12-16-2022, 03:57 PM
The Emperor pondered for a moment, looking intently at the black and white squares in front of him, a clock in the room being the only sound, its' ticking mirroring his own heart beat as time marched on. He couldn't see a way out, yet he was determined to find one no matter how obvious it became that he was trapped. Still the seconds marched into minutes before finTheally he was forced to accept the inevitable
I concede He said, frustration and irritability filling his voice
Are you sure? You don't want to look a little harder came the voice in front of him, a teasing tone which only served to annoy the Kaiser more
I've seen enough. I abdicate A glare accompanied the statement before the sound of a crown falling made his point clear. It was met by laughter
All this time and you still can't beat me? I am surprised brother, surely you should have seen it coming. the voice in front of him said, lightened by mirth and joy.
It's a silly game. Long since past its 'use by' date and yet, we still play. Did you drag me here just to humiliate me?
Some might say the same of us, yet here we are. No, I did not call you here to humiliate you, in fact I called you to enjoy your company.
Silence reigned as the Kaiser looked across the chess board at his youngest brother. A smiled formed on both their faces, on of knowing and of a closer bond. Still trying to break me out of Court? the elder man asked with some degree of sarcasm You know that is a fruitless task, yet you still try. The younger man laughed in responseHope springs eternal no?
The pair began putting the pieces of their game away, back into an old wooden box that had sat silently beside the chess board for the duration of the game. With the table now cleared they simply sat across from one another, the empty circular hall offering little in the way of interest for them, even the welcoming glow of orange tinted sunlight failed to interest them as it glowed through the tall French styled windows. Once the palace was a monument to a bygone era, a relic of the Old Empire, preserved in time for the Republic 'educate' people against the dangers of Monarchism or Empire. Yet now it housed not just the Kaiser of Rheinland but his kin as well. Once more fulfilling it's purpose of guarding the Imperial Family and standing as a bastion of Order and Stability. Yet the hall in which the two brothers now sat was empty, except for the portraits along the walls of Nobles and Knights of the current Empire, all staring ahead in lifeless gaze, beautiful to behold but devoid of meaning except for those who knew.
What troubles you my King? The younger man asked after a time
Christian, I've told you. When we are alone, call me Hans. I cannot stand family calling me anything else when nothing else matters. Hans said in reply
Something is obviously bothering you brother, what is it? Surely no the succession Alexander will marry when he finds the right girl, whomever that will be. His younger brother said. A smile found its way to the older mans face, he hadn't even considered the crisis that might unfold upon his death, much less the romantic concerns of his brothers although the thought gave him immense pleasure. Alexander and Christian both were useless around women.
Bretonia...Why do they push us to expel groups when they cannot prove anything? Rheinland still needs time to build and recover, we need time to ensure our survival and yet they push and push, bringing problems we never asked for
Politics, the bane of all monarchs and yet, the source of their power, what a strange and unwelcomed fact of life for any head of state. Christian was hardly surprised, but equally concerned. Bretonia's behaviour lately had been a source of considerable headache for both the Imperial family and the House. He himself did not know why they wanted Auxesia thrown out, apart from the obvious accusations of infection and the minor detail that was them being mortal enemies. Still, involving Rheinland was a step they took that caught everyone off guard.
I don't know. Still, perhaps it is prudent we investigate quietly, just to make sure everything is above board. If nothing else we get to rest in the knowledge that nothing is afoot.
The Kaiser nodded slowly, You think bringing the girl was a good idea? He asked, skeptisim more than apparent in his voice.
His brother frowned Yes. Obviously. came the curt reply She is a good place to start and her dedication is apparent. I won't say she can be trusted, but she is good at her job and loyal. Something worth rewarding these days.
Very well. I will leave you to your investigations. It would be better if she did not see me, you represent the Crown in this matter. She should see you and only you. He stood, as did his brother. Christian gave a short bow, before it was returned by his Kaiser. As the older man left a younger man filled it, a servant who brought word of his guests arrival.
Kindly bring her to the Eastern balcony. I believe it would be better if she had fresh air and I would appreciate two guards on the door. I don't want to be interrupted by anything.
Leon Wolf watched the shuttle touch down gently, as its engines wound down the side doors opened and the boarding ramp slowly extended before a younger woman stepped out into the sunlight, She looked around before seeing him and two Household Guards by his side, as she started walking down towards them, Leon started to greet her Guten Tag frau Habermayer, we hope you had a pleasnt trip. Welcome to the Berlin schloss, home to his Imperial Majesty. I am Leon Wolf, Meister des Haushalts. His Highness has instructed me to take you to him.
With that, the man turned on his heel without waiting for a response and marched off toward the nearby entryway which lead into the palance. The two guards took up positions beside her and waited for her to begin walking, when they did they did so in lock step with one another. If there were staff in the palace, they hid themselves well, possibly due to the requiment for being elsewhere or maybe it was because Master Wolf had given specific instructions not to be seen by guests. Whatever the case, the four individuals traversed the white marble halls in complete silence, passing by portraits of the great and famous as well as marble sculptures of Rheinlands Presidents and Chancellors, preserved by order of the Kaiser, they may not be Imperial leaders, but they were leaders all the same, worthy of remembrance. Eventually, after walking for quite sometime and climbing many flights of stairs to reach the upper levels, they came to large double doors. Oddly out of place amid the Marble that was the rest of the palace, they were made of black wood and had been carved with the Imperial sigil. Wolf knocked three times before the word was given for entry. He opened both before standing aside and ushering her in, the two guardsmen simply took up flanking positions outside the room, refusing to enter further. Wolf himself closed the door behind her and left her alone inside, his footsteps fading back down the hallway.
This room in and of itself was far warmer in colour, being of reds and greens rather than white and gold. A desk covered in papers lay at its circular center, a few lone chairs lay around the rim of the room and a balcony which made up the outside perimeter of the room itself made it appear as though it was a tower, or battlement, not really connected to the palace proper. Deep blue curtains, which bordered the door leading to outside, fluttered in the breeze, behind which the outline of a man sitting at a table could be seen, enjoying the sunshine. He barely acknowledged her presence, rather waiting until she joined him before saying anything.
I concede He said, frustration and irritability filling his voice
Are you sure? You don't want to look a little harder came the voice in front of him, a teasing tone which only served to annoy the Kaiser more
I've seen enough. I abdicate A glare accompanied the statement before the sound of a crown falling made his point clear. It was met by laughter
All this time and you still can't beat me? I am surprised brother, surely you should have seen it coming. the voice in front of him said, lightened by mirth and joy.
It's a silly game. Long since past its 'use by' date and yet, we still play. Did you drag me here just to humiliate me?
Some might say the same of us, yet here we are. No, I did not call you here to humiliate you, in fact I called you to enjoy your company.
Silence reigned as the Kaiser looked across the chess board at his youngest brother. A smiled formed on both their faces, on of knowing and of a closer bond. Still trying to break me out of Court? the elder man asked with some degree of sarcasm You know that is a fruitless task, yet you still try. The younger man laughed in responseHope springs eternal no?
The pair began putting the pieces of their game away, back into an old wooden box that had sat silently beside the chess board for the duration of the game. With the table now cleared they simply sat across from one another, the empty circular hall offering little in the way of interest for them, even the welcoming glow of orange tinted sunlight failed to interest them as it glowed through the tall French styled windows. Once the palace was a monument to a bygone era, a relic of the Old Empire, preserved in time for the Republic 'educate' people against the dangers of Monarchism or Empire. Yet now it housed not just the Kaiser of Rheinland but his kin as well. Once more fulfilling it's purpose of guarding the Imperial Family and standing as a bastion of Order and Stability. Yet the hall in which the two brothers now sat was empty, except for the portraits along the walls of Nobles and Knights of the current Empire, all staring ahead in lifeless gaze, beautiful to behold but devoid of meaning except for those who knew.
What troubles you my King? The younger man asked after a time
Christian, I've told you. When we are alone, call me Hans. I cannot stand family calling me anything else when nothing else matters. Hans said in reply
Something is obviously bothering you brother, what is it? Surely no the succession Alexander will marry when he finds the right girl, whomever that will be. His younger brother said. A smile found its way to the older mans face, he hadn't even considered the crisis that might unfold upon his death, much less the romantic concerns of his brothers although the thought gave him immense pleasure. Alexander and Christian both were useless around women.
Bretonia...Why do they push us to expel groups when they cannot prove anything? Rheinland still needs time to build and recover, we need time to ensure our survival and yet they push and push, bringing problems we never asked for
Politics, the bane of all monarchs and yet, the source of their power, what a strange and unwelcomed fact of life for any head of state. Christian was hardly surprised, but equally concerned. Bretonia's behaviour lately had been a source of considerable headache for both the Imperial family and the House. He himself did not know why they wanted Auxesia thrown out, apart from the obvious accusations of infection and the minor detail that was them being mortal enemies. Still, involving Rheinland was a step they took that caught everyone off guard.
I don't know. Still, perhaps it is prudent we investigate quietly, just to make sure everything is above board. If nothing else we get to rest in the knowledge that nothing is afoot.
The Kaiser nodded slowly, You think bringing the girl was a good idea? He asked, skeptisim more than apparent in his voice.
His brother frowned Yes. Obviously. came the curt reply She is a good place to start and her dedication is apparent. I won't say she can be trusted, but she is good at her job and loyal. Something worth rewarding these days.
Very well. I will leave you to your investigations. It would be better if she did not see me, you represent the Crown in this matter. She should see you and only you. He stood, as did his brother. Christian gave a short bow, before it was returned by his Kaiser. As the older man left a younger man filled it, a servant who brought word of his guests arrival.
Kindly bring her to the Eastern balcony. I believe it would be better if she had fresh air and I would appreciate two guards on the door. I don't want to be interrupted by anything.
Leon Wolf watched the shuttle touch down gently, as its engines wound down the side doors opened and the boarding ramp slowly extended before a younger woman stepped out into the sunlight, She looked around before seeing him and two Household Guards by his side, as she started walking down towards them, Leon started to greet her Guten Tag frau Habermayer, we hope you had a pleasnt trip. Welcome to the Berlin schloss, home to his Imperial Majesty. I am Leon Wolf, Meister des Haushalts. His Highness has instructed me to take you to him.
With that, the man turned on his heel without waiting for a response and marched off toward the nearby entryway which lead into the palance. The two guards took up positions beside her and waited for her to begin walking, when they did they did so in lock step with one another. If there were staff in the palace, they hid themselves well, possibly due to the requiment for being elsewhere or maybe it was because Master Wolf had given specific instructions not to be seen by guests. Whatever the case, the four individuals traversed the white marble halls in complete silence, passing by portraits of the great and famous as well as marble sculptures of Rheinlands Presidents and Chancellors, preserved by order of the Kaiser, they may not be Imperial leaders, but they were leaders all the same, worthy of remembrance. Eventually, after walking for quite sometime and climbing many flights of stairs to reach the upper levels, they came to large double doors. Oddly out of place amid the Marble that was the rest of the palace, they were made of black wood and had been carved with the Imperial sigil. Wolf knocked three times before the word was given for entry. He opened both before standing aside and ushering her in, the two guardsmen simply took up flanking positions outside the room, refusing to enter further. Wolf himself closed the door behind her and left her alone inside, his footsteps fading back down the hallway.
This room in and of itself was far warmer in colour, being of reds and greens rather than white and gold. A desk covered in papers lay at its circular center, a few lone chairs lay around the rim of the room and a balcony which made up the outside perimeter of the room itself made it appear as though it was a tower, or battlement, not really connected to the palace proper. Deep blue curtains, which bordered the door leading to outside, fluttered in the breeze, behind which the outline of a man sitting at a table could be seen, enjoying the sunshine. He barely acknowledged her presence, rather waiting until she joined him before saying anything.