Update 56

"Getting in very late your Majesty." Hanako scolded, "As queen you should be held at a higher standard. What example is your galavanting setting for your heir?"

"I really don't have to hear this right now. I'm tired. Good night Hanako." Xena made her way to her room. She thought about the night she just had as she stood over a sleeping Hans. Her heart and mind were decided and she finally knew what she wanted.

"You? And Marcelo? Last night!?" Diana exclaimed, "I should have stayed with you and saw you went straight home."

"I can certainly take care of myself, Diana. No worries about me."

"What about your son? Your family? Your kingdom?" Diana pressed.

But Xena just tuned her out. She thought no one could understand her struggle. She pushed her own happiness aside to gain her father's kingdom. But now she felt powerful enough to pursue her desires.

As powerful as she felt, Xena reached out to an even greater power. A mysterious well. She gave it an offering, preparing it for her plans.

"Hans, how was your day?" Xena smiled.

"Oh, um, it was alright." Hans was surprised Xena asked, "Business has not been so good lately. Adjusting having to take over after my father."

"Understandable. Taken over after ones father is a big task. You know. I found a wishing well at the back of the lot. Maybe you should wish for some help in business. I've already given an offering, so a big reward should be in store." Xena encouraged.

Hans thought nothing of it and took Xena's advice. He wondered up to this mysterious well, and tossed in a coin. Suddenly in a flash and a puff of dark cloud, something came over Hans. He stumbled back into the house. Not long later Hans collapsed on the floor. Dead.

Xena entered. She stood over Hans as the Reaper approached. He was just finishing his job when Gale entered the room. Xena took up the urn and placed it in the room next to that of her father, Urban.

The death of Hans was hard on little Gale. He moped about and didn't even pester Hanako. Diana's daughter, Cali, visited often and got him out the house.

"Sorry about your dad." Cali said, "I know how it feels."

"Thanks Cali."

Meanwhile, Xena put on quite the show whenever she was with others.

"Poor Xena." they would say.

The Council encouraged her and offered their support. But eventually, things went on as normal. Xena went on to celebrate her birthday into an adult.

Realizing she wasn't getting any younger, Xena prepared for the next step in her plan. Marcelo would be hers.

Stay Tuned!

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Update 55

"Thank you for coming on such short notice Mrs. Hanako." Xena greeted their new housekeep.

"Of course. As your new governess, I take pride in my duties. Punctuality being of great importance."

Having taken care of the household responsibilities, Xena turned her attention back to her queenly duties. Presently on the table, a negotiation with the Amazon tribe of Newcrest. Seeing that the Tudor kingdom covered so much territory, which included Willow Creek, Oasis Spring and part of Newcrest, Xena was offering to give the Newcrest lands officially to the Tribe.

"While our presence and authority has been acknowledged, having sole rights to Newcrest will help move the tribe forward into a new age. Someday we may be known as the Kingdom of Newcrest." the tribe's Creator thanked.

Xena was a little reluctant to give away even a small portion of her kingdom, but felt it would help her focus on the bigger worlds and strengthen the Tudor kingdom in the long run.

Meanwhile, Prince Gale was readjusting to his new home life. He missed Marcelo and would seek ways to entertain himself. Most of the time his antics did not please his new governess.

"Stop that splashing this instance! Princes do not gallavant in fountains." Governess Hanako scolded.

"Yes." Gale sighed.

"Yes what?"

"Yes Govness."

The only time Gale found freedom from Hanako was when he managed to spend time with his father, Hans.

"How was work Pops?!" Gale beamed.

"Please don't call me 'Pops'. 'Father' will do. My day was good. I knew your mother would be out so I thought I'd come home early." Hans was a little uneasy around children, but he tried his best with Gale.

In the days to follow, Xena felt more relaxed about the state of the kingdom. She even got a makeover. She was all business during the day. She spent most of her time away from home, usually with the Council, or just with Diana. But with Diana expecting, the two didn't get to spend as much time as usual.

In the evening, home life was simple and quiet. Too quiet. So Xena connected with other friends and started frequenting nightclubs with them. She spent her nights out not only to get away from home, but she also hoped to run into Marcelo with his dance group.

Xena had decided not to get involved with Marcelo to avoid a scandal that could hurt her status as rightful queen. However, the longer they were apart the more she realized her feelings for him.

Sometime later, Xena invited Diana out to celebrate her new heir. Xena felt good about the night and took extra time to get ready.

"Congrats Diana."

"Thanks Xena. Thank you for inviting me out too. I'm sorry I cannot stay very late. But I do want to get home to the little ones."

"Of course."

After Diana left the club for the night, Xena stayed a while after. While looking down from the balcony, she spotted Marcelo.

They had some small talk and a few drinks later they slipped off to the downstairs closets. For the first time in years, Xena felt like she caught a glimpse of what happiness was.

But at what cost?

Stay Tuned!

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Update 54

While gazing into Marcelo's eyes, Xena thought long and hard about what she should do. Finally, she decided not to pursue her inner desires.

"I am sorry Marcelo. We cannot do this." Xena said. She had her kingdom to think about.

Marcelo agreed, "Your family and happiness should come first after all."

However, Xena's thoughts were far from her family and happiness. She had other troubles arising. Her younger half-brother, Maximilian, was now a teen and not satisfied with how things worked out.

"Xena! I'm here to tell you that MY family that you banished, have moved back to this kingdom. This is were we belong, and as son of Urban, I expect to be treated with some kind of dignity."

"Dignity?! Boy, you never had a chance at that. You lost that from the time your mother stole my father." Xena snorted.

Max would hear none of it. Mae had moved back to the Tudor kingdom, and was now settled in Oasis Springs with Urban's two sons, Max and Ace, and his last child, Nicole. Nicole was born after he passed.

Between her awkward moment with Marcelo and the encounter with Max, Xena was not enjoying her life as much as others would have thought.

"You seem tense." Diana stated at a Council meeting.

"Just stuff going on..." Xena replied.

"You should go home and relax. Spend time with your family. That always brightens my day."

But Xena was not interested in life at home.

However, Marcelo found himself enjoying the domestic life. He basically raised baby Gale. When Gale aged up into a child, he spent a lot of time around Marcelo. Marcelo gave him a lot of advise and would take him on outings. Gale made friends where ever he went and soon became good friends with the Shallot heir, Cali.

Meanwhile, Xena and Hans made an effort to keep up appearances to their subjects. This became even more important as Mae Welsh, Urban's mistress, was making herself present around the kingdom.

"Fancy seeing your majesty here. Enjoying my son's throne?" Mae smirked.

Xena did not even honor her with a response.

Frustrated with life, Xena was glad to get a call from her sister inviting her over.

"Welcome to my new house! Isn't it quaint." Nike smiled.

"Y-yes. It's quite the, umm, starter. But why have you moved from the Tribe?"

"Well, I've found a new passion for dancing! Marcelo's mom has been teaching me some great moves."

Marcelo spent a lot of time with his dance group now that things were awkward at the Tudor house.

Finally, Marcelo decided to move out.

"It's just too hard to be in the house and get over the feelings I was growing for you. So I think it will be best if I move out. I'm sure you can find a better housekeep anyway. Gale's a great kid, and smart, so find someone good for him too." Marcelo told Xena.

Xena agreed. She didn't want anything distracting her from her kingdom. So Marcelo moved out. Xena took her time before she found a replacement, so in the mean time she took up the chores.

Diana Shallot came to visit during this time. "And were is that charming Marcelo?"

"He was a bit too charming. I'll be getting a new housekeep soon. Congrats on your pregnancy. A second heir."

"Oh. Well I guess that's for the best. And thank you. At least know you have some time with just you and your family. I'm fortunate to have my sister around to help out. Surround yourself with loved ones, and be happy." Diana smiled.

Xena thought on Diana's words as she sat with her family for breakfast. A rare occasion. Would being close to her family make her happy?

Or was there something else?
Stay Tuned!

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