Alox, Imperial Union

The Hoxe Family was clearly the youngest royal house in Pacifica. Unlike other houses, which have or had ruled over their territories for decades, centuries, or even millenia, the Hoxe were just a group of previously commoners who had risen to imperial magnificence only because the people wanted an uniting, stabilizing factor for the totally and sometimes fragile artificial nation the Imperial Union was.

The Emperor did not mind. After all, he accepted the throne to serve the people, his now countrymen. In his view, they were not subjects. They were his comrades. Sure, there had been months of instability, but everything had calmed down. Even the Northeast recently recognized his imperial titles over them, but he would have no power whatsoever. Not even as a ceremonial figure, as they elected their own regional leader to serve the constitutional powers Albert served in the rest of the country. He was their monarch only in name.

The Republics, both the Ryccian and Irykian, recognized him as their Emperor, but some roles, even if ceremonial, were given to their local governments. These were mainly about representation, as Irykia and, to a lesser extent the Ryccian Republics all retained their rights to conduct foreign affairs near-independent from Alox's federal government.

However, some members of the family were concerned about their position in the world. If they didn't act as your average family, what would they be? An oddity amongst the centuries-old royal bloodlines across the globe, or try to legitimize their own as royal players in the scene, merging familes and not be stuck to be just some commoners who got lucky? Also, there was barely any nobility. That was non-existant. The only person that wasn't a royal and got ascended to the noble class was the First Minister of Irykia, Charles De Montblanc. The Emperor was so amazed by his multicultural yet uniting policies in Irykia that he named Charles the Marquis of Mirrey. Albert was looking to confer titles to other people, but this was the only noble family at the moment, thousands of miles away: the De Montblancs.

And so, Crown Prince John, Archduke of Alox and one of the Emperor's uncles, got a plan. After hearing of The Peony of Huawan's message, he and some family members convinced the Emperor to send John's son, 27-year old Prince Carl, Duke of Silediane.

In his mind, if his son succeeded the throne, his bloodline would be nobility in two countries in some way or form. Then, his descendents could possibly rule them both, displacing what he secretly saw as a "peace-loving youngster" and his bloodline, with no aspirations to true royalty.

No one knew this. He just suggested this in the guise of legitimacy and expanding family connections, like all royal familes do. Still, genius!, he thought. A true madman trying to be an usurper of the throne. Besides, Albert did not want to marry nor want children (for now), so his bloodline would be extinguished anyway. He was already Crown Prince, and Carl was his successor.

A true madman indeed, wishing the Middle Ages back.

Carl did not mind, John thought. He was heartbroken from a recent relationship, and he was suggested time and time again to find another love. So, if The Peony proved a chance, why the hell not?

---

"Get on a plane, Carl" called John "You're going to Huawan"

"Huh?" replied Carl "Why? I've been trying to go on vacation there. Did you buy me tickets or something?"

"No, you fool!" screamed the Crown Prince "This isn't about a vacation! It's about you charming The Peony!"

Carl was stumped. Was he to go to Huawan to be an ambassador of sorts, to "charm" The Peony in order to get diplomatic objectives? There was no visit from the Foreign Ministry planned, nor from the Imperial House Affairs Department. Why now?

"You mean...be an ambassador?" Carl asked.

"No!" screamed John once again "Huawan is suffering a succession crisis of sorts. Now you go there, make her fall in love with you, and you're married!"

"Uh...Bu-" Carl was stopped before he could counter his father.

"There is a limosine coming your way. Get on it, and you'll be going to Lián, the capital of Huawan. Got it?"

"But fa-"

Beep!

Carl was frustrated with his father, sending him off like he was some sort of pawn. Nevertheless, he went on. After all, he had hoped to visit Huawan, a mostly secluded nation, where he could be in peace, instead of being constantly annoyed by Imperial tabloids in the area he lived on. And he had suffered a break-up (boy, did the tabloids flare). He would take this excuse to go to Huawan and get the press out of his back. He would charm The Peony as his father wanted, but wanted to make things flow naturally. Maybe it was his destiny for his feelings to be sacrified and be toyed with now, being forced to make a person he didn't know fall in love with him?

Those were the days, the days before being royals...