Powergame [IC/INVITE ONLY/CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT]

[Aureumterra]

This is a character development thread surrounding the Imperial Family of Aureumterra (And moreover the government as a whole), on rare occasions, I’ll need other nations to post surrounding events like international visits, summits, etc.

However, this thread is mainly for me to post develop RP characters (And something for me to write in when I’m bored and/or no one is online)

If you want to follow this, TAGS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS ONLY, no other posting without invite

[Aureumterra]

Imperial Palace, Potens
Lisette stared at the plaque on the office door: Ímparėxecon en Aurœmtárra. She sighed and walked in, her pace was uninterrupted by the office doors held open by two Imperial guards. They saluted as she walked into the room, allowing the doors to close. She gazed upon the desk, the same one used by multiple generations of monarchs, including her late cousin, previous Emperor, now assassinated by a a Prussian-Polish based Syndicalist group. She turned the TV on to see that an anti-monarchist syndicalist group had been raided and sacked by Aureumterrese special forces, with all members given the life sentence. Dissent was strictly prohibited in the empire. She sat down at the desk, and continued watching the headlines roll by, waiting for any invitations, decrees, etc. to come in.

She was quite emotional, as compared to her cousin, however, she understood the responsibility and power of her position. Ever since her coronation, she had been quick to diplomacy, greatly improving foreign relations with other nations. She made public appearances often, and projected a confident attitude in politics. However, she was personally anxious about her position, not wanting to bring any shame to the nation that she lead. As a princess, she went on diplomatic and international trips much more often, but now, she had many more things to worry about at home. Although rarely, she used to take antidepressants at the beginning of her reign, and after a few months, she felt like she was getting used to the position. So far, nothing of major concern had happened.

The doors were held open again, she saw one of her secretaries walk in.

“Empress, are you aware of the military honors event tomorrow?”

“Yes, I am planning to go there”

“Downtown, tomorrow at 1:30”

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

t e g g o

[Aureumterra]

Aliquam
Aliquam, the industrial and technological capital of Aureumterra, was a city to behold. Upon approaching the city, the massive skyline was visible for miles. Prince Åke sure was beholding the city. Although him having been to most large cities across the empire, Aliquam was undoubtedly one of his favorites, only second to Potens. He often travelled to Aliquam, for both official and unofficial trips. This time however, he had gone to inspect the task force that had carried out the raid on the syndicalist hideout. Additionally, he also visited a few events in the city, and inspected the military base too. He was back in the city’s Imperial Palace, about to head back to the capital. There was a Military Honors event that day. He took out his phone and called his sister.

“Hey Liz, what’s going on” he asked her.

“Uh… nothing much, I’m on my way to the event. Apparently, the operation in Aliquam was a success, all of them are receiving the medal today, along with a few others. How was Aliquam bu the way?”

“Good as usual, you know, you should come here sometimes, just to get away from all the politics and stuff”

The Empress sighed, “Politics follows me, you know I can’t just go places now. I have a shitton of stuff to do like every fucking day”

“Has the stress gotten to you?”

“The stress is always in me, ever since day one of the coronation. I just hope the people don’t see me as weak…”

“Well, things are going good so far, also, those fucking syndies can’t stop screaming LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION!!!!! REEEEE!!! all the fucking time”

“Your typical far leftists”

Åke chuckled. “I’ll be back in Potens tonight”

“Sure, see ya”

Potens
Empress Lisette ended the call. She was in her limousine, en route to the event. She grabbed a jar of antidepressant tablets and took one in her mouth. The prospect of a 21 year old ascending to the throne was so pressure inducing, that at the beginning, she was having a hard time cope. Although she had gotten more used to the position, she still needed to occasionally take antidepressants to help with the mental stress.

The door opened, and she took a deep breath, and stepped out. A line of soldiers stood on the side of a carpet, she walked past them on the large stage.

[Eclius]

Two years after the events of Dynamic Life

Empress Tiberia changed from her typical business attire into something more leisure and comfortable. She sat on her bed, picked up a tablet then started to read news. The article she was reading was written by one of the top journalists of Prospector, it was about Empress Lisette's ascension into throne. "21 years old..." she said to herself..."that's merely one year older than me....when I first sat on the throne of Eclius" she sighed. Thrones of JP nations...behind the honor, the glory and the glamor, were the power struggles, people who sought to kill others for other and unethical lobbyists. As old Caesar Titus (Tiberia's father) once said, the issue with Eclius was not its semi-constitutional autocracy, but instead it was the more democratic aspects of this millennia old empire. In a way, Tiberia felt a strong of sympathy for Empress Lisette. Heck, she was only 5 years older than Lisette, and she went through all the hurdles that Lisette will eventually face. Marcellus, having returned from the military base in Sicily returned to the villa in outskirt Rome. He sat beside Tiberia, kissed her gently, then asked, "Lisette?"
"Yes" she responded gently, as she put down her tablet on a small table beside the bed. Visibly tearful, she smirked, then responded, "she's...no older than the other me. The Tiberia died at the age of 16". It never was an easy thing for her. Being the empress of Eclius, Tiberia had always been on the more merciful and progressive side of the spectrum, this vastly differed from the traditional images of the rulers of Eclius. Though, even for a person with strong moral ethical values, Tiberia knew that at the top of the political pyramid of Eclius, no one was innocent. Especially not herself and Marcellus. Though she bared blamed herself, or nor did she feel a slight sense of guilt about how she rose to power. To Tiberia, it was all in the past, there was nothing to remember and nothing to bring up again. "I think I will meet up with Lisette" she said to Marcellus, "though...it's more personal than political". A diplomatic letter was sent the next day, Empress Lisette and major political figures were invited to the Imperial Wine Festival in the outskirt of Eclius. The wine festival was considered as a major political event that happened once a year, where major foreign officials as well political, corporate and science elites of Eclius would be gathered in Garden of Pegasus, a highly luxurious villa that operated as a major hosting place for diplomatic events

Ten years ago...

It was a typical day in July. The moist and heated air of the Mediterranean coast was mixed with rain drops from grey sky above. Tiberia stood in a grave yard with old Caesar Titus, major political figures of Eclius and her would-be stepmother Tiberia would simply refer to as "that woman" who stood beside Caesar Titus. The time had come, Tiberia observed, as her mother's remains, inside a urn was lowered into a hollowed grave below. She cried, loud as she could, as "the other woman" sobbed pretentiously. From that moment Tiberia knew the burden on her shoulders. Weakness was never an option, she had two choices, fight or die...her mother chose the latter. That night, Tiberia wrote in her diary "I had a dream. There were monsters in front of me, trying to make me a prey just like they did to mother. They were ferocious, but as they struck me from the front, a guardian angel appeared behind me. With a fiery sword, slashed through the monsters one by one, till none was left".

[Eclius]

Six Years Ago...

Amentia sat on a swing chair in the Villa Solis with, a place where Tiberia once spent summer in with her mother. She had long loathed the presence of this "defiling figure" on the villa she once loved. Amentia looked old, her hairs greyed, and she had long lost her grace, beauty and youth as Caesar Titus' second wife. She sipped a cup of tea, gazed afar while in a plain old silk robe, nothing like something wore by the wife of the emperor of Eclius. Few minutes later, the attendant arrived with a glass of wine, and had informed the guards of Tiberia's arrival. Tiberia came, in more modern and leisure clothing. She sat on a swing chair opposite to Amentia, and greeted, "mother?"
"I'm not your mother" Amentia responded coldly.
"Well, then what ought I call you then? You are married to my father after all"
Amentia smirked, she picked up the wine glass, twirled a bit, then responded "you've done well Tiberia. Shame you weren't my real daughter"
"but I consider you as my mother...mother"
Amentia laughed, she placed the wine glass on the table, "mother? MOTHER?! You've done all this didn't you girl? You knew I had nothing to do with all that stuff. YOU set me up didn't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about mother. I just thought maybe if I visited you in the villa, you'd be happier since the order was made that you were not allowed to leave villa"
"What I've done to your mother, now we're even I guess" Amentia smiled deceptively to Tiberia, as she picked up the wine glass, "see you on the other side. You filthy animal". She gulped down the entire glass of wine, and suddenly, she started to cough out blood. Few minutes passed, Amentia was covered in blood as she fell on the floor"w.....why??!" She asked, as she reached for Tiberia, "YOU FILTHY THING!!! Why am I still alive?!?!"
"I don't know mother" Tiberia responded Callously, she bended down to check on Amentia as she witness the face of one of the most beautiful woman in Eclius being torn apart by a mysterious substance.
"Ti....Tiberia!!! I will haunt you in your dreams, I curse you...I"
Tiberia ignored, she walked away smiling in an enigmatic way. On her way out, she handed over an envelope to the imperial attendant. Inside was a check of 5.5 million Denarii.

[Prussian Polish Commonwealth]

Koenigsberg Castle
Crassus von Hohenzollern.
King of Prussia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and a hero of the Bavarian expedition, hailed as Wilhelm II reincarnated by his people. Some had gone as far as to begin worshiping him, although he stamped that out as much as he could.

At heart, though, Crassus knew that he wasn't cut out to be a monarch.
He was a simple and honest soldier, doing the best he could even if that best wasn't very good.
And like all soldiers, he had a weakness for drink.

Today he stared out of a window with a bottle of Spirytus Rektyfikowany(Polish drink with 96% ABV) in his hand.
It was a wonder he hadn't died of liver failure yet.
His thoughts wandered about, before finally settling on a certain Auremterrese princess.
'Such a young girl to have the reins of power thrust upon her...and yet she handles it effortlessly...'
His thoughts began to wander further and further.
'She seems almost like an angel on earth...so graceful and yet...cou-don't be silly, Crassus. Besides, there's a 10 year age difference...but still...'
"Da?"
Crassus was jerked from his train of thought by the sole reason he wasn't dead from alcohol overdose.
Erika Gulliman von Scarnhorst; daughter of Field Marshall Anne Gulliman and Lord Commissar Harris von Scarnhorst(The former an Irishwoman, hence the name, and the latter a scion of a long line of Prussian generals), and, after her parent's untimely death, the stepdaughter of Crassus.
Crassus turned to her. "Erika? What are you doing this late?"
She crossed her arms. "I told you to stop drinking."
Crassus sighed. "Erika, I-"
"Don't give me that bullshit! You'll ruin your liver one day, and who'll restore the German Empire then? Not Ludwig, he's a pervert. Your sister? More hotheaded than Wilhelm II. Me? Don't flatter me, I'm a 13-year-old kid."

Crassus put an arm on Erika's shoulder. "Alright...I'll stop."
Erika smiled. "Good. Night, father."
She went down the stairs of the balcony, her jackboots echoing on the steps.
Crassus corked his bottle and went to bed, temporarily forgetting his newfound feelings for the current Queen of Auremterra.

[Eclius]

Bureau of Domestic Security HQ, Rome, Eclius

23 years old Gnaeus Nipius Eranius woke up in the crew quarters of the Bureau of Domestic Security. Having bathed, he put on a set of clean business attire, then gradually walked down towards parking lot. The underground parking lot of BDS's headquarter was gigantic, it reaches from the ground floor to 6 stories below. Having got on an armored vehicle, he looked at the watch, then put on the safety belt. "Morning Gnaeus" an agent beside him said, "you ready for this?"
"Yeah, shouldn't be too bad"
"Relax, it's just a drill"
"Manius, are we..."
"Yes, real guns. Though rubber bullets. Gnaeus, have you not read the manual?"
"No, been busy with familial matters" Gnaeus smiled awkwardly, "you know, typical stuff"
Manius laughed, "a guy like you being an agent of BDS? Shouldn't you be the one who's being protected? Your family is one of the wealthiest in Eclius. Your parents dine with Caesaris Tiberia on weekly basis. As I've heard. Anyhow. The drill is comprised of multiple parts"
"Multiple parts!? I thought it was just one?"
"No Gnaeus, this one is a serious one. It'll take place in a BDS training facility quite far from here. The testing facility has a garden identical to the imperial garden itself. First part, detection, we have to detect unauthorized individuals through electronic facial recognition system and surveillance footages. Then we have to arrest the person"
Gnaeus was seen scribbling it down on a small notepad that agents were allowed to bring into the facility
"Part 2 assassination attempt, evaluators set up multiple assassination attempts, we have to prevent those"
"What else?"
"Relax Gnaeus. Jeez, maybe it wouldn't have to be like this had you actually read the instruction manual. In case of emergency, we have to coordinate with the extraction. Part 4, escort, we have to escort both leaders, as well as other major political figures to the imperial villa through armored vehicles. Part 5 is a special one, a hostage situation to be exact"
"what else?"
"That's it really. Though, we don't know who the evaluators are. You know, they are all actors, though a handful will be evaluators"
"I hate those people" Gnaeus complained, as he put away his notepad, "last time in the hostage crisis training, one of them deducted 10 points from me for failing to properly negotiate and lack of preparedness"
"Yeah, that was messed up. Also, if anything whoever plays Empress Lisette in this training exercise is probably an evaluator"
"Quite so Manius"

[Aureumterra]

Eclisian Outskirts
Empress Lisette’s plane landed in Eclius.

She had been invited to a festival in Eclius, and she also took this opportunity to improve diplomatic relations with Eclius. One of the things she thoroughly enjoyed was traveling, diplomatic events were her getaway from the stress of her position of absolute power. In many cases, being at top of the political pyramid was a curse and virtue, however, in an absolute monarchy, she was the political pyramid. This gave her some comfort, as she didn’t usually have to deal with dirty politics.

She made her way to a well protected limousine, with a bombproof and bulletproof build. Her motorcade made its way from the airport all the way to the Central Pavilion of the wine garden. She saw the Eclisian Imperatrix, Tiberia, standing in front. Before she could move, however, an explosion happened. It rung her ears, however, she herself was not physically harmed. Her security detail immediately surrounded her.

[Eclius]

Few Days Later

A heat lamp exploded in the central pavilion, it was unexpected after all the trouble BDI went through to inspect the place thoroughly. Gnaeus was placed in the team that would protect Empress Lisette in case of assassination. Having heard the explosion, he was the first one to push Empress Lisette away from the heat lamp, with his colleagues went in to protect Caesaris Tiberia on the other hand. The garden descended into the state of chaos, though the teams performed their tasks well, and effectively evacuated the diplomatic officials in according to the security protocol (for Aureumterrese officials, Eclisian agents were told to coordinate with the Aureumterrese agents in the evacuation procedure). Thankfully, the assassin didn't figure out the structure of the heat lamps properly. The lamps were designed in sleek modern styles, with the heat source and fuel storage container placed inside a shell that could withstand some degrees of spontaneous combustion.

Several Hours Later...

The forensics team arrived right after the officials were evacuated. From the looks, someone had swapped the normal fuels for one with low octane rating. As result, the container stored inside the lamp failed to sustain the pre-determined amount of compression.

[Aureumterra]

Way to the Embassy
According to security protocol, any event that could harm diplomatic officials may be an assassination attempt, so Lisette was rushed to the Aureumterrese embassy in Eclius.

Not that she was harmed anyways, but she was in the path of the explosion if it hadn’t been for one agent who pushed her out.

“Your majesty, are you okay?” an agent asked.

“Yes, I’m fine, nothing happened to me” Lisette turned and saw the agent that had pushed her. It was a young man, somewhat attractive, around her age.

“Uh… sir, thank you for your service. I may have been harmed if it wasn’t for you” she thanked him

[Eclius]

Way to the Embassy
According to security protocol, any event that could harm diplomatic officials may be an assassination attempt, so Lisette was rushed to the Aureumterrese embassy in Eclius.

Not that she was harmed anyways, but she was in the path of the explosion if it hadn’t been for one agent who pushed her out.

“Your majesty, are you okay?” an agent asked.

“Yes, I’m fine, nothing happened to me” Lisette turned and saw the agent that had pushed her. It was a young man, somewhat attractive, around her age.

“Uh… sir, thank you for your service. I may have been harmed if it wasn’t for you” she thanked him

"It was my pleasure assisting your majesty" Gnaeus replied, showing a sense of timidness, "the heat lamp had advanced measures applied to. It was designed not to shatter in case somehow had swapped to low-octane fuels." Gnaeus never understood this feeling. From the moment of gas lamp explosion, he felt a strong need to protect Empress Lisette, the need to protect....it had exceeded what was considered a part of his duty. Suddenly, he was a bit scared, scared that he might have feelings for Empress Lisette. It was rather interesting, yet, awkward in a sense. He felt somewhat that it was his duty to protect Empress Lisette, not because of her position but because of who she was, as an individual person. Though raised in one of the most influential and wealthiest families of Eclius, Gnaeus met countless young girls whom admitted their feelings to him. Though, he was never convinced by any of them. Gnaeus even got mad once when his father wanted him to marry the daughter to the CFO of Lumen Industries (the largest electronics industry in Eclius. Lumen provides various cutting-edge high tech commercial products that were loved by people from across the world). He rejected the marriage and ran away, much to his parents disappointment. In a way, Gnaeus wanted spend more time with Empress Lisette, perhaps have a casual conversation of sort. Though possible with the proper help through "diplomatic channels" he was rather afraid to embarrass himself, or talk to Empress Lisette in persons. Suddenly, he snapped out from all that pointless day dreams. He turned to one of the agents from Aureumterra and said "sir, according to our protocols, Senate of Eclius will send over the imperial med crew in case of an emergency. They are best of the best medical professionals." He turned to Empress Lisette, though at that point, his mouth almost had a mind of its own, somewhat uncontrolled by his brain, "your majesty, it's quite late and the dinner was interrupted, would you like me to make other arrangements for meals to be delivered here from Sapphirius Hotel? We could also arrange for a delivery of the wines also from top wineries in Eclius. Straight from my parents' villa in fact, Emerthus 1980, those are very decent Eclisian wines". Suddenly, he regretted saying those words, though it was too late. Certainly, Empress Lisette's crew and Eclius' Department of Foreign Affairs hospitality crew would take care of those things, so in a way, it was completely out of his job description. He knew well that certainly Empress Lisette would not accept wines from him as an individual. Despite on his family's position, this seemed like an awfully futile and childish approach. Suddenly, another agent rushed to the crew, he stopped before Empress Lisette, bowed gently, then announced, "your majesty. Senate and People of Eclius wishes to apologize for the incident. We have already located and secured the perpetrator. Imperatrix Caesaris Tiberia wishes to send her regards, she was deeply saddened by the incident." Gnaeus stared at the agent wish a sense of frustration, in a way, it totally ruined his attempt to get Empress Lisette to notice him.

[Aureumterra]

Lisette nodded “I appreciate the efforts to solve this mess here”

She then turned back to Gnaeus. He has made an odd request

“Surely, I assume the officials have taken care of dinner, however, I do appreciate the offer”

She definitely felt thankful for the agent… a little too thankful.

“You are an Eclisian agent… surely you must get a chance to be deployed in Aureumterra? We are very close allies, and I have travelled to Eclius as a princess many times”

[A m e n r i a]

Tag

[Eclius]

Lisette nodded “I appreciate the efforts to solve this mess here”

She then turned back to Gnaeus. He has made an odd request

“Surely, I assume the officials have taken care of dinner, however, I do appreciate the offer”

She definitely felt thankful for the agent… a little too thankful.

“You are an Eclisian agent… surely you must get a chance to be deployed in Aureumterra? We are very close allies, and I have travelled to Eclius as a princess many times”

"T'is my upmost honor to serve you, your majesty" Gnaeus responded. His faced turned burning red, with a strong sense of awkwardness. He knew that he said those things out of care for Lisette, but it was more than being simply awkward. At one point, he calmed down a bit, then switched from a timid guy to the old charming self. "I would be deeply honored to be deployed to Aureumterra and serve you by your side, your majesty. Eclius and Aureumterra are quite close, and having agents deployed overseas isn't something new." Somehow he realized he made a mistake. He knew that that Empress Lisette's guards were all Aureumterrese, and that Eclius had never deployed agents overseas to protect the highest leader of a country. Though, it was out of his concern, Gnaeus knew that his parents will probably have it settled with the head director of BDS himself, it would take just as much effort as a casual conversation during a golf game in one of Eclius' renowned country clubs. For whatever reason, Gnaeus felt a strong need to protect Empress Lisette, and in a way, he liked her as a person, not as a throne. In a sense, Gnaeus didn't need, at all, a marriage to rank up his social status. Being born in his family already granted him the access to the top-tier society of Eclius and across the world. He saw Lisette as a friendly and kind figure of his own age. Unlike some of the politicians from Exodia or Atkemri, she wasn't arrogant and boastful. She was a kind spirit whom Gnaeus knew that he was madly in love with.

[Aureumterra]

3 Months Later, Potens
Lisette sat in her office, 3 months since the incident in Eclius. She still pondered over that agent… Gnaeus, who had saved her. He was pretty handsome, and it was obvious to her that she had feelings for him. He had mentioned an Aureumterrese deployment, though she didn’t quiet know when he was coming. She had given him an Imperial Seal, which can be used to access the palace. She did hope to see him again, she expected him to come if he did decide to come to Potens in his call of duty.

[Eclius]

3 Months Later
The news of Gnaeus' relationship with Lisette somehow went viral. Perhaps because he was seen three months ago being the only Eclisian agent right next to Empress Lisette and he offered a coat. For the next few weeks after the incidence, countless gifts were sent to Gnaeus' family villa in Antioch, from business partners, political figures to average citizens. Gnaeus woke up in a room Eclisian embassy in Potens had prepared for him. It was one of the best rooms available in the embassy designed to host V.I.P guests. Having finished preparing himself, Gnaeus received a package. It was a neatly designed box, black and gold to be exact, with an olive branch symbol and the word "Eminence". He eagerly opened the package, and inside was a letter from Marcellus, Tiberia's husband and Imperial Consort of Eclius. Much to Gnaeus' surprise, it was hand written, and the tone was rather casual.

"Gnaeus:

Tiberia and I are aware of the ongoing situation, and wishes to congratulate you and wish you the best of luck in your deployment to Aureumterra. Please accept this small gift.

Sincerely
Marcellus"

Under the letter, it was a set of neatly machine crafted business attire from Eclius' most prestigious clothing brand Eminence. Though, expensive clothes and gift from Marcellus were hardly new to him (Gnaeus had met Marcellus in Imperial Military Academy. Where Marcellus was in senior years when he first got into the college), the fact gossip sites had learned about his feelings to Lisette was rather shocking. Being a person who rarely visited the news sites, Gnaeus decided to check it out, only to be surprised. Majority of the sites were filled with opinion articles about his relationship to Lisette, a simple gesture as to offer a coat or meal arrangements outside the embassy was somehow seen by the media. Much to his surprise, even more professional sites such as Eclisian Hearld and Central News were filled with tasteless gossips. He smirked, but didn't quite see anything. He but on the Eminence business attire Marcellus had sent him, then arranged for a luxurious ride to the palace. Normally, it would've been a work day for him, though, Department of Foreign Relations had allowed him a day off (his job description had transferred from agent to diplomat). Rumors had it that the order to give him a day off was authorized by Tiberia and Inner Senate. Gnaeus arrived at the palace after a few minutes of drive. The traffic in Aureumterra seemed much nice than Eclius. Having pulled out his Imperial Seal and proper documents, he went into the palace to meet Lisette. Though, it was more of a casual meet up than something professional.

[Aureumterra]

Potens
The Guard outside the palace examined Gnaeus' documents and approved the Imperial Seal. Foreigners visiting was definitely out of the ordinary, but he was aware of the ongoing relationship between The Empress and Gnaeus. Gnaeus would then walk through the palace gardens along a path, with the occasional ceremonial Palace Guard lining the way, until he got to a large staircase that lead up to the entrance of the palace. He would then go through a few security checkpoints before he could enter Lisette’s office. She was sitting at her desk, when she looked up and saw him entering.

[Eclius]

Potens
The Guard outside the palace examined Gnaeus' documents and approved the Imperial Seal. Foreigners visiting was definitely out of the ordinary, but he was aware of the ongoing relationship between The Empress and Gnaeus. Gnaeus would then walk through the palace gardens along a path, with the occasional ceremonial Palace Guard lining the way, until he got to a large staircase that lead up to the entrance of the palace. He would then go through a few security checkpoints before he could enter Lisette’s office. She was sitting at her desk, when she looked up and saw him entering.

Gnaeus read the instructions on how to properly enter the Imperial Palace, multiple times, to the degree he had memorized all of the steps. Upon arriving at Lisette's office, Gnaeus bowed. In a timid tone, he greeted, "your highness. T'is my utmost honor to be summoned here".

One Day Before
Gnaeus was nervous, very in fact. The embassy staff had set up the virtual reality chamber in the basement for Gnaeus to practice diplomatic manners and etiquette. Having met Tiberia and Marcellus on multiple occasions, Gnaeus was quite familiar with all the itty bitty details. However, he was afraid to embarrass himself. Suddenly, an A.I. attendant announced to him "sir, I believe your parents have arrived". Gnaeus grunted, showing a sense of frustration. He exited the room, then went to see his parents in one of the other VIP room. Only to be lectured continuously about the diplomatic manners that he had already known.

Present Day
"please accept this as a modest gift" Gnaeus said, as he handed over an object. It was a vase with bouquets of oleander and several other flower species native to Eclius as well as Aureumterra. The vase and the flowers were all made up of pure crystals. Along with with were crystal butterflies, that had Eclius' top-notch robotics component attached to, making the wings glow under the sunny sky, much like fairies told in Eclisian tales. Meanwhile, the vase and the butterflies were placed neatly inside a transparent glass box. "The flowers" Gnaeus said, "native to either Eclius or Aureumterra. All placed inside one single vase. It symbolizes the peace and harmony between our nations".

[Aureumterra]

Imperial Palace
Lisette stood up and accepted the flowers. She then motioned for the Imperial guards in the room to leave, leaving the two alone. She placed the gift on the mantle. She then regarded Gnaeus again.

“Call me Liz, please, I think you came with much more than diplomacy?” She asked rhetorically.

She had realized that her feelings for Gnaeus had not dissipated since the incident in Eclius a few months ago. She chose to remain subtle, however. She had still to fully cope with her relatively new position, and was still on antidepressants, no matter how much her medical team advised against it. She had even seen her psychologist numerous times and tried many things she was suggested, taking walks in the palace garden, listening to calming music, even resting for a few more hours every day did nothing to reduce stress. The political tension brewing in Asia was extremely worrying. However, with Gnaeus again, she forgot about the stress she was under, and was convinced, like with most people in the media, that she definitely did have feelings for him.

[Eclius]

Imperial Palace
Lisette stood up and accepted the flowers. She then motioned for the Imperial guards in the room to leave, leaving the two alone. She placed the gift on the mantle. She then regarded Gnaeus again.

“Call me Liz, please, I think you came with much more than diplomacy?” She asked rhetorically.

She had realized that her feelings for Gnaeus had not dissipated since the incident in Eclius a few months ago. She chose to remain subtle, however. She had still to fully cope with her relatively new position, and was still on antidepressants, no matter how much her medical team advised against it. She had even seen her psychologist numerous times and tried many things she was suggested, taking walks in the palace garden, listening to calming music, even resting for a few more hours every day did nothing to reduce stress. The political tension brewing in Asia was extremely worrying. However, with Gnaeus again, she forgot about the stress she was under, and was convinced, like with most people in the media, that she definitely did have feelings for him.

"No, your highness" Gnaeus replied, "this is much more of a...personal visit". Gnaeus gently bowed, before presenting the crystal vase.

[Aureumterra]

“I thought so” she said with a hint of a smirk. “You can refrain from formalities, call me Liz”

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

tag

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Konigsberg
20 years had passed. Much had changed.

Crassus put his arm around his wife's waist.
He whispered in her ear. "So...tonight, my little dove?"
Louise von Wittelsbach smiled coquettishly. "Oh, you..."
Hermann chose that moment to come home. "Evening father, mot-are you serious?" He facepalmed. "Jesus, get a room you two. Anyway, I'm on leave right now until next Monday."
His sister, Victoria Louise, came in after him, slinging her cashier's uniform over her shoulder. "Evening. Sorry, but I can't stay long; gotta report for muster. I'll be back in 2 hours, 3 hours if the Unteroffizier is being sadistic."
Lousie smiled. "Welcome home!"
Crassus sighed. "Victoria, could you at least stay for dinner?"
Louise hurried off to the kitchen. "I'm making American-style chicken tonight with peach cobbler, you sure you don't want to stay?"
Victoria headed upstairs. "I'm really sorry, but I can't."

Annemarie and Hans came back from school.
Hans grunted and nodded to his father, while Annemarie grinned. "Evening, father! How are you?"
"Just fine, how's my little girl doing?"
"...Could be better, but I'm good. Signed up to volunteer at the soup kitchen, so I can't stay."
Crassus frowned. "You sure you'll be alright?"
"Father, you worry to much. I'll be okay."
"Alright. Call me when you get there, alright?"
"I will, don't worry. And I'll be back before dinner too."
Crassus smiled. "Go on then, I won't keep you."
One-by-one, Crassus and Louise's children went up to their rooms or outside to whatever things they did.

Crassus followed his wife to the kitchen and wrapped his hands around her.
"Dinner can wait, Louise..."
Louise set down the potatoes she was peeling and smirked. "Oh you..."

[Aureumterra]

Potens (Two years after the wedding)
Lisette and Gnaeus sat in their suite in the Imperial Palace. Now a couple, it had been two years since their wedding, and they had just had their first child, Crown Princess Juliëtte. This was monumental, she was the future empress of Aureumterra, and Lisette had decided to raise her the way she wanted the empire to be run in the future.

Lisette was sitting, cradling her child. She looked at Juliëtte’s face, who was sleeping at the moment, then turned to her husband.

“Gnaeus, we should really get daily briefing, parenting is much harder than I thought” she said, looking again at her daughter