Thread: A Kingdom in Turmoil  (ThickLeaves x Sketchyequine)

Charles himself has always wanted to be a knight, the kingship wasnt something that he deemed as a desirable life. Being captive to the throne, having to go to meeting after meeting, visiting nearby kingdoms. Charles, as vain as he was, was more interested in being a Knight, jousting with fellow knights and winning the approval of the common folk through entertainment. He practiced in the courtyard with the knights that served under his father, becoming an expert swordsman and eventually learning to ride. He knew that by the time he would be old enough he would ride in the vanguard, fighting his fathers battles rather than sitting on the sideline waiting for him to pass. Charles was an only child which only worried his chance as knighthood more and more. His father wouldnt let house Alby die over a rebellious child who wanted fame and glory rather than fear and power. As soon as Charles learned to sneak out of the castle and into the stables, his father stationed more and more guards. His father knew the price of his jewels, and as much as he hated to admit it Charles was his prize jewel. Princes Charles Alby had lived in Albion his entire life, the lands were luxurious and everything that a prince could want. The lands of Albion were prized for their rich sapphire and ruby mines. Ever since the establishment of the kingdom decades ago, they had control over the most prized jewels making them one of the richest kingdoms in the world. The Kings and Queens of house Alby always had their disputes over land, making grasps for more and more at every turn they could. Albion started as a small castle whom no one could have pretended to have know, but under the rule of King Marcus, whom was Charles father, the kingdom flourished like never before. Marcus ruled over Albion with more than just an iron fist diplomacy wasnt within his vocabulary and when his advisors would recommend it, they would be removed from his council or worse. If nearby lands would refuse to open trade, then Marcus wouldnt hesitate to march his troops across the borders. Albion grew at a rate that was exponential until they reached the lands that had belong to house Blackburn. The Blackburns were the only house that Marcus couldnt overcome with ease, but he wasnt one to back down from a challenge. War broke out between the houses without a vision of end in the near future. The war between the houses raged on for what seemed like a decade supplies were running low, and money to pay for the war was running even lower. The people were causing riots and revolts in the streets, and people werent in favor of the kings actions. The wars always helped the kingdom but not until the rewards came in. Until then, they hated every aspect of it. Considering this war went on for longer than all of the past ones, the people had never been so against Marcus. Ground wasnt being made on either side. Marcus didnt gain leeway with his borders and neither did King Blackburn. Marcus council continued to advise for a political ending to this dispute, and every meeting Marcus slowly fell into the belief that it was the only way. He couldnt think of something that either side would want that they didnt already have, that was until Marcus remembered Charles. Charles always had dedication to the family, even if he didnt seek for a political position within it. The advisers recommended a royal wedding, a unification of the two houses, bringing Alby and Blackburn into one giant Kingdom. Charles was merely a player in his fathers game, and of course he was forced into the marriage with nothing to say for himself other than Yes Father Soon enough with diplomatic meeting after meeting there was set to be a marriage between the eldest children of both houses. Although it wasnt the typical marriage, the kingdoms would lose their current rulers due to popular demand, and the land now would be ruled by both the King and Queen. The wedding between the two was rushed to have them jointed so the peasants and knights would stop their rebellions in the streets. Their parents left more than just a small mess for them to clean up, political rivals to be shut down, debts to be paid and most importantly, cities and towns to repair and bring back beneath the crown. Charles was far from ready for the plan before them, due to his wishes of being a knight he never attended the meetings the scribes and advisers held, and of the ones he was forced to attend he was busying himself by carving the tables or daydreaming of spending his days in the courtyard. So now the marriage and kingship being sprung upon him with no time to comprehend it was going to hit him hard. Charles took a deep breathe in and then slowly exhaled, his eyes opening to look over the crowd before him. Of course every royal wedding needed an equality as extravagant royal celebration the following day. The wedding of two great houses was no exception to this, therefore the celebration was larger than any in the past. Nearly 100 lords and ladies attended and Charles wasnt in the mood to speak to any of them, not even his bride. He rested his hands upon the table, the food before him never looked so unappetising. The expression on his face didnt seem to change, the feeling of anger and disappointment on where he had ended up. He dealt with the tickle in throat by clearing it, turning his head to the side to face his wife with a groan. Eliza. He whispered under his breath but just loud enough for her to hear over the commotion. The pair have barely spoken, their marriage was minimal time for conversation and that was their first proper interaction. I hope that our first declaration is no more gatherings such as this. After the words fell from his lips a sour trail was left in their wake, almost causing him to reach for his goblet in an effort to wash it away. Sadly being kind to his wife to be was something hed have to get use to, and alcohol wouldnt suffice to tame it.