An Imperial Ball - Friendship Eternal

[Aerandariel]

To most people around the world, the Mestran-Angirisian relationship has always been special. After all, how else could one alliance last over a millennia and still be going strong if there wasn't something uniquely important about the way Mestran-Angirisian relations have been conducted. But in the last few years, that relationship had become strained. Angirisian perception of Mestran coziness with right-wing nations had irked the great Northern Galasian power. On the flip side, a militarily strengthening Angiris worried Mestrans very much, especially as the Empire had not shied away from using that military.

All this discord between two of the most legendary nations in the world culminated in a summit between Mestran and Angirisian leaders some years ago in which it had appeared that such discord had been put to rest. But ever since then the two nations had hardly spoken to each other, largely because they had their own business to take care of. But this ball, hosted by the Mestrans, provided the Angirisian Empire an opportunity to reach back out to their Southern Galasian ally. But there was, of course, much more to it than that...

For this reason, Emperor Tyrael and Chancellor Aerandariel Apotecarius both decided to attend this Imperial Ball. They brought along Foreign Minister Christophos Caesarius and one or two of their personal aides. Apotecarius, now 41 and in his fifth year as Imperial Chancellor but still with the youth and vigor that marked his first election in 1576, had visited only one foreign country - Octitania- during his tenure. Tyrael, now 38 and in his twelfth year as Emperor, was making his fourth foreign visit, and his first to Mestra. For the Chancellor, this was his first chance to finally meet the Mestran royals and government in person. For the Emperor, it was a chance to possibly meet his future Empress.

The Emperor's personal jet Empire One landed at I'valis Airport, where it appeared that the Drahenese royal family - including new Emperor Valerii Quintilus - had just landed. Emperor Tyrael sat quietly near a window, waiting for the captain to give an all clear and preferably waiting a Mestran welcoming committee to approach. As he sat, Apotecarius approached him. A thin figure and always dressed in dark-colored clothing and a head of long dark hair - a stark contrast to the more brightly colored Tyrael - the Chancellor was fairly easy to spot. "Are you nervous, Your Majesty?" asked Apotecarius.

"Unusually so. Though my reasons for coming here are far different than from what you may realize... or even know." the Emperor said.

"Political?" asked the Chancellor, "Or rather, personal?"

"Nothing you need to be concerned with, Chancellor, I can assure you."

"You know you are making it quite a habit of hiding things from me, Emperor. It's not like-"

"That is enough, Chancellor. If I wanted to tell you my personal dealings, I'd have done so years ago."

"It is just disconcerting to me, sir. I am your eyes and ears in the Imperial government but I apparently cannot be trusted with problems you might be having. If it is something important that the government must address than by all means tell me!"

Emperor Tyrael stood up, looking Apotecarius right in the eye and said, "You're all heart, Chancellor. I appreciate your concern, but I can handle things well enough on my own. I have not been the Emperor of Angiris for twelve years for nothing."

Apotecarius sighed, seemingly resigned to the Emperor's stubborness. "Very well." he said, "I guess we wait for a moment?"

"We wait."