NationStates Jolt Archive

Kartika, Kirav

"Do you think the Ixanians would take offence to this?" asked Víoleta Seawind to her husband, holding up a typical Kiravian formal dress.

"Víoleta, I've dealt with foriegners quite a bit. And one thing I've learned is that we Kiravians have the most conservative manner of dress outside the Muslim world," said the Emperor, smiling.

"Aha. So, what is it that these foreign women wear?"

"The Mephrasian Empress is often quite liberal. Oh, and that Echoese secretary..."

"Why did I even ask?" said Víoleta, rolling her eyes.

The Emperor and his wife were preparing to visit Neo-Ixania. The Empire viewed it as quite an amicable nation, and relations had often been attempted. Something was looming within the margins of the briefings that Seawind was reading through, though. The recent withdrawal of Ixania from the Hegemony had caused a stir in the Foriegn Secriat, just as the war on the Hegemony was causing alarm in the War Secriat. It certainly wouldn't marr the meeting. No, everything would go smoothly. But his officials would certainly want answers upon his return.

The Imperial couple left Krovenirene Castra, got into a limousine, and headed for Kartika International Airport, where they boarded their Imperial Aerospace Corps personnel jet for Neo-Ixania.

It would certainly be an interesting trip.

News of the Kiravan Emperor and Empress's upcoming visit to Ixania spread like wildfire across the nation as many people anxiously awaited their arrival especially members of Her Majesty's Government who had arranged the visit with their counterparts in Kirav. The Empress of Ixania was eagerly waiting for them to arrive as she ordered her men to make sure that their guest room in her palace was ready; filled with all the amenities that royalty usually had their hands on. She would wear simple but regal clothing instead of robes or any of those traditional Ixanian women's clothes she had laying around in her many closets. The Empress had also put in a good word at a spa for Empress Violeta so that she would not have to spend all her time listening to a bunch of people talking about politics. If they wanted, though, to see the sights and sounds of the land then they would be more than welcome to do so. Anastasia was thinking of arranging her own visit to Kirav; possibly with a husband as she still had to choose one but she felt it was too hard to do so at the moment but a part of her did lean towards the Senator from Roma V. She calmly approached the visit without worry; she expected everything to go just as she wanted. Tzargrad International Airport was more than ready to handle the Kiravian jet and the people there waited anxiously for them to arrive. Everyone in Ixania except the Communists waited to see the foreign monarchs walk upon their beloved nation's soil in a gesture of goodwill.

Anastasia II decided that it was best to have Ivan Rucinsky, the Foreign Minister, at the airport waiting for the Kiravians so she could make sure that the final preparations for their guest room went smoothly. Svetlana Sturmer, the workaholic of the Foreign Ministry, had come out of her vacation just in time to be able to see the Kiravian monarchs. She had also came out of those rumors about her being romantically involved with some bus boy. She did not want to comment on that but wondered if the Kiravians knew about it. (OOC: You can say they do if you want). So, anyway, Rucinsky waited at the airport, Anastasia at the palace and Svetlana in some part of Tzargrad. Everyone waited for the arrival of the Emperor of Kirav and his consort.

"Oh my, it's so beautiful from up here!" said Víoleta looking down upon Neo-Ixania as her husband fixed his þurnid [Ascot-like textile].

"Aye. The Ixanians have been blessed with a beautiful homeland as well."

"Do they have colonies as well?"

"Most certainly. And they're developed and well-managed like our own. The Ixanians are an honourable people."

The pilot announced, "Sèr Emperor, Emperess, we will be landing monmentarily."

It did not take too long for the radar systems to pick up the Kiravian plane flying over the Ixanian homeland; news of this spread throughout the Ixanian nation with many people from prince to pauper anxiously awaiting their arrival especially Her Majesty's Government which was busying itself with the topics of possible discussion with the Emperor of Kirav and so forth. The spa that Violeta would be visiting was fully prepared to accomodate her and give her a truly pleasurable experience. The Empress' personal assistant, Vladimir, finished up with preparations for the reception before he looked upon the Empress of Ixania in a stunning dress bought specifically for the reception. "You look amazing, Anastasia." Vladimir said to the Empress who he had known since she was a little girl.

Anastasia smiled as she took her place in the Palace's reception hall while Ivan Rucinsky waited for the Emperor and Empress of Kirav to arrive at the airport; standing next to their limosuine, the one that they would be in as the motorcade would drive on towards the Imperial Palace. "I hope this goes well....we would not want them to frown upon us." Ivan muttered.

The plane touched down on the Ixanian runway, and taxied towards where the limousine was waiting. The Emperor and Empress composed themselves, then walked down from the plane. Víoleta waved while Irasur nodded in greeting with a wide smile.

They walked towards the awaiting man. Emperor Seawind, bowed and then saluted in the Kiravian fashion. "Greetings, Sèr. We are honoured to be here."

Ivan Rucinsky bowed before the Kiravian monarchs respectfully before rising to bid them greetings and welcomes to the Ixanian Empire as he led them towards their limosuine. "We are honored to have such guests like yourselves...and may I compliment the Empress for being ravishing on this splendid day."

Entering the limosuine, Rucinsky ordered the motorcade to get going and thus it went through the streets of Tzargrad amidst curious and jubilant crowds waving both Ixanian and Kiravian flags while some people threw rose petals and confetti in the air as a sign of celebration. Ivan Rucinsky smiled at the Kiravians. "Everyone here has been anxiously awaiting your arrival, Your Majesties. Her Majesty, the Empress of Ixania, is waiting for you at her home. We shall be going there."

The streets of Tzargrad were cluttered with cheering crowds of all walks of life and all ages including some schoolchildren who watched the motorcade pass them in awe before discussing the guests amongst themselves. The Empress of Ixania was on her toes as she waited for the Kiravians to arrive. When they finally arrived at the Imperial Palace, Rucinsky escorted them out of the limosuine and into the palace's magnificent and well kept courtyard with its blossoming gardens and sculptures. The guards opened the doors to reveal the most luxurious palace in the Ixanian Empire with all the amenities and decorations that one could expect a monarch's palace to have. The Kiravian Emperor and his wife were led to the reception hall where Empress Anastasia II calmly awaited them along with her entourage of ministers and generals. Rucinsky opened the doors of the hall when they have gotten out of the hallways and galleries and immediately the people inside began to cheer their guts out for the guests with shouts of "Welcome to Ixania!" and the like.

The Empress of Ixania introduced herself. "I am Anastasia II, the Empress of Ixania. We are honored by your visit to our beloved nation and it is a pleasure to finally meet you both at last. Welcome!"

"Why, thank you, Sèr," said the Empress.

As they rode through Tzargrad, the Emperor was astonished by the jubilant Ixanians and their welcome. "Your people have much spirit, Sèr Rucinsky. I have never seen such an excited welcoming party in any part of our Empire."

They were equally impressed with the furnishings of the Imperial Palace. It was much more richly decorated than Krovenirene, especially in terms of art, a design aspect in which the last Emperor, Kexarin Raincedar, had thought the Castra significantly lacking.

When they met the Empress, the Emperor bowed and saluted again, and his wife nodded, opening her arms in the traditional feminine courtesy of Kirav.

"And we are indeed honoured to be here, Empress Anastasia. We, too, have longed for this day to come," said Seawind genuinely. Víoleta handed him an ornate velvet-lined case which he presented to Anastasia II. "Your Majesty, we have brought a token of our gratitude," he said as he opened the case. He pulled out a shimmering necklace with a diamond-shaped open pendant. Lines of poetry in Coscivian syllabics, calligraphically engraved, ran across the diamond's four sides. "It is made of our finest silver, mined in Unida Province. The engravings were written centuries ago by Hæron, the most revered poet of our language."

"Why, thank you, Sèr," said the Empress.

"You are most welcome. Your husband is a lucky man." Ivan said with a smile. He was married himself, yes, and although he usually believed that his wife was more beautiful than any other....he had no problem praising the looks of other women even if he'd think they were essentially inferior to his lady love, his Dulcinea.

As they rode through Tzargrad, the Emperor was astonished by the jubilant Ixanians and their welcome. "Your people have much spirit, Sèr Rucinsky. I have never seen such an excited welcoming party in any part of our Empire."

Ivan smiled. "They have been waiting for you to arrive for so long that they are overjoyed to finally be seeing you here in our beloved nation. My wife and children were also hoping to meet you; perhaps it is possible that we could arrange a meeting."

When they met the Empress, the Emperor bowed and saluted again, and his wife nodded, opening her arms in the traditional feminine courtesy of Kirav.

"And we are indeed honoured to be here, Empress Anastasia. We, too, have longed for this day to come," said Seawind genuinely. Víoleta handed him an ornate velvet-lined case which he presented to Anastasia II. "Your Majesty, we have brought a token of our gratitude," he said as he opened the case. He pulled out a shimmering necklace with a diamond-shaped open pendant. Lines of poetry in Coscivian syllabics, calligraphically engraved, ran across the diamond's four sides. "It is made of our finest silver, mined in Unida Province. The engravings were written centuries ago by Hæron, the most revered poet of our language."

Anastasia smiled. "I must thank you for this great gift which you have presented me though I must ask for a translation of the engravings since I do not really know any Coscivian but, perhaps, we may work on a foreign student exchange program so that Ixanian students could learn the language and Kiravian students could learn the Ixanian language. I must also present you both with gifts of my own."

The Emperor was presented with an ornate jeweled sword with Ixanian engravings upon the blade while the Empress was presented with an exquisite and lovely dress embroidered with plenty of gold and jewels. "We offer you both these gifts in the hope of building friendship between our nations and between us. I also would like to take you on a tour of the Imperial Palace before Ivan drags you away to discuss politics."

Ivan smiled. "They have been waiting for you to arrive for so long that they are overjoyed to finally be seeing you here in our beloved nation. My wife and children were also hoping to meet you; perhaps it is possible that we could arrange a meeting."
"That would be lovely. We're very flexible in terms of time, so we'd be honoured to meet your family. Víoleta, it's a pity we left the kids in Xirya, isn't it."

"Aye," said she, "I'm sure they would have enjoyed this. But Imiara has exams."





Anastasia smiled. "I must thank you for this great gift which you have presented me though I must ask for a translation of the engravings since I do not really know any Coscivian but, perhaps, we may work on a foreign student exchange program so that Ixanian students could learn the language and Kiravian students could learn the Ixanian language. I must also present you both with gifts of my own."

"You're very welcome. The engravings read, 'Across shining sea, their lies a land, where we shall find the noble stranger, with whom we meet the darkness and the light'. We are certainly open to a student exchange program. In fact, Sardmec and Cartona Universities alone have been allocated 500 yearly student visas to grant to foriegn scholars, so there would be many oppurtunities for Ixanians to study in the Empire."


The Emperor was presented with an ornate jeweled sword with Ixanian engravings upon the blade while the Empress was presented with an exquisite and lovely dress embroidered with plenty of gold and jewels. "We offer you both these gifts in the hope of building friendship between our nations and between us. I also would like to take you on a tour of the Imperial Palace before Ivan drags you away to discuss politics."

"We cannot thank you enough, Empress. My people value jewels greatly. And swords for that matter. You could not have chosen a better gift."

He turned to see his wife looking over the dress, speechless. "This is exquisite, Your Majesty. I don't know what to say!"

"I am looking forward to this tour, Your Majesty. From what we've seen already, your palace is far more impressive than anything I've ever seen."

"That would be lovely. We're very flexible in terms of time, so we'd be honoured to meet your family. Víoleta, it's a pity we left the kids in Xirya, isn't it."

"Aye," said she, "I'm sure they would have enjoyed this. But Imiara has exams."

"I am sure my family will be very excited to see you." Ivan said with a smile. "Your kids can also visit Ixania whenever they can."



"You're very welcome. The engravings read, 'Across shining sea, their lies a land, where we shall find the noble stranger, with whom we meet the darkness and the light'. We are certainly open to a student exchange program. In fact, Sardmec and Cartona Universities alone have been allocated 500 yearly student visas to grant to foriegn scholars, so there would be many oppurtunities for Ixanians to study in the Empire."

"I believe that it will be up to Mr. Rucinsky to handle the creation of a student exchange program which I enthusiastically support. I am sure that Ixanian schools are able to accept Kiravian students."



"We cannot thank you enough, Empress. My people value jewels greatly. And swords for that matter. You could not have chosen a better gift."

"It is not a problem for me to give honored guests gifts."

He turned to see his wife looking over the dress, speechless. "This is exquisite, Your Majesty. I don't know what to say!"

"I just hope it fits you!"

"I am looking forward to this tour, Your Majesty. From what we've seen already, your palace is far more impressive than anything I've ever seen."

"We'll be seeing the Imperial Gallery first. That is where we have portraits of famous heroes and monarchs."

"I am sure my family will be very excited to see you." Ivan said with a smile. "Your kids can also visit Ixania whenever they can."

"Why, thank you, Sèr."


"I believe that it will be up to Mr. Rucinsky to handle the creation of a student exchange program which I enthusiastically support. I am sure that Ixanian schools are able to accept Kiravian students."

"Aye. Learning is quite valued in the Empire. We have a very strong intellectual culture. In fact," said Seawind, "One of the republics that federated to form Kirav, Writcroft, was ruled by an academic elité of sorts."

"We'll be seeing the Imperial Gallery first. That is where we have portraits of famous heroes and monarchs."

"Brilliant! Lead the way, Your Majesty."

"Why, thank you, Sèr."

"No problem, Your Majesties."




"Aye. Learning is quite valued in the Empire. We have a very strong intellectual culture. In fact," said Seawind, "One of the republics that federated to form Kirav, Writcroft, was ruled by an academic elité of sorts."

"Learning is highly valued in Ixania and it should be in all nations." Anastasia said with a smile before Ivan came into the conversation. "Your Majesties, you can talk to me whenever you wish about sending your kids to Ixanian schools."



"Brilliant! Lead the way, Your Majesty."

"This is the Imperial Gallery." Anastasia said as the group walked into the gallery with all of its pictures and sculptures. The portraits of Ixanian heroes and deceased monarchs were still in good condition while the busts of Ixanian writers and philosophers stoically looked upon the group; sure, they were inanimate, but some would say in children's tales that even statues have the ability to look upon the masses who gaze upon them. "These portraits were all made by the best of the best in the world of painting and sculpting and were all given as gifts to monarchs who reigned before me. They testify to the Ixanian people's love of heroes and legends."

They eventually passed the portrait of Anastasia's decased father and her widowed mother but Anastasia did not really look upon them as she explained their significance to the Kiravians due to her own inability to, in a sense, move on from the death of her beloved father. Sure, she had done so for the most part, but a bit of her really missed him. They eventually got out of the Gallery and ended up in the dining room. "I usually eat her alone but I do plan to get married soon and, of course, have children. One of my goals in life is to continue my family's hold on power."

"Learning is highly valued in Ixania and it should be in all nations." Anastasia said with a smile before Ivan came into the conversation. "Your Majesties, you can talk to me whenever you wish about sending your kids to Ixanian schools."


"Thank you, Your Majesty. I believe our daughter, Imiara, might be interested in such a thing. I think I'll discuss it with her when I return to Xirya."

"This is the Imperial Gallery." Anastasia said as the group walked into the gallery with all of its pictures and sculptures. The portraits of Ixanian heroes and deceased monarchs were still in good condition while the busts of Ixanian writers and philosophers stoically looked upon the group; sure, they were inanimate, but some would say in children's tales that even statues have the ability to look upon the masses who gaze upon them. "These portraits were all made by the best of the best in the world of painting and sculpting and were all given as gifts to monarchs who reigned before me. They testify to the Ixanian people's love of heroes and legends."

"Amazing," said the Emperor, "Most of our classical art is either lost, or sitting in a climate-controlled high-security warehouse. You see, during the Classical period of Coscivian culture, Kirav had not yet been settled. So most such paintings were either brought to Kirav by wealthy families and nobility fleeing Coscivia's destruction, or hidden by monks for safekeeping. We do have a rich history of sculpting, though, that is quite evident. Statues of all but three Kiravian Emperors stand outside Krovenirene Castra."

They eventually passed the portrait of Anastasia's decased father and her widowed mother but Anastasia did not really look upon them as she explained their significance to the Kiravians due to her own inability to, in a sense, move on from the death of her beloved father. Sure, she had done so for the most part, but a bit of her really missed him. They eventually got out of the Gallery and ended up in the dining room. "I usually eat her alone but I do plan to get married soon and, of course, have children. One of my goals in life is to continue my family's hold on power."

Víoleta could sense Anastasia's loss as she explained the portraits of her parents. Her own father had died when she was only twelve, and her mother was unaccounted for after being deported from Logan & Ky where she had lived with Víoleta's brother and his family, who were likewise missing. She decided not to say anything however. This was a State visit, and she didn't want to upset the monarch accidentally.

"Ah," said Emperor Seawind, "I must say from experience, marriage is the greatest civilising force that can ever come to anyone, man or woman. And children are important as well. They make you look at things differently. Now, our monarchy isn't hereditary, but we understand the need to keep your family in power. It's important in clan politics in Kiravia."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I believe our daughter, Imiara, might be interested in such a thing. I think I'll discuss it with her when I return to Xirya."

"Make sure you notify us if she accepts so we can make the preparations for her arrival."


"Amazing," said the Emperor, "Most of our classical art is either lost, or sitting in a climate-controlled high-security warehouse. You see, during the Classical period of Coscivian culture, Kirav had not yet been settled. So most such paintings were either brought to Kirav by wealthy families and nobility fleeing Coscivia's destruction, or hidden by monks for safekeeping. We do have a rich history of sculpting, though, that is quite evident. Statues of all but three Kiravian Emperors stand outside Krovenirene Castra."

"The Ixanian Empire has often strived to prevent the loss of its art and sculptures and many painters and sculpturers have, for centuries, striven to perfect their art and create masterpieces worthy of being in the Imperial Gallery or at least in the hearts of the masses as great icons of culture. Why does Krovenirene Castra not have the statues of those three Emperors? I'm intrigued to learn more."

Víoleta could sense Anastasia's loss as she explained the portraits of her parents. Her own father had died when she was only twelve, and her mother was unaccounted for after being deported from Logan & Ky where she had lived with Víoleta's brother and his family, who were likewise missing. She decided not to say anything however. This was a State visit, and she didn't want to upset the monarch accidentally.

"Ah," said Emperor Seawind, "I must say from experience, marriage is the greatest civilising force that can ever come to anyone, man or woman. And children are important as well. They make you look at things differently. Now, our monarchy isn't hereditary, but we understand the need to keep your family in power. It's important in clan politics in Kiravia."

"The Ixanian Empire has plenty of families, clans, and the like and my family, the Schverzinskis, have reigned in Ixania for centuries. My family has descent from the founding father of Ixania, Leto the Great through intermarriage and I, myself, am a direct paternal descendant of Leto. Marriage is, in my opinion, a great civilizing force and children can enlighten us. I hope to start a family one day so that not only I can continue the Schverzinski family's hold on power but also so that I can enjoy the greatness that is family life."

Anastasia smiled. "My mother often says she hopes that I'll find myself a good husband and I've never ceased to hope that I will...but let us not spend too much time on that subject. Tell me, Your Majesties.....do either of you like gardens?"

"Make sure you notify us if she accepts so we can make the preparations for her arrival."

"We shall indeed, Your Majesty."


"The Ixanian Empire has often strived to prevent the loss of its art and sculptures and many painters and sculpturers have, for centuries, striven to perfect their art and create masterpieces worthy of being in the Imperial Gallery or at least in the hearts of the masses as great icons of culture. Why does Krovenirene Castra not have the statues of those three Emperors? I'm intrigued to learn more."

"Well, the first one, Emperor Graslin, turned out to be a traitor, giving funds to an enemy country in exchange for political benefits to him. After this was discovered, he was deposed and exiled, and his statue was removed. Every family in Kartika has their own story to tell about what happened to ir afterwards, but no one knows for sure. The second, Emperor Sandforest's, was destroyed when a temperate cyclone blew a heavy piece of debris at it. He was in power fairly recently, and a replacement is being made. And the final one belongs to the first Emperor, Kiravius. We can't make an accurate sculpture of him, because no-one knows what he looked like. To tell the truth, no-one even knows his real name. It would have been too dangerous to reveal it during his time, during and just after the Revolutions, and he died shortly after the Empire was united. And, I guess you could say we're missing another sculpture as well, which would be my own. I've not gotten around to having it done yet."


"The Ixanian Empire has plenty of families, clans, and the like and my family, the Schverzinskis, have reigned in Ixania for centuries. My family has descent from the founding father of Ixania, Leto the Great through intermarriage and I, myself, am a direct paternal descendant of Leto. Marriage is, in my opinion, a great civilizing force and children can enlighten us. I hope to start a family one day so that not only I can continue the Schverzinski family's hold on power but also so that I can enjoy the greatness that is family life."

"And trust me, your Majesty, it will be an enjoyable experience indeed."

Anastasia smiled. "My mother often says she hopes that I'll find myself a good husband and I've never ceased to hope that I will...but let us not spend too much time on that subject. Tell me, Your Majesties.....do either of you like gardens?"

Víoleta answered so quickly that her husband's nervous system was still delivering the Empress's question to his brain.

"Why yes! I have a wonderful garden back in Xirya, and I'm a member of the Kartika Urban Horticulture Association!"

Bump. Bump, bump it up.

"Well, the first one, Emperor Graslin, turned out to be a traitor, giving funds to an enemy country in exchange for political benefits to him. After this was discovered, he was deposed and exiled, and his statue was removed. Every family in Kartika has their own story to tell about what happened to ir afterwards, but no one knows for sure. The second, Emperor Sandforest's, was destroyed when a temperate cyclone blew a heavy piece of debris at it. He was in power fairly recently, and a replacement is being made. And the final one belongs to the first Emperor, Kiravius. We can't make an accurate sculpture of him, because no-one knows what he looked like. To tell the truth, no-one even knows his real name. It would have been too dangerous to reveal it during his time, during and just after the Revolutions, and he died shortly after the Empire was united. And, I guess you could say we're missing another sculpture as well, which would be my own. I've not gotten around to having it done yet."

"The story of Emperor Graslin may have some similarities to stories about people who were so hated that they were placed under damnatio memoriae, that is, damnation of memory in which they were completely removed from all records to the point that it was made to look like they never even existed. I am sure that Graslin, therefore, would fall under such a horrible category. In Ixania, the Emperors and so forth usually had people to sculpt them and many of those sculptures were put in palaces and museums. I have some here as you can see and I think they all collectively boost the aesthetic quality of my palace. They make it look more presentable!"




"And trust me, your Majesty, it will be an enjoyable experience indeed."

"One can only hope."



Víoleta answered so quickly that her husband's nervous system was still delivering the Empress's question to his brain.

"Why yes! I have a wonderful garden back in Xirya, and I'm a member of the Kartika Urban Horticulture Association!"

Anastasia smiled. "I'd love to see your garden in Xirya and perhaps you could meet the Palace Gardener! I'm sure that you two could have a detailed and pleasurable conversation about horticulture."

bumped

"The story of Emperor Graslin may have some similarities to stories about people who were so hated that they were placed under damnatio memoriae, that is, damnation of memory in which they were completely removed from all records to the point that it was made to look like they never even existed. I am sure that Graslin, therefore, would fall under such a horrible category. In Ixania, the Emperors and so forth usually had people to sculpt them and many of those sculptures were put in palaces and museums. I have some here as you can see and I think they all collectively boost the aesthetic quality of my palace. They make it look more presentable!"


"Aye. Treachery is not taken to well by Kiravians, and damnatio memoriae is used very often, especially when it comes to the geneologies kept by clans and extended families. I do indeed like the artwork here in your palace. We'll have to see about adding some to Krovenirene. Traditionally, you see, each Emperor needs to make a contribution to the Castra before they retire or otherwise...leave office."


"One can only hope."

"Indeed. But I've no doubt you shall find someone suitable."


Anastasia smiled. "I'd love to see your garden in Xirya and perhaps you could meet the Palace Gardener! I'm sure that you two could have a detailed and pleasurable conversation about horticulture."

"I'm sure we could indeed!" answered Víoleta excitedly.

Aye. Treachery is not taken to well by Kiravians, and damnatio memoriae is used very often, especially when it comes to the geneologies kept by clans and extended families. I do indeed like the artwork here in your palace. We'll have to see about adding some to Krovenirene. Traditionally, you see, each Emperor needs to make a contribution to the Castra before they retire or otherwise...leave office."

"I doubt that treachery is ever a loved quality in any nation; since no one in the world, as far as I know, has ever truthfully loved treachery as a desirable trait. If you are interested, you could find some Ixanian art to place in your palace and perhaps we could pursue a cultural exchange involving our nation's respective forms of art. All of the monarchs before me have tried to make palaces a bastion of art and culture, hence, you see all the painting and sculptures. I'm doing the same during my own reign and I do not know, though, if my heir will do it too but I am sure he or she will."


"Indeed. But I've no doubt you shall find someone suitable."

"All I really want is someone who is loyal, caring, and respectful and so forth. I just want someone who I can share my life with instead of worrying about what they are doing when I am gone."


"I'm sure we could indeed!" answered Víoleta excitedly

"Then shall we arrange something?"

"I doubt that treachery is ever a loved quality in any nation; since no one in the world, as far as I know, has ever truthfully loved treachery as a desirable trait. If you are interested, you could find some Ixanian art to place in your palace and perhaps we could pursue a cultural exchange involving our nation's respective forms of art. All of the monarchs before me have tried to make palaces a bastion of art and culture, hence, you see all the painting and sculptures. I'm doing the same during my own reign and I do not know, though, if my heir will do it too but I am sure he or she will."


"That does sound quite good. We'll have too look into that, shalln't we, dear?"


"All I really want is someone who is loyal, caring, and respectful and so forth. I just want someone who I can share my life with instead of worrying about what they are doing when I am gone."

"Which are the most important things to seek in a life partner, after all."




"Then shall we arrange something?"

"That would be very kind of you, Your Majesty!"

"That does sound quite good. We'll have too look into that, shalln't we, dear?"

"What kind of art would you be interested in acquiring? Sculptures? Busts? Paintings? I am sure we could arrange something for you, Your Majesties, and I would be interested in acquiring some Kiravian art; we can call this an exchange."


"Which are the most important things to seek in a life partner, after all."

"Looks would be nice but I consider these things to be more important...although my dream man would be a handsome Prince Charming. That's the kind of man I'd like...and hopefully he'd be fervently loyal and caring."




"That would be very kind of you, Your Majesty!"

"You can just call me Anastasia. We need not use formal titles here."