by Katarina Karkov » Sat Jun 26, 2021 7:46 pm
The Jez headed towards the Royal Couple (?) would come up from behind, with Katarina and Doom between her and the mercenaries, and Lilith and Francois behind them, all down a narrow hallway. She could continue going forward and serve as some sort of unified front with Katarina and Doom, though how much help she would be against a number of armed mercenaries was questionable. But, of course, Jezebelle had not spent her weeks here idly. Like any palace worth it's salt, there were back passageways and concealed walkways hidden around, allowing the Help to slide in and out of rooms quickly and efficiently, and Lenka and the other handmaidens had given Jez a crash-course on the ropes; Jez may not quite have the layout memorized like the back of her hand, but she could choose to use them if she so desired to perhaps get a jump on people. But then, of course, Katarina and Doom might not know that she was there to help...
"Princess Katarina," Lilith was saying. "Of course you would have thrown in with Doom; you're set enough on trampling the rest of our traditions, why not ally with our biggest enemy?"
"I'm afraid that you have lost the confidence of our houses, Princess," Francois said, smoothly. "We would have liked to do this in a more...civilized fashion, but then, you are the one who chose violence against Prince Alex. I'm afraid we will have to insist that you step down from power right now".
"It shall all be alright, of course. While the country will mourn the loss of their crown princess, she will be remembered as one who stood up to Doom in her final moments, bravely resisting him to the last."
"And, of course, we shall be there to pick up the pieces. Our nation will rally around us, and with our shared hatred of Latveria, we shall unify the country -- nay, the world -- in opposition to Doom's heinous crimes.
"The international community has permitted Latveria to live for too long. Unprovoked aggression against a neighboring country will finally turn the tide against them.
"The Avengers will come to our aid. The Fantastic Four. The Defenders. With Doom attempting to overthrow the world once again, the world's heroes will flock to our banner; we all know the threat Doom can pose.
"Rotruvia will be liberated from decades of rule from a cruel tyrant. And, of course, King Francois and Queen Lilith of Symkaria will welcome our Rotruvian neighbors into the warm embrace of our country."
"Not to mention the technological wonders that they now find themselves in possession of."
"Symkaria will become a world power; our influence stretching across the continent. A power broker in the balance between East and West."
"So you see, princess, your noble sacrifice will be for the good of the nation, and indeed, the entire world. We shall remember Katarina Day as a day of mourning, and a day of rebirth for our nation!"
"So be a good little girl, and die.
Katarina took one half step to ensure Doom was between her and the mercenaries. "I do not know where you get your information from, Princess Lilith; Prince Francois. But the Karkovs are made of sterner stuff than you realize. I shall not -- I will not fall. Not to see the likes of you take over my kingdom; a pair of treacherous, amoral, backstabbing, power-hungry děvky who will lead us into ruin."
"Treacherous and immoral is rich, coming from the likes of you. Dancing with Doom, employing traitors as your personal aids; cavorting with harlots and sodomites! You are a stain on the moral fabric of this kingdom!"
Katarina's eyes narrowed. "The two of you will take the name of my guska out of your mouth at once. I would rather the whole world know about my feelings for her, though it may cost me everything, than allow the two of you to continue to hypocritically slander her."
Doom, meanwhile, watched the entire exchange rather passively again, oddly, though he let Katarina use her as a shield. There was something strange about that...