And I, You

CHAPTER ONE

King Constantinos V had little reason to smile. His country, or “first love” as his wife sourly put it, had grown under his care. From a country with little power but large landmass, they were now on the world stage with some of the most desired alliances.

The break down of Russian, three hundred years ago, had fractured the seventeen point one million kilometres squared into individual countries and states varying in size and ability to function. Ethelburgesa had formed a stable monarchy and absorbed the neighbouring countries which had failed. Quickly and quietly Ethelburgesa had doubled in size. They finally settled and stopped invading after obtaining a whopping eight point six million kilometres squared, landing them the title of the fifth largest country in the world. It was such a quiet invasion that King Constantinos I had headed that they just appeared as a strong country and no one really wanted to question it. They had been born in the fires of a broken country, so who was to question what had happened?

From there, King Constantinos I spread his influence like dandelion seeds. China, unlike the West, had watched this silent power grab and so was eagerly the first major alliance made back in the 1700s. With a powerful country like China signed on, many other Asian countries fell into line, few countries from the East were left out. They feared another war which had torn Russia apart, but this time spearheaded by Ethelburgesa and China. It was best to be on the right side for once.

Britain and America had jumped at the chance to make an Eastern Alliance, followed by the ever-growing list of European countries at the midpoint of the 19th Century. They wanted the trade and the opportunities that Ethelburgesa could hand them. With a stable and large energy exports business, they were the country you wanted to call your friend. Even if you weren’t happy to call them that in private. However, these alliances weren’t always easy as King Constantinos I found out. Unlike Britain, China and America, most of the countries stayed on the fringes as they had signed out of duty, not personal gain, therefore didn’t jump at the idea of trading. It was tough but they established their persona of a helping country, not one to fear and be hostile towards, opening up once closed borders and welcoming tourists.

Sweden and Spain had looked at the alliance with a different view to most countries. Sweden had numerous eligible sons and daughters, an easy way to create an alliance. As a result, King Constantinos I virtually sold his children for the simplicity of an alliance, along with a random farm or two in the countryside to sweeten the deal. Spain, on the other hand, played coy. It would take more than just one marriage alliance and a plot of land to get them to sign on the dotted line. Through the 1900s another two marriages were made between the two countries.

King Constantinos V had one son, Prince Constantinos VI. “His second love”, his wife would comment even more sourly than when she would mention her husband’s dedication to his country. With the loss of two children before Constantinos VI, his first and only child was unbelievably precious to him. His marriage was the product of his parents making more alliances with countries. England had almost sold Constantinos V his wife for protection in the event of a war and/or financial struggles. It had happened in the aftermath of the second world war when everyone was still shaken and hurriedly rebuilding their countries as well as possible. As a result, there was little love in the family as Prince Constantinos VI grew up. His father tried to dote on his son but failed miserably. It never stopped Prince Constantino VI looking up to his father with adoration and respect. When it came to finding a wife, Spain offered up Princess Amberly. She was a national beauty with long dark hair, gently tanned skin and everything perfectly proportioned. What a man wants in his wife. Constantinos fell for the possible bride almost immediately, what took time was winning her heart. Her hand in marriage was thrown at him, but he wanted to win her heart like a proper gentleman. He wanted her to love him.

Surprisingly, it had been a cold Saturday evening in mid-December when Amberly began to fall for the blonde prince who spoke only Ethelburgesan (a variation on a Russian dialect) and English. She stood in the middle of the lawns, staring up at the stars, wishing with all her heart that she was back home, under her own sky, smelling the trees and her dog beside her.

“Orion.” A gentle voice said at her shoulder. She jumped in shock and turned to look at the boy behind her.

“Excuse me?”

“Orion, my favourite constellation.” He said, crudely tracing the outline of the stars against the inky sky with a mug of something steaming.

“Oh. Cool.”

“Hot chocolate? I had the staff make two, as an excuse to invite you out here in an attempt to get to know you.” Gratefully Amberly took one of the mugs and began to warm her hands.

“Why Orion? Which one is it?” Constantinos VI plopped himself onto the cold grass and patted the ground beside him.

“Sit and I’ll tell.” Tentatively, she took a seat beside him and began to listen as he talked. He had a passion and genuine interest that touched her guarded heart. Maybe she could vaguely like this odd person.

That one stargazing session turned into another, then another, then months later they were still out on the grounds watching the stars. Amberly discovered that she prefered to watch him. Then it hit her like a tonne of bricks that she liked him. Her foolish sixteen-year-old heart had fallen for the first boy who had shown genuine interest in her.

Eleven years later with eight years of marriage under their belt, Constantinos VI and Amberly had expanded their family with a set of twins. Following tradition, they named their son Constantinos, after all the male heirs in Ethelburgesan history. For their daughter, they named her Cassiopeia after the constellation and the Greek Goddess. Although she could never rule their country, she was still destined for greatness.

The Manor House, more affectionately referred to as the Manor, was where the Heir to the Ethelburgesan throne lived until their time came to rule. Therefore, for Prince Constantinos and Princess Cassiopeia of Ethelburgesa, it was the only home they had known and had spent sunlight hours and rainy days chasing each other up and down the thickly carpeted halls. They had the perfect life, a mother and a father who doted on them, and a house filled with joy. The type of joy that brought a smile to even the grumpiest of faces.

Faces like King Constantinos V who rarely smiled. Like their parents, their grandfather adored them and cared for them when their parents were away on official business. He would let them sit on the carpet of his office and play with the cars kept in his drawer. The advisors would frown as they both grew older, but the king wanted them there and there they would stay.