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khoicesbyk · 1 year

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The Royal Romance.

Love Everlasting.

A/N: I had a different name and plot for this fic over a year ago. But after being in the RP community for more than a year, I've decided to write the current Royal Life of my favorite OTP.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 50K words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or dm me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

TW: Mentions of Cancer. Reader Discretion is STRONGLY ADVISED!

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations

Matrimony. Part 2.

“Will you come on? We gotta go!” she said to him as she dragged him out of the residence entrance.

“Will you slow down Shanelle?! Your duchy isn't going anywhere.”

Shanelle stopped for just a moment.

“I know it's not. I'm just anxious and excited to go. I've never had something like this and I’m just…I’m ready to see it.”

Marquise shook his head with a chuckle.

“I understand my love. I understand your excitement. But I promise you it's not going anywhere. We won't miss anything.”

Shanelle sighed.

“You're right. I'm sorry for being in such a rush.”

Marquise kissed her forehead.

“No need to apologize. I understand your excitement.”

She smiled at him.

“Also I hope you don't mind. I invited a few people to come with us.”

“Who?” she asked.

As soon as Shanelle asked the question, George, with Ozzie on his leash, walked out of the residence.

“Good morning you two. Master Oswald and I are ready to ride. Aren't we?” George said to the couple.

“His name is Ozzie Papa.” Marquise corrected him.

“I know what his name is my boy. After all, you named him after Oswald.”

“Oswald?” Shanelle asked.

“He was my old hunting partner. A lovable beagle that my boy here was in love with. Unfortunately, Oswald passed away last year.” George replies.

Just then Margo walked out of the residence.

“Look at you two! Looking like a vision of a true King and Queen.” Margo said to the two.

“Merci, maman,” Marquise said to Margo before turning his attention to Shanelle, “now my love, are ready to go?”

“Yes! Let's go!” Shanelle replies.

Soon they were off to tour Shanelle’s duchy. The ride which lasted 3 ½ hours took them through beautiful fields of flowers, rolling hills, small towns, and quaint villages. When they arrived at her duchy estate, Shanelle’s jaw dropped. She couldn't believe what all she was looking at.

“Sooooo…just to recap, THIS IS ALL MINE?!” She asked Marquise.

“All of it,” he replied.

Shanelle looked back and forth pointing between him and the estate’s main entrance.

“Yes. Everything you see is yours, my love.”

“All mine. It's all mine. Oh my God! It's all mine!” she squealed happily.

That's when a primly dressed woman walked across the bridge to greet everyone.

“Good morning Your Highness! My name is Gladys Gibbons-Renaud. I am the Major Domo here at the Volterias estate.” Gladys said as she greeted Shanelle.

“I have a Major Domo?” Shanelle asked.

“Yes ma'am. I was personally selected by Mr. and Mrs. Geaneaux to handle the affairs and staff here at the estate. I am at your service at all times.” Gladys replied.

Shanelle looked between Gladys and Marquise with a hand over her mouth. Marquise chuckled.

“Yes, Shanelle. It's real.”

Shanelle couldn't contain her excitement.

“Shall I begin the tour?” Gladys asked Shanelle.

“YES!!” Shanelle ecstatically replied.

“Let us begin.”

Gladys led them on an extensive tour of the estate. When they got to the master bedroom, Shanelle lost her mind.

“Oh. My. God! IT’S PURPLEEEEEEE!” she exclaimed.

“Yes ma'am. His Highness let the staff members know that your favorite color is purple.” Gladys added.

Shanelle threw her arms around Marquise’s neck.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank youuuuuu!”

“You're very welcome. Wait until you see your closet, my love.”

“M-m-my closet?!” she stammered.

“Right this way, Your Highness,” Gladys said as she led them to Shanelle’s master closet and bathroom.

When they got to the massive walk-in closet Shanelle’s knees gave out on her. Thankfully Marquise was there to catch her.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?” Glass asked.

“Yeah. I'm okay. Just a little wobbly is all.” Shanelle replied.

“I understand. If you'd like to finish the tour at another time we can do that.”

“I'd like that. Thank you, Gladys.”

“My pleasure, Your Highness. In the meantime, I have to prepare rooms for your incoming guests.”

“Incoming guests?” Shanelle asked.

“Yes. His Highness sent out invitations to your friends to stay here at the estate, while you're here. We can't have them staying in stables now can we?” Gladys replied.

“I love it here!” Shanelle squealed.

“I am glad you do. Now if you'll both excuse me, I have rooms to prepare.”

Gladys bowed politely before leaving the couple alone. They walked out of her closet and sat on the plush master bed.

“Just to recap, you invited my girls without telling me?” Shanelle asked.

“Unapologetically. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.” Marquise replies.

“I can't believe you pulled this off. I get to spend time with them here at my duchy for a few days. We're gonna have so much fun.”

“Weeks actually.”

The record spinning in Shanelle’s head just scratched.

“Weeks? What do you mean by "weeks?” she asked.

“Well considering that the Derby is next weekend and of course, you girls are hosting your very first tea here, and then you and I will be the stars of The Grand Hunt,” Marquise replied.

“But what about their jobs? I don't want to get them in trouble.”

“They won't be in trouble. Their presence was requested by the Crown Prince of North Cordonia. I dare their bosses to argue with that.”

“Okay, I get it. When do they get here?” she asked.

“Next Friday. Just in time for the Derby next Saturday,” he replies.

“Will they be staying here?” she asked.

“Yes. I wanted your very first weekend here to just be you, me, and Ozzie,” he replies.

“And Margo and George,” she added.

Marquise chuckled.

“Yes, mama and papa too. Here, come with me.”

Marquise stood up and brought her to her feet. He led her out onto her balcony which overlooked a massive field and waterfall.

“I can't believe this is all mine,” Shanelle said quietly.

She felt him wrap his arms around her waist as he placed a small kiss on her right shoulder.

“Believe it, my love. This is all yours. You are the future Queen. You deserve this.”

They stood together and quietly watched the waterfall for several minutes.

“How are you feeling my love?” he asked.

“It's a lot. Like a whole lot. Hell, I’m still trying to process everything we've done and seen this entire week. But thank you for being patient with me. All of this is still new and it's hard to keep up with it all sometimes.” she replied.

“I understand. But I'm proud of you for trying. None of it is easy. Not even for me. But what good is a monarch if they don't try?”

Shanelle smiled at him. They continued to enjoy the view just as Ozzie’s bark interrupted the moment. He was followed by Margo and George.

“Ozzie! Are you enjoying yourself here? Are you being a good loaf?” Shanelle asked him as she gave him scritches behind his ears. “Are you two enjoying your accommodations as well?”

“Yes, we are, Your Highness. We love the guest house. I'm currently trying to come up with a plan to steal those beds.” George replied.

“The guest house? You should be staying here in the estate with us. I'll have Gladys make sure you two have a room.”

“No Princess. We would never want to impose.”

“Nonsense Margo. You two are practically family. Anyone who puts up with this walking beanstalk is always welcome to stay here in the estate.”

“I am not a walking beanstalk!” Marquise protested.

Margo smiled at Shanelle.

“If you insist, Your Highness.”

“I certainly do. Now I don't know about all of you but I'm hungry so it's time for lunch. Besides, I want to meet the kitchen staff.”

They spent the rest of the day meeting the various staff members and touring the grounds. By the end of the day, Shanelle was exhausted yet happy.

“I love this bed.” she sighed happily as she snuggled against Marquise’s chest.

“I love you in this bed,” Marquise said to her.

“It's so soft and comfy and it's mine. All mine.”

“Yes, it is,” he said before he kissed the palm of her right hand.

“I can't believe you are giving me all of this.”

“My Queen deserves no less than the best. And that is what I give.”

“I can't wait to bring my mom and dad here. They'll love it.”

“Have you spoken to him?” he asked.

“No, not yet. But I miss him. He's my dad. He fucked up. Completely. But I still love him.” she replied.

“Of course you do. Like you said he's your dad. And you love him just as much as he loves you.”

“If that's your way of saying that I’m a daddy's girl.”

Marquise snickered.

“Your words not mine.”

Shanelle shook her head with a yawn.

“Are you sleepy?” he asked.

“Mmmhmm. It's been a long day. And I still have so much to see here.” she replies.

Marquise held her close.

“Goodnight Princess.”

“Goodnight Your Highness.”

Soon they went off to a peaceful sleep together. The next day they were touring a few of the towns, so she could meet her people. The people were eager and excited to meet the new Princess and couldn't wait to show her around. The couple toured a factory that made hand-blown glass and stained glass windows. She got to spend the day learning the different customs as well as learning more about the lantern festival she'll host once she becomes Queen.

By the end of the day, Shanelle felt good about what all she had done and seen that day. She spent that night relaxing with him in a couples bubble bath and snuggling together in her bed.

”I have died and gone to heaven!” she said with a contented sigh.

She felt his chin on her left shoulder as his arms wrapped around her.

“Welcome to paradise my Queen.”

“I don't have the title yet and you still call me Queen.”

Marquise softly kissed the back of her left ear.

“You will have the title come this Wednesday.”

Shanelle turned slightly to face him.

“Wait! Are you serious?!” she asked.

“Yes, my love. We will meet with the soon-to-be former monarchs Wednesday. Where we will sign the official transfer of Monarchial powers.” he replies.

“That means…” she trailed off.

“As of this coming Wednesday, Cordonia will be ours. Yours and mine.”

“We'll be King and Queen for real?” she asked.

“Not quite. We won't be King and Queen officially until we're married. But we will be the regents. Also, Wednesday is when the kingdoms unite. There will no longer be a North Cordonia or South Cordonia but Cordonia as a whole.” he replies.

“And it'll all be mine?” she asked.

“Everything the light touches is our kingdom,” he replies.

Shanelle snickered.

“How do you feel about that?” she asked.

“Relieved mostly. I'm ready to burn this kingdom to the ground and rebuild it in our images,” he replies.

“I like that idea.”

“Yes, I knew you would. But mostly I’m ready to restore the people's faith in their leaders.”

“And we will. It won't be easy,” she added.

“I don't expect it to be but we will do this.”

“I have faith in us. We will restore Cordonia.”

“Indeed we will, my love.”

Shanelle felt her eyelids getting heavier by the moment as she lay in his arms. Eventually, the Princess dozed off into a peaceful sleep. After spending all the next morning in bed, that Sunday evening, they took two of the estate horses out for a walk along the river. Shanelle, having not ridden a horse in years, was feeling it as they went along the river’s edge.

“Yup my thighs are burning. This was a bad idea.”

“Well, we could stop and walk the horses ourselves the rest of the way if you prefer to do that.”

“Is that your way of telling me to quit complaining?” she asked.

“You said it, not me,” he replied.

Shanelle pouted.

“Besides, we're almost there.”

“Almost where?” she asked.

“You'll see,” he replied as they rode along.

They rode a little further up until they got to their destination. And when they got there Shanelle’s jaw dropped.

“What is this?” she asked.

“Hmm?” he replied.

There was an entire picnic laid out in a field, with a large tent set up as well.

“I figured we could spend a night under the stars. Literally. Unless you want to ride all the way back to the estate and do something else.”

She wanted to kick him but she was too busy being stuck. She didn't have words. He helped her dismount and they walked over to the picnic.

“You're silent,” he said to her.

“I'm speechless. How did you do this? How did you have time to do this?” she asked.

He tilted her chin up so that she was looking at him.

“When it comes to you when it comes to spoiling you when it comes to giving you everything you deserve when it comes to making sure you know how I feel about you, I will always have time. I will always make time. You will always know that you’re my #1 priority.” he replies.

She didn't know what to say or do, so she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. When their kiss broke she had tears in her eyes.

“Why are you crying, my love?” he asked.

“You did all of this for me when you didn't have to,” she replied.

“Yes, I did. And I would do it again and again and again and again. You tasked me with loving and nurturing your heart and your trust and this is just one way how I do that. By showing you true, real, unconditional, and genuine love. Now dry your eyes and let's sit down so we can enjoy our picnic.”

The couple sat down and Marquise immediately started unpacking the picnic basket. There were two champagne glasses, 6 covered dishes, utensils, and two chilled bottles of wine.

“So what do we have?” she asked.

“Two first courses, two main courses, and two desserts,” he replied as he uncovered the first two plates.

“Ooh! Caesar Salad!”

“Yes. And for our main courses, we have Beef Wellington with a beautiful Red Wine reduction, Chicken Cordon Bleu, two beautifully cooked lobster tails with melted lemon and parsley butter, roasted garlic parmesan smashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar and bacon, and roasted asparagus with Hollandaise.”

“Shut up and pass me a fork!”

Marquise snickered before they dug into their meal.

“Are you moaning over food?” he asked.

“Look. I make a lot of noise when I eat,” she replied.

“And when you drink,” he added.

“That too.”

Once their meal was done it was time for dessert.

“Now what is this?” she asked.

“Chocolate Strawberry Napoleon and a Pot De Creme Au Chocolat L’Orange. They're absolutely delicious,” he replies.

“And what do you have?” she asked.

“Baklava! Specifically Chocolate Baklava,” he replies.

“I'm sensing a theme here.”

“And what theme is that, my Queen?” he asked.

“These are all menu options for a wedding reception,” she replied.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying, my Queen?” he asked.

“Yes. We have officially tasted our reception menu,” she replies.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Positive. I want this menu at our reception,” she replies.

Marquise swirled the wine in his glass.

“As my Queen commands.”

Shanelle snickered.

“I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing you say that.”

“You shouldn't. The day that you do is the day I have failed you completely.”

“Have I told you that you're hopelessly romantic?” she asked.

“Plenty of times. Now shall we explore our sleeping quarters for the evening?” he replies.

“As long as you bring the wine.”

Marquise grabbed the bottles before they made their way into the tent. It was spacious with an opening at the top so they could look up at the stars. Shanelle laid back and looked up.

“This view is amazing!”

“Yes, it is. And the stars are nice too.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes with a smirk.

“You never stop.”

“Nope and I never will.”

Shanelle sits up and takes a sip of wine before laying her head on his shoulder.

“Drunk yet Princess?” he asked.

“No, but I'm getting there," she replied.

She felt his arm wrap around her and pull her closer.

“I like having you like this.”

“Like what?” she asked.

“In my arms. I don't like letting you go,” he replied.

“Do me a favor," she said to him.

“Hmmm?” he replied.

She kissed him softly.

“Don't ever let go.”

He kissed her slowly. When their kiss ended all she wanted to do was melt into him.

"Is it wrong that I just want to stay here like this?" She asks.

"No. Because I owe this to you." He replied.

"I'm not a debt Marquise. You don't owe me anything."

"But I do. I owe you my heart and my love. And I promise to give you that. I promise to always give you that.”

She shook her head at him.

"Well, this weekend might not have been so bad after all."

“I wanted to make sure your first weekend here was peaceful.”

“Mission accomplished sir.”

She snuggled closer to him.

“Go to sleep Shanelle. I'll see you in the morning.”

She smiled at him just before closing her eyes. The next morning they were back at the estate, readying to leave for South Cordonia.

“Is it wrong that I’m excited?” she asked.

“No, it's not. Today we get to travel to the capital city of South Cordonia. This is a big deal for you.” he replied.

“Will it take long to get to South Cordonia?” she asked.

“Your duchy sits on the border of both North and South Cordonia. It's about 2 ½ hours away. Would you still like to go?” he replied.

“Yes, I would like to go.”

“We're not too far from the capital city.”

“What is the capital city?” she asked.

“Cloutier. And should you ever be asked, the name of the capital city in North Cordonia is Bélanger for future reference,” he replied.

“Thanks for the heads up. Do you think we would have time to visit my grandparents’ graves today?” she asked.

“Of course,” he replied.

“I've always wanted to see where they were buried. As weird as that sounds.”

“It's not weird at all. You were a toddler when they died. But I do know that they loved you. Especially your grandmother.”

“How can you be sure?” she asked.

“The last time I remember seeing your grandmother, she was having tea with my mother. I remember running into the garden where they were, and how she called me a handsome little prince. But mostly she gushed about you. She was so excited to be a grandmother.” he replied.

Shanelle smiled softly.

“Thank you for that. So what are we waiting for?” she asked.

Marquise shook his head with a smile.

“Let's go.”

And off they went. The 2 ½ hour drive was smooth. They traveled along the river through several villages to the capital city of South Cordonia. When they got to the center of the capital city, the main street was filled with people eager to get a glimpse of the heir to the throne.

“Look at all the people!”

“They're all here to see you. You’re the heir they've heard so much about.”

When they pulled into the motor court of the palace Shanelle was in awe.

“I haven't been here in years but it's beautiful.”

“Indeed. In the few times I've had to come here I was always struck by its beauty. But we aren't here to admire the palace, we're here so you can see your grandparents or at least their final resting place.”

Shanelle nodded solemnly.

“Are you ready, my love?” Marquise asked.

“No, but we didn't come all this way for nothing. So let's go," she replied.

Slipping her left hand into his right and flowers tucked under her right arm, they walked from the motor court to the memorial gardens. The closer they got to her grandparent's graves, Shanelle started to get emotional and Marquise noticed.

“Are you okay, my love?” he asked.

Shanelle shook her head no.

“We don't have to continue.”

“Yes, we do. I just want to see them. I feel like I have to say goodbye.”

“If it becomes too much we'll leave, okay?” he asked.

Shanelle nodded before they continued. When they got to her grandparent's graves and saw the names on the headstone, she lost it. Thankfully Marquise was right there by her side.

“It's okay my love.”

“I didn't think it would be this hard. I wasn't even here when they died or when they were buried.”

“That doesn't change the fact you love them, Shanelle. You still have the memories of them.”

Shanelle nodded while drying her eyes.

“I don't have that many memories of them because we weren't around each other long. But I do remember parts of my coronation.”

“Tell me about that.”

Shanelle closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled slowly.

“It was my first time here in Cordonia. I couldn't have been any older than 19 months old. Me, my mom, my dad were walking down the hall to the throne room and I remember seeing my grandmother’s garden. So when we were in the throne room with them and Edward, I was fussy because all I wanted to do was go see the flowers. So my grandmother took me out to the garden, and let me run around. I even picked one of her flowers and gave it to her as a present. Her favorite flowers were Roses, Hydrangeas, and Carnations. Because of her, they're my favorite too.”

Marquise nodded.

“Your connection to Cordonia is strong because of them. They wanted you to have this. They knew you were destined to be the Queen that South Cordonia needs.”

Shanelle smiled sadly at him.

“Do you see that inscription between their names?” she asked.

“Yes, I see it. What about it?” he replies.

“Read it.”

Marquise looked closer and read the inscription.

“In the memory of Flower and Baba. Loving and doting grandparents.”

“Those were the nicknames I gave them. I called her Flower and I called him Baba. I was supposed to be saying Papa but 19-month-old logic and pronunciation at the time.”

Tears started to well in her eyes again.

“I think I'm ready to go now,” she whispered.

“Alright. We’ll head back.”

Shanelle looked at the headstone one last time.

“Bye Baba. Bye Flower. I'll come back soon.” she whispered before they left.

They walked back to their waiting car and when they left the palace, Shanelle was quiet.

“Are you alright my love?” he asked.

“I will be,” she said as she laid her head on his right shoulder.

“Your grandparents would be proud of you. Especially your grandfather.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Yes. For years, he was the Iron King. Unrelenting and impenetrable. Nothing fazed him. He literally ruled with an iron fist until he found out that he had a beautiful granddaughter. There was a seismic shift in the way he ruled after he found out about you. He became more patient. More understanding. More kind. He began to have a more open mind and honest dialogue with his people. He even apologized to them for the way he treated them. Because he didn't want you to inherit his old ways as King. Your father was right. You changed your grandfather for the better up until he retired as King.” he replied.

Shanelle smiled at him.

“Thank you for saying that. I needed to hear it.”

He kissed the back of her left hand.

“That's what I'm here for my love.”

When they got to the palace in North Cordonia, all Shanelle wanted to do was go to sleep.

That following Wednesday couldn't come fast enough for Shanelle and especially Marquise. It was the day the kingdoms would be theirs permanently and Cordonia’s two final Royal Families would begin the process of being one family.

Marquise was up bright and early getting ready. This was his moment and he was going to take it. Once he was ready, he went to check on Shanelle who was getting ready in the palace boutique. When she walked out of the boutique his jaw dropped.

“What? Is it too much?” she asked.

“You are a vision, my Queen,” he replied.

She snickered.

“Kiss ass.”

“Absolutely.”

Shanelle shook her head with a smirk.

“Shall we be off?” he asked.

“Yup. Let's go,” she replied.

He offered her his arm and soon they left the boutique and headed for the main dining room.

“Is it wrong that I’m nervous?” she asked.

“Why are you nervous?” he replied.

“Because this is it. Today we are about to gain two kingdoms. You're about to be King and I will be Queen.”

He stopped walking to face her.

“Look at me,” he said as he gathered, then squeezed her hands gently, “I understand that you are nervous but you are never alone. You've said it for days, we are a team. We are and will always be a united front.”

He watched her bite her bottom lip.

“You're cute when you do that.”

“Do what?” she asked.

“Bite your bottom lip. It's absolutely adorable. I love to watch you bite your lip. Here come with me.” he replies.

He led her to a large picture window looking out to the hedge maze.

“You are moments away from being a Queen of legend. Normally I would be biased and say that the title of Queen of legend belongs to only my mother but even I have to admit that title will soon belong to you. As it should. I have every confidence and faith in you and your abilities. You are a pillar of strength, beauty, intelligence, grace, and poise. And soon, Cordonia will see what I see in you.”

Shanelle closed her eyes and exhaled slowly before smiling softly.

“I love your faith in me.”

He kissed her forehead softly.

“So let's shake off the nerves, let's each take a deep breath, and let's go conquer the former monarchs.”

Shanelle snorted.

“You're gonna have a field day with this aren't you?” she asked.

“Damn straight I am. I've waited years for this and now the moment I've been waiting for is finally here. So do excuse me whilst I get the rare opportunity to show my entire ass.” he replied.

Shanelle snorted.

“You're insufferable.”

“Very. Now if you don't want to talk to any of them, you don't have to. I will do all the talking. Okay?”

“Okay. Besides, I think I wanna watch you in rare form today.”

“Very well. Now, are you ready?” he asked.

“Lead the way, my King,” she replied.

They continued down the hall to the main dining room where Bastien was standing guard.

“Good afternoon Your Highnesses. Are you two ready?” Bastien asked Marquise.

“We were born for this. Open the doors.” Marquise replied.

With a curt nod, Bastien opened the doors to the dining room. When the couple walked in they are greeted by her uncle and his wife, Constantine and Regina, George and Margo, and two unexpected guests.

“Mom? Dad? What are you two doing here?!” Shanelle asks her parents.

“You would have to ask the Prince that question, baby.” her mother replied.

Shanelle glared at Marquise with her arms crossed.

“Before you hit me let me explain.”

“Start yapping.”

“This is an important moment for us both. And I thought it was pertinent that your parents share this moment with you. Besides, your father deserves to see his scheming pay off.”

“I guess…” she trailed off.

“Also, it's time the two of you sat down and spoke.”

“Now?” Shanelle asked.

“After we're done here,” Marquise replied.

Shanelle nodded.

“Okay.”

Marquise turned his attention to everyone in the room.

“Please be seated everyone so we can get started and lunch can be served.”

Marquise pulled Shanelle’s chair out for her as everyone took their seats and earned a side eye from her dad.

“How about instead of giving me a look Damien, you be grateful I got your daughter to even look at you?” Marquise warned Damien before taking his seat.

Once everyone was seated Marquise spoke.

“First on behalf of Shanelle and myself, I want to thank everyone for joining us. Today marks the dawning of a new era in Cordonian history. Today signifies the end of the reigns of King Constantine Rys of North Cordonia and King Edward Miller of South Cordonia. And marks the beginning of a brand new reign of myself and Shanelle.”

Everyone looked at Marquise as he continued.

“Now I know that 4 of you in this room are not very happy right now. And that is due to the work of 3 of you. Stand up, gentlemen! Let's have a round of applause while the three of you take your well-deserved bows because you've done it. You three wanted a united Cordonia after centuries of it being divided and you've succeeded. That is a feat like no other. Now, unfortunately, two of you have to renounce your titles as Ruling Monarchs thus giving up your kingdoms to achieve this goal of a united and unified Cordonia. Not that I can say that I'm sympathetic to your cause.”

Shanelle took a sip of her water to hide her snicker while Edward rolled his eyes.

“Are you finished, Your Highness?” Edward asked.

“Absolutely not. I just had to get that off my chest.” Marquise replied.

“Need I remind you that you’re still just a Prince?” Edward asked.

“No, you don't but if you don't keep your mouth shut these proceedings will take all day,” Marquise replied.

Edward cursed under his breath but said nothing else.

“Much better. Now let us begin.”

With a quick clap of Marquise’s hands, the first course was served. It was Lobster Bisque. It's one of Shanelle’s favorites.

“This Lobster Bisque is amazing,” Shanelle whispered to Marquise.

“Wonderful. I'm glad you like it. This lunch menu was curated with just you in mind.” he whispered back to her before addressing the room. “While lunch is being served everyone, let's get down to the first order of business.”

Marquise watched as everyone turned their attention toward him.

“The first order of business is our upcoming wedding. We are here today to officially announce who will stand for myself and Shanelle at the ceremony.”

Marquise turned to Damien and Shantel.

“Because of the magnitude of this extraordinary circumstance, it would be customary for the King and Queen of South Cordonia to stand as the representatives of the Crown Heir but, because you two are her parents, I have but one question, will you stand as the representatives of Princess Shanelle at our wedding?” he asked her parents.

“Are you kidding?! Of course, Damien and I will stand for our daughter!” Shantel enthusiastically replied.

Marquise nodded with a smile before looking at Damien.

“What say you, Prince Damien?” Marquise asked.

“I would love nothing more than to stand for my daughter at your wedding,” Damien replied.

Marquise nodded before turning his attention to Margo and George. He looked fondly at Margo.

“Now you’re probably wondering why you and Papa are even here in the first place aren't you?” he asked Margo.

Before Margo could reply, Connie finally spoke up.

“That's a very good question, my son. Why are they here?” Constantine asked.

“I'm glad you asked. Because you’re about to find out.” Marquise replied before turning his attention back to Margo.

He smiled at Margo softly as he took her right hand into his left hand.

“You have been like a mother to me. You raised me. You gave me love when I didn't think I was worthy of it. You challenged me. You fought for me. You taught me. You cheered me on. You encouraged me. You wiped away silent tears I’ve shed over the years. You kicked my ass when God knew that I needed it. You and Papa have been the parents I desperately needed. Especially when His Majesty couldn't have cared less for me.”

He cleared his throat while rubbing the back of her knuckles.

“You showed me what family is, what it should be, and how it should always look like. With that being said, Maman, I would be so honored and eternally grateful if you and Papa would stand for me at my wedding.”

At that moment you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned.

“Say something, Mama.”

Margo looked at him with her eyes shining with tears.

“You're certain?” she asked.

“Yes. It would mean the world to me if you and Papa would stand for me as my representatives at my wedding,” he replied.

“My love. Just say yes!” George says to his wife, making Marquise shake his head with a chuckle.

Margo looked at Shanelle who smiled at her encouragingly.

“If you’re both sure, Papa and I would be honored to stand for you,” Margo said to her adopted son.

“Papa?” Marquise asked George.

“Of course my boy. It would be an honor and a privilege to stand for you. Especially when it's to honor your mother.” George replied.

Connie scoffed.

“You mean he disgraces his mother. Eleanor would be offended and appalled.” Connie sneered.

Marquise glared defiantly at his father.

“I do no worse of a job at disgracing her name, her memory, or her legacy than you do. Furthermore, my mother trusted Margo far more than she ever trusted you. Not that I blame her, given your track record as a King, a husband, and a father.”

Connie went quiet, and that's when Regina spoke up.

“If your representatives for your wedding have been chosen, stepson, why are we, King Edward and Queen Genevieve even here?” Regina asked.

“Simple. You don't have a choice in the matter. To which you and Genevieve can thank your husbands for that. After all, Damien wasn't the only scheming father in this plot you know. The same man responsible for Leo and Madeleine’s disaster of an engagement is the same man who helped to orchestrate this whole thing.” Marquise replied.

Regina huffed.

“Now onto the location of the wedding, as you all know Shanelle is not native to Cordonia, she is native to New York and that is where the wedding will take place. And because it is customary for a former Monarch to attend the wedding of the new Monarch, the presence of the four of you is required to attend our wedding.” Marquise announced.

His announcement was met with jeering protests from the Monarchs.

“Absolutely not! I will not step foot in that cesspool of a city!” Queen Genevieve shouted.

“As I stated to my father's wife, you don't have a choice in the matter, Your Majesty. Your presence is mandatory as is theirs. All thanks to your scheming husband.” Marquise said to Queen Genevieve.

She glared daggers at him.

“That look may work on your subjects and children but it doesn't work on me. You’re not as intimidating as you think. Now the date is to be determined, but all of you are required to attend. And I expect to see all of you there.”

Edward slammed his fist on the table.

“How dare you speak to my wife that way?!”

“Sit down Edward!” Shanelle snapped at him.

Edward scoffs.

“So now the Princess has a mouth eh?” he asked Shanelle.

“She also has a shoe that she will take off and chuck at yo big ass head if you don't sit yo sorry ass the fuck down!” she replied.

“You dare threaten me, child?!” he sneered at her.

“It's not a threat, it's a promise. One that I plan to make good on,” she replied.

“Why you insolent little-” Edward started to say before Marquise cut him off, “sit down and be quiet Edward!”

Edward glared at them both but sat down and kept quiet as the first course plates were cleared and the main course was served. The main course was a perfectly seared petite Filet Mignon topped with colossal shrimp and a crab Oscar sauce with creamy parmesan risotto and honey-roasted carrots with roasted hazelnuts. Shanelle loved it.

“Now that everyone has been told about the wedding details. It's time to sign the paperwork.”

With a snap of his fingers, the official transfer proclamation was brought in.

“I see no reason to delay the inevitable for much longer so let's rip the bandaid off and get it over with,” Marquise announced.

Marquise took a pen out and signed twice then handed Shanelle the pen.

“Sign your name twice under mine, date it, and record the time.” be instructed.

Shanelle nodded before signing and dating the document. Marquise then turned to Shanelle’s parents.

“Prince Damien, as the agent acting on Shanelle’s behalf, you are to sign, date, and record the time. Duchess Shantel as Mother Of The Heir, you are also to sign, date, and record the time.”

Damien was first to sign then Shantel.

“Now comes the fun part! Stripping the two kings of their titles.” Marquise announced.

Shanelle snickered.

“You're enjoying this aren't you?” Shanelle asked him.

“Immensely,” he replied with a smirk.

“You're a mess.”

Marquise shrugged.

“I told you how I planned on acting.”

Marquise turned to the Monarchs who were all glaring at him.

“Now let's start with King Edward and Queen Genevieve. Your Majesties, you both are to sign, date, and record the time, and King Edward you are to seal the document.”

“No.” Queen Genevieve said defiantly. “This disrespectful child doesn't deserve MY kingdom.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

“For the record, the kingdom you’re claiming is yours has always been Shanelle’s. You were nothing more than a glorified caretaker. Also, this deal was brokered and set in stone, long before you married Edward and had his children. You know this. All because he wanted to be a hero in his father's eyes.” Marquise said to Queen Genevieve.

“I don't care! This is my kingdom! I will not sign!”

Marquise looked at her coolly.

“You can either sign on your own free will or be thrown in chains. Your choice Genevieve.”

Damien choked on his water, Shantel took a satisfied sip of her lemonade, while Shanelle snickered at Genevieve’s facial reaction.

“Well, what's your decision, Your Majesty?” Marquise asked, “you are holding us up.”

Genevieve angrily signed the proclamation.

“Are you happy now, Your Highness?” Queen Genevieve sneered.

“Very! Now for your husband.”

Marquise turned his attention to Shanelle’s uncle.

“Your Majesty you’re next. Now sign!”

Edward gave Marquise a venomous look.

“You can look at me like that all you want. This was all your doing. And now you get to reap the seeds that you've sown. Don't be angry now. You and your co-conspirators caused this. Now sign the goddamn proclamation!” Marquise growled.

The two stared at each other furiously with Marquise’s gaze unrelenting. Finally, with a long exasperated sigh, Edward gave in and signed.

“Seal it!” Marquise commanded.

Using his signet ring, Edward applied his seal while cursing under his breath before handing the document over to Marquise.

“Perfect. Now for the moment, I have waited my entire life for.”

Marquiss looked at Constantine who looked disgusted with him.

“Now this…this is what you deserve. To be stripped of your kingdom and title just for it to be handed to me. The son you always called a failure. The one you threatened to have hung by the neck whenever I didn't do whatever you demanded I do more times than I can count. It's pretty sweet if you ask me.”

“Are you done gloating?” Connie asked with a sneer.

“Are you six feet under?” Marquise replied.

Constantine gave his son a death stare.

“I'll take that as a no. Now sign! Both of you! I'm out of patience.” Marquise ordered.

Shanelle had never seen this side of Marquise. He was powerful, unflinching, and relentless. She loved it. Everyone watched as King Constantine and Queen Regina signed and sealed the proclamation without needing any provocation. It was official, Cordonia now belonged to Marquise and Shanelle.

Marquise stood up and helped Shanelle to her feet to formally announce the signing of the proclamation.

“Let the signing and sealing of this proclamation signify the full dissolution of the kingdoms of North and South Cordonia, to make way for the creation of a new unified and united Cordonia. Per the betrothal agreement, all now former Monarchs will be allowed to keep their duchies both by birthright and by marriage, any summer homes, and whatever business holdings if any, they should have. Also, each former King and Queen shall receive a curated monthly living stipend. In terms of the palace in Cloutier, it will be turned over to Shanelle. The former Monarchs of the now dissolved South Cordonia will be given 90 days to vacate the property. After which, Shanelle will take full ownership of the palace.” Marquise announced.

Shanelle had to hide her excited smile as Marquise continued.

“In addition to the signing and signifying of this proclamation, Princess Shanelle Dominique Miller, Crown Princess, and Heir To The Throne of South Cordonia, and myself, Prince Marquise Constantine Rys, Crown Prince, and Heir To The Throne Of North Cordonia, do hereby officially renounce our titles as Prince and Princess. Henceforth, we will be the new King and Queen Regents of Cordonia until we are married. Where we will be the official King and Queen of Cordonia.”

Shanelle couldn't believe it. They did it.

“This proclamation will be entered into permanent record within the Hall Of The Royal Archives,” Marquise said as he handed the proclamation off to the attendant. He then turned his attention to his fiancee who was bouncing on the tips of her toes.

“Congratulations my love. We did it.”

Shanelle threw her arms around his neck while squealing excitedly.

“Oh, My God! We did it! This is real! I'm going to be a Queen. And you…you’ll finally be King. Marquise this is happening. It's no longer a dream! It's real!” she exclaimed.

He brought her left hand to his lips for a soft kiss.

“Indeed it is my Queen. I couldn't have done this without you. The future of Cordonia is bright all because of you.”

Genevieve scoffed.

“I hope you two are so proud of yourselves! Because if this dream of Cordonia of yours falls, which it ultimately will, you'll only have yourselves to blame.” she sneered at them both.

“Poor former Queen Genevieve. Upset you won't have any of the people’s money to spend on new gowns?” Marquise mocked.

Edward and Genevieve both stood up furious.

“Don’t you ever mock my wife, you simpleton! Our kingdoms have thrived and survived for decades thanks to our leadership!” Edward shouted at Marquise.

“You mean the kingdoms have suffered, you selfish son of a bitch! Maybe if you took your head out of your ass for once you would see that people are suffering! You four have done nothing but bleed the people dry and forced them to bend a knee! The nobles run amok because of each of you. Because of the incessant greed of the four of you, it is now our job to prevent a war from destroying the only home many of us have ever known! All while we will have to fix an economy you all have all but bankrupted!” Marquise snapped back.

“We don't have to sit here and be insulted by you!” Genevieve shouted.

“But if you leave now, you'll miss dessert.” Shanelle quipped.

That was all it took for Queen Genevieve and King Edward to storm out of the dining room without looking back. The two shared a mischievous grin.

“Now that all that ugliness is over, I think it's time you and your father sat down and talked. Don't you?” Marquise asked Shanelle.

Shanelle looked over at her parents and smiled wistfully.

“You're right it is time.”

Marquise nodded before they walked over to her parents.

“Marquise you were fantastic! I have never seen those two more embarrassed.” Shantel said to him.

He smirked then bowed slightly.

“Thank you, Duchess. I don't get to do that very often.”

Shanelle shook her head.

“I came by because I think it is time that your daughter and husband sat down.”

“You're right. This has gone on long enough.” Shantel agreed before speaking to her daughter and husband, “it's time to end this.”

Damien and Shanelle just looked at each other before Damien awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Why don't we go out into the courtyard?” Damien asked.

“I think that's a great idea,” Marquise answered.

Damien nodded before opening the door for his wife and daughter. As he watched them walk out Marquise tapped the older Prince on his shoulder.

“Fix this Damien. They are all you have.”

“I know Marquise. I thank you for what you've done.”

“I'll see you whenever you’re done.” Marquiss before he stepped away.

As Marquise went to walk out of the dining room, he was stopped by Constantine and Regina.

“We need to talk. Now!” Constantine demanded.

Marquise rolled his eyes.

“Since you’re not going to stop pestering me, let's go,” he replied to his father.

He followed the elder couple down the hall, past the throne room to the Elder Rys’s office. As they walked Marquise noticed Connie’s stride was a lot slower than normal. Once inside Marquise took his usual seat across from his father.

“I'm here. What do you want?” Marquise asked, clearly annoyed.

“That was quite a performance you gave, my son. Very compelling. It's almost like you were trying to humiliate me.” Connie replied.

“I was. Because you definitely earned it.”

“You're not amusing Marquise.” Connie sneered.

“Not to you anyway.” Marquise shot back.

“Your attitude is starting to test my patience, boy.”

Marquise scoffed.

“Good.”

Constantine balled up his fists and shook his head.

“I have been trying to talk to you for weeks and you've done everything to avoid me.”

“That's because whatever it is you want to talk about is personal. And I don’t care for or about your personal affairs.”

“You need to.” Constantine insisted.

“No, I don't. But since you have me here, what is it?” Marquise asked.

“It's about the surgery for my cancer,” Connie replied.

“The one you had 9 weeks ago? What about it?” Marquise asked.

“It wasn't successful. The cancer has metastasized to my liver. It's inoperable.” Constantine replies.

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning it's terminal. I only have 6-8 months left to live.”

“So you’re dying?” Marquise asked.

“Yes, my son. I'm dying.” Connie replied.

“Why are you telling me?” Marquise asked.

“Because you deserve to know that your father is dying,” Regina replied.

Marquise nodded then shrugged.

“Good. The sooner you die the better.”

Regina and Constantine reared back.

“How can you sit there and say that?! He is your father!” Regina snapped.

“Because I don't care! That's how. I have nothing for him. No love, no compassion, no empathy, and certainly no sympathy. Why? Because he doesn't deserve it. And that is a sad commentary in and of itself. I should be mourning my father. Hell, I should be terrified of losing him but instead, I can't fucking wait for him to die. And do you know whose fault that is Regina? That's his fault. After all these years of him being a piss poor excuse of a King, a man, a husband, and especially a father, because he would much rather spend his time being a self-centered, greedy, calloused, drunken whore, his karma has finally caught up with him and it's now biting him in the ass. ” Marquise replied.

“You can't wait for me to die?! Are you really that damn callous, boy?” Constantine asked.

“I learned from the best. And the best at being a callous bastard is you.” Marquise replied. “Now as the King Regent, I will do what I need and have to do to ensure your final days and months, whichever comes first, are as comfortable as possible for you. And when you do eventually die, I will honor Cordonian tradition and give you a state funeral. But that is as far as I will go.”

Connie just stared at Marquise.

“Are we done here?” Marquise asked.

Constantine shook his head.

“Good. Now if you two will excuse me. I have better things to do than look at the two of you.” Marquise said as he got up and walked out. When he got outside Constantine's office, Margo was waiting for him.

“What happened?” she asked him.

“According to him, he's dying, mom,” he replied.

Margo was shocked.

“Dying?! But what about his surgery?”

Marquise shrugged.

“Apparently, the surgery didn't take, and the cancer metastasized to his liver. He has maybe 6-8 months left to live.” Marquise replied.

Margo looked at him.

“How do you feel son?” she asked.

“I don’t care. I wish I could but I can't force myself to care about someone who never cared for or even loved me,” he replied.

Margo looked at the office door before shaking her head.

“Walk with me?” she asked him.

“Anything to get me away from this damn door,” he replied as they began to walk. Soon when they were as far away as possible from Constantine’s office, Margo finally spoke.

“You know you can always talk to me and tell me what it is you’re really feeling, son,” she said to him.

“I know.”

“So what are you feeling Marquise? And don't say it's nothing. Because I know you well enough to know that isn't true.”

Marquise stopped mid-stride, closed his eyes, sat down with her on a side bench, then took a deep breath.

“I feel conflicted. I feel…a sense of relief. Because soon it'll all be over. I feel angry. I feel cold and callous. I feel resentful. I feel disgusted. I don't feel sad. I don't feel mournful. I don't feel sorrow. I don't feel scared. And I should mom. I should feel something because my only living parent is dying. But I don't. Whether he dies today, tomorrow, 6 days, to 3 months from now. I won't mourn him. I can't.” he replied.

Margo wrapped him in a motherly hug.

“Despite my feelings about Connie, I do hope one day that you'll be able to truly forgive him.”

“I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.”

Margo shook her head.

“You're even more stubborn than an ox.”

“Moooooooooo!”

She rolls her eyes with a chuckle.

“That's a cow.”

Marquise snickered.

“You love me, mom.”

“Yes, I do.”

The two continued their walk back to the main dining room. When they got to the dining room, they saw Damien just standing at the window. With an encouraging nod from Margo, Marquise walked over to him.

“I thought you were fixing this Damien.”

Damien sighed.

“I am. I just…I don't know what to say to her. I'm scared that she'll never forgive me.”

“How do you know for sure?” Marquise asked.

Damien chuckled dryly.

“You're right. I don't.” Damien replies.

“Exactly. Now I can't tell you how she will react but I can tell you this, she loves you and God knows she misses you. So get out there and talk to her.”

Damien looked at him and then nodded.

“Thank you, Your Regency. Maybe you won't be such a bad son-in-law after all.”

Marquise rolled his eyes.

“Going now. Thank you again.” Damien said to him before stepping out into the courtyard.

When Damien stepped out into the courtyard, his heart seized. There were his girls sitting together on a bench. The two women he would stop the world on its axis for. They were beautiful, smiling, and laughing with each other.

“I can't tell you how excited and proud I am of you, baby. You’re going to be a Queen. My daughter is going to be royalty.” Shantel said to Shanelle.

“I mean technically I already am royalty mom.”

“Oh, girl! You know what I meant!”

The two laughed. When Shantel looked up, there was her husband.

“Well well. Look who finally decided to join us instead of being a creep lurking in the shadows. Come sit.”

Damien sat down next to Shanelle who had a restrained look on her face. That look changed when Damien held out his right hand to her. She slipped her left hand into his waiting hand with a small smile. Damien cleared his throat before speaking.

“A Queen. My beautiful, smart, incredible daughter. The one who used to fall asleep underneath my desk when she was little is going to be a Queen,” he spoke softly.

“Just the way you wanted Daddy. Your hard work paid off,” she replied quietly.

“I think you mean all my scheming paid off.”

They laughed before Damien looked at her remorsefully.

“I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am. I had no right to treat you the way that I did. I was cold, arrogant, and callous. I had no right to be. Especially to you and your mother. You are the light of my life. The reason my heart beats. I have been in love with you since the first time I held you in my arms. And God knows I have missed you so much. My beautiful Princess will now be a stunning Queen. I am so proud of you.”

Shanelle looked at her dad with tears in her eyes.

“I miss you my darling. I miss you so much. I have been so sorry. I hurt you and your mother in the worst way possible. And I can not tell you how ashamed I have been. With both myself and my actions. All I can do is beg you for your forgiveness.”

Damien rubbed the knuckles of her left hand, toggling her engagement ring.

“When Marquise called last week and said that the transfer of power would be happening I was so happy and excited for you. And when he said that we were invited I couldn't wait to leave. I had to see you. I had to hold you again. I had to apologize to you for my callousness.”

Shanelle threw her arms around her father and hugged him while crying.

“I've missed you, Daddy. I've missed you so much.”

“I've missed you too, my darling. You and your mother are the only things in this world that will ever matter to me.”

When Shanelle looked at her father, she smiled softly.

“I forgive you, Daddy. I know that at that time you were under pressure from your brother.”

Damien shook his head.

“That is no excuse. I will never forgive myself for the way I acted. I love you so much, my beautiful girl.”

“I love you too Daddy.”

Shantel let out a sigh of relief. This is all that she wanted. She wanted her family back together and she was getting her wish. Marquise watched from the dining room with Margo at his side.

“They look so happy,” Margo said to him.

“I hope they are. I know how much having her parents here means to Shanelle,” he replied.

Margo patted his arm.

“You did good, son.”

“Thank you. Now there's just one thing left for me to do.”

“What?” Margo asked.

“Asking her parents for her hand in marriage,” he replied.

“You didn't ask her parents for her hand?” Margo asked.

“At the time we got engaged, she and her father weren't on speaking terms mama,” he replies.

Margo reached up and hit him upside his head.

“Ow! Stop that!”

“What are you waiting for, son? Get out there!”

“They're having a family moment mom. I don't want to interrupt.”

Margo put a hand on her hip and gave him a look.

“Yup. Going to ask for her hand in marriage.”

“Good boy. I think I'll join you so you don't mess this up.”

Marquise gave her a look.

“I will not mess this up!” he protested.

“Less talking, more walking Your Regency.”

“You are so mean!”

“I'm your mother. If I wanted to be nice to you I wouldn't have raised you.”

Marquise shook his head with a smile as he opened the door to the courtyard for her and they walked out.

“Hello everyone! I hope His Regency and I aren't interrupting.” Margo said as she and Marquise greeted them.

Shanelle smiled at Margo.

“No, not at all. Let me introduce you to my parents. This is my father Prince Damien Miller and my mom Duchess Shantel.”

Margo bowed politely.

“It's been a long time since we've last seen each other, Your Highness. It's good to see you. Your daughter is an absolute joy.”

Damien smiled proudly.

“Thank you, Margo. It's good to see you again as well. How is George?” Damien asked.

“My husband is doing quite well, thank you. He continues to be a throne in Constantine’s side.” Margo replied.

Damien nodded with a chuckle.

“That sounds like George.”

“I didn't know you knew George and Margo, Daddy.”

“Yes. They've always been amazing.”

Marquise cleared his throat before addressing Damien.

“I'm glad you all have had this time alone. But I have a question to ask you, Your Highness.”

“Yes, Your Regency? What is your question?” Damien asked.

“I would've done this when we were back in America, but that time was tumultuous. So I am formally asking you now. I would love to know if I have your and her mother’s blessing to have your daughter’s hand in marriage.” Marquise replied.

“Seriously?” Shanelle asked.

“Yes. It's tradition for the Regent to ask their bride’s parents for her hand in marriage.” Damien answered her before turning his attention to Marquise, “on behalf of my wife, Your Regency you may have our daughter’s hand in marriage on one condition.”

“Name it,” Marquise said.

“Normally I would be the one to walk her down the aisle, but instead, I want to greet her at the end. If you and her will have me, I would love to officiate your wedding.”

Shanelle looked at Marquise with a hopeful smile.

“I accept your terms, Your Highness.”

“Welcome to the family, Your Regency.”

“Likewise, Your Highness.”

The two smiled at each other before everyone headed back into the palace. That night Shanelle was snuggled up with Marquise, gazing at her engagement ring.

“What a day,” she said with a sigh of contentment.

“Indeed my love. We accomplished a helluva goal.”

“We're the regents now. Connie and Edward are no longer in power. Or at least they don't have a lot of power anymore. They haven't become figureheads yet.”

“True. We have a lot of responsibility now. It is up to us to form the new Monarchy. To make or break policies. To balance the scales between the nobility and the people. To be the voice of and for the people.”

Shanelle whistled low.

“That's a whole lot. But I think we will manage.”

Marquise nodded.

“Yes, we will. No one expects you to know everything about politics, love. Least of all me. But I believe in you and your VERY strong determination.”

She smiled softly at him.

“I never did thank you.”

“For what?” he asked.

“For bringing my parents here. I know you didn't do it just for the transfer of power,” she replied.

He held her closer.

“You're right. I didn't. There was no way you were going to go on without seeing them. Especially your father. You two just needed a tiny nudge in the right direction.”

“Yeah. We did. I've missed him. And I think I punished him enough.”

“And now that you have your kingdom, it's time to show off.”

Shanelle snorted.

“How?” she asked.

“The Derby is this weekend. And your friends will be here. So now is your chance to show Cordonia who you are, my Queen.” he replies.

“I can't wait for the girls to get here Friday. We are gonna have so much fun. Having them and my parents here means the world to me.”

“Good. I'm glad to hear it.”

Shanelle sighed contently.

“I don't like how my dad went about all of this, but he was right about one thing. I deserve this. I deserve you.”

Marquise kissed her forehead.

“Indeed you do.”

Shanelle drifted off to sleep listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

The next day she and Marquise were in the palace gym having a sparring session with blunted swords.

“Are you ready my love?” he asked.

“Let's go!” she replied.

Marquise lunged at her with practiced ease. Even though he had more experience, Shanelle didn't give up. She was able to parry, dodge, and evade his attacks. While getting a few shots of her own in.

“Okay. So you’re not as bad as I thought,” he said.

“I took fencing lessons as a kid. I hated them but I took them.”

“It shows. You have some things to work on but so far you're good.”

“Thank you.”

“Should we continue?” he asked.

“I'm game,” she replied.

They continued to practice until both were sore, with Shanelle holding her own.

“Alright. Let's take a break,” he said while catching his breath.

“Well now, it seems like I've impressed His Regency. I must be doing something right.”

Marquise shook his head before taking a drink of water. When he put his bottle of water down he noticed Shanelle staring at him.

“See something you like, my love?” he asked.

“Maybe,” she replied.

She bit her bottom lip when he flexed his bicep with a smirk.

“You sure?” he asked.

Just as she went to answer, a voice answered.

“Like she would ever be able to appreciate the way you look.”

Shanelle rolled her eyes as Naya walked up.

“Shouldn't you be at home with your husband instead of fawning over my fiance?” Shanelle asked.

“And this is how I know you'll never be an effective Queen. You don't even know the rules of the palace.” Naya replied.

“If you got something to say to me, please speak your mind.”

“Oh, believe me, I've got plenty to say to you. First of all, I am a guest of King Constantine. I have his permission to come and go as I please. Second, the palace gym is open to all nobility. Not that some common American mutt like you would know anything about being a noble. Hell, your father isn't even a good one.”

Shanelle stepped to Naya and got in her face.

“Don't you EVER mention my father!” Shanelle growled.

“Why not? He's almost as bad of a noble as you are. And don't get me started on how disappointing your grandparents were as Monarchs.”

That's when Marquise jumped in between them both.

“That is enough! Both of you!”

“Nah. Little Miss over here wants to drag my family so I’m gonna drag her fucking face.”

“Such a nasty thing you are. You'll never make it with the court with an attitude like that.” Naya sneered.

“That's it,” Shanelle said before she tried to jump over Marquise.

“Shanelle stop!” he said to her before turning to Naya, “why are you here?”

Naya threw up her hands in mock surrender.

“I just came to work out in the gym. That's all.”

Marquise let out an explosive breath.

“Translation: you pestered Alex and Bastien about where I was and you thought you would walk in here, bat your eyelashes, and I’d fall for it.”

Naya huffed.

“But since you’re here, the gym is yours, Princess. Have a good workout,” he said to her before dragging Shanelle out of the gym. When they got outside the gym Shanelle was ready to fight.

“That bitch! Who the fuck does she think she is to talk about my family like that?!” Shanelle seethed.

“I know you’re angry. You have every right to be but I need you to calm down.”

“I'm calm. Or at least I will be once I beat her ass.”

Marquiss steered her away from the gym.

“Not here. There are too many people on her side. They'll turn the court against you.”

“…fine.”

“I understand your anger. And Naya has a way of getting under the skin of people. But I don't want you to be seen as hostile toward others that you don't like. Because there will be people in court that you won't like. And as infuriating as Naya is, she still has considerable sway with the court. And she knows how to wield it.”

“So what you're saying is try to use her ego against her?” Shanelle asked.

Marquise shrugged.

“I didn't say anything,” he replied.

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josejr22 · 6 years

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This is a comic of pics based on my ducktales fanfic “The gray game” here’s the story, how you enjoy it!

(Webby was always a……special kind of girl, as she’s like the girl from Bioshock infinite, as both lived indoors for most of their life while they trained with their relatives, but this caused webby to worry if this makes her dangerous or different then other girls, well she actually didn’t thought much of it, untill when she was looking for her tennis ball that she kicked too hard and it flew through a row of trees into a prison, where the begal boys and their begal mother were currently are, luckily, no prisoners were outside yet so she was lucky that the ball made it unscathed or stolen…….untill Ma Beagle grabbed the ball before webby retrieved it.)

Webby: Hey!

Ma Beagle: oooohhhhh look! It’s a non twin!

Webby: give me back my ball!

Ma beagle: oh please! You think your “Part of the family”? Your not a mcduck! Your a nobody!

Webby: wha? Wha?

Ma beagle: seriously, how are you a mcduck if your different?

(What Ma beagle asked to webby caused her to become enraged as she didn’t felt offended as how gamers reacted when a danakitana ad that said that John Romero was gonna make players his @@@@@, she didn’t anything extreme though, she just yank the ball of ma beagle and walked home, covering her tears as she walks,)

(Later, the mcduck family was having dinner. While the others were eating, webby was just silently feuming in rage, worring the family)

Scrooge: is something wrong Webby?

Webby: it’s just, earlier, when I tried to get my ball back from ma beagle, she said I wasn’t part of the mcduck family, because she says that I’m……different.

Mrs beakly: oh webagail, (She hugs her granddaughter) it doesn’t matter what she says, your not a nobody, your a SOMEbody, you’ll always be one.

Webby; (hugs her back) thanks granny.

(While this did cheered webby up enough to eat dinner, this isn’t the end, no, what happens next is a series of unfortanute luck for not just webby, but for DUCKBERG, and this would let to webby and the triplets almost getting KILLED in a angry mob! But before I tell you that, I’m gonna tell you this, as of now, I’m gonna talk about a news that confuses me or surprises me, and it starts with: Warner bros putting loot boxes in their single player game, “Middle Earth, Shadow Of War” shadow of war is a sequel to shadow of mordor, a lord of the rings prequel game I’m not gonna spoil anything important in the 2 game’s plot but long story short, in the first game, a dude named Talion works with a ghost named Celebrimbor to kill a bad guy named the black hand after he killed Talion’s family, the 2nd game is where after making a corruption repelling ring, a ghost lady named Shelob takes Celebrimbor hostage, and she says she’ll let him go if talion gives her the ring and he does and Shelob let’s Celebrimbor go, she then says that a common enemy in Sauron needs to die and she sends the 2 to build an army of orcs and raid the enemy’s stronghold. Both games got great reviews but gamers were mad that loot boxes were in the game….but for me, it’s kinda dumb, like loot boxes appear on multiplayer games, so why in a single player game? That’s not quite how it works, when worse, as it turns out, the last mission is suprisenly hard to beat, causing players to realize that the game is forcing you to buy loot boxes to get more orcs and powerful orcs and upgrades, this led to the ESRB company to investigate to see if this is considers gambling, and unfortunately, they declared it isn’t. Thus igniting the rage it ensured. So yeah, those are my thoughts on the news, feel free to comment below if your opinion on the news.)

(Webby couldn’t sleep, she still thinks that Ma beagle should be punished she imagines how the punishment will look like, then she felt what felt like a book under her feet on the side of the bed, which was a book (of course) she opend it and it had all these crazy drawings of ducks being big, small, buff, fat, and the one that got her attention was a antro cube, the words bellow say, “this spell casts a where (untill the one who wished this wish, ends the wish by saying, "I wish this would stop”) “everyone in the city of the wishers location, would be nothing more then a cube and the colors around would be nothing more then a white cube and their memories being alterd to think that this is what their species always looked like except for the wishers friends”)

(Webby was now overwhelmed with both joy and vengeance, she didn’t hesitated, she just lay the book down and said ((unaware that the book has a warning sign in it))

Webby: I wish everyone was the same!

(Within seconds the book started to glow white and a non lethal explosion similar to that of a flashbang grenade flashed webby, the room, the house and then the city of Duckberg, knocking everyone out cold)

(When Webby awoken, she found that she wasn’t wearing her pajamas, and she didn’t saw her casual outfit, she looked down and saw she was missing a neck,ears,hair, and her upper and lower body, she went to a mirror and finds that she had turned into a cube, making her overjoyed)

Webby: it worked! Now Ma beagle will have to understand how it’s like being different!

(Just then, she heard a girlish shriek in the boy’s room, barging in she found that it really worked……as She has 0 idea who shrieked like a woman.)

Huey; what happend?!

Dewey: were cubes!!

Louie: IT WASNT ME WHK SHRIEKED GIRLISHLY!

(Nevermind the huey Dewey and webby know who shrieked, embarrising louie)

Louie: I mean, why is the room black and white?!

Huey: why is DUCKBERG black and white?!

(The 4 look outside to see their home town is painted in black and white)

Webby; i…..may have wished a spell that caused all this to happend….

(The boys glared at webby with pure rage in their eyes)

Webby: I only did it to get back at ma beagle! Now she knows how it felt. I’ll just march over there and make her get a taste of her own medicine!

(She walks all the way down stairs, saying hi and by to scrooge, Donald, and her grandma, and the boy’s follow her telling the 3 adults that they’ll be back…..unaware that the 3 doors were open and there was no one there.)

(At the prison)

Webby: watch this and hide behind that tree please!

(The 3 hid behind a nearby tree and webby marches to ma beagle’ s cage, and prepares to get back at her)

Webby; now do you see Ma beagle? Your experiencing how being the same is? It isn’t fun, nor makes the world creative, it just makes things generic, while people do have opinions on things, people like you blame people who are different for things that people like they and you did like a crime, child abusement and other horrid things a person could do, I just don’t want you being……well racist. That’s all. You understand?

Ma beagle: while that does make sense, A: what are you talking about? And B; who’s ma beagle? Im Bigtime beagle!

(He turns around to see A cube you big time beagle’s face, startling her)

Webby: what?

(Meanwhile, scrooge woke up in his red outfit in the middle of a white void where he finds Donald, beakly and other adults in duckberg, who are all dazed and confused.)

Scrooge: what the?

Donald: where are we?

Beakly: weren’t we at duckberg?

Man 1: are we dead?

Woman 1: is this purgatory?

Man 2: wheres my son?

Woman 2: wheres my baby?!

(Soon the confusing turned to worry as they all realized that their kids are missing, then a ghost duck with a outfit that looks like a magician appears in the middle of the panic site)

Ghost: oh no, I thought I got rid of the book.

Scrooge: who are you?

Ghost: oh my name! Right, I’m Quacky Houdini

Donald: say, aren’t you the best magician in duckberg from the 1920s?

Houdini: why yes it is, I was the best magician in all of Duckberg….untill I let a man punched me in the stomach after I told him I don’t feel pain which burst a hole in my small intestine, giving me peritonitis and dying in Halloween of 1926, bad idea there but some of my acts where real magic tricks!

Beakly: what? Aren’t magician’s acts just illusions.

Houdini: they were and mines were of course…..though some were more then illusions, long ago, in 1891, the first stage of my magic career wasn’t very successful as all my illusions there were really obvious, i was gonna quit magic for good…untill I found a odd little book called, “how to make actually magic for dummies” at first I thought it was a joke like wishing for a rabbit to come out of my hat. When i did, a rabbit appears on my hat, it was real! And I was enjoyed by this! It helped me in my magic career and I became the best magician in duckberg history! My famous acts were turning a lady from skinny to fat to skinny again, and making hundreds of hats to an audience! And both are successful!…..for a time,

Donald; wait, wasn’t your famous acts had you climbing to the surface after being buried 6 feet under and escaping a whales belly?

Houdini: yeah, because I wiped the actual 2 acts from everyone’s memories, 4 years later, my acts started to get more hostile and harmful, as my acts seemed to be permanent ranging from me cutting a lady and her not dieing to me turning a rich family’s life savings into birds, people thought I was using my fame to steal from them and ruin their lives as some form of a sick joke, I tried to look for a spell that reverses this but it wouldn’t, it turns out the book was forged by unholy witches and was only stopped when a witches sacrificed himself to end their horror. But I have awaken their power to the world, so I looked and looked and found a hidden message by the witcher, a wish that resets everything to normal ending the wish. I had to act, I wished for none of the horror that came in my 4 year career and do illusions as a magic act, and the horror was……gone, I still had a magic career but it’s without the book and my 2 acts are me being buried alive and being eaten by a whale, I noticed though that the magic book was still there, I threw the book out and buried it, hoping no one unleashes the horror it ensure ever again. Untill now.

Ma beagle: so how do we get outta here?!

Houdini: I need a couple of volunteers to come with me to earth to get to the wishers and unwish the wish and fast, since the wish has a side effect,

Ma beagle: what effect?

(She soon felt a little puffy)

Houdini: that effect.

(Ma beagle soon began to puff up and continued to do so and got bigger, bigger untill, BOOM! She exploded and it rained gray glitter with Ma beagle’s face in it)

Houdini: that’s gonna be all of the people here if we don’t unwish the wish soon!

(Scrooge, Donald and beakly grabbed Houdini’s hand as the other adults began to puff and explode into glitter at a alarming rate.)

(Meanwhile at earth,)

Webby: what’s happend?

Dewey: I’ll tell you what happend: you just gave kids adult jobs!

(He was right, as babies are are old men, kids have adult jobs and teens are teachers)

Webby: I can reverse this!

(The kids go home to get the book for a reverse spell, but webby ended up discovering a warning in the wish she casted that said “this wish can’t be finished by the wisher who wished it nor the wisher’s friends, only the ones unaffected by the wish could unwish it.)

The boys: well?

Webby: this is gonna be harder then i thought.

(Meanwhile the adults were looking for the kids but to no avail as it simply went like this)

Donald: Huey?

Random cube: David.

Beakly: Webby?

David: David!

Scrooge: Dewey?

David: DAVID!

houdini: are you….(whispers to Donald on the green sweaterd kid) Lewis?

(Donald facepalms himself as David leaves in frustration. Then…..)

Donald: (as he puffs up) oh no! Gonna explode!

Houdini: look out!

(The 3 duck before Donald etoniated into black powder)

Donald: aaaaaand it’s raining me.

(Scrooge gets a bag and scoops his nephew up)

Houndi: we must hurry before you 2 are next!

(Meanwhile)

Webby: ok. Great so how do we get their attention?

Dewey: we color ourselves in the color of our outfits!

(Huey immediately grabs a piece of paper and a crayon and draws a gray line)

Huey: everything here is a black and white painting that’s dull as a pillow box.

Louie: hey guys I made some Soufflé in case we get hungry!

(He presents the kids his souffle……which immediately deflated into a red color.)

Louie: Must’ve overheated it

(This spark an idea in webby’s head)

Webby: make more please! And overheat it cause I think i got it!

(30 minutes passed and the kids got 4 souffles colored in red,blue,green, and light purple)

Webby: now we just rub it in our body’s to make it obvious and well be normal in no time!

(The kids rubbed the multi colored souffles on themselves to give their outfit colors in. They head outside to call their relatives)

Dewey: uncle scrooge? it’s me Dewey! I’m right here and my body is blue.

Louie: Donald? It’s Louie and Huey! We are nearby hopefully and are colored red and green!

Webby; and I’m light purple granny! We’re right here!

(The cubes adult kids noticed this and were immediately peeved. By the sight of it.)

Person: Hey! Those people are colored differently……ITS NOT NORMAL!

woman: KILL THEM!!!

(the crowd begins to corner the kids for murder and as lucky as they can get, the adults heard them)

Scrooge: I hear them!

Beakly: I see a mob!

Houdini: hurry! I’ll bet the book!

(The 2 ran as they could to get to their kids as Houdini teleported to get the book just as the 2 began to puff and stretch)

Scrooge: not now! Why now?!

Beakly: we made it at least!

(Webby notices scrooge and beakly puffing and stretching about)

Webby: i see them!

Huey: hope they can be quick!

(Houdini comes in with the book gives it the scrooge and beakly who are about to pop simultaneously say)

Both: WE WISH THIS NEVER HAPPENED!!

(and a flash of light envelopes the whole city and when it disappeared, not only is Houdini gone, but the city’s kids are back to their original species with their parents again, but A: almost everyone has no memories of the events that just now happend and B: Donald is no longer black powder anymore)

Webby: phew!

Dewey: agree to never do that again Webby?

Webby: agreed!

The boys: good!

(Donald sees the magic book and throws it at a garbage truck before it closed its garbage door)

Donald: are you all ok?!

The kids: yes we are!

(They prompley hug Donald, then they hear a cough and see that both scrooge and beakly weren’t so luckey)

Donald: how did-

Scrooge; good timing.

Beakly: inevitable explosion.

(The end)

Artwork by: tanasweet123 Story by: josejr22

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