Imperium

[Ayzek]

Ultheraholm Manor
Halvadag, Lanlania, HLE
Thursday, 5 Zechyr 1587

"Lukas, welcome!" Rithlund greeted the elderly man who strolled into his office as if they were old friends. Much of the Holy Lanlanian rich and powerful was like that; if they weren't acquaintances, they'd at least heard of one another. Many were likely loosely related, the vast majority of them being nobility or their descendants. Ulrik Rithlund and Lukas ë Rydstroge had a much closer relationship, however. Rydstroge, media mogul, was quite eager to support parties whose views coincided with his own. And products of the same generation, Rithlund and Rydstroge had very much in common.

"Ulrik!" replied Rydstroge, just as warmly and with a firm handshake. "Congratulations on your stunning victory."

Rithlund chuckled, patting his benefactor on the back as their handshake came to an end. "And thank you for your support every step of the way, old friend. Come, join me."

The Prime Minister lead the media mogul to the sitting area in the center of his office, where coffee and biscuits waited on a marble coffee table. Rithlund ushered them both to the same sofa, each sitting at one end, as opposed to across one another. A good host, Rithlund served the drinks and took only a moment to signal his aids and guards to leave the room. They were left alone.

"I wasn't expecting to join you again so soon," Rydstroge said, accepting his tea and finishing it to his liking—black with a single cube of sugar. Rydstroge had been in attendance of the Prime Minister's victory dinner back in Marth.

"To be honest, I didn't either," Rithlund replied, enjoying his black. "But the Emperor is expecting much of me and I feel your cooperation is crucial."

"Oh?" The atmosphere around them took a sudden dive, as they went from friends to business partners. Or perhaps "partners in crime."

"Indeed," Rithlund continued, meeting Rydstroge's curious gaze. "He has decided the Empire must 'return to its glory days'."

"That can mean many things."

Rithlund chuckled, a sly smile creeping onto his face. "Right, but in a later meeting, the Empress Mother alluded that it would be good if her descendants ruled in Galeae."

Rydstroge's eyes widened. Returning to Galeae was a dream many conservatives in the Imperial nobility shared. It had likely been a motivator behind the marriage between the them-heir apparent Prince Damen and Princess Lariss of Galeae. The Galeaen Revolution and the Empire's Moderate government's failure to intervene had been a great disappointment. After 200 years, the empire had been so close! So for the Crown to finally be more proactive in the pursuit...Rydstroge's face light up. "Madness!"

It had drove Rydstroge mad, that Galeae was so close and yet so far. His riches had been unable to reach across the wall that non-recognition of the Galeaen fascist government created over the Sea of Galeae. When the wall was lifted, he'd eagerly reopened many of his business contacts and contracts. Though the Social Democrats that took power after the Imperial Sentric conspiracy were weak, he knew a willing government would eventually come along. And here it was.

"Monarchism is currently unpopular in Galeae," Rydstroge continued. "The population was poisoned by those godless fascists. But given time, I'm sure we could turn public opinion."

"And that's all I'm hoping for," Rithlund said. "It is imperative that the Galeaen population be willing to accept a monarchy."

"Nonsense! You think too little of me. I can achieve much more than that." Rydstroge smiled deviously, taking a drink of his coffee to allow his words to fester. After a few moments, "For the Sornid to rule in Galeae is a goal many of us dream, even strive for. I know your position makes it difficult for you to really communicate with us, so allow me to be your proxy among our brothers."

Rythlund smiled. "That would certainly help."

"Many of my business partners are interested in expanding into Galeae. It'd only take a little push for many of them to participate. It is profitable, after all. In fact, I don't believe you need do much more on this front."

"I'll leave it to you, then, old friend."

The two men shared a moment, before each grabbing a treat. "So how's the wife been?"