C
Congress Aresura
Guest
The Doge's Personal Chambers, The Palace of Doges
Monteferrato, The Most Serene Crowned Republic of Oltremare, Italo-Sarmatia
21:40 Local Time
Monteferrato, The Most Serene Crowned Republic of Oltremare, Italo-Sarmatia
21:40 Local Time
The faint sigh of air escaping from cushions of the luxurious, burgundy-leather bound executive chair could be heard as the exhausted man sank into their welcoming embrace, wishing he could bury himself in those cushions, shielding him from the rest of Europe, the good, and the bad. Especially the bad. However, even Doge Francesco Ceretto VII, formerly Giuseppe Ceretto, knew such wishing was pointless and a waste of time. He had to listen to this damnable report at the end of a damnable day, all stemming from a damnable action over a damnable people following... well, a damnable faith.
"All told, Your Most Serene Excellency, seven nations have condemned our actions so far, or nine, if you count those corrupt puppets of Oikawa, Transpurgistan and the Sarmatian Republic..." grumbled the Chancellor of His Most Serene Excellency, Giuseppe Emmanuel. A tall, gangly man that reminded the Doge of a scarecrow, his balding head could not divert attention away from his impressive, grey mustache that looked like it belonged in the late 1800s, nor those piercing grey eyes that seemed to penetrate your skull and see inside your brain. To be honest, Francesco never liked him, but he had been pressured to retain him as the Chancellor to satisfy the conservatives in Oltremare who absolutely adored his father's reign, and perhaps specifically his anti-Catholic policies which the son was now, albeit unwillingly, emulating.
"Five nations have also offered to take in the Catholics, including the Grand Duchy of Aquitania," the venom in the Chancellor's voice could not be hidden, he had a low opinion for the descendants of the Templars, "the Empire of Wiese, the Unity Front of Varjhal, the government of Helia, and the Talemantine Empire. The Talemantines have even offered to pay for the transportation costs of the Catholics, and the Helians have privately approached some of our diplomats offering other incentives..."
'God... he's talking about the Catholics like they are cattle, or inanimate objects, not people!' the Oltremaren Doge thought to himself as he managed to keep a neutral expression plastered on his face.
He snapped out of his internal thoughts in time to see a particularly impressive scowl cross his Chancellor's face, "And then there are the Papal States, establishing air connections to get as many of their 'flock' out as possible. The Constable does not know as of now how many are expected to take this path, but he has indicated his readiness and willingness to block the Pope's actions-"
"That will not be necessary." the Doge interrupted, managing to take Giuseppe Emmanuel. 'I am surrounded by zealots and frightened children...' "If the Catholic people are willing and able to leave for the Papal States, then we will not stop them. That is the whole point of this damnable event."
The Chancellor remained somewhat taken aback for a second, before regaining his composure. "Of course Your Most Serene Excellency... but you do realize, though, that those Catholics will likely greatly influence Papal policy towards our nation..."
"How? By making the Pope hate us more than he and the rest of the Catholic world does already? I wonder if that is even possible." Francesco realized his sarcastic tone was unnecessary, but his patience was wearing very thin. "I have also heard my Steward has expressed his concern over this whole issue?"
A stiff nod, "Indeed, Your Most Serene Excellency, the Royal Steward has made it clear no good can come economically from this move, especially if the Kingdom of Belmont makes good on its threat and brings this to the Council of Nations. Nevertheless, he did express his support for the Constable's proposal, as did I."
"I'm well aware of who supported those orders." Francesco snapped, now at an end of his patience. "I am beginning to wonder now, my dear Chancellor, if I actually made the right decision with that damned order."
The Chancellor hesitated, before stiffly replying, "I understand that Oltremare is in for tough consequences, Your Most Serene Excellency, but in the long-term this was the best solution for the problem that nearly claimed your life." Without thought, Francesco's hand moved to the scar on his jaw from the shrapnel of the bomb that exploded... it seemed like ages ago now... "Besides, I have said it before and I will say it again, the Catholics could not, cannot, and should not be trusted. They are a paranoid, violent, prideful, and stubborn group of people, and must be taught humility, or forced to leave before they cause anymore harm."
'Are you sure you're talking about the Catholics, or my own people, my dear Chancellor?' Francesco thought as he scowled, dismissing Emmanuel with a wave of his hand. "We shall speak more of this later, I must rest now."
Giuseppe Emmanuel bowed, "As His Most Serene Excellency wishes..." and left the luxurious room.
The door shut, and silence descended upon the room once more, as the most powerful man in Oltremare, so it was said, stared at the opposite wall for a minute, before his head leaned forward to rest in the palms of his hands, whispering, "What have I done... oh God in heaven... what have I done...?"