Serenierre
Established Nation
Château de Villesen
Shahrazad Martinique – the Premier – looked at her reflection in one of the mirrors on the shelf as she waited for the King. She remembered the first time she had come to visit His Majesty, just after she had won the elections in 2002, how she remembered those feelings of elation and anxiety. But now, ten years on, here she was, sitting in that very same chair — a woman changed. Over those ten years, she had taken to consulting with the King prior to each meeting she had with foreign delegations.
A footman escorted her to the King's private library, deep somewhere in the Palace's private apartments. Though she had visited him countless times here, she always marvelled at the ability of the porters to remember the labyrinthine corridors. When she entered the usual ritual was performed. A deep curtsey from her and they would take to their seats, always choosing the sofas overlooking the King's own rose garden.
"So, Madame Martinique, the Coeurleone I believe... is it?" the King said to her as he looked at the documents scattered on his lap, "Why yes it is," he said to himself jovially, tapping his fountain pen on the side before signing a document.
"Yes, Your Majesty, on our invitation the Government of Coeurleon has sent a high ranking delegation to discuss measures for the enhancement of our bilateral ties. I'm sure Minister Sant-Carciérre sent a report to your office... detailing our relationship with them and our goals from this meeting."
"As a matter of fact, I did read that dossier... quite well written and to the point..." he said looking at her, his glasses resting on the tip of his nose, "I believe she's creating quite the stir in Vesper... Madame Sant-Carciérre is quite frankly, as far as ministers go, the best foreign minister I've had over my reign. Second only to you of-course," he quickly added, smiling.
"Of-course," she smiled back. "But yes, considering you're updated on the status of relations, is there anything I should take into account, Your Majesty?"
"I don't think I can say anything more when I have the two most brilliant political minds running this government... I quite trust your judgement."
"Thank you for your faith in me, sir."
With his regal sophistication, the King smiled momentarily at her and went back to his documents, which was exactly the moment when the porter arrived to escort her out. She knew that the King had buzzers, hidden into the room, to signal outside when he thought the meeting was over, and over the years she'd tried to see when he pressed it but the man was a magician, always surprising her. One day, probably her last in office, she would ask him, she thought to herself as she walked out and the door shut behind her.
***
The state apartments of the Château de Villesen were almost always used to conduct meetings with senior foreign delegations and the visiting delegation from Sainte-Elisabeth would officially be greeted by the Prime Minister there. The rooms were possibly the best example of 18th century Francophone architecture — though the country may have fought the Montelimarians, their architectural legacy had lingered on for generations in Belmont after the war of independence.
As the leader of the Coeurleone delegation was ushered into the chamber, with his retinue in tow, Shahrazad stood poised and collected, her silky white giving off their brilliant shine, as usual. As each member of the visiting entourage was introduced, she graciously welcomed each person and after the usual round of introductory remarks, both sides sat down at the conference table set up in the smaller, yet just as elegant, Yellow Ball Room.
As the host Shahrazad spoke first, "First and foremost, I must offer His Majesty's appreciation for the Coeurleon Government's acceptance of our invitation for this meeting. Secondly, I welcome you all to Belmont and hope that your journey, as well as your stay so far, has been an enjoyable experience," she said in the warmest manner as she scanned the faces of each delegation member.
"As fellow Francophone and monarchist states, these times may seem to be alarming for our kind considering the elements shaping the geo-strategic landscape of this world and it is for that very reason that The Kingdom of Belmont offers its hand of friendship to its sister state of Coeurleon. We know the past year has been particularly difficult, given the conflict raging on its borders and in its greater region and we want to say that we are there for our sister state."
"Let us be clear in our intentions: we seek friendship, we seek partnership. And to do so we are looking to discuss the needs of our sister state and strike a relationship that is, both, mutually beneficial and strategically sound – for both of our nations. I am sure you can agree with me that in these turbulent times, banding together can assist in riding out the roughest of the waves thrown at us."
"Thus, let me begin our discussions by beginning with the most important area of interest. The economic relationship between our two Kingdoms. Over the course of the past year, for obvious reasons, the economic interaction between our states has been plagued with difficulties... a matter which has affected Coeurleon and Belmont adversely – financially speaking. So let us see what we can do to rectify the problem."
"So with that I move to present our economic proposal," she flipped out a file and read out a few figures, "It is our hope that we can restore some stability in trade between our two countries and bring to at-least the figure it was last year... at I believe... six and a half billion francs at the earliest through measures which would allow for our respective businessmen and firms to access our markets in a much easier manner... gradual tariff reduction and a looser immigration and visa policy for our citizens."
Giving the visiting delegation a moment to review the proposal, she asked, "Now I would like to hear what you have to say on the matter."
Shahrazad Martinique – the Premier – looked at her reflection in one of the mirrors on the shelf as she waited for the King. She remembered the first time she had come to visit His Majesty, just after she had won the elections in 2002, how she remembered those feelings of elation and anxiety. But now, ten years on, here she was, sitting in that very same chair — a woman changed. Over those ten years, she had taken to consulting with the King prior to each meeting she had with foreign delegations.
A footman escorted her to the King's private library, deep somewhere in the Palace's private apartments. Though she had visited him countless times here, she always marvelled at the ability of the porters to remember the labyrinthine corridors. When she entered the usual ritual was performed. A deep curtsey from her and they would take to their seats, always choosing the sofas overlooking the King's own rose garden.
"So, Madame Martinique, the Coeurleone I believe... is it?" the King said to her as he looked at the documents scattered on his lap, "Why yes it is," he said to himself jovially, tapping his fountain pen on the side before signing a document.
"Yes, Your Majesty, on our invitation the Government of Coeurleon has sent a high ranking delegation to discuss measures for the enhancement of our bilateral ties. I'm sure Minister Sant-Carciérre sent a report to your office... detailing our relationship with them and our goals from this meeting."
"As a matter of fact, I did read that dossier... quite well written and to the point..." he said looking at her, his glasses resting on the tip of his nose, "I believe she's creating quite the stir in Vesper... Madame Sant-Carciérre is quite frankly, as far as ministers go, the best foreign minister I've had over my reign. Second only to you of-course," he quickly added, smiling.
"Of-course," she smiled back. "But yes, considering you're updated on the status of relations, is there anything I should take into account, Your Majesty?"
"I don't think I can say anything more when I have the two most brilliant political minds running this government... I quite trust your judgement."
"Thank you for your faith in me, sir."
With his regal sophistication, the King smiled momentarily at her and went back to his documents, which was exactly the moment when the porter arrived to escort her out. She knew that the King had buzzers, hidden into the room, to signal outside when he thought the meeting was over, and over the years she'd tried to see when he pressed it but the man was a magician, always surprising her. One day, probably her last in office, she would ask him, she thought to herself as she walked out and the door shut behind her.
***
The state apartments of the Château de Villesen were almost always used to conduct meetings with senior foreign delegations and the visiting delegation from Sainte-Elisabeth would officially be greeted by the Prime Minister there. The rooms were possibly the best example of 18th century Francophone architecture — though the country may have fought the Montelimarians, their architectural legacy had lingered on for generations in Belmont after the war of independence.
As the leader of the Coeurleone delegation was ushered into the chamber, with his retinue in tow, Shahrazad stood poised and collected, her silky white giving off their brilliant shine, as usual. As each member of the visiting entourage was introduced, she graciously welcomed each person and after the usual round of introductory remarks, both sides sat down at the conference table set up in the smaller, yet just as elegant, Yellow Ball Room.
As the host Shahrazad spoke first, "First and foremost, I must offer His Majesty's appreciation for the Coeurleon Government's acceptance of our invitation for this meeting. Secondly, I welcome you all to Belmont and hope that your journey, as well as your stay so far, has been an enjoyable experience," she said in the warmest manner as she scanned the faces of each delegation member.
"As fellow Francophone and monarchist states, these times may seem to be alarming for our kind considering the elements shaping the geo-strategic landscape of this world and it is for that very reason that The Kingdom of Belmont offers its hand of friendship to its sister state of Coeurleon. We know the past year has been particularly difficult, given the conflict raging on its borders and in its greater region and we want to say that we are there for our sister state."
"Let us be clear in our intentions: we seek friendship, we seek partnership. And to do so we are looking to discuss the needs of our sister state and strike a relationship that is, both, mutually beneficial and strategically sound – for both of our nations. I am sure you can agree with me that in these turbulent times, banding together can assist in riding out the roughest of the waves thrown at us."
"Thus, let me begin our discussions by beginning with the most important area of interest. The economic relationship between our two Kingdoms. Over the course of the past year, for obvious reasons, the economic interaction between our states has been plagued with difficulties... a matter which has affected Coeurleon and Belmont adversely – financially speaking. So let us see what we can do to rectify the problem."
"So with that I move to present our economic proposal," she flipped out a file and read out a few figures, "It is our hope that we can restore some stability in trade between our two countries and bring to at-least the figure it was last year... at I believe... six and a half billion francs at the earliest through measures which would allow for our respective businessmen and firms to access our markets in a much easier manner... gradual tariff reduction and a looser immigration and visa policy for our citizens."
Giving the visiting delegation a moment to review the proposal, she asked, "Now I would like to hear what you have to say on the matter."