The Imperial Coronation of Empress Ameria Wasterin of Aerion

[Aerion]

OOC Note: Please review and post on OOC thread viewtopic.php?f=4&t=83258 before posting here. The first scene is the arrival 1-2 days before the Imperial Coronation. Each arriving nation should post their characters arriving in the nation in 1-2 posts until the Coronation scene is set.

Coronation of Of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Ameria Wasterin

Astevane, Royal Capital of Aerion
Looking from the River District across the river Aste toward the Financial District

A forum in front of the Esolina Palace, Headquarters of the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Royal District
Good example of the architecture of the Royal District

The Royal Palace

Royal Palace, Astevane
The Royal Palace is the largest palace in the Grand Kingdom. It is built in a Baroque style with Arabesque & Neo-Byzantine elements. It is a synthesis of designs. The Royal Palace has a very simple layout. There are three massive wings each with a length of 1333 feet or 406 meters. The Grand Wing runs north to south with the south facing the large Royal Courtyard, the Government Wing is to the right if facing the Grand Wing. It runs west to east with the west facing the Royal Courtyard, and the Royal Residence is to the left running east to west with the east side facing the Royal Courtyard. Each Wing is fronted with a Neoclassical Doric style portico. It has numerous domes topping it in the form of saucer domes and low domes, including three massives Neo-Byzantine style domes centering each of the wings. Each are arranged on top of large apses. It has over 1000 rooms. Over 1000 domestic servants employed by the Royal Household work in the Royal Palace. That does not include the government staff in the Government Wing. In the center of the Royal Courtyard is a statue of First Elder Wasterin V'i.

[Aerion]

Imperial Coronation Preparations - 2 Days Before Coronation

The megacity of Astevane, capital of the Grand Kingdom of Aerion was always bustling. It stretched over 1000 square miles of urban area, and was populated by millions. Multiple layers of roadways buzzed with cars locked into the automated transportation system as cars moved between layers. At the heart of this like some splendid oasis was what was sometimes called by outside observers Aerion's Forbidden City, the “heart of Aerion”, the restricted access Royal District which itself was over twenty square miles. The Royal District had more marble and stone than steel like the surrounding city. No buildings were over fifteen floors in height except for the Royal Palace. The Royal District was characterized by grand marble buildings preserved for history built in various architecture predominantly Greeko-Roman , Neoclassical, and Neo-Byzantine style though the French Empire style was also widely featured. Inside the interiors of many buildings Baroque, Neo-Baroque, Art Deco, and Minimalist interiors dominated. Wide sidewalks, wide avenues, forests, gardens, parks. The Greeko-Roman features are especially featured near the historic Forum, and represented a time when the Aerionians had emulated the Romans in so many ways in building the historic capital.

Preparations for the Coronation were taking place throughout the city two days before the Imperial Coronation, but no area more than within the Royal District as well as the Outer Forum across the river beyond the Royal District gates. Grandstands are being placed in the Outer Forum, along the Royal Avenue that ran directly south to north from the Royal District Main Gate three miles until it reached the Royal Palace at the center of the Royal District. Fresh flowers seemed to be everywhere, banners with the Royal Crest flew in the breeze hanging off bars on each side of every lamp post, massive banners with the Royal Crest hung off major government buildings which were often in buildings that would be called palaces. Multi-colored Pennants were placed over roadways, and blew in the breeze. Purple bunting was abundant. An entire stadium was seemingly being erected in the Outer Forum across the river for the public. Massive screens were being erected around the Central Forum, the Outer Forum, and along the avenues.

Specialized covered grandstands & platforms for dignitaries and others were erected closest to the Royal Palace in the Central Forum. Three large temporary Triumphal Arches in addition to the already existent ones were erected along the route. They were painted with real gold leaf engraved with scenes of Aerion's history and ancient gods then erected along the Royal Avenue. One at the start of the Royal Avenue Bridge crossing the river Aste to the Royal District Main Gate, one just before the permanent triple-arched Triumphal Arch that rose over the Royal Avenue as it entered the Central Forum, and one over the Main Palace Gate. These arches had been carefully worked on by craftsmen for weeks.

Numerous pavilions had also been erected around the Central Forum, and the center avenues of the Royal District. Beautiful marble, gold, and glass pavilions had been erected in the style of Roman shrines around the Central Forum to stand for the major gods and goddesses of the Aerionian pantheon. Twenty pavilions had been erected for the provinces, and traditional major tribes of Aerion. Makan Buddhists had also been allowed a temporary shrine in addition to the two Buddhist Temples which already existed within the Royal District. They had also been allowed to decorate discreet areas of the Royal Palace with sand mandalas.

Elsewhere in the megacity cityscape itself digital billboards and holographic ads rotated through at least once or permanently the broader purple announcement for the Imperial Coronation featuring the Royal Crest, the date & time, as well as images of the soon to be crowned Empress. Massive ad-airships and public transportation airships that circulated overhead throughout the city with screens showing ads featured the Imperial Coronation Announcement as well. In other megacities in the Grand Kingdom it was the same. The Crown had purchased or acquired adspace throughout the Grand Kingdom everywhere to feature the Imperial Coronation Announcement, and regal images of the Empress. Soon many of these live-capable ads would switch to live images of key moments of the Imperial Entry Parade, the Imperial Coronation Day Procession, the Coronation, and other moments in addition to the coverage on live digital television throughout the nation which most digital tablets & smartphones were equipped to do. If anyone tired of seeing the Empress in their face daily already they would not dare say so in public. In some areas it would be considered rudely impolite causing ostracizing, in others it may even be dangerous.

Preparations were taking place throughout the Grand Kingdom in much the same way.

Imperial Entry Parade – 2 Days Before Coronation

The Imperial Entry Parade was in fact a massive military parade occurring two days before the coronation. Foreign visitors were invited to watch if they were there already. The special guests for the Imperial Coronation would have seating in grandstands near the end of the parade route at the Outer Forum across the bridge from the Royal District where the parade would end, and the Empress would ceremonially “enter the city.” It would be the official ceremonial entry of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress into the city for Coronation, though because of the size of the megacity of Astevane it would technically enter the “historic city” the border of which was in the current River District near the River Aste and the bridge to the Royal District. The historical city of Astevane was founded mostly in the area of the Royal District on the northern banks of the river Aste, and so the ceremonial entry to the “city” would take place crossing the bridge to the Royal District's main gate. The parade would start to the southeast of the Royal Avenue main gate of the Royal District in what is known as the Plaza of the named for the goddess of the moon or in some tribes as the creation goddess Celestial Mother as well. The parade would proceed down Abeshala Avenue to join with the Royal Avenue, and then stop in the Outer Forum just across the bridge from the Royal District. The route would run about 3 miles (4.8 km) through the River District and briefly through the edge of the University District (named for the large universities there the Astevane Central University with over 300,000 students, the Astevane Institute of Technology, and the smaller private Buddhist Ireuyp University).

The participants of the Imperial Entry Parade were gathered in the Forum of Abeshala, and along the Royal Avenue. All along the Royal Avenue massive banners bearing the Royal Crest had been hung. Along the route millions were gathered, filling the edges of the Forum of Abeshala, Abeshala Avenue, Royal Avenue, and the Outer Forum on the southern banks of the river Aste across the bridge from the Royal District. Thousands of students in the University District had crowded the areas around Abeshala Avenue. Onlookers crowded on crosswalks, cross-bridges of the city's elevated roadways, and balconies. Scenes of the parade would be broadcast on all stations, in all classrooms, workplaces, and almost anywhere there was a screen. It would not be as omnipresent of coverage as the Coronation, such as taking over digital ads, but it would be seen by many in the nation.

There were over 300,000 participants of the Imperial Entry Parade making it appear as if the city was being ceremonially invaded. Floating overhead were five airships of the Royal Aerionian Air Force, and higher up the Royal Airship itself with special guests invited to view the parade from high above. In addition to the participants, the Royal Gendermarie were out in full force lining the parade route with the Astevane Metropolitan Police, and the Royal Guard lined the Outer Forum and bridge to the Royal District where the parade would end. The units in the parade were dressed in dress uniforms for military parade.

The parade was led by an elegant black Adinas Star Coach luxury sedan containing the grand master of ceremonies flanked by two Royal Guard horses. He was followed by a full regiment of the Royal Guard, with the 1st Royal Palace Guard Cavalry Company riding all white horses at the fore bearing the purple flag with the Royal Crest included in the 1st Royal Palace Guard Battalion. The Royal Guard wore their white uniforms, silver ceremonial cuirass armor, and plumed headdresses. Following them were the Royal Guard Band. Then came a full Battalion of Royal Marines wearing very dark blue dress uniforms with red piping, and white berets with blue stripes. They were led by the elite Royal Marine Band. Following that were various units of the Royal Aerionian Navy including the Submarine Force, and other units. The Royal Aerionian Navy units wore blue dress uniforms with white peak caps. Then came the Royal Aerionian Army units with their tan dress uniforms, and black berets. The officers wore tan peaked caps. The warrant officers were distinguished by their darker tan uniforms. The Special Forces wore burgundy berets.

The Royal Air Force units wore gray dress uniforms with gray peak caps with red stripes for special units. Behind the Royal Armed Forces came the Royal Gendarmerie in their dress uniforms which had burgundy jackets, black kelpis, and black pants. Some officer wore lack peak caps. The Royal Gendermarie were led at the fore by an elite ceremonial cavalry unit riding black horses wearing copper cuirass, and helmets as well over their dress uniforms.. The Royal Maritime Gendarmerie were distinguished by their blue jackets with burgundy piping. At the end came various reserve units. Behind them were 20 companies each from the Provincial Guard of each province.Other units such as the Diplomatic Security Service, and Ministry of Interior Security Service marched behind them. The Department of Public Security of the Ministry of the Interior, or the Police were at the back. The police dress uniforms consisted of light blue shirts, black pants, blue jackets, and light blue kelpis. Some leading officers wore peak caps.

Finally came the most important participants in this parade, led by three Royal Palace Guard Motorcycle Squadrons. Riding behind them for ceremony sake were the Empress's Own Cavalry of the Royal Bodyguard wearing elaborate white cloaks over their white dress uniforms, cuirass, and an elaborate silver helmet with white plume. They rode upon white war horses. Behind them were five Adinas Star Coaches carrying various members newly appointed to the Imperial Court. Three limousines followed each separated by yet more Royal Guard Motorcycle Squadrons. Inside one of these limousines was the Empress herself, and in the others were officials of the Imperial Court including the new Imperial Great Officers of State the Empress had appointed. Flanking the limousines and Adinas Star Coaches were the elite Royal Bodyguard Company of the Royal Guard, the actual men charged with protecting the sovereign themselves. Some Royal Bodyguard were flanking regularly dressed Royal Bodyguards were wearing the elaborate uniforms of the cavalry on the horses. Their white cloaks and silver helmets with white plumes contrasted with the black limousines.

The Royal Bodyguards and a smaller than normal Royal Escort of the Empress herself which included an ambulance, and 5 black SUVs followed behind the limousines.

Now came behind the Empress's column the massive tanks of the Royal Aerionian Army, various vehicles of the Royal Guard, more tanks and armored vehicles from the Royal Aerionian Army. Behind them came vehicles of the Royal Marines, the Royal Gendarmerie, and finally some vehicles of the Department of Public Security of the Ministry of the Interior. The stream of vehicles ended in fire, and police vehicles.

As the parade moved each unit would perform their own military march in coordination. The entire parade would take about 3 hours to complete the 3 mile route, and end in a ceremony of the Empress “entering the city” or in this case crossing the bridge to the Royal District main gate, which would ceremonially open for her.

[Silver Beach]

Astevane International Airport VIP Terminal

Princess JoAnna's jet was coming down at the Astevanne International Airport. As she got off the plane, she showed her passport, obviously Silverian, to the security guards. The place had a lot of people flying in, and she knew it was because of the Imperial Coronation of the Empress. She was so happy to be here in Astevane, representing the country she loved at a coronation of an empress, who would rule an empire. Ah, how happy and jumpy that would make her feel!

As she went to the nearest train station, she was given a ride to the actual city. Her brother, HM King Nicephorous V, had reserved her and her husband a room in a 5 star hotel. As they were going though, they made an immediate stop. They saw a massive military parade going, and she realized that they were probably in Astevane by now. The Royal Capital of the nation they were in, was such a beautiful city. There were gardens, yet skyscrapers. Fields, yet modernization at the same time. She wanted to get herself immersed in the culture, before of course she met the future Empress right before the coronation. So, she decided to drive off to a local restaurant in the city. It was such a beautiful place, and the restaurant would be a nice place to start off, before she would go and find the future Empress, who was SOMEWHERE in Astevane, but she had no idea where. She sent a text message to HM King Nicephorous V, who then relayed to the host government that Princess JoAnna was in Astevane. This would be a fun trip.

[Excalbia]

Astevane International Airport, Grand Kingdom of Aerion

As the gleaming blue and gold Boeing 777 airliner taxied towards the VIP terminal, Princess Hope made one last frantic pass through the dossier on Aerion. As the Emperor's cousin, she had rarely been called upon to perform the diplomatic functions that had become so routine for David IV's immediate family. However, with the Crown Prince and Prince Peter both serving with the military in Iesus Christi and with Princess Rebecca visiting Draakurr, the Imperial Family was spread rather thin.

The princess knew that the Imperial Household Agency and His Imperial Majesty's Government had debated sending the Emperor's youngest child - Prince James - but decided against because he was still a teen. They had considered recalling Princess Christiana, the Emperor's sister, from the Allamunnic States but decided against that because they feared it would send the impression that the Holy Empire attached too much importance to the coronation of Empress Ameria. For the same reason, it was beyond question that neither the Emperor nor the Empress would attend in person. Chancellor Wentworth was very concerned about the rumours that the new Empress had taken the throne through a coup d'état and was even more troubled by reports of disappearances and extrajudicial executions in the days following the death of the former Crown Prince. He was adamant, so Princess Hope had been told, that Excalbia not appear overly warm towards the new regime in Aerion. However, the Ministry of State had argued persuasively that due to Aerion's size and influence and the region that it was essential that the Holy Empire and the Sword be represented at the coronation.

Princess Hope sighed. And so, she had found herself pulled away from her own family just after the holidays and dispatched to Aerion to represent her cousin.

"We're here, Your Highness," Justin Marche, a pleasant young man who reminded the princess of her own son, said with a bow.

"Thank you, Justin," Hope said as she closed the leather-bound portfolio and handed it to the young Foreign Service Officer. She stood and smoothed out her tweed skirt. Before she could ask for it, a young woman in the uniform of an Imperial steward held out her dark blue woollen coat. "Thank you, Agatha," she said as she slipped into the coat and hastily buttoned it. Turning back to Marche, she tilted her head slightly. "Do you we know who's waiting for us, Justin?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Marche said as he slipped the portfolio into his briefcase and pulled on his own jacket. "I believe that Baroness Cassandra herself is waiting with the Embassy vehicle and a small security detail; she arrived a few days ago and, as I understand, has the Embassy fairly well organized and ready for your visit."

Hope chuckled. It would not take much to prepare for her visit, she thought to herself. Her cousins living in Sweyn Castle might be used to having legions of Imperial stewards at their disposal, but she was used to doing most things for herself with only two or three household staff. The difference between being a cousin of the immediate Imperial Family and a member of the Family itself.

The small delegation, led by Princess Hope, descended the ramp to tarmac below. A short red carpet led from the stairs to the waiting limousine. As they approached, a somewhat round middle-aged woman in a bright red coat bowed to the princess. "Welcome to the Grand Kingdom of Aerion, Your Highness," the woman said pleasantly.

Princess Hope nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Baroness Cassandra. It's nice to be here. Is your new Embassy to your liking?"

"Oh, yes, it is, Your Highness. Very much so. The Ministry has assigned us an excellent staff and procured prime office space. The official residence is also suitably grand, though still undergoing renovation in some places." The ambassador regarded the princess cautiously. "I've arranged for you to be assigned the completed master suite; I'll be taking up residence in one of the smaller bedrooms as the guest suite has yet to be finished..."

"There's no need to inconvenience yourself, Baroness; I'd be happy with the single room," the princess said trying to look reassuring.

"I have no doubt, Your Highness," Baroness Cassandra Tavate said, looking more confident as she took the measure of her Imperial guest. "However," her eyes twinkled as she took a chance on the princess' sense of humour, "the Ministry and the IHA would never let me hear the end of it if I dared house a member of the Imperial Family in a common bedroom."

Hope smiled. "I'll defer to your greater experience in these matters, Your Excellency."

The ambassador gestured towards the waiting car. "After you, Your Highness."

[Brasland]

Royal Airfield, Royal Palace's grounds

A small but modern jet landed elegantly at the airfield. After a few minutes, a small delegation appeared, led by a beautiful young woman. She was relatively tall, a slim and healthy figure, dark blonde hair and green eyes (http://www.nettyroyal.nl/images/mariaanunciata.jpg). Sophia was just 18 years old, and as the only sister with enough age to assume official duties, her brother George -who had recently been restored in the Braslandian throne- had asked her to represent him at the coronation. "Come on, Soph. It will be fun."

The princess had lived most of her life in exile, at the court of her aunt Eirena, Empress and Lady of New Chalcedon. Sophia's father, King Paul II of Brasland, had abdicated in mysterious circumstances that were never clarified -a fact that led to many rumours-, thus the family was forced to leave their homeland. For fifteen years the royal family lived in the peace and quiet of New Chalcedon's countryside, until the dictatorship in Brasland was deposed. After a plebiscite, Prince George -Sophia's brother- was offered the Crown, which he obviously accepted. It was his duty. Not only George was well aware that he was in a weak position, just starting his reign, being only 19 years old. He needed allies, and Aerion seemed a solid choice to begin with. Better to make friends as soon as possible.

Following the princess were her close friend and lady-in-waiting, Baroness Margot Kiralyi. Though not a beauty, she had pleasant features, and an outstanding intelligence. Sophia felt reassured by her presence, as Margot had also a strong personality, and she could confront everyone that might be rude or annoying for the princess. Behind the two, a tall young man, in her late twenties, walked holding a suitcase. Josef Werner worked for the Braslandian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had especially assigned him to accompany Princess Sophia in the trip. Empress Ameria's coronation might be a good opportunity to forge new alliances, and the princess would need an expert at her side.

With her two collaborators at each side, Sophia of Brasland advanced towards a group of people who were clearly waiting for her. As she approached, the men bowed their heads and the women curtseyed. Ferdinand von Deym, the King's ambassador in Aerion, greeted her in a reverential manner. She smiled at him and offered her hand, which he barely touched with his lips as the royal etiquette commanded. "Your Highness, it's a pleasure to have you in Aerion. I understand you have refused accomodation at the embassy."

"Indeed, ambassador", replied Sophia, feeling slightly nervous, but also excited. "I think it's better that I stay at the Royal Palace. The King always says how important it is to know other courts from the inside, and this is the perfect opportunity."

"I see", sighed Von Deym, with a sad expression.

Despite the ambassador's obvious disappointment, he explained the basics of Aerionan royal protocol to Sophia and escorted the delegation to a limousine which had the Royal Crest. With a regal gesture, the princess said goodbye to the ambassador as she and her advisors jumped in the car.

[Sebastianalandia]

Three Days Before Coronation

"Greggor, Pauker, help me make ready."

It was nearly time to leave. In a day was to be the imperial parade; in three, the coronation itself. In twenty minutes, the Vozhd's own plane was to take off in the direction of Aerion.

Vladicoff was in his chamber. He was a tall man, with a slight limp that was a relic of his long years in prison. He was in his early sixties, but while his features reflected his age, his energy did not. His stride had a youthful enthusiasm, and his occasional sudden movements were full of life. But at a glance, he looked like an elderly vulture. His pockmarked face was sallow, his eyes yellow, and his hooked, drooped nose was rather distinctive. But most distinctive of all was his majestic greying moustache, the pride of his limited hygiene.

Now this man, this virtual dictator, stood in his underclothes with the four men who were his only non-political retainers. Two were his assistants and messengers, Greggor and Anatoli. Greggor was the more junior of the two, and mostly handled the delivering of messages and making of appointments within the People's Palace; Anatoli was older, and had the heavier task of ensuring Vladicoff's meals, office supply deliveries, and other services ran efficiently. The other two men were his most trusted bodyguards, Pauker and Vlasík. Pauker, an older fellow with a potbelly, was a member of the secret police's Liason Office who arranged his master's transportation, outside appointments, and accomodations; Vlasík, a younger fellow who gained notoriety as a firing squad captain during the Civil War, was also a member of the PKVS police (but in the Security Service department) who was dedicated completely to defending Vladicoff from any dangers.

The four men then set to work on suiting the Vozhd up for his journey. First came his dapper Communist Party tunic, with its jodhpurs and toolbelt. Into the pockets and belt holders went several gadgets and maps and tools and foreign coins. Above this came Vladicoff's unique field marshal's greatcoat of a dark field grey. It's buttons were especially designed to alert his squadron of bodyguards to various threats and one even included a camera. A red marshal's sash crossed diagonally acctoss his chest, holding up an intricate but very practical sabre.

Then came the medals. Twenty-five in total. Twenty-five medals, from the Red Star to the Order of Lenin to the Chevalier of the Guard to the Hero of Sebastianalandia. One by one, each was painstakingly placed by the expert Pauker. The final detail was Vladicoff's peaker officer's cap. All was ready.

Within five minutes, the five men had walked down the hallway, entered the elevator, paced through the lobby of the People's Palace to a hedge of raised salutes in honour of the Vozhd, exited the great gates to the salutes of the Palace Guard, and entered the armoured car. Flanked by armoured motorbikes, the group sped away to the airport and arrived in ten minutes.

Vladicoff boarded the plane, reserving his usual co-pilot's seat. It was a traditional Sebastianalandian diplomatic aeroplane, which meant that it looked more like a fighter than a civilian craft. It was a small and light, but nearly impossible to catch and wuith armour that few shells could pierce. As was tradition, it was painted a dapper shade of grey and olive green, and sported the State Seal on its hull - a majestic, imperial vulture clutching a hammer-and-sickle wreathed in laurels. On the bottoms of each wing was a red, five-pointed star.

The trip was long, as Vladicoff's deadly paranoia caused many changes of flight routes. But after many, many hours in the tiny aircaft, the pilot finally came within sight of Aerion. Whipping his communications experts into a frenzy, he sent many messages to the Aerionian authorities that his plane was not a threat, that it carried a very important head-of-state onboard, and that it would arrive at the Royal Airfield.

With a few minutes left before the final descent, Vladicoff paced with a bent back into the main cabin, his left arm behind his back, clenching and unclenching the hand like a claw. Sweeping his eyes over his entourage, he spoke:

"Comrades, in case you have not bothered - or dared - to inquire as to the purpose of our little excursion, ve are here to witness the Imperial Coronation of the new Empress of Aer-rion. A grand event, by all accounts. Now, you might ask yourselves, vhy is a good Communist like me cavorting vith such monarchical rabble? I'll tell you: despite ideological disagreements, it is useful to find allies in old empires. And besides, our dear Bonaparte vas an Emperor; of course, an Emperor of a very different sort. But still, it is best ve acquire Aer-rion as an ally before the King-in-Exile does."

As the plane landed, the entourage filed out. First came Vlasík, protectively standing in front of his Vozhd, who came second. Greggor and Anatoli and Pauker formed a line behind him. A score of black-uniformed guards, the squadron commanded by Vlasík, flanked the entire procession as a military adjutant, a Party Orator, an industrial commissar, and a few luggage carriers and entertainers walked a few paces behind the Graggor-Anatoli-Pauker line.

Vladicoff presented himself and his followers to the airport authorities, producing their red Sebastianalandian passports. After vigourously and efficiently processing the paperwork himself (in his ever-atrocious handwritting, it might be added), he led his court through the passageways and waited for someone to lead them to their quarters in the Royal District...

[Aerion]

Royal Palace, Astevane

[Angenteria]

“Your Majesty, we’ve began our descent toward Astevane. We will be touching down within the hour.”

Adrian Riektal blinked his eyes open, chasing away the swirling mist that had made up his dream sequence. For what felt like a few short minutes (who knows in dream time) he could have sworn he was in some sort of llama farm, and the engine noise was from the butter churning machines. Llama butter, of course. He should’ve known it was a dream when the animals started babbling like an angry Beusuani noble on a bad day. Damn it all.

Well, he didn’t have time to dwell on that when there was work to do. He pressed a button on the side of his chair.

“Thank you, Jurgen.” He responded, before looking around. It was the first during his reign that he had ridden in the state of the art, gold and black jumbo jet on official business. He had taken the smaller private jet with his father a few times when he was younger, but never anything like this. But how hard could it be, right? Smile for the cameras, talk to people of similar status to himself, watch some soldiers in fancy uniforms march up and down a big boulevard, watch somebody put a crown on top of a woman’s head and start calling her empress instead of queen, drink some fancy wine and act fancy to other fancy people, and then go home.

“It sounds easy, no? This whole thing?”

He turned his head to look at that the face of the blonde-haired young woman next to him. Like him, she was dressed in attire that was functional, yet formal, as befitted their status. At the age of twenty-seven, Juliana Ventris was born to the noble Ventris family, one of the oldest and proudest aristocratic families in Angenteria. Born with her mother’s looks and her father’s brains, she quickly learned how to survive and flourish in the annals of power. It wasn’t a simple coincidence (or family-decreed arranged marriage) that she ended up engaged to the then-Prince Adrian.

Adrian chuckled. It was like she was reading his mind. “Go to a nice place, watch a few parades, drink some fancy wine…” He grinned. “It’s like a vacation.”

Juliana smiled. He was good like that, Adrian. Always able to crack a joke, funny or not. Despite her initial misgivings, she had grown quite fond of her husband-to-be in the past year. While sometimes acting foolish, he was quickly learning the ways of how to be an effective monarch.

“In any case.” He said. “Let’s go through this one more time before we land.” The emperor pressed a button on his chair, allowing a holo-screen to display a highlighted nation on a world map. “We’re going to Aerion to attend the coronation of Queen-“

“Empress”

“Empress Ameria Wasterin. Immediately after landing, we’re going to be greeted by our ambassador, whose name is…” He grunted. “Whose name is…”

“Marcus Hauptman.”

“Marcus Hauptman. You’re good at this game. From where we will be taken to our accommodations within the Royal Palace. Am I right?”

“More or less.” Juliana responded, browsing through a PDA that a servant had handed her. “There’s a full itinerary of events scheduled that we’re supposed to show up at, but we can get into that later.”

“Right.” Adrian replied. “Sounds good to me.”

He was about to say more when the a knock at the door broke his chain of thought.

“Come in.”

The small door slowly swung open, revealing Captain Thaddeus. The medals on his black with red trim dress uniform gleamed in the light. He bowed formally.

“Your Majesty. My Lady.” He said. “We are beginning our final descent to Astevane. We will be on the ground within ten minutes.”

“Very well.” Adrian and Juliana reached over their seats, pulling on their seatbelts for the final descent. The several servants and guards around them that made up their immediate retinue began to take their seats and do the same. “Thank you, Captain.”

“Well.” Adrian said after Thaddeus had left, the plane starting to rumble as it touched the ground. “Here we go.”


Ambassador Marcus Hauptman straightened his tie as he watched the plane roll to a stop near the Royal Terminal, and ground crew rush towards it, tending to the various maintenance needs a plane if this size would. An older man in his late fifties, he had spent nearly his entire adult life as a diplomat for the Holy Imperium, conducting negotiations with various nations on behalf of Angenteria and her emperor. He saw this ambassadorial assignment as his last job before he took his well-deserved retirement.

And what better last job to be able to actually meet the emperor himself?

The captain of the Imperial Guard detachment stationed at the Angenterian embassy stepped up next to Marcus, his form spotless and dress uniform clean.

“Ready, sir?” He asked, hearing footsteps approaching the gate from the hallway.

“As much as I’ll ever be, Captain.”

Marcus and company rounded the corner, greeted by the sight of his ambassador and an honor guard detachment lining both sides of the red carpeting made up the floor.

“Atten-SHUN!” The captain shouted, the honor guard snapping to attention, while the ambassador dropped to one knee.

“Hail, my emperor.” Marcus greeted loyally, his gaze directed towards the ground.

“Rise, ambassador.” Adrian responded cheerily, gesturing with his hands. “Please.”

Ambassador Marcus did just that, rising to his two feet and once again addressing the emperor. “Welcome to the Grand Kingdom of Aerion, Your Majesty. And to you as well, My Lady.” He added, noticing the young woman he correctly identified as Juliana Ventris, the bride-to-be.

“Soon to be the Aerionian Empire, so I’m told.” Adrian nodded. “Thank you, Ambassador. I trust our embassy here is to your liking?”

“Oh yes, Your Majesty, thank you.” Marcus continued. “I have been instructed to act as your guide and aide in the coming days.” He gestured for them to follow “If you would come with me, our car is waiting…”

[Iotor]

30,000 ft above Aerion Royal Terminal

"Radio check, radio check, sierra zulu thirty"
'Radio clear, sierra zulu thirty'
"Radio check positive, radio clear"

"Do you two have to do that now?" The Chief Operating Officer had a bad enough headache without the constant buzzing of turned up radios, and the chitter chatter of the two force protection agents assigned to his party.

"With due respect sir, failure of communication between smaller units caused the failure of the-"

"Ahahahah...Whatever" As long as they'd just shut up...

A young woman poked her head into the aircraft cabin.
"Still got the headache sir?"

He nodded in disdain. Not for her, for the ever constant hum of the jets. Whether it was flying, the persistant low-level noise, the briefing that Captain Madronna gave to him or some horrific combination of these things, it hurt like hell.
"Naw, poor baby"

"Captain, throw her out of the plane"

The two diplomats laughed. The two agents seemed to take a moment to realise it was a joke.
That was scary.

"Lieutenant Margaret, go ask the pilot how long until we land. I fear the COO may not make it"

"Yes Ma'am" Although she smiled at the joke, she moved as if there was a genuine problem.

"Captain, could you please get an aspirine or something?"

At first he hesitated, weighing up the potential these two might have to endanger the other.
"Sir" He hurried off at the same pace as his female counterpart. This left the officials alone in the cabin.

"So are you genuinely ill, or are you just posing to make them feel bad?"

"Genuine"

Apparently untrusting in his judgement, the Operating Officer crossed over to where her superior was seated and felt his forehead. She lowered her head to look closer at his face "You dont seem sick"

"Dont seem doesnt mean I'm not"

"But it does mean dont look it, so hopefully you'll at least be presentable to the princess"

"I am presentable!"

"A shrunken head wouldnt take you in"

"I dont suppose you brought a parachute. You might need one with that sort of attitude"

"And please dont tell me you brought that stupid polka dot tie again"

"That stupid polka dot tie was worn by the first Chief Operating Officers to actively involve himself in nuclear disarmament!"

"Do they teach you this stuff when you-"

A pair explicit cough came from behind them. They looked back and saw both Force Protection agents standing in the door way, wandering what the hell they were doing.
"She was seeing if I was sick"

"He's not"

---

Aerion Royal Terminal

Unsurprisingly (But not unthankfully), the landing tower at Aerion's Royal Terminal was friendly and efficient (If somewhat cold and seemingly automated). The landing went without a hitch and before they knew it, they were already having their two agents poke and prod them through the airport to their ground transport.
"Uh, luggage?"

"Thats being brought out now ma'am"

Although they werent pushed, the two agents ensured that they verbally could not argue with any other option but 'GET IN THE DAMN LIMO'. The only excuse they would ever accept would 'I need to pee', but it was too late by then. The limo was already cruising down the barren streets of Astevane. Elizabeth stared out the window.
"Where are all the people, this place seems a little too built up too have one long depopulated street"

Her FP agent sweetly answered "The Aerion Gendarmerie were kind enough to provide a three kilometre buffer zone in which no other traffic is permitted"

"How sweet of them" She responded. Sarcastically.

"Three kilometres?"

"Three kilometres"

Feeling left out, the COO offered his opinion "Isnt that a bit much?"

"With due respect sir, a military grade anti-tank missile has a range of about three thousand metres" The Captain rebuttled "Frankly, I feel we should have brought our own escort as well"

"If either you had it your way, you would've brought the damned army"

"Air force too sir"

The COO rolled his eyes. He couldnt tell if that was a joke or just them being...Them.
"How long before we get to the palace?"

[Tarasovka]

Astevane, Aerion

The sister of the Taraskovyan Vasilevs was used to being the international face of Taraskovya on numerous international occasions. In fact, according to studies and polls, Her Imperial Highness was far better known throughout the universe than was her brother to the point that some genuenly believed she was in fact the Monarch. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The exact categorisation of Her Imperial Highness into the Aerionian system would be somewhat complicated. Whilst she came in capacity as representative of the Imperial Dynasty of Taraskovya and of the Taraskovyan Empire, Vethara was also the Co-Queen of Taurenor (and styled as Your Majesty, sort of, in that country) outside of the Taraskovyan Empire. She was, thus, a head of state of a country unrelated to that which she was formally representing, all while actually also representing the country she was co-heading due to her very nature as a, well, co-head of state. Somewhat complex indeed.

Regardless, Aerionian protocol scholars did not have to twist their minds too much on whether Her Imperial Highness/Her Majesty was to stay at the Royal Palace or not. It was the choice of the Taraskovyan delegation, in fact of Vethara herself which she imposed upon her Head of Protocol, that Her Imperial Highness would stay at the Apiza Palace. The Royal Suite was rented out, as well as several additional locales to house those members of the suite that did not fit.

The decision over transportation was also settled by the Taraskovyan side, through the Taraskovyan Embassy in Astevane. Part of the Embassy's car park for special occasions, the luxury limousines were foreseen just for such high honoured guests.

The suite was not particularly huge. Several personal assistants, a couple servants to help with the luggage. The security detail was represented by select members of Her Imperial Highness the Grand Duchess'es Own Lorelei Regiment of the Life-Guards. And whilst they brought their gala armours in luggage, they would mostly serve in plain clothes.

Several heralds were present in the suite. Whilst all of them were dressed in shades of blue, silver and black, the exact colour schemes were in two variations, one for each of the primary titles of Grand Duchess of Taraskovya and Star Queen of Taurenor.

Of course, as always tagged along was Vethara's own Dakathian black wolf. Called Pushok, the huge beast could eat any regular grey wolf for breakfast and ask for more.

[Aerion]

For foreign official guests:

Most guests for the Imperial Coronation would be greeted by an attache of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the airport, possibly the official responsible for the country desk of the nation visiting. Heads of state would be greeted by a court official. They would also be greeted by four Royal Guards for escort if a head of state & Diplomatic Security Service wearing suits. For other official guests the escort would be the suit wearing Diplomatic Security Service, and uniformed Royal Gendarmerie. Vehicles would include four motorcycles for heads of state or royalty, two for other guests, and an SUV with the personal escort. They would lead them down the already secure buffer route, and then to their accommodations.

For foreign official guests staying at the Royal Palace:

Those royal guests for the Coronation staying in the Royal Palace would be greeted by an attache of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs early on either at the airport or as they arrived, possibly the official assigned to the country desk of their nation. Though ceremony was extensive before Crown Prince Regent Damoen Wasterin, because there had not been a sitting Sovereign in some time by the deceased Crown Prince's choice the ceremony of the Court had been foregone. Now it was understood that the new Empress may be restoring the ceremony and extensive protocol of the Court, including requiring uniforms, and court officials to live at the Royal Palace.

Guests would also be greeted by a Royal Footman for escort dressed in the elaborate livery of the court once arriving at the Royal Palace, and two Royal Guard wearing white uniform with white cloak and silver crest would escort them as well. The Royal Footmen were the most notable of the palace staff along with the pages, though some may find the Royal Guard more stunning in their white uniform with long white cloak, and silver helmet with white crest. The Royal Footmen wore scarlet waistcoasts embroidered in gold with wolves, red velvet knee breeches, and long scarlet coats over it all. The younger pages dressed similar with less embroidery. Others wore more simple butler style uniforms. One may spot other liveries of footmen or valets for other high ranking court officials if they choose to dress theirs in such a way, though they were more likely to wear simple butler style uniforms with a pin depicting the crest.

Through the Royal Courtyard at the Royal Palace to the left to the Royal Wing, through the large portico and through double doors into the Royal Hall. This large white marble hall with arched vaulted ceiling in white marble depicts with elaborate murals on the walls the story of the Wasterin family as depicted through almost mythical symbolic artwork in a Greco-Roman style. It is hard to tell where reality blurs with fiction. The hall is kept simplistic as if to draw attention to the murals, with recessed lighting illuminating the entire hall in stark whiteness. At the end of this fairly short 50 foot corridor one enters a large more simple neoclassical white marble domed semicircular room with a skylight in the center. To the right and left are golden elevator doors leading up to the floors of the Royal Residence. Between the elevators are tall golden doors leading into rooms that lead lead to the Royal Temple, the Royal Library, and other rooms. The Grand Staircase rises ahead in a single flight to a landing with twin flights curving between balustrades leading up to a landing with a large archway framing gold leafed doors that enters the Bejeweled Corridor. A large golden water fountain frames the first landing where the flight of stairs splits into two.

Here in front of the Grand Staircase a court official such as an assistant of the Grand Master of Ceremonies would greet them. The court official, two Royal Guards, Royal Footman, and attache from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the guest's entourage would load into one of the large elevators with their golden framed mirrored walls, and marble floor. A small chandelier hung from the fresco ceiling inside the elevator. The elevator itself had a long plush gold leafed red velvet bench, and a table with wine as well as a dish of treats even though the ride was really not that long. The Royal Page inside serving as an elevator boy would press a button, and the elevator would proceed up to the third floor. The third floor of the Royal Residence has the most apartments in the Royal Residence for various court officials, their families, and royal guests. It is arranged with criss-crossing corridors. Another large square chamber painted in red enters the third floor. This chamber resembles an indoor plaza with marble floors, and golden fountains. What could best resemble an upper class restaurant but was a large catered dining room is off of this chamber for various court officials as well as their families to eat at. The gold leaf ceiling of this entry chamber is elaborate. A large corridor leads down the center of this floor. Numerous doors lead off this corridor to the various apartments, and guest rooms. It is intersected by a beautiful mirrored rotunda with mirror walls, and ceiling trimmed in gold. A massive chandelier hangs at the center of this “mirrored room”. Another corridor crosses this rotunda. Most of the apartments were decorated in Baroque, Neo-Baroque, French Empire, or French Rococo style, though some were in a more subdued. The largest guest apartments for royal guests were enfilades decorated as fine as royal apartments in some palaces. Real gold and jewels decorated them. Fine French rococo and Baroque interiors.

Most guests would be led down these corridors to special five to eight room apartments depending on the guest's status. For heads of state the apartments would be large. These apartments were often an aligned enfilade series of rooms with some side rooms. Windows overlooked the gardens in between the wings of the Palace. The first room of the enfilade style apartment would be an round antechamber with small side rooms leading into servant quarters for the staff or guard. More rooms on the sub-floors of the Royal Residence could be made for other servants. The second room would be a large sitting room or receiving room with discreet digital screens for television as well as a side restroom, the third a dining room with kitchenette room off of it, the fourth a study or work room, the fifth a bedroom for family, valet, or others accompanying the room with two bathrooms on each side, the sixth room was the bedroom in many apartments though the larger ones it was a smaller more intimate sitting room, the seventh room in the larger guest apartment would be a smaller study for work of the guest with a side guardroom or servant room, and the eighth room in the larger guest apartment would be the master bedroom. An elaborate bathroom with his & her sides, showers, and deep tubs would be to one side of the master bedroom of the guest apartment, and to the right would be a walk-in closet.

[Aerion]

Imperial Entry Parade “Incident” – 2 Days Before Coronation
Optional read side event

The military Imperial Entry Parade continued down the parade route on Abeshala Avenue now along the edge of the University District. Here Royal Gendarmerie with police behind them continued to line the entire parade route in one long chain on each side along with soldiers of the Royal Army in dress uniform, but truthfully armed. The three hundred thousand participants of the parade stretched across, and the airships overhead were quiet a sight casting a shadow over the buildings nearby. The sky was luckily clear and somewhat cloudy for the most part this day.

The Royal Army led by three open jeeps containing the Lord High Marshal, his adjutant, and other officers of the Imperial High Command had just passed. Royal Aerionian Navy units marching in parade reached a street cross-bridge crowded with people viewing the parade. A line of Astevane police guarded the sides of the bridge. There was some commotion it appeared with students, who appeared to have been trying to drop some banner. They were dragged down to the ground by the police, and dragged off. Then in a moment that seemed surreal for such a day, one of the windows of the dormitories of the nearby Astevane Institute of Technology opened. A red banner displaying a hammer over a open book. It was a clear socialist symbolism, and communism was practically outlawed in Aerion because of the communistic Aerionian People's Liberation Army terrorist attacks in the past as well as other limiting political laws. It was not long before there was a scream out the window which surprisingly over the din of the crowd did not elicit a response from the marchers in the parade.

Two young Aerionian men stood inside the dormitory holding the flag down. A few onlookers began to gawk, and point. Suddenly several police noticed. A line of policemen, Royal Gendarmes, and a few RNSA (Royal National Security Agency) officers wearing their ominous black uniforms piped in scarlet. The media covering the event were informed by Ministry of Information officials not to pay attention to the disturbance. The men yelled out the window, “FREEDOM TO THE AERIONIAN PEOPLE. FREEDOM OF THE WORKERS!.”

Inside their dorm the door bust open. Those able to see the window could see the men pulled away from the window. The RNSA commandant with two RNSA agents pulled the men away from the window, and the banner back in. The RNSA agents pulled the two men out of sight. The commandant wearing his black uniform with scarlet, and black peaked cap with the Royal Crest pulled out his pistol, “Now, which one of you knows more than the other.” The young men looked at each other pale speechless, not sure of the full consequences of what they had done. One then threw up his fist, “Long live..” The RNSA commandant shot him in the head with his pistol, and the young Aerionian man in his twenties dropped to the floor his lifeless body hitting the floor with a thud.

The RNSA commandant took his black glove off his hand, and brutally began beating the other young socialist Aerionian. The other agents kicked him. The door had been closed, and by now the Royal Gendarmes were knocking on the door. The RNSA agents opened the door just as the commandant released the young man, and threw him into the arms of the other agents. “Burn that banner. Place him in custody, take him away.” An officer of the Royal Gendarmerie in his burgundy jacket, black slacks, and black kelpi on his head with an rank signifier indicating he was a lieutenant-colonel had entered. He was a young handsome Aerionian who gazed over the scene, a steely gaze at the RNSA agents. “This man should be in our custody, we are responsible for the security of the parade.”

The RNSA Commandant, a man in his forties stepped forward in his black boots, bringing a gloved hand to his face, he appraised the lieutenant-colonel Royal Gendarme. His steely gaze looked over him, “A young man to be promoted to such a rank. Obviously you were one of those who did not make it into the real Armed Forces. Ever seen a day of combat? Probably not.” He sniggered, “The Empress has given us by her mandate authority over any. You have little. The prisoner stays with us. Tell your superiors to put double guard on the Empress's section of the parade. We can have no disturbances of her glorious entry today.”

Though this scene within the dorm would not be visible to any as it would not be covered by the media. The body would be put in a body bag, and carefully discreetly carried away in an RNSA vehicle. The RNSA agents would escort the prisoner with the Royal Gendarmerie away from the parade site, and down side streets through a vehicle.

The parade continued without incident, most participants and onlookers oblivious to the events that occurred inside the dorm room. Was one brave cry of worker's pride and freedom that little heard worth it? To these young men it had been.


OOC NOTE: The parade will continue as planned without incident, this was just a minor story scene. It is highly unlikely (nearly impossible) any of your characters witnessed even the flag drop or heard about it. The only way is the possibility of an intelligence agent or someone from your nation being in the crowd in this specific area to inform someone. Telegram me if you think this is the case, but unlikely unless your a nation that has interacted with Aerion before. What happened in the dorm room could not be known.)

[Iotor]

The Royal Palace

"We're here sir"

"I can see that Captain, thank you for the warning" Apparently the COO was not in the mood for Captain Obvious quotes.

The doors were opened for them, and the two FP agents quickly exited before allowing their gender respective VIP's to exit as well. Greeted by one of the Royal Footman, they began their long journey through the elegant Royal Palace. While the COO and his government inferior showed a silent approval of the marvelous architechure and graceful decorations, the Captain and Lieutenant simply made snide remarks about the 'goofy uniforms'.

It was the first time since they'd left Iotor, that the COO actually heard them laughing.

Despite the disparaging remarks made by their counterparts, the Royal Guard and Footmen simply continued on with their duties. After an arduous journey through the bespangled halls of Aerion's Royal Palace, they were led to the Royal Apartments. The Footman left them to their own devices from there on.

"Marvellous woodcrafting on this door"

"This door is marvellous and all the gold fountain got was 'pretty good'?"

"I always prefered woodwork in school"

As he leant out to open the door, Captain Madronna gently nudged in front.

"With due respect sir, I'd prefer i-"

"Fine...Just let me in"

The Captain immediately came up close to door and listened in against it. When he heard nothing, he gently twisted the nob and threw the door open with an immense heave. Despite possessing a newly created indent in the wall adjacent to the door, the room was in perfect order.

"Do you have to do the same to mine Lieutenant?"

"With due respe-"

"So thats a yes?"

"Yes Ma'am"

---

"Wow, we really get to sleep in this place?" The Operating Officer had never been on a diplomatic mission before. Both the new experience and gratuitous luxury overwhelmed her senses "My home in Iotor isnt this nice...Hell, I've seen museums that look like a third world toilet compared to this place"

While watching her VIP flopping around on the neatly laid and perfectly clean bed was no doubt entertaining as all hell, it gave Sharyn time to reflect on how long it would be until her protectee got hungry. She was starving.

[Knootoss]

Knootian Embassy, Aerion

"It's fascinating, really" Cornelius Wizzelpenning said, before switching off the television set. The ten minute summary of the celebrations had given the Knootian delegation in the capital a sense of the pomp involved. "It is an imposing display of government power, in a nation that's never had such a prominent display of government influence, as opposed to corporate influence."

"Hmm. The corporations might still support this new coronation. Or they might just be waiting to see what happens. It is difficult to say." A staffer mused. "When a government is uncertain of it's legitimacy and influence, pompous displays of state power are often the response. After recent events, the legitimacy of this... 'imperial' coronation is highly dubious."

"Yet here we are", Wizelpenning said, shaking his head. "Giving her that legitimacy by being players in this puppet show."

"With respect, Ambassador" the staffer replied, using the diplomatic parlance for one who is about to be insulting. "You are not that important. Others will be sending heads of state. Royalty. Or at the least, cabinet-level officials. You are just important enough not to be a snub to them. Or so the ministry suspects."

"Ah, woe me, then." Wizzelpenning said with a bit of a sad smile. "If I am not important, I shall have to do my best to look it."

[Aerion]

Imperial Entry Parade Continued – 2 Days Before Coronation

There were millions in the streets packing the edges of the parade beyond the police line, and the line of Royal Gendarmerie. Most were truly excited at the prospect of even glimpsing the Empress's vehicle, though they would not be able to glimpse the Empress herself unless they received one of the 300,000 secure tickets to the Outer Forum where massive grandstands had been erected around causing it to resemble by this point a massive stadium with an entrance.

Despite some controversial aspects of the rise of the new Empress, these were kept secret or were more knowledge for those “in the know” on different levels. Because of the controlled press, there were few comparatively that were “in the know” on the more detailed political situation in Aerion. Most except for leftists were very happy with the monarchy relatively, and tended to blame the megacorporations in Aerion with most of the problems. Many viewed the monarchy as the only barrier between them, and domination by the megacorporations. The primary people who had a problem with the domination of the monarchy were those who wanted political freedoms, but this was a surprisingly small percentage of the population among the timid Aerionian people who had not ever been accustomed to a true democracy. Many saw democratic nation as weaker.

The overall feeling of the crowds was therefore exuberant as the parade passed them. Now the grand master of ceremonies had passed in his Adinas Star Coach along with others at the fore of the parade such as the 1st Royal Palace Guard Cavalry Company, one standard bearer at the fore of the escort of the grand master of ceremonies carrying a standard bearing the Imperial Crest. Their white uniforms with black boots, silver cuirasses, and silver helmets with white plumes made them appear striking. To the left, and right of straddled back a bit were carrying vexilloids with silver staffs bearing the Imperial Crest, with a silver white wolf at the top.

The fore of the parade had now moved onto the Royal Avenue, and were drawing just to the edge of the Outer Forum where the temporary grandstands in a stadium line design had been erected. Massive screens around the edge of the Outer Forum, and all along the avenue showed close up scenes of the parade for those with less spots.

As the fore of the parade reached the Royal Avenue, massive tons of shiny purple, white, gold, and silver confetti begin to be blown into the air. People threw confetti, but machines atop the buildings lining the Royal Avenue with fans blew confetti into the air. It was a massive glittering phenomena.

Now came to the back of the marching parade, and centered before the mechanized parade the Imperial Contingent. Royal Royal Palace Guard Motorcycle Squadrons led the fore of this. Riding behind them for ceremony sake were the Empress's Own Cavalry of the Royal Bodyguard wearing elaborate white cloaks over their white dress uniforms, silver cuirass, and an elaborate silver helmet with white plume. They rode upon white war horses. Behind them were five Adinas Star Coaches carrying various members newly appointed to the Imperial Court. Three limousines followed each separated by yet more Royal Guard Motorcycle Squadrons. Inside one of these state limousines was the Empress herself, and in the others were officials of the Imperial Court including the new Imperial Great Officers of State the Empress had appointed. Flanking the limousines and Adinas Star Coaches were the elite Royal Bodyguard Company of the Royal Guard, the actual men charged with protecting the sovereign themselves. Some Royal Bodyguard were flanking regularly dressed Royal Bodyguards were wearing the elaborate uniforms of the cavalry on the horses.

The entire parade continued, the fore of the parade drawing closer to the Outer Forum across the river from the main district of the Royal District. A rain of glittering confetti falling from the sky on all. Millions in the crowd cheering loudly as the Empress's Contingent approached.

[Angenteria]

The Royal Palace

“Well, this is certainly nice.” Adrian remarked, draining the remains of ice water and placing the elaborately-decorated glass onto the small table. The trip to the Royal Palace had gone off quickly and without a hitch, the Aerions taking care to clear the roads of all traffic well before their arrival. When they did get to the palace, they were promptly greeted by a Royal Footman and a pair of Royal Guardsmen, all three in their elaborate and decorated uniforms, who had, after a complete series of formal introductions and protocol, escorted them through the inner corridors of the finely decorated and elaborate palace towards their apartments. Being an emperor, Adrian and his entourage had been given the highest-level apartments, a full eight-room suite constructed in the neo-baroque format and decorated to the brim with real gold and extravagant jewels built into the construction. It was a stunning place, for sure. The Imperial Palace in Angenteria being built of a white and black marble neoclassical fashion, the baroque atmosphere was quite a change of pace.

Not that it was a bad thing, of course.

Juliana tutted, her eyes fixed on the television screen, which depicted the grand festivities that were taking place within Astevane just a few short miles away. Elaborately uniformed and decorated soldiers marched in perfect step along a wide boulevard, while the crowed cheered their progress.

“It’s quite an elaborate display.” She commented, leaning back on the sofa. Adrian turned his attention to the TV.

“It reminds me of the post-war victory parade back home.” He added. “Over something as a change of royal titles, doesn’t it seem a bit excessive?”

Juliana raised her eyebrow, a sly grin encroaching on her face. “And that, my dear husband-to-be, is where you are wrong.” She sat forward, eager to explain. “You know that Aerion is home to a more than a few of extremely powerful multi-national corporations and business interests, right?”

“Yeah.” Adrian nodded. “But I don’t-“

“Then you’re aware of how the Aerionian crown, by law, must own at least 10% in every publicly traded corporation based here.

“Yes. But I still-”

“Think about it, Adrian.” She tilted her head to the side, pushing some blonde hair out of her eyes. “The private sector always hates it when the government gets involved with their affairs. The tension created between the crown and the corporations in this country has to be very high.”

“So then…” Adrian said, thinking about it. “It’s a display of power more than anything.”

Juliana smiled. “And we have a winner. The government wants to show everybody they’re still running the show here. Moreso than just a small change of titles.” She looked back at the TV. “And they’re doing just that.”

“Hmm.” Adrian wondered. It seemed he still had a lot to learn about the intricacies of politics. “I suppose having a trail of foreign leaders and diplomats behind Her Majesty the Empress only moves to solidify that.”

“Indeed so.” Captain Thaddeus entered from the side door, another black and red uniformed Angenterian Imperial Guardsman at his side. They bowed. “We’ve checked and secured all the rooms of the apartment, Your Majesty. You are both free to move around safely.”

“Why thank you Captain!” Adrian grinned. “I am so glad to be informed that I may move around my own quarters without something exploding in my face.”

Captain Thaddeus hesitated. “I meant no disrespect, Your Majesty, I simply wanted to ensure your security…”

Adrian waved his hand. “It’s alright, Captain, it was a compliment.” He laughed, before crossing over to the good captain and patting him on the shoulder. “Thank you, Dominick.” He could try to explain that it would be incredibly stupid for Aerion to murder the visiting Emperor of the Holy Imperium and his fiancée while still in the Royal Palace. But he knew that would be completely lost on him. If it was up to Dominick, Adrian would never leave the Imperial Palace.

[Sebastianalandia]

The Royal Palace

"Luxury unheard-of... if it wasn't being offered to us, I'd be disgusted!" Vladicoff joked, to the chuckling of his entourage. The Sebastianalandians had settled in to their head-of-state's apartment in bewilderment. Vladicoff had led his amazed men into each room. He himself, though he had visited plenty of foreign lands, had never experienced such comfort. His chambers in the People's Palace, luxurious by austere Sebastianalandian standards, was rough and cramped. The flats of his top magnates were little better than servant's quarters.

Vladicoff dropped his coat on his bed and unbuttoned his jacket. Picking up a finely-decorated glass of ice water, he poured it down his stiff neck. Shaking himself dry, he clicked his heel and called to Vlasík:

"Comrade Vlasík, order your men to search everything. Keep two men posted outside the door at all times, and a third inside the door to announce anyone. As for yourself, your side-room's bed can be drawn up next to mine in the master bedroom. Guards are to be kept only at crucial doors; do not vaste them. At least half the guard, preferably more, should be resting and ready at any one time."

As Vlasík saluted and barked out orders to his jackboot-shod squadron, Vladicoff paced around a bit more, looking at the anteroom.

"Pauker and Anatoli, establish this place as your office. You know the drill."

A bit more pacing, as the bare-chested Vozhd removed his own jackboots. Then the door knocked. Vlasík, who was heading towards it with three PKVS men, looked into the peephole. Evidently, it was someone he recognized, as he didn't question the visitor, but gestured to the Vozhd.

"Let him in, comrade."

A haggard man, looking very rat-like in his trenchcoat and cheap felt hat, stepped in. Removing these two articles, he revealed an immaculate dark suit and tie. He was a Sebastianalandian spy.

"My Vozhd," he began, saluting and changing his accent with each word. "I have... disturbing news."

"Da, comrade?"

"I was witness to an event... I should tell you in private."

"You heard him, comrades, out! Vlasík, stay, but plug your ears. Am I understood?"

"Yes, my Vozhd!" they answered in unison before dispersing.

"My Vozhd, the news is grave. Aparently, some young persons (students, probably, to judge from their appearances) pulled out a red banner during the Parade. Yes, my Vozhd, 'our' kind of 'Red'. Within minutes, they were dragged off by armed thugs - in uniform."

Vladicoff lost the wind in his lungs. A pair of idealists - probably not even full Communists, probably just progressives or at most socialists - had been dragged away by security officials. What would happen to devoted Marxist-Leninists, to ruthless Bolsheviks, such as himself? For the first time in Aerion, he feared for his life.

As he turned away and motioned that the guards return, he whispered to the spy: "No-one is to know".

[Brasland]

Royal Palace, Astevane

As the Braslandian delegation arrived to the Royal Palace, a Royal Footman received them. "Your Highness, welcome to Aerion."

"Thank you", said Sophia, with a serene tone.

The Royal Footman, as well as two Royal guards, guided them through the enormous building, crossing through impressive rooms. Sophia, used to the simple elegance and austerity of Braslandian palaces, was overwhelmed by the luxury of the Aerionan Court. Margot had a similar reaction, looking everything with a strange sense of awe, while Josef Werner observed every detail and kept it in his memory. He would later write a report to the Ministry back in Brasland.

When they reached the Grand Staircase a court official received them. The group was joined by an attache to the Aerionan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with whom Josef quickly started a conversation. Sophia barely spoke during the way to her appartments, though she gently replied a few questions about her homeland made by the Ministry's attache. The elevator took them to the third floor, where the Grand Master of Ceremonies' assistant showed the princess her rooms. The appartments were very spacious, and Sophia was satisfied. The view from her bedroom was beautiful, as it overlooked the gardens of the palace. She and Margot would stay at the appartments, while Josef Werner would be assigned a room in the staff section, very distant from theirs. Men, especially those who were not royal relatives or Court officials, were not allowed to sleep near the female members of the Braslandian royal family.

[Aerion]

Royal Palace
Astevane

The Royal Palace, soon to be the Imperial Palace in the center of Astevane, and to some extent the whole Royal District itself was an exercise in ordered chaos. The Royal Palace was a hub of activity with hundreds milling about in prime hours, for the most prat in the Grand Wing and the Government Wing. The Royal Residence itself was also somewhat busy. There was the prime issue of the Royal Aerionian Court, now the Imperial Aerionian Court coming alive.

The Empress's brother, the late Crown Prince Regent Damoen Wasterin had kept a very modest household as he refused to be crowned, and the court could have barely been called a court. The late King Wasterin X in restoring the monarchy as he did had chosen, as other great modern monarchies had, to look toward the old European courts. He gad looked particularly France and other European monarchies for inspiration as well as ancient tradition.

The late Crown Prince Regent had shunned most of these trappings, but it was clear the new Empress would not. It appeared she may even rise beyond the scale of King Wasterin X. Therefore the restoration of the Imperial Aerionian Court would happen on a grand scale. Already the Empress had inaugurated the Ministry of the Imperial Court, an entire Ministry that would occupy half the Government Wing in the Royal Palace or more. It would barely accommodate the Ministry which it was understood would employee over 6,000 including those whom worked directly in the Imperial Household.

There was even discussion that the offices of the various Ministers of the Council of Ministers might have to be removed from the Government Wing to another palace in the Royal District or to their respective Ministry's headquarters to accommodate the Ministry of the Imperial Court. The offices of the Lord High Steward now retitled the Imperial High Chancellor and other Great Officers of State would probably remain to keep them close to the Empress.

At the same time as their offices being moved around, numerous Great Officers of State, court officials, Ministers, and their families would find themselves being moved into the Royal Palace as a matter of the formation of the Imperial Aerionian Court. They would be given apartments on the third floor of the Royal Residence for ceremonial, and practical use if they wished. These would be given according to need, preference, and the Empress's whims.

In addition to this flurry of new officials, new employees, and new servants moving into the Royal Palace there were the preparations happening for the coronation. Grandstands were being erected in the Inner Courtyard, an completely golden gilded arc was being erected in front of the portico to the Grand Wing. Massive bunting, and purple banners bearing the Imperial Crest hung from each side of the Grand Wing of the Royal Palace to the north of the Inner Courtyard. The Royal Office of Security was busy monitoring everyone along with the Royal Guard.

There was also a lot happening behind the scenes. The Empress's new Imperial Monogram was being placed on numerous things including all of the linens in the Royal Palace, some guests might find their linens changed overnight with new pillowcases depicting the Imperial Monogram. A brand new standard plate service of over 6000 pieces in real gold trim would be ordered with the new Imperial Monogram, and also a Coronation Plate Service. All stationery, and everything else would need to be changed. The massive task of changing everything for the new moniker of Imperial rather than Royal in English, French, and Old Aerion on numerous things was a task all in itself.

It was a fact kept hidden that only in the night before the newly appointed Master of the Imperial Household over all of the domestic “below stairs” operations had killed himself, only in the post a month. He hung himself with a curtain rope in his chambers as it was rumored this one detail may have set him off that new curtain ropes had been ordered for the Royal Residence, and this one for a particular room was in the wrong style. The official reason issued was that he had a heart attack, which most also assumed was from the demand of the job. It was rumored the Empress was particularly demanding at the moment, but the job in itself was hard enough.

This was in addition to the already new daily bustle the Royal Palace would have. The Empress had rooms re-opened that her brother had sealed off or given little attention.

Maids of various types including maids just for linen, footmen, ushers, waiters, pages, guards, security, and numerous others of the Imperial Household milled through the Royal Residence particularly. Fresh flowers were distributed by the palace florist. There were many other servants that were in addition to the valets or “gentleman's gentleman” or lady's maid who many of the great personages of Aerion, and high ranking government officials often hired. There were also the servants those visiting dignitaries had brought along. Their wives often had their own as well. Not to mention the personal assistants they also typically had.

[Sebastianalandia]

As the time passed, preparations for the upgrade to the Imperial Court began to escalate to a feverish pitch, the Sebastianalandian delegation was deeply confused in its emotions. A few, principally the younger aides, marvelled in wonder. A handful of the older fellows had a very faint nostalgia for the times of the monarchy. But most of them, especially Vladicoff, were repulsed and digusted.

"Vhat a vaste!" Vladicoff muttered, as the announcement of a 'Ministry of the Imperial Court' was made. "The poor of this land starve, vhile this royalist spends the wealth of ten nation just on... on monogrammes!"

Now, the preparations and remodellings in the Sebastianalandian quarters went less than efficiently. The concierges who arrived to remodell were met by a stern interrogation by Vlasík, forcing them to return with letters authorizing their entry. Once there, they went about changing the curtains and such with little trouble.

The trouble came with the pillows. Some of the maids fainted as revolvers were found underneath virtually every pillow. As one of the attendants started to indignantly complain, the towering Vladicoff leaned over darkly, drawing a line under his throat. No-one was to know.

After this mini-'incident', Vladicoff began to spend more time outside his apartment, accompanied by his bodyguard Vlasík, half of his security squadron, the Party Orator, and usually one or two civilian aides. He began to leave Anatoli and Greggor behind to run operations, filing through the mounds of reports and information from home, from the Royal Palace authorities, and from spies. The industrial commissar, with a single guard, was sent to tour the city and interview both workers and factory bosses. Pauker was stationed with various Court officials, learning the comings-and-goings of the Imperial entourage.

[Aerion]

Imperial Entry Parade In The Outer Forum - 2 Days Before Coronation

The last half mile of the Imperial Entry Parade would culminate in the parade ending in the Outer Forum surrounded by massive grandstands with screens showing the images to the crowds, and the Imperial Entry Ceremony itself. Nearly over a million in all flooded the immediate edges of the large oval Outer Forum and the streets leading off of it. They especially crowded the Royal Avenue. A massive temporary golden gilded triumphal arch stood over where the Royal Avenue entered the Outer Forum between the grandstands, and then continued through across the massive stone bridge over the river Aste to the main gates of the Royal District. A permanent marble triumphal arch stood over the start of the bridge across the River Aste.

Nearly 400,000 were seated in the high grandstands that resembled a stadium around the Outer Forum. Though they were temporary, they were extremely elaborate temporary structures. For foreign delegates, Royal officials, and dignitaries the middle of the grandstand seating were enclosed glass structures like the club floor of stadiums looking out over the Outer Forum. Elaborate red canopies covered the glass boxes. This VIP section was linked by guarded bridges and platforms to a luxury ferry that conveyed guests across the river Aste from the a special river gate by a canal in the Royal District. The canal passed through the western side of the Royal District, out through this river gate, and so the ferry conveyed passengers to a special secure erected dock on the river. This allowed the VIPs to avoid the crowds to view the Imperial Entry Parade, and culminating ceremony. The Royal Airship drifted overhead nearby now.

Underneath the massive marble triumphal arch of three arches carved with scenes of the history of the city of Astevane, and the people with elaborate reliefs emerging from it. Under the massive central arch all four lanes of the Royal Avenue were able to pass, across the stone bridge. Across this roadway at the front of this arch had been built a massive stage covered in purple bunting on top of which was a massive purple canopy topped with a large vane of a bejeweled golden white wolf gilded in white gold. Steps lead up to this. A purple runner carpet trimmed in gold started at the bottom of these steps, lead through the canopied stage, through steps behind the canopied stage and across the bridge all the way to the gates into the Royal District.

The last half mile of the Imperial Entry Parade was the most elaborate. Confetti of shiny white, gold, purple, and silver was blown by machines across the parade route as it moved. Here for the last half mile of the parade on the Royal Avenue, and into the Outer Forum around the edges of the Forum thousands of Royal Guard wearing their ceremonial white cloaks over cuirass breastplates, silver helms with white plumes lined the entire route. These were drawn from the Royal Palace Guard that guarded the Royal Palace, and mostly from the general units of the Royal Guard that were responsible for policing the Royal District as it was considered a demesne of the Crown.

Behind them in separate ranks were Royal Gendarmerie on their horses wearing their more functional dress uniforms of burgundy jackets, black kelpis, and black pants. Yet behind them in further ranks were the Astevane police. The police were replaced by Royal Marines on the long stone bridge crossing the river Aste to the Royal District facing outward toward the river. In front of them along the sides of the bridge were the Royal Gendarmerie on horses facing inward toward the bridge who wore a more traditional cavalry uniform, copper cuirass and helmets replacing their kelpis. Then the Royal Guards in full ceremonial uniform once again. The bridge was empty except for these units, awaiting the arrival of the Empress.

The massive military style parade entered the Outer Forum led by the standard bearer carrying a purple standard with the Imperial Crest. Flanking the standard bearer were two other Royal Guard Cavalry carrying traditional vexilloids on silver staffs bearing the Imperial Crest, with a silver white wolf at the top. They were followed by the elegant Adinas Star Coach black car carrying the grand master of ceremonies, flanked by the two Royal Guard in ceremonial uniform of silver cuirass, white cloaks, and silver helmet with white plumes.

Behind the Adinas Star Coach car carrying the grand master of ceremonies was the 1st Royal Palace Guard Cavalry Company on white horses dressed the same as the others in full ceremonial uniform with silver cuirass, white cloaks, and silver helmet with white plumes. Following them was the Royal Guard band. Then came jeeps carrying the Imperial High Command. Then of course came the full battalion of Royal Marines in dark blue dress uniforms with red piping, and white beret with blue stripes led by the elite Royal Marine Band. Following were the various units of the Royal Aerionian Navy led by the Admirality and various officers, various distinct units including the Subarmine Force. They wore blue dress uniforms with white peak caps. Then came the various units of the Royal Aerionian Army in their tan dress uniforms and black berets , the Special Forces with burgundy berets. Then came the Royal Air Force with their gray dress uniforms, gray peak caps with red stripes for special units. Finally came the Royal Gendarmerie in their black pants, burgundy jackets, and black kelpis led at the fore by the ceremonial cavalry unit wearing the same but with a copper cuirass, and copper helmets. Then the Royal Maritime Gendarmerie in their blue jackets with burgundy piping. Then came various reserve units, 20 companies each representing each Provincial Guard in their individual uniforms usually resembling the Royal Armys often led by a ceremonial cavalry or band, then various units such as the Diplomatic Security Service, Ministry of the Interior Security Service, and the Ministry of Public Security or national police. The police uniforms of light blue shirts, black pants, blue jackets, and light blue kelpis. Some officers wore peak caps.

Finally came the center of the parade itself, the Imperial Contingent before the mechanized part of the parade of tanks and vehicles. Royal Guard Motorcycle Squadrons on sleek polished deep purple motorcycles in threes in a formation of three led the fore of this, followed for ceremonial purposes the Empress's Own Cavalry of the Royal Bodyguard wearing elaborate white cloaks over their white dress uniforms piped in purple, silver cuirass, and slver helmet with white plumes riding upon white war horses. Behind them were five more black Adinas Star Coach sedan cars carrying various members of the newly appointed Imperial Court and some appointed Ministers. Followed by three Royal Guard Motorcycles, then three black modern looking limousines followed each separated by a squadron of Royal Guard Motorcycle. In one of these limousines was presumably the Empress herself, and in the others the highest members of the Imperial Court including the newly appointed Great Officers of State. Marching along side the Adinas Star Coach cars and the limousines were the elite Royal Bodyguard in their white uniforms piped in purple. Some were dressed ceremonially at the fore of the cars in full white cloak with silver helmets, but many were dressed to actually guard.

Following came over twenty massive tanks, and further military vehicles all the way back to police and fire department vehicles at the end.

[Sebastianalandia]

The Sebastianalandian delegation had visited the massive parade from time to time. For reasons of security, Vladicoff and a brace of guards had quietly slipped out of the Royal Palace and meandered into random parts of the crowd. Vladicoff was a tall man, and his guards had been handpicked partially for their size, and they pushed through the crowds with ease, a solid mass of black and dark grey in a motley sea.

Recordings were made of the most impressive parts of the parade (so it could be used to improve the already formidable Sebastianalandian military desfiles), and photos snapped. After a while of observation, the huddle would return to the palace to carry on with business, before returning to the parade-field in a different location.

[Xirnium]

‘We are all moths,’ Adolphine Angadrême said to her aide, Védast, as she steepled her fingers. ‘Groping in the dark towards something terrible or divine. Do you not agree?’

There was a resonate, metallic quality to Angadrême’s high, hollow voice. She bowed. Her aide, seated with a gigantic, half-globe shaped glass of dandelion wine only slightly smaller than his head held in his thin, white-gloved hand, made a slight bow back.

‘I have been consulting the oracle,’ Angadrême continued in her flanged, vacantly echoing voice. She now studied the tarot card critically, bending due to a slight failure of correction by her gleaming iron-rimmed eyeglasses. ‘I obtained to my surprise the auspicious card the King that Was Not. “And the Gods said, ‘Dreamed We of a King?’ And the Gods answered, ‘Nay, We dreamed not’. But in the royal palace, the King, passing suddenly out of the memories of the Gods, became no longer a thing that was or had ever been.” Auspicious, most auspicious.’

Pausing, Angadrême reflected in the gloom-shrouded purple of a high-backed wing chair gilt-edged and swathed in maroon velvet.

Védast watched her expectantly as the seconds were counted quietly by a gaunt, tall longcase clock with richly inlaid wooden surfaces framed and adorned by magnificently gilded Rococo ornaments in bronze. Angadrême hid underneath a long, sleeveless enveloping cloak, a very dark purple like clotted blood. The material stretched tight as though it would split around her thin shoulders and her arms, which she folded tightly over her breast, though it draped and swirled below her waist. The body of the cloak, cape and collar were trimmed with a very wide ribbon figured in velvet, of two shades of purple. Upon her dark hair of wispy, feathered bangs along with shoulder-length layers, a tall, bent stovepipe hat of office, also purple, rose coldly, a vague topsail half lost in a darkling sky. A row of silver-gilt buttons ornamented the front of the hat.

‘You understand that Queen Ameria, who as you know is shortly to be coronated, holds to the imperial ideology regarding the science of government. I could make the effort to dazzle her guests into a better comprehension with our moral conviction and the nobility of our quest for justice and human dignity, share with them our dreams with which our Elderflower Revolution would forge anew reality, but it is not our task to convert.’

‘I see,’ Védast said, his long, pale face twisted with painful concentration.

‘Therefore we will cater to their prejudice with our cold good manners, careless insults and touchy pride.’ Again the synthetic magnetic resonance in her tone.

‘Yes, Ambassador.’

‘Which nations are attending the coronation?’ Angadrême said. ‘Briefly, the notables.’

‘Princess Hope of Excalbia,’ Védast said.

‘Excalbia. With an ideological orientation suggesting a covenant theological Calvinistic viewpoint exacerbated by a Quaker spirit of earnestness that informs their whole public and private way of life.’ This all delivered dispassionately in Angadrême’s obscurely modulated voice.

‘Next, Prince Andreus of Pantocratoria.’

‘Said to be unhealthy, probably even morbidly so in terms of unnatural appetites. The lurid image of this gallows climber in a Caesar’s toga with pet jackals, owning an immense castle brimming with trophies and art objects looted from the Greek-speaking proletariat is no doubt accurate. His sybaritic excesses have given rise to the misguiding image of a moronic wine-tippling disposition which I urge you to reject.’ Angadrême brought a glass of absinthe infused with honey and dried lavender to her thin, blue lips, it shone like jade in sunlight.

The desk intercom buzzed mutely.

‘Ambassador, news has come from the press service below. Queen Ameria’s triumphal entry has reached its finale.’

Angadrême thought quietly and sipped her absinthe. ‘I want the embassy to be in a position to receive instructions from Närväryn instantly.’ A white-gloved finger pressed the intercom button. ‘Ariádna, be sure we are through to the Foreign Ministry. Tell the switchboard operators to be alert. We must not miss a communication.’

‘Yes, Ambassador.’

[Pantocratoria]

Astevane International Airport
Prince Andreus, the Duchess of Montmanuel, and their daughter Marie-Jeanne had their own private apartment on-board the Peacock Airlines 747, which more resembled a (admittedly a small and strangely shaped) drawing room in a stately country estate back in Pantocratoria than it did a cabin on-board a pressurised metal tube fresh from hurtling across the Western Atlantic. The rest of the huge aircraft contained various government employees and the Despot of New Constantinople's personal staff and security. Despite the fact that he was travelling with 103 other passengers, the Despot was in full compliance with Aerion's advised requirements. His own entourage was small - the rest of the aircraft transported new staff for the Pantocratorian Embassy to Aerion, and would return back to Pantocratoria when the festivities were over carrying many of the staff presently serving at the Pantocratorian Embassy, now recalled to Pantocratoria.

The Despot was aware of the other passengers on the flight, but not of the reasons for which the Embassy's staff was being so extensively cycled. In part, the change of government at the recent Pantocratorian election had started a low but steady purge of various embassies which were regarded as being filled with Socialist/Constantinople Coalition supporters, to be replaced by "good patriots" (i.e. United Christian Front supporters). The Embassy to Aerion was high on the new Foreign Minister's hitlist, and Ambassador Alec St Pierre must have rated his chances of being re-appointed at the end of his five year appointment to Aerion as highly dubious. So large a "cycling" did not represent an exclusively domestic political change, however. The Imperial Foreign Intelligence Service was alarmed by recent developments in Aerion leading to the accession of the new Aerionian Empress. Given how quickly events had developed, IFIS both lacked confidence in the abilities of the staff being cycled out and recommended that the Government expand the Embassy's capacity urgently to deal with an uncertain political situation in one of Pantocratoria's most misunderstood allies. These machinations were beneath the attention of His Imperial Highness.

Prince Andreus remained in peak physical condition at the age of 32, still maintaining a physique achieved only by the very wealthy and very vain, although he did find it slightly more demanding now than he had a few years earlier. He was dressed for the occasion in a specially-made military dress uniform glittering with medals. The uniform belonged to no branch of the Pantocratorian armed forces, a recent innovation in Imperial Protocol (which so rarely afforded innovations even to the Crown Prince). At the start of the war in Iesus Christi, the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator had announced that no member of the Imperial Family or Prince of the Blood would wear the uniform of a branch of the Imperial Military unless he served in that branch of the military. Instead, at occasions where a prince would normally wear a military uniform, he would now wear a dress uniform which did not belong to any service. Several gossip magazines had labelled it the Imperial Ribbon Cutting Service Dress Uniform, but it looked very smart regardless.

Madame Henriette de Montmanuel, estranged wife of the Commander Coalition Armed Forces, Western Front, Iesus Christi, was still an exquisite beauty at age 30, and was dressed in the finest example of New Constantinople court fashion. New Constantinople court fashion was similar to the fashion worn in the Pantocratorian capital, but permitted Madame de Montmanuel to reveal more of her milky neck and shoulders (although naturally, still within very tasteful specifications). She was now openly acknowledged as the Despot of New Constantinople's mistress, and everyone who had picked up a Pantocratorian women's magazine in the last five years knew it. Nevertheless, the Emperor still refused to officially acknowledge her, or the couple's five year-old daughter. Marie-Jeanne was a charming little girl, dressed in the same style (although naturally in different colours) to her mother, and if the Emperor of Pantocratoria had been any man but the Emperor of Pantocratoria, he could not help but be happy to have a grand-daughter. Marie-Jeanne was old enough that she was just beginning to understand that sometimes she was treated strangely, and it was usually when she was wearing formal gowns like the one she was wearing today.

The Despot of New Constantinople and his family had arrived in Astevane for the coronation of Empress Amanda Wasterin, while the Western Atlantic waged war in Iesus Christi, and while Pantocratoria's diplomatic and intelligence establishment felt more uncertain about the future of the region than it had for some time.

[Brasland]

Royal Palace, Astevane

After the maids had left the room, Princess Sophia rested in a chair. She looked simply stunning in her light blue outfit. Her long dark blonde hair fell behind her shoulders, while her closed eyes and heart-shaped lips were so relaxed and gave her such a serene expression that a stranger would think she was an angel.

She was exhausted and wanted to rest, but she feared her presence would be required later for some Court event. Next to her was Baroness Kiralyi, sitting on an elegant white sofa, reviewing her mistress' schedule. "Nothing for today, Your Highness. At least it seems so, unless there is some reception or banquet we've not been informed of. Do you want me to call the Grand Master of Ceremonies' Office?"

"Yes, please, Margot", the princess replied.

She grabbed a book, one that she had began reading in Markund. She thought it would help her to distract, but she was wrong. Her mind worked quickly, thinking of a way to solve her complicated situation in Markund. Her brother, King George IV, viewed her as a threat to his plans for the kingdom, and her political enemies had used her absence to increase their attacks against her lack of diplomatic abilities. George even threatened her to ask for her resignation to the Non-Proliferation League, after the debacle she had caused at the extraordinary meeting in Markund. Half of the representatives had been offended by Sophia's words, and only the King's appearance had saved the meeting from disaster. At eighteen years old, she felt she had lived more lives than she should have. She sighed, only acknowledging the Baroness's presence when she was in front of her. "Your Highness, are you alright?"

"Yes, Margot", she said, trying to regain her composure. Margot was her closest friend in Markund, the only one in whom she could trust entirely, but she did not want to overwhelm her with her own problems. "What did the Grand Master said?"

"Oh, I spoke with one of his assistants, it seems there's nothing for today", answered the Baroness.

With a relieved expression, Sophia stood up. However, Margot looked at her with a worried expression. "I know what you are thinking, Sophia, and there's only one solution for your problem."

The princess looked at her with surprise, almost shock. How could she knew what her problems were? How could she find a solution to something Sophia knew was impossible to solve? In her own mind, there were two options: exile or renouncing to all possible participation in politics, and she wouldn't accept either of them. "It's not something I want to discuss now, Margot."

"Marriage", said the Baroness. "Marry a foreign prince."

"What?", she couldn't believe what she was listening to. "And you think marrying a foreigner will solve my problems? What makes you think that I want to live outside Brasland, Margot? And how you dare to give me advice when I have not asked you?"

Sophia was upset at what she considered her friend's impertinence. Margot had no idea of how hard was to try to live each day to fulfill other people's expectations of her. She was about to leave the room, but Margot continued. "I dare to advice a friend who needs it, even if her pride does not let her accept it. Brasland is too small for you and George, and he is the King, so the logic for you is to either become the standard princess who cuts ribbons and gives dull speeches or marry a foreign monarch and rule his country with him. You are ambitious, but if you continue acting like you have you will damage the monarchy, Sophia. Your brother fought hard for the restoration and you are not helping him to consolidate his position. However, a foreign alliance will help him."

Margot Kiralyi's logic was irrefutable. It was hard to accept, but Sophia had become an obstacle for her own family. However, could she accept a marriage with a prince who would expect her to be just a wife, a mother for his children, a beautiful and glamorous face two steps behind him, with no ideas of her own and no right to express them? Margot was right, but finding the right husband would be very difficult. Sophia looked at her friend with a defeated look. For once in her life she had nothing to say.

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NSWiki entry on Princess Sophia of Brasland: http://www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Princess_Sophia