(This will be the beginning of a post line explaining the fall and rise of the Rufuinan royal family the ‘House of Red’, this series of posts will be random in time settings so never expect things to be chronological! If you want to take part in shaping the story of the Rufuinan royal family please DM on discord.)
Sudkra, Zuidbai
Sometime in the late 1800s
With the Rufuinan civil war ending in a Wolfen Republican victory, thanks to the Wolfen Republicans promising certain regional warlords in the area independence if they fought with them, a constitution and a republic was declared stating that no monarchy is to rule over the Wolfen Republic ever again.
With the royal family being forced into exile they sought refuge in any willing country they could find, until rather unexpectedly they were invited to Visaraland by a certain house, having nowhere to go the family set sail immediately no longer as a royal family, but simply as a noble house now.
Wilhelm looked up at the large clock. It would appear his guests from Rufuina should be arriving soon. The Duke was not in the best of health, and he knew that this was his chance of marrying off his son, outside of letting Gertsveld become another part of the Milba or Aisera hegemonies. He patiently waited as he watched the ship to arrive and depart, looking out for the Rufuinan ship that was expected to arrive soon.
The ship was coming into the dock, the private vessel of the former royal family that the Wolfen government was ‘kind enough’ to let them keep, carrying the banner of the former Rufuinan flag, inside the private quarters of the steam ship the noble family were getting ready to start their new lives.
In the bedroom section Lady Gwendalin was preparing and tidying her daughter’s outfit wanting to put on a good show for their hosts.
“Mother?” The fair young noble lass Yanny of Red asked.
“Yes my sweet?” Lady Gwendalin replied.
“Are they going to come after us? The Wolfen’s?” Yanny asked with a slight hint of fear in the child’s voice, hinting back to the time the republican guard stormed the royal palace and took the family at gunpoint.
“No my dear we… have an agreement with them, we won’t be allowed to see our country again but… we’ll be safe here…”
Before Yanny could say anything else her father and head of the House, Rufus the Red, entered the bedroom, he smiled to his wife and 14 year old daughter trying to act reassuring to the pair, however inside he dreaded too at the prospect of not being able to see his country ever again.
“Come you two… we should be docking any moment now.”
“Well, looks like they’re here, My Lord Duke.” Wilhelm nodded to his servant. “Make sure everything is prepared for their stay in Gerstveld.” He ordered, watching the ship come into port. He looked down at his son. “Now Dirk, you know that it will be important you make a good impression, yes? These are guests, and important ones at that.” The boy nodded to his father as a servant ensured he looked as presentable as possible.
The crew made the final preparations and finally they had arrived, a walk way was hoisted to the ground as the former royal guard, now simply the noble guard marched in formation taking positions as the three emerged from the inside of the ship to their new home, all of them carrying cautious smiles.
A sort of presenter for the family would emerge with them and make his way down along with the noble guard, he’d raise his voice. “From the glorious nation of Rufuina I present the heir’s to the Rufuinan throne! Lord Rufus the Red! Lady Gwendalin and Mistress Yanny!” He spoke in Staynish.
Finally the former royals would step foot upon solid land and went to try and say hello to their welcoming party.
There was a warm welcome from those in the port, with a few cheers from the merchants as they went about their day. Wilhelm walked over and bowed. “Good Afternoon, I am Wilhelm, Duke of Zuidbai and Regent of Gertsveld. It is my pleasure to welcome you to Vistaraland.” He spoke too in Staynish, though with an accent. Dirk stood sheepishly behind the imposing figure of his father, quietly waving to the family.
"Wilhelm.” He said with a smile going to try and firmly shake his hand after bowing to him. “Thank you so much for giving us a new home here, we hope none of this has caused troubles for you and we hope we can integrate here given enough time.” He said with a hint of sadness but mostly disguised by his need to appear formal and charismatic, he looked to the young lad whom stood behind his father Dirk.
Rufus gave him a beaming smile before leaning down to offer him a hand to shake as well. “Hello young man, thank you for letting us stay with you.” He said to the young boy hoping to make a good impression for the potential suitor to his young daughter.
Dirk smiled at the man. “I-I hope you like it here…” He looked up at the family. He knew he had to make a good impression. “Um, I’m Dirk. Duke of G-gertsveld, where y-you’ll be staying…It’s an honour to m-meet you.” Wilhelm nodded to the boy. “Well, I’m sure they will, my boy. We have spared no expense in ensuring the Manor in Gerstveld can welcome their stay with open arms.”
Lady Gwendalin would simply let the men speak, keeping up a wide smile and holding her daughter’s hand, whom much like Dirk was nervous meeting their greeters and being in a whole new world.
“Look at them Yanny, aren’t they nice to let us stay here?” Gwendalin spoke leaning down gently to her daughter with a bright smile. “Why don’t you say hi to Dirk?” She suggested, Yanny looked up to her mother then to the nerve struck boy, she shook her head briefly and much like Dirk hid behind his father, Yanny hid behind her mother.
“Well how about we start making our way in hm? We ran out of tea on the ship about a week ago.” Rufus stated in a joking manner gesturing toward the city where he assumed there was some form of transport waiting for them.
“Of course.” Wilhelm replied. “There should be enough tea in the carriage, if you’d like to follow me.” He escorted them to an elegant carriage. He had purchased it especially for this occasion, needing transportation fitting for those of such high stature. Dirk got in and took a seat, taking out a tin of biscuits from his bag, careful not to spill crumbs over himself in front of the guests.
The family went aboard the carriage, the crew and guard of the ship began unloading the family’s luggage and making arrangements with the guard that had greeted them.
It was a new day for the House of Red, despite losing the throne to a country that technically ceased to exist for now, a country they wouldn’t see again for the rest of their lives, they had a new life now, the blood of the Rufuinan throne lived on in their new home away from home, of Visaraland.
(Joint post between me and SocDylan.)