A royal invitation

[Großlausitz]

OOC: It is set to happen on December 26th, for a number of reasons I already start today.

Gründlach Castle
Duchy of Schlesnitz

If you had to describe Burg Gründlach, which was the ancestral seat of the House of [wiki]Knýtling[/wiki], in a few words, you would probably liken it to late medieval period castle from the outside, but with the comfort of the modern age in the inside. It was a large castle with a moat and still intact drawing bridge. However, the moat was used as a park featuring beautiful plants and flowers each spring and summer. Other than the official seat of the monarchy, i.e. the Königsburg in Nürnberg, this castle was held privately by the House of Knýtling via its own Knýtling Domains Administration (KDV). Nonetheless, it was under the permanent protection of the Royal Guards, whose units had the traditional double role of combat soldier and royal body guard. Despite the law’s best intentions it was hard to keep the roles of head of house and head of state fully separate.

Traditionally the senior members of the Kingdom’s Privy Council, i.e. the so-called Great Officers of State, were treated to a royal invitation on the second day of Christmas or Boxing Day as Guianans and Anglynians liked to call it. Usually the invitation was extended to one or two nations not directly allied with Franken. This year the Potenzians were given the honour. Of course there was always a political motive; what person would be gullible enough to suspect there wasn’t one? The objective was to show Potenza how much they had to lose if they ever gave up their neutrality in Engellex’ favour. Franken’s first shot had been directed towards the Grand Duke, but that was only to ensure he wouldn’t send a puny underling as a lieutenant but senior members of the ruling elite.

As every Great Officer of State had brought his or her spouse, there were several people including the royal and princely couples. By order of precedence the Potenzians were introduced to:

• Their Majesties, King Alfred IV and Queen Margarethe
• Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Regent Jakob and Duchess Franziska Isabel
• The Lord High Steward and his wife Her Highness Duchess Ulrike von Bamberg
• The Lord High Chancellor and his wife Her Highness Duchess Anne von Guttenberg
• The Lord Chancellor and his wife Countess Maria Solms (1)
• The Prior of the Realm and her husband Valerian von Coburg und Gotha (2)
• The Lord High Treasurer and his wife Her Highness Margravine Yolanda von Oberrhön-Greifswalde
• The Lord Great Chamberlain and his wife Her Highness Duchess Elenore von Coburg und Gotha
• The Lord Chamberlain and his wife Kristin Vogelweide
• The Marshal of the Realm and his wife Her Highness Duchess Erika von Faber-Castell (3)

It was obvious it was the nucleus of Franken’s ruling elite assembled in Gründlach Castle, whose compound was picturesquely powered with lots and lots of snow. While everyone was mingling for the initial reception before the actual banquet, Prince Regent Jakob told the two Counts and Fr. Teodoro “You see, gentlemen, Franken has been doing relatively well by merging the best of lots of forms of government. There’s the senior representative of our elected civil government, then we have the senior figure of the church as well as a prominent representative of the Catholic creed. As with every community consisting of normal men and women, there are frictions and disputes, sometimes even larger mistakes. In the end of the day it’s the Sovereign’s heavy burden to make a final decision. To make the decision as well-informed and reasonable as possible, the Sovereign receives input from several sides, as you can see. Alas, I don’t want to bore you with a long talk about our system of government. I just want to ensure you draw the correct conclusions. Please do help yourself to any drink or refreshment and talk to anyone you like to. If I’m informed correctly, the banquet will begin in about 30 minutes, give or take a few mins.”

With a polite and warm smile he and his wife moved on to talk with the Duke and Duchess of Bamberg.

(1) The Lord Chancellor is the Ministerpresident
(2) Anna von Coburg und Gotha is the Lutheran Archbishop of Nürnberg and ceremonial church leader
(3) Also reps of the premier Catholic house

 

[Potenza]

A few moments before the previous post...

Two separate vehicles were driving the Potenzan delegation to Burg Gründlach. The front one contained Count Guido della Torre along with Count Niccolo di Grimaldi, while the one behind them contained Fr. Teodoro di Grimaldi and the Countess Luigiana di Grimaldi. As the vehicles drew near, Guido and Niccolo began to converse with one another. For the entire trip they had been fairly silent, save for incidentals that usually occur during travel. The only sounds heard from the delegation had come from Teodoro and Luigiana talking with one another, the young countess being overly excited because it was her first trip to a foreign country. The silence, of course, was simply a facade. The two men had known of each other, but previously had not had a chance to exchange words. Up until now they had spent their time sizing up the other, trying to guess both motive and mettle. Now that both men had done their required reading, so to speak, they could begin to exchange pleasantries. Guido, for his own part, felt he could trust being open with Niccolo - he knew that Niccolo hated Niccolism (and how ironic that was) and believed the grand duke to have made several blunders. In that regard, he knew Niccolo was open to criticizing the grand duke and his government.

"Congratulations on you're appointment," said Niccolo, "I've been meaning to tell you that."

Guido nodded, "Thank you, sir. Congratulations on your recent publication. You'll be happy to know I've read it all the way through."

"Much more than most of my enemies, I'm sure."

Guido smiled, appreciating the sardonic humor, then looked out the window, seeing the castle appear up ahead, "I gather, Count Niccolo, that you are a politically savvy man. Perhaps you can inform me, from your own summation, why the Frankish have invited us to meet."

"How could it not be obvious to anyone but the blind?" replied Niccolo. "Franken is part of the EDF, which is locked in a war with Engellex...who's winning. Potenza is an ally of Engellex and has royal ties, but our royal majesty" the words were said with some incredulity, "has thus far maintained his policy of Neustrema. That means Potenza is a wild card to whoever can win her. If the EDF can gain Potenza, they gain something of an advantage in the war. The grand duke believed that he could keep Potenza secure by enforcing 'extreme neutrality,' but all he's done is given room for the sharks to circle around."

Guido nodded, "That's why he sent us instead, surely."

"Yes, he wants to keep one foot in the EDF and one foot in Engellex. But that's absurdity."

"Like a hunter chasing two rabbits?"

Niccolo nodded, "It doesn't help that he's trying to pretend as if his liberalism hasn't affected our country any. He's survived an election, but he's on shaky ground. No, you cannot serve two masters. A politician has to side with one or the other. Potenza will eventually have to make her stand."

Guido nodded again, then said with a smile, "My peer in royalty, I think for all the intelligence our grand duke has, he has made one vital mistake."

"What is that?"

"He has placed us in the same vehicle together."

The two men smiled at one another as an attendant opened the door to the vehicle and both men got out. The Frankish attendant attempted to help Guido, who smacked his hand rather furiously and continued, with some difficulty, to get himself out of the car. Right behind them was the car holding the new episcopal vicar and the young countess, the latter of whom was all aglow at the sight of the castle.

"Look, brother!" she said, beaming up at the sight of the Burg Gründlach. "It's like something from a fairy tale! And look! Real snow!" She started to run some distance away, giggling and kicking at the snow that had surrounded the castle.

"Luigiana! Don't be so rude," said Teodoro, waving his finger at her and taking her by the hand, "you are a guest to this country! You can't just walk in and kick their snow."

"Oh! I'm sorry, brother."

"Now then, you're about to meet some very important people...do you remember the phrases I taught you to say when you meet them?"

Luigiana looked down, seemingly worried. She bit her lip...then smiled. Making a polite curtsy, she said with a hint of a Tiburan accent: "Guten Tag. Freut mich, Sie kenzulernen."

"Kennenzulernen," Teodoro corrected, poking her nose. Few Potenzans spoke much German, although it was better among the royalty. Guido spoke some, Niccolo spoke enough to get by, while Teodoro was aptly fluent. Luigiana, being so young and having not yet been taught another language save English, knew almost no German at all, and so Teodoro had taught her something as a way of being polite to the people they would meet.

The Potenzan delegation were brought in and introduced to the great officers of state, with all pleasantries and honors owed from members of Potenzan royalty. Teodoro and Luigiana went first, introducing themselves in German; on a few occasions Luigiana flubbed her line and, with a clear of Teodoro's throat, she blushed and quickly corrected herself. Niccolo was behind, standing tall and proud, smiling and shaking hands and bowing. Guido, because of his handicap, came last. Guido attempted to stand as tall as he could given his cane, bowing ever so slightly when he could.

Sometime later, the delegation was approached by the Prince Regent Jakob:

“You see, gentlemen, Franken has been doing relatively well by merging the best of lots of forms of government. There’s the senior representative of our elected civil government, then we have the senior figure of the church as well as a prominent representative of the Catholic creed. As with every community consisting of normal men and women, there are frictions and disputes, sometimes even larger mistakes. In the end of the day it’s the Sovereign’s heavy burden to make a final decision. To make the decision as well-informed and reasonable as possible, the Sovereign receives input from several sides, as you can see. Alas, I don’t want to bore you with a long talk about our system of government. I just want to ensure you draw the correct conclusions. Please do help yourself to any drink or refreshment and talk to anyone you like to. If I’m informed correctly, the banquet will begin in about 30 minutes, give or take a few mins.”

Immediately Luigiana began to tug on Teodoro's robes, "Brother! Brother! Can we go talk to the queen?"

Teodoro smiled, "Of course - what do you want to say?"

"I like her dress! I want to ask her about it! Talk for me!"

"All right, all right, let's go."

Niccolo and Guido watched the two head off. Guido took a drink from one of the attendants pacing the room, sipping it and looking about. The insides of the room showed a great modernity mixed in with history, showing that Franken had stood the test of time. The great number of nobles and the system of government showed that they were secure as well, and had a strong interior. Guido mused to himself how it seemed like Engellex was strong from the outside - military, economy, what have you - yet on the inside appeared as weak as Potenza. He began to walk about the room, looking at the items as he thought to himself, occasionally leaning against his cane to get a closer look at a work of art.

Niccolo turned and headed over to where the prince regent, his wife, and the duke and duchess of Bamberg were standing, "Tell me, what kind of disputes have you had to deal with in the past, and how did your form of government deal with it? I'm interested in the machinations of politics, as you know."

 

[Großlausitz]

Despite their luxurious and perfectly cut attire that was quite the same like the one of their Franconian hosts, you could easily tell the Potenzanians from their peers of Franconian stock. If the Coronadian monarchy still existed, their lords would look quite alike: Their slightly darker complexion could hardly be overlooked.

The King and Queen were engaged in a conversation with the Archbishop of Nuremberg and her husband when Fr. Teodoro and Luigiana approached them. When the little princess wanted to curtsy once more, King Alfred, who had the looks and stature of a 70-year-old grandfather any grandchild would find comforting, indicated her that it wasn’t necessary. “I’m delighted to see you are very well versed in the rules of courtly conduct. However, my court employs the overly strict Augsburger Protocol only at very solemn occasions. That’s also why I rarely use the royal we. But if you want to do me favour, could you remind me of your name again, please? I understand you are the brother of Monsignore Teodoro, right?” As Fr. Teodoro turned out to be an apt interpreter, there was no need for one of the court servants to help out in the conversation.

“Her Highness quite likes your dress, ma’am,” the priest translated Luigania’s original request. With a grandmotherly smile she answered: “Well, thank you, Princess Luigiana. If only my own grandchildren were as delighted about my choice of clothes as you are. Have you had the opportunity to go to Wiese yet? One of my many grandchildren, Archduke Ferdinand, who is about as old as you, 9, lives there with his family. I could show you around the castle after the banquet, if you wanted to. This family – who I married into – has been living here for about 1000 years. Their oldest ancestors were Vikings from Arendaal.”

Being an art aficionado himself, the Lord High Treasurer, Markgraf Andreas IV von Oberrhön-Greifswald, soon joined Count Guido in appreciating the works of art displayed in the ante-chamber of castle’s great hall. “I see you appreciate a good piece of art as much as I do, your highness. Our royal house as well as the five other major houses of the realm have either collections of their own or entrusted a museum with caring for them. However, I daresay, among my peers I’m the only one who enjoys going into an art collection instead of just being dragged there by their spouses”, Markgraf Andreas von Oberrhön-Greifswald winked and chuckled, “This painting is a 19th century display of the first Franconian king’s ascension amidst the Reformist Wars. Its purpose is obvious: It’s to glorify Franken’s ruling dynasty. If you look more closely, you can discover the reason why it isn’t just kitsch.” The Margrave pointed to marvelously painted bands of soldiers, whose eyes showed pain and agony in the light of war, and to a miniature caricature of the Wieser Emperor having a fit of anger over the news of King Sebastian III’s ascension.

Meanwhile, across the room Prince Regent Jakob couldn’t help but smile over Niccolo’s particular thirst for knowledge. “Where do I start best, Count Niccolo? Well, at the beginning would be suitable, wouldn’t it? My ancestor, then Duke Sebastian III von Franken, and de facto liege of the Western Empire, was an ambitious man. He wanted to finish what his grandfather Nikolaus couldn’t do: He wanted to carve out an empire of its own right for the people of the west. At the same time he was determined to rid the Franconians from the influence of the papacy, who was then perceived as meddling and corrupt. While the aspirations of an imperial crown could only be fulfilled several centuries later with the creation of the Empire of Vangala, Sebastian III had found a particular way to ensure his vassals’ and the burghers’ loyalty. He regularly convened them and eventually our bicameral Landtag evolved from that nucleus parliament. The first major conflict was the attempt by Alfred II to curb the parliament’s rights in the second half of the 18th century. If there hadn’t been Alfred II’s pro-parliament brother, later Jakob IV, there would have been the risk of civil war. It was he who coined my house’s ethos of the Sovereign being the people’s servant. The next conflict was the mid-19th century rise of the workers, which threatened the country’s fundaments again. Once more, both my house and most of the elite demonstrated how you have to adapt to change: They subsequently introduced general suffrage for men, a few decades later the women received the same treating. Finally, in 1960s, the Senate, an indirectly elected upper house replaced the hereditary House of Lords. It was a response to the social changes in the aftermath of decolonization and the continuous shift of power from the House of Lords to the House of Representatives. With the lower house being open both to nobility and commoners we ensure that only those lords enter politics who actually about it.”

 

[Potenza]

Luigiana seemed very excited by the queen's offer of being shown around the castle. She squealed and jumped up and down, tugging on Teodoro's robes, "Oh! Oh! Brother! Tell her yes, please! Yes, please!" There seemed to little doubt, however, anyone misunderstood her original Tiburan request of Sì, grazie! Sì, grazie! Although she also seemed very concerned. She motioned for Teodoro to kneel down, and then whispered in his ear, "Will the vikings still be here? They might capture us!"

Teodoro laughed and patted her head, "There will be no vikings. They're all in Arendaal now." He gave her a knowing wink, and Luigiana giggled.

Meanwhile, the Count Guido della Torre was listening quietly to the Lord High Treasurer's art critique. He sipped his beverage slowly, like a man inhales from a pipe, and then swallowed gently, staring at the details. "I see, I see," he finally said, "a fine show of emotions. Indeed, any artist who intends to draw humanity and fails in the depiction of emotions is a failure." He thought for a moment as his eyes gazed upon the depiction of Sebastian III, almost as if he were studying him today. "Tell me, if an artist were to depict the emotions of Franken today, how would he do so?" Guido turned towards the Treasurer as he sipped the drink again.

Niccolo, not too far off, was listening to Prince Regent Jakob as he explained the more interesting aspects of Franken's political history.

"Yes, much of what you said was not too far off from our own Republic of San Salvo. I don't know if you're aware of it, but it was a short lived republic that existed from the late Middle Ages to the early Renaissance, and consisted of the city of San Salvo and the land around it. My associate Count Guido's family used to run it, but had been kicked out by the leaders of the city. From then on, it was truly rule of law, with changes made to try to accommodate for the needs of government. Some of their answers to problems were rather interesting. For example, because of the refusal by city leaders to carry out some judgments from the court, the city gave the court their own personal militia to carry out the sentencing. Not the most appropriate way of running a government, I suppose. Let me ask you now perhaps what some might consider a strange question: do you suppose that changes made to government are from the demands of social changes, or the government themselves? In other words, do the desires come from the wisdom of the leaders themselves, or the pressures of the society?"

 

[Großlausitz]

The King and Queen shared a warm smile, as the little girl’s joyful demeanour reminded them of their own offspring’s childhood. “Then it’s agreed, Luigiana. You will be treated to a tour that hardly any foreign visitor gets to see, even as a paying tourist.” King Alfred turned to Archbishop Anna and her spouse. “Where are my manners?! Your Excellency, this is Her Excellency the Archbishop of Nuremberg and ceremonial presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church and her husband Valerian von Coburg und Gotha. Archbishop, Herr von Coburg und Gotha, these are Princess Luigiana and her brother Fr. Teodoro.” To mark the stately occasion Archbishop Coburg und Gotha was wearing a formal but surprisingly womanly attire, including her chain of office as Prior of the Realm. Her fellow Great Officers were wearing similar chains indicating their respective ceremonial job. “Fr. Teodoro, you are vicar of one of Potenza’s bishoprics, aren’t you?” the Archbishop inquired.

It took the Margrave a few minutes to figure out an answer to Count Guido’s question. Using gentle gestures to emphasise his explanations, he replied: “I believe an artist of our day would still focus the Sovereign in his work’s center. However, he would rightly surround him with the self-confident and proud people of Franken, nobleman and commoner alike. Colourwise it would be dominated by bright and joyful colours, yet if you looked closely; you would discover dark spots at the outer rims and here and there nearer the centre. Finally I don’t think military motives would prevail. You would recognize an aircraft carrier in some water or a powerful fighter jet in the sky. How would an artist depict your home country, your highness?”

The Prince Regent was delighted to indulge in erudite discussions with Count Niccolo. This was one of the few moments when he somewhat regretted being the oldest child of his father instead of being able to pursue his deep interest in the history of politics and economics. “May I reply to your question with a quotation by our country’s pater patriae, her first modern age chief of government? ‘They treat me like a fox, a cunning fellow of the first rank. But the truth is that with a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and when I have to do with a pirate, I try to be a pirate and a half.’ In other words, a good government ought to think ahead as best and efficiently as possible. Why else does it receive resources from its people? Regardless of its respective ideological fundament a good government has to anticipate change for the best of its people!”

The conversations were interrupted by the King’s loud voice, who informed his guests that the banquet was ready. They were placed at two round tables: Fr. Teodoro and Luigiana were seated next to the Prior of the Realm, the Lord Great Chamberlain as well as the Lord Chamberlain and their respective spouses and the royal couple. Count Guido found himself next to the Lord High Treasurer and the Marshal of the Realm, while Count Teodoro was seated at the Prince Regent’s, the Lord High Steward’s, the Lord High Chancellor’s and Lord Chancellor’s table.

 

[Potenza]

Guido was visibly agitated by the abrupt interruption, though happy once he was sitting down again, and beside the Lord High Treasurer again. After leaning his cane against the side of the table, Guido leaned back and, folding his hands on his lap, looked towards the Lord High Treasurer and continued the conversation:

"It's hard to describe how one single artist would describe Potenza. I might compare it to painting of a wet hen, running back and forth without any clear direction on what it can do in a moment of panic. There are many farmhands running after it, each one desiring to do something with it. Some want to eat it, some desire it to lay eggs, others simply want it to dry off and calm down. The question is, who lays a hold of her, and for how long?"

Across the table, Count Niccolo was busy continuing his conversation with the Prince Regent:

"It seems, then, that you suggest the government is an agent of change? I suppose my question would be what drives that agent of change. In other words, who is in the driver seat? Is it the government, or the people's desires? If we submit to the people's desires - every single one of them - we have what some call a...'mob-ocracy'." It took the count a moment to think how to translate the word into German. "The government has to be a deciding factor. It is only by the government that such change can come about. That is its function within the state, I would argue. The people may desire, but the people are not always the wisest in knowing what the state as a whole truly needs. The government, on the other hand, can serve as not only the source of change but the discerning tool to filter out unnecessary or disastrous change. There are certain changes that may become popular but which need to be avoided. We can see this at the end of the Tiburan Empire, when she submitted to the desires of pagan-like debauchery from her people, and which ultimately ended in her destruction."

 

[Großlausitz]

The Große Halle der Sterne or Geat Hall of Stars was named after its characteristic ceiling adornments, which showed the night sky over Nuremberg at midnight during summer solstice. “This piece of art was commissioned by one of our more scientifically interested Kings, whose name I sadly forgot. May my dear ancestor not haunt me in my sleep in revenge,” King Alfred chuckled as he explained the most curious feature of this room to his youngest guest, who had politely asked, “As you can see, furthermore, the artisan replaced one particular planet with greater arms of Franken. Can you tell which one? It’s the celestial body that’s named after the Tiburian king of pagan deities.”

On the table left to the king’s one Margrave Andreas von Oberrhön-Greifwald replied to Count Guido’s remark: “It’s a fine demonstration of your sober sense of political affairs, your highness. I know lesser and greater leaders, who would have used more flattering metaphors, even in familiar environments like here. Chapeau! Is there any way the chicken could do something about its situation on its own? Call me over optimistic, but even smaller states can be sovereign if they get their act together.” Marshal of the Realm Herzog Friedrich IV von Faber-Castell nodded approvingly. “I do think your optimism is warranted, my dear Margrave Andreas. Franken is one of the best historical examples of a mid-range power asserting itself and rising to a premier position in Europe. And then there’s Anglyn, which grew from a mere overseas tin-pot principality into a powerful participant in the game of thrones in the west of the 20th and 21st century. There’s plenty of wriggling room.”

On the royal table’s right side Prince Regent Jakob was considering a proper answer to Count Teodoro’s comment when Lord Chancellor and Ministerpresident Graf Peter Solms remarked: “Your royal highness, would you allow me to answer?” Upon the Prince Regent’s nod the earl continued: “Connoisseurs of the Franconian constitution know that our state’s framework is constructed in a way to carefully balance the interests of the people, their elected representatives and their Sovereign. While the people may elect different kinds of governments in Franken’s cities, duchies and on the national level, ranging from Christian Democratic to Social Democratic, which in turn carry out part of the government work in the Sovereign’s name, the King is the permanent element of the state. The people need and want to look up to the King if we, their elected politicians enact unpopular measures. To prevent the Sovereign from indulging in delusions of grandeur, however, he is kept in check by requiring the advice of his elected government. Thus His Majesty’s most loyal Government runs the shop most of the times, but it is put in its place by the King.” When the Lord Chancellor ended, the Prince Regent added: “Thank you, Reichskanzler, I couldn’t have said it better myself. My father, I and our predecessors have been brought up in the spirit of the King taking the driver seat at large cross-roads. The First Officer, i.e. the government, may be a good commander most of the times, but a King has to determine Franken’s fate in the very long run.”

 

[Potenza]

Luigana covered her mouth as she gazed up at the painted sky. "Hmmm..." She leaned over to Teodoro: "Brother...Zeus?"

Teodoro shook his finger, "That was the original name...what did the ancient Tiburans call him?"

"Oh! Jupiter!" She turned to the king, "Your majesty! It's Jupiter! Jupiter!" She giggled, and Teodoro quickly translated the full phrase, though the answer was easy to understand.

"Luigiana has a small interest in the stars, your majesties," Teodoro told the monarchs in his fluent German, "she's jealous of the Torriani because they reside in the southwest of Potenza, which is more country and far from the city lights. The Grimaldi house resides near Turin, and so the night sky is often blurred by the lights from the nearby city."

Meanwhile, Guido was running a finger along the rim of the glass before him, listening to von Oberrhön-Greifwald's response. His eyes casually turned towards von Faber-Castell as he spoke, then returned to his glass. He was well aware of what was happening. Children often said "it took one to know one" - and it was true among politicians. He turned towards the Margrave and said, in response to the earlier question, "There is a problem. The hen has no head. Chickens can run quite a distance after their head has been severed, you know. Imagine a headless chicken running for hundreds of years, if not thousands, and that is Potenza. Potenza needs a firmer government to lead her in a direction. Unfortunately, the current man who..." Guido slowed down his speech. He was getting too bold. He was about to lambaste the Grand Duke, but that was dangerous, especially in his current position. He quickly recovered, "...believes the best for this nation, that is the kind of mind who should not be in power. We need to find a way to strengthen our nation in such a way that she can rise. The world needs to see that when Potenza united in the early 19th century, she united strong."

Not too far off, Niccolo, unaware of the other conversation, was listening to his own table mates. He smiled and nodded, having a bite of his food and wiping his mouth before speaking: "What you just described is similar to something my enemies have dubbed Neo-Reactionism. Rather intelligent name, isn't it? I've been pondering the idea of starting an international organization to help promote this idea. Perhaps you gentleman would be interested in helping to form it?"

 

[Großlausitz]

The King, the Queen and the other guests at the King’s table were impressed of the girl’s knowledge. “Young Luigana, if only my children had been as interested in history when they were your age,” Queen Margarethe praised the little princess, “You can consider the tour through the castle your well-earned reward. But now we ought to enjoy our meal lest the cooks be disappointed.” The Queen winked at her and took a bite from the delicious meal.

At Count Guido’s table the Markgraf and the Herzog both nodded understandingly. Neither of them were involved in every day politics, but they each had a family conglomerate of sorts to run and participated in the quarterly meetings of the Great Officers of State. Both lords knew when someone tried to conceal an unpleasant truth. “Very well, highness, it’s in Franken’s own interest to see your nation resurface as a sufficiently strong player. She and her allies cannot see to the business of securing the free flow of goods, resources and ideas alone, i.e. peace and prosperity in the regions we love and cherish.”

“Neo-Reactionism –“, Prinzregent Jakob murmured, “this sounds like just the right concept to anger our dear social-democrats, doesn’t it, Reichskanzler? Please tell me more, Count Niccolo.”

 

[Potenza]

Count Niccolo sipped his beverage gently before continuing:

"It's quite simple, really. You just described much of it. Neo-Reactionism is a renewal of the reactionism of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with some modifications. It's primary goal is the preservation and, if need be, expansion of a nation's monarchy specifically and nobility in general. It upholds that the monarch is head-of-state and commander of the armed forces, and therefore serves as the primary executive of the nation. He also serves as the national symbol, the people's chief representative abroad, the model of the average citizen, and the chief patron of the nation's industry, culture and business. Unlike previous forms of reactionism, however, it does permit some forms of democracy in the form of a representational body that stems the power of the monarch and has the power, if need be, to remove him from power and reinstate another monarch. It also supports the advancement of the nation's technology, and indeed encourages the monarch to see the nation improve. That is the core of Neo-Reactionism. I'm hoping to write a book on it soon, really."

As Niccolo's advertisement of his pet doctrine was going on, Guido was speaking with his two conversational guests:

"I'm sure many nations would love to have a better relationship with Potenza. However, you must remember my nation is in a precarious position. It has been ruled by the Visconti house since the time of unification, and they still hold the sword of Alexandria in San Salvo. The nation of Engellex has been patron of the Visconti since the unification, as it was partially because of Engellex that they were able to do so. So, the Visconti has a vital interest in maintaining good relations between Engellex and Potenza - not for the survival of their nation, but their own power. If you want to create better relations with Potenza while being at war with Engellex, you will have to either make peace with Engellex or find way to remove the Visconti from power." Guido smirked a bit, his finger tracing around the rim of the glass, then added: "Peacefully, of course."

 

[Großlausitz]

"The red wine is from one of our family vineyards, I recall correctly, your highness," Herzog Sebastian III von Bamberg, Lord High Steward, remarked visibly pleased to see their guest enjoy the beverage, "The houses take turns on providing the wine and some of the season's banquet supply. This year it's the Bambergers' duty." Prinzregent Jakob nodded and raised his glass to gently clink glasses with Bamberg. "It's delicious, mon très cher cousin -", albeit being only distant cousins the respective Duke of Bamberg also carried the privilege to be addressed as such beside the first and second cousins, "- but now I'd like to thank you for your explanations, Count Niccolo. They seem to be pretty attractive. How do you hope to convince influential players outside Potenza? I surmise you'd be delighted if we could help you here and there, wouldn't you?"

The Lord High Treasurer replied with a wink: "I take it you aren't convinced that your current head of state performs as well as your country would deserve, are you? Did you know that our country's secret services history dates back to the 16th century? Of course the institutions as such were only formalised and set up in the 19th century, but the know-how is age old and time-tested. How much say do you have in running your country's intelligence community as the speaker of the house of lords - did I name your office correctly?"

 

[Potenza]

"Chamber of Nobles, and I am the Lord Speaker, yes. And I'm afraid our intelligence service is next to non-existent," replied Guido, "I have pondered creating an alternative to it, or at the very least pushing for it to be made. Age is of no consequence. An intelligence service four hundred years old and is poorly run is weaker than a brand new intelligence service properly run. And that is what Potenza will have comparatively." Guido smiled a bit and looked down at his plate, realizing he had not eaten much, although he wasn't prone to eating that much any way. He took a bit from his plate, placing the fork in his mouth and chewing quietly, swallowing politely before continuing: "Permitted things go according to what fortune dictates, of course."

Meanwhile, Niccolo was continuing his conversation regarding Neo-Reactionism: "Help is not an issue. I predict a strong growth within Potenza. What matters is how you gentlemen intend to have it grow within Franken yourself. If we can get at least two nations to show the power of Neo-Reactionism, I am certain it will catch on elsewhere. Its presence in two nations would permit its ability to function as an international body. If you gentlemen wish, you may become co-founders with myself for the International Neo-Reactionist Society - a working name, any way."

 

[Großlausitz]

"Forgive my vain bravado about the age of Franken's intelligence community. Where are my manners? Of course you're right. In the end it all comes down the effective and efficient operation of the intelligence agencies," the Margrave contritely replied. Meanwhile, the more the meal progressed, the more Princess Luigana's excitement about the subsequent tour of the castle became obvious. When the dessert had been finally served and eaten the King and Queen exchanged a knowing smile. "If you excuse us, ladies and gentlemen, I believe I have a promise to fulfil for this young lady," Queen Margarethe got up, took the young princess by her hand and left the dining room.

As the servants and attendants offered the guests some spirits to help as digestives, Prince Regent Jakob told the young Count Niccolo "We should certainly stay in touch, Herr Graf. I trust you are as privy to the modern means of electronical communication as I'm, aren't you?" Of course the co-regent of Franken was quite used to apply e-mail, internet phoning and what not.