A beautiful day indeed. The spring melt had come and gone, the flowers and trees in full bloom. Prince Alexander chose the backdrop of maple, linden, ash, and other green foliage of the dense Regent's Forest, a well tended protected park in the core of downtown Vallencienne, to symbolize new growth and a new chapter in his people's history.
"Today is truly a new day," his speech began in the most typical of ways.
"Never again shall we be subjugated to the whims and indecencies of an aged monarchy and never again shall we have to shoulder the cost. Today is the day we are free, my friends, on the path of self-determination, unshackled by the chains of a bloated kingdom."
His speech continued, his optimistic and propagandistic words echoing over loudspeakers for another ten minutes, to a large crowd of citizens, all expecting this day to come.
His references to "indecencies" and a "bloated kingdom" were personal jabs at the inept, corrupt, and libelous King Reginald and his equally insidious Governor, both rotund with a penchant for violence. Too long, Prince Alexander claimed, had the tiny province of Vallencienne been subject to inquisitions, martial law, seizure of property, and cultural repression. Vallencienne wasn't even an original part of the Kingdom! Rather, it was a subjugated land, its nobles and people existed well before the conquest hundreds of years ago. Enough was enough.
With the support of local nobility, and presumably the majority of the population, Prince Alexander revived the a duty of Princes to protect and represent their lands - a constitutional convention respected in both Vallencienne and the old Kingdom. Promising mobility and protection for nationals and expatriates living in Vallenciennes alike, Prince Alexander sought the higher moral ground.
But popular support wasn't the only thing backing Prince Alexander. Vallencienne may be small, but it is affluent with strong institutions. The former provincial agencies thus became the bureaucratic Ministries of Vallencienne - their property becoming that of the new principality. But what is key are the militias - unlike the old Kingdom, Vallencienne has a reliable military - a legacy of days past. Though weak and small compared to many nations' standards, it can certainly given the old Kingdom's dilapidated and disloyal mercenary armies a run for their money.
The process has not been entirely peaceful or bloodless. In the north, near scenic Lausanne, those loyal to Baron Edward had been flayed publicly, due to the Baron's alliance with Prince Alexander. As far south as Tournai, supposed "locals" loyal to the King set fire to libraries, schools, police stations, and other public buildings. On the beaches of Serenus Bay, mercenaries disembarked, hoping to push inland, and proceeded to gun down locals enjoying the nice weather. Unfortunately, local militias were too late to save the bathers, but managed to hamper the mercenary's plans to spread their chaos further. Such bloody tactics are mere examples of what the King and Governor are capable of.
The new government of the Principality of Vallencienne expects the sporadic violence to continue in the near future as it consolidates power, but knows the hearts and minds of its people will only grow more determined.
