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María Cristina de Borbón
Reina de España

Born in Palermo, Sicily on 27 April 1806, she is the daughter of King Francis I of the Two Sicilies by his second wife, Maria Isabella of Spain.

With the death on 27 May 1829 of the third wife of Ferdinand VII of Spain, the King was in need for a male heir to succeed to the crown. This led to his fourth marriage, just seven months later (11 December 1829), to Maria Christina. If the rushed marriage was not awkward enough, King Ferdinand was also her uncle by both birth and marriage. Maria Christina's mother, Maria Isabella, was King Ferdinand's sister; both were born to King Charles IV of Spain and his wife, Maria Luisa of Parma.

As queen, Maria Christina has given birth to two daughters, Isabella and Luisa Fernanda, as well as two sons who did not survive past their first year.


Now with her husband's growing illness and the probability of his death she seeks to ensure the succession of her daughter, Isabella, as per the Pragmatic Succession with the willingness to do all that is necessary to attain such.
 
Don Pedro Nolasco Marcilla de Teruel y Oca Moctezuma,
Conde de Moctezuma de Tultengo, Grandeza de España
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The Count here with his daughter, Maria-Isabella Marcilla de Teruel Moctezuma

Date of birth :

25th of September 1781
Occupation :
Naval Officer
Background/personnality :
Aristocrat/Deeply Religious

The conquest of Mexico by Cortez had seen the end of the Aztec Empire but the blood of the old emperors still ran in the Spanish nobility through the Counts of Moctezuma de Tultengo.

Pedro Moctezuma, son of the last emperor Moctezuma II, had been converted and brought back to Spain. He had been granted honors at the court in Madrid and married into the Catholic nobility. His grandson, Pedro Tesifón Moctezuma de la Cueva, 1st Viscount of Ilucán, Lord of Tula and Peza, was made Count of Moctezuma by Philip IV. Later the strong ties of the Counts to their Mexican holdings of Tultengo were recognized by Charles II of Spain, who added De Tultengo in their Title. The family was then honored in 1766 of the title of Grandee of Spain, recognizing their position into the Spanish nobility.
The counts of Moctezuma-Tultengo while great landowners in Mexico and Castille were marginal in Spanish history. None of them held a great office at the court, and none took part in politics, though several of them were made archbishops, and one even became Cardinal.

Don Pedro was no exception to the rules. The second son of the Count of Moctezuma and his wife, Maria de Burgos, he took a deep interest in the Navy at the young age, enrolling to become captain in the Armada Real. The Revolution in France was an horror to him, especially as the antichristian measures became more important. He nonetheless served the King, taking part in the battle of Trafalgar in which he was wounded at his left leg, leaving him lame, but still able to fight. After the deposals of the Borbons by Napoleon he joined the King Ferdinand VII in Valencay, only coming back after the liberation of the country. A staunch support of the King, he supported his absolutistic policies. The loss of the Spanish colonies and his old estates in Mexico left him a bitter man, who has grown concerned about the state of the Monarchy.

With his brother dead during the Peninsular Wars, he inherited the County from his father in 1830. A prominent member of the nobility and a devout he will not stand for any infringements of the rights of the Church in Spain. He stands neutral in the question of succession : the opinions of Don Carlos are close to his and he thinks that a powerful monarch is needed to secure the future of the monarchy but his strong loyalty toward the legitimate King avoids him to join the Carlists. His strong goal has always been to restore the Spanish Armada, which has been badly damaged by the disaster at Trafalgar and the lack of funds after the Liberation.

{{
Yes, I am playing the same dynasty in two different AARs. If that's a problem, fite me irl.

No, these (Colombuses... Columbi????) will not be cannibals. (probably)

Or heretics. (probably)
technically I'm playing with a Xenos so I would not criticize a fellow TIM Senator :p }}
 
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Don Joaquín Baldomero Fernández-Espartero y Alvarez de Toro,
Date of Birth: February 27th, 1793
Background:
A veteran of the Peninsular Wars as an enlisted man in a student volunteer regiment at the tender age of fifteen, Espartero made his bones as an officer under General Morillo fighting colonial rebellions in South America. Despite the lingering shame of the defeat of the Battle of Ayachuco and the loss of Peru to Sucre's rebellion, upon returning to Spain he was able to make an advantageous marriage to the orphaned daughter of a wealthy landowner while garrisoned in Logroño. Baldomero has since made a name for himself as one of the most outspoken defenders of the succession of Queen Isabella II, seeking to wash away the stain of defeat by fighting in the army of Maria Christina. He has a way with the common soldier and seeks to institute major technical reforms in the way the army operates.
Traits
Background: Disgraced
Personality: Charismatic
 
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Name: Carlos Martinez de la Huerta y Damas
Date of Birth: 19 January 1812

Born in Seville from a rural catholic family, Carlos faced the ruins from the arabs starting to develop a hatred to Muslims. The neighbor Morocco seems to him an ally of the Ottoman Empire and a risk for all the Spanish People. After graduation he decide to start the life of politician but when the Spanish America war of indipendence started he was call to fight. After being injured in Caracas he was sent home were he can finally start his journey.
 
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Name: Carlos Martinez de la Huerta y Damas
Date of Birth: 19 January 1812

Born in Seville from a rural catholic family, Carlos faced the ruins from the arabs starting to develop a hatred to Muslims. The neighbor Morocco seems to him an ally of the Ottoman Empire and a risk for all the Spanish People. After graduation he decide to start the life of politician but when the Carlist war started he was call to fight. After being injured in Mendigorrià he was sent home were he can finally start his journey.

((Just a reminder, we started before the Carlist Wars, so they haven't happened yet :D ))
 
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Name: Luis Manuel Felipe Valentín Lugaciento y Pullaverda de Rocanera
Date of Birth: May 12, 1782
Occupation: Priest
Background:
Born in a family in the region around Cordóba, he has during his whole life followed the words of the one and sole God in which he believes. His family being dead or at distance, this man is ready to sacrifice everything for what he believes is the cause of religion and path for Spain. As a staunchly religious and ultra-conservative priest, Luis is radically opposed to all attempts to liberalize the country. He has a clear political vision, which is to restore a fully absolute monarchy in which the monarch, by divine right, has the total power. Luis' hatred for everything Liberal, non-catholic or open in any way is visceral. Pragmacy or compromise is something he deeply despises. Carlism is natural and given for Luis.
 
A Day in September

The date was September 29, 1833. The day was normal for many people. The sun shined, the autumn winds blew across the land bringing with it the changing of the seasons. Spain though was not a cold place, but there was a drop in temperature. The harvest was in full swing, with food supplies going up across the land. In the colonies, life went the same way it normally did. The colonies did not really care about the mainland, since events in the mainland took months to reach the colonies. In Portugal, a new offensive by Pedro in the Liberal Wars was being planned, and in Britain, Parliament was debating the issue of censoring Napoleonic symbols. In the Americas, the United States of Central America was celebrating the 255th anniversary of the founding of Tegucigalpa, the capital of the state of Honduras. British sailors remember Lord Horatio Nelson, who was born on this day, and his great achievements fighting against the Spanish and French navies at Trafalgar. In the Papal States, it was Michaelmas, the celebration of the three great archangels (Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael). In Spain though, things were about to take a rough turn.

On this day, King Ferdinand VII of Spain would die.

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A massive attack of gout killed him. In his wake he left his wife, Maria Cristina, and his two daughters, Isabel and Luisa. Isabel was three years old. According to the law of Pragmatic Succession, Isabel would become queen of Spain as Isabel II. She would need a regent though, and her mother Maria Cristina would fill that role. Maria Cristina would have to deal with a divided Spanish state between liberals and absolutists. The absolutists claimed that the late King Ferdinand VII's brother Carlos was a better fit for the throne of Spain. Liberals supported the ascension of Isabel as marking a new era for the Kingdom of Spain. Across the country ideological conflict flared. The conflict soon spread among cultural boundaries. The Basque people of Spain wished for more autonomy, and thought that now was their chance to break off and assert their home rule. The Catalans and Galicians felt the same way. Maria Cristina wanted to keep these nations tight in Spain, and so, following her husband's death, she dispatched General Baldomero Espartero to the Basque Country to try and quell uprising in the region. The tension only got worse. Catalans and Basques began rioting in the streets of Barcelona and Viscaya clamoring for more self-rule. They wanted salvation, and they began to see this in Prince Carlos.

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(All hail her Royal Highness Queen Isabel II of Spain!)

Speaking of Prince Carlos, he was still in Portugal. Carlos's decision on this matter would either create war or peace. If he chose to press his claim on his throne, there would be civil war. If he chose to swear fealty to the new queen, there would be a liberal peace. With the Basques, Catalans, and even the Catholic Church, protesting the ascension of Isabel to the throne, Carlos had support to try and win back his throne, but the question remained if he would. This day in September would spiral Spain into chaos. As October began, the actions and decisions of specific individuals would either cause war or peace. This day in September could either bring Spain to greatness, or plunge it into civil war.

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(Reports began to emerge that some Basque citizens were arming themselves...)

--------------------------
Player Actions Needed: Ferdinand VII has died, meaning as of now @Maxwell500 has monarchical authority as Regent of Queen Isabel II. The issue of this succession shall be left to you guys.
 
Carlos went in his hometown church and, after the sermon, he began to speak:
Today is a sad day in Spain: our beloved King is dead. But what make this day even worse is that a child is been proclaimed as "queen" by a man who can't even deserve is noble title.
As catholics we have to do what the Divine Grace want: a King choose by God. We cannot rebuild the Empire without a legitimate leader to conduct us.
Viva Rey Carlos V! Viva la España! Viva el Impiero!
 
In later years, Simó would claim he had felt something in the wind on that day. He did not. He spent the day conducting mass, attending to administrative matters, and penning letters to be sent to other men of the cloth throughout Spain. It had been his hope that a secret college might be established to support the interests of the faith. Soon secrecy would become impossible. Simó was not without other plans, however. Within hours of Ferdinand VII of Spain's death, a letter was dispatched bearing the seal of the Bishop of Urgell and the Co-prince of Andorra. It spoke at great length of the support for Carlos among men of God, the urgent need for Carlos to assume his rightful responsibilities and defend the people of Spain from atheist liberalism, and unseat the illegitimate Queen. To save Spain.

Other letters flew as quickly as Simó became aware of Ferdinand's passing. They announced the formation of La Sociedad de la España Cristiana, inviting all men of the cloth to join together in support of Christian Spain and Carlos. Included was the request that members send letters to Carlos, pledging their support, and to exhort as many others as possible to do the same. These letters, and the one despatched to Carlos, were signed just above Simó's own: Cristos, Patria, Fueros, Rey.
 
Isandro moved enter his quarters at the barracks out side of Valencia and proceeded to sit down at his desk. After sitting down he started to write out dispatch orders for some reconnaissances patrols he was planning on doing in the area. He was certain that war was about the erupt, whether it be a dynastic one or a separatists one, it looked almost certain at this time. So in an effort to ensure success if this uprising turns to a full blown civil war he figured new accurate maps of the region would provide decisive local advantage.

Special Survey Order
1st of September 1833
The officer holding this note is authorized to conduct surveying and mapping of the area of Valencia and all major geographic areas with in reason around it.

Any maps created as a result this survey will be handed personally to Colonel Durante immediately on return to base.

This survey shall last for a duration of 4 weeks, after which any members who have not returned to base, or are not otherwise accounted for (such cases as grievous injury or death) shall be considered to have deserted.

Colonel Isandro Durante of the 33rd Infantry Regiment

He frowned as he reread his dispatch order, not particularly liking the wording he did in it. It did not matter now, he would have to hope that his survey team would return before anything required him, or a superior officer, to move the regiment out of its barrack. He did not fancy fighting a war without knowing the terrain, already having experience of that in Peru. His task would be too critical to have it ruined by poor planning, and he, while preferring to work on the fly, knew that this was going to be the most impactful event in his career if the war did in fact break out. His preparations, ig proving successful could result in him becoming a major war hero and being a major factor in any subsequent victory.
 
Palacio de Moctezuma, Ciudad Rodrigo

Don Pedro had not been surprised by the death of the King but it still was a shock. He had accompanied his Majesty in France, he had served him even when the Liberals had barricaded in Cadiz but as a noble man he did not accept the Pragmatic Sanction. He had stayed neutral between Carlists and Liberals until now but with the King dead he could act. After attending the mass organized for the death of the King, he went back to his study and wrote a letter.

{{ private @Riccardo93 }}

To His Majesty, Carlos V de España

It is with great grief that I have learned the loss of our King, may his Soul rests in peace. The Pragmatic Sanction puts the Kingdom in great danger, with his daughter being only 3 years old, she will not be able to rule Spain and she will be manipulated by her mother and her Liberal Friends. I hereby beg you to return to your Kingdom and claim back your usurped rights. You can count on the support of the house of Moctezuma de Tultango to fight for you should the Queen and her lackeys refuse to accept you as King. I myself am no man of the sword, having preferred the Armada Real to commanding men on battlefields but if it is your desire I can muster all loyal men in the Fleet for your cause. Whatever your desires, I pledge upon this day my loyalty to you, to preseve Spain from Jacobinism.

Most humbly and respectfully, and full of love:
Don Pedro Nolasco Marcilla de Teruel y Oca Moctezuma, Conde de Moctezuma de Tultengo y Grandeza de España


--------------

He sat back in his chair and prayed ; he had chosen, now his destiny laid in the hands of God.
 
Palacio de Marques de Pombal
8 September 1833

Don Carlos watched as the rain continued to strike the window. It was not a pleasant day, he had determined – not only had yesterday’s storm lingered, but an unbearable humidity had settled with it. Thus, he had resolved to remain at Oeira until the rain had passed. And so here he sat, beside the foggy window, the flickering candle and a bundle of unsent replies his only companions.

This peaceful, rainy solitude was broken by a rapping at the door; a servant entered with several more letters. Don Carlos sighed as he received them – he half-nodded at the servant as he left. He had nothing better to do, so the Infante quickly opened and read through the first one. More of the same. As was the next, and the next. Still, he was reassured that his supporters were still numerous, and better still not-imprisoned or exiled. He pondered on his replies as he at last opened the final one, sent from the Conde de León. Reading through it at a brisk pace, Carlos reached for his pen and began to write a reply.


A VE, el Conde de León,

That you and I share a mind in regards to la Pragmática Sanción, a wholly unnatural proposal brought about by those opposed to the moral and proper succession of the fatherland and the proper governance thereof, is most heartening. However, I must implore that your excellence do not impart blame upon my Royal Brother, for despite our differences – particularly on this matter – he is still our king and rightful sovereign, ordained by God Himself to lead Spain. That he was been so misled by those within the Cortes who vie for power and needless aggrandisement, and equally has shunned wise and thoughtful counsel, is unfortunate, but it does not diminish his rights to rule, nor his responsibilities.

As such, I would ask of you to pledge yourself to the Fatherland, and work for ever towards its benefit, and remain true and faithful to my Royal Brother so long as he may; and to keep him in your thoughts and prayers, so that he may both recover from this passing illness and rebuke his false ministers.


I remain,
Don Carlos, Infante de España, Conde de Molina

He felt that sufficed, and continued to his work until his hand ached.



-
Palacio de Ramalhão
12 September 1833

The return to Ramalhão by way of Lisbon had been a refreshing change of pace in itself, both due to the pleasant, near Mediterranean weather, and the spirited activity within the Portuguese capital itself. That it was still heavily occupied by the Liberales, those traitors to the natural order and to his nephew the King was disconcerting, but his party went through unmolested.

They travelled up a ways along the Tagus before turning starkly westwards back to Ramalhão, and had arrived there as the sun began to set. Their foray to the shore finally at an end, the storm clouds finally passing into the eastern horizon, Don Carlos felt a small peace.

This would soon pass as news of his brother’s failing condition reached his ears.

-
Palacio de Ramalhão
23 September 1833

As more and more reports of his brother’s decline reached him, Don Carlos began to prepare for the worst; he had no doubt in his mind that the forces allayed against him would now refuse any proper capitulation, nor would his poor brother recover enough of his health, or his courage, to challenge them. He would remain in exile until the King’s final breaths were breathed, and he would return to Spain to claim his birth-right, he determined. He had no other choice.

-
Palacio de Ramalhão
30 September 1833

A man had raced from Madrid to Ramalhão in the dead of night and carried with him dire news from the capital; Fernando was dead, at last taken by his long illness. Carlos uttered a silent, solemn prayer on behalf of his King and brother. After a quiet moment of reflection, the Infante – no, the King – left the small chapel within the palace and returned to the room he had claimed as his study. He began work on his declaration.

-
Palacio de Ramalhão
1 October 1833

I cannot present myself to Spain as a pretender to the crown. I believe that the Spanish crown has already been placed on my head by the holy hand of the law. I was born with that right, which at the same time constitutes a sacred obligation, but I desire that that right be confirmed by the love of my people. My obligation is, moreover, to consecrate to that people all my thoughts and all my strength; in a word, to die for or save them.

Thus, to keep faith with God and my people, I do hereby declare that I, Carlos V, am the rightful King of Spain; I request that those aligned falsely to my niece respect legitimate claim to the monarchy, in keeping with both God’s will and with the traditions and customs of the House of Bourbon, as well as work within my new reign to ensure the fatherland is restored to its former greatness – that our lands are made wealthy again, our people moral and secure, the coffers of the treasury recovered, and the spirit of our nation revitalised. I reconfirm the ministers appointed by the late brother, the King, as a show of respect to those honourable fellows, and as an offering of peace and compromise; let us not divide and fight ourselves, or work against the betterment and preservation of Spain, when we could as easily stand united and strong against the forces of rebellion and disunion.

~ Carlos V, by the Grace of God, King of Castile, Leon, Aragon, of the Two Sicilies, of Jerusalem, of Navarre, of Granada, of Toledo, of Valencia, of Galicia, of Majorca, of Seville, of Sardinia, of Córdoba, of Corsica, of Murcia, of Menorca, of Jaén, the Algarves, Algeciras, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, of the East and West Indies, Islands and Mainland of the Ocean Sea; Archduke of Austria; Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Milan and Aspurg; Count of Flanders, Tirol and Barcelona; Lord of Biscay and Molina

With his declaration of succession issued, Carlos V began to make his way up the Tagus, and ever closer to Spain.

 
The Emerald of Elche: Part II

The interior of the carriage was warmer than out in the open air, something Esmeralda was grateful for. She sat down on a cushioned seat across from the noble, whose gaze never left her. She was usually used to such stares, but this one disarmed her a bit. Most men’s gaze would drift to her legs or her breasts, or perhaps an even more intimate place, but this man’s gaze never left her face. She kept the smile plastered on her face, trying to appear as charming as possible.

The nobleman suddenly shook his head and slapped his legs, startling Esmeralda a bit. Blushing again, he said, “I must apologize, for I forgot to introduce myself. I am Vicente Pío Osorio, although Vicente will do.”

“You must be a very influential man,” Esmeralda said as she twirled a finger through her hair, trying her best to flatter the man.

“Well my father is, but I suppose that makes me too. I try not to think about it.”

The casual attitude of this man towards his station was sharp barb in Esmeralda’s side. She had had to work hard for everything she wanted, but here was a man who probably had everything he wanted handed to him. On the other hand, he certainly could afford her fee and more. If she played things right, she’d make a fortune this night.

The carriage made its way through Elche and into the richer district of the city. Esmeralda had never been in this part of the city, for it was not the place of a commoner to go there. She was certain that if she tried to work a street corner here she’d find herself in the city jail. Soon the carriage wound its way to the outskirts, to the large estates of the more prestigious nobility. It soon turned into the path to the largest manor Esmeralda had ever seen. It was easily three stories, dwarfing everything around it. The vineyard surrounding the mansion seemed to go on as far as the eye could see, which perhaps wasn’t that far in the middle of the night.

As the carriage stopped near the front door, Vicente noticed her awed expression and said, “My father is the marquis of Elche, one of his many titles.”

It was like a dream come true. The richest man in town had taken interest in her. If she pulled this off, she’d be set for life. Suddenly her blouse was a little bit lower and her skirt hitched up a few more inches, not that Vicente seemed to notice. He merely opened the carriage door and offered his hand to escort her out. She took his hand with a smile and let him guide her into his home.

The inside of the house was even more spectacular. The vaulted ceiling of the entrance hall had a mural of Christ that reminded Esmeralda a bit too much of her time in the convent. Her delicate feet walked across plush rugs and up the curved staircase, following Vicente upstairs. She ran one hand along the ivory balustrade, the material cold and hard against her skin. A maid marched down the stairs next to them, giving Esmeralda the most scathing side-eye she’d ever seen. She was an interloper, a commoner intruding in this place of nobility. She didn’t deserve to be here, yet here she was.

Soon Vicente guided her into the master bedroom. A giant four-poster bed dominated the room, complete with silk sheets and feather pillows. Compared to the usual lice-ridden hay beds she serviced men in, this was a step up. Vicente sat down on the end of the bed and beckoned for her to sit next to him. She sashayed over, letting her hips sway and pulling her skirt back to reveal her legs. Vicente took a look for once, but seemed embarrassed to have witnessed the display. Esmeralda couldn’t help but smirk at his prude nature.

Just as she sat herself down next to him, ensuring she was close enough for him to feel the warmth of her body, he bolted upright and scurried over to the fireplace. She tried not to let her irritation showed. Vicente’s face was red again as he said, “Let me just get a fire going to stave off the night chill.”

Esmeralda lounged back on the bed, running her fingers along the silk sheets and posing her body seductively. She smiled at Vicente as he finally got the fire lit. Then her expression dropped as soon as she saw the painting above the fireplace. A portrait of a young woman hung there, obviously a noblewoman judging by her exquisite gown and jewelry painted in excruciating detail. What caught Esmeralda’s attention though was the woman’s face. Although the woman in the painting had her hair done up and appeared in her later twenties, she was a spitting image of Esmeralda. The young woman bolted upright in the bed, staring at the painting in shock.

“The resemblance is uncanny, isn’t it,” Vicente said. He held his hands behind his back and stared down at the floor, even more shy than before.

Esmeralda blinked rapidly and asked the obvious, “Who is that?”

Vicente cleared his throat and said, “That would be my wife, Maria, or rather was. She passed away last month.”

Realization hit Esmeralda like a brick to the face. The strange looks, the odd behaviour, everything that had thrown her off by this man could be explained by this one fact. Vicente was treating her differently not because he was some prude noble but because when he looked at her, he saw his dead wife. She felt more uncomfortable than ever. It was one thing to let a man have his way with her, for that was a simple exchange or service, a moment of pleasure for both participants. Once it was done, that was it. This, however, would be something different. It was not lust or passion driving this man, but affection and devotion for his late wife. Emotional attachment was not something Esmeralda knew how to handle.

Vicente slowly approached her and sat down next to her, keeping enough distance to show he wasn’t looking for something intimate yet. He blushed again, the redness a seemingly permanent fixture on his cheeks, and said, “I know this may all seem strange to you, but when I saw you on the street and how much you resembled my sweet Maria, I knew I had to speak with you.”

Esmeralda struggled for words, forcing a smile on her face in the meantime. Dear god, what had she gotten herself into. She relaxed her posture a bit to make Vicente feel more comfortable and said the only thing she could think of. “Well, I’m flattered.”

Vicente licked his dry lips, avoiding eye contact with Esmeralda. Clearly flustered, he tried to speak and ended up rambling instead. “I don’t know how to phrase this, but… uh… I was… well… I was wondering--”

The nobleman’s rambling was cute, but if he continued on like this she’d be stuck there all night. Perhaps that wasn’t the worst thing, but she needed to assert herself a bit or else she might not get paid this night. Even though this man was having difficulty expressing what he wanted, Esmeralda had a good idea. Here was a loving husband, a man missing his wife, and perhaps also missing their love-making. She leaned forward and placed a finger over Vicente’s lips to silence him. He was a little startled by the gesture, but shut up immediately. “Say no more. I can fulfill your every desire. Tonight, you and your dear Maria shall be reacquainted.”

After sliding slowly off the bed and back to her feet, Esmeralda ran her hands up her body and watched as Vicente sputtered at the sight. He was a bit overwhelmed, but that would only make the next part all that more exciting for him. She slid one arm of her blouse down, revealing more of her tanned skin and the side of her breast. She watched him from the corner of her eye as she slid the sleeve a bit further.

Vicente suddenly jumped to his feet and rested a hand on her arm, stopping her from disrobing. “You don’t have to do that for me.”

Esmeralda scrunched up her face in confusion. What did this man want then? “I thought you required my services?”

“Services?” Vicente was genuinely puzzled by her question before his eyes went wide and he held his hands out as thought he’d been caught in the middle of committing a crime. “Oh dear god, you’re a-a-a…” He didn’t finish his sentence though, gulping loudly and slumping down on the edge of the bed. “I’m so sorry. When I saw how much you looked like my wife, I did not think of why you might be out that night. I’ll pay you for your time, but I just wanted to talk. I just want to be with my wife one more time.”

Well this was not what Esmeralda had expected at all. Vicente hadn’t even known she was a prostitute. The naivety shocked her, almost as much as the fact that he had taken her all the way to his manor just to speak to her. She had been ready to sleep with him and he’d turned her down. Did this man not want to be with his wife again? The decision baffled her. It went against everything she knew of men. Not sure what to do, she just sat back down on the bed and asked, “So what would you like me to do?”

“Just listen,” Vicente said. “There are so many things I wanted to tell my wife that I never got the chance to say. It would unburden my heart if I could tell these things to you. It might feel as though I am telling her these things instead, seeing as you look so much like her.”

Esmeralda could do nothing but nod her head, so bewildered by the situation she had gotten herself into. Thus she spent the rest of the night just sitting there and listening to what Vicente had to say to his deceased wife. She listened as he spilled out his heart to a woman he hardly knew, removing a burden that he had held since his wife’s passing. Esmeralda had slept with many men, experiencing so many moments of passion and pleasure, but nothing proved as intimate as this. She was witnessing this man’s very soul, his undying love for his wife that continued to defy death. Even though Vicente spoke the words to her, she felt like merely a receptacle, like a priest listening to a man’s confession. The whole experience left her feeling empty inside, for here she was seeing true love and knowing that she’d never feel anything like that in her profession. The best she could do was try not to focus on Vicente’s words, but that proved near impossible. By the time morning came and Vicente had her sent back to town, with a sizeable purse of gold at least, both of them were in tears, although Esmeralda made sure not to let hers show until she had left the manor far behind.
 
As he sat idling, musing over when his sister and the gracious Duke de Alba could meet, HSH Alejandro's courtier came to him. A fine sealed envelope was laid down, and the boy left quickly, discreetly closing the door behind him.

The letter was written on fine paper, and the seal was almost still warm. Alejandro lazily spun his letter knife around, cutting through the fine wax seal with deft ease. But it's content startled the young Prince, his legs falling from his ornate mahogany desk. He had realised that the King was ill, but for him to die, that was most tragic to the realm. As the knife tumbled from his hand, and onto the finely woven carpet below Alejandro's feet, he fell into deep prayer, praying that stability could be found in Spain, and for the safety of the realm, for it to not fall into the trap of the Portuguese. He raised his head, and called for his finest coat, His Serene Highness Alejandro had work to do...
 
Carlos was in church when he heard of Ferdinand's death. Being a supporter of the king, this death saddened him greatly. He had never been close to the king, seeing him only once in a visit to Madrid. He quickly entered his barracks with two letters in his hand. One of the letters was from his brother who also moved to Spain, the other being from his mother, back in the Spanish colony of the Philippines. It was the former's who Carlos decided to open first.

My dear brother,
I believe that you have already heard about the king's death, God rest him. I also trust that you have heard about the late monarch's brother, Carlos. He has recently pressed his claim to the Kingdom of Spain against his niece. So now I ask you, who do you support? I myself support Carlos. Spain does not need a regent through such turbulent times. We need a strong ruler to guide us, and that ruler is Carlos. I hope that you have the same thinking as I do, Carlos needs all the support he can get. I also wish to ask you how it is in the army. I hope that you will get promotions soon enough, though I have heard in a local pub that some officers are not willing to grant any more. God bless you and take care.
Miguel Hernandez de Isabela


He really did not know who to support. However, he does know one thing about Carlos pressing his claim. He knew that Spain would most likely suffer the same fate as the Portuguese. He looked at the musket next to his bed. Staring at the weapon for a few seconds, he finally spoke the words he was choking on, "I believe that you will finally see some fighting." With that said, he decided that he would write his brother later saying that he will support Carlos in whatever his decision is. However, he still would have to read the letter from his mother, though he suspects that both his mother's and brother's letter will be quite similar.
 
((Private - Revan ))

Your Royal Majesty, Carlos V

I have heard whispers of your desire to press your claim to the throne. If this is truthful I wish to inform you that I am in full support of your ambition. You might not have been able to see in your exile in Portugal, but the Cortez, poisoned the mind of the Late Ferdinand VII causing him to decreed the Pragmatic Sanction. It can be seen clearly from those who follow gods word that, this is an act against Spain and the Catholic church itself. It is with this that I wish to inform you of my support for any actions in which you may take, for your stances on the Cortez has been clear for a good while now, and I stand firm with it. The Cortez will only seek to destroy any and all things that make Spain, Spain. We are not Bonapartist France, us Spaniards understand how god wants a state to exist and how to respect the natural order of things.

If the time comes that the Cortez refuses to back down from its treachery, I will pledge myself and my Regiment in support of your efforts to claim your birth right. It is the only way to prevent the degrading and final decline of Spain. Let us not have the first Sunset on Spain, you are our only hope Carlos V.

Yours Truly,
Colonel Isandro Durante, 33rd Infantry Regiment, 9th Marquis de Santa Maria de Silvela
 
When asked by his wife about who he thinks the heir to the throne should be, Miguel just laughed, and replied.

"Whoever survives the storm ahead shall be the heir, isn't that obvious my dear?"
 
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A REPORT TO THE LORD OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD
((Private))

It is on an unfortunate occasion that I must send this letter, one of a great wave, I am certain, to the Royal Household. I need not speak of the passing of His Majesty, King Ferdinand, for, during this time for mourning, we have neglected a great king, instead choosing to dishonor his legacy by quiet undercurrents in elements of Spanish society which seek to install Infante Don Carlos instead. This much, I am sure, is not of particular news to the Lord of the House, nor to the Queen Mother.

In this time of great despair and frail politicking, I fear that there are a great many individuals in the Kingdom of Spain, lowly and great, who are all too willing to reject, defile, and trample upon the very royal prerogative for which they claim to be fighting. I speak, of course, of those who stand in opposition to the decrees of the now fallen King of Spain, who now, in this time of division and potential crisis, when Spain requires firm, affirmative leadership, have decided to undermine the institutions of this nation, burn its interior, and dissipate the charred, scorched remains.

If I have not already, I will gladly make clear where I stand upon this matter. While I urge, with clarity, in good hope, that my fellow officers of the Army be required to reaffirm their loyalty not only to the Spanish Crown, but to all decrees, nullo excepto, I fear that it will soon be too late for such an approach. A time of conflict may be rapidly approaching, and, as I am certain the Honorable Lord is aware, the focus should be upon avoiding such a conflict by any number of means. I say this of my own experience - that the Peninsular War should have been the final occasion in this nation's history that brother was set upon brother.

Should conflict be unavoidable, I hope the Lord of the House is aware of where I stand, that I will support His Majesty's chosen successor in honoring his decree as the King of Spain. I will stand with Queen Isabella, as all righteous Spaniards should, but I am not so certain that others will join with such a conviction. I leave such matters, however, in the hands of the Royal Household, in the hopes that its great expertise might come as an aid to the maintenance of order and law in the near and impending future.

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CORONEL ALEJANDRO DE LA CASA,
Vizconde de Barbate
 
(Private)

To Your Royal Highness,
María Cristina de Borbón, Regente de Reino de España, princesa de las Dos Sicilias


Your humble servant begs forgiveness for how blunt this message must be, but the recent announcement of Prince Carl's pretense towards the throne has reverberated throughout Spain.

As for ground forces; the Vizconde de Barbate (Firehound15), the Duke of Catalonia (LadyAlyssa), the Marquis de Santa Maria de Silvela (Otto of England), and Lt. Gutiérrez de la Concha e Irigoyen should be promoted and posted in front line commands.

The Conde de Toledo (luciusmalfoy012) is an able admiral and well-respected among military officers, and should be promoted to the head of the navy.

The Marqués de Palau (TJDS) has served the Kingdom as an administrator in the past and would do it again if called upon.

Don Garcia de Santiago (Duke Dan "the Man"), Don Enzo Andrews (Rapop101) are merchants with business and family connections in Portugal and Britain respectively; Don Fulminante (delpiero1234) comes from a highly respectable old merchant family in Galicia in A Coruña. These men would be ideal for any supply needs that the army and your ministers might have in the case of any uprisings.

On the other side, we have the likely traitors. Prince Carlos could potentially field a navy under the Count of Monteczuma (Attalus); while the Conde de Leon (MastahCheef117) and Marquis Alejo de Santa Ava (keinwyn) might lead rebel forces in the field. And there is a whole host of Basque chiefs, rebel priests, and other Carlist scum just waiting for the opportunity to lead militia; not to mention potentially unknown young officers poisoned by Carlist ideas and ready to make a name for themselves in a vainglorious and futile revolt.

There are many men in the middle, nobles and other landed politicians, maybe even a general or to. While one is inclined to want to enlist such men before the enemy, one can also not trust mercenary opportunists. However it would be a mistake to alienate or offend the honor of anyone who is not a member of Prince Carlos' existing conspiracy.

I pray to God that our suspicions are incorrect and there will be no rising, that Prince Carlos stays in exile and Spain remains at peace. Even a Basque revolt could be managed. But a war of brother against brother? Spain has already seen much bloodshed and we must be prepared to do whatever can be done to stamp out the flames of new anarchy.

Long Live Queen Isabella!

Your obedient servant,
General Don Joaquín Baldomero Fernández-Espartero y Alvarez de Toro