NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Following Lavenrunz' resurgence into world affairs
(see thread http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=372610)
IC:


To His Imperial Majesty, Andreus of Pantocratoria

It is Our desire that Our minister in Pantocratoria, Count Rosenburg, be received at Your court, should You desire it, as Our Ambassador Extraordinary.
At such a time when Our mutual forces in Syskeyia may find themselves shedding blood alongside one another in the name of the sovereignty of a helpless country attacked by tyrants, surely it would be to Our mutual benefit to strengthen ties.
Therefore, should Your Majesty accept this, We appoint Our Count Rosenburg as Ambassador Extraordinary to Pantocratoria, with the right to make known Our hopes and desires for relations.

We are, in all friendship
Aurora von Sachshausen
Empress of Lavenrunz

http://members.iinet.net.au/~a_marrington/ns/achievement.gif

To: Her Imperial Majesty Aurora von Sachshausen, Empress of Lavenrunz

Your Majesty,

We accept Your gracious offer, and look forward to receiving Your Ambassador Extraordinary, Monsieur le Comte de Rosenburg, at the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator at Our earliest possible convenience, to discuss the situation unfolding in the Syskeyian Republic, and other topics, including appointing an ambassador of Our own to Your Majesty.

Further, We offer You the Palais des Jardins in New Rome to serve as Your permanent embassy in the Empire, and sincerely hope that Your Majesty will accept.

Fraternal regards, to You, imperial sister,

ANDREUS
Emperor of Pantocratoria, Autocrator of the Romans, Caesar Augustus, King of France and Navarre, et al.

Given by our own hand in the thirty-first year of our reign at the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator, New Rome, on the Feast Day of St. Ansgar

Major Wolfmar tried not to rise and pace as he sat in the almost decadently elegant room in the Palais des Jardins, waiting for Count Rosenburg to read his report.
The Count was known to be an elegant diplomat to foreigners and an utter terror to any under his supervision. He was exacting, calculating and tyrannical, used to running affairs at the highest levels of society, very independantly wealthy and of a long line of ministers, envoys, and warriors in the Court of the Von Sachshausens. Rumors that the first count was an Imperial Bastard didn't help.
A long nosed man, clean shaven, of high forehead and pianist's fingers, his grey hair was elegantly combed, and his manner of dress neat, expensive but not showy. He glanced up from the report.
"Very thorough, Major. Or do you go by Baron here?" he asked pleasantly.
"Usually by Baron, sir." he replied.
"Ah." Rosenburg looked up as his aide knocked on the door, which was slightly ajar. "Yes?"
"The bookshelves, Excellency..."
"In the room facing the garden on the center left wing." he said curtly. "As is in my instructions. You've lost them?"
"No, Excellency."
"Good. Now, Baron, I should like you to arrange for an audience of reception. I confirm you as my military attache but you'll have to act as charge d'affaires until she arrives. Clear?"
"Sir." Wolfmar was carefully expressionless, but he was thinking, "dear God, anyone but Rosenburg."

Count Rosenburg's car was admitted into the sprawling palace complex of the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator, and parked at the edge of the inner courtyard. A troop of the Varangian Guard, tall Scandinavian men dressed in splendid uniforms somewhat reminiscent of Ancient Rome, snapped to attention, offering their salute as the Ambassador and his entourage proceeded up the vast courtyard along the red carpet towards the entrance of the palace proper. A bronze statue of St Constantine the Great dominated the courtyard, and the cold carved eyes of the emperor stared down at the Lavenrunzian delegation as they were led into the palace's cavernous "waiting room".

The waiting chamber had a gently-domed ceiling, decorated with a Byzantine-style icon of Christ the Pantocrator which looked down on the Count with haunting eyes. The stylistic clashes for which the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator was so well known started immediately beneath the dome, the oldest part of the palace (since this waiting room over which the icon watched was the original great hall), with huge marble pillars standing in the corners of the room (the pillars served no structural purpose, being added in the 17th century). On the wall to the Ambassador's left was a huge painting labelled "Le Martyre de Constantine XI", depicting the final moments of the battle between the defenders of Constantinople and the Ottoman Turks. Into each of the tiles on the floor were carved the initials "L & T", interwoven to form one letter with a T's top and an L's bottom, commemorating the 1810 marriage of Louis XVII, titular King of France, and the Empress Theodora II Comnenus.

At the end of the room were two massive bronze doors, with three Varangians standing in front of each door. Flanking the doorway were two marble statues, each dressed in imperial gowns of ancient Rome. One was the Roman Emperor Augustus, and the other was the Pantocratorian Emperor Constantine XVIII Comnenus (in the middle of whose reign in the early 17th century the statues were installed, along with the pillars). The doors at the other side of the chamber swung open, revealing a glimpse of the great hall behind them. As the doors opened, trumpets blared to announce the Ambassador's arrival.

The great hall made the entrance chamber seem tiny by comparison, with huge marble pillars stretching from the floor all the way to the ornately decorated ceiling, spanning more than three stories in height (evidenced by the two levels of balconies which run along both sides of the hall). Underneath the balconies on each side stood dozens of members of the Imperial court. In the centre of the chamber was an imposing throne structure on a platform of its own, and seated on that throne wearing stark black encrusted with millions of ducats worth of diamonds was the Emperor, a tall man with gray hair and a well-kept beard. A man in golden armour stoods on the platform at the foot of the throne; the Imperial Champion, Sir Constantine the Hardy. Standing on the platform behind Sir Constantine were two pretty teenage girls dressed in identical gowns, both wearing purple sashes. Across the otherside of the platform stood a young man around his early twenties, wearing a tuxedo with a purple sash.

"His Excellency, Monsieur le Comte de Rosenburg, Her Teutonic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary to the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator!" announced the herald as the Count entered the great hall.

The Emperor sat ready to receive the Count's letters from Empress Aurora, striking a figure as imposing and splendid as the statues of the palace's courtyard as he sat, serene, upon his throne.

Count Rosenburg was in formal court dress, which was a black jacket embroidered with silver oak leaves on the sleeves and lapels, a gold and silver embroidered waistcoat and a medallion of office with the image of the young Empress on it. As he approached, bearing his letters, with Baron Wolfmar slightly behind him (in military full dress: a black fur shako, green jacket with black frogging and sword) he bowed, clicking his heels, and said, "Thanks to your Majesty for receiving me. On behalf of Her Imperial Teutonic Majesty Aurora of Lavenrunz, I present my letters of appointment, signed by Her Majesty, by Her Majesty's Chancellor and Foreign Minister. And may I convey Her Majesty's warmest sentiments and hopes of friendship between these two great Empires. Also," he nodded slightly at Wolfmar, "Her Majesty hopes that your Majesty will accept this small gift as a token of Her esteem." Baron Wolfmar began to approach, and unless impeded knelt, holding out a beautiful sword of the gothic type, with a lovely cruciform of rubies at the hilt, gold wire wrapped elegantly and tightly around below that down to the pommel. "This sword, Majesty, is the sword of Duke Heinrich the Falconer, one of Her Majesty's ancestors. It is Her hope that this will signify the truth of Her heart's hope of amity."

The Emperor accepted both the letters and the sword, examining each before handing them to Sir Constantine. He took particular care in examining the sword, the quality of the craftsmanship, the richness of the inlaid jewels, the empowering weight of the blade - it was a beautiful weapon and a well-received gift.

"Welcome to the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator, Your Excellency. We are most pleased to receive you, and ask that you convey to Her Majesty our joy at receiving her ambassador, and our appreciation of her wonderful gift." said the Emperor in his usual severely formal tone. "We can only hope that our ambassadors will make as good an impression on our behalf as you gentlemen have done on behalf of your august mistress. We present our second son, Prince Constantine..."

The young man in the tuxedo nodded politely to the Count.

"...and our youngest daughters, Princess Theodora and Princess Zoë." the Emperor concluded, the two teenage princesses curtseying as he mentioned them. "Our eldest, Prince Andreus, is holding court in New Constantinople, and our eldest daughter and her husband are visiting him there."

The introductions out of the way, the Emperor got back to business.

"We hold Her Teutonic Majesty, our imperial sister, in great regard, and have long admired her house and her Empire." the Emperor said, matter-of-factly. "We are particularly pleased by the support Her Majesty's Government has shown for our mutual ally, the Syskeyian Republic, and are pleased to see Pantocratorians and Lavenrunzians standing shoulder to shoulder against our mutual enemies. We trust that they will prove to be good comrades in arms, and even better friends."

Count Rosenburg bowed deeply after the Emperor's words, his eyes closing and sighing as if to convey how great an impression they made. "I will surely convey this, your Majesty. May I also say how grateful I am for the kind reception I have been given, as if I were a well beloved subject rather than a foreign envoy."
Baron Wolfmar could not help but discreetly look at the Emperor's children. It was never very far from any Lavenrunzian's thoughts that there were currently three unmarried Archdukes and Archduchesses as well as the Empress herself.

The Emperor nodded.

"We trust that you will join us for luncheon, Your Excellency." he said. "We are looking forward to talking with you about the future of our two empires. We have invited our Foreign Minister, Monsieur Demetrios Raoul, to join us."

Count Rosenburg bowed, Wolfmar following his example, and placing his hand over his heart said, "I am honoured, Majesty, and gladly attend. It will also be a pleasure to speak with the Foreign Minister."
Wolfmar felt like a bit of a dolt--though thinking of it, there was as much pomp sometimes at the Lavenrunzian court, although he was more likely to know what it meant.

"Excellent, then we shall look forward to your company again at noon." the Emperor said, concluding the formal reception by rising to his feet. The courtiers in the hall bowed and curtsied as the Emperor stood, and remained so as he left the great hall with Sir Constantine, heading towards the French Suite, the set of drawing rooms and chambers which served as his usual offices to attend to the business of the day. After the Emperor left the hall, the courtiers rose and went back about their business, the gossips chatting with each other.

OOC: If there's anybody you'd like to RP talking with in the hall (like random courtiers, or one of the Emperor's children, feel free, and when you're ready to go on to the lunch, we'll do that)

Count Rosenburg nodded politely to Prince Constantine. "Interesting, sir. It seems that this court is very different from what I have heard reported of Prince Andreus' court in Constantinople. Would I be too bold in asking what responsibilities you hold, Prince Constantine?"

Meanwhile, Baron Wolfmar walked towards a window, feeling a bit stifled. He had found Andreus' decadence appalling, but felt somehow as if he were trapped in a museum where the air was close.

"My brother's court certainly has a reputation." Constantine replied to the Ambassador. He shook the Count's hand. "And it isn't too bold at all, Monsieur. I'm the Deputy Leader of the Opposition as part of the Loyal Christian Front, and a member of the Imperial Parliament. I was formerly the Minister for Public Safety when my uncle Prince Basil was Chancellor. A pleasure to meet you."

Princess Theodora in the meantime stepped lightly off the slightly elevated imperial platform and made her way across the floor of the hall, weaving between courtiers, towards the windows overlooking the sumptuous courtyards and formal gardens of the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator. She walked up next to Wolfmar. The attractive young princess, like the other ladies of the court, wore an ornate and beautiful gown which revealed very little and looked quite restrictive and uncomfortable - quite a difference from the dresses the women of the Despotic Court wore.

"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Theodora said to Wolfmar, following his gaze down to the formal gardens below.

Count Rosenburg was fascinated, though he hid this under keen interest. "That is extremely interesting, sir. I was not aware that members of the Imperial family were in the Pantocratorian Parliament. May I ask how your being in the opposition works then?"

Baron Wolfmar heard her voice, turned and smiled as he bowed. "Yes, Highness, it is lovely. In fact, it was making me homesick. We Lavenrunzians love our gardens. I had been expecting a shipment of rare flowers from Menelmacar and I expect I may only see them when they are already planted." His expression was somewhat wistful.

"Certainly, Monsieur." Constantine replied. "I am the elected member for the seat of St John Chrystostom's here in New Rome. Before the last election, there were seats reserved in the Parliament for members of the Imperial Family, should any members of the Imperial Family wish to take them, and I occupied one of those. The party or coalition of parties with the majority of seats is, by tradition, asked to form the Imperial Government, so His Majesty was obliged by tradition to ask the coalition of the Pantocratorian Socialist Alliance and Constantinople Party to form government, even though his family members were all in opposition. My uncle, His Majesty's brother Prince Basil, is the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, and the leader of my party. My aunt, His Majesty's sister Princess Irene, is also a member of the Parliament, although she's not a member of the Loyal Christian Front. Essentially, one is a member of the Imperial Parliament totally independent of one being a member of the Imperial Family, and therefore, no special consideration is afforded one when distinguishing government members from opposition ones. And I can assure you, it isn't as complicated as I've just made it sound."

***

Theodora's mouth turned up into a delighted smile which could melt the heart of almost anybody but her father and her aunt.

"You like flowers?" she asked. "That's so refreshing! I've never met a Pantocratorian man who'd dare admit he had the slightest interest in flowers... oh, not that I mean that you shouldn't like them, Monsieur, no, I uhh...."

Theodora had a special gift for saying silly things and then making things worse as she tried to extricate her foot from her mouth. Some found it disarming, but at the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator, where if the smallest item of cutlery were laid down on a table so much as five degrees crooked it was immediately noticeable, it wasn't a pleasant "gift" to have. She sighed and tried again.

"I'm sorry Monsieur, I just meant to say how I think it is the most natural thing in the world to have an interest in flowers. They're very beautiful." she said, smiling weakly. "Perhaps I could show you about the gardens when you're free?"

With a shake of his head, Count Rosenburg said, "No, sir, it's most informative, and explains a great deal. And so this must aid greatly in maintaining a balance of power and yet supports the throne. It is difficult, is it not, to maintain the responsibilities of Royalty and aristocracy in a changing modern world, and yet this is a good example of adaptation that does not simply fling away the values of the society in question. In our government, the Imperial Family have no such positions; they simply fulfill duties as appointed to them on the whim of the Empress. Which works well for us." he added carefully.

Wolfmar smiled at her. He felt somehow quite enchanted with this young lady, and bowing his head slightly said, "Please do not apologize, Princess. You must realize that in Lavenrunz flowers are the expression of passion that allows us to forget our sometimes grim and Teutonic formality and purposefulness. It reminds us of both the beauty and fragility of life. And it would be an honor to explore the gardens with you. I'm sorry, permit me to introduce myself. Baron Wolfmar--Her Majesty's Regiment of Jaegers. I am Military Attache to the Ambassador."

Constantine nodded, acknowledging the Count's statement.

"Indeed sir, the proper balance of democratic insitutions and imperial authority is essential to the maintenance of both, at least in Pantocratoria." he said.

***

"Theodora." replied the Princess, curtseying. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Monseigneur Wolfmar."

"It is a pleasure, Princess." replied Wolfmar, bowing. "What are we meant to be doing now, by the way? Are we to wait, or could we perhaps see the gardens now?"

"Are you to join His Majesty for lunch with the Ambassador? If you're not..." Theodora said, glancing about, noting that her brother Constantine seemed occupied with the Ambassaador. "We could go straight away, otherwise. We wouldn't get back in time if you do have to go..."

Baron Wolfmar had no time to reply, for Count Rosenburg strode up and, bowing to the Princess, said, "Ah, forgive me, Highness, but we must not miss this event! May we have the pleasure of escorting your Highness?"
Wolfmar said nothing, but his eyes twinkled as he looked at the Princess while Rosenburg awaited her reply.

"Why, certainly, Monsieur le Comte!" replied Theodora. "But... where are we going? The luncheon is a private one I understand, diplomatic business only. I'm afraid I wouldn't have very much to add to that, Monsieur. But if you'd like a tour around some of the gardens when you're done with His Majesty, I've promised to give one to Monseigneur Wolfmar, and you'd be very welcome to join us."

OOC: Theodora is involved in another thread going on at the same time - but let's assume it takes place a few weeks after the events in this thread :)

The Emperor left his meeting with the Excalbian ambassador in the Sun King room, and headed to a private dining room in the apartments adjacent to the French Suite. The private dining room could only be considered intimate by the standards of the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator. Sumptuously decorated as all the rooms of the palace were, it was abuzz with servants. The Foreign Minister, Demetrios Raoul, was already waiting when the Emperor arrived, and got to his feet, although not as fast as he could, and bowed, although only barely adequately. The Emperor wasn't the sort of man who didn't notice these things, but he went to his seat without comment nevertheless. As he sat down, the servants set down three sets of silver plates and cutlery. The two sat there, more or less silent until Count Rosenburg arrived.

"Your Excellency, please join us." the Emperor said, motioning to the empty seat. "May I present my Minister for Foreign Affairs, Demetrios Raoul? Monsieur Raoul, His Excellency Monsieur le Comte de Rosenburg, Her Teutonic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary to the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator."

The servants began to serve the delicately prepared meal.

"A pleasure to meet Your Excellency." said Raoul.

"Your Excellency, there were a few things I had hoped to discuss with you. I am content to leave all the various diplomatic formalities up to the bureaucrats, if you are happy to do so. I'd like instead to get to a topic which preoccupies me daily. Tell me, Monsieur le Comte, does Her Teutonic Majesty have any plans of which you are aware to marry in the near future?" the Emperor asked.

***

Theodora led Wolfmar on a tour of the vast gardens of the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator, down past the grand courtyards and stately lawns, and into one of the gardens covered with all sorts of fresh Spring flowers.

Count Rosenburg inclined his head, saying, "Ah, Your Majesty, this is a question that is indeed on Her Majesty's mind. It is one which concerns Her greatly. There are several questions of course that would come to mind, the answers to which are: Her Majesty will marry a Catholic. Her Majesty will marry only a person of the ruling blood of a nation, one with whom ties would be greatly strengthened and not arbitrarily or temporarily. Her Majesty would prefer to marry someone who is in fact NOT an heir to the throne, though that is merely a preference, Majesty, for reasons both pro and con which I am sure are obvious..."

Baron Wolfmar said quietly, "In the midst of this beauty, Madame, I fear that I feel...somewhat saddened that I am here. I know that my comrades in arms are in Syskeyia. Do you have any close kin there?"

"Naturally." the Emperor replied, before eating a mouthful of peacock. That ruled out a marriage with his son Andreus, whose marriage was increasingly an urgent matter. He chewed swallowed his food thoughtfully before continuing. "I believe you had the opportunity to speak with my son, Constantine. I am interested to hear Your Excellency's impression of him. Do you think he's the sort of gentleman Her Majesty would like to get to know better?"

"Pardon me, Majesty, Your Excellency..." interjected Raoul. He hated these sorts of discussions. "Her Majesty is... all of sixteen years old, correct?"

***

"I'm a Mademoiselle, Monseigneur, not a Madame." Theodora giggled, and shook her head in reply to his question. "Although the husband of my brother's mistress is there."

She was referring to the Duke of Montmanuel, and wasn't aware that the Duchess of Montmanuel was no longer Prince Andreus' mistress. Nevertheless, it was clearly a joke, and she meant no offence by it to anybody.

"I'm sorry, have you any kin there?" she asked, worried that she might have offended Wolfmar by making a joke of the question.

Count Rosenburg dabbed at his mouth carefully. "Well...in fact, Herr Minister, it is true that Her Majesty is sixteen. However, Majesty," he turned, bowing to the Emperor, "I should make it clear that Her Majesty is not inflexible on the subject of an heir to the throne." He felt like he was dancing on thin ice now; this was clearly a delicate matter in this court, and he was using a very experienced eye now to give himself an impression of the mood of both men; also considering the Emperor's tone when he mentioned the younger prince.

In the garden, Baron Wolfmar smiled quietly, not understanding the joke, but replied, "No, it is my men, those who served under me...I commanded a unit of Her Majesty's Regiment of Jaegers. You see, my men...and the women as well, there are women in our services...are like brothers and sisters to me. Do women serve under arms in Pantocratoria, Mademoiselle?"

"Oh yes?" the Emperor noted, ignoring Raoul's veiled protest. "Perhaps Her Majesty would like to meet Prince Andreus, my eldest? I know he's a good deal older than her, but he is still only young, he's had some experience as a ruler in his capacity as Despot of New Constantinople, and, thanks to his mother, he's good looking. I would think that he'd be a very good suitor for Her Majesty, Your Excellency. Naturally he'd be only too happy to come to some arrangement whereby the two inheritances would be kept separate, if that would do anything to allay Her Majesty's concerns."

***

"Not as combat troops, no." Theodora said, shaking her head. "But they do serve in non-combat capacities. I hope that... well, I hope that your unit... I hope that nobody gets hurt. I know that it's their job to be put in danger like that, but still."

Count Rosenburg felt like the ice had suddenly tilted and turned into one of those huge frozen waterslides they had in Lavenrunz for tobogganing; where you were dizzyingly sent down, whirling and increasing in speed, heart pounding, racing towards an unforseen end...
"Majesty." he said, smiling and drawing out his words. "I think a meeting is an excellent idea...perhaps Your Majesty might be aware that Her Imperial Majesty will be having a birthday party very very soon...that might be the time and place to meet."
He wished he could read the Foreign Minister's mind, and was determined to have a word with the fellow afterword.

Examining some tulips, Baron Wolfmar replied, "To be honest, Mademoiselle, they are elite soldiers--they will be in action, most certainly, though they are not mechanized infantry or the like, but special forces, so if they are doing their jobs well..." he frowned. "Forgive me for speaking of such matters in this place. And you, Mademoiselle...may I ask how you spend your days? Forgive me, but I am very curious about the life of the court here..."

Raoul rolled his eyes, not entirely discreetly, but the Emperor ignored him and took on an expression of approval as he listened to Rosenburg.

"That sounds wonderful." the Emperor concluded. "I hope my son makes a good impression."

It would indeed be a great relief to the Emperor when his heir apparent settled down and got married at last - he was nearly 27. For the rest of the population that wouldn't be a problem, but he had the future of an imperial dynasty on his shoulders. The Emperor would sleep a lot easier at night knowing that his son was married to a suitable young lady.

***

Theodora sat down on a bench admist the flowers, picking a selection of flowers, each a different colour. She sniffed at the handful of flowers she had picked before reciting her daily routine.

"I get up at eight o'clock, go to Mass at nine, have breakfast at ten, start my lessons at ten thirty, stop for lunch or maybe a stroll in the gardens at one o'clock before resuming my lessons at two. They go on until five thirty, then I dress for the evening, have dinner with the Emperor at six. At seven thirty, I go along for whatever the activity of the evening is, at ten thirty, or sometimes eleven, I retire to my chambers, and go to sleep before midnight." Theodora recited. "On weekends or on days like today, when somebody important is being received at court, I don't have so many lessons."