A Tale of Two Monarchs
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"Greetings, your Imperial Highness. "Thank you, I remembered very well being in this soil when I received the tragic news; but all for well, under the grace of God. I hope you get to see the invitation to the Coronation, hope seeing you there. And again thank you for this summit." Said the Queen to the Emperor.
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"Excellent, I am extremely content you are feeling happy to once again find yourself under the protection of Inimician law, the Imperial Great Seal, and of course, Myself", Artabanos replied, somewhat wary of the immense formality of the event, something which He was no longer used to, He noticed. "Ah yes, I did indeed receive your invitation, and will most definitely be in attendance. Unfortunately, I've had some issues with my household, the president of which magically vanished after leaving some Mennrimian guests waiting outside during my last banquet here, if you'll recall. Anyway, all is well, and I look forward to seeing you there. You must tell me more about the preparations an event like that involves -- are there many rehearsals? How is the media treating you? I must say, Inimician media were never much of a problem for me. Eh, ah, well, should not have said that. Shall we proceed?"
The duo were accompanied by senior statesmen, including Vicarius Wilfred Cocx and Imperial Consuls Maximillian de Barrington and Christopher Strathclyde, as well as the Montenbourg ambassador to the Empire, as they walked through marbled archways into a separate section of the Palace courtyard, where a military guard of honour was waiting for them. As the two monarchs ascended the purple dais erected there, a 21-gun salute was fired. "You know", Artabanos said, "This dais was built during the times of the Inimician kingdom, sometime in the 18th century." After seeing a somewhat uncomfortable look on Queen Victoria's face, He swiftly reassured her that His personal engineers had tended to it well...
Both anthems were played again, after which the leaders inspected the guard. "It's far too cold out here, Your Majesty", Artabanos complained, "Would you care for a drop?" -- He offered His flask to the Queen, whose puzzled look indicated a major faux pas had just occured. "Ah, well, anyway, let's proceed inside so you can formally introduce yourself to some of these bigwigs I've gathered here, and I can get acquainted to those in your wonderful entourage."
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The Queen watched the salute in solemnly manner and walking towards the gathering of high members of the Inimician government she said "I recall the utterly magical disapparition from your banquet of the Menrimian delegation, quite strange. Well, as you they are formally dispositions of Government on how to proceed in this historic event which am much thankful of course you will be part of, this one-day ceremony took almost 4 months of preparation, which started inmmediatly after the passing of my late father former King; the first meeting of the Coronation Commission was under the chairmanship of Lady Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham which inmmediatly put out the call for the Royal Council to gather in Bourgeon Palace to ensure the smooth transition she then commissioned the Lord Chamberlain of the Household to issue the formal invitation. Personally, between you and I, Your Imperial Highnees it has been quite exhausting." As they walked the Emperor seemed interested in the manners and coustoms of the Kingdom of Montenbourg.
"As you know, the coronation ceremony, is an occasion for pageantry and celebration, but it is also a solemn religious ceremony, and the Catholic Church of Montenbourg has been very rigourous of keeping the liturgy but I have dispossed an ecumenical outreach with the Archbishop of Inquista, she is truly a confidant in these matters. And well, the media is a blessing, thank god that we respect very much the boundaries, a very symbiotic relationship which I always thank them for their work. Is quite strange for a royal to be addressing this but as any journalist would know her most fundamental obligation is to the truth. Truth not understood like a law of science, but as verifiable facts and my government has delivered them. Transparency is key in these days. And you, how are you? terrible news with the current caspian situation?."
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Vicarius His Excellency Wilfred Cocx IC, Imperial Consul and Executive Representative Leader Lord Christopher Strathclyde IC, Imperial Consul Marquis Maximillian de Barrington IC
"Mmm, I see", Artabanos nodded as the Queen related to Him the workings of the upcoming coronation, "Well, I'm sure it'll all be immensely pleasant and solemn to attend, Your Majesty. I look forward to it greatly. I can completely imagine it's highly exhausting though. My coronation took ten minutes and a few days of prep, no religious ceremonies, not many guests. Interestingly, in Inimicus the protocol is dictated by the Emperor to be coronated -- I insisted on a plain event. How interesting the Catholic Church of Montenbourg is so involved in your ceremonies though. I can imagine Mikaela was less than pleased when hearing that..." -- Artabanos thought of the Inquistan Archbishop and her unique character -- "Rest assured though, despite Inimicus's status as a completely secular state, devoid of any religious interference in political life, I will still be hugely interested in seeing the proceedings later this month."
Queen Victoria happened to mention the Caspian situation, two words that had recently become almost like a magic spell around the Imperial Palace, just as the monarchs were approaching Wilfred Cocx, Christopher Strathclyde, and Max Barrington, three of the most powerful political figures in Inimicus. "Well, Your Majesty", Christopher began with his usual flattery, "Your radiance is inspiring. Tell me, how much political power does the Queen of Montenbourg have? The Caspian crisis is indeed a tricky situation -- we might be able to discuss it in more detail later today? How about over dinner? Reitzmig figs are on the menu -- haha, no, just kidding."
Artabanos recognised that his senior statesmen were about to destroy any hopes He had left of a successful summit and swiftly led the Queen on, towards His personal quarters. "Well, Your Majesty, time for a sit down and a hot drink. What's your fancy?"
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The Queen was flattered by the comentaries, and a swift smile came into her face as she added. "The radiance of your work inspires". She smiled and proceeded "Well, as you may know your excellencies the crown bestows the "reserve powers" or the infamous royal prerogative which allows on persona to appoint a Prime Minister, open Parliament, approve legislation, and head up the armed forces. In today's word this is called a "soft power"." and laughed a bit. "But must say it's a role very well discussed in today's common Republics. As my cousin Justice Clarisse well putted on a Montague Times article this is the best form of government, no pun inteded."
"Reitzmig figs...ha ha ha"She laughed. "Would prefered them for dinner rather than walking around." The Ministers laughed with her. "I would say that I fancy God." And laughed again.
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"Hmm, what an interesting notion, this soft power", Artabanos commented as the two leaders made their way to the Imperial Conference Room, "I must admit, in Inimicus we prefer a type of harder power... Not in a malicious way, of course. In any case, I think you'll find your brief stay here more than enjoyable -- for honoured guests, we make everything possible."
The duo arrived in the Conference Room, where an extensive cheese buffet had been expedited for their enjoyment. "Ah, yes, please", said Artabanos, "Have you tried Inimician 48+ gold before, Your Majesty? Truly a treat for the senses." He swiftly grabbed up the bigger-than-average plate of cheese and carried it over, gesturing the Queen to sit. "Please, I insist." After nearly shoving the yellow-golden cheese down the Queen's throat, and seeing a polite expression of 'I can't stand this but am too terrified to speak up' on her face, He sat down Himself and continued.
"Well, Your Majesty. I will have tea and coffee brought in for us. But, in the meantime, tell me about your nation. I have never had the pleasure of visiting Montenbourg, unfortunately. What are your main industries? I'm also intrigued by this notion of a semi-powerful monarch. Tell me more about the political settlement in your nation?" Hoping the smell of the Inimician 48+ cheese was not too strongly on his breath, Artabanos smiled.
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"Well, our main industries are Finance, Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Retail; as far as I remeber." She smiled and continued drinking tea. "There definetly is a division of power, to prevent a conflict of interest I cannot and will not put my voice in sample political short-comings, but I say to you that many people take for granted their rights. We do not have as coustom in other countries, a written constitution, but foundational documents like the Carta and the Bill of Rights formally took power from the crown and gave it to Parliament."
She leaned forward and made an acclaration "I quite understand that our role is sometimes a paradox for the people, on the matters of an ancient hereditary institution. But at the end we are the ultimate personification of the state, who brings the unity needed in times when some other follow a sort of populist regimes; at the end is a lesson of accountability and permanence, which in combination brings balance to a nation; and I will say thats the recipe of success of our great nation."
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"Book publishing", Artabanos said, "How lovely. Would you care to take a tour of the Imperial library? The restricted section is quite... exciting. I will admit that many an Emperor has hidden there from time to time, sometimes with guests, sometimes with very special guests. Ah, I remember... anyway, I digress completely, Your Majesty!" He took a bite of cheese and sipped some tea (into which He had carefully slipped some of the contents of His hip flask. "And you have no written Constitution? How exciting. As a matter of fact, the Constitution of Inimicus is the only document that binds the powers of the Emperor of Inimicus - yours truly. " Artabanos swiftly grasped into a bookcase, and presented the Queen with a signed copy of the document, for her to keep. "Then again, that same Constitution does give Me the right to amend it, subject to necessary approvals, of course. Approvals by people that I mainly appoint. Anyway, we're getting off topic again...
"Inimicus is further governed by a set of social rules I introduced, called the Artabanos Thirteen." -- another grab into the bookcase, another signed copy presented -- "Although it has no binding power, this document prescribes the ideal Inimician values of tolerance, acceptance, secularism, rationalism, and scientific discourse. It is possibly My proudest achievement."
"Ah yes, I recognise the status of the monarch that you highlight, Your Majesty. Indeed, Inimicians, too, look to their Emperor for unity and permanence. Although, I will admit, permanence was no trait of my two predecessors, since neither stayed on the Throne for more than a year. When I acceeded to the Imperial Prerogative, I intended to change this. And, well, without sounding boastful, I appear to have done so. Do you have any sense of how Inimicus and its government is seen in your national discourse? I'm most intrigued by how your press and public figures view Me -- I mean, us, as a nation.."
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The Queen read the documents and was fascinated with them as she proceeded. "I must say that the view of my government's of yours is very greeted because your leadership offers hope to Inimicus and the whole Union as we have seen your positions on crucial decisions. People may percive you as agressive, because for your internal political issues and turns of speech which are percieved as means to your popularity, I repeat, it’s not my job to judge or to have a say in what the Prime Minister and his Foreign Office brief us; because sometimes a leader needs to lead. I percieve you as a man with steady leadership. And your Government an excellent ally." Said The Queen as she proeceeded. "And what's your personal and national discourse on Montenbourg?"
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"Your Majesty", Artabanos said coyly, "You'll make me blush. I'm extremely glad you in Montenbourg consider us Inimicians your allies -- Indeed, I would hope that some bright day in the very near future our two countries might sign a concrete bond of friendship, hopefully both on economic and defence grounds. I accept, of course, that your political position does not allow you to sign or even to discuss this type of agreement, so we should, perhaps, schedule a meeting with some of your senior government figures sometime soon?
I must say, and I do not just want to return your compliments, that Inimicus looks to Montenbourg as a light of stability in an otherwise turbulent region. We have but few allies we can rely on, of course -- and we count Montenbourg among the great friends we have, along with, of course, Fremet, Spain, Vayinaod, and closer to home, the United Duchies. Relations with our other neighbours to the north and south, Angleter, North Diessen, and the Duxburian Union, are cordial but not much more, and of course we are surrounded by two rogue regimes, Dromund Kaas to the east and Neo-Venetia to the south, forcing us to keep an incredibly close watch on our borders and internal affairs.
Anyway, I digress. You would be surprised, actually, that the Inimician tabloid press put your arrival at my recent soiree on their front pages more so than most other dignitaries -- barring Archbishop Kligenberg, perhaps -- and you appear to be respected far and wide throughout the country. Not many foreign leaders are popular in Inimicus, Your Majesty. You should consider this an honour! Ooh, speaking of which, I believe time has come for our joint photo moment -- have you finished your tea? We'll proceed to the press room, and then it'll likely be time to get changed for the state banquet. Shall we?"
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"This is marvelous! Consider us more than allies, friends in the closer level. On the matters of putting this bond on paper, my delegation can send the proposal draft to the Foreign Office and our respectives ambassadors and Foreign Ministers could procede with the signing; the prerogative will sustain this motion." The Queen smiled and proceeded to the photo op.
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"Oh, that would be fantastic -- I will get to work on an agreement the moment you have boarded your plane home, Your Majesty -- I hadn't quite prepared myself for the preparation of one before this meeting, I'm afraid. In any case, I'm extremely anxious to be working so closely with more Montenbourg diplomats and politicians, you all seem like a very civilised bunch", Artabanos said, before gesturing the Queen to the exit and opening the door for her. He quickly grasped into his pocket and took a deep, long sip from His flask before continuing to the press room, where it seemed like thousands of flashes greeted the two monarchs with every move they made. Artabanos had always despised these photo ops, but they were a necessary evil - how else was He going to show off His ties?
Having sat down in the press room, Artabanos shook the Queen's hand for the cameras and began His statement: "Thank you all for coming and for helping me in wishing Her Majesty Queen Victoria of Montenbourg the very warmest of welcomes to the Empire. As you will know, our previous meeting, here in the Palace, did not end fortuitously, and yet the bond between Montenbourg and Inimicus has never been stronger. The Inimician Government, and Myself personally, wish to acknowledge especially the diplomatic and moral support from Montenbourg during recent crises involving Reitzmag and Eastern Haane.
"We know Montenbourg as a dependable friend and ally, and wish to continue this friendship in the future. It is with this in mind that I can now publicise a very recently-made decision by both our governments to start formalising an official partnership and alliance, details of which you will, no doubt, hear about in due course. For now, though, I simply wish to express my joy at the Queen's coming here, and to express how much I am looking forward to the state banquet in just a few short hours, at which we will no doubt hear much more from her and her entourage. Welcome, Your Majesty, to the Empire."
With that, Artabanos invited the Queen to make her own statement to the press.
