was in vain. She closed her eyes and went to sleep but the voices could still be heard in her head and she dreamt about him...she dreamt about Gerald. She did not know why she did; she doubted that she had her own crush on him...no, that could not be it.

"You must enlighten my mind about the rules of Gridball, Gerald. I would be most interested in learning about the sport."

"There are several differences between Rugby and Gridball. First, they use an ovoid ball, ( http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50141061/Football.jpg ) which can be either thrown, or carried by someone who is running. I must also say that the players in Gridball use more safety gear than those who play Rugby. ( http://www.squibkick.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/steve-smith-fantasy-article-si-com.jpg ) The object of the game is to gain territory, which is measured in yards. When you reach what is known as the 'End Zone,' you score six points. A Field Goal is three points, and a Safety is two points. There is an extra point which you can attempt after scoring the six points that I mentioned earlier. There are a lot more rules that I could show you online at some point, if you wish."

"Cultural Anthropology? I think that such a field would be appealing to some of the people I know but I have devoted myself to the study of history and politics along with a variety of other fields as I believe it is good to learn as much as you can in this mortal life of ours. Mind you that I am more concerned with the moral state of Man....."

Charlette smiled slightly. "Latitudinarianism is my religious philosophy, Gerald. We Latitudinarians do not believe so zealously in doctrine and ceremonial matters preferring the idea that Man, his morality, is much more important. Doctrine and ceremony does not stop even men of the cloth in the committing of sins. No person on this Earth is perfect, Gerald. No one ever will be."

"It is true that no one will ever be perfect. However, that does not mean that we should strive to improve ourselves. It is the entire purpose of man to never cease attempts to improve themselves."

Charlette was silent for a moment before smiling. "Let us speak of more better things, Gerald. I think it would be alright if you stayed here tonight instead of going back to the embassy so Eglantyne will make sure you get to your guest room which will be some rooms down from my own. If you need anything, Eglantyne will assist you."

"Thank you. I should make a phone call to my father, and tell him where i'll be staying, then. Good night, then."

"There are several differences between Rugby and Gridball. First, they use an ovoid ball, ( http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50141061/Football.jpg ) which can be either thrown, or carried by someone who is running. I must also say that the players in Gridball use more safety gear than those who play Rugby. ( http://www.squibkick.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/steve-smith-fantasy-article-si-com.jpg ) The object of the game is to gain territory, which is measured in yards. When you reach what is known as the 'End Zone,' you score six points. A Field Goal is three points, and a Safety is two points. There is an extra point which you can attempt after scoring the six points that I mentioned earlier. There are a lot more rules that I could show you online at some point, if you wish."

"From the information that you have given me, I must state that I would be most interested not only in you using my personal computer, a laptop, to show me those "(more) rules" that you mentioned but that I would also be interested in seeing a game of Gridball actually played."


"It is true that no one will ever be perfect. However, that does not mean that we should strive to improve ourselves. It is the entire purpose of man to never cease attempts to improve themselves."

"Such words are truth, my friend. Man should always improve itself or at least attempt to. I detest immorality but it is our God given free will which regulates our lives. God can do nothing to intervene because then he will become a tyrant."


"Thank you. I should make a phone call to my father, and tell him where i'll be staying, then. Good night, then."

"You may do that, sir. I hope you sleep well."

The next day came with the rising of the sun in the skies over Newcastle and the complimentary breakfast on a tray that Eglantyne brought Gerald on Charlette's personal order. She had already woken up earlier in the morning, had her breakfast, and donned an informal suit that made her look distinguished. After everyone had eaten their meals, Charlette found Gerald with a smile on her face. "I'll give you a personal tour of Newcastle today, Gerald. We shall get going now."

A limosuine was outside with its customary chauffer; waiting for the arrival of its two honored occupants before it began to drive on the one of many roads in Newcastle; going past old houses and nearing modern skyscrapers. Cathedrals from the Middle Ages could still be seen with parishoners and tourists congregating outside the entrances while a billboard showed off Charlette's cousin's Mary Jane's fashion company. "Newcastle was named for an old castle owned by Henry de Beauchamp, our nation's founder. Henry was unanimously supported by everyone and was crowned King of Anglia; reigning for many years. We can visit the castle if you want but we have to wait for some time then as it is in the outskirts of the city. However, we'll be visiting a museum first."

As the limosuine drove to the Museum of National History, Charlette began to explain what Gerald would see there. "Not only will you see suits of armor and medieval portraits, you will see the Duke of New York and his son, for they are the Curator and Assistant Curator of the Museum respectively; and are also two of my relatives. I'd love it if you could be on their good side....they'd probably want to learn more about you." Charlette smiled before the limosuine came to a stop outside the entrance. The Royal Guard escorted Charlette and Gerald inside the massive building where Gerald could see a mosaic of Henry de Beauchamp in his full regalia and surrounded by knights, jesters and ladies of the court which included his wife. All of them were wearing elaborate medieval style clothes and seemed to be peering down (some of them were) at people as they walked around. Charlette led Gerald past the eyes of Henry before they came upon a middle aged man whose eyes were fixed on a suit of armor worn by Sir William Glasdale; the ancestor of the Glasdale family. He was dressed in some sort of suit with the museum and ducal insignia visible to all. This man was Richard Parker, the Duke of New York. As Charlette walked towards him, she shouted some words in Middle English which made Richard turn around; his blue eyes fixed upon her and Gerald and his tone quite solemn. "Charlette, I'm glad to see you again...hopefully you are appreciating Anglian history. Who may I ask is this gentleman with you?"

Gerald, if he felt it, could feel that Richard was studying him like a scholar would study his books. "This man is Gerald Smythe, the son of the Lamonian ambassador to our beloved nation. I invited him to spend the previous day with me and I promised I'd give him a tour of Newcastle today."

"It is nice to meet you, Mr. Smythe. I am the Duke of New York, Richard Parker; also one of the uncles of Queen Charlette. You must let me show you around on your first visit to this museum. Here...look at this suit of armor. IT was worn by Sir William Glasdale; the ancestor of the still existing Glasdale family of today. He fought in numerous battles in the Hundred Years War which enabled him to fight against the Maid of Orleans....Jeanne D'Arc. I may be an Englishman but I can admire Mademoiselle Jeanne for her courage and bravery. It is not every day that a Jeanne appears in this world, don't you think Gerald?"

"There are several differences between Rugby and Gridball. First, they use an ovoid ball, ( http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50141061/Football.jpg ) which can be either thrown, or carried by someone who is running. I must also say that the players in Gridball use more safety gear than those who play Rugby. ( http://www.squibkick.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/steve-smith-fantasy-article-si-com.jpg ) The object of the game is to gain territory, which is measured in yards. When you reach what is known as the 'End Zone,' you score six points. A Field Goal is three points, and a Safety is two points. There is an extra point which you can attempt after scoring the six points that I mentioned earlier. There are a lot more rules that I could show you online at some point, if you wish."

"From the information that you have given me, I must state that I would be most interested not only in you using my personal computer, a laptop, to show me those "(more) rules" that you mentioned but that I would also be interested in seeing a game of Gridball actually played."


"It is true that no one will ever be perfect. However, that does not mean that we should strive to improve ourselves. It is the entire purpose of man to never cease attempts to improve themselves."

"Such words are truth, my friend. Man should always improve itself or at least attempt to. I detest immorality but it is our God given free will which regulates our lives. God can do nothing to intervene because then he will become a tyrant."


"Thank you. I should make a phone call to my father, and tell him where i'll be staying, then. Good night, then."

"You may do that, sir. I hope you sleep well."

The next day came with the rising of the sun in the skies over Newcastle and the complimentary breakfast on a tray that Eglantyne brought Gerald on Charlette's personal order. She had already woken up earlier in the morning, had her breakfast, and donned an informal suit that made her look distinguished. After everyone had eaten their meals, Charlette found Gerald with a smile on her face. "I'll give you a personal tour of Newcastle today, Gerald. We shall get going now."

A limosuine was outside with its customary chauffer; waiting for the arrival of its two honored occupants before it began to drive on the one of many roads in Newcastle; going past old houses and nearing modern skyscrapers. Cathedrals from the Middle Ages could still be seen with parishoners and tourists congregating outside the entrances while a billboard showed off Charlette's cousin's Mary Jane's fashion company. "Newcastle was named for an old castle owned by Henry de Beauchamp, our nation's founder. Henry was unanimously supported by everyone and was crowned King of Anglia; reigning for many years. We can visit the castle if you want but we have to wait for some time then as it is in the outskirts of the city. However, we'll be visiting a museum first."

As the limosuine drove to the Museum of National History, Charlette began to explain what Gerald would see there. "Not only will you see suits of armor and medieval portraits, you will see the Duke of New York and his son, for they are the Curator and Assistant Curator of the Museum respectively; and are also two of my relatives. I'd love it if you could be on their good side....they'd probably want to learn more about you." Charlette smiled before the limosuine came to a stop outside the entrance. The Royal Guard escorted Charlette and Gerald inside the massive building where Gerald could see a mosaic of Henry de Beauchamp in his full regalia and surrounded by knights, jesters and ladies of the court which included his wife. All of them were wearing elaborate medieval style clothes and seemed to be peering down (some of them were) at people as they walked around. Charlette led Gerald past the eyes of Henry before they came upon a middle aged man whose eyes were fixed on a suit of armor worn by Sir William Glasdale; the ancestor of the Glasdale family. He was dressed in some sort of suit with the museum and ducal insignia visible to all. This man was Richard Parker, the Duke of New York. As Charlette walked towards him, she shouted some words in Middle English which made Richard turn around; his blue eyes fixed upon her and Gerald and his tone quite solemn. "Charlette, I'm glad to see you again...hopefully you are appreciating Anglian history. Who may I ask is this gentleman with you?"

Gerald, if he felt it, could feel that Richard was studying him like a scholar would study his books. "This man is Gerald Smythe, the son of the Lamonian ambassador to our beloved nation. I invited him to spend the previous day with me and I promised I'd give him a tour of Newcastle today."

"It is nice to meet you, Mr. Smythe. I am the Duke of New York, Richard Parker; also one of the uncles of Queen Charlette. You must let me show you around on your first visit to this museum. Here...look at this suit of armor. IT was worn by Sir William Glasdale; the ancestor of the still existing Glasdale family of today. He fought in numerous battles in the Hundred Years War which enabled him to fight against the Maid of Orleans....Jeanne D'Arc. I may be an Englishman but I can admire Mademoiselle Jeanne for her courage and bravery. It is not every day that a Jeanne appears in this world, don't you think Gerald?"

"From the information that you have given me, I must state that I would be most interested not only in you using my personal computer, a laptop, to show me those "(more) rules" that you mentioned but that I would also be interested in seeing a game of Gridball actually played."

OOC: Assuming that Charlette has let him use her computer, and gotten past any computer security stuff

IC: Gerald performed a web search with a popular Lamonian internet search engine; and found the official Lamonian Gridball rules (OOC: assume something like http://www.nfl.com/rulebook , but with a Lamonian web address).

"As you can see, there are quite a lot of rules involved; but those involved in enforcing said rules make it seem effortless. I would enjoy taking you to a Gridball match sometime, Charlette. Gridball is not even the only sport in Lamoni. We also play what the English call 'proper football' (soccer). Lamoni routinely competes in a regional football tournament called the AOCAF. I am proud to say that Lamoni has won the AOCAF cup twice, making it one of only ten nations to have won the AOCAF cup at least once." (OOC: http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/atlantian_oceania_cup_of_association_football.html , like much of NSWiki, the AOCAF page hasn't been able to be updated in a long time).

Gerald called up the information on the AOCAF on the computer as well.

"We also compete in basketball, hockey, and baseball, but none of those sports has competed internationally for sometime now."

"Such words are truth, my friend. Man should always improve itself or at least attempt to. I detest immorality but it is our God given free will which regulates our lives. God can do nothing to intervene because then he will become a tyrant."

"And God does not wish to become a tyrant. It is a very sensible attitude to have, I think."

The next day came with the rising of the sun in the skies over Newcastle and the complimentary breakfast on a tray that Eglantyne brought Gerald on Charlette's personal order. She had already woken up earlier in the morning, had her breakfast, and donned an informal suit that made her look distinguished. After everyone had eaten their meals, Charlette found Gerald with a smile on her face. "I'll give you a personal tour of Newcastle today, Gerald. We shall get going now."

Gerald had already taken a shower and dressed (and done all other other morning stuff) by the time that Eglantyne brought him his breakfast. Gerald was dressed in an informal suit of his own (OOC: http://www.hugestore.com/swatches/linen_suit.jpg ) , which he rarely got the chance to wear with his official duties. When he had finished eating, Charlette came into his room, and let him know that they would be heading for their tour of Newcastle. The smile on her face transformed her into an almost angelic creature, Gerald thought as he followed her.

A limosuine was outside with its customary chauffer; waiting for the arrival of its two honored occupants before it began to drive on the one of many roads in Newcastle; going past old houses and nearing modern skyscrapers. Cathedrals from the Middle Ages could still be seen with parishoners and tourists congregating outside the entrances while a billboard showed off Charlette's cousin's Mary Jane's fashion company. "Newcastle was named for an old castle owned by Henry de Beauchamp, our nation's founder. Henry was unanimously supported by everyone and was crowned King of Anglia; reigning for many years. We can visit the castle if you want but we have to wait for some time then as it is in the outskirts of the city. However, we'll be visiting a museum first."

Gerald saw what was obviously a modern city that had yet to lose it's older roots. The Cathedrals were works of art.

"A man who is supported by everyone. That is such a rarity in this life. Especially by the body politic. I would enjoy visiting the castle if we have time, but I also want to see the museum that you are talking about."

As the limosuine drove to the Museum of National History, Charlette began to explain what Gerald would see there. "Not only will you see suits of armor and medieval portraits, you will see the Duke of New York and his son, for they are the Curator and Assistant Curator of the Museum respectively; and are also two of my relatives. I'd love it if you could be on their good side....they'd probably want to learn more about you." Charlette smiled before the limosuine came to a stop outside the entrance. The Royal Guard escorted Charlette and Gerald inside the massive building where Gerald could see a mosaic of Henry de Beauchamp in his full regalia and surrounded by knights, jesters and ladies of the court which included his wife. All of them were wearing elaborate medieval style clothes and seemed to be peering down (some of them were) at people as they walked around. Charlette led Gerald past the eyes of Henry before they came upon a middle aged man whose eyes were fixed on a suit of armor worn by Sir William Glasdale; the ancestor of the Glasdale family. He was dressed in some sort of suit with the museum and ducal insignia visible to all. This man was Richard Parker, the Duke of New York. As Charlette walked towards him, she shouted some words in Middle English which made Richard turn around; his blue eyes fixed upon her and Gerald and his tone quite solemn. "Charlette, I'm glad to see you again...hopefully you are appreciating Anglian history. Who may I ask is this gentleman with you?"

Gerald, if he felt it, could feel that Richard was studying him like a scholar would study his books. "This man is Gerald Smythe, the son of the Lamonian ambassador to our beloved nation. I invited him to spend the previous day with me and I promised I'd give him a tour of Newcastle today."

"It is nice to meet you, Mr. Smythe. I am the Duke of New York, Richard Parker; also one of the uncles of Queen Charlette. You must let me show you around on your first visit to this museum. Here...look at this suit of armor. IT was worn by Sir William Glasdale; the ancestor of the still existing Glasdale family of today. He fought in numerous battles in the Hundred Years War which enabled him to fight against the Maid of Orleans....Jeanne D'Arc. I may be an Englishman but I can admire Mademoiselle Jeanne for her courage and bravery. It is not every day that a Jeanne appears in this world, don't you think Gerald?"

Gerald was paying rapt attention to what Charlette was telling him, as well as what she was showing him. He'd always been interested in history. When she led him towards the Duke of York, he did feel like he was being studied like a scholar would study a book.

"No, I daresay that it is not everyday that a Jeanne appears in the world. She took the poor losing folk of France, and raised a mighty army. There are not a lot of people in this world who have the character, integrity, and command presence that would enable such a thing. Furthermore, a man or woman simply doesn't know whether they have this ability until the time comes to use it. I personally admire Mademoiselle Jeanne as well, and I find it very sad that she was burned at the stake."

OOC: Assuming that Charlette has let him use her computer, and gotten past any computer security stuff

IC: Gerald performed a web search with a popular Lamonian internet search engine; and found the official Lamonian Gridball rules (OOC: assume something like http://www.nfl.com/rulebook , but with a Lamonian web address).

"As you can see, there are quite a lot of rules involved; but those involved in enforcing said rules make it seem effortless. I would enjoy taking you to a Gridball match sometime, Charlette. Gridball is not even the only sport in Lamoni. We also play what the English call 'proper football' (soccer). Lamoni routinely competes in a regional football tournament called the AOCAF. I am proud to say that Lamoni has won the AOCAF cup twice, making it one of only ten nations to have won the AOCAF cup at least once." (OOC: http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/atlantian_oceania_cup_of_association_football.html , like much of NSWiki, the AOCAF page hasn't been able to be updated in a long time).

OOC: Sure.

"I must say that I would be glad to see a gridball match one day and perhaps, if it is possible, to have a gridball team of our own here in Anglia...perhaps one that shall become stronger than the best of the best in Lamoni?"

Charlette giggled a little before she resumed her refined tone of voice. "We also play soccer here as well; and many people play cricket and golf along with the nobles who play the good old game of croquet. Athletic ability, to some, is worth as much as pure gold."

Gerald called up the information on the AOCAF on the computer as well.

"We also compete in basketball, hockey, and baseball, but none of those sports has competed internationally for sometime now."

"I am sure you can eventually build a strong team in one of those sports."



"And God does not wish to become a tyrant. It is a very sensible attitude to have, I think."

"Personally....I think that there is one thing stronger than God in this world. A thing, more of a feeling, that God Himself is unable to defeat."



Gerald had already taken a shower and dressed (and done all other other morning stuff) by the time that Eglantyne brought him his breakfast. Gerald was dressed in an informal suit of his own (OOC: http://www.hugestore.com/swatches/linen_suit.jpg ) , which he rarely got the chance to wear with his official duties. When he had finished eating, Charlette came into his room, and let him know that they would be heading for their tour of Newcastle. The smile on her face transformed her into an almost angelic creature, Gerald thought as he followed her.

"That is a nice suit that you are wearing, Gerald. I like it."



Gerald saw what was obviously a modern city that had yet to lose it's older roots. The Cathedrals were works of art.

"A man who is supported by everyone. That is such a rarity in this life. Especially by the body politic. I would enjoy visiting the castle if we have time, but I also want to see the museum that you are talking about."

"Certainly, we'll see the museum and yes, Henry was supported by the multitudes of people as he built many churches, castles and cities all for the people to enjoy. He is currently laid to rest in his own crypt which many people visit to this day."

Gerald was paying rapt attention to what Charlette was telling him, as well as what she was showing him. He'd always been interested in history. When she led him towards the Duke of York, he did feel like he was being studied like a scholar would study a book.

"No, I daresay that it is not everyday that a Jeanne appears in the world. She took the poor losing folk of France, and raised a mighty army. There are not a lot of people in this world who have the character, integrity, and command presence that would enable such a thing. Furthermore, a man or woman simply doesn't know whether they have this ability until the time comes to use it. I personally admire Mademoiselle Jeanne as well, and I find it very sad that she was burned at the stake."

"O God that madest this beautiful earth, when will it be ready to receive Thy saints? How long, O Lord, how long?"

Richard smiled slightly after saying those words in a solemn tone. "George Bernard Shaw wrote those words three years after the Pope canonized the Maid of Lorraine and I must credit him for it; as this world often rejects the saints of God without any care. I am not as religious as the Maid nor as any other saint in existence but I do adknowledge that many of them would be persecuted."

Charlette was silent while her uncle spoke; her eyes were fixed upon him and she did not seem to notice Gerald at all. "However, let us not concern ourselves further with the faults of the world. Let us depart from the days of knights and bards and go into the world of Puritans and playwrights." Richard led his guests into the next exhibit which contained various artefacts from the time of the Elizabethan Era in England. "As you can see, Anglia had been in its own Renaissance during this period of time with influences from the migrants of England and Europe. Later on in time did the Puritans settle in Anglia to bring their knowledge of European ideas and technology along with their passion for the Cross with them. Here, let me show you something."

They came upon what looked like an old and tattered bible with handwriting on one of the pages. Richard leaned in and began studying the handwriting before he solemnly read. "Mr. Cosworth gives these Holy Scriptures to Miss Stockton for the purpose of moral instruction and good tidings." Richard turned back to his guests and smiled. "The Puritans valued religion to the point that it became more of a way of life than merely a set of doctrines and obligations. They rejected the alleged opulence of their non-Puritan brethren and separated themselves from them. One of the noble families of Anglia, the Guildfords, are still devoted to the Puritan lifestyle despite having their wealth and lands."

Richard let them on through the rest of the exhibits until they came upon a young man who was busy reading through some letters from the 1800s; obviously written in a wealthy woman's handwriting. The man looked quite handsome and as a possible rival for Charlette's affection. "How doth the studying go, George?" Richard said with a smile before the young man turned around and, upon seeing Charlette, bowed immediately. "The studying goes well, father, and I see that you are entertaining our most regal relative and a friend of hers."

Richard looked at Gerald. "This is George, my son and heir. He is the Assistant Curator of this museum and often works with me in the exhibits." George smiled and studied Gerald briefly. "The Queen must have been taken with you, sir. I welcome you to this humble abode of artefacts and wisdom and I hope you've had a good time here. My father probably went through his series of history lessons with you but don't fret, Char and I had to go through them too."

Richard sighed while Charlette giggled. "No one here seems to appreciate history for what its worth!" Richard said in a mix of sternness and laughter. "Do not worry, Mr. Smythe, I won't mind if you don't appreciate history like I do. I just think that it is very important to learn from. Well, I must take my leave. I have to deal with a new item for our museum. George will finish your tour for you. George...you know what to do."

Richard walked away from the group while George began to walk towards Charlette, speaking to her in a joyful tone and in Middle English. "Charlette says that you've been quite the guest at her palace, Mr. Smythe. I'm glad that is so....she usually is the one to make all sorts of friends regardless of class. Now, we'll be going to an exhibit about the House of Parker; which is our family, Mr. Smythe."

Entering the exhibit, they noticed portraits of the Parker family's ancestors and of the events of the day along with the personal posessions of Matthew Parker and his family's members. George held up a locket and opened it to reveal a picture of a young man, obviously taken in the 19th century. "This is the locket of Queen Isabelle, the wife of Matthew Parker. She always wore this locket since she was fourteen or so since she was smitten with Matthew. Her family, the Hautevilles, still exist to this day as her brothers and sisters had children of their own. However, the Parker-Hauteville branch is the foremost branch of the Hauteville tree. Isabelle passed away several years before Matthew did and he reportedly suffered from bouts of depression afterwards. Matthew's last words were: "Isabelle......my love? Shall I see you again?" and he passed away about six seconds after that...if we are to trust the records of his butler."

George smiled before they finished the tour at the portrait of Matthew Parker with his wife and children; all of them looking as if they were playing, singing and enjoying themselves. "He had about three sons and three daughters in total, Mr. Smythe. He was a man who cared for everyone, had a heart of gold but a hand of iron, and who believed fully in the rights of women. Child labor was abolished under his reign because he believed that there were more than capable men out there who could work while children went to school. Well, that's all this museum has to show you. Charlette, I am sure, wants to take you on a further exploration of Newcastle."

OOC: Fast forwarding to a nice drive in the limosuine.

"Gerald, have you ever shown an interest in a game of cricket?"

"I must say that I would be glad to see a gridball match one day and perhaps, if it is possible, to have a gridball team of our own here in Anglia...perhaps one that shall become stronger than the best of the best in Lamoni?"

Charlette giggled a little before she resumed her refined tone of voice. "We also play soccer here as well; and many people play cricket and golf along with the nobles who play the good old game of croquet. Athletic ability, to some, is worth as much as pure gold."

"I'm certain that we could see such a match someday. I don't know of any reason why Anglia can't have it's own Gridball team. They'll have a long way to go before they can beat the best that Lamoni has to offer, however." A knowing grin followed the pronouncement.

"Maybe Lamoni could field some Anglian players in the AOCAF. That would be an interesting experience. Maybe the Lamonian national team can even play against an Anglian soccer team. I've never seen a Cricket match before; it sounds interesting."

"I am sure you can eventually build a strong team in one of those sports."

"Certainly. Where there is a will, there is a way."

"Personally....I think that there is one thing stronger than God in this world. A thing, more of a feeling, that God Himself is unable to defeat."

"I personally would suspect that that feeling is love. Not even God Himself would be able to defeat love."

"That is a nice suit that you are wearing, Gerald. I like it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Certainly, we'll see the museum and yes, Henry was supported by the multitudes of people as he built many churches, castles and cities all for the people to enjoy. He is currently laid to rest in his own crypt which many people visit to this day."

"He sounds like a very interesting man that I would like to know much more about."

"O God that madest this beautiful earth, when will it be ready to receive Thy saints? How long, O Lord, how long?"

Richard smiled slightly after saying those words in a solemn tone. "George Bernard Shaw wrote those words three years after the Pope canonized the Maid of Lorraine and I must credit him for it; as this world often rejects the saints of God without any care. I am not as religious as the Maid nor as any other saint in existence but I do adknowledge that many of them would be persecuted."

"Yes, many of them would be rejected, even today. There seems to not be much place for God in the lives of many these days."

Richard looked at Gerald. "This is George, my son and heir. He is the Assistant Curator of this museum and often works with me in the exhibits." George smiled and studied Gerald briefly. "The Queen must have been taken with you, sir. I welcome you to this humble abode of artifacts and wisdom and I hope you've had a good time here. My father probably went through his series of history lessons with you but don't fret, Char and I had to go through them too."

Gerald couldn't help but smile. He heard Charlette giggling as well. He would never tire of listening to her giggle. He loved her too much for that to EVER happen.

George smiled before they finished the tour at the portrait of Matthew Parker with his wife and children; all of them looking as if they were playing, singing and enjoying themselves. "He had about three sons and three daughters in total, Mr. Smythe. He was a man who cared for everyone, had a heart of gold but a hand of iron, and who believed fully in the rights of women. Child labor was abolished under his reign because he believed that there were more than capable men out there who could work while children went to school. Well, that's all this museum has to show you. Charlette, I am sure, wants to take you on a further exploration of Newcastle."

"I am honored to have come to this museum. I feel smarter from merely having spent time here looking at the exhibits, and having such excellent tour guides. What shall we do next, Your Majesty?"

"Gerald, have you ever shown an interest in a game of cricket?"

"I've never seen a Cricket match, but I have to admit that I am interested in watching one with you, Charlette."

"I'm certain that we could see such a match someday. I don't know of any reason why Anglia can't have it's own Gridball team. They'll have a long way to go before they can beat the best that Lamoni has to offer, however." A knowing grin followed the pronouncement.

"Do not underestimate your opponents, Gerald. They can surprise you." Charlette said with a grin of her own.

"Maybe Lamoni could field some Anglian players in the AOCAF. That would be an interesting experience. Maybe the Lamonian national team can even play against an Anglian soccer team. I've never seen a Cricket match before; it sounds interesting."

"Cricket is quite easy to understand if you've watched a game or two and I think an Anglian soccer team could play against the Lamonian national team; we have our own soccer team, you know and some players may be interested in playing in Lamoni."

"Certainly. Where there is a will, there is a way."

"Of course."



"I personally would suspect that that feeling is love. Not even God Himself would be able to defeat love."

"I always felt that Love was stronger than God but it can also be distorted as any belief, idea or doctrine can be."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You are welcome."

"He sounds like a very interesting man that I would like to know much more about."

"I can gladly tell you everything that there is to know about Henry de Beauchamp. He was the founding father of our nation, the first King of Anglia, and a gentlemanly knight devoted wholeheartedly to the values of chivalry."


"Yes, many of them would be rejected, even today. There seems to not be much place for God in the lives of many these days."

"Mankind fears what it cannot understand, my friend."

Gerald couldn't help but smile. He heard Charlette giggling as well. He would never tire of listening to her giggle. He loved her too much for that to EVER happen.



"I am honored to have come to this museum. I feel smarter from merely having spent time here looking at the exhibits, and having such excellent tour guides. What shall we do next, Your Majesty?"

"A cricket match! We'll be seeing a cricket match which I got tickets for yesterday since I was certain you'd be interested in seeing a match. We'll be in the Royal Skybox."

"I've never seen a Cricket match, but I have to admit that I am interested in watching one with you, Charlette."

Charlette smiled. "I'll gladly explain the rules of cricket for you, Gerald. After the match we'll be most likely heading home after a brief tour of the nightlife. You'll find that we Anglians enjoy festivals."

"Do not underestimate your opponents, Gerald. They can surprise you." Charlette said with a grin of her own.

"Well that I know it."

"Cricket is quite easy to understand if you've watched a game or two and I think an Anglian soccer team could play against the Lamonian national team; we have our own soccer team, you know and some players may be interested in playing in Lamoni."

"I think that it should be an enjoyable soccer match, then. I'm sure that the relevant officials in both nations will be able to arrange such a player transfer."

"I always felt that Love was stronger than God but it can also be distorted as any belief, idea or doctrine can be."

"Certainly. I know people whose relationships are completely falling apart. It is never a nice sight when that happens."

"I can gladly tell you everything that there is to know about Henry de Beauchamp. He was the founding father of our nation, the first King of Anglia, and a gentlemanly knight devoted wholeheartedly to the values of chivalry."

"Tell me more about he man himself, please."

"Mankind fears what it cannot understand, my friend."

"This is very true. And yet another reason that mankind must improve themselves."

"A cricket match! We'll be seeing a cricket match which I got tickets for yesterday since I was certain you'd be interested in seeing a match. We'll be in the Royal Skybox."

"Sounds like fun. All I really know for sure about Cricket is that they have a flat bat, there is a ball that is thrown somewhat like bowling ball, and there are pins behind what I would call the batter."

Charlette smiled. "I'll gladly explain the rules of cricket for you, Gerald. After the match we'll be most likely heading home after a brief tour of the nightlife. You'll find that we Anglians enjoy festivals."

"I'll very much thank you for explaining the rules of the game, Your Majesty. It can be boring at times to watch a game when you have no idea of what is going on. And I would like to see some of these festivals that you are talking about."

"Well that I know it."



"I think that it should be an enjoyable soccer match, then. I'm sure that the relevant officials in both nations will be able to arrange such a player transfer."

"I am sure they'll be able to. We can ask them about it later on if you'd like."


"Certainly. I know people whose relationships are completely falling apart. It is never a nice sight when that happens."

"Indeed. I know how that is....." Charlette said before she was completely silent for a brief moment; remembering her own parents' divorce.


"Tell me more about he man himself, please."

"He was originally a landowner from England who was of modest wealth and influence for one. He was a benevolent man who cared about his wife and children dearly."



"This is very true. And yet another reason that mankind must improve themselves."

"But many seek to stay in the gutter...."


"Sounds like fun. All I really know for sure about Cricket is that they have a flat bat, there is a ball that is thrown somewhat like bowling ball, and there are pins behind what I would call the batter."

"It is good to know that you know some basic information."



"I'll very much thank you for explaining the rules of the game, Your Majesty. It can be boring at times to watch a game when you have no idea of what is going on. And I would like to see some of these festivals that you are talking about."

"We'll see some festivals if there are any going on later and you are most welcome, Gerald."

"I am sure they'll be able to. We can ask them about it later on if you'd like."

"Certainly, Your Majesty. I would even invite you to a match in Lamoni if you'd like."

"Indeed. I know how that is....." Charlette said before she was completely silent for a brief moment; remembering her own parents' divorce.

"Are you feeling well, Your Majesty? You look extremely sad."

"He was originally a landowner from England who was of modest wealth and influence for one. He was a benevolent man who cared about his wife and children dearly."


"He sounds like a man that I would have liked to have met someday."

"But many seek to stay in the gutter...."

"Yes, but it's really their choice. If God intervened, then where would the free will of man come from?"

"It is good to know that you know some basic information."

"I'm looking forward to watching Cricket with you, Your Majesty."

"We'll see some festivals if there are any going on later and you are most welcome, Gerald."

"What are some of the festivals that are run in Anglia?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty. I would even invite you to a match in Lamoni if you'd like."

"I would love to see a match."


"Are you feeling well, Your Majesty? You look extremely sad."

"I am alright, Gerald. I'm alright." Charlette said politely; hoping he'd not want to inquire further.

"He sounds like a man that I would have liked to have met someday."

"He was a benevolent and caring man for his time and...I've looked up to him at times as a role model. Matthew Parker, my direct ancestor through the paternal line, had a statue of him built in the city which was based on what his biographers wrote concerning his looks."


"Yes, but it's really their choice. If God intervened, then where would the free will of man come from?"

"We believe in free will but many don't seem to use it well but, it is their choice. Still, they could at least try to get up from the ground."



"I'm looking forward to watching Cricket with you, Your Majesty."

"I hope you enjoy your view of the game from the skybox we will probably recieve....after all I am the Queen."


"What are some of the festivals that are run in Anglia?"

"All the festivals are Medieval English in origin. They include the Harvest Festival which celebrates the annual harvest, the Theatre Festival and the Foundation Festival, which celebrates the birth of Anglia. Our patron saints, St. George and St. Edward the Confessor (for the Crown) have their own days as well. The Theatre Festival showcases the theatrical achievements of Anglian playwrights and those from England including Shakespeare and Marlowe as English people from the Tudor and Elizabethan Eras settled in Anglia as well; we have a part or two of our culture from each era in English history really."

Charlette smiled. "There is also a music festival in Newcastle which showcases hit songs from bands such as the 1980s band Steel Damsel which was famous for merging all sorts of genres together such as grunge and rock. My favorite music group is The Jacobites; who took their name from a famous group of Scots and Englishmen. They were active during the 1990s and everyone teased me for having an obvious crush on their lead guitarist, Anthony Sherbourne but I did outgrow it mind you. The band did disband in 1999 after ten years of activity and the band's members all went their own ways. For example, Anthony Sherbourne travels around Anglia to help students learn how to play instruments and he married a perfume heiress. Many people still love listening to their songs such as Our Lady of Britannia, Poor Annette and the Faerie Queene but my all-time favorite Jacobite song has to be Shattered Dreams."

When the limosuine arrived at the stadium, Charlette and Gerald were secretly escorted by security guards to one of the many skyboxes of the stadium which provided a great view of the cricket field. They recieved free programs which were filled with advertisements about things from racecars to the upcoming Children's Festival which would be held in a few days. Charlette looked out at the field and smiled at Gerald before pointing to the players who were practicing and having a good old time; it was all a friendly rivalry although sometimes it did get heated. "One of the players is William Patterson whose father was a very wealthy aristocrat with Irish roots. He is said to be one of the best players in the game and he usually brings his wife and children to watch him play. I hear he may retire one day but he said in an interview on Good Morning Newcastle that he'd play for a few more years."

Charlette began reading her program while uttering words in Middle English which possibly was hard for Gerald to understand. After a while she smiled at Gerald to show him a picture of a woman whose beauty could have rivaled that of the Queen's. "That's my cousin, Elizabeth. She's what they call an Italophile because she adores Italian culture. I hear she may marry a prince in the near future and we may all be English but there was an Italian born tutor for Elizabeth; he taught her how to speak Italian fluently and the like. My own tutor, Mrs. Ramsey, taught me an appreciation for literature and culture while her husband would at times tell me about various things. I never had any siblings, mind you, so everyone was focused on me unless I was with my multitude of cousins like Elizabeth or George. Most of them are already married with kids, mind you, but Elizabeth and George are two that are not. By the way, I think it may possible for you to meet Helen and Constantine in the future....she'd love to meet you."

"I would love to see a match."

"The next time that we are both in Lamoni, we'll catch a match, then."

"I am alright, Gerald. I'm alright." Charlette said politely; hoping he'd not want to inquire further.

Gerald did want to inquire further, but something about the way that Charlette was looking at him prevented him from doing so.

"We believe in free will but many don't seem to use it well but, it is their choice. Still, they could at least try to get up from the ground."

"Unfortunately, things don't happen our way because we might wish it to be so. If God refuses to be a tyrant, then the least that we can do is follow his example."

"I hope you enjoy your view of the game from the skybox we will probably recieve....after all I am the Queen."

"With rank comes privileges... even in Anglia, eh?"

Gerald looked at his own program while Charlette was speaking.

"I'll be very interested in witnessing his performance, then. And it would be an honor to meet Helen and Constantine."

The next time that we are both in Lamoni, we'll catch a match, then."

"Excellent."


Gerald did want to inquire further, but something about the way that Charlette was looking at him prevented him from doing so.



"Unfortunately, things don't happen our way because we might wish it to be so. If God refuses to be a tyrant, then the least that we can do is follow his example."

"But sometimes it is hard to find what is His example with so many views and beliefs. Some people are fond of just condemning the whole world to Hell."


"With rank comes privileges... even in Anglia, eh?"

Gerald looked at his own program while Charlette was speaking.

"I'll be very interested in witnessing his performance, then. And it would be an honor to meet Helen and Constantine."

"Rank always guarantees privileges regardless of whereever you are, Gerald and I believe he'll be playing today and we can meet Helen and Constantine in the near future, perhaps later today or tomorrow but look...the game is starting."

"But sometimes it is hard to find what is His example with so many views and beliefs. Some people are fond of just condemning the whole world to Hell."

"Exactly. There are so many different interpretations of the bible and Christianity in general that anything is possible. At even one extreme, you have the Doomani. Let's just say that you are better off NOT knowing about them."

"Rank always guarantees privileges regardless of wherever you are, Gerald and I believe he'll be playing today and we can meet Helen and Constantine in the near future, perhaps later today or tomorrow but look...the game is starting."

Gerald looked quite intently down at the field, watching what was going on. "Indeed, Your Majesty."

"Exactly. There are so many different interpretations of the bible and Christianity in general that anything is possible. At even one extreme, you have the Doomani. Let's just say that you are better off NOT knowing about them."

"Why do the Doomani have such a reputation? Why would it be better for me not to know about them?"



Gerald looked quite intently down at the field, watching what was going on. "Indeed, Your Majesty."

As they watched the game, Charlette smiled. "If you have any questions about what you see then just ask me."

"Why do the Doomani have such a reputation? Why would it be better for me not to know about them?"

A bitter look was on Gerald's face. "Doomingsland is a massive nation who employs most of it's citizenry in the military. Most of their soldiers know very little, but they are well trained in the military arts, made to act like remorseless robots. The uniforms they wear are also made to dehumanize and demonize their appearance. They will shoot you with no reaction at all.

In terms of military power, they are just below AutoMagFreek. No sane nation will take either of them on in a straight up fight. You go to bed at night, and thank God that they haven't noticed you yet. If you ally with them, they will use you up, and take over the rest.

Ironically, Doomingsland has it's own Pope; and they accept none other.

Just... don't EVER go near them. Anything that you might have gone through in the past... they are worse. Please don't ask me how I know all this. It's classified."

As they watched the game, Charlette smiled. "If you have any questions about what you see then just ask me."

"Thank you. You don't WANT to know some of the things that we are briefed on."

A bitter look was on Gerald's face. "Doomingsland is a massive nation who employs most of it's citizenry in the military. Most of their soldiers know very little, but they are well trained in the military arts, made to act like remorseless robots. The uniforms they wear are also made to dehumanize and demonize their appearance. They will shoot you with no reaction at all.

"I am assuming that you have heard stories and read reports which prove that these facts are true? I do not imply any skepticism on my part but I am interested in learning more."

In terms of military power, they are just below AutoMagFreek. No sane nation will take either of them on in a straight up fight. You go to bed at night, and thank God that they haven't noticed you yet. If you ally with them, they will use you up, and take over the rest.

"Has your nation gotten into problems concerning either of those nations?"

Ironically, Doomingsland has it's own Pope; and they accept none other.

"How is that irony?"

Just... don't EVER go near them. Anything that you might have gone through in the past... they are worse. Please don't ask me how I know all this. It's classified."

"Her Majesty's Government should know about this."



"Thank you. You don't WANT to know some of the things that we are briefed on."

"Why do those things have such a reputation?"

"I am assuming that you have heard stories and read reports which prove that these facts are true? I do not imply any skepticism on my part but I am interested in learning more."

"All that I am permitted to say is that the facts are true. Wish that I could say more, but I can't. Classification laws and all that."

"Has your nation gotten into problems concerning either of those nations?"

"No, luckily enough. We are quite content to stay out of their notice. However, it is common knowledge that LIA has full departments on both of those nations."

"How is that irony?"

"It is ironic that despite the fact that they regularly do things that would get them expelled from any other known "True" Catholic Church, that they fashioned their own that has so perverted Catholicism that they can commit atrocities at will; and to no consequence. Such hasn't been fully seen since the Vatican last thought that it was the cultural and moral center of the entire world. Which is what the Doomani think that they are. While the average Doomani propaganda proclaim how much smarter their troops are over others, they only receive education in the military arts, like I said."

"Her Majesty's Government should know about this."

"I'm certain that something can be arranged between you and the President."

"Why do those things have such a reputation?"

Considering that they are classified, I can't really say anything. I'm sure that you will understand.

"All that I am permitted to say is that the facts are true. Wish that I could say more, but I can't. Classification laws and all that."

"That is understandable, sir. I don't think I'll pressure you to tell me more in the near future."

"No, luckily enough. We are quite content to stay out of their notice. However, it is common knowledge that LIA has full departments on both of those nations."

"Would you even suggest that one should have no dealings with them at all....not even a basic exchange of embassies or even an exchange of tourists?"


"It is ironic that despite the fact that they regularly do things that would get them expelled from any other known "True" Catholic Church, that they fashioned their own that has so perverted Catholicism that they can commit atrocities at will; and to no consequence. Such hasn't been fully seen since the Vatican last thought that it was the cultural and moral center of the entire world. Which is what the Doomani think that they are. While the average Doomani propaganda proclaim how much smarter their troops are over others, they only receive education in the military arts, like I said."

"It is not uncommon to see religions moulded to suit the agendas of Man as history all through the centuries has showed us this but I assume that there are people in religious circles who would oppose the Doomani. Can I assume that the people of Automagfreek are under the spiritual guidance of the Pope of Doomingsland? We Anglians, you must know, are under the guidance of the Archbishop of Anglia."


"I'm certain that something can be arranged between you and the President."

"Sir, I'm not a member of the government."


Considering that they are classified, I can't really say anything. I'm sure that you will understand.

"I do understand, sir."

"That is understandable, sir. I don't think I'll pressure you to tell me more in the near future."

"Thank you."

"Would you even suggest that one should have no dealings with them at all....not even a basic exchange of embassies or even an exchange of tourists?"

"I wouldn't presume to determine your governmental policy, but as for my personal opinion; the less notice that they take of you, the better."

"It is not uncommon to see religions molded to suit the agendas of Man as history all through the centuries has showed us this but I assume that there are people in religious circles who would oppose the Doomani. Can I assume that the people of Automagfreek are under the spiritual guidance of the Pope of Doomingsland? We Anglians, you must know, are under the guidance of the Archbishop of Anglia."

"No, the people of Automagfreek are not under the guidance of the Pope of Doomingsland. In fact, we aren't even sure if there is an organized religion as you or I might understand the term in Automagfreek."

"Sir, I'm not a member of the government."

"I am sorry, Your Majesty. I am sure that something can be worked out between the governments of our nations."

OOC: This might be a good time to fast forward to the proclaiming love scene.

"Thank you."



"I wouldn't presume to determine your governmental policy, but as for my personal opinion; the less notice that they take of you, the better."

"Aye, but I doubt that just seeing a pretty Anglian lass walking out of a Doomani cafe will provoke a desire for bloodshed...."



"No, the people of Automagfreek are not under the guidance of the Pope of Doomingsland. In fact, we aren't even sure if there is an organized religion as you or I might understand the term in Automagfreek."

"Maybe the words of the philosopher echo through their halls: God is dead."


"I am sorry, Your Majesty. I am sure that something can be worked out between the governments of our nations."

"That would be acceptable, Gerald. I do not mind accepting that some information is classified."

OOC: This might be a good time to fast forward to the proclaiming love scene.

OOC: Sure.

A week had passed since Gerald first arrived at the Marble Palace to meet with the Queen of Anglia and since then he had seen much from the Mary Wollstonecraft Monument in Newcastle to the meeting houses of the Knights Templar which still contained members of the famous medieval order. He did not happen to know that his host, Queen Charlette VI, was struggling with some personal affairs which concerned him. She kept dreaming about him and even dreamt that they were kissing passionately one night but she never assumed it was because she loved him. Did she love him? Every morning the question would pop up in her head and each time as she brushed her hair she would try to drown it out with something else but finally she knew that she had to confess it. The cross she bore would soon be gone. As she had tea with Gerald, Charlette spoke solemnly.

"Gerald, I must confess something to you. I....I love you, Gerald. My heart, body, and soul all confess this truth in unison and I am unable to deny it to myself any further. I must be honest to you in that I have had dreams of all sorts with you as a main character. I look forward to hearing your reply."

Charlette blushed and then felt herself looking into the Lamonian's eyes. She felt happy but yet nervous. What would Gerald say?

"Aye, but I doubt that just seeing a pretty Anglian lass walking out of a Doomani cafe will provoke a desire for bloodshed...."

"No, but I was talking in the official sense."

"Maybe the words of the philosopher echo through their halls: God is dead."

"That is very much a possibility, Your Majesty. We haven't been able to determine that one way or the other so far."

"That would be acceptable, Gerald. I do not mind accepting that some information is classified."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Laws of classification are not something to ignore lightly."

"Gerald, I must confess something to you. I....I love you, Gerald. My heart, body, and soul all confess this truth in unison and I am unable to deny it to myself any further. I must be honest to you in that I have had dreams of all sorts with you as a main character. I look forward to hearing your reply."

Charlette blushed and then felt herself looking into the Lamonian's eyes. She felt happy but yet nervous. What would Gerald

"I love you, Charlette. I have since I first saw you... this is more than I could have hoped for then." The truth of his love shone in his eyes as he leaned his head closer to Charlette's, in order to kiss her. Gerald briefly wondered what the future held for them, before surrendering himself to the kiss.

"No, but I was talking in the official sense."

"Let us see what the future holds."



"That is very much a possibility, Your Majesty. We haven't been able to determine that one way or the other so far."

"I guess it is open to mere contemplation at the moment."


"Thank you, Your Majesty. Laws of classification are not something to ignore lightly."

"We have such laws in Anglia, Mr. Smythe."

"I love you, Charlette. I have since I first saw you... this is more than I could have hoped for then." The truth of his love shone in his eyes as he leaned his head closer to Charlette's, in order to kiss her. Gerald briefly wondered what the future held for them, before surrendering himself to the kiss.

Charlette felt her heart race with every minute that passed until her lips finally locked with Gerald's to fill her entire body in passion. The tender kiss lasted for several minutes before Charlette blushed excitedly. "We....we have to make sure no one discovers this new development."

OOC: unless you think that Gerald walks REEEEEEAAAAALLLYYYYY slowly, then it wouldn't take him minutes to lean in and kiss Charlette.

IC:

Charlette felt her heart race with every minute that passed until her lips finally locked with Gerald's to fill her entire body in passion. The tender kiss lasted for several minutes before Charlette blushed excitedly. "We....we have to make sure no one discovers this new development."

Gerald's heart raced as well. As his lips locked with those of his love, he realized that he was feeling more passion than he ever had before. It felt like he never wanted to let her go.

When Charlette finally broke the kiss, Gerald could see that she was blushing. She also happened to have a point. "I would rather have you part time than not at all, my love."

OOC: unless you think that Gerald walks REEEEEEAAAAALLLYYYYY slowly, then it wouldn't take him minutes to lean in and kiss Charlette.

IC:



Gerald's heart raced as well. As his lips locked with those of his love, he realized that he was feeling more passion than he ever had before. It felt like he never wanted to let her go.

When Charlette finally broke the kiss, Gerald could see that she was blushing. She also happened to have a point. "I would rather have you part time than not at all, my love."

OOC: Sorry; I did not mean that.

IC:

Charlette felt herself in absolute bliss when she was kissing Gerald; as if she was in some kind of dream world where the harshness of reality dissipated in the residue of sheer joy.

"Vice versa, Gerald. You can come by whenever you want; I'll make sure that the guards will not apprehend you. We must make sure that our love does not cause a scandal."

Charlette smiled before she looked into Gerald's eyes. "Do you want to go out with me, Gerald? We do not need to fear the paparazzi or anything of the sort."

Charlette felt herself in absolute bliss when she was kissing Gerald; as if she was in some kind of dream world where the harshness of reality dissipated in the residue of sheer joy.

"Vice versa, Gerald. You can come by whenever you want; I'll make sure that the guards will not apprehend you. We must make sure that our love does not cause a scandal."

Charlette smiled before she looked into Gerald's eyes. "Do you want to go out with me, Gerald? We do not need to fear the paparazzi or anything of the sort."

"We will be seeing more of each other, Charlette. I'll do my part to make sure that our love for each other doesn't create a scandal.

I'd LOVE to go out with you, my love. Did you have something in mind?"

"We will be seeing more of each other, Charlette. I'll do my part to make sure that our love for each other doesn't create a scandal.

I'd LOVE to go out with you, my love. Did you have something in mind?"

Charlette smiled. "We will visit the Bailey Monument; which was dedicated in 1893 to the memory of St. Gerard Bailey, an Anglian Jesuit who led the creation of soup kitchens and orphanages all across Anglia."

OOC: Fast forwarding.....

The Bailey Monument looked impressive even from a distance as the Queen's personal limosuine rode up towards the monument which was adorned with flowers and ribbons of all sizes and colors. It still posessed a 19th century charm in this 21st century world, Charlette thought, when she got out of the limosuine and began showing Gerald the features of the monument such as the statue of Saint Gerard Bailey, the Jesuit with a heart of gold who spent his entire life serving the poor and downtrodden of society before he died of overexertion in 1878. The statue of Bailey, showing him with one hand raised to Heaven while the other was pointing to the ground and in the robes commonly worn by Jesuits of his time was shining in the rays of the sun and the caption was the words he spoke to a widow on his deathbed. "I did the will of God; nothing more or less."

Charlette smiled before she began telling Gerald about the life of the charitable Jesuit who spent most of his life helping the poor. "Gerard Bailey was an Anglian Jesuit who believed that it was God's will that he help the poor and downtrodden of society. His mother was deeply religious (his father was spiritually minded to an extent but was said to be mainly down to earth) and instilled within him a devotion to God that was often admired by his teachers in the local seminary where he was educated. He served as the parish priest of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in New London and began serving the poor when he saw a young girl begging for money for her sick mother. Her pleas and tears touched his soul, as he wrote in his journal, and so Gerard Bailey purchased a rundown building in the slums and hired some nuns to help him make it into a soup kitchen. Many poor people came to the kitchen and eventually journalists wrote about the kitchen with one man saying that Bailey was a "living miracle" as he would spend many hours serving good food to everyone who needed it. He would open many more soup kitchens, orphanages and schools which would provide orphaned children with needed education. He would gain an audience with Queen Isabella the First and lead the creation of the Bailey Association which has kept his soup kitchens, etc active since 1856. He worked his entire life in the first soup kitchen he opened and settled disputes with ease. In 1878, he suffered medical problems from his overzealous efforts (he would work even if he had pains in his body; he was very devoted to his mission) to provide for the poor and would pass away after saying: "I did what God wanted me to do; nothing more or less." His death was marked with thousands and thousands of people attending his funeral in the city of New London and he is laid to rest at the church where he served. An orphan girl sent the Archbishop of Anglia a letter about Bailey and what he did for her and her friends and eventually he was canonized after the people demanded it. His feast day is April 4th, which is the day he passed away. Every April 4th, multitudes of people come to pay their respects to the Jesuit with a heart of gold as one journalist called him. Anglians of all Christian denominations, etc respect St. Gerard Bailey as an admirable man who took the time in his life to help the downtrodden. He never doubted at all that God's plan for him was to serve the poor; he always felt it was all God's plan for him and in the end he was happy that he did God's will."

Charlette led Gerald into a small building nearby which housed pictures of Bailey's family, some letters and pamphlets he wrote as well as pictures of his funeral and of him working in the kitchens. Charlette pointed to a pamphlet that was near a picture of Bailey serving a bowl of soup to a child. "Bailey was in favor of Christian unity (ecumenism) and denounced denominational feuds as mere trivialities which hindered unity. In his pamphlet, On Poverty and Salvation, he wrote that: "The duty of a Christian is to emulate Christ to the extent that is humanly possible. To serve the poor is perhaps one of the most noble deeds any Christian can commit his energies towards." When Bailey died from over exerting himself in 1878, many people mourned the loss of a great and benevolent man and his childhood home is now a historic site owned by a trust. We could visit it but we would have to leave the city; though that can easily be arranged. We can also visit the childhood and later homes of men like the legendary composer, Thomas Baxter, the depressed poet Martin Knighton and the socially minded novelist, Stephen Carpenter; all of whom lived during the reign of Queen Isabella I which is still known as the Isabellic Age. Queen Isabella I was our nation's longest reigning monarch and was famous for many things during her lifetime; she is also one of my ancestors."

Charlette showed Gerald around while she talked; he could sense that she was very happy to be with him. "There have been many Anglians who are famous because of what they did in the Isabellic Age. From poets to artists, Gerald....they have made their names part of our history. By the way, do you think it would be possibly to sometime do something....romantic together?"

Charlette grinned and studied Gerald; she truly thought he was a handsome man and would be prepared to defend him should friends like Helen compare their men to him.

Charlette smiled. "We will visit the Bailey Monument; which was dedicated in 1893 to the memory of St. Gerard Bailey, an Anglian Jesuit who led the creation of soup kitchens and orphanages all across Anglia."

"He was truly a great man, then. He helped the least in society, that they might have a chance to improve their states in life. I would be honored to visit the monument erected in his honor."

---

"It would be a real honor to live my life like St. Bailey lived his, Charlette. Though, I very much doubt that i'll be taking any vows of celibacy. My love for you is too strong for that. I would very much like to get involved in various volunteer opportunities in Anglia."

Charlette led Gerald into a small building nearby which housed pictures of Bailey's family, some letters and pamphlets he wrote as well as pictures of his funeral and of him working in the kitchens. Charlette pointed to a pamphlet that was near a picture of Bailey serving a bowl of soup to a child. "Bailey was in favor of Christian unity (ecumenism) and denounced denominational feuds as mere trivialities which hindered unity. In his pamphlet, On Poverty and Salvation, he wrote that: "The duty of a Christian is to emulate Christ to the extent that is humanly possible. To serve the poor is perhaps one of the most noble deeds any Christian can commit his energies towards." When Bailey died from over exerting himself in 1878, many people mourned the loss of a great and benevolent man and his childhood home is now a historic site owned by a trust. We could visit it but we would have to leave the city; though that can easily be arranged. We can also visit the childhood and later homes of men like the legendary composer, Thomas Baxter, the depressed poet Martin Knighton and the socially minded novelist, Stephen Carpenter; all of whom lived during the reign of Queen Isabella I which is still known as the Isabellic Age. Queen Isabella I was our nation's longest reigning monarch and was famous for many things during her lifetime; she is also one of my ancestors."

"I find myself thinking like St. Bailey on the matter of Ecumenism, Charlette. All of the denominational squabbles detract from the important things that the Christian religion has to teach. It is even worse when people seize upon these differences to launch campaigns of violence, or to say that their way is the only way, and all others are doomed to failure.

I would very much like to visit St. Bailey's house, Charlette. I think that I might wish to visit the home of Stephen Carpenter as well. As with any other land, there is much that can be learned from Anglia."

Charlette showed Gerald around while she talked; he could sense that she was very happy to be with him. "There have been many Anglians who are famous because of what they did in the Isabellic Age. From poets to artists, Gerald....they have made their names part of our history. By the way, do you think it would be possibly to sometime do something....romantic together?"

Charlette grinned and studied Gerald; she truly thought he was a handsome man and would be prepared to defend him should friends like Helen compare their men to him.

Gerald looked into the eyes of his love, and felt drawn in by their invisible pull. "I was going to ask you that as well, Charlette." A grin. "I would be disappointed if we didn't do something romantic together, my love." Another kiss accompanied this pronouncement, Gerald being sure to check to see if anyone was watching before he kissed his love.

Gerald truly loved Charlette, and would defend her should his friends compare their women to her. Of course, he would have to be careful not to let the secret of Charlette's identity as his love be known. Even he could understand the political shockwaves that could result should THAT become common knowledge.

"He was truly a great man, then. He helped the least in society, that they might have a chance to improve their states in life. I would be honored to visit the monument erected in his honor."

"He spent his entire life basically helping the poor and downtrodden of society and never regretted it at all."

---

"It would be a real honor to live my life like St. Bailey lived his, Charlette. Though, I very much doubt that i'll be taking any vows of celibacy. My love for you is too strong for that. I would very much like to get involved in various volunteer opportunities in Anglia."

Charlette grinned when she heard Gerald's comment about celibacy but then turned her grin into a simple smile. "The Bailey Association is what you can get involved in, Gerald. It runs all of St. Gerard's soup kitchens, etc and you can easily get involved."



"I find myself thinking like St. Bailey on the matter of Ecumenism, Charlette. All of the denominational squabbles detract from the important things that the Christian religion has to teach. It is even worse when people seize upon these differences to launch campaigns of violence, or to say that their way is the only way, and all others are doomed to failure.

"The same is with all religious and political schools of thought but luckily there are those who want unity rather than schism and peace rather than violence. Gerard Bailey believed that all Christians should unite on issues such as helping the poor and working with widows."

I would very much like to visit St. Bailey's house, Charlette. I think that I might wish to visit the home of Stephen Carpenter as well. As with any other land, there is much that can be learned from Anglia."

"Stephen Carpenter was a novelist and social reformer who advocated the abolition of child labor, the rights of women and workers, and whose novels were famous for their memorable characters and plots. He was born in a small village but eventually married into the Aristocracy and died a wealthy man after many years of writing. His novels include Black Smoke which was his commentary on the Industrial Revolution; he felt it was a two edged sword. We can visit his house along with the house of Gerard Bailey as well as the Queen Isabella Monument and other places. I want you to see everything."

Gerald looked into the eyes of his love, and felt drawn in by their invisible pull. "I was going to ask you that as well, Charlette." A grin. "I would be disappointed if we didn't do something romantic together, my love." Another kiss accompanied this pronouncement, Gerald being sure to check to see if anyone was watching before he kissed his love.

Charlette smiled sensually at her secret love. "There are plenty of romantic places for us to visit here in Anglia, Gerald....we'll have a great time seeing them all together. Now, shall we take our leave?"

Charlette grinned when she heard Gerald's comment about celibacy but then turned her grin into a simple smile. "The Bailey Association is what you can get involved in, Gerald. It runs all of St. Gerard's soup kitchens, etc and you can easily get involved."

"I'll have to look them up, then. Shouldn't be too hard, I should think; and it would be good to be seen doing good things for the people of Anglia."

"The same is with all religious and political schools of thought but luckily there are those who want unity rather than schism and peace rather than violence. Gerard Bailey believed that all Christians should unite on issues such as helping the poor and working with widows."

"On two such important issues, I also agree that all Christians should unite. Did Christ himself not say 'Do unto others as you would do unto me?' "

"Stephen Carpenter was a novelist and social reformer who advocated the abolition of child labor, the rights of women and workers, and whose novels were famous for their memorable characters and plots. He was born in a small village but eventually married into the Aristocracy and died a wealthy man after many years of writing. His novels include Black Smoke which was his commentary on the Industrial Revolution; he felt it was a two edged sword. We can visit his house along with the house of Gerard Bailey as well as the Queen Isabella Monument and other places. I want you to see everything."

"I would be honored to see everything, Charlette. Whatever you feel is important; and maybe we'll both learn from the experience."

Charlette smiled sensually at her secret love. "There are plenty of romantic places for us to visit here in Anglia, Gerald....we'll have a great time seeing them all together. Now, shall we take our leave?"

"If you wish to, my love, then let us be off."

"I'll have to look them up, then. Shouldn't be too hard, I should think; and it would be good to be seen doing good things for the people of Anglia."

Charlette smiled. "It would be nice to see you doing good things, Gerald. I think many people would find that to be admirable."

"On two such important issues, I also agree that all Christians should unite. Did Christ himself not say 'Do unto others as you would do unto me?' "

"Christ Himself prayed for Christian unity but it has been thousands of years since He left this world and scarcely do we see Christian unity. The Church is divided, people squabble over trivialities....why do you think some people just don't care anymore?"


"I would be honored to see everything, Charlette. Whatever you feel is important; and maybe we'll both learn from the experience."

"We will see everything, Gerald....we will. I plan to show you much of Anglia's historic sites from Carpenter House to the headquarters of the Parliament of Anglia. I will make sure that you, my love, learn much about my nation."


"If you wish to, my love, then let us be off."

"What do you think of poetry? I was thinking that we could take a look together into Anglian poetry; I know that the houses of poets like Martin Knighton still stand and which are open to the public."

Charlette smiled. "It would be nice to see you doing good things, Gerald. I think many people would find that to be admirable."

"Just like back home in Lamoni, there is much to be admired about Anglia and it's people. I can see the positive effects of my volunteering on relations between our two nations, but that would not be why I would be doing so. I want to volunteer in such a way in order to improve the lot in life of the... lower end of society(?)."

"Christ Himself prayed for Christian unity but it has been thousands of years since He left this world and scarcely do we see Christian unity. The Church is divided, people squabble over trivialities....why do you think some people just don't care anymore?"


"I think that it is not only because people have lost the way; but also because they see the money and power wielded by others doing this, and decide that they want a piece of that pie as well. Greed, and a lust for power are both very strong temptations."

"We will see everything, Gerald....we will. I plan to show you much of Anglia's historic sites from Carpenter House to the headquarters of the Parliament of Anglia. I will make sure that you, my love, learn much about my nation."

"I will be very grateful to you for the chance, my love. There is so much to learn about Anglia at your side, and i've only just started."

"What do you think of poetry? I was thinking that we could take a look together into Anglian poetry; I know that the houses of poets like Martin Knighton still stand and which are open to the public."

"I enjoy poetry, actually, and I would enjoy seeing the magic that Anglian poets have been able to create."

"Just like back home in Lamoni, there is much to be admired about Anglia and it's people. I can see the positive effects of my volunteering on relations between our two nations, but that would not be why I would be doing so. I want to volunteer in such a way in order to improve the lot in life of the... lower end of society(?)."

"You don't look like the kind of person who would help people only to get fame for himself and I find that admirable in you. We can find a branch of the Bailey Association for you to volunteer in."


"I think that it is not only because people have lost the way; but also because they see the money and power wielded by others doing this, and decide that they want a piece of that pie as well. Greed, and a lust for power are both very strong temptations."

"Aren't greed and the lust for power the two temptations that often fill this world of ours with so much war and bloodshed? Indeed, they are. Many people have died simply to add one more bag of gold in a nation's coffers."


"I will be very grateful to you for the chance, my love. There is so much to learn about Anglia at your side, and i've only just started."

"By the end of the day, you should be able to know much more."


"I enjoy poetry, actually, and I would enjoy seeing the magic that Anglian poets have been able to create."

"There have been many poets in Anglia's history. For example, Martin Knighton wrote an epic poem known as The Pearl of Great Price which many say was about the death of his infant daughter, Agnes while Tostig Longe controversially wrote poetry that included graphic accounts of witches burning at the stake in his epic poem, Condemned."

OOC: Fast forwarding here....

As the limosuine sped off through the streets of Newcastle with its security escorts, Charlette made sure to point out any significant site that she could see to Gerald such as the statue of Maria Goretti which was surrounded by a congregation of young people who were drinking sodas, listening to music, and reading the plaque which was installed near the statue. Charlette had remembered hearing about Maria's life in school and knew that the Anglian Church accepted Maria as one of their many saints even if they did not use the same terminology for her as did the Roman Catholics. Charlette smiled at Gerald and for the first time put her head on his shoulders; her eyes looking up at his face in intense admiration. She was madly in love with him and now knew how Helen felt when she first met Constantine Campbell. The Queen of Anglia now had a secret love and she would make sure that she could keep him. Charlette kept telling Gerald about whatever sites they passed as they rode together in the Queen's personal armored limosuine which drove by a building owned by the Franciscan Order. "It is possible for us to visit Clairmont, Gerald. Clairmont, or St. Clare's Mountain, is basically a mountain covered in convents owned by the Poor Clares. They do not mind people visiting but they would like people to be respectful. We can visit if you want."

Charlette's head was still on Gerald's shoulders as she spoke in a refined tone of voice. "I want you to see everything, Gerald. I want you to see the nation that I rule over....I want you to see everything!" Charlette giggled a little after that outburst of national pride but then she snuggled with Gerald; still looking at him in intense admiration. It was not common that a foreign monarch would not only fall in love with you but do all of this to show it. "We can also visit the homes of famous Anglians and I believe we can visit Helen and Constantine now if you want. They live in Thomasville and it will take a couple of days for us to get there but luckily we can use a luxury car to get there...unless you wanted to fly there."

"You don't look like the kind of person who would help people only to get fame for himself and I find that admirable in you. We can find a branch of the Bailey Association for you to volunteer in."

"Thank you, my love."

"Aren't greed and the lust for power the two temptations that often fill this world of ours with so much war and bloodshed? Indeed, they are. Many people have died simply to add one more bag of gold in a nation's coffers."

"Trying to keep me from getting a word in edgewise?" Gerald was so happy to be with his love that he spoke in a joking tone.

"By the end of the day, you should be able to know much more."

"I look forward to it."

"There have been many poets in Anglia's history. For example, Martin Knighton wrote an epic poem known as The Pearl of Great Price which many say was about the death of his infant daughter, Agnes while Tostig Longe controversially wrote poetry that included graphic accounts of witches burning at the stake in his epic poem, Condemned."

"I'm reminded that the people who were burned at the stake as 'witches' were not guilty. It's an example of ignorant people thinking that they know it all. The thing is, a lot of people in this world haven't grown out of such things, but at least some sanity is prevailing."

Charlette smiled at Gerald and for the first time put her head on his shoulders; her eyes looking up at his face in intense admiration. She was madly in love with him and now knew how Helen felt when she first met Constantine Campbell. The Queen of Anglia now had a secret love and she would make sure that she could keep him. Charlette kept telling Gerald about whatever sites they passed as they rode together in the Queen's personal armored limosuine which drove by a building owned by the Franciscan Order. "It is possible for us to visit Clairmont, Gerald. Clairmont, or St. Clare's Mountain, is basically a mountain covered in convents owned by the Poor Clares. They do not mind people visiting but they would like people to be respectful. We can visit if you want."

Gerald smiled back at Charlette as she laid her head on his shoulder. He was madly in love with her, and from what he was seeing, she felt the same way about him. So in reflection, he couldn't be happier. So much so that he had to fight to pay attention to what his love was saying as they passed various places that she thought was important.

"I would enjoy seeing Clairmont, my love." He really couldn't keep his eyes off of her, he decided.

Charlette's head was still on Gerald's shoulders as she spoke in a refined tone of voice. "I want you to see everything, Gerald. I want you to see the nation that I rule over....I want you to see everything!" Charlette giggled a little after that outburst of national pride but then she snuggled with Gerald; still looking at him in intense admiration. It was not common that a foreign monarch would not only fall in love with you but do all of this to show it. "We can also visit the homes of famous Anglians and I believe we can visit Helen and Constantine now if you want. They live in Thomasville and it will take a couple of days for us to get there but luckily we can use a luxury car to get there...unless you wanted to fly there."

"Then i'll see everything, my love." Gerald was frankly enjoying the fact that his secret love felt comfortable enough around him to snuggle in close to him. He had only heard of one other time when a monarch had fallen so completely for a foreign commoner, and THAT had led to a war between the nations of Mephras and Damirez. After the Damiren forces had liberated Mephras from overly ambitious officers who had led a coup, the love and then marriage of the Mephrasi Empress and the Damiren commoner had led to VERY close ties between the two nations. Gerald was hoping that there would not be a war should the secret be revealed, as there was a major chance that it could be.

Still, he wouldn't trade Charlette's love of him (and his of her) for anything.

"I would very much enjoy visiting Helen and Constantine with you, my love. Just one question, though. How much should they know about US?"

"Thank you, my love."



"Trying to keep me from getting a word in edgewise?" Gerald was so happy to be with his love that he spoke in a joking tone.

Charlette giggled at Gerald's comments and smiled. She was just so happy to be with him and to know that he loved her.


"I look forward to it."

"Hopefully you'll look forward to a lot of things."



"I'm reminded that the people who were burned at the stake as 'witches' were not guilty. It's an example of ignorant people thinking that they know it all. The thing is, a lot of people in this world haven't grown out of such things, but at least some sanity is prevailing."

"Tostig Longe mentioned that not all the people were guilty of witchcraft; he would write in his epic poem about how some people were like lambs led to the slaughter. His epic poem was controversial merely because of the way it described how the people died in the fire."



Gerald smiled back at Charlette as she laid her head on his shoulder. He was madly in love with her, and from what he was seeing, she felt the same way about him. So in reflection, he couldn't be happier. So much so that he had to fight to pay attention to what his love was saying as they passed various places that she thought was important.

"I would enjoy seeing Clairmont, my love." He really couldn't keep his eyes off of her, he decided.

Charlette looked up at the face of her Lamonian lover and smiled. "Then we will visit Clare's Mountain, my love. We will see every inch of this nation together."


"Then i'll see everything, my love." Gerald was frankly enjoying the fact that his secret love felt comfortable enough around him to snuggle in close to him. He had only heard of one other time when a monarch had fallen so completely for a foreign commoner, and THAT had led to a war between the nations of Mephras and Damirez. After the Damiren forces had liberated Mephras from overly ambitious officers who had led a coup, the love and then marriage of the Mephrasi Empress and the Damiren commoner had led to VERY close ties between the two nations. Gerald was hoping that there would not be a war should the secret be revealed, as there was a major chance that it could be.

Still, he wouldn't trade Charlette's love of him (and his of her) for anything.

"I would very much enjoy visiting Helen and Constantine with you, my love. Just one question, though. How much should they know about US?"

"They will know everything about us but the love that we share between us for the affairs and secrets of our heart should be concealed until a proper time; all things will be revealed in due time, my love, and now is not the time to confess our mutual and true love for each other."

Charlette tightly held onto her Lamonian lover; luckily the chauffer did not notice it (he was not able to) as he drove the limosuine towards the next place on the itinerary which happened to be a drive around the city before reaching the Marble Palace. "We'll be resting here for a bit before we head off to Helen and Constantine in Thomasville today. It will be quite a drive but we do have a proper vehicle which can take us through the miles."

Charlette giggled at Gerald's comments and smiled. She was just so happy to be with him and to know that he loved her.

"Charlette, what did you imagine that your ideal man would be like?"

"Hopefully you'll look forward to a lot of things."

A loving smile. "Oh yes, I will be." Then Gerald kissed his love. He enjoyed the feel of her soft lips on his, and couldn't get enough of it. It was intoxicating, just like his love herself.

"Tostig Longe mentioned that not all the people were guilty of witchcraft; he would write in his epic poem about how some people were like lambs led to the slaughter. His epic poem was controversial merely because of the way it described how the people died in the fire."

"I've never heard Tostig Longe's poem, my love. Would you happen to know about this poem?"

Charlette looked up at the face of her Lamonian lover and smiled. "Then we will visit Clare's Mountain, my love. We will see every inch of this nation together."

"I'm sure that we'll see more than that together, my love."

"They will know everything about us but the love that we share between us for the affairs and secrets of our heart should be concealed until a proper time; all things will be revealed in due time, my love, and now is not the time to confess our mutual and true love for each other."

"I would never wish to do anything that would hurt either of us, or jeopardize our love."

Charlette tightly held onto her Lamonian lover; luckily the chauffeur did not notice it (he was not able to) as he drove the limosuine towards the next place on the itinerary which happened to be a drive around the city before reaching the Marble Palace. "We'll be resting here for a bit before we head off to Helen and Constantine in Thomasville today. It will be quite a drive but we do have a proper vehicle which can take us through the miles."

If there had been any doubt at all about whether Charlette loved him (there wasn't any doubts there), they were quickly settled during just this ride in her limo. He could easily imagine spending the rest of his days with her.

"Whatever you think is appropriate for the trip will be more than welcome, Your Majesty." After all, someone might be listening at this point.

"Charlette, what did you imagine that your ideal man would be like?"

"My ideal man? Well I'd imagine him to be kind, courteous, chivalrous and goodhearted; a man who values loyalty to one's lady."

A loving smile. "Oh yes, I will be." Then Gerald kissed his love. He enjoyed the feel of her soft lips on his, and couldn't get enough of it. It was intoxicating, just like his love herself.



"I've never heard Tostig Longe's poem, my love. Would you happen to know about this poem?"

Charlette reminisced about a romantic poem she once heard in childhood before she began to talk about Longe's poem. "Indeed; I have plenty of knowledge about it. Tostig Longe wrote it in dedication to the innocent women who were killed at the stake and he manages to dedicate a part in his poem to notable people who were killed. For example, he'd write about Jacques de Molay (OOC: RL Templar's final leader) and Joan of Arc. Many people did not like it because he wrote how the people died too graphically in their opinion; for example citing that their flesh would melt or that they looked grossly mutated if not turned to ashes. He even dedicated the poem to all the innocent victims; everyone knew that not all the people killed were guilty....they knew many were innocent."


"I'm sure that we'll see more than that together, my love."



"I would never wish to do anything that would hurt either of us, or jeopardize our love."

"Love can be more harmful that many things; I have seen that in plenty of tales."


If there had been any doubt at all about whether Charlette loved him (there wasn't any doubts there), they were quickly settled during just this ride in her limo. He could easily imagine spending the rest of his days with her.

"Whatever you think is appropriate for the trip will be more than welcome, Your Majesty." After all, someone might be listening at this point.

"We could see the Longe Monument by the way; it has a statue of him with his pen and paper in his hands while gazing at a witch burning at the stake with the caption being an excerpt from his poem. It was made during the Age of Romanticism so it is quite thought provoking to see how the statue of Longe is depicted; ready to write about the "gross injustices committed in God's name" as Longe wrote. There is so much to see. The Longe Monument is in Newcastle by the way so we can see it after we come back from Helen and Constantine."

Charlette walked into the Marble Palace with Gerald; beckoning him inside so that they could rest for a bit before they began their journey into the Anglian inland. Charlette took Gerald to what looked like a living room, sat him down on one of the comfortable chairs and began to tell him about what other places they could see together; she'd not tell him about any personal matters just yet no matter how much she loved him. "We have many regions in Anglia such as Shetlandshire, Rumfordshire, and the Foothills as well as, in my opinion, the most Medieval village in Anglia: Sandford. Sandford may have modern technology but the way the people live their lives is well.....just good old Medieval like. I've been there before with my caretaker who often took me to plenty of places as a kid. My caretaker always took the time to make our excursions enjoyable and I remember visiting New London; staying in a luxury suite in one of the five star hotels while looking from the balcony at a wonderful view of the city."

Eglantyne walked into the room to offer tea and snacks but Charlette declined (allowing Gerald to partake in some if he wanted). After hearing the responses, Eglantyne walked away; probably towards her own chambers to relax until she was needed again. After all, the Queen was gracious enough to give them such a privilege. Charlette was still talking afterwards but she felt that whenever she mentioned her "caretaker" that the memories of her rotten childhood began to emerge from the abyss of her mind. She'd try to restrain it but hopefully Gerald could not sense something was wrong by looking at her. "Gerald.....would you like to see some pictures?"

"My ideal man? Well I'd imagine him to be kind, courteous, chivalrous and goodhearted; a man who values loyalty to one's lady."

"Would you like to hear about my ideal woman, Charlette?"

Charlette reminisced about a romantic poem she once heard in childhood before she began to talk about Longe's poem. "Indeed; I have plenty of knowledge about it. Tostig Longe wrote it in dedication to the innocent women who were killed at the stake and he manages to dedicate a part in his poem to notable people who were killed. For example, he'd write about Jacques de Molay (OOC: RL Templar's final leader) and Joan of Arc. Many people did not like it because he wrote how the people died too graphically in their opinion; for example citing that their flesh would melt or that they looked grossly mutated if not turned to ashes. He even dedicated the poem to all the innocent victims; everyone knew that not all the people killed were guilty....they knew many were innocent."

"Even for one who has seen a lot of things in this world, it still has the power to amaze that people would willingly send the innocent to horrible deaths that carry not one shred of honor. There is more honor to be found on the field of battle than there was at so called 'witch trials.' It's even worse that the people involved likely KNEW that a majority of the people killed were innocent."

"Love can be more harmful that many things; I have seen that in plenty of tales."

"This is true, but I love you so much that I couldn't bear it if I hurt you, Charlette."

"We could see the Longe Monument by the way; it has a statue of him with his pen and paper in his hands while gazing at a witch burning at the stake with the caption being an excerpt from his poem. It was made during the Age of Romanticism so it is quite thought provoking to see how the statue of Longe is depicted; ready to write about the "gross injustices committed in God's name" as Longe wrote. There is so much to see. The Longe Monument is in Newcastle by the way so we can see it after we come back from Helen and Constantine."

Charlette walked into the Marble Palace with Gerald; beckoning him inside so that they could rest for a bit before they began their journey into the Anglian inland. Charlette took Gerald to what looked like a living room, sat him down on one of the comfortable chairs and began to tell him about what other places they could see together; she'd not tell him about any personal matters just yet no matter how much she loved him. "We have many regions in Anglia such as Shetlandshire, Rumfordshire, and the Foothills as well as, in my opinion, the most Medieval village in Anglia: Sandford. Sandford may have modern technology but the way the people live their lives is well.....just good old Medieval like. I've been there before with my caretaker who often took me to plenty of places as a kid. My caretaker always took the time to make our excursions enjoyable and I remember visiting New London; staying in a luxury suite in one of the five star hotels while looking from the balcony at a wonderful view of the city."

"I would enjoy seeing the Longe Monument, Your Majesty."

"Your country is simply amazing, Your Majesty; and you've been an excellent tour guide. I only hope that I can return the favor should you wish to make a visit to Lamoni." Gerald's love; while not expressed in words, still shone in his eyes.

"Would you like to hear about my ideal woman, Charlette?"

Charlette giggled with a grin. "Are you not talking to her now?"



"Even for one who has seen a lot of things in this world, it still has the power to amaze that people would willingly send the innocent to horrible deaths that carry not one shred of honor. There is more honor to be found on the field of battle than there was at so called 'witch trials.' It's even worse that the people involved likely KNEW that a majority of the people killed were innocent."

"Anglian soldiers have fought and died in several conflicts. A long time ago, Thomas Draper, the Earl of Hollywood, led Anglian soldiers in the Boer War and World War One while his successor led them in World War Two. The Anglian Expeditionary Force became famous for its zeal and determination and some of its members still live today though the force itself was disbanded. The current Earl of Hollywood is still a member of the Draper family; a family made famous by the deeds of one determined man."



"This is true, but I love you so much that I couldn't bear it if I hurt you, Charlette."

"Tis would be a shame if you were but a liar in a good man's body."



"I would enjoy seeing the Longe Monument, Your Majesty."

"Your country is simply amazing, Your Majesty; and you've been an excellent tour guide. I only hope that I can return the favor should you wish to make a visit to Lamoni." Gerald's love; while not expressed in words, still shone in his eyes.

"I am sure that you would be an excellent tour guide and we will be able to see the Longe Monument and the monument to the Anglian Expeditionary Force and its leader. Gerald, know that I will do my best to show you everything. Now, are you hungry?"

Charlette giggled with a grin. "Are you not talking to her now?"

An easy grin came to Gerald's face while he chuckled. "Yes, indeed I am talking to her now." Gerald kissed his love again.

"Anglian soldiers have fought and died in several conflicts. A long time ago, Thomas Draper, the Earl of Hollywood, led Anglian soldiers in the Boer War and World War One while his successor led them in World War Two. The Anglian Expeditionary Force became famous for its zeal and determination and some of its members still live today though the force itself was disbanded. The current Earl of Hollywood is still a member of the Draper family; a family made famous by the deeds of one determined man."

"Lamonian soldiers have fought and died in several conflicts as well. Though, we did not participate in either World War I or World War II, as none of our interests were threatened at that point. We don't have the connection between Anglia and the UK, for example. Who was the determined man, and what did he do?"

"Tis would be a shame if you were but a liar in a good man's body."

"I assure you that I am not a liar, Charlette."

"I am sure that you would be an excellent tour guide and we will be able to see the Longe Monument and the monument to the Anglian Expeditionary Force and its leader. Gerald, know that I will do my best to show you everything. Now, are you hungry?"

"I am sure that you will do your best to show me everything. And now that you mention it, I am hungry."

An easy grin came to Gerald's face while he chuckled. "Yes, indeed I am talking to her now." Gerald kissed his love again.

"...I'm talking to my ideal man. I'm blessed to have you; you are a handsome and charming man."

"Lamonian soldiers have fought and died in several conflicts as well. Though, we did not participate in either World War I or World War II, as none of our interests were threatened at that point. We don't have the connection between Anglia and the UK, for example. Who was the determined man, and what did he do?"

"I already mentioned the identity of the determined man. Thomas Draper, the Earl of Hollywood, was one of the noblemen in the reign of Queen Isabella I who is one of my many ancestors. A stern and coldhearted man, he led Anglian soldiers in World War One and the Second Boer War with ruthless determination. His titles, etc are still owned by his living descendants and there is a monument to him and another to the Anglian Expeditionary Force which he created in 1895; it was finally disbanded in 1945 after government reforms. Mostly WWII AEF veterans are the only ones to still be living and I have met some of them on numerous occassions. Their war stories are always interesting to listen to and I believe it is a shame if one does not pay to them all the respect they deserve. A soldier dies not so people can forget him but so that people can remember how he died and what he died for."


"I assure you that I am not a liar, Charlette."

"I hope for my soul's sake that is the truth. To be lied to by one's lover is to stab them right in the heart and such a pain my soul could not bear to have." Charlette said solemnly. "But I place upon you my absolute trust in the hopes that my trust will be rewarded with blessings."

"I am sure that you will do your best to show me everything. And now that you mention it, I am hungry."

Charlette immediately had Eglantyne and some of the butlers serve a hearty lunch for their liege and her (secret) Lamonian lover who sat at the table together. Charlette smiled and began partaking in her food; not rushing into it but calmly taking small but good bites. While they ate, Charlette began to speak. "There are many branches of the Parker Family such as my own but also those which descend from siblings of my ancestors. Some noble families such as the Barons Bernières can claim the throne because of their ancestry from Princess Elizabeth, a member of the de Beauchamp Dynasty. My ancestors were descendants of the de Beauchamps and Witcombes and thus I was considered, I suppose, a prime candidate to inherit the throne. My heir at the moment is Prince Charles...."

Charlette stopped talking for a moment; remembering that Charles was the son of her father's second wife who she had never really gotten accustomed to just yet. Remembering Philippa Sainte-D'Aignaux, her father's second wife, made her remember her biological mother, Queen Samantha and thus the divorce (and a possible annulment?) and all of her rotten childhood. "Prince Charles is my heir. If he dies or forsakes his inheritance then his sister Marie would replace him. There is a whole line of succession of many people to the throne of Anglia, Gerald. If I have a child then that child would automatically replace Charles who would be second in line. I hope that I'll be able to continue my branch; I don't want to be known as a barren woman."

Charlette took some more bites of her food before she smiled again. "Gerald, friend of the Crown, I enjoy having you around here and that is why I am considering allowing you to stay here for the night. You will be given a guest room with all the luxuries one could expect in a royal palace and Eglantyne will be appointed to serve you."

Eglantyne curtseyed with a smile. "Tis a pleasure to serve you, Mr. Smythe." She said in a refined tone before returning to her position at the wall; waiting for further orders. Charlette smiled at Gerald. "Eglantyne is one of my most faithful maids; I enjoy having her here with me. Please be courteous with her, Gerald."

After the food was finished, Charlette smiled. "Would you like to watch a movie with me, Gerald? If war movies are your fancy then we can watch "For Saint George!" which is about Anglian soldiers in World War One. Do you have a particular genre that you are fond of?"

"...I'm talking to my ideal man. I'm blessed to have you; you are a handsome and charming man."

"And you are a beautiful and engaging woman. I couldn't imagine my life without you."

"I already mentioned the identity of the determined man. Thomas Draper, the Earl of Hollywood, was one of the noblemen in the reign of Queen Isabella I who is one of my many ancestors. A stern and coldhearted man, he led Anglian soldiers in World War One and the Second Boer War with ruthless determination. His titles, etc are still owned by his living descendants and there is a monument to him and another to the Anglian Expeditionary Force which he created in 1895; it was finally disbanded in 1945 after government reforms. Mostly WWII AEF veterans are the only ones to still be living and I have met some of them on numerous occasions. Their war stories are always interesting to listen to and I believe it is a shame if one does not pay to them all the respect they deserve. A soldier dies not so people can forget him but so that people can remember how he died and what he died for."

"I'm sure that if the time for such ever came, that Lamonian and Anglian troops would fight, and fight well at each other's side. I think that I might show you the Lamonian War Museum if we are both in Lamoni at some point. They have examples of Lamonian and enemy war machines there, and stirring exhibits of the various military conflicts that Lamonian forces have been involved in.

Would it be possible to visit with some of the remaining AEF veterans? It is always important to pay one's respects to military veterans."

"I hope for my soul's sake that is the truth. To be lied to by one's lover is to stab them right in the heart and such a pain my soul could not bear to have." Charlette said solemnly. "But I place upon you my absolute trust in the hopes that my trust will be rewarded with blessings."

"It should please you to know that I have placed upon you my absolute trust as well, Charlette. I too hope that this trust will be rewarded with blessings."

Charlette immediately had Eglantyne and some of the butlers serve a hearty lunch for their liege and her (secret) Lamonian lover who sat at the table together. Charlette smiled and began partaking in her food; not rushing into it but calmly taking small but good bites. While they ate, Charlette began to speak. "There are many branches of the Parker Family such as my own but also those which descend from siblings of my ancestors. Some noble families such as the Barons Bernières can claim the throne because of their ancestry from Princess Elizabeth, a member of the de Beauchamp Dynasty. My ancestors were descendants of the de Beauchamps and Witcombes and thus I was considered, I suppose, a prime candidate to inherit the throne. My heir at the moment is Prince Charles...."

Charlette stopped talking for a moment; remembering that Charles was the son of her father's second wife who she had never really gotten accustomed to just yet. Remembering Philippa Sainte-D'Aignaux, her father's second wife, made her remember her biological mother, Queen Samantha and thus the divorce (and a possible annulment?) and all of her rotten childhood. "Prince Charles is my heir. If he dies or forsakes his inheritance then his sister Marie would replace him. There is a whole line of succession of many people to the throne of Anglia, Gerald. If I have a child then that child would automatically replace Charles who would be second in line. I hope that I'll be able to continue my branch; I don't want to be known as a barren woman."

Charlette took some more bites of her food before she smiled again. "Gerald, friend of the Crown, I enjoy having you around here and that is why I am considering allowing you to stay here for the night. You will be given a guest room with all the luxuries one could expect in a royal palace and Eglantyne will be appointed to serve you."

Eglantyne curtsied with a smile. "Tis a pleasure to serve you, Mr. Smythe." She said in a refined tone before returning to her position at the wall; waiting for further orders. Charlette smiled at Gerald. "Eglantyne is one of my most faithful maids; I enjoy having her here with me. Please be courteous with her, Gerald."

After the food was finished, Charlette smiled. "Would you like to watch a movie with me, Gerald? If war movies are your fancy then we can watch "For Saint George!" which is about Anglian soldiers in World War One. Do you have a particular genre that you are fond of?"

Gerald was hungry, but he didn't wolf his food down. As one might expect of royalty, the food was of excellent quality.

As Charlette spoke, he listened very politely, and only interrupted when he needed a point clarified, or a term defined. He would be going to bed happy this night.

OOC: would say more for the last bit, but i'm in a bit of a rush

"And you are a beautiful and engaging woman. I couldn't imagine my life without you."

"You are so sweet, Gerald." Charlette said with a smile before she manuvered her foot to touch his; hoping to play a game of footsie with her. She smiled slyly and studied him; looking at him a bit seductively.


"I'm sure that if the time for such ever came, that Lamonian and Anglian troops would fight, and fight well at each other's side. I think that I might show you the Lamonian War Museum if we are both in Lamoni at some point. They have examples of Lamonian and enemy war machines there, and stirring exhibits of the various military conflicts that Lamonian forces have been involved in.

"I would be interested in visiting the Lamonian War Museum one day, my love. It is a well known fact, I must say, that I served in the Anglian Army as a medic. I have a lot of friends still in the Army and I still remember those days with joy and happiness."

Would it be possible to visit with some of the remaining AEF veterans? It is always important to pay one's respects to military veterans."

"I don't see why it would not be possible but I will see if we can."


"It should please you to know that I have placed upon you my absolute trust as well, Charlette. I too hope that this trust will be rewarded with blessings."

Charlette grinned. "I am sure that it will be rewarded with a multitude of blessings which will bring bliss to our hearts."



Gerald was hungry, but he didn't wolf his food down. As one might expect of royalty, the food was of excellent quality.

As Charlette spoke, he listened very politely, and only interrupted when he needed a point clarified, or a term defined. He would be going to bed happy this night.

OOC: would say more for the last bit, but i'm in a bit of a rush

OOC: No problem; I understand.

After dinner was finished, Charlette had the dishes cleared from the table before she smiled at Gerald. It felt so refreshing to be with him and it made her feel like actively showing her love in numerous ways like playing footsie with him. Charlette rose from her seat and beckoned Gerald to follow her to the guest room which was down the hall from her own. Opening it, Gerald could see the furnished luxury suite of a guest room that Charlette arranged for him to have. "I hope you will be comfortable here, my love, it should be to your liking. You will be able to ask Eglantyne for assistance if you need any; she will be your personal maid on my order."

Charlette looked out the window at the moon which was shining with the mulitude of stars surrounding it. "Do you like the night, Gerald? When I was little I would often look at the stars and the moon and just contemplate. I was alone with my thoughts. Alone with no one around me...." Charlette fell silent for a moment; the voices of her parents' arguing about her filled her head but she restrained the tears. "Gerald....if you would like to watch the movie now then please follow me. Otherwise, please make yourself comfortable here in this room."

Charlette smiled before she proceeded to walk out the door; unable to bear with the memories of her rotten childhood that were still tormenting her after so many years. Should she tell Gerald? No, she thought, she'd never tell anyone other than Reginald Bettingham but still.....he was her lover and he was a goodhearted man. "Gerald...." Charlette said solemnly as she stood at the door. "Did your father love your mother? Did he care for her? Did they have a happy marriage?"

Charlette turned around to reveal a look of her he had never seen before. Her eyes pierced through him as if they were marred with intense sadness hidden behind a veil of bitter happiness. Her heart was black with grief but laced with white laces of joy. The Queen, Charlette VI of Anglia, stood before the Lamonian commoner she loved in solemn torment. "Experiences in my life provoked me to satisfy my curiousity; thus I asked you those questions."

Charlette looked at Gerald and wiped some tears from her eyes; perhaps, she thought, Gerald could remove the cross she had been bearing for so long and perhaps, she thought, she could move on. "Mother....Father.....why?" Charlette would often think to herself on those cold nights when she was alone in her chambers with no one around her but the stars and the moon illuminating the pitch black night sky with threads of gold light. "Please....I pray to God.....love each other and be happy." Such supplications often went unanswered in her life; to her despair.

OOC: Basically, Charlette's a happy and joyful person secretly tormented by the memories she has of her rotten childhood. She's going to have Gerald try to help her move on with her life.

"You are so sweet, Gerald." Charlette said with a smile before she maneuvered her foot to touch his; hoping to play a game of footsie with **"HER."** She smiled slyly and studied him; looking at him a bit seductively.

OOC: I didn't know that Gerald had a sex change. lol (see above)

IC: Gerald felt Charlette's foot brushing his, and he started playing footsie with her. He also smiled seductively back at her.

"I would be interested in visiting the Lamonian War Museum one day, my love. It is a well known fact, I must say, that I served in the Anglian Army as a medic. I have a lot of friends still in the Army and I still remember those days with joy and happiness."

"Certainly, my love. We could go at any time that suits you. I'm sure that you will find Lamoni to your liking. I too served in the military. I served in the Lamonian Army; first as Infantry, then as Military Intelligence. This was when military service for able bodied Lamonian citizens was mandatory. Still, there were certainly fun times to be had in the military."

"I don't see why it would not be possible but I will see if we can."

"Thank you, my love."

Charlette grinned. "I am sure that it will be rewarded with a multitude of blessings which will bring bliss to our hearts."

"It would be a shame if it did not."

After dinner was finished, Charlette had the dishes cleared from the table before she smiled at Gerald. It felt so refreshing to be with him and it made her feel like actively showing her love in numerous ways like playing footsie with him. Charlette rose from her seat and beckoned Gerald to follow her to the guest room which was down the hall from her own. Opening it, Gerald could see the furnished luxury suite of a guest room that Charlette arranged for him to have. "I hope you will be comfortable here, my love, it should be to your liking. You will be able to ask Eglantyne for assistance if you need any; she will be your personal maid on my order."

"Thank you very much, Charlette. Given the fact that we are in a palace, it is truly... palatial." Gerald could come up with some truly dreadful puns at times.

Charlette looked out the window at the moon which was shining with the multitude of stars surrounding it. "Do you like the night, Gerald? When I was little I would often look at the stars and the moon and just contemplate. I was alone with my thoughts. Alone with no one around me...." Charlette fell silent for a moment; the voices of her parents' arguing about her filled her head but she restrained the tears. "Gerald....if you would like to watch the movie now then please follow me. Otherwise, please make yourself comfortable here in this room."

Charlette smiled before she proceeded to walk out the door; unable to bear with the memories of her rotten childhood that were still tormenting her after so many years. Should she tell Gerald? No, she thought, she'd never tell anyone other than Reginald Bettingham but still.....he was her lover and he was a goodhearted man. "Gerald...." Charlette said solemnly as she stood at the door. "Did your father love your mother? Did he care for her? Did they have a happy marriage?"

Charlette turned around to reveal a look of her he had never seen before. Her eyes pierced through him as if they were marred with intense sadness hidden behind a veil of bitter happiness. Her heart was black with grief but laced with white laces of joy. The Queen, Charlette VI of Anglia, stood before the Lamonian commoner she loved in solemn torment. "Experiences in my life provoked me to satisfy my curiousity; thus I asked you those questions."

"The night always held the promise of a new day for me. When I was younger, I once thought that the world did not help anyone, but also that it did not hurt anyone. That it's very nature was neutral to the affairs of man. I think that I missed the human component when I thought that."

Gerald moved closer to Charlette, intending to hold her, but she was already moving toward the door of the room. When she told him about the movie, he followed her without question. He knew that there was something bothering Charlette, but he also figured that she wouldn't tell him unless and until she was good and ready to do so.

"Yes, my father loved my mother very much. He both truly loved and cared for her, and her death hit him pretty hard. Still, he does the best that he can without her there. However, I can sense where this is heading. Charlette, did your parents have a happy marriage? Did they love and care for each other? You don't have to answer, but the general sense that I am getting from your reactions to certain sights, sounds, and thoughts seem to trigger buried memories that are painful to you. And the questions about my parents and their marriage, especially when delivered in a somber tone are a giveaway. I hope that I haven't made you upset, but this was something that needed to be said."

OOC: I didn't know that Gerald had a sex change. lol (see above)

IC: Gerald felt Charlette's foot brushing his, and he started playing footsie with her. He also smiled seductively back at her.

OOC: I must keep better watch of such things.

Charlette smiled seductively back at Gerald but it was not meant to tell him that she was free to take to bed. Charlette had never once partaken in carnal activities and was thus still a virgin but she was not going to let Gerald get the chance to take it away so easily; he'd have to wait.


"Certainly, my love. We could go at any time that suits you. I'm sure that you will find Lamoni to your liking. I too served in the military. I served in the Lamonian Army; first as Infantry, then as Military Intelligence. This was when military service for able bodied Lamonian citizens was mandatory. Still, there were certainly fun times to be had in the military."

"It would be a pleasure to visit Lamoni. I served in the Army as a medic due to my enrollment in a special program during my days as a college student. Although I was treated with respect, there was no special treatment. I was a soldier like everyone else; I do not think I am superior to others merely by virtue of my royal blood. I still remember the fun times I had in the Army and I have a lot of pictures if you'd like to see them."



"Thank you, my love."



"It would be a shame if it did not."

"Indeed, it would be."


"Thank you very much, Charlette. Given the fact that we are in a palace, it is truly... palatial." Gerald could come up with some truly dreadful puns at times.

Charlette laughed a little before watching Gerald explore the room with a smile on her face.

"The night always held the promise of a new day for me. When I was younger, I once thought that the world did not help anyone, but also that it did not hurt anyone. That it's very nature was neutral to the affairs of man. I think that I missed the human component when I thought that."

"The light of the moon illumines the pitch black darkness; congregations of stars prostrate it before its charming lunar reign in the heavens but then carry it away when the Sun takes its place upon the throne of clouds."

Charlette giggled a little. "I was trying to be poetic there."

Gerald moved closer to Charlette, intending to hold her, but she was already moving toward the door of the room. When she told him about the movie, he followed her without question. He knew that there was something bothering Charlette, but he also figured that she wouldn't tell him unless and until she was good and ready to do so.

"Yes, my father loved my mother very much. He both truly loved and cared for her, and her death hit him pretty hard. Still, he does the best that he can without her there. However, I can sense where this is heading. Charlette, did your parents have a happy marriage? Did they love and care for each other? You don't have to answer, but the general sense that I am getting from your reactions to certain sights, sounds, and thoughts seem to trigger buried memories that are painful to you. And the questions about my parents and their marriage, especially when delivered in a somber tone are a giveaway. I hope that I haven't made you upset, but this was something that needed to be said."

"It is time, my love, that I confess the existence of tormenting visions of my childhood which have wrought havoc upon my soul ever since the deaths of my parents. When I was born, my parents were madly in love and it was not uncommon to see them spending much time with each other. But, at time developed, bitter fruits grew from the tree of hatred and my parents grew to loathe each other and I can remember going to bed every night; crying as I heard their angry screams. I wrote poems of despair to pass the time since I was unable to sleep; I could do nothing to convince them to return to the Way of Love; Love, in their lives, was obliterated by Hate. The cruelties of Fortune brought them to divorce in the end and my mother won custody over me for even royalty are forced to go through the standard practices. My father eventually remarried and my stepbrother and sister are now my heirs until I have my own children. When my mother died, I could not bear to see the corpse. My eyes were strained by the many hours I spent lamenting over her grave. My father...he did not seem to be moved by the funeral but rather emotionless but, I think, he did have some shread of lament over it. When he died, I lost the two people who I cared about the most and was sent to the care of a noble family who had connections to the Crown. Thus, I became a foster child until I came of age and came to the throne..."

Charlette ran to Gerald and gripped onto him tightly; her warm hands gripping onto his arms while her face, reddened and marked with shining tears, looked up to him. "My love, I feel like the cross which I have born for so long has been removed. I feel....free." Charlette smiled at her lover and then placed her head on him; holding him to her in a tight and tender embrace. "Gerald Smythe....thank you for being in my life."

Charlette smiled seductively back at Gerald but it was not meant to tell him that she was free to take to bed. Charlette had never once partaken in carnal activities and was thus still a virgin but she was not going to let Gerald get the chance to take it away so easily; he'd have to wait.

Gerald gently held one of Charlette's hands, and kissed it. For the moment, he was simply content to sit there with his lover, and exchange the gazes that lovers do.

"It would be a pleasure to visit Lamoni. I served in the Army as a medic due to my enrollment in a special program during my days as a college student. Although I was treated with respect, there was no special treatment. I was a soldier like everyone else; I do not think I am superior to others merely by virtue of my royal blood. I still remember the fun times I had in the Army and I have a lot of pictures if you'd like to see them."

"It would be my honor to introduce you to Lamoni, Charlette. Speaking of which, how much should we let my father know about us? So far, I haven't told him anything, but he's smart enough to figure it all out on his own eventually; especially with the two of us spending so much time in the other's company.

It is good that you still regard yourself as a normal human being, Charlette. When royals stop believing that they are the same as anyone else; that is when history shows us that they commit their worst actions.

I would enjoy seeing your pictures, Charlette."

Charlette laughed a little before watching Gerald explore the room with a smile on her face.

For his part, Gerald was happy that he'd gotten her to laugh. He explored the room, and unsurprisingly, he found the room to be palatial, which was only to be expected from royalty. When his love was no longer in the room, he would sweep it for bugs. It wasn't that he did not trust his love; but his training had been most thorough.

"The light of the moon illumines the pitch black darkness; congregations of stars prostrate it before its charming lunar reign in the heavens but then carry it away when the Sun takes its place upon the throne of clouds."

Charlette giggled a little. "I was trying to be poetic there."

"And you did a good job, my love. As I am sure that we both know, poetry isn't all about rhyming, but putting together words well enough that the poetry forms a mental image in the reader's mind. You did that quite well, I think."

"It is time, my love, that I confess the existence of tormenting visions of my childhood which have wrought havoc upon my soul ever since the deaths of my parents. When I was born, my parents were madly in love and it was not uncommon to see them spending much time with each other. But, at time developed, bitter fruits grew from the tree of hatred and my parents grew to loathe each other and I can remember going to bed every night; crying as I heard their angry screams. I wrote poems of despair to pass the time since I was unable to sleep; I could do nothing to convince them to return to the Way of Love; Love, in their lives, was obliterated by Hate. The cruelties of Fortune brought them to divorce in the end and my mother won custody over me for even royalty are forced to go through the standard practices. My father eventually remarried and my stepbrother and sister are now my heirs until I have my own children. When my mother died, I could not bear to see the corpse. My eyes were strained by the many hours I spent lamenting over her grave. My father...he did not seem to be moved by the funeral but rather emotionless but, I think, he did have some shread of lament over it. When he died, I lost the two people who I cared about the most and was sent to the care of a noble family who had connections to the Crown. Thus, I became a foster child until I came of age and came to the throne..."

Charlette ran to Gerald and gripped onto him tightly; her warm hands gripping onto his arms while her face, reddened and marked with shining tears, looked up to him. "My love, I feel like the cross which I have born for so long has been removed. I feel....free." Charlette smiled at her lover and then placed her head on him; holding him to her in a tight and tender embrace. "Gerald Smythe....thank you for being in my life."

Gerald was paying rapt attention to his love as she spoke. He could tell that this had been troubling her for quite some time now, and that maybe he would be able to help her put the unpleasantness in the past, where it belonged.

His love ran to him, and held on to him. She smiled up at him, and her face was both red, and filled with tears. "I too must thank you for being in my life, Charlette. I don't know where exactly either one of us would be if we hadn't met. Oh, i'm sure that you would still be queen; and that I would still be the ambassador's son, but our lives would not be where they are now. We wouldn't be as happy as we are with each other." Gerald smiled warmly and lovingly... holding his love in his arms while she snuggled in close to him. He had never in his life been as happy as he was right then, holding her in his arms.

Gerald gently held one of Charlette's hands, and kissed it. For the moment, he was simply content to sit there with his lover, and exchange the gazes that lovers do.



"It would be my honor to introduce you to Lamoni, Charlette. Speaking of which, how much should we let my father know about us? So far, I haven't told him anything, but he's smart enough to figure it all out on his own eventually; especially with the two of us spending so much time in the other's company.

"I am sure that the time will come when he will guess for himself that we are lovers so it would really be pointless to go through the trouble of telling him that we are. Let him know that his son and the Queen of Anglia are madly in love; I'm not ashamed of it and would not care if the whole world knew."

It is good that you still regard yourself as a normal human being, Charlette. When royals stop believing that they are the same as anyone else; that is when history shows us that they commit their worst actions.

"All people have the same blood in their veins, Gerald. My royal birth does not make me superior to anyone and I have never shown myself to be a snobbish brat. A monarch should be strong, yes, but caring as well. He or she should be there for the people and sympathize with them; not ignore them on the absurd claim that he or she is superior."

I would enjoy seeing your pictures, Charlette."

"Excellent. I have many of them so I hope you'll bear with me."


For his part, Gerald was happy that he'd gotten her to laugh. He explored the room, and unsurprisingly, he found the room to be palatial, which was only to be expected from royalty. When his love was no longer in the room, he would sweep it for bugs. It wasn't that he did not trust his love; but his training had been most thorough.



"And you did a good job, my love. As I am sure that we both know, poetry isn't all about rhyming, but putting together words well enough that the poetry forms a mental image in the reader's mind. You did that quite well, I think."

"That is true, my love, and many Anglian poets have followed those words. Indeed, their words endure throughout the ages as works of art; poetry is like painting in a sense to me."



Gerald was paying rapt attention to his love as she spoke. He could tell that this had been troubling her for quite some time now, and that maybe he would be able to help her put the unpleasantness in the past, where it belonged.

His love ran to him, and held on to him. She smiled up at him, and her face was both red, and filled with tears. "I too must thank you for being in my life, Charlette. I don't know where exactly either one of us would be if we hadn't met. Oh, i'm sure that you would still be queen; and that I would still be the ambassador's son, but our lives would not be where they are now. We wouldn't be as happy as we are with each other." Gerald smiled warmly and lovingly... holding his love in his arms while she snuggled in close to him. He had never in his life been as happy as he was right then, holding her in his arms.

"I am thankful to have you, my love, for you have been a handsome and charming man who makes me so happy to be around. To be without you, Gerald, is to be without happiness and to be without happiness is a horrid sight that I have seen too many times in my life." Charlette tightly held onto Gerald and her eyes locked into his with their lips eventually connecting in a tender and passionate kiss which made Charlette forget the events of the past; cleansing her of the mental infirmities which she had for so long. With a smile, Charlette pointed to the stars. "Look, Gerald, at those stars for we are just like them. Shining brightly without a care. Gerald Smythe, it is a pleasure and an honor to have you at my side....but I must make sure you don't go from me. Who knows what women could try to steal you from me...."

Charlette giggled with a smile on her face. "Let's go see those pictures, Gerald. I'm sure my Lamonian knight wants to see the pictures of his Anglian damsel!"

"I am sure that the time will come when he will guess for himself that we are lovers so it would really be pointless to go through the trouble of telling him that we are. Let him know that his son and the Queen of Anglia are madly in love; I'm not ashamed of it and would not care if the whole world knew."

"Yeah, I can just picture his reaction if he just figures it out on his own. First he'll be shocked speechless, then he'll attempt to get in contact with me the fastest way possible; demanding to know why I didn't say anything. Then his conscious mind will realize the diplomatic dangers of our relationship. Finally, he might just calm down long enough to congratulate us, and give me some 'words of advice.' "

"All people have the same blood in their veins, Gerald. My royal birth does not make me superior to anyone and I have never shown myself to be a snobbish brat. A monarch should be strong, yes, but caring as well. He or she should be there for the people and sympathize with them; not ignore them on the absurd claim that he or she is superior."

"That is one of the things that I love about you, my love. Despite all of the... 'specialness' surrounding you, you've yet to have it capture you; where it would make you into one who thought that she was better than everyone else just because you were richer, and had a different role. A more stressful role, I might add. You are still honest, and concerned for the welfare of others."

"Excellent. I have many of them so I hope you'll bear with me."

"I think that I can handle that." A grin.

"That is true, my love, and many Anglian poets have followed those words. Indeed, their words endure throughout the ages as works of art; poetry is like painting in a sense to me."

"The best poets are like master painters, only they use the imagination rather than the canvas. When I was younger and didn't know any better, I once went into an art museum. I would look at all this artwork that looked like someone had had a three year old fling finger paint all over the canvas for fifteen minutes, and I was disgusted that it was priced higher than artwork that actually LOOKED like something, just because a famous name made it. I still think that the hangers on in the art scene are annoying, but not as much as I once did."

"I am thankful to have you, my love, for you have been a handsome and charming man who makes me so happy to be around. To be without you, Gerald, is to be without happiness and to be without happiness is a horrid sight that I have seen too many times in my life." Charlette tightly held onto Gerald and her eyes locked into his with their lips eventually connecting in a tender and passionate kiss which made Charlette forget the events of the past; cleansing her of the mental infirmities which she had for so long. With a smile, Charlette pointed to the stars. "Look, Gerald, at those stars for we are just like them. Shining brightly without a care. Gerald Smythe, it is a pleasure and an honor to have you at my side....but I must make sure you don't go from me. Who knows what women could try to steal you from me...."

Charlette giggled with a smile on her face. "Let's go see those pictures, Gerald. I'm sure my Lamonian knight wants to see the pictures of his Anglian damsel!"

"I am thankful to have you, my love. It was quite literally love at first sight for me when I saw you. At the time, I didn't think that a member of royalty would even take notice of the son of an ambassador, but you have proven me wrong, and I am thankful for that. You have made me happier than I had ever thought that I would ever be."

Gerald's eyes locked with those of his love, and gravity seemed to draw their faces ever closer to each other until they shared a tender and passionate kiss.

"Personally, I would be more worried about some man trying to steal you away from me, Charlette. So i'll have to make sure that you don't go from me, either."

One of Gerald's hands had been bumped onto one of Charlette's breasts by one of her arms, and he nervously pulled it back when he noticed. His face was red with embarrassment.

"Yeah, I can just picture his reaction if he just figures it out on his own. First he'll be shocked speechless, then he'll attempt to get in contact with me the fastest way possible; demanding to know why I didn't say anything. Then his conscious mind will realize the diplomatic dangers of our relationship. Finally, he might just calm down long enough to congratulate us, and give me some 'words of advice.' "

Charlette giggled as her lover spoke; he always seemed to be able to make her laugh and loved to see his reaction to her laughing. "I am sure my guardians would react in the same fashion; shocked that the shackles of true love have bound you to me. Know, Gerald, that I am a slave of the love I have for you and I would never want to be free from that."



"That is one of the things that I love about you, my love. Despite all of the... 'specialness' surrounding you, you've yet to have it capture you; where it would make you into one who thought that she was better than everyone else just because you were richer, and had a different role. A more stressful role, I might add. You are still honest, and concerned for the welfare of others."

Charlette smiled. "Wealth and blood do not make me superior to any man or woman upon this Earth, my love. Being the Queen of Anglia can be stressful but it is rewarding when you see the crowds of people all patriotically waving flags in support of you; knowing that you have done well to help them prosper and lead good lives. My love, yes, that is what I want. I want them to love me. I want them to love Anglia. I want them to be happy."

"I think that I can handle that." A grin.



"The best poets are like master painters, only they use the imagination rather than the canvas. When I was younger and didn't know any better, I once went into an art museum. I would look at all this artwork that looked like someone had had a three year old fling finger paint all over the canvas for fifteen minutes, and I was disgusted that it was priced higher than artwork that actually LOOKED like something, just because a famous name made it. I still think that the hangers on in the art scene are annoying, but not as much as I once did."

"I have seen numerous paintings from the exquisite to the morbid; all of them making me contemplate the visions of the artists who designed them. Art, to me, is the expression of the deepest pits of our imagination. Writers, to me, are the engineers of the human soul. When an artist paints, he expresses his or her life through the brush. A portrait which looks really twisted and weird could show the artist's tormented soul. I sympathize with those thoughts of yours, my love, and I agree that at times some art is underappreciated but....they are all appreciated by the people who make them. Indeed, some artists bask in that brief period of recognition they get before another artist unwittingly takes it all away. Like that, I bask in your love for me, Gerald, and if it was taken away then my soul would truly be tormented and crushed. The tormenting visions of my rotten childhood would be replaced by my lamentations for my loss of you."



"I am thankful to have you, my love. It was quite literally love at first sight for me when I saw you. At the time, I didn't think that a member of royalty would even take notice of the son of an ambassador, but you have proven me wrong, and I am thankful for that. You have made me happier than I had ever thought that I would ever be."

"You have made the Queen of Anglia a joyful woman, Gerald, and have alleviated her lamentable sufferings which had afflicted her mind for so long and she is quite pleased with you. In fact, she thanks God for one of the greatest blessings He could ever provide her."

Gerald's eyes locked with those of his love, and gravity seemed to draw their faces ever closer to each other until they shared a tender and passionate kiss.

"Personally, I would be more worried about some man trying to steal you away from me, Charlette. So i'll have to make sure that you don't go from me, either."

One of Gerald's hands had been bumped onto one of Charlette's breasts by one of her arms, and he nervously pulled it back when he noticed. His face was red with embarrassment.

"I would be more worried about you leaving me for another woman but I am sure that the bonds of love that we share will never be broken and that they will last for many more years to come. My life, with you, is complete. Wealth, power, love....I have it all and I pray that I can keep it all together. Gerald, my love, never leave me. Do not abandon the girl who loves you with all of her heart, mind, body and soul to the abyss."

Charlette felt the hand of Gerald touch her breast and she looked up to him with shock which then morphed soon into a smile. "Gerald, my love, you may touch them. You may do as you will with them but I will not sleep with you just yet. We may only commence with touching each other like that....but the bed shall be reserved for....a later date." Charlette felt herself holding onto Gerald tighter than ever; his hands nearing her breasts. "Do it, Gerald. Touch them. I give them to you."

Meanwhile, while Charlette was busy offering herself to Gerald, one of the many maids of the Palace was busy making a routine check of the halls to make sure that they were all clean and tidy. She noticed the Queen's door open with the lights on so she decided that after her inspections were complete that she would talk to her dread sovereign lady. The maid, only a rookie, wanted to make sure the Queen knew that she was thankful for the job she had recently recieved.

Charlette giggled as her lover spoke; he always seemed to be able to make her laugh and loved to see his reaction to her laughing. "I am sure my guardians would react in the same fashion; shocked that the shackles of true love have bound you to me. Know, Gerald, that I am a slave of the love I have for you and I would never want to be free from that."

"I too am a slave of the love that I have for you, Charlette. We are irrevocably bound to each other in the shackles of true love."

Charlette smiled. "Wealth and blood do not make me superior to any man or woman upon this Earth, my love. Being the Queen of Anglia can be stressful but it is rewarding when you see the crowds of people all patriotically waving flags in support of you; knowing that you have done well to help them prosper and lead good lives. My love, yes, that is what I want. I want them to love me. I want them to love Anglia. I want them to be happy."

"And what about yourself, Charlette? I know that it is very important for the people to love their ruler, but if the ruler isn't loved, then it can be much harder for the ruler to be loved by the people."

"I have seen numerous paintings from the exquisite to the morbid; all of them making me contemplate the visions of the artists who designed them. Art, to me, is the expression of the deepest pits of our imagination. Writers, to me, are the engineers of the human soul. When an artist paints, he expresses his or her life through the brush. A portrait which looks really twisted and weird could show the artist's tormented soul. I sympathize with those thoughts of yours, my love, and I agree that at times some art is underappreciated but....they are all appreciated by the people who make them. Indeed, some artists bask in that brief period of recognition they get before another artist unwittingly takes it all away. Like that, I bask in your love for me, Gerald, and if it was taken away then my soul would truly be tormented and crushed. The tormenting visions of my rotten childhood would be replaced by my lamentations for my loss of you."

"Then we shall do what we can to live our lives together to the fullest, Charlette. That is the only thing that we can do. However long that we will have together, we shall spend it together; living life to the fullest."

"You have made the Queen of Anglia a joyful woman, Gerald, and have alleviated her lamentable sufferings which had afflicted her mind for so long and she is quite pleased with you. In fact, she thanks God for one of the greatest blessings He could ever provide her."

"If it were anyone else, then I would suspect that they were giving me much too much praise. But knowing what you have gone through, I know that you speak the truth. I thank God that such an angel came into my life."

"I would be more worried about you leaving me for another woman but I am sure that the bonds of love that we share will never be broken and that they will last for many more years to come. My life, with you, is complete. Wealth, power, love....I have it all and I pray that I can keep it all together. Gerald, my love, never leave me. Do not abandon the girl who loves you with all of her heart, mind, body and soul to the abyss."

Charlette felt the hand of Gerald touch her breast and she looked up to him with shock which then morphed soon into a smile. "Gerald, my love, you may touch them. You may do as you will with them but I will not sleep with you just yet. We may only commence with touching each other like that....but the bed shall be reserved for....a later date." Charlette felt herself holding onto Gerald tighter than ever; his hands nearing her breasts. "Do it, Gerald. Touch them. I give them to you."

"I will never abandon you, Charlette. You mean too much to me to ever do that."

Without further encouragement, Gerald's hands found their way to his lover's breasts; reaching under her bra in order to do so. At the same time, he gave his lover a passionate kiss. He again felt the primal urges that his love for (and proximity to) Charlette made rise to the surface. He wondered what it would feel like when she fully gave herself to him; but he was prepared to wait until their wedding night for that. He wondered if Charlette was feeling the same thing.

Meanwhile, while Charlette was busy offering herself to Gerald, one of the many maids of the Palace was busy making a routine check of the halls to make sure that they were all clean and tidy. She noticed the Queen's door open with the lights on so she decided that after her inspections were complete that she would talk to her dread sovereign lady. The maid, only a rookie, wanted to make sure the Queen knew that she was thankful for the job she had recently received.

Gerald was so focused on his love that he had no idea that the maid was even anywhere near them.

"I too am a slave of the love that I have for you, Charlette. We are irrevocably bound to each other in the shackles of true love."

"I would never want to be emancipated from you, Gerald."



"And what about yourself, Charlette? I know that it is very important for the people to love their ruler, but if the ruler isn't loved, then it can be much harder for the ruler to be loved by the people."

"I am sure that the people love me, Gerald, for every time I go on a royal visit in my beloved nation, I see the people waving flags and cheering for me. It is always nice to see such things; I am thankful for having such support."


"Then we shall do what we can to live our lives together to the fullest, Charlette. That is the only thing that we can do. However long that we will have together, we shall spend it together; living life to the fullest."

"I would want nothing more or less."


"If it were anyone else, then I would suspect that they were giving me much too much praise. But knowing what you have gone through, I know that you speak the truth. I thank God that such an angel came into my life."

"There is nothing more that I want than you, my love, for in you have I found what it truly means to have bliss in one's life. Gerald, I must confess that before our love began I did have dreams about you...but I was too nervous to say anything but now....I want it to be known. The whole world will know that I love you and I pray that Fortune be in our favor."



"I will never abandon you, Charlette. You mean too much to me to ever do that."

Without further encouragement, Gerald's hands found their way to his lover's breasts; reaching under her bra in order to do so. At the same time, he gave his lover a passionate kiss. He again felt the primal urges that his love for (and proximity to) Charlette made rise to the surface. He wondered what it would feel like when she fully gave herself to him; but he was prepared to wait until their wedding night for that. He wondered if Charlette was feeling the same thing.

Charlette could feel Gerald's hands fondling her breasts but she decided not to resist him; she relaxed her body and began smothering her Lamonian lover with kisses as he fondled her. She could feel the warmth of his hands and felt that she was truly at peace. "Gerald, your hands feel warm on my chest. I feel so happy right now. Let's keep going." Charlette continued to smother Gerald in kisses and tight embraces; while thinking about the future. Would she marry him? It was certainly possible, she thought, that she would marry him. Indeed, if he asked, she would most certainly say yes. She would shout it out from the roof of the palace if she could. She just stood there as the moonlight illumined the room; letting passion consume her.

Gerald was so focused on his love that he had no idea that the maid was even anywhere near them.

The maid had been walking down the hallway; looking for the Queen until she noticed the Queen with Gerald. It did not shock her, at first, as she had seen the Queen with Gerald before on several occassions but as she looked closer on this particular occassion she noticed Gerald was groping her. The Lamonian ambassador's son, she noticed, was groping the Queen of Anglia! She was consumed by fear and shock; what could she do? Should she rush in to save the Queen? No...what if he was going to kill her? The maid was stuck in a rut. Finally, she thought, she would alert the authorities. She rushed off in silence to contemplate who she would tell. While the maid ran off, Charlette had begun to take off Gerald's shirt before taking her own off. She felt so happy with Gerald that she felt there would be no problem with such actions. After a while more of passionate kissing and mutual groping, Charlette gently pushed Gerald away and smiled. "Let us end this for now, my love, for I feel like we must spend our time in other ways as well. If you would like, you can go to sleep now or we could stay up a bit more. I will let you decide." Charlette put back on her clothes and smiled. "We should do that again sometime, my love. I never thought, when I first saw you, that we'd go this far....but I loved every moment of it."

In the maid's chambers, the maid was laying on her bed; contemplating what she should do. Would it be wise to say something? The Queen, she assumed, was under threat to allow her body to be touched in such a way....there was no way she'd let him take liberties with her breasts...but was it possible that Charlette consented? After so much confusion and deliberation, the maid decided that she would tell the Duke of Doncaster before going off, secretly, to tell the media. Soon the public would recieve news that their dread sovereign lady may have been groped by a foreigner.

bump. Lamoni, you can just fast forward to the next day.

OOC: Fine with me

---

IC:

When Gerald awakened the next day, he turned on the television in order to catch the morning news. While the commercials were playing, he smiled as he remembered the dream that he had had about his love.

He started paying more attention to the television after he heard his lover's name on the television. When he looked at the screen, he saw a picture of Charlette with the caption "Royal Scandal?" The announcer was telling about how a "Guest of the Crown" had been rumored to have had "inappropriate relations" with the Queen; said rumor having been started by an "unidentified worker at the Palace." So far Gerald hadn't been identified by name, but for those in the know, there could only be one person that it could be; and that was him.

With this realization, his face paled; and he didn't hear the rest of what was being said. One thing was for sure; his love and he would be busy for the next while. He would stay by her side, however. Now that he thought about it; it was a wonder that the Royal Guard hadn't done anything to him yet, but that might be due to the unconfirmed nature of the report.

Now he was wondering if Charlette was awake yet. Only one way to find out, he thought.

It was a clear and sunny day in the city of Newcastle and the Queen of Anglia, Charlette VI, had been sleeping in her nightgown on the comfortable bed she had for herself; her whole body in some sort of fetal position. Usually she would be awoken by a maid like Eglantyne but this time it was not any maid who got her awake. A stern knock was at the door followed by Reginald Bettingham, the Duke of Doncaster who was trailed by Eglantyne and other members of the Court. Charlette awoke after hearing the commotion; groggily rubbing her eyes before sitting up on her bed with a smile. "Reginald? What brings you here to rise me from my bed?" Emotionlessly, Reginald turned on the television to show her the news. "Apparently a maid of the Palace has notified the press about that Lamonian man getting more than mere looks, Your Majesty." Charlette's eyes widened in a state of surprise. "How....how did anyone see us?" Reginald sighed before watching a newscaster show more pictures of Charlette and Gerald. "You can rely on me to help you, Your Majesty. I have always been there for you and I will not leave you now. I think we need to discuss this with Gerald. Eglantyne! Go find the Lamonian."

Eglantyne rushed to the guest room of Gerald Smythe and burst inside to find him watching the news reports about the Royal Scandal. "Mr. Smythe, I see you have heard of the scandal.....I do not blame the Queen for it though...you are a nice and handsome man...but the Duke of Doncaster, a friend of the Queen from childhood, wishes to speak with you." Eglantyne led Gerald to Charlette's bedroom where he could see the emotionless Duke of Doncaster. "I wish we could have met under more pleasant circumstances, Mr. Smythe, but I feel that I must talk to you about this scandal here. You need not worry, I'm just going to ask some questions is all."

Turning off the television, the Duke of Doncaster smiled and took his seat at Charlette's bedroom desk. "Mr. Smythe, are you in love with the Queen of Anglia, Charlette VI? Did she consent to your groping or was she bound by fear and the possibility that you would hurt her?"

OOC: Charlette will explain things after Gerald answers the Duke's questions; essentially the Duke will be one of Gerald's closest allies. I'll post the reactions of people like the Prime Minister soon.

Eglantyne rushed to the guest room of Gerald Smythe and burst inside to find him watching the news reports about the Royal Scandal. "Mr. Smythe, I see you have heard of the scandal.....I do not blame the Queen for it though...you are a nice and handsome man...but the Duke of Doncaster, a friend of the Queen from childhood, wishes to speak with you." Eglantyne led Gerald to Charlette's bedroom where he could see the emotionless Duke of Doncaster. "I wish we could have met under more pleasant circumstances, Mr. Smythe, but I feel that I must talk to you about this scandal here. You need not worry, I'm just going to ask some questions is all."

Turning off the television, the Duke of Doncaster smiled and took his seat at Charlette's bedroom desk. "Mr. Smythe, are you in love with the Queen of Anglia, Charlette VI? Did she consent to your groping or was she bound by fear and the possibility that you would hurt her?"

"Lead on, Eglantyne." Gerald followed Eglantyne to the Queen's room. Gerald and his love had known that their love had to remain a secret, and now that it was in the open; major things would start happening.

Gerald saw the Duke of Doncaster, and knew that this would only be the start of whatever would result from the 'scandal.' "Greetings, Duke. Feel free to ask your questions."

Gerald listened to what the Duke had to ask, and answered him honestly. "Sir, I am in love with the Queen of Anglia. And she has professed to be in love with me, as well. I can also truthfully testify that the Queen consented to my groping; and that she repeatedly kissed me with passion while I was doing so."

Gerald waited for a response from the Duke; not sure yet what this man would say or do.

---MEANWHILE---

Gerald's father, the Lamonian Ambassador Gregory Smythe was awoken in the embassy by an aide. Without explanation, the aide turned the TV onto a news station, and Gregory gaped in shock when he'd seen enough of the broadcast to know that his son had been groping the Queen. He knew that his son had been fixated on the Queen since sighting her the first time; but he didn't think that Gerald was capable of something like that without the Queen's consent.

He had the aide attempt to locate Gerald; telling the aide to try the Palace first. Then he called the embassy's communications center, and had a message sent back to the Lamonian Government addressing the situation. If it hadn't been his own son at the center of this; Gregory might well have been calmer about the situation; but as Gerald's father, he was worried about whether his son would live out the night. Needless to say, Gregory would have several VERY pointed things to say to his son when or if he next got to see him.

This was about when a new thought floored the thinking of the Ambassador. "What if it had been consensual? Gerald has been spending a lot of time with the Queen recently... if it was consensual... HOLY SHIT!!!!!" Gerald's father hadn't known that he was thinking out loud until a functionary looked into the room and asked if everything was okay. Shooing the man out; the Ambassador started to think again. If it had been consensual, then that would mean that Gerald and the Queen were... NO. Gregory couldn't get his mind wrapped around the fact that his son could have fallen in love with the Queen; and had apparently been dating the Queen, if the subject matter of this 'scandal' was any indication.

Either way, Gregory thought; Gerald had opened a gigantic can of diplomatic worms.

---

OOC: Gerald's father had one of the Embassy Aides try to contact Gerald at the Palace... your choice as to whether the call reaches him or not.

The Duke of Doncaster smiled slightly after listening to the words of the Lamonian before his eyes were fixed upon Charlette who had still maintained her surprised posture. It was possible, he thought, that Gerald had not got her consent and that Charlette was bound by the shackles of fear....no, he thought, he did not want to accept such a cruel truth. But, there was a chance that she did consent out of true love for him; and that chance reminded him of his own marriage. After a few minutes of thinking, he fixed his eyes upon Charlette; asking her if the words of the Lamonian were true. Charlette rose from her bed and then grabbed tightly onto the Lamonian; speaking in a stern, solemn and determined tone of voice. "I consented to it, Reginald. I love Gerald and I will not let anyone take him from me."

Reginald stood and then bowed. "I shall not try to separate you two but I suggest you both make sure that the people know the truth before you, Gerald, are painted as a sex fiend. I shall see you both on a later date. Farewell." Walking out of the room, Reginald Bettingham thought about what he had heard. It seemed, to him, that Anglia has its own Romeo and Juliet...but would it have a happy ending?

Charlette, meanwhile, looked at Gerald and smiled. "I will not let them take you from me because I love you so much that I could not bear to let that happen. I want you to go on a publicity campaign while I make a declaration; the people must know you better; from the washerwoman to the Templar knight. We should be separated for a bit; just until it is safe for us to be seen more together and in public. Gerald...this is all for the best; realpolitik."

Eglantyne solemnly walked into the room and bowed to Charlette. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for interrupting you but Mr. Smythe has a phone call....it's from the Lamonian Embassy."

------Meanwhile--------

Percival Beaumarchais sat on the comfortable wheeled chair at the cluttered desk of his office while reading some reports about the Queen's affair with the son of the Lamonian ambassador whom he had met prior to this interesting and shocking day of sorts. Beaumarchais, a member of the nobility and the Prime Minister, had much influence within the halls of Parliament and would most likely be asked for his honest opinion by his colleagues who were, at this time, getting ready to flock to Parliament on the annual pilgrimage for the upcoming session. As he read the reports, he sighed and looked out a nearby window at some couples walking hand in hand past the Parliament buildings. They made him think about the Queen and Gerald and if they would ever find peace in their love story. There would be plenty of opposition for them on numerous grounds from the idea that Gerald was a spy to that Gerald had threatened to hurt Charlette and thus groped her out of cruel malice mixed with lust. Percival, however, could sense that they were merely two lovers in this world of love and hatred. As Parliament's members began to arrive in mass numbers, Percival exited his office and called out to his secretary. "You can take a break, Sybil....but please keep me update on Her Majesty's new pet."

As his love held onto him, Gerald was filled with the sudden knowledge that they would make it through this; just as long as they stuck together. He held on to his love, as they both needed the support that they could only get from each other.

Charlette, meanwhile, looked at Gerald and smiled. "I will not let them take you from me because I love you so much that I could not bear to let that happen. I want you to go on a publicity campaign while I make a declaration; the people must know you better; from the washerwoman to the Templar knight. We should be separated for a bit; just until it is safe for us to be seen more together and in public. Gerald...this is all for the best; realpolitik."

"I won't let them take you from me either, Charlette. There is only one thing that can take me from you, and well... I don't think that I need to say what that would be. As for the publicity crusade, I would like to request at least two bodyguards. It is entirely possible that someone is going to try to kill me over this; and why take chances?"

Eglantyne solemnly walked into the room and bowed to Charlette. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for interrupting you but Mr. Smythe has a phone call....it's from the Lamonian Embassy."

When Gerald took the call, he was not at all surprised to hear his father on the other side of the line.

"Gerald; what is this that i've hear on the television about you groping the Queen of Anglia? Do you know that I almost had a heart attack when I first saw that?!?!?! The Foreign Ministry is shitting bricks!!!! Do you have any idea..."

Gerald cut his father off. "Father; yes, the incident described on the news did happen. However, the Queen and I love each other very much, and she gave her consent to it... confirming that herself to the Duke of Doncaster in my presence. In the meantime, I have some public speaking to do, starting with the radio and television stations. I can even talk to the Foreign Ministry myself if need be; but all they will need to know is that i'm safe, and that the Queen and I love each other very much. Maybe when this 'scandal' blows over, the three of us will all meet. I'm sorry that I had to cover it all up, but this is the exact reason that the Queen and I agreed that it should be kept between us."

"Gerald... i'll hold you to that promise for you and the Queen to visit me when the scandal has blown over. You well know that I have LOTS of questions... and so does the government. For now though, I suspect that you're right about the public appearances thing. Just don't take stupid chances with your safety, and see if you can get some protection. I want you to be alive when all this is over, my son." The ambassador had real worry for his son in his tone; but Gerald had things that needed to be done... soon.

"Father, I have to go now. I have to make the public appearances that I mentioned... and some extra shopping. I'll call you back later, dad." With that Gerald hung up the phone, giving it back to Eglantyne with a smile that said Thank You. Gerald believed that you would do well if you remained polite with the staff... if they liked you enough, they would even help to protect you should the need for it ever arise.

Gerald summoned transportation, and told them to take him to the Lamonian embassy, with a stop at Chapman Company for a special little package for his love. The driver took his charge away from the palace in his vehicle, and made for the Chapman Company.

The Chapman Company looked like a good place to shop for an engagement ring, and he was pleased to see that he had thought correctly. The moment that he had stepped inside, the proprietor of the place not only knew who he was, but probably suspected exactly what he was looking for... said feeling confirmed when Gerald was shown a nice collection of engagement rings. As Gerald looked over the selection of engagement rings; there was one in particular that caught his eye, and he thought that Charlette would love it as well.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p281/matt518672/yellowtiff-1.jpg

Gerald purchased it, and then rode the remainder of the way to the Lamonian Embassy, where the press conference was soon scheduled. Gerald also made sure that word of the press conference reached Charlette. He wanted to see what she would do.

As his love held onto him, Gerald was filled with the sudden knowledge that they would make it through this; just as long as they stuck together. He held on to his love, as they both needed the support that they could only get from each other.



"I won't let them take you from me either, Charlette. There is only one thing that can take me from you, and well... I don't think that I need to say what that would be. As for the publicity crusade, I would like to request at least two bodyguards. It is entirely possible that someone is going to try to kill me over this; and why take chances?"

"I would most heartily pray that no one tries to end your life, Gerald, but I will nonetheless grant you the use of bodyguards for your personal protection during your publicity crusade. My love, please be careful and show the people the same charm you used on me."

After Gerald left the Marble Palace, Charlette decided to change into an exquisite but still simple looking dress because she had planned to attend the press conference with Gerald. She had decided that the best thing to do was to reinforce Gerald with every bit of charisma that she posessed and that she would make sure people knew that she loved him. She was not ashamed of it nor would she hide it anymore. As Charlette prepared herself for the brief trip to the Lamonian Embassy, Eglantyne stood at the doorway with a look of concern upon her face. "Your Majesty, are you sure the people will like Gerald? Some people may suspect him of being a ravenous dog or something of that sort."

Charlette smiled. "I am sure that they will like him once they get to know him further, Eglantyne. He is a good and trustworthy man and I know he would never hurt me. You fully well know that the maid's account of the previous night's event was merely incorrect on one particular instance. However, if I do discover the identity of that maid, I shall not fire her but rather explain things to her."

Eglantyne returned the smile. "I am quite fond of Gerald myself, Your Majesty. It is possible that I'd be swooning all over him and trying to get to his heart myself if you were indifferent towards him." Eglantyne looked up to the ceiling for a moment before Charlette brought her back to reality with a giggle. "And if that was the case then I'd support you all the way through it, Eglantyne. Besides, I'm sure you'll find a good man for yourself one day."

Charlette walked with Eglantyne to the Royal limosuine that was waiting at the front of the palace; talking to each other about Gerald and what they thought of him. Eglantyne was quite fond of the Lamonian to the point that she daydreamed about him possibly loving her instead of the Queen but she knew such visions were only mere dreams. Eglantyne waved to Charlette as she got into the limosuine and, as the limosuine sped off towards the Lamonian Embassy, Eglantyne stood there in deep concern for her Queen and friend. She could only hope that Charlette and Gerald could continue to be together and that she would continue to serve them as long as she could.

In the limosuine, Charlette calmly thought about the future and what she assumed it could hold for her and the man from Lamoni that she loved with all her heart, mind and soul. Indeed, one could say that she was in some ways obsessed with Gerald Smythe but she wasn't one of those people who would consider hurting the recipient of their obsession. It was more of a peaceful obsession and one that she could easily control. The limosuine was seen by many of the citizens who began uttering whispered words to one another about the scandal. What would the Queen do? It was a question no one could really answer and which yet was being debated in the halls of Parliament, in the studies of the nobility, in the manor of her adoptive parents and in the barracks of the military. All of them sought to find the answer and soon they would. As the limosuine continued to rush towards the Lamonian Embassy, it had recieved a call from the Marble Palace which was meant to be recieved by Gerald. If he did pick it up, he would hear the voice of Eglantyne. "Mr. Smythe, I wanted you to know that Charlette is coming to see you at the Embassy and that she does not want to fire the maid who told the media about the incident. She should be there shortly to see you. I hope you two can sort things out; and know that I give you both my support and friendship."

Eglantyne hanged up the phone and sighed before noticing the other maids were gathering to discuss who among them could have seen Gerald with the Queen. She decided to go and join them.

"I would most heartily pray that no one tries to end your life, Gerald, but I will nonetheless grant you the use of bodyguards for your personal protection during your publicity crusade. My love, please be careful and show the people the same charm you used on me."

"It's better to have the protection and not need it than to need it and not have it, my love. I will fervently pray that no one tries to take me from you by means of death. I'll be as careful as possible, and maybe I won't show them QUITE the same charm that i've shown you Charlette. After all, i'm not in a loving relationship with them... just you." Gerald gave Charlette a loving look of the sort that only she would be able to get from him; and then smiled at Eglantyne before saying, "Eglantyne, I would enjoy being one of your friends. That is the gift that I impart to you; friendship." With that said, Gerald left the room.

As the limosuine continued to rush towards the Lamonian Embassy, it had received a call from the Marble Palace which was meant to be received by Gerald. If he did pick it up, he would hear the voice of Eglantyne. "Mr. Smythe, I wanted you to know that Charlette is coming to see you at the Embassy and that she does not want to fire the maid who told the media about the incident. She should be there shortly to see you. I hope you two can sort things out; and know that I give you both my support and friendship."

As it happened, Eglantyne's message was recorded on Gerald's voice mail. When Gerald had finished talking with all of the media types in order to get them to the press conference; he noticed the blinking light indicating that he had voice mail. Curious, he played the message; and smiled when he heard Eglantyne's voice. His smile went even wider when he heard that his love would be coming to see him. Gerald didn't really think that the maid who broke the story should be fired, either.

In the meantime, he saved the voice mail, and prepared for the conference... and Charlette came in to see him a little later.

--Fast Forward--

The time of the Press Conference had arrived. Gerald was standing in front of a speaking stand, which had a Lamonian flag on a large tile on the front. For Charlette's adjacent speaking stand (as well as Gerald's own speaking stand), the Lamonian flag tile had been quickly covered with an Anglian flag that had been purchased from a nearby shop.

There were plenty of media representatives present; and there was even a Lamonian crew there to record the event for LBC World News. The Lamonians were not a regular news crew; they were supposed to be filming a travel show on the joys of Anglia. Still, they had been sent to the embassy, as they were the only LBC crew in Anglia; and this was an important event.

Gerald signaled to the newsies that everything was ready, and started his own statement.

"Gentlemen and Ladies of Anglia, Lamoni, and the world. It has recently come to light that I was seen groping the Queen of Anglia, Charlette VI. In order to set the record straight on these matters; I will being by saying that it is indeed true that I was groping Her Majesty. However, it was with Her Majesty's full and voluntary consent. As you can see, Her Majesty has chosen to stand beside me even as I defend myself and my own honor. I am in love with Her Majesty, and we have been dating each other in secret for almost seven months.

Not only do I love Her Majesty, but she has also repeatedly shown me by her actions, and told me with her voice that she truly loves me as well. We knew full well that there would be enemies of our love when we started dating each other, and we had planned to publicly announce our love with a joint press conference within the next three months. This unveiling has only served to remove our choice of timing for this piece of news. I am sure that you all have many questions about me. I can tell you that I am an honorable hardworking man, who has served in the Lamonian Army, graduated university with multiple degrees, and worked my way up in the Lamonian Foreign Ministry. When I first met Her Majesty; you could say that it was love at first sight. Though, it could be said that I never really expected Her Majesty to see me as much more than the son of an ambassador. I still praise God everyday that I have found someone that I love so completely, and who loves me the same way in return.

This concludes my statement. However, there is one more thing that I feel that should happen before I ask you all for questions.

Taking a microphone, Gerald moved his speaking stand out of the way; faced Charlette, went down onto one knee, pulled out the box with the ring inside it, opened the box, and asked, "My love, Charlette VI, Queen of Anglia, wilt thou marry me?"

"It's better to have the protection and not need it than to need it and not have it, my love. I will fervently pray that no one tries to take me from you by means of death. I'll be as careful as possible, and maybe I won't show them QUITE the same charm that i've shown you Charlette. After all, i'm not in a loving relationship with them... just you." Gerald gave Charlette a loving look of the sort that only she would be able to get from him; and then smiled at Eglantyne before saying, "Eglantyne, I would enjoy being one of your friends. That is the gift that I impart to you; friendship." With that said, Gerald left the room.

"I would hope that no one would try to separate us through any means, my love, and I hope that we will be able to spend much more time together because spending time with you is one of my favorite things to do. I only want you to be as careful as possible so that I don't have to see my heart broken for a second time."

Eglantyne smiled. "I will relish that gift for a long time, sir."

--Fast Forward--

"Gentlemen and Ladies of Anglia, Lamoni, and the world. It has recently come to light that I was seen groping the Queen of Anglia, Charlette VI. In order to set the record straight on these matters; I will being by saying that it is indeed true that I was groping Her Majesty. However, it was with Her Majesty's full and voluntary consent. As you can see, Her Majesty has chosen to stand beside me even as I defend myself and my own honor. I am in love with Her Majesty, and we have been dating each other in secret for almost seven months.

Not only do I love Her Majesty, but she has also repeatedly shown me by her actions, and told me with her voice that she truly loves me as well. We knew full well that there would be enemies of our love when we started dating each other, and we had planned to publicly announce our love with a joint press conference within the next three months. This unveiling has only served to remove our choice of timing for this piece of news. I am sure that you all have many questions about me. I can tell you that I am an honorable hardworking man, who has served in the Lamonian Army, graduated university with multiple degrees, and worked my way up in the Lamonian Foreign Ministry. When I first met Her Majesty; you could say that it was love at first sight. Though, it could be said that I never really expected Her Majesty to see me as much more than the son of an ambassador. I still praise God everyday that I have found someone that I love so completely, and who loves me the same way in return.

This concludes my statement. However, there is one more thing that I feel that should happen before I ask you all for questions.

Taking a microphone, Gerald moved his speaking stand out of the way; faced Charlette, went down onto one knee, pulled out the box with the ring inside it, opened the box, and asked, "My love, Charlette VI, Queen of Anglia, wilt thou marry me?"

Charlette listened silently to the words of her lover and nodded her head on certain instances as if she concurred with what he had said about her and about the groping incident. It made her happy to see that Gerald was not only able to defend his position but that he was happy to have met her and to be with her. This was her first relationship but she silently declared that it could not have been better with anyone else. In this story, she was the Juliet and he was the Romeo. Hopefully, she thought, it would not end in some case of suicide or separation but she was sure that only death would separate them. There was no way, she thought, that Gerald would cheat on her lest he incur her wrath and vice versa; she could not bear to risk losing a satisfying love. She was a bit surprised to see that Gerald had one more thing to do and when she saw him go on one knee in front of her, she immediately guessed what the reason was for it and she was immediately consumed by the sheer pleasure. Happiness consumed her soul; she was paralyzed by joy. Charlette looked down upon the man in front of her as a large smile began to grow upon her face. It was silent for a few minutes before she began to speak, no, rather scream. "Yes! Yes! I'll marry you, Gerald! Let it be known to all here present that I will marry Gerald Smythe and that he will be the King Consort of Anglia!"

She beckoned him up from the ground before swiftly smothering her with tender and passionate kisses. Charlette then looked at the crowds assembled at the Embassy. "Let it be known! Gerald will be my husband! Let all of Anglia know! Let all of Lamoni hear my words! The Queen of Anglia shall marry this Lamonian!"

"I would hope that no one would try to separate us through any means, my love, and I hope that we will be able to spend much more time together because spending time with you is one of my favorite things to do. I only want you to be as careful as possible so that I don't have to see my heart broken for a second time."

Eglantyne smiled. "I will relish that gift for a long time, sir."

"In this day and age, and with this situation; nothing is too implausible, my love. Like I said earlier, while I hope that no one will try to separate us in the only way that we can be separated, prudence demands that proper precautions be taken." Gerald kissed his love.

Responding to Eglantyne, Gerald said, "As I will treasure your return gift for a long time as well, Eglantyne."

--FAST FORWARD--

Charlette listened silently to the words of her lover and nodded her head on certain instances as if she concurred with what he had said about her and about the groping incident. It made her happy to see that Gerald was not only able to defend his position but that he was happy to have met her and to be with her. This was her first relationship but she silently declared that it could not have been better with anyone else. In this story, she was the Juliet and he was the Romeo. Hopefully, she thought, it would not end in some case of suicide or separation but she was sure that only death would separate them. There was no way, she thought, that Gerald would cheat on her lest he incur her wrath and vice versa; she could not bear to risk losing a satisfying love. She was a bit surprised to see that Gerald had one more thing to do and when she saw him go on one knee in front of her, she immediately guessed what the reason was for it and she was immediately consumed by the sheer pleasure. Happiness consumed her soul; she was paralyzed by joy. Charlette looked down upon the man in front of her as a large smile began to grow upon her face. It was silent for a few minutes before she began to speak, no, rather scream. "Yes! Yes! I'll marry you, Gerald! Let it be known to all here present that I will marry Gerald Smythe and that he will be the King Consort of Anglia!"

She beckoned him up from the ground before swiftly smothering him with tender and passionate kisses. Charlette then looked at the crowds assembled at the Embassy. "Let it be known! Gerald will be my husband! Let all of Anglia know! Let all of Lamoni hear my words! The Queen of Anglia shall marry this Lamonian!"

Gerald's face lit up brighter than the surface of a million stars when Charlette accepted his proposal. He had been thinking of this for about a month now, and now he would finally be fully joined with his love. He didn't really care about her power or her social status; he had fallen in love with her; not her power, wealth, or status. He would not even care that his proposal could fan the flames of controversy.

Gerald rose from the ground when beckoned, and returned the tender and passionate kisses of his love.

After Charlette had finished her second loud remark, Gerald asked the media if they had any questions.

---

Gerald's father had been rather pleased with Gerald's ability to defend both himself and his lover. He wished that Gerald had told him about this earlier, but he could learn to live with it.

However, when Gerald got down on one knee; the ambassador would later remark that while his conscious mind knew what was going on, he was in too much shock to fully recognize that. Gerald and he would be having a little 'chat' about this sort of thing later on; but from what he knew, he couldn't imagine a better choice of wife for his son. He silently wished them all the best in their lives together; but he would still want to meet with them both once this conference was over, and he would make sure that they knew that.

In this day and age, and with this situation; nothing is too implausible, my love. Like I said earlier, while I hope that no one will try to separate us in the only way that we can be separated, prudence demands that proper precautions be taken." Gerald kissed his love.

"I shall be deeply saddened and depressed if I was to lose you, my love, but I am sure that we shall be together for many more days to come and that even if I was to lose you, I would never forget you."

Responding to Eglantyne, Gerald said, "As I will treasure your return gift for a long time as well, Eglantyne."

Eglantyne smiled. "I think that you truly are a Prince Charming, sir. You are too good for the Queen let alone any woman."



Gerald's face lit up brighter than the surface of a million stars when Charlette accepted his proposal. He had been thinking of this for about a month now, and now he would finally be fully joined with his love. He didn't really care about her power or her social status; he had fallen in love with her; not her power, wealth, or status. He would not even care that his proposal could fan the flames of controversy.

Gerald rose from the ground when beckoned, and returned the tender and passionate kisses of his love.

After Charlette had finished her second loud remark, Gerald asked the media if they had any questions.

The crowd of reporters was abuzz with a multitude of questions. "What will this mean for Lamoni and Anglia? When will the wedding take place? Does Mr. Smythe have a religion different from Anglia's?"

Charlette smiled at Gerald and whispered into his ear. "Give them what they want, my love."

"I shall be deeply saddened and depressed if I was to lose you, my love, but I am sure that we shall be together for many more days to come and that even if I was to lose you, I would never forget you."

"I feel the same way, my love. It would be my wish that we would spend many more tomorrows together."

Eglantyne smiled. "I think that you truly are a Prince Charming, sir. You are too good for the Queen let alone any woman."

"Thank you very much, Eglantyne. I'm sure that you will find the man for you someday."

The crowd of reporters was abuzz with a multitude of questions. "What will this mean for Lamoni and Anglia? When will the wedding take place? Does Mr. Smythe have a religion different from Anglia's?"

Charlette smiled at Gerald and whispered into his ear. "Give them what they want, my love."

Gerald smiled back at Charlette, and whispered; "I shall, my love." After that, he lightly kissed her.

Turning back to the media, he started to answer the first wave of questions from the assembled media.

"First, I am not a head of state or a fortune teller; but I would imagine that a marriage between myself and the Queen; built as it is on love, would only bring good things to our two nations. My father and I originally came to Anglia in order to start a friendly diplomatic relationship between Lamoni and Anglia. Little did I know at the time that I would not only fall in love with an Anglian woman; but that she would be the Queen of Anglia. I personally have nothing but optimism for relations between Lamoni and Anglia.

Second, the wedding will take place on a date yet to be determined between myself and the Queen. After all, we have JUST become engaged.

Third, yes; I am a member of a Christian Church which is named the Community of Christ. While there are differences between my church and the Church of Anglia; I do not see this as becoming a problem. I shall not attempt to convert my fiancee unless she wishes me to. She has made that request of me, and I have no problem with following it. In the same vein, I have asked her not to try to convert me to the Church of Anglia unless I wish to be. This is not to in any way slight the Church of Anglia; and I will still respect the rites and rituals of the Church of Anglia. If you would like to know more about how the Community of Christ operates, the embassy has a Community of Christ Elder on it's staff who serves as the embassy's unofficial Chaplain. He would be better suited to answering such questions than I.

Are there any further questions?"

"I feel the same way, my love. It would be my wish that we would spend many more tomorrows together."

"We can only hope, my love, and wait and see but I will never cease to hope that the future will hold many more days of bliss for us. Gerald Smythe, it is a pleasure to have you at my side. A real pleasure."


"Thank you very much, Eglantyne. I'm sure that you will find the man for you someday."

"Hopefully Fortune will smile upon me in that regard one day, Mr. Smythe, and hopefully I find a man just like you. You are a good man and I am sure you will make Charlette happy for many more days."


First, I am not a head of state or a fortune teller; but I would imagine that a marriage between myself and the Queen; built as it is on love, would only bring good things to our two nations. My father and I originally came to Anglia in order to start a friendly diplomatic relationship between Lamoni and Anglia. Little did I know at the time that I would not only fall in love with an Anglian woman; but that she would be the Queen of Anglia. I personally have nothing but optimism for relations between Lamoni and Anglia.

Second, the wedding will take place on a date yet to be determined between myself and the Queen. After all, we have JUST become engaged.

Third, yes; I am a member of a Christian Church which is named the Community of Christ. While there are differences between my church and the Church of Anglia; I do not see this as becoming a problem. I shall not attempt to convert my fiancee unless she wishes me to. She has made that request of me, and I have no problem with following it. In the same vein, I have asked her not to try to convert me to the Church of Anglia unless I wish to be. This is not to in any way slight the Church of Anglia; and I will still respect the rites and rituals of the Church of Anglia. If you would like to know more about how the Community of Christ operates, the embassy has a Community of Christ Elder on it's staff who serves as the embassy's unofficial Chaplain. He would be better suited to answering such questions than I.

Are there any further questions?"

The reporters had listened silently and intently to the words of the Lamonian man who had charmed the heart of their beloved nation's monarch with much interest and some skepticism. While the majority of them sympathized with Gerald and came to believe his words, some of them were skeptical of Gerald; thinking he had either scared the Queen into taking part in some sort of charade or that he was a man threatening to tear apart the social structure of Anglia. There was a variety of reasons to love Gerald Smythe and a variety of reasons to hate him. Questions were filling the air with some of them being directed at Charlette who calmly replied to each of them. "I did consent to the groping because of my love for Gerald Smythe. You may not believe him but trust me in knowing that he tells the truth. Gerald is my beloved fiancee and I will not leave him no matter what people tell me. Hasn't everyone, at least once, struggled with their own love lives? Love is something which cannot be broken so easily; and I know that our love is firmly built on strong foundations and I hope that it continues to be so for many more days to come."

One reporter spoke up. "What does Mr. Smythe's religion mean for his coronation as King Consort? Sure, it's a brief ceremony, but it is still conducted by the Anglian Church. What does Mr. Smythe feel about this?"

Another reporter spoke up. "What does Mr. Smythe plan to do as the husband of the Queen? Does he plan to get involved in Anglian politics?"

OOC: You can make your own questions too, Lamoni and post answers to them.

"We can only hope, my love, and wait and see but I will never cease to hope that the future will hold many more days of bliss for us. Gerald Smythe, it is a pleasure to have you at my side. A real pleasure."

"I count myself very lucky each morning that I awaken, and remember your love for me, Charlette. I did not fall in love with your power, influence, or wealth; I fell in love with the real person that you are... without any pretenses. It is a pleasure to be allowed to be by your side, Charlette."

"Hopefully Fortune will smile upon me in that regard one day, Mr. Smythe, and hopefully I find a man just like you. You are a good man and I am sure you will make Charlette happy for many more days."

"Thank you very much, Eglantyne. I hope that you find the right man for you soon. Until that happens, some people prefer to think that their lives are preparation for when they meet that one special person who completes them. Think of it that way, and you would be amazed what you can discover about yourself."

The reporters had listened silently and intently to the words of the Lamonian man who had charmed the heart of their beloved nation's monarch with much interest and some skepticism. While the majority of them sympathized with Gerald and came to believe his words, some of them were skeptical of Gerald; thinking he had either scared the Queen into taking part in some sort of charade or that he was a man threatening to tear apart the social structure of Anglia. There was a variety of reasons to love Gerald Smythe and a variety of reasons to hate him. Questions were filling the air with some of them being directed at Charlette who calmly replied to each of them. "I did consent to the groping because of my love for Gerald Smythe. You may not believe him but trust me in knowing that he tells the truth. Gerald is my beloved fiancee and I will not leave him no matter what people tell me. Hasn't everyone, at least once, struggled with their own love lives? Love is something which cannot be broken so easily; and I know that our love is firmly built on strong foundations and I hope that it continues to be so for many more days to come."

One reporter spoke up. "What does Mr. Smythe's religion mean for his coronation as King Consort? Sure, it's a brief ceremony, but it is still conducted by the Anglian Church. What does Mr. Smythe feel about this?"

Another reporter spoke up. "What does Mr. Smythe plan to do as the husband of the Queen? Does he plan to get involved in Anglian politics?"

Gerald smiled. "I feel that there is no conflict in being coronated by the Anglian Church. Both the CoA and the CofC are Christian churches. I am sure that there are both many similarities and differences between them, but I intend to respect the Anglian Church, and what it represents to the Anglian people and nation.

I intend to act as a sounding board for whatever ideas that my fiancee may direct in my direction, and I also intend to get involved with Anglian volunteer organizations; so that I can help to improve the common Anglian's lot in life. Perhaps I shall start with building homes for those who can't afford them; or feeding the homeless. There are many possibilities, and I will examine which ones that I will personally support.

I will also do everything in my power to love and support my fiancee. As she has stated, I believe that our love is based on a rock solid foundation; and that no one will be able to break our love for each other."

The lone Lamonian "news" crew there had questions as well. "Mr. Smythe, is there something that you would like to tell our viewers back in Lamoni? Queen Charlette, is there anything that you would like to say to our viewers in Lamoni?"

Gerald answered the question addressed to him. "I would like to say that there was no trickery or fearmongering involved. The Queen and I are truly in love with each other; and you witnessed my proposal of marriage, and her enthusiastic affirmative response. I am not in love with her because of any influence, power, or wealth... I am in love with my fiancee because of who she is as a person."

I count myself very lucky each morning that I awaken, and remember your love for me, Charlette. I did not fall in love with your power, influence, or wealth; I fell in love with the real person that you are... without any pretenses. It is a pleasure to be allowed to be by your side, Charlette."

"That is all I want to hear, my love, for I will cherish our love as long as it is built firmly on the right foundations. Love built on anything such as wealth and power fails to be true Love."

"Thank you very much, Eglantyne. I hope that you find the right man for you soon. Until that happens, some people prefer to think that their lives are preparation for when they meet that one special person who completes them. Think of it that way, and you would be amazed what you can discover about yourself."

"I hope that Fortune smiles upon me through this period of preparation so that I may find that one special person for me to love and relish. I am sure, Gerald, that I shall find someone to love but, even if I marry and have kids, I shall not leave from my post as a maid to the Queen. I am deeply in debt to her and thus I serve her with all my heart."


Gerald smiled. "I feel that there is no conflict in being coronated by the Anglian Church. Both the CoA and the CofC are Christian churches. I am sure that there are both many similarities and differences between them, but I intend to respect the Anglian Church, and what it represents to the Anglian people and nation.

"Isn't the CofC rooted in Mormonism? What do you have to say to those people who may not want you to marry Charlette based on that?"

I intend to act as a sounding board for whatever ideas that my fiancee may direct in my direction, and I also intend to get involved with Anglian volunteer organizations; so that I can help to improve the common Anglian's lot in life. Perhaps I shall start with building homes for those who can't afford them; or feeding the homeless. There are many possibilities, and I will examine which ones that I will personally support.

Charlette smiled at Gerald as he spoke those words and so did most of the reporters. "Do you plan of being independent in Anglian politics, that is, speaking for your own beliefs rather than your fiancee's or Parliament's? What are your political beliefs?"

I will also do everything in my power to love and support my fiancee. As she has stated, I believe that our love is based on a rock solid foundation; and that no one will be able to break our love for each other."

The lone Lamonian "news" crew there had questions as well. "Mr. Smythe, is there something that you would like to tell our viewers back in Lamoni? Queen Charlette, is there anything that you would like to say to our viewers in Lamoni?"

Charlette spoke: "I must tell all of Lamoni that I will never cease to love Gerald for as much as Fortune permits me to and I hope that our relationship is strong and prosperous for many years. I am so happy to be marrying him and hopefully all of Anglia will accept him."

"That is all I want to hear, my love, for I will cherish our love as long as it is built firmly on the right foundations. Love built on anything such as wealth and power fails to be true Love."

---

"I hope that Fortune smiles upon me through this period of preparation so that I may find that one special person for me to love and relish. I am sure, Gerald, that I shall find someone to love but, even if I marry and have kids, I shall not leave from my post as a maid to the Queen. I am deeply in debt to her and thus I serve her with all my heart."

"I agree, my love. I cherish our love as well, particularly BECAUSE it is built on the right foundations."

"I am sure that Fortune will smile upon you, Eglantyne. I wouldn't dream of even asking you to leave your present employment, and I suspect that Charlette wouldn't dream of doing so either. However, I must take my leave now; my driver is gesturing to me like i'll be late to the press conference if I don't go now. You're both welcome to attend it if you wish... i'll send a message to Charlette later with the particulars."

"Isn't the CofC rooted in Mormonism? What do you have to say to those people who may not want you to marry Charlette based on that?"

"Yes, the CofC is rooted in Mormonism. To be precise, it is rooted in EARLY Mormonism. The CofC has never held any truck with LDS doctrines like Polygamy. We are like a protestant church, but with differences. If you want a fully in depth answer... my suggestion would be for the Anglian media to do a press conference with a CofC official in Lamoni.

As for those who don't wish for me to marry fiancee based on my religion; I would say that my fiancee does not judge me based on my religion; and that is good enough for me. In my experience, if my fiancee is concerned with something, then I can trust her to be honest and open with it to me."

Charlette smiled at Gerald as he spoke those words and so did most of the reporters. "Do you plan of being independent in Anglian politics, that is, speaking for your own beliefs rather than your fiancee's or Parliament's? What are your political beliefs?"

Gerald caught Charlette's smile, and shot her a smile of his own. He turned back to the reporters before he answered.

"If I have a problem with something that my fiancee is doing, then I would naturally bring it to her attention first and foremost. I have more regular contact with my fiancee than most people would ever have with their monarch; so I am in an excellent position to bring something to my fiancee's attention. Like any couple, I am sure that we'd talk about it, and bring it to some sort of resolution.

If there is a problem with what Parliament may or may not be doing, then I will attempt to speak with members of Parliament about it first. I've found that more actual work in life gets done when you talk to the right people than in any number of politically motivated attacks.

My political beliefs are best described as slightly left of center. I firmly believe in democracy, but I personally have no problem with monarchs who are willing to vastly improve the lives of the people while leaving the tenets of democracy intact. Such is the case with my fiancee, for example. The question of what my political beliefs are is rather broad, and we could be here rather a long time if I fully answered it. Do you have any particular issues that you would like me to expand on?"

Charlette spoke: "I must tell all of Lamoni that I will never cease to love Gerald for as much as Fortune permits me to and I hope that our relationship is strong and prosperous for many years. I am so happy to be marrying him and hopefully all of Anglia will accept him."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, the head 'anchorman' said. Are there any plans for you and your fiancee to visit Lamoni in the near future?"

"Yes, the CofC is rooted in Mormonism. To be precise, it is rooted in EARLY Mormonism. The CofC has never held any truck with LDS doctrines like Polygamy. We are like a protestant church, but with differences. If you want a fully in depth answer... my suggestion would be for the Anglian media to do a press conference with a CofC official in Lamoni.

As for those who don't wish for me to marry fiancee based on my religion; I would say that my fiancee does not judge me based on my religion; and that is good enough for me. In my experience, if my fiancee is concerned with something, then I can trust her to be honest and open with it to me."

"What do you have to say to those people who believe that your religion is offensive towards the traditional way of life in Anglia? Many people will most likely condemn you for reasons such as your belief in the doctrines of the Community of Christ. What do you say to them?"


Gerald caught Charlette's smile, and shot her a smile of his own. He turned back to the reporters before he answered.

"If I have a problem with something that my fiancee is doing, then I would naturally bring it to her attention first and foremost. I have more regular contact with my fiancee than most people would ever have with their monarch; so I am in an excellent position to bring something to my fiancee's attention. Like any couple, I am sure that we'd talk about it, and bring it to some sort of resolution.

Charlette began to speak after hearing those words. "I must say that I would definately emulate Gerald here. If I ever had a problem with what Gerald is doing then I would bring it to his attention and hopefully we would be able to deal with the problem in an efficient manner. All couples argue; it is a natural thing in marriage."

If there is a problem with what Parliament may or may not be doing, then I will attempt to speak with members of Parliament about it first. I've found that more actual work in life gets done when you talk to the right people than in any number of politically motivated attacks.

Charlette smiled. "You have good beliefs, Gerald. Good beliefs, a good mind and a good heart."

My political beliefs are best described as slightly left of center. I firmly believe in democracy, but I personally have no problem with monarchs who are willing to vastly improve the lives of the people while leaving the tenets of democracy intact. Such is the case with my fiancee, for example. The question of what my political beliefs are is rather broad, and we could be here rather a long time if I fully answered it. Do you have any particular issues that you would like me to expand on?"

"What do you believe about the fact that Queen Charlette has more powers than Parliament; comparable to the monarchs of England we know today as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I? Would you ask her to forsake some of those powers or to keep them but use them responsibly?"



"Thank you, Your Majesty, the head 'anchorman' said. Are there any plans for you and your fiancee to visit Lamoni in the near future?"

"Gerald and I have talked about visiting Lamoni but no concrete plans have been made just yet."

"What do you have to say to those people who believe that your religion is offensive towards the traditional way of life in Anglia? Many people will most likely condemn you for reasons such as your belief in the doctrines of the Community of Christ. What do you say to them?"

"I would say that they might receive enlightenment if they reread their scriptures. Jesus himself told a group of people that if they were sinless, that they should cast the first stone at an adulterous woman. Jesus also helped even Gentiles when they displayed faith. If Jesus Himself can recognize the value of those who are not part of his 'group,' then surely those who profess to follow him should be able to do the same thing. We are on the same 'team,' before the eyes of God, as the scriptures would have it."

Charlette began to speak after hearing those words. "I must say that I would definately emulate Gerald here. If I ever had a problem with what Gerald is doing then I would bring it to his attention and hopefully we would be able to deal with the problem in an efficient manner. All couples argue; it is a natural thing in marriage."

Charlette smiled. "You have good beliefs, Gerald. Good beliefs, a good mind and a good heart."

Gerald gave his fiancee a smile of the type that she could be favored with, and responded. "Thank you, my love. I could very well say the same about you. I should mention that my birthday is tomorrow, though."

"What do you believe about the fact that Queen Charlette has more powers than Parliament; comparable to the monarchs of England we know today as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I? Would you ask her to forsake some of those powers or to keep them but use them responsibly?"

After thinking his reply through for a moment, Gerald answered the question. "Out of those two choices, I would choose to urge my fiancee to keep her powers, but to use them responsibly. If I were going to create a political firestorm of the potential scope that the first option might present, then I would first make sure that there is a good reason for doing so. For something like this; IF I were going to make use of the first option, I would naturally discuss it with my fiancee first. The reasons for doing so should be fairly obvious."

"Gerald and I have talked about visiting Lamoni but no concrete plans have been made just yet."

"Thank you, your Majesty." The Lamonian newscrew would still be present at the press conference, and would certainly ask more questions if they could think of any intelligent ones, but they were fresh out at the moment; and the Anglian broadcasters might have some questions.

I would say that they might receive enlightenment if they reread their scriptures. Jesus himself told a group of people that if they were sinless, that they should cast the first stone at an adulterous woman. Jesus also helped even Gentiles when they displayed faith. If Jesus Himself can recognize the value of those who are not part of his 'group,' then surely those who profess to follow him should be able to do the same thing. We are on the same 'team,' before the eyes of God, as the scriptures would have it."

"What would you say to those people who believe that Joseph Smith was a blatant liar and that the Book of Mormon is false? Do you intend on attending Church of Anglia services?"

Gerald gave his fiancee a smile of the type that she could be favored with, and responded. "Thank you, my love. I could very well say the same about you. I should mention that my birthday is tomorrow, though."

Charlette grinned. "We shall have something planned for our beloved Lamonian."

After thinking his reply through for a moment, Gerald answered the question. "Out of those two choices, I would choose to urge my fiancee to keep her powers, but to use them responsibly. If I were going to create a political firestorm of the potential scope that the first option might present, then I would first make sure that there is a good reason for doing so. For something like this; IF I were going to make use of the first option, I would naturally discuss it with my fiancee first. The reasons for doing so should be fairly obvious."

"Do you believe that there should be political reforms in Anglia? What is your stance on issues like homosexuality, abortion, communism and so forth? Would you actively oppose Her Majesty in certain situations?"


"Thank you, your Majesty." The Lamonian newscrew would still be present at the press conference, and would certainly ask more questions if they could think of any intelligent ones, but they were fresh out at the moment; and the Anglian broadcasters might have some questions.

"We have no more questions for either of you."

"What would you say to those people who believe that Joseph Smith was a blatant liar and that the Book of Mormon is false? Do you intend on attending Church of Anglia services?"

"I must say that you will find someone who could view Joseph Smith's entire life as it happens; and still deny everything that they saw, if you looked hard enough. Either someone will listen to the truth, or they won't. If they will not, then there is not much that anyone can do to convince them of the truth. I personally choose to believe that Joseph Smith was not just some liar; but free speech rights allow the citizenry to think what they wish."

Charlette grinned. "We shall have something planned for our beloved Lamonian."

Gerald immediately started wondering what his fiancee had in mind, but thanked her politely.

"Do you believe that there should be political reforms in Anglia? What is your stance on issues like homosexuality, abortion, communism and so forth? Would you actively oppose Her Majesty in certain situations?"

"I would like to have more firsthand experience before I make sweeping judgments about the Anglian political system. On homosexuality, I am actually neutral. On a personal level, I really do not care what someone's sexual orientation is, so long as they don't force it on me without my consent.

I do believe in a woman's right to choose. When I have experienced nations where abortion is outlawed, then the actual illegal abortion rate is shockingly higher than in nations where a woman gets to choose. There are very few illegal (not done in a clinic) abortions in pro-choice nations, simply because there is a choice. I've seen the corpses of babies who had been... gotten rid of in ways that churned the stomach.

I have yet to see 'pure' Communism work for more than seventy years; and the nation is always a complete mess when they try to transition into another political system. Communist systems always prop up an oligarchy at the expense of everyone else. In a democracy, things are distributed much more fairly."

"We have no more questions for either of you."

"Thank you. My love, would you care to come with me?" Gerald led the way inside of the embassy, pausing to be sure that his love followed.

"Thank you. My love, would you care to come with me?" Gerald led the way inside of the embassy, pausing to be sure that his love followed.

Charlette was contemplating the words of her soon-to-be husband as she walked into the embassy with him; she smiled at him although her eyes were focused on surveying her surroundings in the embassy and she could guess why Gerald wanted her to follow him. "Are we going to meet your father, Gerald?"

Charlette was contemplating the words of her soon-to-be husband as she walked into the embassy with him; she smiled at him although her eyes were focused on surveying her surroundings in the embassy and she could guess why Gerald wanted her to follow him. "Are we going to meet your father, Gerald?"

"Yes, my love. My father wishes to meet you." Gerald could see Charlette looking at the paintings and other facets of the building with a practiced eye. There was even a sculpture of a blind man leading another blind man. Given that an embassy dealt with politics, there was something especially... appropriate implied by the statue, and the fact that it was in what some might call a shrine to politics.

Gerald led his fiancee into an elevator, where he used a special keycard to reach the level that the Ambassador's office was located on. In comparison with the minor art gallery feel of the more public areas of the embassy, the elevator looked modern and maybe a little soulless with it's stainless steel, and modernistic button design.

Once they reached the elevator, it was a short distance to Gregory's office, with Gerald easily able to get himself and his fiancee admitted to his father's office by the secretary. The polished Oak desk gleamed in the sunlight coming through the window behind it, and if one were to look to the left upon fully entering the room, a picture of Gerald on his college graduation day could be seen next to a picture of Gerald when he was only ten years old, as well as a picture of a newborn that one would assume to be Gerald, resting on his mother. On the right wall was another picture of Gerald's mother ( http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p281/matt518672/ejean-twohandspreview.jpg ), and there was another picture of her on the ambassador's desk. It was evident that Gregory had loved his wife very much.

It was as though the man valued his wife and child more than his work. While this was not abnormal for the human race, it was abnormal for major government employees; who more often than not could not save their own marriages. There were rumors that President Stinson was going to attempt to change this, but no one was sure of how he would do this.

As Gerald and Charlette entered the room, Gregory bade them sit. "Your Majesty," he began, "I welcome you to our embassy, and I want to thank you for taking care of my son. I know that Gerald has proposed to you, and that you accepted; but i'm impressed that my son was able to keep your relationship so secret from even his father."

Gerald looked like he wanted to say something, but his father gestured for him to remain quiet. "I do have some questions, Your Majesty; such as, how firm is the foundation of your love for my son? When did the two of you realize that you love each other? How deeply do the two of you love each other?"

---
LATER
---

The wedding bells at St. Francis' Cathedral were ringing, and Gerald arrived along with his father in the latter's limo. Gerald was dressed in a fine tuxedo, the sort of formal finery that you didn't even find at most diplomatic functions. The Cathedral had been decorated from ceiling to floor with flowers of all kinds, important (and therefore expensive looking) religious icons, and pews that were absolutely GLEAMING from the fresh polishing and cleaning that each of them had painstakingly been subjected to. The altar had a white cloth with threads of real 24 Karat gold forming a trim, upon which laid a golden cross. There was also a red carpet that was waiting to be rolled out for when Charlette made her regal entrance, escorted by a male of her choosing.

The whole set up had been run through by the Royal Guard, and they were providing security for the occasion. Even Gerald and his father had had to pass through metal detectors on their way in, though they were spared the pat downs that others would also be subjected to. There would even be members of the Royal Guard seated at random in the pews, as well as standing along the sides of the interior of the Chapel. All of these Guards were armed; and would ensure that the wedding went as planned. Gerald took a look at one of the programs for the wedding, and noticed with curiousity that the front cover had a picture of himself and Charlette at one of the many memorials that they had been to. When had someone taken this picture?, Gerald wondered.

---
LATER
---

All of the guests were seated, and the red carpet had been rolled out for Charlette and her male escort. The Minister himself looked resplendent in his robes. For a ceremony this important, the head of the Church of Anglia himself was to officiate. As the wedding liscense had already been signed; and all of the other paperwork had been taken care of, all that remained was the ceremony itself. Gregory had already given the 'happy couple' a special Lamonian honeymoon package; including a meeting with the President, and a speech before both the Lamonian Senate, and Chamber of Deputies. The latter speech would be carried on live TV to all corners of the Lamonian nation. What Gregory hadn't told Gerald is that he had also found some of his son's best friends back in Lamoni, and there would also be time for Gerald to introduce them to his royal bride. After all, what was such a secret to a man who hadn't even told his own father about how deeply that he and his royal lover had fallen for each other?

When Charlette had arrived outside of the Cathedral in her wedding dress, she was greeted by a multitude of Anglian citizens, most of whom supported her marriage to the man of her dreams. Most of the dissenters had had to be held back by Anglian police, and Gerald had received more than a few death threats.

Everyone inside the Cathedral was now waiting for Queen Charlette VI to enter; so that her wedding could begin.

OOC: Yes, I left much room for Charlette to have reactions and such. I figured that you should be an active participant at the wedding.

As Gerald and Charlette entered the room, Gregory bade them sit. "Your Majesty," he began, "I welcome you to our embassy, and I want to thank you for taking care of my son. I know that Gerald has proposed to you, and that you accepted; but i'm impressed that my son was able to keep your relationship so secret from even his father."

Gerald looked like he wanted to say something, but his father gestured for him to remain quiet. "I do have some questions, Your Majesty; such as, how firm is the foundation of your love for my son? When did the two of you realize that you love each other? How deeply do the two of you love each other?"

"I would abdicate my throne for the sake of our love, Mr. Smythe, and I must say that it is a pleasure to meet the man who had raised such a charming son. I love Gerald as much as Juliet loved Romeo and to forsake him is impossible for me to do."


Everyone inside the Cathedral was now waiting for Queen Charlette VI to enter; so that her wedding could begin.

The cathedral choir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNcYbrTgscc) began to sing in unison as the doors of the cathedral opened to reveal the Duke of Doncaster escorting the Queen of Anglia, in her exquisite wedding dress, towards the altar where the Archbishop of Anglia and Gerald Smythe were calmly waiting for her to arrive. The Anglian guests began to utter praises and traditional greetings and sayings as Charlette solemnly walked towards the altar with her eyes fixed on the altar; reminding her of when she recieved her First Communion in her little white dress. Her eyes scanned her surroundings; admiring the murals of St. Francis who was prominent in this house of God named after him. Charlette softly uttered some words before taking her place at the altar beside Gerald; firmly nodding her head to the Archbishop so that he could begin the wedding.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join
together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an
honourable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate
these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man
can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together,
let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of
judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if
either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined
together in Matrimony, that ye confess it. For ye be well assured, that
so many as be coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are
not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful."

After a brief silence, the Archbishop looks at Gerald and speaks solemnly: "Gerald Smythe, wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall
live?"

(OOC: Quotes taken from this website (http://members.tripod.com/~whitebard/medi-wed.htm))

"I would abdicate my throne for the sake of our love, Mr. Smythe, and I must say that it is a pleasure to meet the man who had raised such a charming son. I love Gerald as much as Juliet loved Romeo and to forsake him is impossible for me to do."

It was impossible for Gregory to not smile a little at that. He remembered when he had met his own first wife. If his son and the Queen felt for each other what he himself and his first wife had, then they would have a good marriage.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I did my best to raise my son by myself after his mother died; I think that it was a means of keeping her memory alive. If you love my son as much as I loved my former wife, then I believe that the two of you will have a solid marriage. Hopefully, you two will have a much better fate than Romeo and Juliet did; though your families are not at war with each other. It is a certainty that there will be a lot of people in Anglia who will oppose this marriage, but I will not be one of them. For obvious reasons, the Lamonian government will not object, either.

I would personally rather that you would not have to abdicate the throne, Your Majesty; but I won't object if you must do it in order to marry my son for the right reasons. I am also bound to tell you that you will receive a Lamonian passport when you marry Gerald. I'm unclear as to whether Gerald would get an Anglian passport when he marries you, but with the King Consort title, I would assume so.

If you are marrying my son for the right reasons, then I wish you both all the happiness in the world."

---

After a brief silence, the Archbishop looks at Gerald and speaks solemnly: "Gerald Smythe, wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall
live?"

"I will." Gerald had never imagined that his marriage would be so ornate, so covered by television and other news crews; or that his wife would be a real life Queen. Still, he loved his wife as much as any man could love his wife. He was also looking forward to their honeymoon, for which he was sure that Charlette was planning pleasures for the two of them that Gerald would remember and savor for the rest of his life. That was not to say that Gerald was planning the same thing; but he could wait. He had been looking directly at Charlette when he answered the standard vow question posed by the Archbishop, and he had a big loving smile on his face. He was very close to being forever joined with his love, and he couldn't wait to start his new life with her.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I did my best to raise my son by myself after his mother died; I think that it was a means of keeping her memory alive. If you love my son as much as I loved my former wife, then I believe that the two of you will have a solid marriage. Hopefully, you two will have a much better fate than Romeo and Juliet did; though your families are not at war with each other. It is a certainty that there will be a lot of people in Anglia who will oppose this marriage, but I will not be one of them. For obvious reasons, the Lamonian government will not object, either.

"I am sure that Gerald and I shall live happy lives together under an aura of blissful love, Mr. Smythe. We shall have a solid marriage built on firm foundations."

I would personally rather that you would not have to abdicate the throne, Your Majesty; but I won't object if you must do it in order to marry my son for the right reasons. I am also bound to tell you that you will receive a Lamonian passport when you marry Gerald. I'm unclear as to whether Gerald would get an Anglian passport when he marries you, but with the King Consort title, I would assume so.

"I thank you in advance for the Lamonian passport and I will make sure that Gerald gets an Anglian passport to use in the future. I would abdicate only if I had to choose between the throne and Gerald, sir, and I can assure you that Gerald is worth much more than the throne."

If you are marrying my son for the right reasons, then I wish you both all the happiness in the world."

"That is all I could ever want."

---



"I will." Gerald had never imagined that his marriage would be so ornate, so covered by television and other news crews; or that his wife would be a real life Queen. Still, he loved his wife as much as any man could love his wife. He was also looking forward to their honeymoon, for which he was sure that Charlette was planning pleasures for the two of them that Gerald would remember and savor for the rest of his life. That was not to say that Gerald was planning the same thing; but he could wait. He had been looking directly at Charlette when he answered the standard vow question posed by the Archbishop, and he had a big loving smile on his face. He was very close to being forever joined with his love, and he couldn't wait to start his new life with her.

"Charlette, Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in
health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as
ye both shall live?"

"I will."

"Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?"

The Duke of Doncaster stepped forward. "I grant this woman to be married to this man."

The couple was joined at their right hands and before long Charlette had to speak again after her soon-to-be husband did. In a solemn and happy tone of voice, she said:

"I, Charlette, take thee Gerald to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and
thereunto I plight thee my troth."

The Archbishop continued with the service until they finished with the rings at which the two knelt down before the altar as the Archbishop prayed for the Queen and her husband.

"O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all
spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon
these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name;
that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons
may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made,
(whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may
ever hereafter remain in perfect love and peace together, and live
according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

The Archbishop then said: "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder."

"Forasmuch as Charlette and Gerald have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to (the) other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Once the final blessing was made, the cathedral choir began singing a song of praise and blessing before the Archbishop made communion for the couple to partake in; with the formula of the Sarum Missal. "Remember, O Lord, thy servants, Charlette and Gerald and all present, whose faith and devotion to thee is known: for whom we offer unto thee, or who themselves offer to thee this sacrifice of praise for themselves, and all theirs for the redemption of their souls, for the hope of their salvation and safety and render their own thanks to thee, the eternal God, the living and the true."

Charlette was praying solemnly as she waited to recieve the Host and Chalice. The Archbishop brought forth the Host and Chalice with a smile and put the host onto the tongue of the Queen. "The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee, preserve thy body unto everlasting life." She ate the Host before she recieved the Chalice. Uttering a quick prayer, she turned an eye to Gerald whose turn it was to partake in the Host.

"The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee, preserve thy body unto everlasting life...."

"I am sure that Gerald and I shall live happy lives together under an aura of blissful love, Mr. Smythe. We shall have a solid marriage built on firm foundations."

"I am very glad to hear that, Your Highness. The two of you deserve all the happiness that you can give each other."

"I thank you in advance for the Lamonian passport and I will make sure that Gerald gets an Anglian passport to use in the future. I would abdicate only if I had to choose between the throne and Gerald, sir, and I can assure you that Gerald is worth much more than the throne."

"I assure you that in any good marriage, your partner is worth more than your career. You can always start a new career, but you can't always find a new life partner."

---

The couple was joined at their right hands and before long Charlette had to speak again after her soon-to-be husband did.

"I, Gerald, take thee Charlette to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and
thereunto I plight thee my troth."

she turned an eye to Gerald whose turn it was to partake in the Host.

The Host had been placed on the lips of Gerald, and he copied what he had seen Charlette do, step for step. He did NOT want to mess up his own wedding, but he drew strength from the fact that his wife was there with him, every step of the way. After he had eaten the host, he saw his wife watching him, and he flashed her a small smile.

"I am very glad to hear that, Your Highness. The two of you deserve all the happiness that you can give each other."

"We can only hope that we will be happy for many years."

"I assure you that in any good marriage, your partner is worth more than your career. You can always start a new career, but you can't always find a new life partner."

"Those words are very true, Mr. Smythe."

---


The Host had been placed on the lips of Gerald, and he copied what he had seen Charlette do, step for step. He did NOT want to mess up his own wedding, but he drew strength from the fact that his wife was there with him, every step of the way. After he had eaten the host, he saw his wife watching him, and he flashed her a small smile.

It did not take long for Gerald to be served the wine from the chalice before the Archbishop gave them a final blessing to end the wedding so that the couple could kiss and bask in the praises and cheering of the guests that supported their marriage. The final touches were added to the site of the reception while a limosuine waited to take the newlyweds to the reception. Charlette firmly held onto Gerakd's hand as they walked towards the exit; her eyes fixed on the limosuine. With a smile she got into the vehicle with Gerald before it sped off along with a motorcade of guests and security guards. In the limosuine, Charlette leaned onto Gerald and held onto him tightly. "Are we going to Lamoni for our honeymoon? Gerald....I can't believe I've married you but I do not regret it."

It did not take long for Gerald to be served the wine from the chalice before the Archbishop gave them a final blessing to end the wedding so that the couple could kiss and bask in the praises and cheering of the guests that supported their marriage. The final touches were added to the site of the reception while a limosuine waited to take the newlyweds to the reception. Charlette firmly held onto Gerald's hand as they walked towards the exit; her eyes fixed on the limosuine. With a smile she got into the vehicle with Gerald before it sped off along with a motorcade of guests and security guards. In the limosuine, Charlette leaned onto Gerald and held onto him tightly. "Are we going to Lamoni for our honeymoon? Gerald....I can't believe I've married you but I do not regret it."

When the time came for the final kiss, it was all that Gerald could to NOT sweep his wife up in his arms, lifing her off the ground, THEN kissing her. Instead, he held her in his arms as he kissed his wife, and then stared lovingly into her eyes with a smile on his face that was meant for her alone.

He was almost taken by surprise when the guests started to cheer, even though he knew that it was coming; that was how much that he had been paying attention to his wife. While that might not be obvious to many people, he'd be surprised if his wife didn't pick up on it. Not just because she'd been standing right next to him, either.

As the couple walked to the exit, Gerald had arranged for all of the single men to be in the aisle after the couple had made it to the exit. Once there, he tossed a bad of potpurri into the midst of the crowd, and watched to see who would catch it. There was that old tale that whomever caught it would be the next one married, and it looked like a ten year old boy caught it; which made it impossible for Gerald to NOT smile. After explaining why he had done what he had just done to his wife, he asked her if she wanted to do the same with the single women.

When they were finally out of the cathedral, Gerald and Charlette walked hand in hand to the limo that had been hired to take them to the reception. Gerald also saw the security presence, and knew that he would have to get used to that now; it was one of the prices that one payed for marrying into royalty, and it would just have to be borne.

Gerald had no complaints about how his wife was tightly holding onto him as the limo took them towards the reception... and he touched a particularly nice spot that he had first learned about during the 'events' that had led up to the 'groping scandal.' If he had his Anglian history right, the two of them would be bedding the other sometime this night. Of course, this sort of thing had been royal custom since mideval times, and it seemed that it still served into the modern era. There would not be even a hint of complaint coming from Gerald on the subject, however. Though he truly loved and honored his wife, he couldn't wait to see what was under the dress.

"Unless you have an objection, my father managed to arrange a honeymoon for the two of us in Lamoni, yes. Though, I am sure that the Lamonian President and legislative bodies would require a speech, and there would likely be a press conference also; there will be plenty of time for just the two of us. Charlette, do you know how to swim and snorkel? This might seem like a silly question, but i've never needed to ask this until now.

It does sort of feel unreal, doesn't it? Finally meeting and marrying the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with? Don't worry, i'm sure that the fact that we are married will settle in for the both of us at some point. In the meantime, why don't we enjoy the time that we will spend together? You know what? I don't regret marrying you for a second, either.

With all of that said, Gerald gave his wife a slow, deep, and lingering kiss. For his part, he was still wondering what this heaven sent angel had seen in him, and why she had agreed to marry him. He felt like the luckiest man alive, at this moment.

When the time came for the final kiss, it was all that Gerald could to NOT sweep his wife up in his arms, lifing her off the ground, THEN kissing her. Instead, he held her in his arms as he kissed his wife, and then stared lovingly into her eyes with a smile on his face that was meant for her alone.

Charlette looked upon her husband with a smile of her own that suggested her absolute and firmly planted love for the Lamonian commoner who she did not expect, at all in fact, to be marrying let alone loving as a soul mate. Yet she felt no regrets and was fiercely loyal to him.

As the couple walked to the exit, Gerald had arranged for all of the single men to be in the aisle after the couple had made it to the exit. Once there, he tossed a bad of potpurri into the midst of the crowd, and watched to see who would catch it. There was that old tale that whomever caught it would be the next one married, and it looked like a ten year old boy caught it; which made it impossible for Gerald to NOT smile. After explaining why he had done what he had just done to his wife, he asked her if she wanted to do the same with the single women.

Charlette smiled and was immediately filled with happiness when she saw the little boy catch the bad of potpurri with a smile on his own face before rushing off to his parents to tell them about his brief tale. Charlette had the single women lined up in a row and then threw a bouquet of flowers to them with a fourteen year old girl catching the flowers with enthusiasm imprinted upon her face. As luck would have it, a boy smiled at her and introduced himself moments after she caught it. Charlette smiled at her before looking back to Gerald.

When they were finally out of the cathedral, Gerald and Charlette walked hand in hand to the limo that had been hired to take them to the reception. Gerald also saw the security presence, and knew that he would have to get used to that now; it was one of the prices that one payed for marrying into royalty, and it would just have to be borne.

"I suppose I am now Charlette Parker-Smythe now but it does not matter since I'd love you even if my name was Charlette Lightswitch."

Gerald had no complaints about how his wife was tightly holding onto him as the limo took them towards the reception... and he touched a particularly nice spot that he had first learned about during the 'events' that had led up to the 'groping scandal.' If he had his Anglian history right, the two of them would be bedding the other sometime this night. Of course, this sort of thing had been royal custom since mideval times, and it seemed that it still served into the modern era. There would not be even a hint of complaint coming from Gerald on the subject, however. Though he truly loved and honored his wife, he couldn't wait to see what was under the dress.

Charlette cooed as she felt the gentle and warm touch of her new husband on that nice spot he had found so long ago in those controversial and yet pleasurable events of old. Charlette thought about how she'd need to consumate the marriage with Gerald and she was quite fond of seeing him fully exposed with those muscles and possible six pack of his...and she knew that he wanted to see more than her breasts and do more than just touch them. However, he would have to wait.

"Unless you have an objection, my father managed to arrange a honeymoon for the two of us in Lamoni, yes. Though, I am sure that the Lamonian President and legislative bodies would require a speech, and there would likely be a press conference also; there will be plenty of time for just the two of us. Charlette, do you know how to swim and snorkel? This might seem like a silly question, but i've never needed to ask this until now.

"I do not object to going to Lamoni for our honeymoon or attending a speech and press conference while enjoying ourselves in diverse and pleasurable activities. Yes, I know how to swim and snorkel and I've done it before I even met you, my love. Besides, if I was in trouble, you'd always be there to help me."

It does sort of feel unreal, doesn't it? Finally meeting and marrying the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with? Don't worry, i'm sure that the fact that we are married will settle in for the both of us at some point. In the meantime, why don't we enjoy the time that we will spend together? You know what? I don't regret marrying you for a second, either.

"I do not regret marrying you at all, my love, and I am fond of spending many days in your company and hopefully our marriage shall last for many years and with much fruits of joy and peace."

With all of that said, Gerald gave his wife a slow, deep, and lingering kiss. For his part, he was still wondering what this heaven sent angel had seen in him, and why she had agreed to marry him. He felt like the luckiest man alive, at this moment.

Charlette felt herself lay down on the seat with her new husband on top of her. She grinned at him. "Gerald.....we can't consumate our marriage here...but we could just kiss the time away."

Charlette looked upon her husband with a smile of her own that suggested her absolute and firmly planted love for the Lamonian commoner who she did not expect, at all in fact, to be marrying let alone loving as a soul mate. Yet she felt no regrets and was fiercely loyal to him.

For his part, Gerald had never even expected the Queen to show an interest in him; much less MARRY him. He wouldn't have things any other way than the way that they had unfolded, however.

Charlette smiled and was immediately filled with happiness when she saw the little boy catch the bag of potpurri with a smile on his own face before rushing off to his parents to tell them about his brief tale. Charlette had the single women lined up in a row and then threw a bouquet of flowers to them with a fourteen year old girl catching the flowers with enthusiasm imprinted upon her face. As luck would have it, a boy smiled at her and introduced himself moments after she caught it. Charlette smiled at her before looking back to Gerald.

Gerald was smiliing at the fourteen year old girl, as the boy came over to her and introduced himself. Maybe those two would be in the place that he and Charlette were in now. When both Gerald and Charlette looked back at each other, Gerald grinned.

"I suppose I am now Charlette Parker-Smythe now but it does not matter since I'd love you even if my name was Charlette Lightswitch."

"Although, Lightswitch would be a dreadful last name..." Gerald said that in a tone garunteed to get the point across that he was jesting.

Charlette cooed as she felt the gentle and warm touch of her new husband on that nice spot he had found so long ago in those controversial and yet pleasurable events of old. Charlette thought about how she'd need to consumate the marriage with Gerald and she was quite fond of seeing him fully exposed with those muscles and possible six pack of his...and she knew that he wanted to see more than her breasts and do more than just touch them. However, he would have to wait.

Gerald knew that he would have to wait, and it was said that 'waiting made the sex sweeter.' Looking over to see if the briefcase that he had earlier requested was there, he saw that it was. He reached for it, and opened it.

"Charlette my love, I have an appropriate dowry for you. My father was able to convince the head of LAIX Arms to supply five Zwaardvissen Class SSK's, Domestic Production Rights to the MK-20 Mothra torpedo, and five squadrons of F-31 Air Superiority Fighters to Anglia for free. I should mention that there are thirty F-31's in each squadron.

In the briefcase, is the introductory materials for the systems in question, as well as information for how the Anglian military can receive and crew it's new units. We can see the military take them back to Anglia while we are on our honeymoon, if you want to."

Gerald waited to see how his wife would react to this news.

"I do not object to going to Lamoni for our honeymoon or attending a speech and press conference while enjoying ourselves in diverse and pleasurable activities. Yes, I know how to swim and snorkel and I've done it before I even met you, my love. Besides, if I was in trouble, you'd always be there to help me."

"That's good, my love. We'll be spending a good deal of our alone time on the Lamonian Island of Lemnos. It's very nice there, though, I think that we will be busy enjoying each other's company. Yes, I would always be there to help you, my love."

"I do not regret marrying you at all, my love, and I am fond of spending many days in your company and hopefully our marriage shall last for many years and with much fruits of joy and peace."

"May it be so, my love."

Charlette felt herself lay down on the seat with her new husband on top of her. She grinned at him. "Gerald.....we can't consumate our marriage here...but we could just kiss the time away."

Gerald responded with both a playful "Awwwwww..." and a long, tender kiss.

Gerald was smiliing at the fourteen year old girl, as the boy came over to her and introduced himself. Maybe those two would be in the place that he and Charlette were in now. When both Gerald and Charlette looked back at each other, Gerald grinned.

"Do you think they will get married one day?"

"Although, Lightswitch would be a dreadful last name..." Gerald said that in a tone garunteed to get the point across that he was jesting.

Charlette giggled. "The House of Lightswitch....that would be funny and possibly embarrasing."

"Charlette my love, I have an appropriate dowry for you. My father was able to convince the head of LAIX Arms to supply five Zwaardvissen Class SSK's, Domestic Production Rights to the MK-20 Mothra torpedo, and five squadrons of F-31 Air Superiority Fighters to Anglia for free. I should mention that there are thirty F-31's in each squadron.

"That is a lovely dowry, Gerald. I must say that Anglia accepts the gifts with much pleasure and happiness as do I."

In the briefcase, is the introductory materials for the systems in question, as well as information for how the Anglian military can receive and crew it's new units. We can see the military take them back to Anglia while we are on our honeymoon, if you want to."

"That would be great to see; I should know still about the way fighters and so forth work albeit I was merely a nurse."


"That's good, my love. We'll be spending a good deal of our alone time on the Lamonian Island of Lemnos. It's very nice there, though, I think that we will be busy enjoying each other's company. Yes, I would always be there to help you, my love."

"I look forward with much anxiety and trepidation to going to Lemnos with you. I just hope that we will have a good and pleasurable honeymoon is all."


Gerald responded with both a playful "Awwwwww..." and a long, tender kiss.

Charlette grinned as she held onto him before smothering her love with passionate kisses. "Gerald....I love you so much!"

"Do you think they will get married one day?"

"Anything is possible. This young lad reminds me of myself when I was introduced to you the first time."

Charlette giggled. "The House of Lightswitch....that would be funny and possibly embarrasing."

"I could see that now. Hello, i'm Mrs. Lightswitch."

"That is a lovely dowry, Gerald. I must say that Anglia accepts the gifts with much pleasure and happiness as do I."

"It was the least that we could do, Charlette. It's also a way for Lamoni to prove that it is no enemy of Anglia. If I should happen to get public recognition for it; that's just a bonus. I also happen to have it on good authority that LAIX Arms is currently developing an AMTV family of vehicles that you might take an interest in."

"That would be great to see; I should know still about the way fighters and so forth work albeit I was merely a nurse."

"Then we shall see it, my love."

"I look forward with much anxiety and trepidation to going to Lemnos with you. I just hope that we will have a good and pleasurable honeymoon is all."

"I'm sure that we will MAKE ourselves a good and pleasurable honeymoon, my love. I bet you that we could have had our honeymoon on the Moon, and STILL had a good time."

Charlette grinned as she held onto him before smothering her love with passionate kisses. "Gerald....I love you so much!"

Gerald loved to kiss his wife, so when he was smothered with kisses, he was reminded once more just how lucky that he was to fall in love with and marry this woman. "I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love someone, Charlette. This time, HE smothered HER with kisses.

Anything is possible. This young lad reminds me of myself when I was introduced to you the first time."

"...and this young lass can't believe she married the Lamonian lad."



"I could see that now. Hello, i'm Mrs. Lightswitch."

Charlette giggled. "Mrs. Lightswitch.....perhaps you'd see her in television show or something!"


"It was the least that we could do, Charlette. It's also a way for Lamoni to prove that it is no enemy of Anglia. If I should happen to get public recognition for it; that's just a bonus. I also happen to have it on good authority that LAIX Arms is currently developing an AMTV family of vehicles that you might take an interest in."

"Perhaps I may visit some LAIX Arms factories in the future? I must say that I thank you for the gift albeit I pray that Anglians never have to see their beloved homeland attacked. My policy on war is that it must be avoided until all peaceful means of reconciliation have been tried." (OOC Note: This is the Empress of Ixania's policy as well)


"I'm sure that we will MAKE ourselves a good and pleasurable honeymoon, my love. I bet you that we could have had our honeymoon on the Moon, and STILL had a good time."

"Couldn't you imagine us floating around? I can just imagine it now...."


Gerald loved to kiss his wife, so when he was smothered with kisses, he was reminded once more just how lucky that he was to fall in love with and marry this woman. "I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love someone, Charlette. This time, HE smothered HER with kisses.

"Don't be so rough, Gerald......I'm not saying you are but I don't want to walk into the reception with a limp....or as a tired person about to faint from exhaustion."

"...and this young lass can't believe she married the Lamonian lad."

"Would you feel better if I told you that I never expected us to get this far when I first met you?"

Charlette giggled. "Mrs. Lightswitch.....perhaps you'd see her in television show or something!"

"Maybe a joint Lamonian - Anglian TV show, at that."

"Perhaps I may visit some LAIX Arms factories in the future? I must say that I thank you for the gift albeit I pray that Anglians never have to see their beloved homeland attacked. My policy on war is that it must be avoided until all peaceful means of reconciliation have been tried." (OOC Note: This is the Empress of Ixania's policy as well)

"You can certainly see the LAIX Arms factories, my love. I'll take you myself when we are in Lamoni for our honeymoon. I too hope that Anglia will never be attacked, but certainly it is better to prepare oneself for the eventuality. That is a very good war policy; I only wish that more nations would follow it."

"Couldn't you imagine us floating around? I can just imagine it now...."


"Yes, I could see that. Although, it would be... difficult... to do certain things there. Could you imagine coitus in zero-g?"

"Don't be so rough, Gerald......I'm not saying you are but I don't want to walk into the reception with a limp....or as a tired person about to faint from exhaustion."

"There is no danger of THAT happening, my love. Well get to our reception safe and sound, i'm sure. And if someone sees us making out? What of it? We are legally married now; so it's pratically expected that we love each other. Where is our reception to be held, anyway?"

"Would you feel better if I told you that I never expected us to get this far when I first met you?"

"I never expected it either."


"Maybe a joint Lamonian - Anglian TV show, at that."

"We could get one created one day."



"You can certainly see the LAIX Arms factories, my love. I'll take you myself when we are in Lamoni for our honeymoon. I too hope that Anglia will never be attacked, but certainly it is better to prepare oneself for the eventuality. That is a very good war policy; I only wish that more nations would follow it."

"I would love to see the LAIX Arms factories! It will be nice to see the working class; they are the backbone of the nation. I may be rich and powerful but I do not think I am superior to those who laborious build up my beloved nation. We are all just....humans."

"Yes, I could see that. Although, it would be... difficult... to do certain things there. Could you imagine coitus in zero-g?"

"That would be....intriguing."

"There is no danger of THAT happening, my love. Well get to our reception safe and sound, i'm sure. And if someone sees us making out? What of it? We are legally married now; so it's pratically expected that we love each other. Where is our reception to be held, anyway?"

"The reception will be held at the Marble Palace, Gerald. We should be there soon." (OOC: You can post their arrival in your reply)

"I never expected it either."

"Now that we are here, I think that we should make the best of it, don't you agree?"

"We could get one created one day."

"That would surely be something to see."

"I would love to see the LAIX Arms factories! It will be nice to see the working class; they are the backbone of the nation. I may be rich and powerful but I do not think I am superior to those whose labors build up my beloved nation. We are all just....humans."

"That is a very good attitude to have, my love. Never lose sight of that, and the people will love you for it."

"That would be....intriguing."

"The logistics alone would be... fascinating."

"The reception will be held at the Marble Palace, Gerald. We should be there soon."

"It certainly is a nice place to call home, but it will take some getting used to, I think. My true home; however, will be where you are, my love."

---

It was not long before they had arrived at the Marble Palace; and it looked like it had been redone for the occasion. Helping his wife out of their ride, the happy couple waved to the cameras that had been set up to record their entrance, and then walked into the palace itself. Gerald hadn't seen the preparations for the reception, and to say that they were expensive would be putting it VERY mildly. However, Gerald doubted that anyone minded all that much about how much the wedding and associated events would cost.

There were plenty of guests already present when the happy couple had made their entrance, which had been announced, of course. Every eye in the room turned to the happy couple, and the applause was thunderous.

"Now that we are here, I think that we should make the best of it, don't you agree?"

"Of course we should make the best of it."



"That would surely be something to see."

"It would be something to see indeed."


"That is a very good attitude to have, my love. Never lose sight of that, and the people will love you for it."

"We are all the same regardless of blood, Gerald. I've never really felt...superior to anyone else except that I have more money and the like than other people but I don't think I'm beyond ordinary humans because of it."


"The logistics alone would be... fascinating."

"Maybe someone will do it one day." Charlette said with a smile.

"It certainly is a nice place to call home, but it will take some getting used to, I think. My true home; however, will be where you are, my love."

"You are the dream of most women, Gerald."

---

It was not long before they had arrived at the Marble Palace; and it looked like it had been redone for the occasion. Helping his wife out of their ride, the happy couple waved to the cameras that had been set up to record their entrance, and then walked into the palace itself. Gerald hadn't seen the preparations for the reception, and to say that they were expensive would be putting it VERY mildly. However, Gerald doubted that anyone minded all that much about how much the wedding and associated events would cost.

There were plenty of guests already present when the happy couple had made their entrance, which had been announced, of course. Every eye in the room turned to the happy couple, and the applause was thunderous

Charlette was overjoyed and filled from top to bottom with pleasurable happiness as she walked with Gerald around the reception hall before they took their seats at their specified table. She waved to the guests before they quieted down so the reception could begin. The Duke of Doncaster had begun speaking about Charlette's childhood tales and Gerald could, if he looked, see the embarassement on Charlette's face but she did not mind letting the Duke continue. The Duke then looked at Gerald briefly and smiled in a gaze that meant: "You better take good care of her."

Other people came up to speak as well as dinner was served to all the guests along with glasses of fine wine. Charlette was simply happy to be here as she began discoursing with the Duke of Doncaster's wife and her multitude of friends while Gerald was swarmed by the Duke and his entourage of comrades including a man who whispered into his ear: "You've got a piece there, good work."

Charlette smiled at Gerald as she recieved her dessert. "This is so exciting, Gerald! I can't wait to see my darling Gerry officially called King Consort! There won't be a separate coronation for you, I don't believe, so we'll just have you called King Consort Gerald without all the pomp and ceremony."

"Of course we should make the best of it."

"We must be getting close to the palace, my love. The number of tv cameras is increasing."

"We are all the same regardless of blood, Gerald. I've never really felt...superior to anyone else except that I have more money and the like than other people but I don't think I'm beyond ordinary humans because of it."

"Like I said earlier, that is a very good attitude to have. Those who lose sight of that often tend to lord it over their citizens, and forget that the job of a government is to serve the people."

"Maybe someone will do it one day." Charlette said with a smile.

"I'm sure that that might have been attempted at some point already. The Lamonian Vice-President is married to a woman from a space faring nation, after all."

"You are the dream of most women, Gerald."

"Make that the HAPPILY MARRIED dream of most women, my love."

---

Charlette was overjoyed and filled from top to bottom with pleasurable happiness as she walked with Gerald around the reception hall before they took their seats at their specified table. She waved to the guests before they quieted down so the reception could begin. The Duke of Doncaster had begun speaking about Charlette's childhood tales and Gerald could, if he looked, see the embarrassment on Charlette's face but she did not mind letting the Duke continue. The Duke then looked at Gerald briefly and smiled in a gaze that meant: "You better take good care of her."

Other people came up to speak as well, and dinner was served to all the guests along with glasses of fine wine. Charlette was simply happy to be here as she began discoursing with the Duke of Doncaster's wife and her multitude of friends while Gerald was swarmed by the Duke and his entourage of comrades including a man who whispered into his ear: "You've got a piece there, good work."

Charlette smiled at Gerald as she received her dessert. "This is so exciting, Gerald! I can't wait to see my darling Gerry officially called King Consort! There won't be a separate coronation for you, I don't believe, so we'll just have you called King Consort Gerald without all the pomp and ceremony."

Seated at their table, Gerald watched as his wife quited everyone down. With that, things got started. He listened intently to the stories that the Duke of Doncaster told about his wife, and couldn't help but notice the embarrassment on her face at some of them. When the Duke glanced at him, Gerald flashed a smile of his own at the Duke. He wouldn't have married Charlette if he didn't think that he could take good care of her for the rest of his life. That would not be a problem.

After the Duke had finished, Gerald's father ascended to the podium; and Gregory proceeded to tell tales about his son. Some of the stories made Gerald smile, and others would make him blush. Gerald also noticed that his father had taken a date with him to both the wedding and the reception. So far, he had learned that her name was Sarah Aylmer, but other than that, he didn't know much about her. She seemed pleasant enough, and Gerald was happy for his father that he seemed to have found a new woman in his life.

At one point, someone whispered "You've got a piece there, good work.," to Gerald. Slightly confused, Gerald answered, "My wife is not property, nor will she ever be. Charlette and I are equals in our relationship." Other than that, Gerald had a good time talking with the Duke, his own father, and assorted others. He must have told at least fifty different people that he would be sure to take good care of Charlette; and it was the truth.

Gerald smiled back at his wife after listening to her comment. "I'm not bothered in the least by the lack of a formal ceremony. I would have married you even if you weren't royalty. But, i'll take the role."

"We must be getting close to the palace, my love. The number of tv cameras is increasing."

"No kidding, my love." Charlette said with a smirk.


"Like I said earlier, that is a very good attitude to have. Those who lose sight of that often tend to lord it over their citizens, and forget that the job of a government is to serve the people."

"Government's only purpose is to serve and protect. Nothing more or less."

"I'm sure that that might have been attempted at some point already. The Lamonian Vice-President is married to a woman from a space faring nation, after all."

"A space faring nation? You must tell me more about that!"



"Make that the HAPPILY MARRIED dream of most women, my love."

"Indeed."

---



Seated at their table, Gerald watched as his wife quited everyone down. With that, things got started. He listened intently to the stories that the Duke of Doncaster told about his wife, and couldn't help but notice the embarrassment on her face at some of them. When the Duke glanced at him, Gerald flashed a smile of his own at the Duke. He wouldn't have married Charlette if he didn't think that he could take good care of her for the rest of his life. That would not be a problem.

The Duke of Doncaster generally accepted Gerald, yes, and knew that Gerald would be a good husband for the woman he had known and served since (her) childhood but he still would watch over her, and Gerald by extension, to make sure she was alright. As he once said, he was but a mere subject of the Anglian Crown and whoever had the fortune to sit on the throne.

After the Duke had finished, Gerald's father ascended to the podium; and Gregory proceeded to tell tales about his son. Some of the stories made Gerald smile, and others would make him blush. Gerald also noticed that his father had taken a date with him to both the wedding and the reception. So far, he had learned that her name was Sarah Aylmer, but other than that, he didn't know much about her. She seemed pleasant enough, and Gerald was happy for his father that he seemed to have found a new woman in his life.

Charlette smiled as she listened to Gerald's father's tales about her new husband as if she were a little toddler listening to the tales of a wise elder or a student listening to a teacher attentively and without dissent. She even giggled once in a while. Sarah Aylmer, the secret love of the Lamonian ambassador, smiled at Gerald and winked at him. She was quite the beautiful woman and was hoping to talk to Gerald...who, if Fortune willed, would be her stepson.

At one point, someone whispered "You've got a piece there, good work.," to Gerald. Slightly confused, Gerald answered, "My wife is not property, nor will she ever be. Charlette and I are equals in our relationship." Other than that, Gerald had a good time talking with the Duke, his own father, and assorted others. He must have told at least fifty different people that he would be sure to take good care of Charlette; and it was the truth.

The man simply smirked. "Meh. Just treat her well, eh? You don't want Old Reggie after you."

The Duke of Doncaster would have spoken to Gerald but he noticed that Sarah Aylmer dragged Gerald away from the crowds before smiling at him and studying him as if he were an ancient parchment and as if she was a curious scholar or student. "You must be Gerald. I'm Sarah Aylmer....a...friend of your father. I must say that I'm happy to see you married to the Queen. I'm amazed you got that far."

Sarah grinned. "So tell me about yourself. What makes you tick?" She adjusted her dress and smiled at him while waiting for Gerald to reply.

Gerald smiled back at his wife after listening to her comment. "I'm not bothered in the least by the lack of a formal ceremony. I would have married you even if you weren't royalty. But, i'll take the role."

Charlette smiled. "I never even thought I'd be the Queen! I only knew that Parliament made me Queen...."

Charlette began to remember the days of her bitter childhood before she shrugged those thoughts away to think of happier times. "Gerald, I must say that I would like to make sure that we settle all the issues we may have among us. There are certain issues that need to be addressed."

Charlette finished eating the food on her plate and smiled. "Shall we dance, my love?"

"No kidding, my love." Charlette said with a smirk.

There was only one response that Gerald could make to this; and he made it by kissing his wife once more.

"Government's only purpose is to serve and protect. Nothing more or less."

"That is exactly right."

"A space faring nation? You must tell me more about that!"

Gerald smiled. "It looks like we are here, so i'll have to tell you about this at some point in the future. Just don't let me forget."

---

The Duke of Doncaster generally accepted Gerald, yes, and knew that Gerald would be a good husband for the woman he had known and served since (her) childhood but he still would watch over her, and Gerald by extension, to make sure she was alright. As he once said, he was but a mere subject of the Anglian Crown and whoever had the fortune to sit on the throne.

Gerald knew that there would be many eyes upon both himself and his wife; and he also knew that not all of them would be friendly. This did not bother him; but even he could see that he would likely be getting a crash course in politics soon enough. He would have to grow a thicker skin, he thought.

Charlette smiled as she listened to Gerald's father's tales about her new husband as if she were a little toddler listening to the tales of a wise elder or a student listening to a teacher attentively and without dissent. She even giggled once in a while. Sarah Aylmer, the secret love of the Lamonian ambassador, smiled at Gerald and winked at him. She was quite the beautiful woman and was hoping to talk to Gerald...who, if Fortune willed, would be her stepson.

While his father was talking about him, Gerald would occasionally glance out at the assembled crowd in order to see how they were reacting to his father's stories about him. During once such glance, he noticed that his father's Anglian secretary was smiling and winking at him. Gerald nodded politely at her; and wondered what her exact relation was to his father. He could readily guess that there was more than just friendship between his father and this woman; but how deep did the relationship between the two run? He wanted to know more about this woman; who seemed to be in love with his father, from the non-verbal cues that she had been putting out.

The man simply smirked. "Meh. Just treat her well, eh? You don't want Old Reggie after you."

The Duke of Doncaster would have spoken to Gerald but he noticed that Sarah Aylmer dragged Gerald away from the crowds before smiling at him and studying him as if he were an ancient parchment and as if she was a curious scholar or student. "You must be Gerald. I'm Sarah Aylmer....a...friend of your father. I must say that I'm happy to see you married to the Queen. I'm amazed you got that far."

Sarah grinned. "So tell me about yourself. What makes you tick?" She adjusted her dress and smiled at him while waiting for Gerald to reply.

"I shall treat my wife very well indeed. I have no reason to do anything else."

Suddenly, Gerald felt himself being dragged along out of the crowds by the woman that had winked and smiled at him earlier. He could feel the curiousity about him that captivated this woman, and while he was a little discomfited by Sarah's looking at him like some ancient scroll, he hid it well.

"Yes, I am Gerald... Parker-Smythe now. That is what I was told that our new cadet branch of the Royal Family would be called, at any rate. I would like to hear more about your relationship with my father, if you don't mind.

I had no real idea that I would be married to the Queen of Anglia when I got here, but we both saw something in each other that led us to this wedding, and hopefully a joyous life together.

That is rather a broad question, don't you think? Where would you like me to begin, Miss Aylmer?"

Charlette smiled. "I never even thought I'd be the Queen! I only knew that Parliament made me Queen...."

Charlette began to remember the days of her bitter childhood before she shrugged those thoughts away to think of happier times. "Gerald, I must say that I would like to make sure that we settle all the issues we may have among us. There are certain issues that need to be addressed."

Charlette finished eating the food on her plate and smiled. "Shall we dance, my love?"

"Certainly, my love. Though, might I suggest that this is not the best time for us to have a deep and meaningful discussion of our personal issues? We will have plenty of time for a better talk about these issues when we aren't in the public eye, so to speak."

Gerald smiled. "Lead on, my love." Gerald followed his wife to the dance floor, where he mentioned a popular Anglian classical piece that he liked to the band, who immediately started playing it. Gerald placed his hands in the proper position for the dance, and when Charlette was also ready, they started to Waltz around the ballroom floor. Gerald wondered how his wife would react when she saw that he had had the maids fill her room with living flowers. He disliked seeing what happened to cut flowers after a few days, and so made sure that the flowers that he gave would be able to live to fulfill their purpose.

Gerald smiled. "It looks like we are here, so i'll have to tell you about this at some point in the future. Just don't let me forget."

"I will make sure you will not forget it."



While his father was talking about him, Gerald would occasionally glance out at the assembled crowd in order to see how they were reacting to his father's stories about him. During once such glance, he noticed that his father's Anglian secretary was smiling and winking at him. Gerald nodded politely at her; and wondered what her exact relation was to his father. He could readily guess that there was more than just friendship between his father and this woman; but how deep did the relationship between the two run? He wanted to know more about this woman; who seemed to be in love with his father, from the non-verbal cues that she had been putting out.

Sarah smiled when she noticed Gerald's polite nod. She knew that her lover's son was married to the Queen of Anglia and she really wanted to meet him and get to know him better. Just being at the reception made her wonder if she'd ever marry Gregory which would, in fact, make her the stepmother of the King. If that did happen, she'd focus on making Gerald like her. That's all she'd want from him then.


"Yes, I am Gerald... Parker-Smythe now. That is what I was told that our new cadet branch of the Royal Family would be called, at any rate. I would like to hear more about your relationship with my father, if you don't mind.

I had no real idea that I would be married to the Queen of Anglia when I got here, but we both saw something in each other that led us to this wedding, and hopefully a joyous life together.

That is rather a broad question, don't you think? Where would you like me to begin, Miss Aylmer?"

Sarah smiled. "Your father and I are madly in love, Your Majesty and I do hope you will take kindly to it and accept me. I really would not want to spend all my time bickering with you about it. Your father and I first met when he hired me to work for him and since then we've just been attached."

Sarah adjusted her dress before continuing to speak. "What are your hobbies, Your Majesty? What do you do in your spare time? I really want to learn more about my dear Greg's son. I really would."



"Certainly, my love. Though, might I suggest that this is not the best time for us to have a deep and meaningful discussion of our personal issues? We will have plenty of time for a better talk about these issues when we aren't in the public eye, so to speak."

Charlette grinned. "Of course, my love. We do not want these people to be privy to our private lives. We can wait."

Gerald smiled. "Lead on, my love." Gerald followed his wife to the dance floor, where he mentioned a popular Anglian classical piece that he liked to the band, who immediately started playing it. Gerald placed his hands in the proper position for the dance, and when Charlette was also ready, they started to Waltz around the ballroom floor. Gerald wondered how his wife would react when she saw that he had had the maids fill her room with living flowers. He disliked seeing what happened to cut flowers after a few days, and so made sure that the flowers that he gave would be able to live to fulfill their purpose.

Charlette smiled as she danced along with Gerald to the exquisite tune of the reception's skilled and talented orchestra. It made her happy to be with the man she loved and it made her glad that Fortune shined upon her with the marriage and all. It would only be a matter of time before she had her first child and she was prepared to have it. As she danced with the love of her life, she tried to talk to him about the honeymoon. "I suppose we'll be going to Lamoni for the honeymoon? I'm really excited about visiting Lamoni. I'm sure it is a great nation!"

Sarah, meanwhile, was cuddling up to Gregory and speaking in her ever so famous seductive tone of voice. "Care for a dance, Greg? It'll be like a toned down version of our...horizontal dancing." Sarah winked at him before taking a firm hold of his hand. "Let's go, Greg. Let's go dance the night away."

She led him to the dance floor and held firmly onto him with a smile. "I really love you, Gregory and I hope that we'll be together for a very long time....and don't forget that I have a surprise for you tonight." Sarah winked again before giving Gregory a grin. "I can assure you that my surprise will be....pleasurable."

"I will make sure you will not forget it."

"Thank you, my love."

Sarah smiled when she noticed Gerald's polite nod. She knew that her lover's son was married to the Queen of Anglia and she really wanted to meet him and get to know him better. Just being at the reception made her wonder if she'd ever marry Gregory which would, in fact, make her the stepmother of the King. If that did happen, she'd focus on making Gerald like her. That's all she'd want from him then.

For his part, Gerald was still very curious about the woman whom he suspected that his father was being intimate with. He wanted to get to know her better, and see if she was good for his father or not. Either way, it seemed like his father was very taken with her, and maybe that was a good thing.

Sarah smiled. "Your father and I are madly in love, Your Majesty, and I do hope you will take kindly to it and accept me. I really would not want to spend all my time bickering with you about it. Your father and I first met when he hired me to work for him and since then we've just been attached."

Sarah adjusted her dress before continuing to speak. "What are your hobbies, Your Majesty? What do you do in your spare time? I really want to learn more about my dear Greg's son. I really would."

While Gerald could see more than one meaning in the word "attached," he decided that it really wouldn't be a good idea to say so out loud.

"My hobbies include Chess, forest hikes, reading, as well as first person shooter and strategy games. My new 'handlers' don't seem to think that I should reveal those last two to the general public, so it would be a good idea if you didn't spread that to anyone.

I must admit that I would like to learn more about you as well, Miss Aylmer. Not in any way that would give my wife reason for concern, but you are... 'attached' to my father, as you put it. If my wife agrees, there could be at least one private dinner between myself, my wife, you, and my father at the Marble Palace. I would like to know more about the woman who seems to have made my father happier than he has been in a long time."

Charlette grinned. "Of course, my love. We do not want these people to be privy to our private lives. We can wait."

"Thank you, my love." Gerald kissed her then, which caused a roar of approval from the assembled guests.

Charlette smiled as she danced along with Gerald to the exquisite tune of the reception's skilled and talented orchestra. It made her happy to be with the man she loved and it made her glad that Fortune shined upon her with the marriage and all. It would only be a matter of time before she had her first child and she was prepared to have it. As she danced with the love of her life, she tried to talk to him about the honeymoon. "I suppose we'll be going to Lamoni for the honeymoon? I'm really excited about visiting Lamoni. I'm sure it is a great nation!"

"Yes, we will be going to Lamoni for the honeymoon. Everything has been planned for a week... and we can stay there longer, if we want. Indeed, Lamoni is a great nation, and the economic policies put in place by our current President are finally taking effect, lowering the tax rate, and starting the trend to make it even greater. I'm sure that we will have a great time there; and all is in readiness, just waiting for us to get there. Is there something that you would like to see while we are there, my love?"

Gerald would enjoy the chance to show off the Free Republic to his wife, just as she had been an excellent tour guide for him while in Anglia. There was also all of the other things that happened during a good honeymoon, and he was looking forward to sharing them with his wife. Especially since their royal schedules would mean that they would both be busy doing many different things much of the time.

Sarah, meanwhile, was cuddling up to Gregory and speaking in her ever so famous seductive tone of voice. "Care for a dance, Greg? It'll be like a toned down version of our...horizontal dancing." Sarah winked at him before taking a firm hold of his hand. "Let's go, Greg. Let's go dance the night away."

She led him to the dance floor and held firmly onto him with a smile. "I really love you, Gregory and I hope that we'll be together for a very long time....and don't forget that I have a surprise for you tonight." Sarah winked again before giving Gregory a grin. "I can assure you that my surprise will be....pleasurable."

Gregory was happier than he had been for a long time. He truly loved Sarah, and he hoped that his (now royal) son and his lover would come to accept each other.

As Sarah pulled him towards the dance floor, he was more than ready to dance with his Anglian lover. With Gregory leading, they did indeed dance the night away. As they did, they saw glances of Gerald dancing with Charlette. Gregory wished them the best, just as he was hoping that when the time was right, that Sarah would accept his marriage proposal.

When Sarah mentioned a 'surprise,' Gregory smiled, and knew that he would enjoy it. He kissed his lover, and they kept on dancing.

"My hobbies include Chess, forest hikes, reading, as well as first person shooter and strategy games. My new 'handlers' don't seem to think that I should reveal those last two to the general public, so it would be a good idea if you didn't spread that to anyone.

"Who would those handlers be? I don't see why such things would be dangerous to your reputation, Your Majesty. However, I shall keep my mouth closed about such things. I would not dare want to ruin your reputation....unless there was a justification for it." Sarah said with a sly grin.

I must admit that I would like to learn more about you as well, Miss Aylmer. Not in any way that would give my wife reason for concern, but you are... 'attached' to my father, as you put it. If my wife agrees, there could be at least one private dinner between myself, my wife, you, and my father at the Marble Palace. I would like to know more about the woman who seems to have made my father happier than he has been in a long time."

"Don't think I'd want to ruin your newfound marriage, Your Majesty. I'm sure that Gregory and I would be able to attend a private dinner with you and the Queen and I would love to tell you more about me. Just ask whatever comes to your mind." Sarah said with a smile. "...but let's leave personal questions to private conversations, alright?"


"Yes, we will be going to Lamoni for the honeymoon. Everything has been planned for a week... and we can stay there longer, if we want. Indeed, Lamoni is a great nation, and the economic policies put in place by our current President are finally taking effect, lowering the tax rate, and starting the trend to make it even greater. I'm sure that we will have a great time there; and all is in readiness, just waiting for us to get there. Is there something that you would like to see while we are there, my love?"

Charlotte smiled. "I would love to stay in Lamoni for as long as possible and I would love to see everything that the nation of Lamoni has to offer me, a foreign monarch, during our honeymoon. Perhaps I will even meet the President of Lamoni which would be quite the honor in my opinion. When we do go to Lamoni, I'm sure we'll have a good time. I have a gut feeling, as they say, about it."

As Sarah pulled him towards the dance floor, he was more than ready to dance with his Anglian lover. With Gregory leading, they did indeed dance the night away. As they did, they saw glances of Gerald dancing with Charlette. Gregory wished them the best, just as he was hoping that when the time was right, that Sarah would accept his marriage proposal.

When Sarah mentioned a 'surprise,' Gregory smiled, and knew that he would enjoy it. He kissed his lover, and they kept on dancing.

Sarah complimented her Lamonian lover on his dancing talents as they twirled around on the dance floor amidst the congregation of fellow dancers which included Her Majesty the Queen of Anglia who, Sarah said to herself, was dancing quite well with Gerald Smythe. Sarah was fond of Gerald and she knew that he was Gregory's son. She decided that she'd want to work very hard to secure a good relationship with the new King Consort of Anglia.

"Who would those handlers be? I don't see why such things would be dangerous to your reputation, Your Majesty. However, I shall keep my mouth closed about such things. I would not dare want to ruin your reputation....unless there was a justification for it." Sarah said with a sly grin.

"The handlers are palace staff, mostly to make sure that I avoid making any major blunders while I adjust to the Anglian political scene. Between you and me, I have no idea why they would be injurious myself, but that is the way of things.

Hopefully, there would be no reason for either of us to ruin the reputation of the other, Miss Aylmer. Rest assured that I would not react favorably to any threats, however." Gerald matched Sarah's sly smile with one of his own. Holding his own in a conversation was something that Gerald could do.

"Don't think I'd want to ruin your newfound marriage, Your Majesty. I'm sure that Gregory and I would be able to attend a private dinner with you and the Queen and I would love to tell you more about me. Just ask whatever comes to your mind." Sarah said with a smile. "...but let's leave personal questions to private conversations, alright?"

"Thank you, Miss Aylmer. The private dinner that I mentioned would likely take place after my honeymoon with my wife in Lamoni. I'll let my father know about the timing and any other conditions. To start with, do you have any college degrees? If so, what level are they, and what subjects are they in? I would agree to leave the personal questions to private conversations."

Charlotte smiled. "I would love to stay in Lamoni for as long as possible and I would love to see everything that the nation of Lamoni has to offer me, a foreign monarch, during our honeymoon. Perhaps I will even meet the President of Lamoni which would be quite the honor in my opinion. When we do go to Lamoni, I'm sure we'll have a good time. I have a gut feeling, as they say, about it."

"You've been such a good guide for me while we've been in Anglia so far that it would be my pleasure to show you around Lamoni, my love. Maybe we'll even find new places to call our own! I also have a personal surprise for you in Lamoni that you'll like, but you won't find out what it is until we get there." Gerald now made an impish grin before continuing. "Lamoni has much to offer a foreign monarch, my love. And, we shall certainly get to meet the Lamonian President while we are there. In fact, we could even give a speech to a special joint session of the Lamonian Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies, if you wish. I also happen to share your gut feeling, my love." Gerald's smile had gone from impish to a more honest smile, and his eyes were filled with love as he gazed upon his wife.

Sarah complimented her Lamonian lover on his dancing talents as they twirled around on the dance floor amidst the congregation of fellow dancers which included Her Majesty the Queen of Anglia who, Sarah said to herself, was dancing quite well with Gerald Smythe. Sarah was fond of Gerald and she knew that he was Gregory's son. She decided that she'd want to work very hard to secure a good relationship with the new King Consort of Anglia.

(OOC: I have an idea for Sarah and Gregory, but I need to know how long that they've been 'dating,' first)

"Thank you, Darling. I always said that I was going to dance at my son's wedding, so I took lessons." Gergory was fully in love with his Anglian lover. Once again, the thought of marriage to Sarah entered his mind, and it was appealing. He would have to ask his son about the prospect first; most likely when his son and his son's wife had returned from their Lamonian honeymoon. He had pulled a few strings in order to allow his son to surprise his new wife with a manor meant as a retreat for the two of them (OOC: Like the Red Rose Manor, but a different one; the Myakkans can keep the Red Rose Manor. I'll TG you the name of the manor and such.) that they could use whenever they had the opportunity. It was a wedding present from President Stinson himself.

"The handlers are palace staff, mostly to make sure that I avoid making any major blunders while I adjust to the Anglian political scene. Between you and me, I have no idea why they would be injurious myself, but that is the way of things.

"I don't know how liking strategy games is a blunder!" Charlette said with a laugh.

Hopefully, there would be no reason for either of us to ruin the reputation of the other, Miss Aylmer. Rest assured that I would not react favorably to any threats, however." Gerald matched Sarah's sly smile with one of his own. Holding his own in a conversation was something that Gerald could do.

"Don't think I'd threaten you, dear. I am very happy for you and Charlotte and wish you all the best...but make sure you treat her well. Sometimes you may think you have it all but it can be taken from you in an instant and you are stumped as to how it was all lost."

Sarah smiled. "...I am sure that you will take good care of her since your father, my dear Greg, raised you. He's a good man and so are you."


"Thank you, Miss Aylmer. The private dinner that I mentioned would likely take place after my honeymoon with my wife in Lamoni. I'll let my father know about the timing and any other conditions. To start with, do you have any college degrees? If so, what level are they, and what subjects are they in? I would agree to leave the personal questions to private conversations."

"College degrees? Well for the most part I was involved in anything that had to do with management and writing and I can't really remember the specifics off the top of my head at the moment but they are pretty much degrees in writing and management relatied things. When I became a secretary, I worked for various companies before your father took me under his wing."

"...And under him." Sarah thought to herself.

"You've been such a good guide for me while we've been in Anglia so far that it would be my pleasure to show you around Lamoni, my love. Maybe we'll even find new places to call our own! I also have a personal surprise for you in Lamoni that you'll like, but you won't find out what it is until we get there." Gerald now made an impish grin before continuing. "Lamoni has much to offer a foreign monarch, my love. And, we shall certainly get to meet the Lamonian President while we are there. In fact, we could even give a speech to a special joint session of the Lamonian Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies, if you wish. I also happen to share your gut feeling, my love." Gerald's smile had gone from impish to a more honest smile, and his eyes were filled with love as he gazed upon his wife.

"A personal surprise really makes me think of so many things that it could be though I'd not want to make you a litany of guesses and I'm hopeful to see everything I can in Lamoni and perhaps check out some houses there. My dearest husband, I'm sure we will have a most pleasurable time in your homeland....and there is so much more of Anglia that you really need to see!"



(OOC: I have an idea for Sarah and Gregory, but I need to know how long that they've been 'dating,' first)

OOC: TG it to me. They've been dating for several months, I suppose.

"Thank you, Darling. I always said that I was going to dance at my son's wedding, so I took lessons." Gergory was fully in love with his Anglian lover. Once again, the thought of marriage to Sarah entered his mind, and it was appealing. He would have to ask his son about the prospect first; most likely when his son and his son's wife had returned from their Lamonian honeymoon. He had pulled a few strings in order to allow his son to surprise his new wife with a manor meant as a retreat for the two of them (OOC: Like the Red Rose Manor, but a different one; the Myakkans can keep the Red Rose Manor. I'll TG you the name of the manor and such.) that they could use whenever they had the opportunity. It was a wedding present from President Stinson himself.

Sarah began nuzzling her lover's neck playfully. "Gregory, I really think that you are a terrific dancer and believe me, I know from experience, that you are one especially at....."

She leaned into his ear and whispered softly. "At....horizontal line dancing." Sarah leaned back and was sure that her lover would get what she was saying. "My love, after this reception, we'll have some private fun together, alright? We should try to build our relationship even further, I say. I also think that I should visit Lamoni and I'd not mind living there, I suppose, if need be but I just want to be with you, my love. Whereever you are, I will be at your side."

Sarah then excused herself from the dance floor and smiled. "I think I am done for now, my love, so I'll rest at the table." She walked to a nearby table albeit she caught a glimpse of a hall leading to the washroom. Did she really want to fool around with Gregory now? Maybe. "Gregory! Go talk to your son. Congratulate him! Also, ask him if the Queen is free. I should give her my congratulations."

"I don't know how liking strategy games is a blunder!" Charlette said with a laugh.

OOC: When did Charlette join this conversation? *is confused*

"Don't think I'd threaten you, dear. I am very happy for you and Charlette and wish you all the best...but make sure you treat her well. Sometimes you may think you have it all but it can be taken from you in an instant and you are stumped as to how it was all lost."

Sarah smiled. "...I am sure that you will take good care of her since your father, my dear Greg, raised you. He's a good man and so are you."

"Thank you for the complement, Miss Aylmer. I will make sure that I take very good care of my wife, as she is the light of my life. I married her because I love her."

"College degrees? Well for the most part I was involved in anything that had to do with management and writing and I can't really remember the specifics off the top of my head at the moment but they are pretty much degrees in writing and management related things. When I became a secretary, I worked for various companies before your father took me under his wing."

"...And under him." Sarah thought to herself.

"I have three college degrees myself. One of them is in Cultural Anthropology. Do you know about that field of study, Miss Aylmer?"

"A personal surprise really makes me think of so many things that it could be though I'd not want to make you a litany of guesses and I'm hopeful to see everything I can in Lamoni and perhaps check out some houses there. My dearest husband, I'm sure we will have a most pleasurable time in your homeland....and there is so much more of Anglia that you really need to see!"

"I'm sure that we will both have a grand time exploring each other's country, my love. I'll tell you that this surprise comes from President Stinson, but you'll still have to guess what it might be. You'll find out when we get to Lamoni, as the location where the surprise is will be our first major stop."

OOC: TG it to me. They've been dating for several months, I suppose.

OOC: TG sent

Sarah began nuzzling her lover's neck playfully. "Gregory, I really think that you are a terrific dancer and believe me, I know from experience, that you are one especially at....."

She leaned into his ear and whispered softly. "At....horizontal line dancing." Sarah leaned back and was sure that her lover would get what she was saying. "My love, after this reception, we'll have some private fun together, alright? We should try to build our relationship even further, I say. I also think that I should visit Lamoni and I'd not mind living there, I suppose, if need be but I just want to be with you, my love. Wherever you are, I will be at your side."

Sarah then excused herself from the dance floor and smiled. "I think I am done for now, my love, so I'll rest at the table." She walked to a nearby table albeit she caught a glimpse of a hall leading to the washroom. Did she really want to fool around with Gregory now? Maybe. "Gregory! Go talk to your son. Congratulate him! Also, ask him if the Queen is free. I should give her my congratulations."

Guided by his years of ambassadorial duty, the only reaction that Gregory made to his lover's pronouncement at how good that he was a doing the 'dirty deed,' was an acknowledgment in his eyes that he knew what she meant. What he really wanted to do in the face of that remark would likely lead to something that would get the two of them arrested for indecent exposure, and embarrass his son to no end.

There was a little box in one of Gregory's pockets, and inside that was a ring. If Sarah knew about the ring (she didn't), then she would be equally likely to know what the ring's purpose was.

"I shall do that, my love." Gregory walked over to where his son and the Queen were talking at a table, and sat down until they noticed him.

OOC: When did Charlette join this conversation? *is confused*

OOC: Gerald told her earlier about the handlers, didn't he?


"Thank you for the complement, Miss Aylmer. I will make sure that I take very good care of my wife, as she is the light of my life. I married her because I love her."

"Remember that she is the light of your life and darkness shall never consume thee."

"I have three college degrees myself. One of them is in Cultural Anthropology. Do you know about that field of study, Miss Aylmer?"

"I've heard of it but never really looked into it much. What are your other degrees?"

"I'm sure that we will both have a grand time exploring each other's country, my love. I'll tell you that this surprise comes from President Stinson, but you'll still have to guess what it might be. You'll find out when we get to Lamoni, as the location where the surprise is will be our first major stop."

"Whatever it is, I'm sure the President has bequeathed me with a superb surprise that I will be greatly indebted to him for and I do wish to meet him during my visit to Lamoni. I really do wish to meet him."


Guided by his years of ambassadorial duty, the only reaction that Gregory made to his lover's pronouncement at how good that he was a doing the 'dirty deed,' was an acknowledgment in his eyes that he knew what she meant. What he really wanted to do in the face of that remark would likely lead to something that would get the two of them arrested for indecent exposure, and embarrass his son to no end.

Sarah could sense that Gregory knew what she meant and contemplated whether or not they should run off and be consumed by the passionate love they had for each other even if they could end up being discovered and their actitivies exposed to the masses including her lover's son and his wife. Sarah did not really want to do anything to embarass herself in front of the Queen or Gerald even if a part of her begged her to drag Gregory away and smother him with kisses and so on.

There was a little box in one of Gregory's pockets, and inside that was a ring. If Sarah knew about the ring (she didn't), then she would be equally likely to know what the ring's purpose was.

"I shall do that, my love." Gregory walked over to where his son and the Queen were talking at a table, and sat down until they noticed him.

As Sarah followed Gregory, Charlotte nudged Gerald and pointed to Gregory. "I think that your father wishes to talk to us, Gerald." Charlotte smiled as she greeted Gregory. "It's nice to meet you again, Mr. Smythe....my father in law!"

OOC: Ummmmm no... so far as I know, he has only told that to Sarah so far, but I could be wrong.

"Remember that she is the light of your life and darkness shall never consume thee."

"I will make sure to remember that."

"I've heard of it but never really looked into it much. What are your other degrees?"

"One of them is in business, and the last one is in Literature, if I remember correctly."

"Whatever it is, I'm sure the President has bequeathed me with a superb surprise that I will be greatly indebted to him for and I do wish to meet him during my visit to Lamoni. I really do wish to meet him."

Knowing what the present was, he was bound not to tell his wife what it was until they had reached it in Lamoni. "I think that you will surely like his gift to us, my dear; and that we will likely find occasion to visit Lamoni many times over the years, my love. As for visiting President Stinson, that will be a given when we are in Lamoni."

Sarah could sense that Gregory knew what she meant and contemplated whether or not they should run off and be consumed by the passionate love they had for each other even if they could end up being discovered and their activities exposed to the masses including her lover's son and his wife. Sarah did not really want to do anything to embarrass herself in front of the Queen or Gerald even if a part of her begged her to drag Gregory away and smother him with kisses and so on.

Before Gregory could do or say anything in response to that, he saw his son and his son's wife walking over towards them, and he beckoned them to come over and have a seat with them.

As Sarah followed Gregory, Charlotte nudged Gerald and pointed to Gregory. "I think that your father wishes to talk to us, Gerald." Charlotte smiled as she greeted Gregory. "It's nice to meet you again, Mr. Smythe....my father in law!"

"Your Majesties." There was a smile in Gregory's eyes and on his lips as well when he saw his now married son. This was the first real chance that he had had to speak to his son since the wedding, and he was going to enjoy it. "How does it feel to be married?"

"I will make sure to remember that."

"Good."


"One of them is in business, and the last one is in Literature, if I remember correctly."

"Ever needed to use one of those?"

Knowing what the present was, he was bound not to tell his wife what it was until they had reached it in Lamoni. "I think that you will surely like his gift to us, my dear; and that we will likely find occasion to visit Lamoni many times over the years, my love. As for visiting President Stinson, that will be a given when we are in Lamoni."

"That's all good to me. I'm quite eager to visit Lamoni and I hope that we will have a great time there and I do hope Stinson will be able to meet us though I understand if he would be occupied with his work."

"Your Majesties." There was a smile in Gregory's eyes and on his lips as well when he saw his now married son. This was the first real chance that he had had to speak to his son since the wedding, and he was going to enjoy it. "How does it feel to be married?"

"I am very glad to be married to the love of my life. If I was not, I don't think I'd have even accepted his marriage proposal. I'm just happy to know that Gerald chose me and that our love has proven to be strong so far."

"Ever needed to use one of those?"

"I used my business degree to obtain employment for myself that payed for the other two degrees. When my father saw that I had obtained three degrees, he brought me with him, as he was becoming the ambassador to Anglia, and he needed someone that he could trust implicitly in the embassy staff. I wasn't sure about leaving all that I knew behind in Lamoni, but now I realize that I made the right choice. My wife would seem to think so."

"That's all good to me. I'm quite eager to visit Lamoni and I hope that we will have a great time there and I do hope Stinson will be able to meet us though I understand if he would be occupied with his work."

"My father once told me that he would be delighted to meet you, my love. I'm sure that the President hasn't changed his mind on that. Like I said earlier, I would enjoy taking you sight-seeing in Lamoni, my love."

"I am very glad to be married to the love of my life. If I was not, I don't think I'd have even accepted his marriage proposal. I'm just happy to know that Gerald chose me and that our love has proven to be strong so far."

"Gerald hasn't ruined the President's surprise gift yet, has he?"

---

Later that night, Charlette led Gerald to the Royal Bedchambers. They were both acting like they were 15 again, like teenage lovers. They shut the door behind them, and exhausted their passions. Following his wife's wishes, Gerald was wearing protection; but the sounds of their passion were flowing out the locked door.

Their journey to Lamoni for their honeymoon would start in the morning.

"I used my business degree to obtain employment for myself that payed for the other two degrees. When my father saw that I had obtained three degrees, he brought me with him, as he was becoming the ambassador to Anglia, and he needed someone that he could trust implicitly in the embassy staff. I wasn't sure about leaving all that I knew behind in Lamoni, but now I realize that I made the right choice. My wife would seem to think so."

"I am sure you wouldn't have expected to see that you would marry the Queen of Anglia since I doubt that really came into your mind at all but I see that you are very glad that it did."

"My father once told me that he would be delighted to meet you, my love. I'm sure that the President hasn't changed his mind on that. Like I said earlier, I would enjoy taking you sight-seeing in Lamoni, my love."

"I have meet your father before, don't you remember? I'm sure that I'd love a sight-seeing tour....as I have said, I am quite eager to see your nation up close and personal."

"Gerald hasn't ruined the President's surprise gift yet, has he?"

"He has only told me about it." Charlette said with a smile. "I am sure he would never dare to spoil it for me."

---

Later that night, Charlette led Gerald to the Royal Bedchambers. They were both acting like they were 15 again, like teenage lovers. They shut the door behind them, and exhausted their passions. Following his wife's wishes, Gerald was wearing protection; but the sounds of their passion were flowing out the locked door.

Their journey to Lamoni for their honeymoon would start in the morning.


Once all was said and done, Charlette felt like reflecting upon the wonderful pleasure she had just experienced with the love of her life. She had been a virgin since birth but had sacrificed her virginity on the marital altar and she drank from the cup of carnal nectar but had no regrets. Why should she regret sleeping with him? She loved him and she loved what she had just done. She simply complimented her husband on how skilled he was at carnal work and then snuggled up with him, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep slumber. Tomorrow, she knew, was a very important day and she wanted to be up and alert for it.

OOC: You can post them rising in the morning, Lamoni.

"I am sure you wouldn't have expected to see that you would marry the Queen of Anglia since I doubt that really came into your mind at all but I see that you are very glad that it did."

"In many ways, I think that it was the two of us... my wife and myself who were the most surprised when we not only fell in love, but married. Not that either one of us regrets our marriage, of course. There have been mentions in the Lamonian press about a "Romeo and Juliet" style relationship."

"I have meet your father before, don't you remember? I'm sure that I'd love a sight-seeing tour....as I have said, I am quite eager to see your nation up close and personal."

"I'm sorry, my love; I was imprecise. What I meant to say was that my father once told me that President Stinson would be delighted to meet you. Don't worry, my love. You'll be able to see plenty of Lamoni up close and personal."

"He has only told me about it." Charlette said with a smile. "I am sure he would never dare to spoil it for me."

"No, I wouldn't spoil such a surprise. Besides, I want to see the look on my wife's face when she sees the surprise."

---

Once all was said and done, Charlette felt like reflecting upon the wonderful pleasure she had just experienced with the love of her life. She had been a virgin since birth but had sacrificed her virginity on the marital altar and she drank from the cup of carnal nectar but had no regrets. Why should she regret sleeping with him? She loved him and she loved what she had just done. She simply complimented her husband on how skilled he was at carnal work and then snuggled up with him, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep slumber. Tomorrow, she knew, was a very important day and she wanted to be up and alert for it.

When it was over, Gerald was laying back in bed, and smiling the smile of someone who had just made passionate love to his wife. Until now, he had not known what it felt like to be this level of intimate with the one that you loved. When Charlette complemented him on how he had performed, he kissed his wife on her forehead as she snuggled up to him and fell asleep.

Gerald protectively stroked his wife's hair for about a minute afterwards, and then fell asleep. Like he had said earlier, he couldn't wait to see his wife's expression when she saw what the surprise was. He was certain that she would love it. With that thought, Gerald fell asleep.

---

The next morning, both of them woke up early. If they weren't scheduled to head to Lamoni, then they would likely do it again right then; but they settled for making out.

Finally, they both got dressed, packed, and were taken to Maywood Royal Airfield for their flight to Lamoni. Their flight had been pleasant, and they arrived at Government AFB in Lamoni in the afternoon, to much fanfare.

The Lamonian Army band started playing the Anglian national anthem when Gerald and Charlette walked down the ceremonial air stairs, and security was understandably tight... a brigade of Lamonian special forces troops ringing the place; not letting a single unauthorized person enter the base. When the introductions with President Stinson and company were completed (OOC: i'll cut this meeting with President Stinson short, as there will likely be a longer meeting later); Gerald and Charlette were escorted to a waiting limo by President Stinson, who watched them... fondly remembering how he had felt just after he had married Adelaide. He wished these two the best.

As for Gerald and Charlette, the trip to their first major stop in Lamoni (aka, the surprise) was going well. Gerald was pointing out little places that he remembered from his past (OOC: more on those later), and he really was enjoying the experience of playing tour guide for his wife.

When they were almost to the surprise, Gerald asked his wife to close her eyes. That done, the limo drove up the driveway, and stopped near the doors. Gerald helped his wife out of the limo after making sure that her eyes were still closed; and then he told Charlette to open her eyes. When she did, she would be able to see an English style manor, with the all around gardens of a French Chateau.

"In many ways, I think that it was the two of us... my wife and myself who were the most surprised when we not only fell in love, but married. Not that either one of us regrets our marriage, of course. There have been mentions in the Lamonian press about a "Romeo and Juliet" style relationship."

"I just hope that you two don't end up killing yourselves." Sarah giggled. "I'm sure you do know how the legendary Bard of Avon ended that play of his."

"I'm sorry, my love; I was imprecise. What I meant to say was that my father once told me that President Stinson would be delighted to meet you. Don't worry, my love. You'll be able to see plenty of Lamoni up close and personal."

"I'm glad to hear all of that. I look forward to meeting Stinson with passionate trepidation."

"No, I wouldn't spoil such a surprise. Besides, I want to see the look on my wife's face when she sees the surprise."

"Good. Hopefully you remember that."



The Lamonian Army band started playing the Anglian national anthem when Gerald and Charlette walked down the ceremonial air stairs, and security was understandably tight... a brigade of Lamonian special forces troops ringing the place; not letting a single unauthorized person enter the base. When the introductions with President Stinson and company were completed (OOC: i'll cut this meeting with President Stinson short, as there will likely be a longer meeting later); Gerald and Charlette were escorted to a waiting limo by President Stinson, who watched them... fondly remembering how he had felt just after he had married Adelaide. He wished these two the best.

Charlette had been pleased with the reception she and Gerald recieved upon walking her first steps on Lamonian soil and was really happy to have met briefly with President Stinson. He looked like a goodhearted man in her eyes and she was quite fond of him. As they got into the limosuine, Charlette sat quite close to Gerald and smiled. "I'm so excited, my love...so very excited!"

As for Gerald and Charlette, the trip to their first major stop in Lamoni (aka, the surprise) was going well. Gerald was pointing out little places that he remembered from his past (OOC: more on those later), and he really was enjoying the experience of playing tour guide for his wife.

Charlette listened attentively to every word that came out of Gerald's mouth and found all the little tidbits of information to be valuable and important to know about. She just hoped that she would learn a lot more.

When they were almost to the surprise, Gerald asked his wife to close her eyes. That done, the limo drove up the driveway, and stopped near the doors. Gerald helped his wife out of the limo after making sure that her eyes were still closed; and then he told Charlette to open her eyes. When she did, she would be able to see an English style manor, with the all around gardens of a French Chateau.

Charlette closed her eyes after immediately guessing that her surprise would be revealed and she would keep them closed until she was given permission to open them. When she did open them, she was ecstatic and began smothering Gerald with tight embraces and quick kisses although she did know that it was just a typical manor but it was the thought that counted in her mind. "Gerald, this is wonderful! Let's go get a look around! This place looks great!"

"I just hope that you two don't end up killing yourselves." Sarah giggled. "I'm sure you do know how the legendary Bard of Avon ended that play of his."

"I seriously doubt that it will come to that, Sarah. After all, Charlette and I have survived longer than the Bard's lovers did, right?"

"I'm glad to hear all of that. I look forward to meeting Stinson with passionate trepidation."

"Just be on your best behavior, and everything will be fine, my love."

"Good. Hopefully you remember that."

"I'll remember that, my love."

Charlette had been pleased with the reception she and Gerald received upon walking her first steps on Lamonian soil and was really happy to have met briefly with President Stinson. He looked like a goodhearted man in her eyes and she was quite fond of him. As they got into the limosuine, Charlette sat quite close to Gerald and smiled. "I'm so excited, my love...so very excited!"

"Now you know how I felt when you were giving me tours of Anglia, my love. Although... we are married now." Gerald passionately kissed his wife there in full view of the public. If someone didn't like it, they could go hang.

Charlette listened attentively to every word that came out of Gerald's mouth and found all the little tidbits of information to be valuable and important to know about. She just hoped that she would learn a lot more.

Gerald could see that his wife was very interested in what he was saying, and he told her what he knew about various places along the way. There was an elementary school that he had studied at, as well several other such places that he had been to. They passed to within a kilometer of the Presidential Palace, which Gerald pointed out to Charlette.

"That is the Presidential Palace. As the name suggests, President Stinson lives and works there. That is also where we shall go to meet him tomorrow. For today, though, I think that you will enjoy the surprise when we get to where it is."

Charlette closed her eyes after immediately guessing that her surprise would be revealed and she would keep them closed until she was given permission to open them. When she did open them, she was ecstatic and began smothering Gerald with tight embraces and quick kisses although she did know that it was just a typical manor but it was the thought that counted in her mind. "Gerald, this is wonderful! Let's go get a look around! This place looks great!"

Gerald was quite pleased by his wife's enthusiastic response. "Lead on, my love." Gerald followed Charlette as they explored the manor and it's gardens. Charlette was running all over the place, and Gerald kept up as best he could. He'd known what the surprise had been, but this was his first time here as well. It looked to Gerald like the President had chosen very well indeed.

"I seriously doubt that it will come to that, Sarah. After all, Charlette and I have survived longer than the Bard's lovers did, right?"

"Aye, thou hast survived more longer than the star crossed lovers of Verona!"

"Just be on your best behavior, and everything will be fine, my love."

"I doubt that years of indoctrination into the rites of royal etiquette will fail me!"


"Now you know how I felt when you were giving me tours of Anglia, my love. Although... we are married now." Gerald passionately kissed his wife there in full view of the public. If someone didn't like it, they could go hang.

"I love it when you do that.....it's one of the best rituals of marriage in my opinion."

Gerald could see that his wife was very interested in what he was saying, and he told her what he knew about various places along the way. There was an elementary school that he had studied at, as well several other such places that he had been to. They passed to within a kilometer of the Presidential Palace, which Gerald pointed out to Charlette.

"Do you think it will be possible to visit that elementary school? I am sure the schools in which you attended would be honored to have you visit now."

"That is the Presidential Palace. As the name suggests, President Stinson lives and works there. That is also where we shall go to meet him tomorrow. For today, though, I think that you will enjoy the surprise when we get to where it is."

"I look forward to seeing the surprise you have in store of me."

Gerald was quite pleased by his wife's enthusiastic response. "Lead on, my love." Gerald followed Charlette as they explored the manor and it's gardens. Charlette was running all over the place, and Gerald kept up as best he could. He'd known what the surprise had been, but this was his first time here as well. It looked to Gerald like the President had chosen very well indeed.

Charlette ran throughout the halls and corridors of the manor with a smile fixed on her face while she would look, at times, to see if Gerald was able to keep up with her. She was really pleased with this surprise and was hoping to explore every inch of the manor. "This is a great place for us to stay! I must thank Mr. Stinson when we meet him! Come on, Gerald! Come on!"

"Aye, thou hast survived more longer than the star crossed lovers of Verona!"

"We also plan on staying alive for much longer than they have. Who knows what they could have done if they had been able to live longer than they had?"

"I doubt that years of indoctrination into the rites of royal etiquette will fail me!"

"I doubt that it will fail you at all, my love."

"I love it when you do that.....it's one of the best rituals of marriage in my opinion."

"I love doing it with you, my love. You are the only person that i've ever wanted to do it with so strongly."

"Do you think it will be possible to visit that elementary school? I am sure the schools in which you attended would be honored to have you visit now."

"Certainly. I think that a call to the school's principal sometime today would work for prior notice. I think that they would very much enjoy parading the both us around to the children, as a symbol of what you might become if you study hard and get good grades. Of course, it would be a pleasure to do so."

"I look forward to seeing the surprise you have in store of me."

"We are not far from there, my love. As you can see, we are now approaching the edge of the Nephi suburbs; and the forests begin soon. We are just about 20 kilometers from the surprise now. I promise that you will enjoy it, my love."

Charlette ran throughout the halls and corridors of the manor with a smile fixed on her face while she would look, at times, to see if Gerald was able to keep up with her. She was really pleased with this surprise and was hoping to explore every inch of the manor. "This is a great place for us to stay! I must thank Mr. Stinson when we meet him! Come on, Gerald! Come on!"

Grinning at his wife's excitement, Gerald did his best to keep up with her. He spotted a map/diagram on the wall, and studied it for a second. "If you go to the first door on your left, there is an indoor pool, as well as a hot tub, according to this."

"We also plan on staying alive for much longer than they have. Who knows what they could have done if they had been able to live longer than they had?"

"The Bard of Avon could have toyed with the idea of keeping them alive but he was hoping for a tragedy and not something ironic....but it does not make an impact on the fame or greatness of the play itself."

"I doubt that it will fail you at all, my love."

"Excellent."

"I love doing it with you, my love. You are the only person that i've ever wanted to do it with so strongly."

"Likewise. I just hope that I will be the only person you do it with!"

"Certainly. I think that a call to the school's principal sometime today would work for prior notice. I think that they would very much enjoy parading the both us around to the children, as a symbol of what you might become if you study hard and get good grades. Of course, it would be a pleasure to do so."

"That all sounds great to me. I would love to meet the students and tell them that they should strive to do great things by studying hard. Studying may be tedious but it leads to success."

"We are not far from there, my love. As you can see, we are now approaching the edge of the Nephi suburbs; and the forests begin soon. We are just about 20 kilometers from the surprise now. I promise that you will enjoy it, my love."

"I am sure I will enjoy it....but I shall enjoy very much with you at my side."

Grinning at his wife's excitement, Gerald did his best to keep up with her. He spotted a map/diagram on the wall, and studied it for a second. "If you go to the first door on your left, there is an indoor pool, as well as a hot tub, according to this."

"I'd like to try out the hot tub. Luckily I brought my swimsuit and I do hope you can get one. Nothing would be better than soaking up the suds with you in a hot tub." Charlette said with a smile. "I am sure that you have plans for us tonight, don't you?"

"The Bard of Avon could have toyed with the idea of keeping them alive but he was hoping for a tragedy and not something ironic....but it does not make an impact on the fame or greatness of the play itself."

"It is indeed true that the Bard of Avon was hoping for a tragedy, but one does tend to wonder how things might have been different."

"Likewise. I just hope that I will be the only person you do it with!"

"Till death do us part, my love."

"That all sounds great to me. I would love to meet the students and tell them that they should strive to do great things by studying hard. Studying may be tedious but it leads to success."

"I shall arrange it, then. I'm sure that being back in my old school will bring back the memories of a school child. Were you privately tutored, or did you attend a public or private school, my love?"

"I am sure I will enjoy it....but I shall enjoy very much with you at my side."

"You are the light of my life, my love. I am sure that we will both enjoy much together during our lives." Gerald kissed his wife again. He would never grow tired of doing that, he knew.

"I'd like to try out the hot tub. Luckily I brought my swimsuit and I do hope you can get one. Nothing would be better than soaking up the suds with you in a hot tub." Charlette said with a smile. "I am sure that you have plans for us tonight, don't you?"

"I bought a swimsuit in Anglia the day before our wedding, my love. It's in my luggage. I can go get it, if you want." Gerald was teasing his wife with that comment; he knew that she would love to see him in the aforementioned swimsuit.

"I also have made plans for us tonight. We shall be attending the Nephi State Opera. They will be performing Chopin. I thought that you might enjoy catching an opera together."

It is indeed true that the Bard of Avon was hoping for a tragedy, but one does tend to wonder how things might have been different."

"I am sure many people have made alternate versions of the Bard's stories."

"Till death do us part, my love."

Charlette smiled. "May our love be strong by then."

"I shall arrange it, then. I'm sure that being back in my old school will bring back the memories of a school child. Were you privately tutored, or did you attend a public or private school, my love?"

"During my childhood, I was privately tutored by various people at first but then enrolled into a private school where I developed good and lasting friendships with other students. I can vividly recall my days as a schoolgirl and as a member of the female equivalent of the Scouts. I had plenty of badges and I still have them around so I can show you them along with my old uniform."

"You are the light of my life, my love. I am sure that we will both enjoy much together during our lives." Gerald kissed his wife again. He would never grow tired of doing that, he knew.

Charlette gave him a kiss of her own and smiled; knowing she'd never tire of giving and recieving kisses. "Thou art the love of my life, milord, and I shall endeavor never to lose thy love nor cease to reciprocate tender thoughts to thee."


"I bought a swimsuit in Anglia the day before our wedding, my love. It's in my luggage. I can go get it, if you want." Gerald was teasing his wife with that comment; he knew that she would love to see him in the aforementioned swimsuit.

"I would not mind getting into the hot tub now, my love, unless you want to do some other things first. I do think you would have some ideas, no?"

"I also have made plans for us tonight. We shall be attending the Nephi State Opera. They will be performing Chopin. I thought that you might enjoy catching an opera together."

"It would be a pleasure to attend the Nephi State Opera. I do remember that I've been to operas in Anglia numerous times and I look forward to seeing the merits of the Lamonian style."

Das bump!

"I am sure many people have made alternate versions of the Bard's stories."

"I shall have to look for such alternate versions, then."

Charlette smiled. "May our love be strong by then."

"The two of us will make it strong, my love."

"During my childhood, I was privately tutored by various people at first but then enrolled into a private school where I developed good and lasting friendships with other students. I can vividly recall my days as a schoolgirl and as a member of the female equivalent of the Scouts. I had plenty of badges and I still have them around so I can show you them along with my old uniform."

"I would enjoy seeing that, my love."

Charlette gave him a kiss of her own and smiled; knowing she'd never tire of giving and receiving kisses. "Thou art the love of my life, milord, and I shall endeavor never to lose thy love nor cease to reciprocate tender thoughts to thee."

"You art the love of my life, my love. I would never leave thee."

"I would not mind getting into the hot tub now, my love, unless you want to do some other things first. I do think you would have some ideas, no?"

"My swimsuit is in our bed chambers with my luggage. Are you thinking what I am thinking?"

"It would be a pleasure to attend the Nephi State Opera. I do remember that I've been to operas in Anglia numerous times and I look forward to seeing the merits of the Lamonian style."

"We have some hours before that, so let's enjoy our new manor first, my love."

"I shall have to look for such alternate versions, then."

"I am sure you'd find them in libraries and bookstores all across Anglia and possibly even your homeland of Lamoni. Everyone, when they see a good story, thinks about what could have been in the lives of the story's characters."


"The two of us will make it strong, my love."

"Two is better than one, as they say, so hopefully we will be able to live together for many years with our love strong and fully intact. I could not bear to see us separate nor could I want you to leave me. I love you, Gerald, and I would never want to hurt you."

Charlette kissed him lightly on the lips and smiled. "We shall not let our love waver, my husband, and I shall not allow it to. If anything happens, we will work it out!"

"I would enjoy seeing that, my love."

"I also have the uniform that I wore when I was in the Scouts with all of my badges as well as some photographs; all of this and more can be seen by your eyes back in the Marble Palace."

"You art the love of my life, my love. I would never leave thee."

"Let us hope it stays that way until we both are lifeless corpses rotting away underground. I pray that I shall die the devoted and loving wife of Gerald Smythe."

"My swimsuit is in our bed chambers with my luggage. Are you thinking what I am thinking?"

Charlette smiled. "I was hoping for a mere bit of time in the hot tub with you....I'm not thinking what you are thinking, my love, because I'm not really interested in doing stuff in the bed right now."

"We have some hours before that, so let's enjoy our new manor first, my love."

"What do you think I have been doing?!"

Charlette giggled before she took hold of Gerald and dragged him around the manor as if she were an eager child running to the Christmas tree to open the presents brought from a fat man in a jolly red suit. They went through every inch of the manor until they finally stopped to relax; Charlette was still attached to Gerald and she smiled at him with a smile that suggested she was very happy with the manor.

"I love this manor, Gerald, and I am thankful for being able to stay here whilst I am in Lamoni with you."

"I am sure you'd find them in libraries and bookstores all across Anglia and possibly even your homeland of Lamoni. Everyone, when they see a good story, thinks about what could have been in the lives of the story's characters."

"I'm sure that i'll be able to find something. I suspect that my wife and I will be very busy while in Lamoni, however."

"Two is better than one, as they say, so hopefully we will be able to live together for many years with our love strong and fully intact. I could not bear to see us separate nor could I want you to leave me. I love you, Gerald, and I would never want to hurt you."

Charlette kissed him lightly on the lips and smiled. "We shall not let our love waver, my husband, and I shall not allow it to. If anything happens, we will work it out!"

"I'm sure that we will spend many years with each other in celebration of our love for each other. I love you, Charlette, and I would never want to hurt you, either. It is very good to know that we will work out any problems that we might face, my love."

"I also have the uniform that I wore when I was in the Scouts with all of my badges as well as some photographs; all of this and more can be seen by your eyes back in the Marble Palace."

"I shall have something more than a homecoming with my wife to look forward to when we return, my love."

"Let us hope it stays that way until we both are lifeless corpses rotting away underground. I pray that I shall die the devoted and loving wife of Gerald Smythe."

"And I will die a devoted and loving husband of Charlette, Queen of Anglia."

Charlette smiled. "I was hoping for a mere bit of time in the hot tub with you....I'm not thinking what you are thinking, my love, because I'm not really interested in doing stuff in the bed right now."

"Then I shall go change into my swimsuit, my love." A couple of minutes later, Gerald came back to the hot tub wearing his swimsuit. He figured that Charlette's reaction would be favorable, but he would wait to see what her reaction was.

"What do you think I have been doing?!"

Charlette giggled before she took hold of Gerald and dragged him around the manor as if she were an eager child running to the Christmas tree to open the presents brought from a fat man in a jolly red suit. They went through every inch of the manor until they finally stopped to relax; Charlette was still attached to Gerald and she smiled at him with a smile that suggested she was very happy with the manor.

"I love this manor, Gerald, and I am thankful for being able to stay here whilst I am in Lamoni with you."

Gerald had to admit that his wife's spirit of discovery was infectious. He was grinning just as broadly as his wife was while they explored the rest of the manor.

"President Stinson felt that it was the least that he could do. Would you like to explore the gardens next, or the hot tub?" Before she could answer, Gerald kissed his wife.

I'm sure that i'll be able to find something. I suspect that my wife and I will be very busy while in Lamoni, however."

"Of course...you want to show her around your homeland and get some action too...." Sarah said with a wink.

"I'm sure that we will spend many years with each other in celebration of our love for each other. I love you, Charlette, and I would never want to hurt you, either. It is very good to know that we will work out any problems that we might face, my love."

Charlette smiled. "My sincerest hope is that all of those words come to pass without any delay and that I can die knowing that our love has endured any and all challenges put up against it throughout the course of our lives."

"I shall have something more than a homecoming with my wife to look forward to when we return, my love."

Charlette laughed. "Your wife? You are talking to your wife! Gerald, you should watch your grammar more!"

"And I will die a devoted and loving husband of Charlette, Queen of Anglia."

"That is all I would ever demand of thee."

"Then I shall go change into my swimsuit, my love." A couple of minutes later, Gerald came back to the hot tub wearing his swimsuit. He figured that Charlette's reaction would be favorable, but he would wait to see what her reaction was.

OOC: You mentioned we would use fluid time here on MSN.....

Dressed in a common one piece swimsuit which complimented Her Majesty's slender hourglass frame, Charlette got into the hot tub and moaned a little in delight as she felt the water for the first time. With a smile, she looked at Gerald briefly before she sat next to him and splashed around a little. The water felt just right. "This really feels nice, Gerald, and I must say that I can expect myself being in this hot tub for many more nights."

Charlette noticed that there was some bottles of champagne and possibly other assorted drinks and with a smile she pointed to them and took hold of a glass. "Why don't you pour us some champagne or something, Gerry?"

Gerald had to admit that his wife's spirit of discovery was infectious. He was grinning just as broadly as his wife was while they explored the rest of the manor.

"President Stinson felt that it was the least that he could do. Would you like to explore the gardens next, or the hot tub?" Before she could answer, Gerald kissed his wife.

"I'd like to see the gardens next and then the hot tub."

"Of course...you want to show her around your homeland and get some action too...." Sarah said with a wink.

"It is our honeymoon after all. Isn't that supposed to be part of what one DOES on one's honeymoon?"

Charlette smiled. "My sincerest hope is that all of those words come to pass without any delay and that I can die knowing that our love has endured any and all challenges put up against it throughout the course of our lives."

"Until then, we shall just have to take it one day at a time, one kiss at a time, my love." Gerald leaned in to kiss his wife again.

Charlette laughed. "Your wife? You are talking to your wife! Gerald, you should watch your grammar more!"

"I'm sorry, my love. This just happens to me when i'm excited about something."

"That is all I would ever demand of thee."

"And you will get it, my love."

Dressed in a common one piece swimsuit which complimented Her Majesty's slender hourglass frame, Charlette got into the hot tub and moaned a little in delight as she felt the water for the first time. With a smile, she looked at Gerald briefly before she sat next to him and splashed around a little. The water felt just right. "This really feels nice, Gerald, and I must say that I can expect myself being in this hot tub for many more nights."

Charlette noticed that there was some bottles of champagne and possibly other assorted drinks and with a smile she pointed to them and took hold of a glass. "Why don't you pour us some champagne or something, Gerry?"

Gerald was enjoying the water temperature; but he was enjoying his wife's presence even more. He liked the swimsuit that it was wearing. It had obviously been made to complement her figure, and it was doing so quite nicely. "The entire place is ours, my love. We could come here anytime that we want to. And i'm quite sure that we will be seeing much more of Galt Manor."

Gerald grabbed the bottle of Champagne, and opened it before reaching for a glass of his own. He poured them both drinks, and made a toast. "To us, my love. Two lost souls who have found happiness in each other."

"I'd like to see the gardens next and then the hot tub."

"To the gardens, then." Gerald led the way to the gardens, stopping near a fountain in order to let his wife pick which way that they should go. With five acres of gardens, there would be a lot to explore. In the meantime, the Lamonian security personnel were conducting their patrols in order to ensure the safety of both Gerald and Charlette. They would remain the protectors of Galt Manor until the happy couple decided on more permanent security arrangements.

"It is our honeymoon after all. Isn't that supposed to be part of what one DOES on one's honeymoon?"

"....Of course, Your Majesty, but I am sure you are not the only one who has desired to do such things with our dread sovereign lady; and I am sure you count yourself very lucky to have come into her favor."

"Until then, we shall just have to take it one day at a time, one kiss at a time, my love." Gerald leaned in to kiss his wife again.

"You must be addicted to kissing me....but never try to get into rehab, ok?" Charlette said with a smile. "Some addictions are actually good to keep going."

"I'm sorry, my love. This just happens to me when i'm excited about something."

"No problem, Gerald, no problem at all!"


Gerald was enjoying the water temperature; but he was enjoying his wife's presence even more. He liked the swimsuit that it was wearing. It had obviously been made to complement her figure, and it was doing so quite nicely. "The entire place is ours, my love. We could come here anytime that we want to. And i'm quite sure that we will be seeing much more of Galt Manor."

OOC: It was wearing? Charlette's an object? ;)

"I'm really glad that this place is ours, Gerald, because I've grown quite attached to it and it really looks like somewhere I can spend much time at whenever I am in Lamoni although it really is just an everyday typical manor in my eyes. I'm sure we'll see more of it as the days pass and I'm sure we'll see a lot more of Lamoni too."

Gerald grabbed the bottle of Champagne, and opened it before reaching for a glass of his own. He poured them both drinks, and made a toast. "To us, my love. Two lost souls who have found happiness in each other."

Charlette toasted happily with Gerald and then drank some of the champagne with a smile upon her face. She would eventually refill her glass but stop after a while so she would not get drunk. That would be unbecoming of a Queen. "Let's not drink too much, Gerald....we'd not want to get drunk tonight."

"To the gardens, then." Gerald led the way to the gardens, stopping near a fountain in order to let his wife pick which way that they should go. With five acres of gardens, there would be a lot to explore. In the meantime, the Lamonian security personnel were conducting their patrols in order to ensure the safety of both Gerald and Charlette. They would remain the protectors of Galt Manor until the happy couple decided on more permanent security arrangements.

"These gardens are exquisite, my love, and well kept as they should be. I must commend the gardener or team of gardeners for his/her/their work in keeping the gardens well maintained!"

"....Of course, Your Majesty, but I am sure you are not the only one who has desired to do such things with our dread sovereign lady; and I am sure you count yourself very lucky to have come into her favor."

"I may not be the only one who would want to do that, but I did earn her favor and love. She has mine in return. I am indeed very fortunate that she not only came into my life, but chose me to be with her."

"You must be addicted to kissing me....but never try to get into rehab, ok?" Charlette said with a smile. "Some addictions are actually good to keep going."

Gerald smiled. "Yes, I am addicted to kissing you, my love. I'll never need rehab for this addiction, however. Would you like another one?" Gerald winked.

"No problem, Gerald, no problem at all!"

"Thank you, my love. Shall we continue with our explorations now?"

OOC: It was wearing? Charlette's an object?

"I'm really glad that this place is ours, Gerald, because I've grown quite attached to it and it really looks like somewhere I can spend much time at whenever I am in Lamoni although it really is just an everyday typical manor in my eyes. I'm sure we'll see more of it as the days pass and I'm sure we'll see a lot more of Lamoni too."

OOC: *facepalm*

IC: "I must say that i've grown attached to it as well, my love. Though, not nearly as attached as I am to you. You are my home, and i'll be happy wherever you are. We shall be seeing much of the rest of Lamoni as well, my love. After all, I still owe you for taking me around parts of Anglia."

Charlette toasted happily with Gerald and then drank some of the champagne with a smile upon her face. She would eventually refill her glass but stop after a while so she would not get drunk. That would be unbecoming of a Queen. "Let's not drink too much, Gerald....we'd not want to get drunk tonight."

"Yeah, we would miss the opera that way, and I hear that Bartolmeo Pegachini is in charge of this one. He's one of the ten best in Lamonian Opera."

"These gardens are exquisite, my love, and well kept as they should be. I must commend the gardener or team of gardeners for his/her/their work in keeping the gardens well maintained!"

"From what i've heard, there is a team of gardeners, but they were told to take the day off so that we could have some time alone together."

"I may not be the only one who would want to do that, but I did earn her favor and love. She has mine in return. I am indeed very fortunate that she not only came into my life, but chose me to be with her."

"Indeed. She could have chosen any man to be with her but Fortune was kind enough to make her choose you, Your Majesty, and you should be thankful for the rest of your life."

Gerald smiled. "Yes, I am addicted to kissing you, my love. I'll never need rehab for this addiction, however. Would you like another one?" Gerald winked.

"We should save some kisses for later, my love. Let's talk with people first."

"Thank you, my love. Shall we continue with our explorations now?"

"In a while, we can."

IC: "I must say that i've grown attached to it as well, my love. Though, not nearly as attached as I am to you. You are my home, and i'll be happy wherever you are. We shall be seeing much of the rest of Lamoni as well, my love. After all, I still owe you for taking me around parts of Anglia."

"That was an interesting metaphorical praise that you gave me, my love, and I am sure that we will see all we can of both Lamoni and Anglia. All I want in my life is to live well and live with you."

"Yeah, we would miss the opera that way, and I hear that Bartolmeo Pegachini is in charge of this one. He's one of the ten best in Lamonian Opera."

"How long has Pegachini led operas in Lamoni? Tell me more about him."


"From what i've heard, there is a team of gardeners, but they were told to take the day off so that we could have some time alone together."

"I would like to meet them one day and commend them for their work!"

"Indeed. She could have chosen any man to be with her but Fortune was kind enough to make her choose you, Your Majesty, and you should be thankful for the rest of your life."

"Trust me, I shall be very thankful indeed. I never expected her to fall in love with me, much less marry me, as i've surely already said. Just as my father seems very lucky to have caught your eye, Miss Aylmer."

"We should save some kisses for later, my love. Let's talk with people first."

"Is there anyone that you would like to talk to first, my love?"

"That was an interesting metaphorical praise that you gave me, my love, and I am sure that we will see all we can of both Lamoni and Anglia. All I want in my life is to live well and live with you."

"It is not only metaphorical, but it is also true, my love. You hold the key to my heart, and so my home is where you are. You are where I will find the greatest happiness in my life, my love. All I want in my life is to live a good life, and to live with you."

"How long has Pegachini led operas in Lamoni? Tell me more about him."

Pegachini has been leading operas in Lamoni for twenty years. He is famous for having his operas be in the style of 18th century Europe, which has inspired a trend known as Neo-classical. The opera that we shall see tonight will be focused on the life of the composer Frédéric Chopin.

Pegachini is now 45 years old, with black hair, green eyes, and he appears to be in decent physical shape. He is married to the lead singer of one of his earlier operas, and they have two children. His wife has appeared in many of his operas since. I guess that it is a way that they can spend more time together.

What is opera like in Anglia, my love?"

"I would like to meet them one day and commend them for their work!"

"We should get the opportunity to do so before we return to Anglia, my love."

"Trust me, I shall be very thankful indeed. I never expected her to fall in love with me, much less marry me, as i've surely already said. Just as my father seems very lucky to have caught your eye, Miss Aylmer."

Sarah simply grinned before she started to walk away; her head briefly turned to give Gerald a final smile. "Let's just hope our respective lovers are in good health and are devoted to us."

Sarah walked off and smiled to herself as she thought about soon becoming the stepmother to the King Consort.

"Is there anyone that you would like to talk to first, my love?"

"Have any of your friends came? I could talk to them."

"It is not only metaphorical, but it is also true, my love. You hold the key to my heart, and so my home is where you are. You are where I will find the greatest happiness in my life, my love. All I want in my life is to live a good life, and to live with you."

"Those words are what I firmly believe in as well, Gerald. Now, let's go on to further socializing so we can make more new friends.....we should make sure everyone is happy and content."

Pegachini has been leading operas in Lamoni for twenty years. He is famous for having his operas be in the style of 18th century Europe, which has inspired a trend known as Neo-classical. The opera that we shall see tonight will be focused on the life of the composer Frédéric Chopin.

Pegachini is now 45 years old, with black hair, green eyes, and he appears to be in decent physical shape. He is married to the lead singer of one of his earlier operas, and they have two children. His wife has appeared in many of his operas since. I guess that it is a way that they can spend more time together.

What is opera like in Anglia, my love?"

"It seems to me that Pegachini is a rather interesting person who I would be interested in meeting should the opportunity present itself to me some day; as for Anglian opera I suppose that it is mostly similar that of our nations but with its own innovations and ideas. Opera is essentially, I suppose, the same whereever you go but every nation has some of its own innovations for it that make them unique and different from the rest. Perhaps we will see some Anglian opera one day together; I can easily remember most of the operas I attended over the years in nothing but my lovely opera dress. Those nights were quite pleasurable."

Charlette smiled. "The essence of opera is the talent of the actors for if the actors and singers, and by extension the musicians, are not talented then the opera fails to be good in the eyes of the audience. This is because each of these three groups has to be equally balanced. This is an essential trinity....all of this I learned from some colleagues back when I was merely a Princess of Anglia. My mother would take me to operas at times...although those days were at times marked with bitter debates she had with my father...my childhood wasn't all that pleasant."

"We should get the opportunity to do so before we return to Anglia, my love."

"I am sure we will get it. Now, shall we explore the city? I'm quite eager to do that."

Sarah simply grinned before she started to walk away; her head briefly turned to give Gerald a final smile. "Let's just hope our respective lovers are in good health and are devoted to us."

Sarah walked off and smiled to herself as she thought about soon becoming the stepmother to the King Consort.

"I am sure that they will be, Miss Aylmer."

"Have any of your friends came? I could talk to them."

"I believe that two of them are on their way here, they should be here at any moment... Gerald was interrupted by the sound of a buzzer. Walking to a nearby intercom, he inquired as to the interruption, and was informed that his two friends had arrived. "Let them in," he told the voice on the other end of the line.

Turning back to his wife, Gerald thought that she probably had captured the gist of the situation, but he still said, "Security has just sent word that my friends have just arrived, my love. Would you like to meet them at the front door with me?"

"Those words are what I firmly believe in as well, Gerald. Now, let's go on to further socializing so we can make more new friends.....we should make sure everyone is happy and content."

"Lead on, my love. A lot more of the people here know you than know me."

"It seems to me that Pegachini is a rather interesting person who I would be interested in meeting should the opportunity present itself to me some day; as for Anglian opera I suppose that it is mostly similar that of our nations but with its own innovations and ideas. Opera is essentially, I suppose, the same where ever you go but every nation has some of its own innovations for it that make them unique and different from the rest. Perhaps we will see some Anglian opera one day together; I can easily remember most of the operas I attended over the years in nothing but my lovely opera dress. Those nights were quite pleasurable."

Charlette smiled. "The essence of opera is the talent of the actors for if the actors and singers, and by extension the musicians, are not talented then the opera fails to be good in the eyes of the audience. This is because each of these three groups has to be equally balanced. This is an essential trinity....all of this I learned from some colleagues back when I was merely a Princess of Anglia. My mother would take me to operas at times...although those days were at times marked with bitter debates she had with my father...my childhood wasn't all that pleasant."

"I think that we can manage a visit with Pegachini after the Opera has been completed. You see, when the Nephi Opera House heard who was purchasing the box seat tickets, they virtually guaranteed a private meeting when the Opera was over. Rank doth have it's privileges, after all.

I am gratified to see that you have enjoyed Opera in the past, my love. I think that you will enjoy this one as well.

And I happen to agree with you that the singers, musicians, and actors must all be in balance in order for an Opera to succeed. I was told that this one had been in rehearsals for over a year before it's opening night."

Gerald held his wife as she reflected on her past. "That won't happen to you again as long as I am around, my love. We both have a bright new future together."

"I am sure we will get it. Now, shall we explore the city? I'm quite eager to do that."

"Certainly, my love." Soon enough, they were back in the limo that had brought them to the manor, and headed back into town. Gerald had made a call to his old school using the car's phone, and they were very pleased with his idea of having himself and his wife speak to the children. His request was granted with alacrity; in an almost pleading tone. Gerald didn't know if he should be amused or disturbed with this.

They eventually made it back into Nephi, and Gerald knew where he would want to start. Still... "Is there somewhere that you would like to see first, or would you like me to choose, my love?"

---

OOC:

Nephi Opera House: http://studying-abroad.de/blogs/sydney/files/20070719-opera-house.jpg

Interior: http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/media/8101_fortunino%20mantania%20opera%20house.jpg

Pegachini: http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0dtK7z14tN9YR/340x.jpg

Chopin: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~music33/Mus33projects/nodes/Chopin/images/chopin4.jpg

"I believe that two of them are on their way here, they should be here at any moment... Gerald was interrupted by the sound of a buzzer. Walking to a nearby intercom, he inquired as to the interruption, and was informed that his two friends had arrived. "Let them in," he told the voice on the other end of the line.

Turning back to his wife, Gerald thought that she probably had captured the gist of the situation, but he still said, "Security has just sent word that my friends have just arrived, my love. Would you like to meet them at the front door with me?"

"I would not mind meeting them at the front door, Gerald, but do you think I should briefly and quickly freshen myself up before I see them? I would not want to look all shabby and ragged in front of the friends of my number one husband...."

Charlette smiled. "However...if you think that I look alright then we can just head over to greet them. I just want to look presentable to people is all, Gerald."

"I think that we can manage a visit with Pegachini after the Opera has been completed. You see, when the Nephi Opera House heard who was purchasing the box seat tickets, they virtually guaranteed a private meeting when the Opera was over. Rank doth have it's privileges, after all.

"That sounds great to me but we must ensure that Pegachini's wife meet us too for I would not only want to make a new friend but also ensure that she too gets the ability to see us. I'm sure she'd probably want to see us and I only wish to be courteous in allowing her to do so."

I am gratified to see that you have enjoyed Opera in the past, my love. I think that you will enjoy this one as well.

"One can only hope for that to be so; I wouldn't want to come out of the opera house and rant about how horribly dreadful the performance was...thank goodness I've never once had to do that. My mother always took me to good performances."

And I happen to agree with you that the singers, musicians, and actors must all be in balance in order for an Opera to succeed. I was told that this one had been in rehearsals for over a year before it's opening night."

"Such devotion must, I hope, lead to a brilliant performance but then again even the most devoted people have their faults."

Gerald held his wife as she reflected on her past. "That won't happen to you again as long as I am around, my love. We both have a bright new future together."

"...I just wished back then that they would just get along and be in the same love that brought them together in the first place but they never did and I was dragged into the middle of it all. I still have feelings for them but yet, at times, I felt angry at them. I felt like they didn't want to change or that it was some sort of torture directed at me for a reason or reasons I could not comprehend...but overall I did have a nice life. Reginald was there to help out and I had friends. My parents did love me even if they did not love each other."

"Certainly, my love." Soon enough, they were back in the limo that had brought them to the manor, and headed back into town. Gerald had made a call to his old school using the car's phone, and they were very pleased with his idea of having himself and his wife speak to the children. His request was granted with alacrity; in an almost pleading tone. Gerald didn't know if he should be amused or disturbed with this.

They eventually made it back into Nephi, and Gerald knew where he would want to start. Still... "Is there somewhere that you would like to see first, or would you like me to choose, my love?"

"I think, for now, we should just explore Nephi with a nice little drive and perhaps stop at certain places. Do you recommend any places for us to check out?"

"I would not mind meeting them at the front door, Gerald, but do you think I should briefly and quickly freshen myself up before I see them? I would not want to look all shabby and ragged in front of the friends of my number one husband...."

Charlette smiled. "However...if you think that I look alright then we can just head over to greet them. I just want to look presentable to people is all, Gerald."

"Do what you think is best, my love. I know that you will make the right decision; just let me know if you want to freshen up, and I can chat with them while you do so."

"That sounds great to me but we must ensure that Pegachini's wife meet us too for I would not only want to make a new friend but also ensure that she too gets the ability to see us. I'm sure she'd probably want to see us and I only wish to be courteous in allowing her to do so."

"Certainly, my love. I'll make the arrangements. What is your favorite part of the Opera?"

"One can only hope for that to be so; I wouldn't want to come out of the opera house and rant about how horribly dreadful the performance was...thank goodness I've never once had to do that. My mother always took me to good performances."

"Pegachini is a rising star, so I doubt that we will be dissapointed, my love."

"Such devotion must, I hope, lead to a brilliant performance but then again even the most devoted people have their faults."

"It is true that they can, my love. However, Pegachini should be able to keep everyone in line."

"...I just wished back then that they would just get along and be in the same love that brought them together in the first place but they never did and I was dragged into the middle of it all. I still have feelings for them but yet, at times, I felt angry at them. I felt like they didn't want to change or that it was some sort of torture directed at me for a reason or reasons I could not comprehend...but overall I did have a nice life. Reginald was there to help out and I had friends. My parents did love me even if they did not love each other."

"There are times when what seems like a perfect love just doesn't work. When the lovers simply give up. For a love to be strong, both participants must want to keep it strong. I know that I want to keep my love of you as strong as possible."

"I think, for now, we should just explore Nephi with a nice little drive and perhaps stop at certain places. Do you recommend any places for us to check out?"

"Do you enjoy waterfalls, my love? If so, then I know just where to start our tour of Nephi."

"Do what you think is best, my love. I know that you will make the right decision; just let me know if you want to freshen up, and I can chat with them while you do so."

Charlette smiled before she rushed away to freshen up; once she returned, she smiled at Gerald and took his hand. "Shall we meet your friends now? I'm eager to meet them and hopefully make them into new friends for me."

"Certainly, my love. I'll make the arrangements. What is your favorite part of the Opera?"

"...I think I like every part of the Opera equally...I don't know if I can simply say one part alone is my favorite of them all."

"Pegachini is a rising star, so I doubt that we will be dissapointed, my love."

"...Even the best can disappoint us, though, Gerald."

"It is true that they can, my love. However, Pegachini should be able to keep everyone in line."

"...If he is who you say he is, then he should be able to keep everyone in line lest everything fall apart."

"There are times when what seems like a perfect love just doesn't work. When the lovers simply give up. For a love to be strong, both participants must want to keep it strong. I know that I want to keep my love of you as strong as possible."

"....I never want to let you slip away from my hands nor let our love disintegrate in front of my eyes because I cannot bear to have my marriage fall apart. It's something that would just torment me."

"Do you enjoy waterfalls, my love? If so, then I know just where to start our tour of Nephi.

"....Seeing some waterfalls would be a lovely idea."

Charlette smiled before she rushed away to freshen up; once she returned, she smiled at Gerald and took his hand. "Shall we meet your friends now? I'm eager to meet them and hopefully make them into new friends for me."

"Certainly, my love." Hand in hand, they headed for the door, where two of Gerald's friends were waiting.

One of them was 6'1", with brown hair that still had traces of blond in it. He had open facial features, and seemed pretty friendly. The other one looked to possibly be of Lyran descent, maybe with some Sarzonian thrown in for good measure.

The Lyran gentleman was the first one to speak. "Hello Gerald, when they told me that you had married royalty, I couldn't believe it at first. Now, I think that you chose wisely, my friend. Ah, but where are my manners? I am George Mantas, and Gerald's other friend here is Milo Dilgear, Your Highness. We've known Gerald since he entered school."

If anyone was paying attention, they might have been able to see the split-second change of expression on his face that confirmed the statement made by Gerald's friends. What someone would be able to see was the smile that broke out on Gerald's face when he saw his friends.

"...I think I like every part of the Opera equally...I don't know if I can simply say one part alone is my favorite of them all."

"So you like a well-tuned complex machine, then. As applies to how all of the pieces of an Opera work, that is."

"...Even the best can disappoint us, though, Gerald."

"I refuse to believe that we will disappoint each other in love, however."

"...If he is who you say he is, then he should be able to keep everyone in line lest everything fall apart."

"I'm sure that he will be able to get the opera to perform magnificently, my love."

"....I never want to let you slip away from my hands nor let our love disintegrate in front of my eyes because I cannot bear to have my marriage fall apart. It's something that would just torment me."

"I would never want that to happen to us either, my love. I would never want to see you so tormented as you must have been during your childhood, my love. Not even the worst possible scum of society could possibly deserve that."

"....Seeing some waterfalls would be a lovely idea."

"Excellent. I know just the place, my love. Driver, take us to Borkowski Falls." The car changed directions when traffic permitted it, and before long, they were paralleling the Lehi river, with the road trending downward as they went. Before long, they came to a large waterfall (OOC: think Niagara Falls), and Gerald exited the vehicle when it was safe to do so. He walked over to a nearby viewing platform, and simply watched the waterfall in action.

The Lyran gentleman was the first one to speak. "Hello Gerald, when they told me that you had married royalty, I couldn't believe it at first. Now, I think that you chose wisely, my friend. Ah, but where are my manners? I am George Mantas, and Gerald's other friend here is Milo Dilgear, Your Highness. We've known Gerald since he entered school."

If anyone was paying attention, they might have been able to see the split-second change of expression on his face that confirmed the statement made by Gerald's friends. What someone would be able to see was the smile that broke out on Gerald's face when he saw his friends.

Charlette looked very glad to be able to meet Gerald's friends from his school days and she smiled at them as they spoke to her about how they knew Gerald and how they never expected him to marry royalty. Charlette, once they were finished, began to speak in a refined tone of voice. "...It's a pleasure to meet you both and I must say I never expected to marry Gerald at all. I had only meant to invite him for a little visit but it grew to something much more but I have no regrets about marrying the man I love. I must say that I am so proud to have married Gerald. I love him with all my heart."

"So you like a well-tuned complex machine, then. As applies to how all of the pieces of an Opera work, that is."

"If an opera is not well tuned then it shall fail miserably and be forgotten by the masses."

"I refuse to believe that we will disappoint each other in love, however."

"I am sure we won't."

"I'm sure that he will be able to get the opera to perform magnificently, my love."

"...You can just call me Charlette instead of my love, you know." Charlette said with a smile.

"I would never want that to happen to us either, my love. I would never want to see you so tormented as you must have been during your childhood, my love. Not even the worst possible scum of society could possibly deserve that."

Charlette nodded her head. "...You really are a sweet man and I am so thankful to have marrieed you. I never want to relive my childhood nor do I want our children, if we have any, to live through their own versions."

"Excellent. I know just the place, my love. Driver, take us to Borkowski Falls." The car changed directions when traffic permitted it, and before long, they were paralleling the Lehi river, with the road trending downward as they went. Before long, they came to a large waterfall (OOC: think Niagara Falls), and Gerald exited the vehicle when it was safe to do so. He walked over to a nearby viewing platform, and simply watched the waterfall in action.

"This is sweet!"

Charlette was amazed at the sight of Borkowski Falls which she felt was a really lovely symbol of natural beauty and it was not hard at all to tell how much she enjoyed being at the falls as she stood beside Gerald on the viewing platform while her eyes were focused on the falls. Everything felt so right at this moment. "I must thank you for bringing me here, Gerald....this is really nice although, to be honest, we have plenty natural icons like this in Anglia."

Charlette looked very glad to be able to meet Gerald's friends from his school days and she smiled at them as they spoke to her about how they knew Gerald and how they never expected him to marry royalty. Charlette, once they were finished, began to speak in a refined tone of voice. "...It's a pleasure to meet you both and I must say I never expected to marry Gerald at all. I had only meant to invite him for a little visit but it grew to something much more but I have no regrets about marrying the man I love. I must say that I am so proud to have married Gerald. I love him with all my heart."

"That is very good to know, your majesty," Milo said. "I'm sure that not only will he treat you right, but that you will cherish him. As far as I can see, it looks like you two did what we all want to do in life... fall in love with that one special person, and marry them. And hopefully, Gerald won't let his new position get to his head... but he always was pretty good about being humble."

"...You can just call me Charlette instead of my love, you know." Charlette said with a smile.

Slightly embarrased now, Gerald didn't say anything for a second, then mustered... "Sorry my.... Charlette."

Charlette nodded her head. "...You really are a sweet man and I am so thankful to have married you. I never want to relive my childhood nor do I want our children, if we have any, to live through their own versions."

"If we remember to always trust each other, and remember our love for each other, then our children will grow up happy and healthy. I can just see one of our children bouncing on my knee, while the rest are out running around."

"This is sweet!"

Charlette was amazed at the sight of Borkowski Falls which she felt was a really lovely symbol of natural beauty and it was not hard at all to tell how much she enjoyed being at the falls as she stood beside Gerald on the viewing platform while her eyes were focused on the falls. Everything felt so right at this moment. "I must thank you for bringing me here, Gerald....this is really nice although, to be honest, we have plenty natural icons like this in Anglia."

"You're welcome, Charlette. Yes, but this is just one of the natural and other icons of Lamoni. But, I find it to be beautiful, and relaxing. You are the first girl that i've taken here before, but somehow... it just feels RIGHT, my love." Gerald went behind and close to his wife, wrapped his arms around her, leaned his head on her shoulder, and gazed at the falls with Charlette.

bump

"That is very good to know, your majesty," Milo said. "I'm sure that not only will he treat you right, but that you will cherish him. As far as I can see, it looks like you two did what we all want to do in life... fall in love with that one special person, and marry them. And hopefully, Gerald won't let his new position get to his head... but he always was pretty good about being humble."

Charlette smiled. "....One can only hope in that their marriage shall be blessed with much love and affection and I know firsthand how marriages can become the exact opposite of that. I pray most earnestly that I shall never have a marriage like that and that Gerald and I can work out all of our problems with ease."

Slightly embarrased now, Gerald didn't say anything for a second, then mustered... "Sorry my.... Charlette."

"....Don't be so flustered, my Gerald!"

"If we remember to always trust each other, and remember our love for each other, then our children will grow up happy and healthy. I can just see one of our children bouncing on my knee, while the rest are out running around."

"...Let us hope that all of our children are happy, healthy and virtuous."

"You're welcome, Charlette. Yes, but this is just one of the natural and other icons of Lamoni. But, I find it to be beautiful, and relaxing. You are the first girl that i've taken here before, but somehow... it just feels RIGHT, my love." Gerald went behind and close to his wife, wrapped his arms around her, leaned his head on her shoulder, and gazed at the falls with Charlette.

Charlette simply smiled. "....Perhaps we can come here over and over again as a marital tradition and consider this place to be one of our most special hideouts or something like that. Don't you think that would be good?"

Charlette smiled. "....One can only hope in that their marriage shall be blessed with much love and affection and I know firsthand how marriages can become the exact opposite of that. I pray most earnestly that I shall never have a marriage like that and that Gerald and I can work out all of our problems with ease."

Gerald's friends smiled. "As long as both of you believe that, then it shall be so, Your Highness. George and Milo very much approved of their friend's choice of a life mate. "If the two of you would like to follow us to our car, we have a wedding gift for you," Milo said. With Milo leading the way, George followed, while Gerald grasped his wife's hand, so that they could walk there together.

"....Don't be so flustered, my Gerald!"

"Sorry Charlette, I had to bite off the unconscious reflex to keep calling you 'my love,' instead of by your name."

"...Let us hope that all of our children are happy, healthy and virtuous."

"With us as their parents, there is a good chance of that. I would never turn any of our children away, my love."

Charlette simply smiled. "....Perhaps we can come here over and over again as a marital tradition and consider this place to be one of our most special hideouts or something like that. Don't you think that would be good?"

"I would enjoy that very much. For now though, let's just stay here quietly for a bit." There was a smile on Gerald's face; as if he had fallen in love with his wife for the first time all over again.

Gerald's friends smiled. "As long as both of you believe that, then it shall be so, Your Highness. George and Milo very much approved of their friend's choice of a life mate. "If the two of you would like to follow us to our car, we have a wedding gift for you," Milo said. With Milo leading the way, George followed, while Gerald grasped his wife's hand, so that they could walk there together.

"...Positive thinking can be a powerful influence upon our lives. I look forward to seeing what the wedding gift you have for us is. I'm sure, though, it is nothing short of spectacular."

Charlette followed Gerald and his friends to the car while thinking about what the gift could be.


"Sorry Charlette, I had to bite off the unconscious reflex to keep calling you 'my love,' instead of by your name."

"....You can call me anything you want, my love, as long as it isn't derogatory!"

"With us as their parents, there is a good chance of that. I would never turn any of our children away, my love."

"....One can only hope for the best in their progeny, Gerald."

"I would enjoy that very much. For now though, let's just stay here quietly for a bit." There was a smile on Gerald's face; as if he had fallen in love with his wife for the first time all over again.

".....Thank you so much for taking me here, Gerald. I think, as well, we should get some pictures."

"...Positive thinking can be a powerful influence upon our lives. I look forward to seeing what the wedding gift you have for us is. I'm sure, though, it is nothing short of spectacular."

Charlette followed Gerald and his friends to the car while thinking about what the gift could be.

"We hope that you find our wedding gift to be acceptable, Your Highness." Gerald took his wife by the hand, and followed his friends to their car. When they got to the car, Milo opened the trunk, and beckoned for Gerald and Charlette to follow. Gerald led the way to where Milo was, and couldn't believe his eyes at first. Inside of the trunk was a statue of Gerald and Charlette riding a dramatically rearing Arabian horse, with Gerald pointing off towards what one might assume to be a glorious future, with Charlette hanging onto him, and giving him a kiss on cheek. It looked like the statue was made of 24k gold. Gerald then looked over to see how his wife was reacting to the gift.

"....You can call me anything you want, my love, as long as it isn't derogatory!"

Gerald grinned. "I shall remember that, my love."

"....One can only hope for the best in their progeny, Gerald."

"One can also work to instill their values into their progeny, but the progeny also have to want to listen and learn these values."

".....Thank you so much for taking me here, Gerald. I think, as well, we should get some pictures."

"You're welcome, my love." Gerald called the driver over, and had him take some pictures of himself and his wife together at the falls with a camera that Gerald had brought along for the trip. Pictures taken, the driver returned the camera to Gerald, who pocketed it. "Do you want to see more, or would you just like me to hold you here some more, my love?"

"We hope that you find our wedding gift to be acceptable, Your Highness." Gerald took his wife by the hand, and followed his friends to their car. When they got to the car, Milo opened the trunk, and beckoned for Gerald and Charlette to follow. Gerald led the way to where Milo was, and couldn't believe his eyes at first. Inside of the trunk was a statue of Gerald and Charlette riding a dramatically rearing Arabian horse, with Gerald pointing off towards what one might assume to be a glorious future, with Charlette hanging onto him, and giving him a kiss on cheek. It looked like the statue was made of 24k gold. Gerald then looked over to see how his wife was reacting to the gift.

The statue that Milo had stored in the trunk of the car amazed Charlette and made her very happy with Gerald's friends for procuring such a lovely gift, as she put it, before she became ecstatic and overjoyed. "....This is a wonderful gift, Milo! I must thank you and the others for this statue! Doesn't it look lovely, Gerald? Doesn't it? It looks like it's made out of gold too! It's excellent!"


"One can also work to instill their values into their progeny, but the progeny also have to want to listen and learn these values."

"....One can only hope they would."

"You're welcome, my love." Gerald called the driver over, and had him take some pictures of himself and his wife together at the falls with a camera that Gerald had brought along for the trip. Pictures taken, the driver returned the camera to Gerald, who pocketed it. "Do you want to see more, or would you just like me to hold you here some more, my love?"

"...We could stay here, Gerald, but I would definately like to see more before we return to the manor where we are staying."

The statue that Milo had stored in the trunk of the car amazed Charlette and made her very happy with Gerald's friends for procuring such a lovely gift, as she put it, before she became ecstatic and overjoyed. "....This is a wonderful gift, Milo! I must thank you and the others for this statue! Doesn't it look lovely, Gerald? Doesn't it? It looks like it's made out of gold too! It's excellent!"

Gerald was stunned by the gift. "It's.... it's... it's.... wonderful! Thanks, guys!" Seeing if it was able to be lifted, Gerald found that it could, but that it was slightly heavy. Carrying it as carefully as possible, he allowed his wife to have a better look at it.

Milo and Gerald's other friend had pleased expressions on their faces as they saw the reactions of their friend and his wife to their wedding gift. There was a surprise for them, as well. Gerald turned to look at his friends, and said, "If the two of you are ever in Anglia, let us know. We'd be happy to see you again. I have an Anglian cell phone now, so let me give you guys the number." Gerald read off the number to his friends, and beckoned everyone to follow him inside the manor, so that he could proudly display this latest gift.

"....One can only hope they would."

"You are correct, my love."

"...We could stay here, Gerald, but I would definitely like to see more before we return to the manor where we are staying."

"I think that another half hour should be sufficient, my love. After all, how much time have we had to do something like this? Just hold each other while viewing something romantic?" There was a small smile that only his wife would ever see on his face as he said this.

"I have other destinations already planned out, my love. The manor is not just where we are staying, it's ours, my love. The two of us own it, so we can come whenever we want." Gerald kissed his wife tenderly after this.

OOC: IC posts on both this thread and the Eleanore thread coming soon.

OOC: Can't wait