My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time.
-British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, upon arriving in Britain after signing the Munich Accords.
Dec. 31st, 2018
Schönbrünn Palace, Aelstun, Germeria,
4:30 p.m.
Servants and staff hurried to and fro around the palace, preparing the grand building for it's reentry into international notice. One of the many private estates of the Aelstun family, Schönbrünn Palace has been closed off from public life and international hosting since 1952, but that would change later in the night as the Holy Kaiser of Germeria, Friedrich von Aelstun, begun his New Year's Ball. This ball would be hosted in commemoration of those lost in the great War of Two Alliances, ended only a few months prior, and all combatants from both sides would be invited, in the hope that the former enemies can reach a peaceable understanding and move beyond the wars of the past.
But for now, Friedrich had other concerns, namely being prepared and properly dressed for his own Ball. Unlike the Ball in Adfrana in what seems like so many years ago, he didn't wear the ceremonial white robes of Kaiser, but a sleek black suit and tie. He was starting on his cuff links when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in," he said, not taking his eyes away from his current task. His elderly uncle Randar hobbled into the room, one hand clutching his cane and the other an armrest of a chair as he sat himself down.
"Uncle! You're here earlier than I expected, what brings you here?" Friedrich asked, looking at his uncle from the mirror. Randar didn't answer immediately, instead taking out a cigar and lighting it. The acrid smell of Baeirn tobacco quickly spread through the room.
"The Baeirns make great cigars, Fritz. It's a shame they let it go to their heads though, their liquor is infinitely more impressive," Randar said. He thanked a passing servant who came with an ash tray, taking another breath of the cigar.
"You shouldn't smoke those, uncle. Not with your health," Friedrich reproached. Randar waved his hand at his nephew, laughing off his concerns.
"We all die someday Fritz, might as well enjoy ourselves," Randar replied. Finished with cuff links, Friedrich moved on to the next article of clothing, but his eyes kept going back to his uncle.
"You're starting to sound like Mathias," he commented.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day Fritz. We may agree on somethings, but your brother should have taken more of your father's advice to heart. Just look at him now, drinking every night and appearing in the tabloids every other week!" Randar sighed, taking another drag of the cigar and sinking into his chair.
"But despite all that, at least he wasn't as bad your other siblings. Poor Catlyn, she didn't deserve what happened to her, Lothric save her."
Friedrich frowned at the mention of his eldest sibling. Seventeen years had allowed the wound to heal, but anger still flowed through him at the mention of his other murderous siblings. His sharp tightening of his tie was a clear signal to his uncle to change the subject.
"But enough ramblings from old men. Back towards your first question, I came by to check in on my favorite nephew, as well as to remind you that the Elector of the Palatinate, will be attending tonight, and from his letter he sent to me it appears he wishes to discuss the agreement you made with the other electors 12 years ago. The one about the marriage," he commented dryly.
"I've dodged that question for over a decade, uncle. And soon, I won't have to dodge it all," replied Friedrich. His uncle looked at him curiously from his chair.
"Oh? I hope I'm not presumptuous when I say that has something to do with those 'Easter Promises' you made, as the press likes to call it."
"Indeed it does. The electors have held too much power for too long, and any attempt to gain common enfranchisement across the empire would be countered by them in the Diet. If I want to keep my promises and avoid a rebellion, I'll need to deal with them eventually." He turned to face his uncle fully this time, a smirk on his face.
"And as you know, I'm nothing if not a man of my word." Finally done with his clothes, Friedrich pulled a chair and sat in front of his uncle.
"I've spoken to the Rectors of the Free Cities in private, and they've promised support for legislation in the next Diet, provided I safeguard their international trade interests. With their support and that of the smaller Princes threatened by revolt, I can attempt to undercut the elector's power and fulfill my promises in one sweep."
"Assuming your makeshift coalition keeps their end of the bargain. If they don't, you'll be hard pressed to get anything done for the rest of your life. The Princes have long memories, Fritz, and the electors have the longest of them all." Randar sat straight in his chair now, the cigar forgotten in its tray.
"That's a risk I'll have to take then. Ignoring both of the issues will only make things worse, and even if the coalition fails, the anger of the public will on them rather than myself," Friedrich replied coolly. Randar sighed and reached for his cigar once again, taking solace in the tobacco.
"Well, if you're set on this course, then I suggest you keep your distance from the Countess of Saxe tonight, lest the Honourable Elector-Palatine discover the...personal relationship between the two of you," Randar advised. Friedrich nodded silently, checking his phone as a notification sounded.
"It seems Kommissar Nürnberg is landing in an hour. I was afraid he wouldn't be able to make it."
"Yes, well it is time consuming when you have to coordinate arrests in the middle of the night and organize your own secret police," Randar spoke, his voice filled with venom. Friedrich shot him a warning glance, still reading his phone.
"I won't suffer any more of that kind of talk tonight, uncle. The Kommissar was appointed personally by myself in order to stop the bloodshed in Raeh, and he has been operating well within the orders I've given him. You will be polite with him and you won't embarrass the empire and myself in front of the world because of a disagreement in opinion, and most of all, you will not speak of it to the Grand Duke."
"That is assuming of course that the Grand Duke is coming. You did start the war that ended up taking his sister's life, after all," his uncle replied. While cordial, the underlying tone of his voice was getting progressively more accusatory. Mentally, Friedrich frowned. He had hoped that time would make his uncle's objections to the war lessen, but it seemed he still carried the torch.
"I trust Lusengard. He's been promoting himself as a man of peace ever since he took power in the 16 May Plot. If he's sincere, he'll come in the name of peace, and if he's not he won't risk losing face by not showing up. And I have plans that require his presence as well," Friedrich said calmly. His uncle leaned forward, a cautionary look covering his wrinkled face.
"And just what sort of plans would those be, hmm?" Friedrich rested back in the chair and steepled his fingers, rehearsing the plan in his head as he explained it.
"The Grand Duke is still a bachelor if I recall correctly, and he still lays claim to the Razonican throne, even if it's shattered beyond repair. Despite our rough history in this past year, it would be beneficial to all if a peaceful atmosphere in the former empire is established. They have the best claim, and the best deterrent to wars between monarchies lies in their blood ties. My cousin Sofia is unmarried and the two of them are similar in personality. I'll use this marriage proposal as an excuse to begin discussions about the situation in Aldes. This 'Novo Razcon' lays a claim as well, and they're a complete wildcard. If we can come to an agreement with the Grand Duke, everyone will be more at ease."
"I hope that at least you see the irony of what you wish to do and what you're proposing, Fritz. If I had a say in this I would-"
"You don't though, uncle," Friedrich cut off sharply. He took a second to compose himself before rising out of his chair.
"I think it's best if we spent our time preparing for tonight separately, uncle. Goodbye." Randar rose unsteadily from his chair, but he gave a stiff nod to his nephew as he left. Closing the door, Friedrich sighed and took a seat.
It was going to be a long night.
Dec. 31st, 2019
Schönbrünn Palace, Aelstun, Germeria,
6:30 p.m.
Various luxury cars and vehicles lined the driveway to the Imperial Palace as dignitaries and representatives from across the world came to join in on what is being increasingly known as the 'Peace Ball'. Friedrich stared at them through one of the second floor windows. As the first one came to the door, he moved to greet them, officially beginning the event.
