Arkadius and Clara: A Royal Love Story

Arkadius and Clara: A Royal Love Story

This story is the background of the relationship between Arkadius IV, King of Batavia, and Clara Sundara, Princess of Natopia. They became engaged on 14 Lentemaand 1670.

First chapter: The first meeting

Finally it was time, finally it happened, finally. After decades of decline, the Batavian nation has come back to life. After years of labor there is a government, the Batavian land is restored, there is a king on the throne. While the organ is being played, in a prelude before the Batavian State Hymn is sung, the newly crowned king had the opportunity to look around. There he saw many foreign guests, the emperor of Shireroth, the emperor of Natopia and, who is sitting next to him? A pretty woman with golden blonde hair, bright red lips, pearly white teeth, ... Then the organ starts the Batavian anthem: "O beautiful Batavia". [1]

It seemed like centuries before the moment came when the guests came to congratulate the king one by one. Finally the emperor of Natopia came with the beautiful woman at his side. They were presented: "Nathan Anders Aharsi Waffel-Paine of Drak, Emperor of the Natopians, etc. etc. etc. and Clara Sundara Waffel-Paine, Princess of Natopia, Chancellor of Natopia, etc. etc.". The monarchs shook hands. "Thank you very much for your gift, this gets a prominent place in the palace. The presence of you and your beautiful sister here is certainly an invitation to engage in diplomatic relations between our countries. "He saw that Clara blushed after the words 'beautiful sister', but she thought it was hidden by her curtsy before the Batavian king . No matter how long it seemed to be before Clara was introduced to him, their meeting was already over so quickly.

Second chapter: Valentine

On the day after the coronation, Arkadius saw the news, a report of the media coverage of the coronation abroad. The coronation was broadcast live in Arcadia, Beneluccas, Kasterburg, Los Liberados, Jingdao, Natopia and Shireroth. Shortly some images of the coronation flashed, including an image of the emperor of Natopia and the princess. With the remote control Arkadius had the broadcast rewind and paused the moment the princess was on the screen. 'Yes', he thought, 'what a beautiful woman'.

That afternoon ministers got a little nervous for their first meeting with the king. The agenda for the coming time was discussed, but the king was distracted at the time he looked at that agenda. He thought: "It is almost 14 Sprokkelmaand, it is almost Valentine's Day." It is the foreign minister who noticed that the king was a bit distracted while the other ministers were discussing budgets for infrastructure and repair work. At the end of the meeting, the ministers left the king's office, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs was still behind. As the doors of the office close, the men discuss foreign relations.

A few days later, Arkadius sits at the crackling fire. An empty piece of paper is lying next to him and a pencil in his hand. The fire digests some crumpled paper, which Arkadius has already thrown into the fire. Then Arkadius begins to write again: "To the lovely Clara".

A clock struck and although he was not completely satisfied, he copied the text on a new piece of paper and with his dip pen. He folds the paper and places a wax stamp on the closure. A knock on the door and opens a lackey says: "Your Majesty, Mr. Tazelaar". James Tazelaar enters the room and salutes the king. Arkadius says to him: "You know what your mission is?". "Yes, Your Majesty." "Well, here is the letter and I wish good luck".

James has a long journey ahead. But the first part is easy. The letter has been neatly put in an envelope and put in his inside pocket. By plane to Arcadia, that is the easy part of his journey. From there by boat to Natopia. Regular scheduled flights or boat connections are not yet between Batavia and Natopia, not even from Arcadia. The sea between Arcadia and Natopia was very turbulent that day, with threatening clouds. James could only keep his course, but he managed to arrive safely in Natopia.

Because James could not sail around the main continent, he had to go overland to Flaventia. This delayed him, so the letter did not arrive on time. James was very disappointed by his late arrival. At the palace of the Chancellor of Natopia arrived, it was not so easy to hand the letter to the princess.