A Royal Evening

[Great Engellex]

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A ROYAL EVENING​

Palace of Hamilton - Lambeth

It was the evening of May the 18th. The Palace of Hamilton was an expansive building of grandeur and sophisticated finery, the ancestral residence of the Duke and Duchess of Southwark and has been the seasonal retreat for the monarchy since 1854, thus providing streams of tales and legends of splendour, opulence to fascinate even the most ardent of republicans. This is the palace where the monarchy retreats for the social season, and where the enjoyment of more intimate balls and parties are hosted, which themselves are rivalled by none else within the Free Cities Union. This evening however would be more intimate than is usually accredited to the Cavendish-Bentinck line, Queen Georgiana is hosting a small dinner party for King Napoleon III to mark the first day of his visit.

The visit of King Napoleon was not a state visit, in fact it was relatively informal, as informal as royalty could be permitted within the protocol and etiquette indoctrinated society of the Free Cities Union. What it necessarily meant was that the to-do’s of involving the cabinet and other politicians, and touring of the country, was abandoned as the invitation was a personal one extended toward His Majesty from Her Majesty. As such only a select few of the aristocracy was invited by the Queen for the evening, specifically the other Royal Houses - and a few of the ‘Political Houses’.

The Duke’s Hall, incorrectly referred to as the King’s Hall by many, is where they dined. The room was gargantuan, warmly lit against the dark panelled walls and with the Lambeth Consort providing exceptionally rich baroque music from the concerto composer Charles Avison. The table stretched the length of the room, with the guests and Her Majesty sitting in the centre. What was presented, by way of food, was an abundance of roasted meats and vegetables as well as a colourful spray of exotic and delightful desserts. It was truly over the top, but it was certainly the impression that was being attempted to be relayed to King Napoleon. Altogether there was a mere thirty people at the dinner party.

“So, Your Majesty, how well does political life occupy your time?” Was the question put to King Napoleon from the Duchess of Salisbury. Her Grace, the Duchess of Salisbury was a rather ostentatious political and aristocratic figure within the Free Cities Union. The political life of the Duchess was providing leadership to the struggle for women’s electoral rights within the Commons Assembly, occasionally from time to time allowing herself to be caught up in relatively minor political scandal. Of course scandal within the Union is not comparable to what many in the far more liberal states would term scandal, a bit of a chalk and cheese. Although that itself is the precise reason for Queen Georgiana to be inviting King Napoleon to Hamilton, the Free Cities Union was extraordinarily unique to the social and political customs of the nations that neighbour it, and amongst the aristocracy a fascination has taken hold on these differences.

However despite these fascinations there were of course political motives at play here. For the past hundred or so years the country has been so economically focused that foreign relations, and the relationships once held between royalty of the continent with our own have been gradually eroded away for the sake of neutrality, which itself was for the sake of industry. Now, however, the Queen intends to bring the presence of the Free Cities Union, and to an extent, Her Majesty’s Court into the brisk environment of international affairs.
​

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The King was rather impressed with the party. It was rather decadent but remained tasteful. The King was thoroughly enjoying his roast duck with apple honey sauce. Normally he did not care for duck but the apple honey sauce had intrigued him. He looked down to see he was indeed able spill some on his uniform tie. As the King began to wipe the nuisance from his Royal Air Force issue tie he was addressed by the Duchess of Salisbury. Not wanting to be rude the King stopped wiping at the tie with his napkin to address her.

"Well madam, how much time is devoted to political life is dependent often on the week. Generally I follow a schedule. I meet with the Chancellor every morning except on Saturday for at least an hour. I also entertain the duties royal affairs about 2 days a week; making appointments and communicating with other royal houses. This usually takes up around 45 minutes of my day. Around 945 in the morning I receive my briefings from ministers. This is everyday, including Saturday and Sunday. This takes a few hours. Before lunch I generally am able to get in my exercise. After a quick lunch I meet with ministers again and receive the mid-day report from the Chancellor and Royal Petitioners. It takes around an hour to review both reports. This happens Monday to Friday. Finally I receive the joint commander of the IDF every day for around an hour.." The King felt he was rambling and stopped to drink some wine which had appeared before him. It was a bit dry for his taste but kept his tongue.

"Also, I travel in bunches. This generally lasts a week where I must receive my briefings over the computer or phone. Finally, I spend 2 hours everyday, except for Sunday, reviewing proposed laws and deciding on them."

 

[Great Engellex]

The Earl of Belmondsey, recognising the rising intoxication of the Duchess of Salisbury moved into the conversation. “You will have to excuse Her Grace, Your Majesty. The intrusion of Her Grace into concerns of none her own, knows no bounds.” His rebuff of the Duchess was met with soft chuckles from up and down the table, and a rather hearty chortle from the Duchess herself.

“Quite right, indeed.” Spoke the Queen, herself being rather regretful to the invitation of the Duchess of Salisbury, and even more so to have the woman seated so very close to herself and King Napoleon. “Pray tell, you find amusement in equestrian activities? I do say I find horses jolly fascinating. I do not entertain perceptions such as them as dumb beasts - or hallmarks of the peasantry.” Queen Georgiana, as with most sovereigns of the Cavendish-Bentinck line, has a passionate and keen interest in horses and equestrianism, much to the mockery of other Royal Houses.

“Hallmarks? Definitely so.” mumbled the Duchess to the raised eyebrows of the frustrated Queen. “I can foretell that His Majesty is preferential in the investment of his valuable time into far more masculine a hobby - you enjoy hunting Sir?” It was then a thunderous bout of laughter erupted from the usually quiet Duke of Grafton-Ormonde, “Masculine a hobby - hunting? All due respect Your Grace but I find it difficult to discover the due of masculinity in pheasant shooting. Quite a delightful sport I say, but hardly exclusive to the hardened hearts of men. You do amuse us Your Grace, indeed you amuse us so.” Others also found the humour enjoyed by the Duke and joined him in a friendly bout of laughter, to the Duchess of Salisbury’s expense.
​

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The King sat a moment before answering, taking another sip of the wine. "Take no offense but I hardly find hunting masculine. Shooting an unarmed being with far less intelligence is hardly masculine. While I do not partake in it myself, I find boxing to be a far more masculine action. As for equine matters, I rather enjoy riding and watching horse racing. The thrill during the final seconds when horse take that final turn is utterly exhilarating, wager or not. However, I find steeplechase brutal. It is dangerous not only for the rider, but the horse. That is why we outlawed gambling on steeplechase races." The King hoped he had not offended anyone at the table with his comments on hunting. He looked down to see his wine glass nearly empty and began again addressing the sauce on his tie.

"Tell me Your Majesty, how is steeplechase viewed here?"

 

[Great Engellex]

“Steeplechase is an exceptionally popular sport here, with the National Hunt, specifically the Grand National at Gloucester and Wendle racecourse. I personally have several horses from the Royal Mews that compete, so as you can imagine I take quite a keen interest in the races.” The Queen sipped on her wine as a footman filled the King’s glass. “What of the matter between your kingdom and the Kingdom of Belmont? Information filters through, but I cannot say much is received by my Court.. “ The Queen paused and extended a an expression of dissatisfaction toward Lord Pelham-Holles, whose son is the Foreign Secretary. “That since the reform of the Foreign Ministry. I was quite on top of regional politics before. So you will have to excuse me, Sir.”

Despite the Queen being the head of state exercising all executive powers as defined by the constitution, which in many other states would be quite familiar to that of a president, it has not stopped politicians to try and subvert the monarchy. The present cabinet continues to wrestle with the Queen for influence over the state of affairs of the nation, especially since the reformation enacted within governmental departments such as the Home Office, the Foreign Ministry and the Treasury. It was understood that the Queen was opposed to such reform, prior to the reform the Home Office was the Northern Department, the Foreign Ministry was the Southern Department, and Treasury maintained direct twice weekly meetings with the Queen.

Queen Georgiana presently hopes to forge relations directly herself amongst her regional neighbours as to completely jump over the necessity of having to include the Foreign Secretary in some way when she desires to do something. Although there have been moments when the Queen has been quite forceful toward the Foreign Secretary, notably with his statement toward the Emperor-Elect of the Empire of Greater Sarmatia. The cabinet had no interest in extending good will, but with the Queen’s quite colourful insistence they allowed a victory for Georgiana.​

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The King frowned to himself but kept a smile on his face. "The issue between the two Kingdoms of Belmont and Marquette is far overblown. Belmont is a nation which holds a grudge. It is integral that the two Kingdoms remain friendly. I would really rather not go into it much more or Ill be needing aspirin. My apologies" said the King looking at his newly full wine glass.

The King turned to his hosts. "Perhaps you all have a take on recent events?"

 

[Great Engellex]

The Queen put down her glass and extended a look of concentration against a bowl of fruit before returning them to the King. “But you do command the full support of the European Defence Force - which you are a member of seniority within?”

Her question brought gradual silence, forcing Georgiana to smile reassuringly, “You will have to excuse my prying, Sir, the European Defence Force is a corner stone to regional stability on the continent.” She paused and exchanged sights with the Duke of Salisbury, before slowly continuing. “And if one is to be left with an impression of potential rift, one could be excused for reason of concern regarding regional harmony. Such is quite valuable to us here. Of course I extend the notion of goodwill between you both, and my assistance to mediate in any particular difficulties. Should you require it.”​

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The King pushed his chair out from the table a bit. His mood became more serious. "Your highness, Marquette remains in the good graces of the EDF. We feel our allies are concerned; but with over 35 years of friendship, I doubt they have lost faith in my Kingdom" went on the King, choosing his words carefully.

"While we are deeply grateful for your offer of mediation, it will not be necessary. The EDF will remain strong. Please forgive me but with all due respect, the EDF is not a pillar of regional stability. It is a global pillar" said the King firmly.

"Alliances in theory are great. Sometimes, I wonder where they will take us."

 

[Great Engellex]

The Queen nodded slowly to the King. “You will have to excuse our - our lack of wider concern. The Free Union continues to maintain an aged, two hundred year, foreign policy objective of neutrality.” She paused succumbing to the delights of a few grapes. “At most our regard is for the region, I cannot foresee a reason as why we would need to extend our concern beyond the perimeter of this region. So naturally, of course, the credentials of the European Defence Force within the greater international community are held with little regard.”

It was quite true, what the Queen gave effort to explain, the Free Union cared not much at all for the matters outside the Scano-Gallian-Germanic continent. Foreign policy, it could be said, was not the forte of the Free Union, it has been somewhat isolated from the intrigue and the frivolous chest-pounding of international diplomacy for over two centuries. It did, however, pay attention to activities that bustled around the Free Union, notably the EDF’s intervention within Batavie, which was seen as a demonstration of the commitment and ability of the EDF to protect the stability of the region. Such demonstrations were received positively by Warchester, laying the foundations for the high regard that the Free Union extends to the EDF.

She turned once more to the King. “Does Marquette form part of the EDF coalition within Batavie? We are certainly quite pleased with the action taken to that situation.”

“Indeed, it was of great concern that we had to formalise a situation to deal with the Batavie crisis, should our hand be forced. The stagnation of the Security Council was deplorable, and rather remarkable that the EDF were able to act independently of the Security Council and not to concede to the folly of the Oikawans.” The Duke of Grafton-Ormonde added.​

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The King nodded. "We do share a small part of the EDF coalition. We have contributed mostly medical personnel. Our armed forces are some of the best trained and most well respected. We are very proud of the job they are doing" said the Kiogn genuinely moved at the though of 'his boys' working hard as part of the coalition.

"As for the diplomatic breakdown that occurred..." the King paused to look around at those listening. "The key is to ensure something like this does not happen again. We need to be looking forward. Yes, it sounds...it sounds a bit snobbish. A bit cliche. If we dont learn from the diplomatic errors that occurred, I find the future disturbing"

 

[Great Engellex]

“Indeed, indeed. What I find the situation as proving is the need for the region to consolidate further efforts and will to minimise further any advancement of influence and interference by questionable powers outside our collective borders.” The Queen replied, although her attention was somewhat divided between the King and the music, evident by her hand absently moving along to the piece.

“It is why the Foreign Secretary has been encouraged to reach out to our regional neighbours, to form positive dedicated relations.” She paused to take her glass. “I see the future as being dependent on such actions. Would you not also agree?”​

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"I believe the future is reliant on any kind of clear and concise communication between nations. Foreign secretaries, phones, email....Whatever a nation can do to communicate with its counterparts. The lack of communication is frankly disturbing. We need communication and we need cooler heads to prevail" said the King, gently pushing aside his wine glass in favor of ice water.

"Certain nations, which will go unnamed, force themselves into the matters of which they do not belong. Take Batavië for example. Some nations think the EDF has no place there with a peacekeeping force. However, we were welcomed to the task! Nations chomp at the bit to be involved in matters not their own. While aid and such is helpful, I am referring to 'hawkish' behavior. That kind of behavior can be controlled....and the way to control it is with communication" said the King, sipping his water.

"Marquette is still a coalition of Marquette, Aubagne, and St. Pierre. This is accomplished through communication and a sense of brotherhood; which is something that Europe lacks" said the King in an unhappy tone.