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I was given the prompt: Glimmer and Bow dancing at her coronation while Lance, George, and Aunt Castaspella discuss wedding plans in the back. Listened to a lot of 80's love ballads while drawing this and had so much fun with the lighting! Wanted to add that touch of romantic magic to the image.
Chapter 6: The Coronation Ball (Part 1)
To Stephen, the day had been a blur, but the promise of rest was still hours away. The guests had been arriving since half-past seven, so he barely had time to shower and change into a fresh uniform before making his entrance at the ball, moving quickly from group to group and accepting their deep bows and curtsies with a warm smile.
As the orchestra, hidden in the gold reception room behind screens, played waltzes by Mozart (Stephen’s favorite – indeed, his mother had thought of everything), couples whirled on the dance floor. Stephen had done away with the tradition of the new monarch having the first dance. As a bachelor, he felt it would be unseemly for him to choose a partner, as anyone not chosen would take offense.
To his left, Archbishop Anscom was keeping King Nicholas II and Queen Margaret of Allycia in conversation – God bless the old man for helping keep everyone occupied, Stephen thought. Their Imperial Majesties Emperor George VI and Empress Catherine of Torenth spun blissfully on the dancefloor, seemingly oblivious to all around them. Good, he thought. Perhaps I’ll have a little time to mingle.
Amidst the twinkling lights and fragrant bouquets hand-cut from the royal gardens, Stephen spied Olivia Howes, Countess of Trentham, looking tired and frail. Her son and one of Stephen’s oldest friends, Jason Howes, stood silently next to her, eyeing the festivities disinterestedly.
“My dear friends” Stephen said. “No, countess, please don’t get up. I just wanted to make sure all is well. I’m afraid neither of you look as though you are enjoying the evening. And where is the Earl? After all his hard work planning today’s ceremonies, I was disappointed to miss him at the coronation.”
The countess and her son exchanged an uneasy glance.
“I’m afraid Martin is not feeling well these days,” the countess said. “He sends his best wishes and congratulations, of course, your royal highness.”
Stephen met Jason’s eyes, but looked away quickly when he saw the pain evident there. Obviously, the earl’s condition was worse than the countess let on.
“I’m so sorry to hear that, my dear lady,” Stephen said, taking her hand. “Please, let me know if there is anything I can do. I know your daughter, Elizabeth, is a doctor now. Has she been to see him?”
“Yes, among several,” Jason replied for his mother, who dropped her gaze. “I’m afraid his condition has not improved. But please, do not let us ruin your evening, your royal highness. There is much to celebrate. Your address, for example, was a triumph. It’s all they’re talking about on the news channels.”
Stephen blushed, smiling. “Thank you for saying so,” he said.
After a moment of silence, Stephen smiled again. “Thank you so much for coming. Tell your husband that I will come and see him as soon as I return from my trip abroad. Hopefully, by then, he’ll be much improved.”
As he spoke, Stephen noticed the prime minister, David Darnley, approaching.
“Your royal highness,” Darnley said, with a quick bow. “Forgive me for interrupting, but I was hoping we might have a moment together in private.”
“Of course, prime minister,” Stephen replied, nodding his farewells to Jason and the countess. Please, follow me.”
“Now where is he going?” Dowager Princess Marie muttered to herself before turning back to her guest, HRH Princess Caroline of Corwyn. “I’m terribly sorry, my dear. I had hoped to introduce you to my son, but it seems that matters of state have intruded once again. I’m sure he’ll be back shortly.”
“It’s fine, your highness,” Caroline replied with a smile. “I certainly understand. I’m sure I’ll have the pleasure later this evening. I do want to thank you again for the invitation. While we expected mother would attend, I was surprised to see my name on the invitation as well.”
“Why, my dear?” Marie replied. “You are such a lovely young woman! When we first met at your mother’s mid-winter ball, I said to myself ‘there is a young woman who will do great things.’ Which is why I wanted you to meet Stephen. I think both of you share similar interests.”
“How lovely of you,” Caroline said, politely. “I certainly look forward to making his acquaintance.”
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I'd never ask you ‘cause deep down I'm certain I know what you'd say You'd say: I'm sorry, believe me, I love you But not in that way
The angst continues. Lord M’s resigned-“like a rook, I mate for life”-shoulder-sigh destroys me every time ):
Yo, can we get uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
i love it when the beaumont brothers have my back
Vicbourne looks - Coronation Ball.
And to me this was the moment Lord M realised that Victoria was someone who meant more to him than just being his Queen, no words needed to be said it hit me just watching him.
Chapter 6: The Coronation Ball (Part 3)
“Of course, Marie,” Queen Anne of Corwyn said, offering a smile. “I have no doubt such a match would benefit both our nations. However, considering the two of them have yet to officially meet, don’t you think such conversations are a bit … premature?”
“Not at all, my dear,” Marie replied with a smile. “It has been my experience that such conversations are helpful in making our mutual goals come to fruition. Were your daughter and my son to wed, it would solidify the relationship between our two nations and create a formidable alliance. Or would you prefer to live under the constant posturing of our Torenthi neighbors to the north? Alone, neither Corwyn nor Weston are equipped to compete with Torenth overtly. However, together ….”
“Indeed,” Anne replied. “Yet let us see whether the two even like each other before going into the political ramifications such a marriage would have.”
As Stephen returned to the ballroom, he saw Crown Prince William of Corwyn staring at him intently. I haven’t seen Will since prep school, Stephen thought. But I should at least say hello.
Striding across the room, Stephen greeted his old friend warmly.
“Will!” he said. “So good of you to come celebrate with me.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” William replied with a smile. “A splendid day, and I must say, you were absolutely spot on in your address. Your public speaking has improved, my friend. I remember when you could barely speak in front of a classroom, let alone a nation.”
“Well,” Stephen replied with a laugh. “Being a prince, one is forced to adapt to many things that one might not be comfortable with.”
“Caroline!” William called out, then turned back to his host. “Stephen, have you met my sister, Caroline?”
Caroline seemed to glide across the floor as she approached. She looked resplendent in a gown of deep purple, and Stephen was struck by her beauty, catching his breath.
“Your royal highness,” Caroline said, extending a hand. “It is such a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“No, your highness,” Stephen replied, leaning in to kiss her gloved hand. “The pleasure is by all means mine.”
Caroline smiled.
“Will, I must ask,” Stephen said, without looking at his friend. “Where and why have you been hiding your sister? She is absolutely enchanting!”
“And, on that note, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” William said, smiling awkwardly as he left.
“So tell me, how does it feel to have the coronation behind you?” Caroline said. “You must be relieved.”
“Indeed, I am,” Stephen said, smiling. “I was terrified of making a mistake, or tripping, or anything else that would embarrass the family and give my mother additional cause for criticism.”
Caroline laughed. “And I thought I was the only one who found her intimidating.”
“Mother? Intimidating?” Stephen replied, mocking surprise. “Not exactly that – at least, not to me. But she has always been quite … formidable.”
Caroline nodded. “I’m truly surprised we have not met before, given your friendship with my brother.”
“Well, being princes – and heirs – has placed responsibilities on us that often preclude keeping up friendships,” Stephen replied, wearily. “I’m afraid neither of us has made the necessary effort, since we haven’t really seen each other since commencement.”
“Were you close?”
“To an extent, yes,” Stephen answered. “He was the only other student who shared the same obligations as I did, so we understood one another quite well. But enough about your brother, Caroline. Would you care to dance?”
“Finally you ask,” Caroline replied, coyly. “I was afraid I would go the entire evening without a single waltz.”
“Well, we can’t have that,” Stephen said, taking her hand and leading her to the center of the room. “What kind of host would I be if the most beautiful woman at the ball were to leave unsatisfied?”
Stephen took Caroline into his arms and they danced. While skilled, Stephen had never truly enjoyed dancing – only the music. But somehow, dancing with Caroline was effortless – as though they had been dancing together all their lives.
As the orchestra transitioned into another piece, Caroline stepped away.
“I’m afraid my mother is ready to retire, so I must go,” she said, sadly.
“Then I’m afraid the highlight of my evening has passed,” Stephen replied, gazing intently into Caroline’s lovely blue eyes. “May I be so bold as to inquire whether I might see you again?”
“I would like that,” Caroline replied, meeting Stephen’s gaze. “Very much.”
“Then I sleep tonight a happy and contented man,” Stephen said. “Good night, my dear princess.”
Across the room, Marie watched the exchange with interest, and smiled. Perhaps the evening would be more of a success than she had anticipated. Yes, quite a success, indeed.
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Chapter 6: The Coronation Ball (Part 2)
Stephen led Darnley out of the ballroom and across the hall to his formal audience chamber. Once the doors were closed, he turned to the prime minister, lifting a curious eyebrow.
“I apologize for pulling you away from your guests, your royal highness,” Darnley said, obviously uncomfortable.
“Oh, spit it out, Darnley,” Stephen said, shaking his head wearily. “I would have hoped by now you would have known that you can speak directly with me.”
“Indeed, sir,” Darnley said, pausing. “Your address today was, of course, well received. However, some members of the National Assembly have reached out to me concerned.”
“Concerned?” Stephen replied, surprised. “Why?”
“Well, your royal highness, the news of your upcoming visit to Washington came as a bit of a surprise to all of us. While I was aware that you were working to improve our trade relationships and attract new investment to Weston, I did not anticipate you making overtures to governments beyond Oceana’s shores.”
“Then you underestimated my resolve, prime minister,” Stephen said, pointedly. “The level of investment required to make headway in Grenville Bay – or across Weston, for that matter – will take much more than a few economic concessions from Torenth or Corwyn. By attracting American business to Weston, we will strengthen our economy exponentially and make much faster progress than would be possible with only Oceanic support.”
“I agree, your royal highness,” Darnley replied. “But matters of foreign policy ….”
“Remain a cooperative effort between the crown and its government, I know,” Stephen replied. “However, in this case, I informed you that I would be seeking international investment prior to reaching out to the United States government. The fact that you did not anticipate the lengths I would go to in assisting the people of Grenville Bay, I’m afraid, is your failing. Not mine. Had you asked, I would have gladly gone into additional detail.”
Stephen stopped, took a breath, and continued.
“Prime minister,” he said, easing. “Know that if I felt the government would have been a more appropriate channel for these negotiations, I would have enlisted your assistance. However, the United States is a republic, and its people have a long-time fascination with monarchy – which, to them, is a romantic and antiquated concept. Believe me, as a newly crowned prince, I intend to use that romanticism to our advantage.”
Darnley smiled. “Again, you surprise me, your royal highness. You seem to have everything well in hand, and, given your explanation, I cannot fault your strategy. In fact, I must say it’s absolutely brilliant. I would never have thought ….”
“Excuse me.”
Both Stephen and Darnley looked to the door, where George VI, Emperor of Torenth, stood.
“Your imperial majesty,” Darnley said, bowing.
“I was hoping to have a few moments with you alone as well, Stephen,” the emperor said. “But I see someone has already claimed that honor.”
“It is fine, sir,” Darnley said, walking toward the door and giving the emperor another bow. “His royal highness and I are finished, are we not, sir?”
“Of course,” Stephen replied. “Do come in, emperor.”
“George … please,” the emperor said, waving his hand. “We sovereigns should be on less formal terms, don’t you think?”
“I dare say,” Stephen replied. “And how can I help you?”
“I was fascinated with your address this afternoon,” the emperor replied, looking around the room. “You are a gifted speaker, young man. And I’m sure your words were well received here in Weston.”
“But perhaps not in Torenth?” Stephen replied, casually.
“Your plans to increase trade and investment in Weston are admirable, of course,” the emperor said. “But your plans to enlist foreign investment – particularly from the United States – is cause of some concern in Torenth. We already have a robust trade agreement with the Americans. Additional complications – say a transition of business interests or transport agreements, for instance – could impact our economy significantly.”
“I don’t see how,” Stephen said, “unless somehow we can provide an economic benefit that Torenth cannot, which is a normal factor of economic competition, not political. Of course, given the size and scope of the Torenthian economy, I must say I find that hard to fathom that we here in Weston could cause significant damage.”
“Indeed,” the emperor replied, crossing his arms. “But be warned, Stephen. Torenth will not support any trade agreement that could potentially conflict with its economic interests or existing contracts. And given the ‘size and scope’ of the Torenthian economy, as you say, I trust you understand what a lack of Torenthian support could do to your own economy.”
“I fully understand,” Stephen replied, calmly. “Now understand me, George. It is not – nor has it ever been – my intention to negotiate any economic package that would adversely affect our Oceanic neighbors. However, my first and only obligation is to Weston and its people. We must hope the two priorities do not come into conflict.”
“Indeed we must,” the emperor said. “For both our sakes.”
As the emperor turned on his heel and left the room, clearly annoyed, Stephen stood for a moment. His plans had caused more complications than he had anticipated – both domestically and internationally.
I must plan my next moves carefully, he thought.
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