5rd December, 2022
Bjørn Castle, Vakkerhavfruebukt, Vakrestrender
The good jarl carried a small box with some papers on top of it, looking around just in case anyone was watching him as he brought it into his office. Normally he has Yuri or one of his staff bring it into his office, but he rather not risk a chance of Olav finding out about anything he has been up to. Placing it onto his desk, and sitting down, not quite yet opening it but just staring at it intently.
Though the Jarl was not able to be in his own thoughts for long before he heard a knock on the door.
“Oh hello, yes come in.” He slips up, forgetting about the box. He just always was naturally open about his office, and this is the first time he ever did something sneaky behind anyone’s back, well. Without help at least.
Johanna entered the office wearing a nice dark blue expensive suit, one tailored by the Jarl to her and was also designed by the Jarl. “Darling I love your designs, but I thought the idea was to keep it on the down low after the leaks?” She asked, having a small teasing smile as she gestured towards the jacket having the Jarl’s symbol on its inside.
His eyes lit up when he saw her, “Oh hi Johanna!” He places the box and papers under his desk, unbelievably suspiciously. Brief fear, followed by a warm look at her. “Oh, that old thing? It’s just a small design, and nothing at all.” He gives a warm smile.
She walked up to him, placing a hand on his chin. “Really? Sounds more like you were trying to mark me~” She teased as she was about to lean down to kiss him before she raised an eyebrow and looked curiously away from him. “Are you hiding something?” She tried to lean over the desk as she noticed him fickling with something under it.
“Yes~ I-I mean no! Uh.” He looks up at her, “Well, mean yes to the first question and no to the second one.” He speaks fast, almost switching back into Nys’tat’en at his speed.
“Hmm, I’m gonna assume you’re hiding a Yule gift.” She said, still being curious but not enough to question him further on it. “But you’re bad for trying to mark me~” She gave him a kiss on the lips, while not a peck she did keep it long enough for him to want more. Pulling away she placed a hand on her hip. “More seriously, you should likely wait with ‘marking’ me until we come clean about it.”
He chased after her lips, accidentally focusing more on that than holding the box and papers. It slipping out of his lap and onto the floor. “W-well, um. Yule yes it is a Yule gift, papers are also a Yule gift. Yes.” He did not even remotely sound honest, “Well, at least the mark is in your inside jacket rather than outside right?” He gave an uncomfortable chuckle, reaching down to pick up the stuff.
Johanna put her foot down on one of the papers, crouching down to pick them up to read what was written on it. “We thank you for ordering from Gentika Xat?” She asked as she gave a confused look towards her boyfriend. “Why were you ordering from them?” The paper she was holding simply having the thank you message, confirmation code and the company’s logo of a cat chasing a DNA cell.
“Porn?” He didn’t sound confident in that answer. Jørgen scratched his arm, perhaps not his best answer.
“…A medical company, selling pornography?” She asked, confused, crossing her arms.
“I-its a Valkyr thing?” Jørgen scratched the back of his head, “It’s very niche. Yes, quite a niche thing. How do I mention how much I love you and your wonderful smile.”
“Jørgen. You can’t bribe me with compliments.” She gave him a cold look, the previous teasing seducing attitude being gone.
“Well… How about a trip to the utmost fanciest restaurant I own and a new dress?” He gave a warm smile, in spite of his moderate fear stimming from her icy cold gaze. Rubbing his hands together.
“Jørgen, give me the papers and the box or else those morning cuddles will be far less comfortable.” She said holding her hand, gesturing for him to give it to her.
“That sounds like a felony.” He gives a small huff at that, picking up the box from the floor and the papers. Tried to sound strong but, spirits around us he just looks pouty. “You… Might not be happy when reading it, Johanna.” He gave a more serious voice, “I-I want you to know that I love you a lot and this just started off as a joke.”
She just nodded her head as she took hold of the papers letting him still hold the box. Her eyes narrowed as she carefully read through each sentence, each word. With her being completely quiet, unnerving the Jarl quite a bit. “…Open the box.” She said in a calm voice, being stoic as she placed the papers down. “Since you have already gone this far, I want you to open it.”
“I-I…” He was at a loss for words, trying to explain. “Listen, i-it just was a joke at first b-but I got first results and second…” The jarl trailed off, opening up the box, it was just more papers. “You are ‘J.S’ and I think you know who J.P is…” He was never good with names. He handed the papers over.
She grabbed the papers, pulling them almost a bit too harshly away from the Jarl. It did not take her too long before she put down the papers on his desk, revealing the last paper marking a single sentence. Genetic match between J.S and J.P, confirming the two being half-sisters. Johanna let out a heavy sigh, as she leaned against the desk. She tried to keep herself calm, and for most it would work. But the Jarl could see through that, while her face was stoic the way her finger was tapping the desk rapidly and the way her eyes kept rereading that sentence again and again? She was panicking.
Jørgen quickly stands up, wrapping his arms around Johanna, to give a tight hug. “Take my seat, let me get you some water.” He used his ‘big brother’ voice, helping her down into a chair. Going over to a corner near the water cooler, filling up a cup and placing it next to his girlfriend.
Johanna was quick to take a sip from the cup, as she reread the paper a few more times before letting out a heavy sigh. Resting her head in her hands, mumbling a few curses to herself. She looked up at the Jarl. “I’m still mad at you by the way.” She said in a tired tone, she was utterly furious for him doing this without her permission. But her mind was too focused on this recent revelation, so much so it was tiring her out. “Spirits… What am I supposed to do with this…”
“I’m… Not sure…” Jørgen focused on trying to provide some comfort for her. “I don’t want to impose more than I already have. I-It was just supposed to be a joke, but… Well…” He vaguely gestures to the papers. “Like I said, this was my third check.” He pulls up a chair beside her, “What you pick, I will support you with it. Hundred and ten percent.”
“First I just… Need to gather myself, this well… I didn’t exactly expect to do well, you know.” Johanna said with a tired sigh as she laid her head on his shoulder. She might be mad at him, but she wanted some comfort. “You’re sure this is correct? My dad told me he never visited the Federation.”
“Tripled checked, Icy.” He wrapped his arm around her pulling her close. “Well, maybe he’s lying or your mother maybe? I don’t know. I um…” He gives her a quick kiss on Johanna’s cheek. “I hired some people to take a look into it. We should be able to find out soon.”
She let out a deep sigh. “Eitherway, we have to tell Eve.” She was just so tired. “I advise you to call them back, If Pierre finds out about you having sent people to talk with her biological parents she will absolutely rip you a new one.” She gave him a serious look, she knew her old friend or well, half-sister. Jeanne wouldn’t let this slide.
“Like yelling or?” He uses a free hand as a symbol of a missile landing on her lap. Giving an explosion sound. “Angry?” He tried to light her mood, and hide the fact that he can’t call them back.
“Very angry.” Johanna said keeping eye contact with him, wanting to make perfectly clear how serious she was being.
“That is…. Unfortunate. Most unfortunate.” He gives a meek smile.
“You can’t call them back, can you?” Johanna said with a sigh, laying her head against his shoulder.
“No. I love you by the way.” Jørgen planted a kiss on her forehead. Snuggling up to her, rest his head on top of hers.
“You are an idiot.” She just closed her eyes, wanting just a moment to sit there and relax a moment before they inevitably have to call her sister, or well sisters.
_
The good jarl wasn’t sure if he should be there, but with how Johanna looked. Well, he couldn’t just leave her alone there. He saw the look in the mirror. He setup the meeting in his office, disguised the whole thing to bring Eve over to his palace, in his office as him taking a look over a few of her outfit designs. He prepared water, tissues, and had his medical team on standby able to arrive here within a few minutes. Yuri, he had outside of the door just in case the two sisters decide to vent out their frustrations on him physically. Not that he thought that would happen, but better safe than sorry.
He sat down, forcing a strong serious look. The grandfather clock ticking away, for Eve arrival and more worrisome when Jeanne Pierre finds out.
The door opened revealing a rather annoyed looking Johanna, with her now being more calm and having processed everything. She could now focus on the fact that her dear boyfriend went behind her back to prove an, albeit correct, conspiracy for a ‘joke’. Though that annoyance was countered with a happy Eve who was wearing a black skirt and a white buttoned shirt, alongside wearing a wide warm smile on her lips. “Hey Jørgen! Sis told me you two had something important to tell?” She said in an excited tone, hoping this is a proposal to work jointly on a dress. She was thinking of getting Johanna a new Yule outfit and wanted his opinion about it.
He kept a serious look, briefly looking over to the very, very upset Johanna and then back at the more smiling of the two sisters. “Jarl Bjørn.” He corrected her, “I believe your sister is more… suited to inform you of this development.” Jørgen gives his girlfriend a smile, to only be matched with her icy cold gaze.
Eve gave an concerned look at Johanna as he said that, especially after having been on a first name basis with the elf for a while now. Her big sister just let out a sigh. “My dear boyfriend decided it would be a smart thing to collect my DNA…” She gave a cold angry glare at the Jarl as she stated. “And Jeanne Pierre’s DNA, without neither mine or hers consent.” She let out a small quiet sight trying to desperately calm herself, though her eyes did not hide her rage. “All because of a joking attitude towards this conspiracy I told him to back off from.”
He looked down in shame, rubbing his hands together. “I-I thought it would be funny, but… Umm…” He looks up in a sad state, that begs sympathy though he found none in his girlfriend. He pushes papers forwards towards Eve. Still giving a weak look towards Johanna.
“How did you even get Jeanne’s DNA from?” Eve said curiously not being all that bothered by this information, thinking it all more amusing than anything. She could easily assume that it would be easy for him to get Johanna’s DNA but Jeanne? That’s impressive.
Johanna kept glaring at Jørgen as her little sister slowly read through the papers, taking a longer while then she did. With the icy woman mouthing ‘I’ll punish you for this’ at the Jarl.
Jørgen gives a weak thumbs up to Johanna, and turns to Eve. “Well, she visited here on Crown Realm business. So I got the sample from the coffee cup she was drinking out of.” He held his finger on the panic button, just in case Johanna threw something at him.
Both sisters spoke at the same time but Johanna said “That’s so intrusive.”
Eve rather said “That’s impressive.” Earning her a glare from her sister, who finally stopped glaring at her boyfriend for once. “Hey, give him props he thought things through and went the extra mile for it.” She said looking through each paper, having yet to fall to the same cold attitude as her older sister.
“Yeah, extra mile.” He scratches the back of his head, keeping an eye on his phone. “She’s going to be completely furious. At least if what your sist- Johanna told me.”
"Definitely but hey at least the king has you well protected.” Eve said in a joking tone as she got to the last paper, nodding her head, staying a bit quiet as she read the last few parts. Before a wide smile formed on her lips. “I knew it!” Eve placed the papers down on the desk, having a warm smile. “I always said Jeanne was our long lost sister!” She gave a teasing smirk at her older sister who just kept a cold look as she crossed her arms.
“I’m deeply apol- I’m sorry what?” Jørgen was flabbergasted, leaning back in the shock. “W-what? I’m sorry? I-I think there been a translation issue, what?” His eyes widened in shock, surely she understood the implications of this.
“Eve, stop joking around.” Johanna said with an annoyed groan.
“Not joking around, I’m just saying she has the exact same hair as us, has Duval syndrome like dad and come on you two were almost like two sides of the same coin.” Eve said, rolling her eyes, as she gestured with her hands. “One being an angry serious militaristic prime minister, the other being a cold serious militaristic prime minister.”
“Shows how much you know about politics if thats how you define it.” Johanna crossed her arms glaring at her little sister.
“Hush, politics gets very boring when you’re not drunk.” Eve said, placing her hands on her hips. “Look I’m just saying that she does look very similar to us with the only thing she being different was her Borean ethnicity.”
The jarl, wanting very little part in the mess her has created, stuck it through. “W-well, she does have a point. Politics are boring when you are sober, but they’re still quite… Concerning and honestly a little scary to me when you start talking about any number of nations.” He tried to join in, looking at Johanna.
“Hush.” Johanna said, giving a quick look towards her boyfriend before focusing her attention towards her little sister. “How are you this relaxed? Why you not shocked? Why you no-”
“Because I always hoped she was our sister, you two had so much fun together at the shooting hall, at fencing or just simply talking about military matters.” Eve said in a bit more serious tone yet had a warm smile. “So, now that you’re sisters there might be a chance you two will do that again. Despite your little scandal.”
Elven man opened his mouth and then shut it again, in fear of his girlfriend. Pouring himself a glass of water and briefly looking over at his computer. Taking a moment to drink his water, before looking up any of those dastardly hobbies that Eve mentioned. Seeing if he owned anywhere that had those facilities.
Johanna just fell silent letting out an irritated sigh as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “That doesn’t matter. Trust me she will be more angry, not less when she finds out.” She said turning around towards the door. “Trust me. She likely never wants to contact us when she finds out.” She started to open the door to leave.
“Johanna, please. I assure you it will go alright.” Eve said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Can’t blame me for being an optimist, plus I always wanted another sister.” She gave a sweet smile.
“Fine, but you’re not an optimist, just a fool.” Johanna said, crossing her arms.
Jørgen scratched his head and sat there awkwardly. Drinking his water, and looking at Johanna but then back down. Not sure what to do, or say. Well he is not supposed to speak, as informed politely by his girlfriend.
“You should likely tell Eve about the team you sent.” Johanna gestured to him to speak up while her sister gave a curious look towards the elf.
“Well, I-I um… I sent some people to go investigate further by talking and getting samples from Jeanne’s biological parents. From Rikevaarland… I-I just wanted to be really sure.” He gave an awkward tone, taking another sip of his water. Which was empty, but he sipped it out of pure awkwardness.
“Ah. You know what, maybe I’ll take away the compliment about it being impressive and call you stupidly brave.” Eve said in a small teasing tone though giving him a sympathetic look.
“In my defense, I hired the best firm in Rikevaarland to do this. Surely they just won’t get caught right away and we can have some answers.” He tried to smile, but Johanna’s look at him made it fade away.
“You really underestimate the Federation’s intelligence capabilities.” Johanna let out a sigh.
“Oh come on, they’re ar-” His phone started to ring, which he of course picked up. “Hey Ola-”
“WHAT THE HEL WERE YOU DOING BOY!” The king’s voice boomed through the phone and the Jarl didn’t even put it on speaker yet. “Why have you hired private agents to talk with Jeanne’s biological parents?? Do you want to fucking die!?” To say the king was angry would be an understatement.
The jarl rubbed his ear, looking at Johanna for some degree of comfort before he spoke.
She gave him a sympathetic look as she gestured to him to give her the phone. She let out a small sigh as she placed the phone next to her ear. “We can expla-”
“Johanna fuck off, I’m talking to my little brother.” His voice was filled with anger even if he held back his yelling, likely after something the Queen did to calm him.
Johanna was shocked for a moment, never really expecting the king to swear at her like that. She gave a look towards Jørgen handing the phone to him, mouthing to him. “Good luck.” Before grabbing Eve’s hand and walking out of the office.
Jørgen took the phone back, in shock that Johanna just left him there to deal with his angry brother. “Say, Olav is Wilhelmina there?”
“Boy Jeanne wanted to drone strike Vakrestrender already, so explain to me why you had to anger her so much that she now wants to send a special forces team to arrest you.” The king said, still being utterly angry.
“Sorry Jørgen, tried to calm him best I can.” Wilhelmina’s voice spoke in the background from the king’s end.
“So, before I explain myself. Two questions: is this worse than me dating Johanna and two, how’s your day? Did you get enough sleep? Anything to eat or drink?” Jørgen tried to lighten the mood and quickly think of something he could explain to his majesty, without breaking what little trust Johanna has in him.
“You somehow found something worse than dating a corrupt official that is nine years damn older than you.” Olav said angrily though Jørgen could hear him becoming audibly less angry. Whatever Wilhelmina was doing it was helping. “I was eating lunch before Pierre called me.”
“I made him a lovely home made hot chocolate for him.” Wilhelmina said, trying to help the Jarl in lightening the mood.
“Oh hot chocolate sounds wonderful. What did Pierre speak with you about?” Jørgen asked innocently enough, “Also did I mention how much your beard looks greater every time I see it? Have you been using that soap I sent to you? It’s made for beards you know?”
“Jørgen. My patience is running thin.” Olav said clearly and harshly.
“She wasn’t holding back on her comments about you.” Wilhelmina clarified, with a somewhat serious tone in her voice. She wants to support her honorary son, but there limit how much one can avoid a topic.
He gave a sigh, “I don’t know what I can say without overreaching more-so on people’s private life… I had a very good reason to investigate, but… Spirits above, I can’t say anything without already ruining things more than I already did. I honestly wish to tell you but, I can’t.” Jørgen thinks for a moment, “If you could… Do you think you can ask Jeanne and her wife to come down and I explain everything in person? It be less… Intrusive than I already have been.”
“Don’t worry, they’re already coming down there. Though expect to pay a hefty fine for your actions.” Olav said in a harsh tone. “And you better not complain about it, she wanted to gods damn arrest you, boy. I had to lower it to a fine.”
“She only wanted to arrest? Here Johanna made me believe she wanted me dead.” He tried to give a laugh, but it was weak. “Thank you Olav… I mean it, I-I got over my head and… Spirits I wish I could tell you but good Spirits it got over my head and… It was just suppose to be a joke and I just kept pulling and pulling and now… I think I really messed up.” Jørgen held a sad tone.
The king left out a heavy sigh. “What am I supposed to do with you boy? Next time you’re planning something crazy like this, then at least ask me first so I can stop you and call you an idiot right there and then rather than later.” His voice was more disappointed and tired than angry. An improvement one could suppose.
“It wasn’t supposed to be crazy, I mean it but… It’s just… If you saw someone right? You really cared about and you thought to yourself oh, I can make them laugh and have a good time. So you pick something from their history right? Something to poke fun at? Then it just gets out of hand and now… Well, you have an extremely angry woman with nuclear weapons pointed at you.” Jørgen gave a sigh, “I mean it wasn’t ever suppose to go this far, but it just keeps getting worse more I think or do about it and I just can’t do nothing about it.”
“Just, just give it a rest. It’s not me you need to convince, it’s Jeanne.” Olav’s voice was completely lacking energy, just letting out another sigh after the other. “I believe you when you say you didn’t mean this to happen, but it did. So now you have to put an effort into cleaning it up.”
“I will stor bro, I will. Love you old beardy.” Jørgen gave a hopeful tone, ruffling his own hair. “Spirits, I-if I get permission, I really want to tell you everything okay? I mean it, but I just can’t without their permission but Spirits I want to tell you everything, not even in a gossip way, but just… I really dislike keeping thing from you, more than just this but… So many things.”
"It’s alright. I love you too.” The king said in an understanding tone.
“We love you a lot, Jørgen. No matter what.” Wilhelmina spoke through her voice being more gentler and warm compared to her husband’s.
“Spirits I hate being Jarl.” He gave a tired voice, “Love both of you, hope to see you both soon. Give the kids my love.” He hung up, resting his head into his hands. Small tears pushing through his eyes, and it’s not even the real victim here. It’s just everything piled on top of everything, something has to break. How in the Spirits, did his family ever handle this without wanting to curl up into a ball. He tried so hard, just to keep the tears in, trying to rationalize it’s something he caused and no one else did but everytime. He was trapped thinking about how many lies on lies he has caused.
He didn’t even notice the door opening, only doing so once he felt two arms around him holding him tightly. With him looking up to see it being Johanna, who gave him a kiss on the forehead. Any anger from earlier being gone, replaced with warm motherly-like sympathy as he was held.
He wrapped around her back, “I-It was just supposed to be a joke, n-not the investigation but… I-I just thought it would be funny t-to prove you were not sisters… I-I didn’t mean for it to go this far.” He tightened his grip around her. “I-I’m so sorry for this.”
“I’m here. Just relax for now.” She said, keeping him close. She hasn’t forgiven him, but her own thoughts didn’t matter at the moment. Being there for him is what matters.