Rudaslav Imperial Family's visit to Kiribati-Tarawa [Closed]

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"You need not worry on my behalf, Empress," the Duchess replied, "I'm not easily intimidated."

"Spoken like a true Grimaldi," the King remarked, "Well, now that we are all here, and before I begin, I must apologise on the behalf of my other children, they have other engagements currently, I must say I've been terribly presumptuous, in that I am not aware that the Crown Prince has expressed his desire to marry my daughter. I've indeed heard from secondary sources, but it is rather presumptuous all the same."

[Rudaslavia]

The Crown Prince cleared his throat, standing straight out of respect for the King. "My brother loved Your Majesty's daughter with every fiber of his being." he stated firmly. "I do not doubt this. Now, I may not be the soft-hearted Duke Kristijan of Lamir...but I am capable of loving a woman in measures equal to his." He shifted his gaze to Sophia, looking directly into her eyes. "I do wish to wed Her Highness, but only with her staunch approval."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"While I am quite fond of compliments, I do think we'll need to discuss this further," the Duchess replied, "Perhaps in private, though I do hate to ruin good company by running off."

"Oh it's quite alright, dear," the King assured her, "The Emperor and I have plenty to discuss. I think it's lovely weather for a stroll in the gardens, don't you? Why don't you show the Prince your favourite parts and tell him a bit about the history."

"Well, if he's indeed interested, I am not one to deny," the Duchess replied.

[Rudaslavia]

"I will follow wherever you lead." the Crown Prince told the Duchess with a grin. "Please, after you."

"Well," the Imperator said to the King with a chuckle. "I believe this garden walk gives we potential father-in-laws an excuse to enjoy more drinks!"

"It is no wonder our son speaks with such confidence." the Empress murmured, rolling her eyes. "He emulates his father."

"As all good sons should." the Imperator laughed.

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"Well if that be so, I hope I haven't been a terribly good son," the Prince of Norfolk joked, receiving a reserved smile from his father.

"Now, before we go any further, I don't wish to steal away too much of Ms. Willoughby's time," the King explained, "If there are any foreign policy issues you'd like to discuss with her, now would be an opportune moment. If you have no pressing concerns, then I'm sure they can be discussed over the phone, and we can let Ms. Willoughby get back to work."

Meanwhile, in the gardens...

The Duchess led the Crown Prince into the vast gardens down the main pathway. It was very peaceful, the sounds of the bustling city drowned out by the sounds of the numerous fountains.

"These aren't really my father's best gardens," the Duchess explained, "While they are nice, space was limited, due to the Palace's location in the centre of Westminster. Our best gardens are really out in the country, where there is plenty of space."

[Rudaslavia]

The Imperator dismissed the King's suggestions. "We came here to discuss matters of family, not much of politics." he bluntly stated. "We shall save such talks for another day. Therefore, I bit thee farewell, Ms. Willoughby. Thank you for your hospitality."

Meanwhile...

True to his character, the Prince had remained utterly silent up to this point. But he grinned at the Duchess's gestures. "Quite beautiful, nonetheless." he commented. "Though we have only several gardens, the vast grounds of the Rudaslav Empire are painting with luscious forests that can be found in no other state or territory...sans Russia, of course."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"I don't think I'll ever understand your country's fascination with Russia," the Duchess said, "It's committed such atrocities in the past, and the current government is no different."

Meanwhile...

"Very good," the King replied, "Ms. Willoughby, you are dismissed." The PM took her leave after the King had spoken. "Now, what shall we speak of, then?" the King continued, "Family matters? I find those to be particularly dull."

[Rudaslavia]

The Imperator breathed heavily through his nose in irritation. "We've pulled out of Ukraine in response to the Berlin peace conference yesterday." he muttered. "The British, French, and Germans were applying too much tension, and the Empire could not possibly afford the sanctions they've already placed against Russia. The situation is nearing the outbreak of a Third World War, and I will no longer take part in igniting it. For now, the Rudaslav Imperial Parliament is working alongside the Kremlin to ease tensions in Donetsk. But open warfare has erupted once more, and I am on the verge of using our influence as a member of the Russo-Rudaslav Pact to end it...despite the economic repercussions a Westernized Ukraine will bring." He took a sip of his wine. "I awaited Miss Willoughby's departure to speak of these matters, as I am now addressing you as a friend -- not a political adversary. The world has enough tension. Today, I would like to ease the pains of my administrative positions and embrace our roles as common guests in the Kingdom of Kiribati."

Meanwhile...

"Our histories are sewn together." the Crown Prince responded to the Duchess. "Slavs united with Slavs. Russia has removed itself from communism. Regardless of their actions, it is the duty of the Rudaslavs to guide them back to the ways of old -- to the ways of monarchy in the name of God. If not, their people and lands shall be doomed as they were throughout the Soviet era."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"Well I'm afraid you've dismissed the wrong woman," the King replied, "Like I've said before, I haven't any influence over Kiribati's foreign policy. It would be a violation of the constitutional monarchy for me to ask my Government to act in any way. My one and only job is to give my support to my Government no matter what they decide to do."

Meanwhile...

"There are worse things than communism, you know," the Duchess said nonchalantly, "Russia is a prime example of this. What has really changed in Russia, except that now the oligarchs make their money legally, rather than stealing from the Soviet government? Not a terrible lot." The Duchess looked down and then back at the Prince. "I apologise if I've been too honest," she told him, "It's only I hate not being able to have an opinion. All I'm permitted to do is nod politely, smile, and wave."

[Rudaslavia]

"Again," the Imperator reminded. "I speak only as a friend. We came here for family propositions, not political negotiations."

"Ever vacationed in any part of the Empire?" the Empress inquired towards the King and Queen, changing the subject entirely. "Very beautiful countryside, complemented with gorgeous mountain ranges. We're a popular tourist destination."

Meanwhile...

"Voice your opinion all you'd like, Highness." the Crown Prince responded bluntly. "One is always permitted to their own opinion in the royal class. That is the advantage of our status."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"Are you really?" the Queen replied, hiding her genuine surprise, "How very nice. No, we've never visited, though I've heard it's a lovely countryside. My husband and I typically have a little time for holidays, and when we do, we typically visit Northern Tarawa. We're constitutionally bound to spend at least three months of the year there - some archaic law dating back to the Acts of Union in 1707. The former Kingdom of Tarawa was fearful that union with Kiribati would make them subservient to the Kiribatian kings and that they would be neglected, so they demanded that provision. I suppose that is the reality of ruling two kingdoms under one crown."

"We carry out our duties, lest Tarawan Nationalism rear its ugly head," the King explained, "Unfortunately it is beginning to become resurgent again. There are still a number of people who think of Tarawa as its own country with its own national identity, separate from Kiribati and the Union. Recently, several Tarawan MPs decided to break off from the Labour Party and form their own Tarawan National Party. They want their own parliament for Tarawa as a devolved regional legislature, but the Prime Minister doesn't want to give it to them. Tarawans have been asking for their own legislature for decades and frankly I don't think it's a good idea."

"If you please, tell me more about Rudaslavia," the Prince of Norfolk asked the Emperor, "I'm curious to know what you have to say about it. The papers all rant about the human rights abuses and what not. I'm curious to get the 'inside word', if you will. I'm sure it couldn't possibly be as bad as The Times would have us think."

Meanwhile...

"There are many advantages to wealth and royalty," the Duchess replied, "But free speech is not one of them. Now, perhaps there's been enough smalltalk. I'd like to hear what you think about our future together or lack thereof."

[Rudaslavia]

The Imperator snorted with a grin. "Well," he said to the Prince. "What in God's name has Your Highness heard?"

Meanwhile...

The Crown Prince paused. "I am not my brother, Sophia." he stated, speaking informally. "I will not dote on your every word and desire as he did. I will place politics before our marriage. But know that I will love you wholeheartedly nonetheless. I am a good man, despite the claims of our family's opposition. I will serve any form of need you have and shower you with extravagance. I will show you the respect you deserve, no matter your gender or political standpoints. Our children would be raised to honor the Empire and its culture in every form. We would love them unconditionally...as any parents should." He stopped walking. "And your take?" he asked the Duchess of Cambridge.

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"Well, you need only look at a copy of The Times or The Westminster Herald or anything like that," he said, "Here, take a look at this one." He handed the Emperor a copy of The Times and opened it to the international section. It was full of headlines such as "Rudaslavia: An Anti-Democratic Russian Puppet Backwater State Which Belongs in 1850" or "Widespread Human Rights Abuses in Rudaslavia Invoke International Concern".

"As you can see," the Prince continued, "Our newsmen are none too fond of your country. They say that people in Rudaslavia are denied basic rights such as free speech, the right to vote, and freedom of religion. I don't have the facts, so I can't really form an opinion personally, especially one based solely on these hyped up stories. But most people do believe them."

Meanwhile...

"Well that's good to hear," the Duchess replied, "I can scarcely stand a poet of a man. They have no understanding of reality. Now I will be honest with you, since I think it the best policy in this case. I don't particularly care a great deal whether my husband loves me and brings me bouquets red roses and sings me love songs at night. Those are ultimately rather pointless, except for the hopeless romantic. What I want, and indeed intend to have, is a comfortable life in which I can be my own person. If, indeed, I wed, then I must marry a man who will respect me and treat me as an equal partner. I will not be taken as chattel and I do not intend to be a pawn in the affairs of men. I do not want my husband to be a lover, but rather an ally, someone who I can work with to accomplish something great."

[Rudaslavia]

"As they rightfully should." the Imperator chuckled. "We preserve the legacy of our forefathers. Change has always presented itself as a threat to our people. First, the attempted shift of power from the blessed Slavs to the wretched Mongols. Then, the revolt of the Protestant barbarians against the purity of our Holy Mother Church...followed closely by the invasions of the Rudanian sphere by the Tsardom of Russia and the Holy Roman Empire. The massacres of the World Wars, the starving jaws of communism during the Cold War -- all has threated our ancient way of life. We show no mercy towards these beasts whom seek to alter our ways. Many view it as brutality; the butchering of protestors, mass executions, enforcement of Vatican law. Some even believe that our actions promote the very changes we fight against. But we will never allow the blossoming of revolution and sickening liberalism within the Empire. Quite the contrary, we shall choke it out wherever they dare appear. Thus, we are the villains of our modernized world. Some call Rudaslavia a 'superpower,' and others a 'backwards tsarist state.' The fact of the matter is: I do not care for either titles. I care for my country and our age-old traditions." He glanced towards the King. "But I maintain an open mind, as I did with the enforcement of laws regarding our children's potential union."

Meanwhile...

"This is good news." the Crown Prince stated. "But my heart aches for my deceased brother, whom insisted you shared a fanatic love for one another. What a foolish romantic. I believe he hoped you would follow him into the grip of death...but I am thankful you did not, and that you hold a level head upon your shoulders. I have no doubt that you would make a popular, great, and influential Empress of Rudaslavia."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"So, in other words, the papers right," the Prince replied, "If you have an open mind, then democratise." The Prince spoke as though the notion of democratisation was blatantly obvious. "It worked for Kiribati," the Prince explained, "You let the people elect their own Parliament which derives its power from royal authority. As long as Parliament is derived from royal authority, there is no legal way to abolish the monarchy, since Parliament, owing its power to the monarchy, could not well abolish it, since they would be abolishing their own authority as well. In the meantime, you are hailed as a reformer by the West and welcomed into the modern world with open arms. I really don't see a drawback."

Meanwhile...

"I believe you may have a romanticised understanding of what happened between your brother and myself," the Duchess continued, "But that's not really a topic of import. I won't speak ill of the dead, so we will allow that episode to follow your brother into the grave." The Duchess then continued, "And no, I do not have doubt either that I would make a good Empress. I don't mean to promote myself, but I've been raised since birth fulfil a role of that sort. And, naturally, it's in my blood. However, I do not want to be the wife of an autocrat whose name is befouled in every illicit underground meeting, nor do I want my children to be dictators. And perhaps my greatest concern of all is for my safety and the safety of my future children. I do not intend to be crude, but your way of life and system of government is simply unsustainable. There will be a revolution at some point. It won't be tomorrow or the day after that, but it will happen. And when it does, if I marry you, our heads and our children's will be paraded through the streets of your capital while our bodies are dumped in a river. It will happen unless change is made in Rudaslavia - I've studied enough history to know that. And when it does, I do not want any part in it."

[Rudaslavia]

"The drawbacks," Vladislav explained to the Prince. "Are socialism. Liberalism. Conflicting expression. Islam. These forces have threatened our authority for many, many years -- some of them for centuries. Despite the fact that such power would, in theory, flow from the Imperial Crown, influence would realistically be thrust into the arms of the uncontrollable...some of which could be enemies of the monarchy and the Roman Catholic faith. It could never happen. History has unfortunately placed us in a difficult environment for change to successfully thrive."

Meanwhile...

"There has been attempts at revolution, rebellion, and violent uprising many times in the past, Your Highness." the Crown Prince explained. "I will do my best to maintain a popular image amongst the people. But should they revolt, the Imperial government has the full backing of the Vatican and all members of the Russo-Rudaslav Pact. Not that we are unable to handle our own affairs, of course. The threat of communist 'revolution' which sprouted last year was grinded down to nothingness in a matter of months. I can promise that the same would happen in any future event which bears similarities to an uprising. Despite the hardships they face under my father's rule, the majority of the peasantry supports the Skala family completely, especially after our survival through the World Wars and the relentless pressures of the now-deceased Soviet Union. Through propaganda and fear? Perhaps. But their support exists regardless. In time, change may be possible. But we are still recovering from the isolation of the Cold War. Until this healing process is finished, we will maintain the status quo. Our children would be raised correctly, Sophia, and would be safe from any harm whatsoever. I swear to the Heavenly Father Himself."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"Yes, but those things are not really that bad," the Prince replied, "Kiribati went through a socialist phase. It began after the War and ended only recently, thanks to the staunch anti-socialist policies of Prime Minister Willoughby. That dreadful Monaghan man, I'm sure my father can tell you all about. It nearly cost him his monarchy, trying to intervene. However, if you don't change with the times, you will be left behind. History shows us that. And by you, I mean your monarchy."

"Ahh, yes, Maxwell Monaghan," the King began, "Nasty business. The man was elected Prime Minister along with the Labour Party. The results were short-term jubilation and long-term consequences. I finally had to put an end to it and withhold my Royal Assent to some of his laws. He, of course, called it a constitutional crisis, which it was, and demanded that I abdicate. I then sacked him, as is technically my power, at least under the law, though not really in practice, and it created uproar like the country had never seen before. I was young an inexperienced and I didn't realise that I wasn't really a King who could do whatever he wanted. Somehow I managed to ride out the storm, probably due to Labour's landslide defeat in the next election. Needless to say, it was a sorry episode in my reign."

Meanwhile...

"I don't care if you swear to ten thousand gods or a million incarnations of Jesus," the Duchess replied, "It doesn't make me any more convinced. Yes, the peasants support you now, but only because they don't know any better. They have nothing to lose, and history shows us that desperation leads to dramatic upheavals, the French and Russian Revolutions, just to name a few. Yes, you can keep the peace for now, but remember that there will always be more poor people than rich people, simply by the definition of those two words. I have just as much respect for tradition as the next person, but one cannot expect that life today will be the same as life in fifty years from now. It was Machiavelli, I believe, who said that the greatest of leaders are those with virtù, which he defined as willingness to do what is necessary to maintain one's power. Sometimes, that means giving up a bit of it in order to keep hold of the rest. Kiribati's Parliament is a prime example of this. It was not established because the King had been reading lots of Montesquieu and Rousseau and Voltaire; it was established because the King would have been dethroned without it. The peers of the realm had, in 1235, revolted against King Edward I, upset by his tyranny and encroachment on their powers and rights. They forced him to sign the charter establishing Parliament. Most famously, the Baron of Porpington de Mimsy pressed a knife to the King's throat until he signed and sealed the charter. Edward I indeed had virtù, he gave up some of his powers to protect the lot. If he hadn't, he would have been executed and his throne seized by some other lord. The question I suppose I am asking, in a very long-winded and verbose manner, is whether or not you would be wise enough to realise that the only way to ensure that your monarchy lasts forever is to give your people rights and the vote. In other words, do you have virtù, or are you fool?"

[Rudaslavia]

"And the Empire shall not experience such an era." Vladislav stated firmly. "We will maintain our crusade against the left wing filth, else sacrifice ourselves to the Heavens above in God's name."

-----

"I am willing to do what is necessary, Sophia." the Crown Prince told the Duchess. "The ends will always justify the means. The Rudaslav Empire is eternal. And with your guidance as my wife, it will be raised to even greater heights of success."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

The Princess of Norfolk did her best to conceal her amusement at the Emperor's fierce zeal. She covered her smirk with her hand and tried to pass it off as a cough.

"Err, quite so..." the King replied, a look of confused reproach on his face.

Meanwhile...

"The Rudaslav Empire is not eternal," the Duchess replied, "No state is. It is maintained by leaders who are willing to change with the times and do what is necessary to maintain it. And quite frankly, unless Rudaslavia is willing to democratise, it will not last."

[Rudaslavia]

The Empress cleared her throat, with a somewhat aggressive glare towards the Princess. "Your Highness is amused?" she inquired. "Do you find the success of our nation to be humorous? Our empire, the only Eastern European power to survive throughout the Cold War? Our family, the only Slavic dynasty to have survived throughout the Age of New Imperialism on the throne?"

"On another note," the Imperator began, fetching another glass of wine as if ignoring his wife's comments. "I do hope that the Crown Prince and the Duchess are...well, getting along. His Imperial Highness often finds himself torn between staunch conservatism and moderate reform."

-----

Again, the Crown Prince stopped walking. But this time, he took her hand and pulled her closer towards him. "Then help me make it last." he whispered, his lips just centimeters away from hers.

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"'ardly so," the Princess of Norfolk replied, speaking in her Leasathi accent, "It is only that I 'ave never seen such devotion nor distaste for people of a political persuasion. I think it silly to 'ate someone so much simply for what zey think."

"Yes, it would be quite sporting if they did get along, wouldn't it," the King replied, "I must confess I don't know a terrible lot about my daughter's politics; after all, we're not really supposed to have any in the first place. We're meant to be content with our lot, and we should be. After all, we've got it a lot better than a whole lot of other people. We must never forget that."

Meanwhile...

The Duchess pulled away from the Prince, her eyes widening. "Heavens, that was most improper," she said, "I do hope you do not think me so weak that I can be won over by my emotions. I would be more than happy to marry you, but only so long as our reign shall be remembered as an era of reform, change, and democratisation. I have no intention of being remembered as a dictator, much less the wife one. It's bad enough that I should be defined by my husband's titles, much less his actions. I won't live in a dictatorship and I certainly will not preside over one."

[Rudaslavia]

"When a person's ideals threaten the stability of an empire," the Empress replied to the Princess. "Hate is ordained as it should be. The-"

"Will we continue to go back and forth like two packs of barking dogs?" the Imperator interrupted in irritation of the bickering between his wife and the Princess. "We are here with intensions to unite our bloodlines, not divide them by debates." He turned back to the King. "It is a shame that your 'constitutional' legislations limit the authority of your crown. It is not the way of God's blessed thrones to be hindered."

-----

"I will do what I can." the Crown Prince stated. "But at the moment, I am only capable of making promises. You will have to place your trust in me, Your Highness." He let out a harmless chuckle. "My, my, you've changed since our first meeting. You are now considerably more political. I must say, I favor the change greatly."

The Crown Prince lowered himself to one knee. "And so I ask the simple question we've all been anticipating: Your Royal Highness, Sophia Duchess of Cambridge...will you be my bride?"

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"No, no, no, it's all for the best, dear chap," the King replied, "Thank heavens for the Constitutional Monarchy, or else the monarchy would have been abolished centuries ago. Our Constitutional Monarchy is why we still have one when so many others have fallen: France, Russia, Germany, Italy, etc. They all fell because they failed to change with the times, but our system of governance, which is almost 800 years old, is adaptable and flexible. It worked in the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Era, and it even survived the Second World War. Is the system the same as it was in 1235? Heavens, no. But that's exactly why it works. I have no desire to be a despot nor an absolute monarch. I wouldn't be able to live with myself. But who am I to judge?"

Meanwhile...

"I'm afraid I'm not ready to answer," the Duchess replied, "Promises have no real value. I don't know if I can trust you, I scarcely know you, after all. I do want to work with you, but unless you can give me assurance beyond your word, I cannot give you an answer."

[Rudaslavia]

"You are not a Skala." the Imperator chuckled. "No, you are most certainly not. Perhaps, in the context of this nation, that is a good thing."

Meanwhile...

"Well..." the Crown Prince stood to his feet. "I'm afraid that promises are all that I'm capable of giving you."

[Kiribati-Tarawa]

"You are not a Skala." the Imperator chuckled. "No, you are most certainly not. Perhaps, in the context of this nation, that is a good thing."

Meanwhile...

"Well..." the Crown Prince stood to his feet. "I'm afraid that promises are all that I'm capable of giving you."

"I suppose we must all respect our differences," the King replied.

Meanwhile...

"I'm not saying no," the Duchess replied, "I am saying that I shall think about it. Now, I feel that it has been dishonest of me to not tell you this, so I will now. I'm afraid that, given the nature of ourselves, there are still a number of complications that must be addressed. You see, there is a certain law governing royal marriages, the Royal Marriages Act. It's a terribly old and archaic law, but I'm afraid it is still in force. Firstly, our marriage must receive the blessing of my father, since, as the Sovereign, he has the authority to prevent any member of the royal family from marrying. Secondly, perhaps the most complicated one, is that, since you are a foreign national, our marriage must receive the consent of His Majesty's Government, in other words the Cabinet, since, constitutionally, the monarch and his Government can never be in disagreement, most certainly not on issues such as foreign policy."