Nikolai, Elizaveta & Leonard
The formal and not so formal introductions going around was not something new to Niko. For years he had been trained to be polite and gracious. While he would have just gone around, introduced himself briefly to everyone and then silently slip away to a library or somewhere quiet, he knew it was important to stay and do idle chat with possible allies. Idle chat was something he wasn't particularly fond of but like jewel appraisal, it was something he was raised to tolerate.
"I have heard a great many things about you and Krieg-Königreich as well," he acknowledged Leon.
"The next few months will certainly prove to be interesting. I have high hopes that we will become good friends and perhaps allies," he spoke straightforwardly. It was, after all, the whole point of this political gathering. Acquire a permanent alliance through a fixed marriage and establish more through, perhaps, friendship or a mutual understanding.
A gentle smiled played on Elizaveta's lips as Leon kissed the back of her hand, pulling it back lithely as he released it and resting it over her betrothed's arm.
"Now that the introductions are complete, perhaps we could skip the idle chit chat and such my good gentlemen," Elizaveta stated in a genial voice as she looked between the two of them.
"We have all done our due diligence and perhaps studied about each other more than we would like to admit; I have no doubts that among any information gathered about myself or my nation there is a splattering of darkness to it. Let me be the first to open the door and show you something behind the Iron curtain. As much as I would adore friends and many allies by the end of this endeavor we now find ourselves in my truest goal and perhaps most difficult task is to eliminate speculation that I will allow history to repeat itself; so please if you have concerns voice them freely. I am not one to avoid such confrontations." Elizaveta's voice stayed calm as she spoke, a certain firmness to her voice as she drew to the end even though it remained laced with an airy elegance.
Leon was honestly quite pleased that the two royals in front of him were speaking to him as if war wasn't a major thing for his kingdom. He had expected most of the royals would either avoid him or only talk to him about his thoughts on war.
"Grand Duchess Elizaveta, I have to say that despite your father's history I see no reason to assume you'll be the same. From what I know you are a great help to your people. Until you show signs of something like that happening I see no reason to even bring up the topic. I hope that Prince Nikolai thinks similar to me when I say that I simply won't allow things of other people's actions and the past to affect my thoughts on someone else. You are not your father so this whole topic you brought up is mute. I will apologize if I am being blunt, but that is just the way I see it. However, if we are on the subject of possible 'speculations' what are each of your thoughts on war. I'd like to know." Niko nodded his head in agreement to what Leon said. He looked at his wife to be.
"Sins of the father lays heavily on his children's shoulders. While his blood runs in your veins, Veta, you are not your father," he said simply as he laid his hand lightly on her hand that was resting on his arm. He turned his attention to Leon again.
"War is senseless. A terrible wasteful act that lays waste to lives, lands and livelihood. Reviewing history, wars were born from a desire to claim what belongs to others and the need to protect what is yours. My ancestors have taken great effort to avoid war but I fear that this effort may have sparked anger and animosity towards Anduin." "Please, never apologize for being upfront and honest on your opinion or thoughts. There would be far less misunderstandings in this world if people were less veiled about the truth," Elizaveta said in a reassuring voice towards Leon before looking over towards her betrothed and smiling softly. It was good to hear that neither seemed to hold her father against her but only time would tell if the words matched the actions; for the time being though she trusted that they spoke the truth. She had no reason to believe otherwise.
As talk of war entered the conversation, Elizaveta turned her attention back to Leon and spoke freely on the subject.
"While War is a horrific fate to fall upon any land the truth of the matter is that war is sometimes a necessary evil and in some cases a blessing. We as humans are not perfect, some far less ideal than others in their morals and ethics. Yes, war can bring great travesty but without war where would we be in some cases? Would be in a world of peace or a world of slavery? Until humanity can truly embrace altruism it is the duty of those in power and those not to fight for what is right and just. I will take words over war if I can, for words are far more powerful, yet I will not hesitate to go to battle to protect my people if that is what is needed of me." Elizaveta knew the devastation of war well, it had torn through her empire from within; yet without the revolution and the uprising to take her father out of power, where would her nation be now? Looking back towards her husband to be she gave his arm a reassuring curl of her fingers.
"We all have a choice in our lives if we are brave enough to see them. Choosing to remain out of a war should never spark anger. Some time's it takes far greater courage to remain on the sidelines than to jump into the fray." Leon was pleased. He didn't hear one remark from either of them on his kingdom when speaking of war. At the very least he felt that he could be real with these two and that they weren't shallow in their ways of thinking.
"I believe both of you are correct. While war is an abhorrent vile creature that should be avoided at all costs it is still necessary at times. All people that go to war tend to for different reasons. I like to think of war from the viewpoint of those who fight in them. Some go to war for fame. To be looked up to as a hero. Those people tend to be the ones with no one close to them. Typically arrogant from those I've met. Others go to protect the ones that they hold dear to them. They will give everything they can to protect the ones they love from both foreign and domestic danger. Then there are those who love their homeland so much that they'd sacrifice their well being to keep it from changing." Leon paused for a moment to let the two think over what he had just said then began again,
"In my kingdom we have a saying. 'We make war that we may live in peace.' Any sensible person desires peace. Unfortunately, there are many who are not sensible. I believe that even if no war was happening throughout the world right now, and the world was at peace that we should still be prepared for war. Because sooner or later someone will come around that doesn't cherish that peace. They will want something and they will lose their senses. The world is in a horrible loop that I don't believe will ever end. The only people who truly see the end of war are those who have passed on. War is a horrible thing, but it is unavoidable in order to grant peace to the ones who come after us." Leon looked between the two then said,
"I do believe it is your turn to come up with a topic of discussion Prince Nikolai." Niko nodded thoughtfully as he listened to Leon's and Elizaveta's thoughts. War was a familiar topic he often discussed with his father. He was pleased to note that the thoughts of the two young royalties coincided with his. It also gave him a good insight on Leon. He may come from a military focused kingdom but he seemed like he had a good head on his shoulder. War will not be so carelessly declared with him at the helm. Elizaveta's words were strong and full of conviction. There was no doubt on where she stands on the matter. Or at least, those were the impression he got from the current conversation. Words are different from action. One can speak something and act differently. Three months would give him chance to observe and make conclusions later on.
Niko turned his attention to Elizaveta.
"Some may see our rejection of war as an act of cowardice and rebellion. Particularly from kingdoms that have shown desire for an alliance with us when we were still a kingdom of blacksmiths and weapon makers," he said as his mind drifted to Svalbard, the only kingdom that had refused to sign the peace treaty with Anduin, Vale, Celeste and Svearike. He looked distracted for a second before he turned his attention back to Leon. "A topic of discussion," he repeated, a small smile crossing his lips. He should probably bring up a lighter topic as is customary for a first meeting like this one. But he veered to a direction he preferred and asked about something he was always curious about.
"Anduin is a small kingdom compared to Krieg-Königreich and Noslainia. I expect some would see us as inconsequential. It matters not how others view us but I wonder what your thoughts are." Glancing over towards her betrothed Elizaveta shook her head slightly and gave him a comforting look.
"As once said; the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. In that respect I would say that Anduin has performed most admirably to be able to continuously have peace and avoid war," she said in a kind voice with a lithe weaving of respect for her soon to be husbands lands.
"Those that would think that any nation is inconsequential does not truly understand the importance of any nation. Each country brings with it something that has set them apart enough to be of their own independence. While your home may no longer be a nation of blacksmith's and weapon makers; you are one that now clearly shows the progression of the human spirit. Knowledge of crafts that could bring such death and destruction now turned into art and beauty? If only all nations could achieve such progression." The fact that the conversation was going so well brought a genuine smile to Leon's face rather than a fake one. He quite enjoyed just being able to talk openly for a change. Maybe it wouldn't be as difficult to become friends with the majority of the royals here than he had previously thought.
"There is no such thing as an inconsequential kingdom no matter how one looks at it. Any who say otherwise just don't fully realize what they would be saying. All kingdoms bring something or another to the table. If they didn't then I don't believe they would even exist. I will say I do believe some may be more significant than others, but that always depends on who you are speaking to. I feel one can get something out of everything in this world. Hopefully the majority of the others here feel similarly and don't look down on anyone. However, I highly doubt my hopes will come to fruition." "Hope can be a double edged sword, but it is one of the few things with humanity that we need perhaps more greatly than anything else other than compassion," Elizaveta said thoughtfully towards Leon with a gentle smile on her features.
"It seems like we all share the same sentiments about the matter," Niko said. It was at that moment when Arush, Casimir's 'gift', came back with Niko's coat draped on one of his arm. He waited for Niko to finish speaking before he politely interjected. "Pardon me, you Highnesses," he bowed his head low to all three royalties. "I have brought back your coat, cleaned and pressed, Prince Nikolai." he held out the coat for the prince to put on.
"Excuse me for a second," Niko courteously excused himself from both Leon and Elizaveta before he turned his attention to Arush. Elizaveta nodding slightly and pulling her arm from her betrothed's as Arush tended to him. He gave the man a smile and allowed him to assist him in putting on his coat.
"Thank you, Arush." Arush smiled back, happy to be of service to his assigned prince and proud that he had not been turned away like most of the others. He looked at the leather bound journal that the Prince was holding in his hand. "Would you like me to put the journal away in your room, sire?" Arush asked, eager to be of service once again.
"No need," Niko replied as he tucked the journal into the inner pocket of his coat. The Grand Duchess couldn't help but smile to herself as Nikolai kept a hold of the journal that she had given him instead of letting Arush take it away for him.
"I would rather have you take your leave and enjoy yourself in Aciras. I'm sure this nation is different from your homeland." At Niko's words, Arush's face fell. He was being dismissed.
"Don't misunderstand. I appreciate your assistance." The Prince glanced towards where his bodyguard was standing.
"You'll find Anthony by the Greek sculpture. Coordinate with him so that I may call upon your services if need be. If not, you may join me later and tell me about yourself and about your homeland," the Prince's smile was kind and it surprised Arush. In all the years he had spent serving, he had never come across a royalty that asked to get to know him. His lips curved up into a big smile. "I will not stray so far away then, Your Majesty," he bowed his head several times before he turned and headed towards Anthony.
"I do believe we both have thrown our respective attendee's for a loop my dear by letting them take some time for themselves while they are here," Elizaveta said as she slipped her arm back through her betrothed's.
"Though I think that poor Abiza was completely perplexed when I tended to the floor before she could," she added with a sight hint of glee in her intonation. Back home her employee's would have thought nothing of her
antics, they were used to seeing her do what many considered menial labor but she had been warned by her grandmother, Sergi and others that here it could be received with mixed reviews and looks. Pushing the thought out of her mind and glancing around for a moment she then turned her attention back towards Leon.
"Have you had the opportunity to speak with your own betrothed as of yet?" "I suppose they expected to wait for us to order them around. That is their commanded function, after all. None hoped to be turned away," Niko chuckled.
"Yes, I saw the look of surprise and confusion on Abiza's face when you tidied the floor. I believe it might take her a while to fully process the thought." He turned his attention back to Leon as Elizaveta addressed him.
"I actually don't yet even know who my betrothed is. My father wanted to keep that knowledge a secret from me. I do know a few who it cannot be due to knowing who they are betrothed to. I believe that my parents planned to tell me later this evening who it is that I am to marry. They must have some reason for it, but I just have to wait and see." It was at this time that Bartram came up right beside Leon and whispered, "Your mother has just left for the palace. She should be here soon." Leon nodded and took this as an interesting opportunity,
"Prince Nikolai, Grand Duchess Elizaveta, this man here is my closest friend Bartram. If we are to be friends you will most likely see more of him for he is the man in charge of my defense." Bartram staggered in his step at Leon's introduction. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but this early was a little off putting. The man bowed and said, "It is a pleasure to meet both of you." Leon couldn't hold back the smirk of messing with his friend.
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