#oops satisfied worked for Annelyse

[adder-lykel]

The Love Game (Part 1/?)

The Royal Romance meets The Crown and The Flame! For the sake of a new peace, Kenna must choose between contenders for her future king or queen. Ships: (Eventual Kenna/Raydan, Kenna/Diavolos, Kenna/Val, Kenna/Annelyse, Kenna/Tevan, Kenna/Dominic) (Eventual Underlying Sei/Dominic, Will/Dominic, Val/Annelyse, Zenobia/Tevan, Rowan/Kai)

If she had known it will come down to this, Kenna would have eloped. It was a simple thing really, she just said she didn’t want to marry yet. Now, she was sure it was a better answer than suddenly proposing to who she pleased after winning the battle of her life but the nobility saw a way to win people over. It was barbaric, really. Breads and circuses to pass time while everything was situated was a ridiculous but effective idea. All she had to do was play a love game. With various suitors chosen by nobility. After fighting for so long she did not even have the peace to develop a relationship with a man or woman she was interested in. Nevertheless she had to give in, because for now it would solve the issue of diplomacy.

Tevan was so elated when he got the news that he appointed himself as the suitor from Fydoria. He had always admired Kenna since she saved him, but now he was able to show her people he was the right choice. He assumed it would be easy, after all he was probably the prettiest in the competition. How hard could it be after all? “I am sure the kingdoms have matters that are more important than a courting rite.” Aurryn mumbled shyly as she looked up from the book she was reading at the table.

“Which is exactly why they need it.” Tevan replied with ease as he stood up. “Romance is the best type of sto–”

“Actually mytho–”

“Hush sister.” Tevan interrupted smoothly as he walked away. He had a Queen to win over.

“No.” Noa said quickly before Kai could answer.

“Okay, I’ll do it.” she coolly replied with a smile.

“What? Kai, no.”

“Noa yes,” she reached out for him,“We need to build relations.”

“We are already rebuilding their walls! No.”

“It will be fun, it’s a strong political move, and maybe there will be love.”

And so the argument ended in silence between the two siblings, confidence radiating off of one, and worry springing from the other.

Rowan sat alone in her kingdom of thorns. It was idiotic of the Stormholt Queen really. There were better things to do. Like figure out taxes and trade. Still, she managed to find the rose in the bush. She could have a bigger presence, and establish her dominance as a queen. So, she decided silently to herself that Thorngate’s suitor would be her.

Annelyse felt hope. She had another chance with Kenna. She had always been a dear friend but she felt something stronger.

There was always this unspoken connection. Kenna provided her more satisfaction than any man would. She understood what it was like to be a powerful women. Kenna respected her and her way of ruling.

Annelyse would have been more open about these feelings but she realized three truth at that time.

Number one was she was a woman who was expected to keep the Adair line in place. Her father had no sons, or daughters, so she had to continue the social climb. At the time she met Kenna the woman with no kingdom was penniless. It didn’t mean she wanted her any less.

Number two was she had to guard her heart. When they met she knew Kenna was after funds and an army. She had to be naïve to set that aside. She let Raydan observe, just like she made him do with anyone else who was after her.

Finally, Kenna had a big heart. A big heart was a confusing heart. She saw Kenna and how other people looked at her. Though she would not say who, she knew she wasn’t confident in knowing that she was Kenna’s only. This also meant that she was right about one thing: as far as she could tell, the queen would never be satisfied.

Annelyse knew one thing that no one else did. Kenna was born on a throne of blood. She became queen in a untraditional way. Kenna had her title ripped away from her, and she only became queen by war. Until this last battle she had always been at war. Annelyse could not recall a time when she was at peace. She did not know how Kenna would rule. Would she be hungry for battle? Would she be able to handle economic diplomacy? Or would she be a stagnant queen?

Annelyse pushed all thoughts of doubt of the way as she prepared to make her way to Stormholt in hopes of Kenna returning her feelings.

“Wait, what?” Val almost exclaimed as she put a training sword back on its rack. She had just finished a training session when Whitlock made an unexpected visit to tell her that the Foundry had officially made her a suitor to Kenna.

“Cmon I know how you li-” Whitlock was immediately cut off when Val slapped her hand over his mouth with a glare.

“Someone will hear you.” She hissed as her eyes darted around the room.

Whitlock pulled her hand from his mouth and said,“Say what you want, but I’m pulling for you. They’re only taking noble’s choice and this is your only chance.”

Val looked down, weighing her options. “Fine.”

“I. Don’t. Like. You.” Sei said through gritted teeth as she glared at Dom, her eyes refusing to portray her real thoughts.

“Admit it Sei-Sei you lo-” Dom stopped immediately as he saw Anu walking towards them. Ever since the volcano the old man still has not spoke to him.

“We have new word from Stormholt.” Anu said smoothly, his gaze not meeting Don’s.

“Dom has been here for a while.”

“Yes, well it seems he has been slow on the news… Queen Kenna is going to have all the kingdoms to chose one representative and contend for her hand in marriage.”

Sei’s gaze flickered to Dom, looking for a reaction. She was disappointed. His eyes were filled with something she could describe as a mix of hurt and jealousy. She sighed and looked at her grandfather. “I know who to send.”

“Who?” Anu and Dom both said at the same time.

“Dominic Hunter.”

“I just don’t see why it has to be you.” Adder said carefully as she stared up at Diavolos. She had no feelings that radiated off of neutrality for him but she had someone else in mind.

“Who would you suggest, your spymaster brother who works under Queen Kenna in Stormholt and who has no allegiance to Abanthus.” Zenobia said smoothly with venom coating her voice.

Diavolos managed to keep his cool even though he wanted to back up his sister. With passive aggressiveness he said, “I know Kenna more than anyone else who lives here. I am of noble blood. I have fought more battles than anyone else sitting at this table for three. I am more than certain than I am qualified to compete and win her hand. Need I remind you Adder, that we only need you for decision regarding our economy.”

Diavolos’ mind was set on winning Kenna’s hand. It would be easy. He was sure he had already won her affections, and a marriage with him would be the best for all the kingdoms. He promised security for her legacy, something he was sure the other suitors would not provide.

“I am sorry Lady Lia, I am afraid I cannot.” Raydan said, his eyes not leaving the ground. He was on a diplomatic mission to the young Empress’s country when the news quickly followed him.

“Very well, but I insist we play a game before you leave.” The child said with a bright smile while Jorrin’s eyes bore into him, looking for any signs of betrayal.

“Fine, what is it.” Raydan said with a small smile, disregarding Jorrin and ruffling her white hair.

“Sly fox.” Lia said with a mischievous smile.

“I feel like I walked into that.” Raydan muttered as he averted his gaze.

“Sly fox says… You continue to have strong feeling for Kenna Rys.”

Raydan groaned,“Correct.”

“Why don’t you marry her?”

He sighed, wringing his hands together. “We are from different worlds. I live in the shadows and she walks in the light. She will have no benefit from having a King with no worth other than being a former spy. I don’t think she knows that I would give this life up for her just to stay by her side everyday.

“But love has to be enough!” Lia squeaked, almost jumping up from her bench.

“Alas it isn’t. And now it’s my turn. Sly fox says…” he looked at her growing smile and her eyes that seemed to be holding something in. He stopped a groan from coming out. “You have plans for me.”

“Correct! I would like to name you Lord Raydan of Marossi, contender for Queen Kenna’s hand.”

“Lia no.” Raydan said desperately.

“Lia yes! You love her!”

“Yes, but shouldn’t you chose an actual citizens.”

Lia looked down at her feet shyly, “Well, the actual citizens are still wary after mother’s…departure.”

“What about Jorrin?”

“Jorrin is not interested.”

“You are an empress!”

“I am an empress who believes in love and good men. I think you are a good man Raydan, and a suitor who would win Kenna’s heart and form a strong bond with my empire.” Lia said innocently.

“I can’t get out of this, can I?” Raydan sighed as he looked up at Jorrin. Jorrin shook his head with amusement in his eyes.

“Shall we get started then?” Lia said excitedly, hopping up.

“We shall.”

Raydan felt unbelievably nervous. Could he convince her that he was a good husband. Could he be enough? He dreamed of a reality where they are just common people on the street with no worries. All they had to do was love.