Fear the King [Ludwig]

[Hamish Stuart]

Going from a farm where his only company were animals or his parents to living or even being in the presence of royalty was more than overwhelming for Hamish. Even after weeks of being taught what to say and do his movements were stiff and unsure. He felt that even with the makeup and dresses his movements made it clear he was a man, no one seemed to agree with this. All anyone seemed to say if that Hamish would have to get used to walking after his life on the farm since most women who lived as he had would have struggled as well. Even with his lack of speech everyone assumed him to simply be shy never seeming to question any of it. His shy nature simply made the court feel that he would be a proper fit for the king but the idea still made Hamish feel nervous. This was all his parents’ idea and Hamish already felt himself wanting to tell the truth and yet refused not wanting to upset his parents and also hoping they were right. Both told him if he played his part right maybe the King would love him even if he wasn’t the ideal queen. If not… Hamish was aware his neck was on the line.

The stress he felt before becoming queen was no longer much compared to how he felt now. Feeling as if he would pass out made every step more terrifying than the last. Maybe his corset was too tight? It always could be the guilt bubbling to the surface. Either way he tried to not look at the floor too much and yet his eyes always seemed to travel back to the floor.
Suddenly he tripped on something as another onslaught on dizziness came but managed to catch himself. Giving a shy smile he told the guard he merely tripped but would be okay. Everything was growing hot. Hamish felt suffocated as the guards now offered him a hand when moving up the stairs to prevent the new queen from having an unfortunate accident. From what he was told Ludwig, the king was a cautious man that tried to keep all his pieces in the right place keeping from any surprises that might lie in wait.

Soon he would meet the king and yet Hamish felt more nervous realizing he never heard anything about the man being kind or warm. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know how to deal with someone who acted cold but part of him felt it would have been easier to please someone like the king of diamonds. Seeing the door to the room approaching Hamish had to remind himself to breath as once more he felt faint just thinking about what the king would say. In his panic Hamish much have tripped once more since he felt someone wrap and arm around his small waist as if trying to keep him on his feet. Shaking his head the new queen had to get so air before he entered that room and saw the king, it was all too much already. Pulling from the guard the ginger turned quickly away trying to head to a balcony or anything that would allow him to breath fresh air while he calmed himself. Lucky, however, was not on his side as he quickly darted into the chest of another man. Nothing seemed to work out as he wished it to. If he didn't fall to the ground he was sure whoever he made contact with could feel his heart racing.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

Ludwig stood at the edge of his balcony, looking up to the clear, crisp night sky. It was rather fitting, he thought, to have a new moon introduce a new chapter of his life. Sighing, he brought his cloak around him to shield himself from the mild chill that the evening had brought.

“Well, I hope this pleases you,” he mumbled just under his breath as his eyes scanned the sparkling heavens. It was nights like this, when the stars seemed to shine the brightest, that he felt as if he could speak with the deceased King and Queen. Naturally, he didn’t make a habit of it, but with the exception of being crowned, this was a momentous occasion in his life. Had things have been different; perhaps his parents would still be by his side to share this occasion. Ludwig could not be that lucky, however, and instead continued to let the stars carry on his message… or simply let it fall back to earth. He knew that he was just likely just talking to the wind and flashing lights that were light years away, but being able to imply pretend and speak provided him some comfort at this time.

“The council said that she was rather fitting—quiet, but capable. I would have wished that they had given me time to find my own way and Queen, but they insisted that it would be better for the Kingdom if the people saw their king allied standing strong with someone by his side. She’s rumored to have magic—“

The King’s eyes had dropped for a moment as a carriage departed from the castle and furrowing his brows, he turned from the balcony after casting one last glance upward. That had to have been her arriving—she’d be here soon, wouldn’t she? He frowned a bit as his mind wandered, inquiring silently exactly WHY the council had arranged for the meeting to take place so late. He had his own thoughts on the matter, which caused him to frown a bit more, but he also reminded himself that during the day, it was much more difficult to schedule a new meeting betwixt all the current business of politics, duties, and the like. This was much more practical.

Nevertheless, the calm that Ludwig had felt previously was being eaten by a feeling of anxiety with each step he took around the room to ensure things were in their proper place. His eyes narrowed a bit with each passing footstep beyond his door, and all he could do at the moment was inhale and exhale deeply to calm himself and go over the process in his mind. It was just an initial meeting. Treat it as business first and foremost and then…offer for her to join you in the morning for breakfast or the like.

“Be respectful, polite, and always mind your manners. Bow slightly, and kiss her hand, if she allows it,” a bitter smile pulled at Ludwig’s lips as he recalled his mother’s old advice. He remembered, that when he young had those lessons on etiquette, he’d always wrinkle up his nose and face in disgust whenever his mother mentioned courting ladies, and finding a queen for himself one day. “Gross! No way!” But now he was much more open to the prospect…more or less.

A knock to Ludwig’s door, followed by a shouted (and rushed?) announcement of the queen ,pulled him from his current thoughts. He hadn’t expected them to traverse the stairs and make it to his room quite that quickly and had been caught off guard, tucking a book back into its proper place on its shelf. It wasn’t until he had turned around to the doors being opened so unceremoniously and had another person run into his chest (nearly knocking the breath out of him) that he had realized he didn’t truly know much about the woman chosen to be his queen. He knew naught but a few general things and a (rather strange lady) name:

“Lady Hamish?”

The King of Hearts moved to steady her and hold her up though his face quickly flashed a light crimson from the contact. “Are you alright? You’ve had a long trip--h-here, sit down—there’s a chair nearby. The last thing we need is for you falling over,” he looked down at her for a moment, concern evident in his gaze. However, he was unsure if he should hold her close or gently pull away to lead her to the chair himself. Mentally, he cursed himself and wondered why the hell he had been taught the proper way to hold a teacup, but not how to react in this sort of situation.

---

OoC: I just went with night since I didn't see a definitive time of day. Sorry, you know he's freaking awkward with chicks ahha.

[Hamish Stuart]

It seemed Hamish always was able to ignore his nerves until he was about to face the event head on. When it was already too late to turn back was when he found himself running from the event and wanted to pretend he never agreed. Questions of what the king would do if he messed up on the greeting seemed to race through his head with each step he took brought him closer to the top of the stairs. Until his parents began their plan it was never important for the future queen to speak properly making Hamish all the more nervous that he would make himself sound like he didn’t belong. Maybe if he kept up the shy act no one would notice that it wasn’t a stutter. The entire plan was foolish but going back now might cost him his head.

Never before had Hamish laid eyes on the king, only paintings and descriptions of the others gave him any hint of what the man might look like. Blonde hair and powerful blue eyes were the only details Hamish ever seemed to remember when it came to looks. Now that his face was pressed into the king’s chest he seemed to remember the young king wasn’t a short man at all. Even with heels on Hamish fit perfectly under his chin.
Red crept over the pale, freckled face making his hair almost envious of the color when he finally noticed the king was who held him. Stepping back panic only seemed to grow in the smaller man as he noticed a smudge from his lips now left a large red spot on the king. Unable to decide if he should move to try cleaning the red lipstick from the king’s chest or resume his run for air the queen froze in place for a moment looking wide eyed. Only a moment passed before his mind caught up to what was happening and apologizes began to bubble out of his mouth. Pulling away from the king the ginger bent down lifting part of his skirt only to remove a large book that he had kept hidden under the many layers. Thin fingers flipped through the pages before stopping and smacking a line in the book showing he had found what he had needed in the short moments that had passed. Touching a finger to his lips to collect some of the red Hamish began to work, making a small symbol on the king’s chest around the stain only to mutter a few words.

A flash of light appeared taking all the red lipstick with in before vanishing from sight. Shutting the book Hamish pulled it tight to his chest before looking about the room trying to find another door in his hurry to escape for another moment. “Air,” was the only whisper he could get out to say what was wrong. Fresh air, it was all he needed at the moment before he could begin his proper introduction with the king of hearts.

So much for first impressions. Not only running into the king but having to use a spell to remove makeup wasn’t the best way to show his use as a queen. Any second now he was sure the king would tell the council that he wasn’t suited to be the queen of hearts.
Holding the book tight to his chest Hamish wasn’t aware he had begun to shake with his own upsetting thoughts coming forth. The red had yet to leave his face as they stood there.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

His cheeks light up with crimson at the contact, and his mind began to swim—whatever words he had previously uttered and whatever apologies the woman was offering in return were practically white noise as he tried to regain his mental footing. It seemed like an eternity before he was given a response, but thankfully, the woman was quite capable of peeling herself away from Ludwig’s chest (and he didn’t take notice to the red smear she had left on his collar).

“Lady Hamish—it’s perfectly fine—“ Ludwig began to address the other’s apologies at last, but as the red-head drew her skirts up, the king averted his gaze and bit the inside of his bottom lip, his entire face and his ears turning a shade of dark red that even rubies could only hope to match. It was unexpected and he didn’t truly know why she had seen it fit to reach for such a thing. What sort of woman had his council picked for him?! However, at the rustle of pages and a tap of a finger against the thick tome, the king of Hearts’ interest was piqued and he couldn’t help but turn to regard Hamish.

“Perhaps it’s a book she’s composed of greetings and the like? I certainly wouldn’t blame her, but it’s a terribly odd place to keep such a thing, regardless,” the thought lasted for but a second as he noticed her lips moving to arcane words as symbols were drawn on his chest. For a second, he pulled away in uncertainty and frowned since the action could have been taken as a sort of threat, but that notion faded along with the red makeup. His gaze lifted to meet Hamish’s, but before the man could speak, his Queen-To-Be was frantically looking around and requesting “Air.”

Ludwig pushed past his flurry of thoughts, and laid a hand gently on her back, leading her in the direction of the balcony he had been on previously. “Take as much time as you need,” the royal paused in his step, allowing her to go to the balcony alone as he remained nearby—just in case she decided to swoon or the like. “It’d probably do well for both of us to calm down for a moment and re-order our thoughts,” he reasoned, watching the other and hoping that her trembling and gasping soon subsided.

After a few seemingly eternal and silent minutes, however, he slowly approached the balcony, yet, out of respect and uncertainty, he kept a proper distance from the woman. The last thing he wanted to do was send her into another panic attack or the like. As he drew closer, however, he did have to admit that she had a rather fair face – her appearance was not displeasing at all (despite the red that had tainted it). Ludwig cleared his throat softly to announce that he was nearby lest she turn around and surprise herself.

“I see you have knowledge of the arcane,” he stated simply. His tone was neither hostile nor fearful, but was tinted with mild curiosity.

[Hamish Stuart]

Surrounded with a quick moment of silence Hamish was able to let his eyes wander over the king taking in each of his features that he had only seen from a distance during his life with his parents or in paintings placed around the castle. It wasn’t the same as being so close to the king he could see if there was a single hair misplaced. As expected of royalty Ludwig appeared to have been groomed if his appearance had faltered at all since the morning to assure the new queen would see him as his best not a fallen appearance caused by endless work within the castle walls. Part of Hamish was curious of this was the king’s appearance no matter what he faced or if he were simply the type to go forth with his appearance polished like a precious gem. Hardly knowing the man made it not really the best to bring up such a topic to the man, it could wait until the answer revealed itself on its own.

An answer to his rushed apology made his eyes drop from the man’s face trying to look at anything but his face. Staring at a muscular chest marked by his lip stick didn’t help at all causing his face to flair with color making it difficult to hide how uncomfortable this entire situation was becoming for him. Going for his spell book made it easier to forget what he had been focused on. A simple book made him feel safe, secure, empowered.

Had it not been for the heavy focus on the words on each page Hamish might have chuckled seeing the king turn away getting embarrassed at having the hem of a skirt lifted in his presence. At some point Hamish would have to move the book lower instead of high on his hip under his skirt but on top of the large crinoline that keep his skirt off his legs. Focus sucked into finding the right spell he missed the almost cute moment that was displayed by the queen, what a shame.
Lucky for Hamish all froze unsure of his actions instead of trying to stop his hand to prevent the spell from being cast. Maybe they all trusted the future queen to not harm the king? It was more likely the guards were too shocked to act before Hamish managed to utter the necessary words and the spell was complete causing the makeup to vanish without a trace.

Being led to the balcony Hamish gave a soft thank you before he pressed his back to one of the walls breathing in the air trying to calm himself away from the panic that he felt only moment before. Catching his breath Hamish moved to the edge and looked over the balcony as if to see how far of a drop it before shaking his head and moving back toward the wall. Even with the aid of magic Hamish would never survive the wall and that would do no good for any of them. He was insane for allowing the idea to come his far and now he wasn’t sure if he wanted to escape or not. The king was handsome, something no one had spoken of before and yet he felt the man could be as cruel as he was quiet. A kind king wasn’t one to take for granted as they could cause pain just as easily. Quiet men were the more dangerous.

Keeping his book against his chest Hamish took another deep breath before turning his attention to the king that stepped out onto the balcony. “Aye, ah'ament that power sin a'm juist sel taught,” his voice shook as his nerves rose to the surface once more.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

For a moment, in those few moments of silence that seemed like an eternity, Ludwig had regretted inquiring about the woman’s magic. Inwardly, he cursed himself – what if it was something she preferred to keep quiet—or something she was a bit self-conscious about?... Still, part of him thought such a notion was completely ridiculous. Being skilled in the arcane—at least in his kingdom—was nothing to be frowned upon or ashamed of. It was an uncommon talent, after all.

Still, he didn’t press further and merely looked over to her, awaiting a response or a redirection into some other topic of conversation.

“Aye, ah'ament that power sin a'm juist sel taught.”

For a second. the King’s brows furrowed in confusion and he remained silent. Her manner of speaking was… entirely foreign to him and took a moment to decipher (and it would certainly take some getting used to). It was not the formal speech that he was used to, but heavily accented and rooted in a more common vernacular. However, that was not what had shocked him the most, her voice itself was completely different from what he had expected. He hadn’t noticed it when she mumbled out a few apologies and performed the little spell to clean the stain from his shirt. However, now that they had been afforded a second to speak plainly, the edge and tone were rather…odd. Not extremely so, but just enough to pull an inquisitive hum from the monarch’s throat. He shook his head, dismissing the notion and scolding himself for judging such a minuscule thing before offering Hamish a soft, albeit nervous glance (as if the other could somehow read his thoughts and would be offended by them).

“That’s… extremely impressive nevertheless,” Ludwig cleared his throat. “I mean, that you haven’t had any proper teachings and yet seem to have a decent command over your abilities.” He paused momentarily, his gaze lifting to the sky as he inhaled deeply. “Please, help me through this,” he prayed silently to the heavens before exhaling and returning his gaze to Hamish. “P-perhaps if you’re up to it, you could tell me a little about what you can do. I’d be interested. Inside of course—it’s warmer inside.” His hand extended toward the woman in invitation and he could feel his cheeks heating up nicely, but he prayed the color wouldn’t show quite yet. If anything, perhaps he could blame it on the chill of the night air.

[Hamish Stuart]

Even though he worked on walking and showing himself to have some lady-like traits his accent was far too difficult for his parents to focus on. Has this plan been plotted out years ago they might have attempted to work away his foreign accent, the clearly lower class accent that shattered any belief that he came from royalty. Noticing the brows furrow his mouth began dry, swallowing he felt as though he was going to choke on dust. Forcing himself not to cough he waited for any reaction from the king, it didn’t matter if it were disgust or acceptance so long as it was something! Clutching the book tighter he felt his frame begin to tremble. Was the cold getting to him or was the fear bubbling to the surface?

Once those words were spoken his green eyes widen in surprise, praise was not expected from someone in Ludwig’s standing. “Ah wouldn’t mynd speaking mair o' mah powers. They're important tae ken as yer need tae ken mah abilities.” Shifting his book to one hand he accepted the extended hand knowing it wouldn’t do well to remain outside in the cold. Layer managed to keep his body from growing too cold but a flush began to develop on the king’s face reminding him of the temperature. Turning his gaze down he felt nervous meeting the blue eyes of his king for too long, it was as though he believed the king would see the fear in his eyes. No one told him what the king was capable of but even so he kept feeling his heart beat quicken each time their eyes met. The fluttering feeling in his stomach caused him to feel sick, dizzy even.

“Mah ability tae dae spells wi'oot ruins or mah book ur limited tae wee flames. Wi' mah book a'm limited by ainlie mah ain energy 'n' surroundings.” Pausing for a moment he seemed to think of examples to give to show what he was capable of and what was past his limits. Magic was a subject that seemed to be what got him in this position, he might have been overlooked without his abilities. “Fur example ah cuid heal injuries bit if an arm is lost in battle ah cannae spell it tae regrow. Attaching th' limb cuid be possible bit ah cannae restore it otherwise.” His voice was soft, nervous of his own words and what Ludwig might think of such talk. Taking a deep breath he removed the book his chest and offered it to Ludwig to inspect, it contained most of the magic he was able to perform for the kingdom upon request. “This is ma ainlie spell book, a'm able tae dae anythin' wi`in th' pages. If ah wur able tae come o'er anither ah micht hae mair spell at mah disposible.” It wasn't a request for another spell book but an attempt to make his skill sound more appealing for the king, the promise of his magic was what his parents told him to focus on when selling himself to the king.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

“Ah wouldn’t mynd speaking mair o' mah powers. They're important tae ken as yer need tae ken mah abilities.”

Ludwig breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad that she was willing to discuss--especially since with some people the topic of magic was hit and miss. More often that not, many magic users avoided speaking about their abilities as if it was something to hide. Ludwig didn’t think so. If used properly, it was a valuable and unique gift that not everyone could attain. Regardless, he took Hamish’s hand and led her back into the room proper itself.

“I could get someone to tend the fireplace or perhaps get a few extra blankets for you if you’re still cold,” he offered, noting that her touch was rather frigid. Besides, he didn’t need his potential queen to turn into an icle upon their first meeting. “I honestly wouldn’t mind it.” Ludwig added so that the woman wouldn’t think she was imposing or making things difficult. Something about her timid mannerisms made it seem that she would be the one to reject an offer should she feel it inconvenienced another.

The King of Hearts led her to a chair near the fireplace and let her sit before taking a spot across from her. However, as she began to speak again, he had to concentrate in order to decipher what she was saying once again. He simply hoped that the furrow of his brows and his action of having to lean in a bit closer didn’t bother Hamish; it was simply so he could hear and understand her better after all. A contemplative look soon fell over his face as Hamish explained the her magic’s limitations. It was curious that she would use such a scenario as the loss of an arm, and it made Ludwig’s thoughts shift toward Feliciano. Perhaps, after a while, he could consider it a bit more, but for now, he pushed the thought to the depths of his mind.

“So essentially, you’re only actually limited by what the spell books contain?” The king hummed inquisitively, looking to her. She seemed much more comfortable talking about her abilities now, and hopefully, Ludwig would be able to keep it that way. After all, save for company that wouldn’t shut up at all, little was worse than company that was too nervous to even speak or could only sputter out words here and there.

[Hamish Stuart]

Perhaps being self-taught and having missed many of the rules that seemed to come with magic, no mention that keeping his talents hidden was some part of the magic code. Since finding the first spell book and realizing he could understand the contents there never has been a reason for the ginger to keep anyone from knowing just what he was capable of. Testing spells on the crops on his parents’ farm to attempting to improve their home where he could. Magic seemed to be a gift from some God that allowed him to aid at home when he had been so frail throughout his life. Practice was what all users required to improve their talents which Hamish had plenty. Having not been able to meet other magic users part of Hamish were curious if anyone could learn how to cast a simple spell or if it was a unique trait possessed by few.

“Na, na that isnae necessary.” Turning around the room green eyes searched for the fireplace that someone could tend to for them to rid them of the cold that sank into his bones. Catch sight of the wood already resting prepared to be lit there was a loud snap of his fingers before flames enveloped the wood causing warmth to slowly fill the room. “Flames ur th' ainlie thing a'm able tae cast wi'oot a spell. It seems connected tae th' blood o' th- yer land.”
It wasn’t wrong of the king to assume Hamish wouldn’t want to be a bother as it was true which lead to him learning magic for practical things. Looking down there was a nervous nature to Hamish as if he feared that Ludwig would not approve of magic being used in such a manner. During his youth he would attempt spells to wash the dishes or even tend to the stables.

Bowing his head a bit he graciously took the chair Ludwig had led him toward that allowed him to warm his chilled extremities. Looking a bit nervous he continued his talk about someone being injured since he knew magic had limits but there were more than a single path for each problem. “Ah micht nae be able tae regrow limbs bit a've heard rumors o' spells that grant life tae armor whilk act as limbs.”

There was a small nod happy that Ludwig understood what he was claiming was the limit of his magic. Training aided him able to perform spells for longer but books aided what he was able to accomplish at any given time. Looking down at his hands he took a moment before slowly glancing up to meet Ludwig’s gaze. “Sorry a'm talking aboot masell awfy much aren't ah?”

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

“Are you sure?” the king of Hearts looked to his suitor, his gaze saying that there truly was no problem if she wanted the fire stoked. However as she snapped, the pop of fire caught Ludwig’s attention and he let his gaze linger on the now-lit hearth. He had never bothered to use his powers for mundane tasks…not really, but he could understand and appreciate those that had the sense to do so—to make life a bit easier. He himself was more prone to use his abilities in combat, but to each their own.

“Flames ur th' ainlie thing a'm able tae cast wi'oot a spell. It seems connected tae th' blood o' th- yer land.”

It was still terribly difficult to understand Hamish, but Ludwig could understand enough of it to nod in agreement. “It was always a bit of an old rumor that the first king had such a burning passion for his land and people that in order to protect them, the spirits of the land granted him the ability to bend fire to his will. That and…of course, the obvious and cliché connotations one has when you mention our Kingdom,” Ludwig paused before explaining. “Heart, passion, fire. It’s practically hand in hand, some say,” he shook his head. “I prefer to believe it is a mere coincidence.”

The conversation shifted to a topic that hit home a bit more, and in turn, it piqued Ludwig’s interest.


“Rumors…?” as if it wasn’t already clear, Ludwig was not one to invest much in rumors, but IF there was a chance that some spell like that existed, then perhaps he could convince Feliciano—

“Sorry a'm talking aboot masell awfy much aren't ah?”

The King’s gaze locked with the woman’s as he shook his head without hesitation. “No..no of course no. Not at all—I asked for it anyways, didn’t I?” He cleared his throat a bit and sat down himself. “If it would make you feel better, however, you’re free to ask me what you want—especially considering you’re set to be my Queen before long.” The words were still a bit bitter on his tongue, but he would have to suck it up and deal with it. Besides, Hamish seemed…decent. Agreeable…kind. At the very least, she was not one of those women that were obnoxiously peppy or wanted to be waited on hand and foot (or at least she didn’t let on quite yet that she was).

---

Hamish Stuart I'm so fucking slow orz

[Hamish Stuart]

Combat was foreign to Hamish and having been considered frail as a child once he began studying magic even mundane tasks were completed with the skill. Many would consider such use as misuse but Hamish did explore his capabilities by testing the limits of what his magic would permit. Practice allowed him to be able to cast simple spells without seals or words, snapping causing a flame was among his most common. Had Hamish been exposed to combat now his handle of magic would fail compared to that of the king, someone who did not need such simple magic for daily tasks. Mages did often seem to excel at unique tasks, this is if the stories Hamish read were true.

There had been a hint of a laugh with Ludwig bringing up the tale of the land, where their fire came from. Many thought of the tale as inspiring but Ludwig almost seemed to find such stories as foolish, perhaps the idea itself was childish but yet Hamish did notice many of those found in this kingdom could cast fire just as he had. “It does seem tae me ye don’t believe in th' spirits. Some micht say th' fire is a curse, a power that is unyielding a pure nasty. Is fire a kind gift whin it easily destroys a' aroond it?”

Green eyes noticed the hint of interest as dark magic had been mentioned but it was best to leave the topic be for now. Hamish would not promise anything he could not assure his powers allowed.

“Please don’t tak' this wrong bit ah kin tell yer ilka action is fur th' kingdom. Wid ye ower nae fin' loue fur yersel'? A'm mair than aware yer council believes me suitable due tae mah powers 'n' claims that mah lack o' knowledge o` yer past wull benefit ye.” Turning his eyes away he did not wish to anger Ludwig but it did seem unfair for the king to marry when there was no desire for it. “Yer king, if ye wished me awa' yer council cuid nae deny ye?” There was a bit of question to is, Hamish was not among those with royal blood or knowledge of how the kingdom functioned.

Standing suddenly he moved closed to the fire to watch as it burned. Thin fingers moved along following the flames but almost appeared to be commanding the movement with each twitch. “Whit kin ah dae tae help yer kingdom?”