Hartstein Palace
12th December 2131
Hartstein Palace, City of Alvar, Borgolnia
For centuries, Hartstein Palace has sat at the center of the Borgolnian political scene. The building serves as the seat of the Imperial House of Rosenbaum-Priess, was the focal point of the democratic movement of the 21st century, and has since remained a symbol of Borgolnia's beloved and unique monarchy. Today, it serves another purpose, as the location for a global conference to formalize international principles and to, many hoped, lead to a new consensus on global peace.
The Palace sits beside the Noordsee, one of the many artificial lakes which characterise the affluent Blumarkt district of the national capital, Alvar. Beside the lakes, canals, embassies and former and current palaces, the Blumarkt can feel as though it is a tranquil escape from the lively, if assiduous, city of which it is part. A patch of greenery in the heart of a twenty-two million strong urban behemoth, encompassing Borgolnia's capital and largest city, along with other distinct urban cores. Though it is for that very reason that Hartstein was chosen as the home of the very first Council of Rulers, embodying everything the government hoped Borgolnia should, and could, be proud of.
Eduard Hoess II, the current Emperor of Borgolnia and Guard-Premier of the Electorate, stood in his dressing room a few hours before the conference was due to begin. Eduard was a tall and rather slender man, noticeably lacking in distinct features in his apperance other than for his wavy brown hair and the pair of round spectacles he wore; much to the dismay of the household staff, his insistence on wearing that particular pair of glasses was always based on the fact that they were a gift from his late father. He was wearing his Imperial Robes, which were coulured in a deep purple, over a simple shirt and slacks - Eduard was notable for his insistence on avoiding ceremonial dress as often as possible.
As he made the final touches to his robes, a member of the royal household staff entered the dressing room, bowing slightly as he reached the Emperor. "Your Imperial Majesty," He paused, before continuing, "The Guard-in-Council has stormed the doors of the palace and seeks your immediate attendence." The speech given by the member of the household staff was ceremonial, a nod to the events of the Quiet Revolution over half a century ago, and is a line which symbolizes the servitude of the Emperor to the elected Guard-in-Council as a ceremonial monarch. Nodding in acknowledgement, the Emperor followed the royal householder out of the dressing room and towards the entrance gallery of Hartstein Palace.
Stood in the center of the entrance gallery was the Guard-in-Council, Johann Hautzig, and the Grandmaster-General, Nils Fitkau. Together, the pair, in their roles, are what many nickname the true Emperors of Borgolnia, and are the two elected officials who head up the Borgolnian government and drive the country's domestic and foreign policy. Johann Hautzig, who would be leading the Borgolnian delegation at the conference, was a shorter man than the Emperor, with a face that had aged with his time in politics. But Johann exhibited a demeanour of confidence and ruthless efficiency, which was of course partly the reason why he was the most powerful man in the country.
The Emperor greeted the men with a "Hallo" and they responded in kind. Even after fourteen years on the throne, it was still striking for the Emperor to not recieve a bow as he approached; the Grandmaster-General and the Guard-in-Council are the only two people in Borgolnia who, by custom, are not expected to bow to members of the Imperial family. The trio, who are well acquainted through weekly governmental meetings, quickly descended into an exchange pleasantries, as they waited for the delegations of the other attendees to arrive at the palace.