NationStates Jolt Archive

Office of the Hegemon, The Second United Kingdom:

Lord Sumguy stood in his office, away from his usual spot at his desk. The wide window behind him had been thrown open, and the Hegemon was facing it. A beautiful melody rang through the otherwise silent building, as Lord Sumguy stood, his fingers dancing expertly across the strings of a violin, playing a tune that was simultaneously joyous and mournful. As he was playing everyone in the building stopped their work, listening in silent appreciation of the music. After nearly ten minutes, the last note rang out from the instrument, and the Hegemon put it away, smiling to himself. After a moment he called out. "Mary!"

"Yes sir?" His secretary asked as she entered the room, having apparently been waiting just outside the door. Lord Sumguy chuckled to himself, noting how quickly she had arrived.

"I need you to do a bit of traveling," He said, walking back to his desk. "to Neo-Ixania. I beleive it is time that we brought them into the Hegemony, and I wish for you to be the one to convince them to join."

"Me, sir? I am not qualified for that, I am merely your secretary!" The woman protested, taken aback by the sudden responsibility.

"And as my secretary, you have been witness to every decision I have made, both domestic and international, for the past several years. You know better than perhaps any what my goals as Hegemon are, as well as the reasoning behind my actions. No, you are more qualified than most. In my discussions with you regarding policy over the past few years you have proven yourself to have a keen political mind, and I think it is time we put that to use." He sighed. "Normally, I'd go myself, but my wifeis currently undergoeing treatment for cancer, and I must attend to her."

"I see, sir." Mary said, looking down. She was silent for a moment, then spoke again in a small voice: "Sir, I wish to apologize for my actions during your last Royal Tour. It was wrong of me to suggest that you betray your wife, and you were right to be angry with me."

"You are forgiven." The Hegemon replied, smiling benevelontely. "Just know that I am your employer and friend, but that anything beyond that is utterly impossible."

"I understand sir." She replied. "I will begin making preperations to leave for Neo-Ixania immediately." She turned to leave, but stoped when Lord Sumguy spoke again:

"You've a bright political future ahead of you Mary, don't be afraid to pursue it. Let not your ambition overtake your sense of morality, but do not ignore it either."

"Yes sir." Mary said, and left the room.

Lord Sumguy leaned back in his chair and placed his feet on his desk, chuckling to himself. Ah, the foolishness of youth.

____________________________________________________________________

From the Desk of the Hegemon:
To: Neo-Ixanian Foreign Ministry

In the past, our two nations have unfortunately enjoyed little to no relationship with one another but for enjoying the friendship of several common allies. Having seen Neo-Ixania for the great nation that it is, I wish to change that. I am sending a diplomat by the name of Mary Basset to your nation for the purpose of discussing the future relations between our nations, as well as the possibility of Neo-Ixania joining the Hegemony. She will be arriving within a day or two.

With great hope for the future,
Lord Sumguy, Hegemon

Office of the Hegemon, The Second United Kingdom:

Lord Sumguy stood in his office, away from his usual spot at his desk. The wide window behind him had been thrown open, and the Hegemon was facing it. A beautiful melody rang through the otherwise silent building, as Lord Sumguy stood, his fingers dancing expertly across the strings of a violin, playing a tune that was simultaneously joyous and mournful. As he was playing everyone in the building stopped their work, listening in silent appreciation of the music. After nearly ten minutes, the last note rang out from the instrument, and the Hegemon put it away, smiling to himself. After a moment he called out. "Mary!"

"Yes sir?" His secretary asked as she entered the room, having apparently been waiting just outside the door. Lord Sumguy chuckled to himself, noting how quickly she had arrived.

"I need you to do a bit of traveling," He said, walking back to his desk. "to Neo-Ixania. I beleive it is time that we brought them into the Hegemony, and I wish for you to be the one to convince them to join."

"Me, sir? I am not qualified for that, I am merely your secretary!" The woman protested, taken aback by the sudden responsibility.

"And as my secretary, you have been witness to every decision I have made, both domestic and international, for the past several years. You know better than perhaps any what my goals as Hegemon are, as well as the reasoning behind my actions. No, you are more qualified than most. In my discussions with you regarding policy over the past few years you have proven yourself to have a keen political mind, and I think it is time we put that to use." He sighed. "Normally, I'd go myself, but my wifeis currently undergoeing treatment for cancer, and I must attend to her."

"I see, sir." Mary said, looking down. She was silent for a moment, then spoke again in a small voice: "Sir, I wish to apologize for my actions during your last Royal Tour. It was wrong of me to suggest that you betray your wife, and you were right to be angry with me."

"You are forgiven." The Hegemon replied, smiling benevelontely. "Just know that I am your employer and friend, but that anything beyond that is utterly impossible."

"I understand sir." She replied. "I will begin making preperations to leave for Neo-Ixania immediately." She turned to leave, but stoped when Lord Sumguy spoke again:

"You've a bright political future ahead of you Mary, don't be afraid to pursue it. Let not your ambition overtake your sense of morality, but do not ignore it either."

"Yes sir." Mary said, and left the room.

Lord Sumguy leaned back in his chair and placed his feet on his desk, chuckling to himself. Ah, the foolishness of youth.

____________________________________________________________________

From the Desk of the Hegemon:
To: Neo-Ixanian Foreign Ministry

In the past, our two nations have unfortunately enjoyed little to no relationship with one another but for enjoying the friendship of several common allies. Having seen Neo-Ixania for the great nation that it is, I wish to change that. I am sending a diplomat by the name of Mary Basset to your nation for the purpose of discussing the future relations between our nations, as well as the possibility of Neo-Ixania joining the Hegemony. She will be arriving within a day or two.

With great hope for the future,
Lord Sumguy, Hegemon

From the desk of Ivan Rucinsky, Foreign Minister:

We have been considering the possibility of Ixania joining the Hegemony for quite some time and support for such a move has been rising steadily. It is my desire that our two nations build diplomatic relations between us and we await the arrival of Miss Basset, who shall meet with an Ixanian diplomat by the name of Heinrich von Lahnstein. Please notify us when you have sent Miss Basset.

Sincerely,
I. Rucinsky,
Foreign Minister

To: Ivan Rucinsky
From: Lord Sumguy

She will be arriving today at Tzargrad International Airport on a private jet, around 6:00 PM local time.

_____________________________________________________________________

Mary Basset looked out of the window of the small passenger jet as it taxi'd onto a runway of Tzargrad International Airport. After several minutes the aircraft stopped, and the pilot opened the exit, unfolding a steel staircase. Mary exited the plane, looking around for the diplomat she was supposed to meet.

Heinrich von Lahnstein had never seen much diplomatic action since the meeting he had with Azuala so long ago; he had resigned himself to a life of parenthood after adopting Jessica, the young woman he saved from death during his meeting. She had accustomed to Ixanian life and was quite thankful for her stepfather's intercession on her behalf that day. As Heinrich stood at the runway, dressed in an informal suit and donning a hat, he smiled as he watched Mary walk down the stairs. She looked quite attractive and it made him study her; but he quickly shed thoughts about Sumguaian women when he extended his hand with the smile still on his face.

"Welcome to Ixania, Miss Basset. My name is Heinrich von Lahnstein; a diplomat of the Ixanian nation. Please follow me."

Heinrich led Mary to the limosuine that was waiting for them; he helped her get inside before taking his seat near her and waiting a few seconds for the chauffer to begin driving to the Foreign Ministry's headquarters. As the ride would take a while, Heinrich smiled and began to speak.

"Tell me about yourself, Miss Basset; I'd enjoy learning about my Sumguaian counterpart."

OOC: Got to sign out now; will be busy tomorrow but I will try to sign on when I can.

Mary replied, a hint of amusement at herself in her voice. "Well, I have a bit of a confession to make, Mr. von Lahnstein, I'm actually not a diplomat." She smiled, slightly embarrased. "I'm actually the Hegemon's personal assistant, I'm afraid I've had no training whatsoever in diplomacy. Lord Sumguy decided that I should be the one to come to Neo-Ixania though, for reasons that are beyond me."

TO: Lord Sumguy
From: Premier Kash Wilson of The People's Communist State of North Calaveras and head of the Communist Party of NC

Hello comrade Sumguy, I am Kash Wilson(JR.), you may have remeberd my father who was killed during a war. I seek to meet with you, I have things I would like to discuss, is this acceptable? Please respond.

Mary replied, a hint of amusement at herself in her voice. "Well, I have a bit of a confession to make, Mr. von Lahnstein, I'm actually not a diplomat." She smiled, slightly embarrased. "I'm actually the Hegemon's personal assistant, I'm afraid I've had no training whatsoever in diplomacy. Lord Sumguy decided that I should be the one to come to Neo-Ixania though, for reasons that are beyond me."

Heinrich smiled. "I've been a diplomat for quite some time now; recently I returned from the nation of United Trailer Parks. The meeting there was good at first but then it stalled to the point that I had to take my leave. I left with a new daughter; a girl that I saved from death....but that is a long story. Anywho, I'm sure you won't have a problem with diplomacy here; you should have a good time."

"You wouldn't beleive how comforting it is to hear that." Mary replied, "I have been dreading my first meeting since I was assigned to come here. The most exitement I've ever had ont he job before this was when Queen Hannah's bodyguard went on a rampage at that hotel..." She shuddered, as memories of the traumatic event flashed through her mind.

"You wouldn't beleive how comforting it is to hear that." Mary replied, "I have been dreading my first meeting since I was assigned to come here. The most exitement I've ever had ont he job before this was when Queen Hannah's bodyguard went on a rampage at that hotel..." She shuddered, as memories of the traumatic event flashed through her mind.

"Friedrich Strauss mentioned the incident after he returned from his mission, that is, returned from his meeting with Lord Sumguy when the rampage occured. He had been wounded during the rampage and so was his wife; I can tell you that Friedrich is still a diplomat and that his wife is still at his side. He truly loves her with a passion."

"So I noticed." Mary replied, smiling bitterly. "Much like Lord Sumguy loves the Queen.." She said, looking out of the window of the car for a moment, her expression downcast, as if she had just been reminded of something that saddened her. After a moment, her face brightened again into a smile and she returned her gaze to Hienrich. "I am glad to know that Mr. Strauss and his wife have recovered."

"So I noticed." Mary replied, smiling bitterly. "Much like Lord Sumguy loves the Queen.." She said, looking out of the window of the car for a moment, her expression downcast, as if she had just been reminded of something that saddened her. After a moment, her face brightened again into a smile and she returned her gaze to Hienrich. "I am glad to know that Mr. Strauss and his wife have recovered."

"Mr. Strauss is currently planning on going to another nation for a diplomatic visit; but as to what nation that is....I have no clue. His wife still follows him around; she's just the kind of lady who wants to travel and meet foreign leaders. That is why she was with Mr. Strauss; because she wanted to see Lord Sumguy and the Queen. By the way, how is the Queen and Lord Sumguy? Are they alright?"

"Mr. Strauss is currently planning on going to another nation for a diplomatic visit; but as to what nation that is....I have no clue. His wife still follows him around; she's just the kind of lady who wants to travel and meet foreign leaders. That is why she was with Mr. Strauss; because she wanted to see Lord Sumguy and the Queen. By the way, how is the Queen and Lord Sumguy? Are they alright?"

"Not exactly, I'm afraid." Mary said, looking worried. "Hannah is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and the Hegemon has been rather stressed as a result. He would be here himself instead of me but for the Queen's condition." She sighed. "It seems those two are doomed never to have a time when they may enjoy each other's company without worry or work to interfere. Their recent vacations have proven to be even more stressful than when they are occupied with their respective state duties, traumatically so during the last Royal Tour."

After a moment Mary realized how much of her concern for the Hegemon's family she had just displayed, and her face turned slightly red. "When one spends an extended amount of time near Lord Sumguy, attachment to him and his family tends to develop. His concerns slowly become your concerns. Everyone at his office has been worried about the Queen's health, we've been trying to comfort the Hegemon as much as we can, and lighten his workload as much as possible."

OOC: bump

"Not exactly, I'm afraid." Mary said, looking worried. "Hannah is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and the Hegemon has been rather stressed as a result. He would be here himself instead of me but for the Queen's condition." She sighed. "It seems those two are doomed never to have a time when they may enjoy each other's company without worry or work to interfere. Their recent vacations have proven to be even more stressful than when they are occupied with their respective state duties, traumatically so during the last Royal Tour."

"I must say that it saddens me to hear that the Queen is undergoing such treatment but I hope that Hannah can be healed or at least that the cancer can be controlled. The last Royal Tour, during which the massacre occured, is still remembered by Ixanians and we have implemented new security regulations in all hotels as a result. After I returned from United Trailer Parks, I had a vacation with my stepdaughter, Jessica. I saved her from death....but that's a long story."

After a moment Mary realized how much of her concern for the Hegemon's family she had just displayed, and her face turned slightly red. "When one spends an extended amount of time near Lord Sumguy, attachment to him and his family tends to develop. His concerns slowly become your concerns. Everyone at his office has been worried about the Queen's health, we've been trying to comfort the Hegemon as much as we can, and lighten his workload as much as possible."

"I understand, Miss Basset. As people are near him enough, as you say, they develop empathy for him. I have never met the Hegemon before but perhaps, one day, I will."

"Would you perhaps tell me more of how you met and saved your daughter? I imagine this ride will not be a short one, and am interested to hear the story."

"Would you perhaps tell me more of how you met and saved your daughter? I imagine this ride will not be a short one, and am interested to hear the story."

"When I was meeting Azuala, the Head Associate of United Trailer Parks, we were surprised by a visit from a man named Colderon, the leader of Raven Corps. From what I learned of him; he was a man who used women and girls merely as vessels of procreation. Azuala, who was born from his birthing programs, was not reluctant to declare her hatred for him. Now, he had been looking for people in the palace because heat sensors or whatever they were picked up unknown people such as myself. Jessica, my adopted daughter, was found and severly beaten by Colderon's soldiers but I was able to save her by convincing him to give her to me. He just called her a pet and gave her to me. Right now she is at my manor and has adjusted to life here in Ixania."

OOC: I just posted what I can remember from that thread I did with UTP.

Mary looked horror-struck. "He used her as a slave? that is terrible. In my home country, a man such as that would not have been suffered to live. It was admirable of you to intervene on her behalf."

"Colderon's ideal woman, in my view, was just one who'd give birth to soldiers and then be useless afterwards. The only reason he used women was to give birth to soldiers for his army, I believe. Jessica thanked me for saving her from death; though she did say to Colderon that he could just kill her because she'd never submit to him. It is saddening to see that women are disrespected. I have never believed that women are merely sex objects or whatever and probably never will."

Heinrich smiled. "Let us change the subject, though. Tell me more about yourself, Miss Basset. What does the beautiful secretary of the Hegemon do on her own time?"

Mary blushed slightly at the compliment, and smiled. "Well, work does consume the vast majority of my time, as I am secretary to a man who runs a nation and an alliance. When I am not working though, I like to volunteer at the AL homeless shelters, and take hikes. I am also pursuing a PHD in Sumguaian History, as I hope to teach at a university when or if my current occupation ends."

"What is the AL, Miss Basset? It is nice to hear that you plan to be a university professor; it makes me remember my own days in university. When I am off work, I usually spend time with Jessica and take her to all sorts of places like zoos, museums and sports events. I am a single parent by the way but I manage to maintain a steady supply of money and speaking of university again..I just opened a savings account for Jessica so she can have money for when she gets to be a university student."

Heinrich smiled. "If I feel like being alone, I'll leave Jessica with my relatives. I come from a wealthy family if you must know; my relatives often live in spacious dream homes. I live in a small but still expensive mansion with Jessica."

Mary looked puzzled for a moment. "Surely you have heard of the Abrahamic League? It is a Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious organization, and perhaps the most powerful entity within the Holy Empire. It's influence exeeds that of even the government. I am actually a member of the non-military wing of the AL."

When she heard of his home, Mary's eyes widened. "Mansions are rare within my nation, as they are widely veiwed as uneccessarily opulent except when inhabited by large families. I'm afraid I've never even seen one except in a photograph. It is very kind of you to care for your daughter so, being a single parent cannot be very easy."

Mary looked puzzled for a moment. "Surely you have heard of the Abrahamic League? It is a Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious organization, and perhaps the most powerful entity within the Holy Empire. It's influence exeeds that of even the government. I am actually a member of the non-military wing of the AL."

"I have not heard of such an organization's existence, Miss Basset but I am interested in learning more about it; if you would mind telling me about the Abrahamic League during our ride to the Foreign Ministry's headquarters."

When she heard of his home, Mary's eyes widened. "Mansions are rare within my nation, as they are widely veiwed as uneccessarily opulent except when inhabited by large families. I'm afraid I've never even seen one except in a photograph. It is very kind of you to care for your daughter so, being a single parent cannot be very easy."

"Mansions are quite numerous here; especially in the ranks of aristocrats and members of the Imperial Family and I am sure I could show you one if you are interested. As for being a single parent....I never thought I'd be a parent until after I got married but I try my best to care for Jessica. I think she's with friends right now; I said she could have a slumber party tonight and she was just overjoyed and filled with happiness."

"I have not heard of such an organization's existence, Miss Basset but I am interested in learning more about it; if you would mind telling me about the Abrahamic League during our ride to the Foreign Ministry's headquarters."



"Mansions are quite numerous here; especially in the ranks of aristocrats and members of the Imperial Family and I am sure I could show you one if you are interested. As for being a single parent....I never thought I'd be a parent until after I got married but I try my best to care for Jessica. I think she's with friends right now; I said she could have a slumber party tonight and she was just overjoyed and filled with happiness."

"I would like to see a mansion very much, Mr. von Lahnstein. I'm afraid we have no aristocracy of any hind in the Holy Empire, we are very meritocratic." She replied, smiling. "It is odd that you havent heard of the AL, it operates on a large scale in several nations, including the Second United Kingdom, Cazelia, Calizorinstan, Cazelia, and Zoingo, though it is based in the Holy Empire. It was founded by none other than the Hegemon, though he is no longer a member for political reasons, and is devoted to the freedom and benefit of humanity in general, as well as spreading the three abrahamic religions. It operates a civilian charity wing, currently numbering more than 160 million, as well as a military wing that numbers about 12 million. It was the Abrahamic League and Lord Sumguy that led the revolution eighteen years ago and established the current government."

"I would like to see a mansion very much, Mr. von Lahnstein. I'm afraid we have no aristocracy of any hind in the Holy Empire, we are very meritocratic." She replied, smiling. "It is odd that you havent heard of the AL, it operates on a large scale in several nations, including the Second United Kingdom, Cazelia, Calizorinstan, Cazelia, and Zoingo, though it is based in the Holy Empire. It was founded by none other than the Hegemon, though he is no longer a member for political reasons, and is devoted to the freedom and benefit of humanity in general, as well as spreading the three abrahamic religions. It operates a civilian charity wing, currently numbering more than 160 million, as well as a military wing that numbers about 12 million. It was the Abrahamic League and Lord Sumguy that led the revolution eighteen years ago and established the current government."

"The Abrahamic League has never really been known in Ixania that much, I suppose but it does sound like an interesting organization. We have old military orders, etc that are quite charitable and help the poor, needy and downtrodden. The abrahamic religion of Christianity (Lutheran/Orthodox) is the majority religion here but not our state religion; we also still maintain classical Ixanian mythology. I am a full blood German but I have read about Ixanian mythology before. Perhaps the Abrahamic League could expand into Ixania one day. As for seeing a mansion, I could take you to see mine but you'd have to excuse the girls....my daughter and her friends are probably there."

"I thinnk that would be most enjoyable, Mr. von Lahnstein. I wouldnt mind the girls, as I was a teenager myself less than a decade ago." Mary replied with a friendly smile. After a moment, she seemed to suddenly remember something, and put her hands to her mouth in shocked dismay. "Oh no, I forgot to make any hotel reservations!"

"I thinnk that would be most enjoyable, Mr. von Lahnstein. I wouldnt mind the girls, as I was a teenager myself less than a decade ago." Mary replied with a friendly smile. After a moment, she seemed to suddenly remember something, and put her hands to her mouth in shocked dismay. "Oh no, I forgot to make any hotel reservations!"

Heinrich smiled. "Do not worry about the hotel reservations, Ms. Basset. I took the liberty of preparing a guest room for you at my mansion. You can see it after we are finished with our meeting. As for the girls, they'll probably ask you questions...so expect that. They'll probably be curious and want to learn more about you. It's not common that I bring foreign diplomats to my home."

Mary looked relieved, and turned slightly red. "Thank you, Mr. von Lahnstein, I am most grateful. I wont mind the girls, it will probably be refreshing to be around energetic youth after working in an administrative office for years. I look forward to experiencing more of this nation, I unfortunately did not get to see much the last time I was here."

OOC: bump

Mary looked relieved, and turned slightly red. "Thank you, Mr. von Lahnstein, I am most grateful. I wont mind the girls, it will probably be refreshing to be around energetic youth after working in an administrative office for years. I look forward to experiencing more of this nation, I unfortunately did not get to see much the last time I was here."

"It would not be a problem for me to show you more of this nation that I call home, Miss Basset. The girls may smother you with questions but I am sure it will not be a peoblem. I have been a diplomat for quite some time; I work in the Sumguaia Department of the Foreign Ministry."

"I'd like to see more of the nation very much, Mr. von Lahnstein" Mary said, smiling. What a charming man. Handsome, too. "You work in the Suguaian department? Interesting. I hope you don't find us too hard to work with."

"I'd like to see more of the nation very much, Mr. von Lahnstein" Mary said, smiling. What a charming man. Handsome, too. "You work in the Suguaian department? Interesting. I hope you don't find us too hard to work with."

"That can be arranged." Heinrich said with a smile of his own. "Yes; I work in the Sumguaian department and I'm sure I won't find you too hard to work with. My first experience in diplomacy was with the nation of United Trailer Parks...but I was recalled when the talks stalled."

"Mary is quite pretty....perhaps she has an admirer or two?" Heinrich thought to himself. "Miss Basset, you say you are the secretary of Lord Sumguy. How did you obtain such a job?"

"It started as an internship in the Hegemon's office as part of a political leadership program at the University of Sumguaia, one of the many educational institutions funded by the AL. I was among 40 students chosen to work as a intern for the Hegemon's staff for a three-week period. Afterward, the staff reccomended me for full-time employment, and I was hired as one of the foreign minister's secretary. After about three months, I was transfered to working for the Hegemon directly, and a year later was made his pesonal assistant when the one at the time retired. He has been encouraging me to run for local political office since then, but I prefer to assist him in administration as I am now." Mary replied. "I'm ambitious, but only to the extent that I wish to find a position where I am most usefull to the nation. I don't really want any sort of governming power unless I know I would use it effectively."

"It started as an internship in the Hegemon's office as part of a political leadership program at the University of Sumguaia, one of the many educational institutions funded by the AL. I was among 40 students chosen to work as a intern for the Hegemon's staff for a three-week period. Afterward, the staff reccomended me for full-time employment, and I was hired as one of the foreign minister's secretary. After about three months, I was transfered to working for the Hegemon directly, and a year later was made his pesonal assistant when the one at the time retired. He has been encouraging me to run for local political office since then, but I prefer to assist him in administration as I am now." Mary replied. "I'm ambitious, but only to the extent that I wish to find a position where I am most usefull to the nation. I don't really want any sort of governming power unless I know I would use it effectively."

Heinrich smiled. "I believe there are politically themed internships in Ixania's universities and the like and I must say that how you rose to your position is interesting to hear and I must agree with you on one of your points. People who know how to use power effectively should get the power; those who do not know how should not or else they will bring their nation to ruin. Luckily, our Empress has shown that she can use power well and responsibly."

"And luckily, so has our Hegemon." Mary replied with an amused grin. "So, tell me more about yourself. How did you come to be a diplomat for the Ixanian government?"

"And luckily, so has our Hegemon." Mary replied with an amused grin. "So, tell me more about yourself. How did you come to be a diplomat for the Ixanian government?"

"I became an diplomat for the Ixanian Government because I was motivated by my desire to travel and see the world; I've had such a desire since I was a mere schoolboy. I was able to rise through the ranks as the Foreign Ministry saw that I had, in their words, great potential. When they were looking for diplomats, I joined up and was able to endure the challenges. My first diplomatic excursion was to United Trailer Parks; where I adopted my stepdaughter Jessica."

"I see." Mary said. "I've always wanted to travel as well. Unfortunately, administrative work doesnt allow for much of that."

"I see." Mary said. "I've always wanted to travel as well. Unfortunately, administrative work doesnt allow for much of that."

"That's why I love being a diplomat; I get to use work as an excuse for travel." Heinrich said with a smile and a brief period of laughing. "However, I am professional in my work and never slack off. I think we will be reaching our destination soon; but after our meeting we can see my mansion. Is this acceptable to you?"

bump.

"That's why I love being a diplomat; I get to use work as an excuse for travel." Heinrich said with a smile and a brief period of laughing. "However, I am professional in my work and never slack off. I think we will be reaching our destination soon; but after our meeting we can see my mansion. Is this acceptable to you?"

"Of course." Mary replied, smiling. "I look forward to it."

"Of course." Mary replied, smiling. "I look forward to it."

Heinrich smiled. "We are at our destination now. Let us proceed with our day, Miss Basset. By the way, how long do you expect to be staying in Ixania?"