The Peace Dividend; J Andres Saga: Chapter 4

[J Andres]

November 8, 2064

Her Majesty, Katherine, Queen of J Andres and its Empire, Protector of the Maritime Republic

ALBANY, VINSALIA -- Katherine was visibly nervous about this trip to Vinsalia. Her short reign as Queen had so far been uneventful...and she liked it that way. But the new King of Vinsalia had invited the J Andres royal family to Albany to celebrate Vinsalian independence. This meant that now Katherine would be expected to perform diplomacy. J Andres-Vinsalia relations were shaky in the past, and the Queen had no intention of rekindling the fires.

The J Andres caravan made it past the border without too much hassle, which lead Katherine to believe that this trip would be safe, but she could not be sure. Twelve years earlier, her older brother Larry was traveling in a car when he was assassinated. Her mind wandered, wondering what life would be like if her brother has ascended, and she went on to live life without the crown.

The car stopped suddenly, and Katherine looked out the window. Her husband, Gilbert, Duke of Portsmouth exited the backseat of the car and opened her door for her. She gripped his hand, exiting the car, and was astonished by the size of the crowds. "They can't all be here to welcome us, right?" she asked her husband.

Alfred, her son caught up to them. "No, there was talk in our car that the royal families of Rome and Britain will be here too. It's doubtful that any of them are here to see us." Alfred then fell back, allowing his mother and father to proceed first, followed by his sister and her family.


***


The Queen and her family were the last guests to arrive, and although the Vinsalian royal family was hosting the ball, they were not yet present. The Queen observed that King George VII of Britain was keeping his space from King Nicholas of Rome. The two nations had been warring on and off for the past eight years. The Athenian Federation cracked under internal stresses, but the organizers of the revolution were efficient and quickly established a new government in Rome. The British Empire attempted to seize the opportunity and make a land grab in Europe. The British invaded Spain and Portugal but were quickly halted by the new Roman Federation army. Britain retreated, Spain and Portugal gained their independence as Iberia. Since then, the two sides would take up arms over regions in Africa, each trying more to restrict the growth of the other, rather than grow themselves.

His Majesty, Gabriel, King of Vinsalia and Father of her People

Horns announced the entrance of King Gabriel, his wife Renee in tow. Another woman followed behind. Eventually, after speaking with the families of Britain and Rome, the King of Vinsalia approached Katherine. "Your Majesty," he greeted her, taking her hand in his. "We are so pleased that you are in attendance this evening," he said with a smile.

"It has been quite some time since we have left the country," she said. "And who can resist meeting their new neighbors?"

"Care to walk with me for a moment?" he asked her. Katherine nodded and gave her husband a smile, as they proceeded to walk towards the back of the room, out of earshot from the other guests.

"This palace is quite nice," the Queen said. "Is this the same Blue House that your father used as a residence?"

Gabriel nodded, "Yes it is. The Commonwealth preserved it as a heritage site after the collapse. Had to have a team clean the cobwebs, but otherwise, it was exactly as we left it. However, you were not invited tonight to discuss the architecture."

Katherine expected there was a reason for their separation; however, she did not expect the King to be so blunt as to whatever request he was about to make. "Continue," she said.

"Your daughter has married the son of my cousin," Gabriel noted. They turned to watch the heir apparent of J Andres dance with her partner. Sir Henri spun his wife the Princess of Newport about in a circle, and then they continued to expertly travel along the dance floor.

"Sir Henri is a good man," Katherine said, "and their two boys are adorable." She gestured for the King to continue.

"Our houses are connected," he said.

Katherine sighed. This conversation was moving incredibly slow.

"Your son is unmarried," the King continued.

Now this caught the Queen's attention. Alfred was fourth in line to the throne, and a Prince. Any sort of arrangement with Alfred would be nearly pointless if Gabriel planned on putting the J Andres throne into Vinsalian hands.

"...as is my sister," Gabriel said, finally finishing his thought and nodding in the direction of his sister.

"Your sister?" Katherine asked, surprised. "Isn't she older than you?"

Gabriel nodded, "All the more important that we match these two up! She is 36--"

"I'm sorry Gabriel, but I am not arranging my son's marriage. Especially not to someone 12 years his senior." Katherine looked at the dance floor and saw that Alfred was now dancing with Natalia, one of the Roman princesses. "And he doesn't need my help making acquaintances," she said, gesturing towards her son.

"I'm sorry that's the way you feel, Your Majesty," Gabriel said. "I was hoping we would see eye-to-eye on this matter. My sister's happiness is important to me, and I am sure that your sovereignty is important to you."

"Excuse me?" She said, leaning back and putting her hands on her hips.

"You heard me Queen. Don't make me insult your intelligence by repeating it. Extreme circumstances protected you before, but this time, Vinsalia truly will wipe J Andres from the map. You may not have any enemies, but you don't have any friends either. If you like your castle, I'd expect you'll think about my offer."

The Vinsalian King escorted the Queen of J Andres back to her husband without another word. This is NOT going to be a pleasant trip, Katherine thought to herself. Edited August 24, 2013 by J Andres

[J Andres]

November 18, 2064

VINSALIA CLOSES BORDER

DANBURY -- Ten days after Queen Katherine and her family visited Vinsalia in a sign of goodwill, the Vinsalian military has installed roadblocks at all border entrances. Vinsalia is the only nation that J Andres shares a land border with. Tensions are rising in Danbury, the largest of J Andres border cities. "We are taking action to ensure that our citizens respect the border line," said General Thomas Malvern. "We don't want to repeat the actions that caused the first Vinsalian Crisis."

The first Vinsalian Crisis was largely due to miscommunication between the two sides, and the sudden independence of J Andres. Now the roles have reversed; however, Vinsalia is taking aggressive steps to protect their borders. Governor Phillip Gordon instructed all citizens to remain calm at a press conference this afternoon. "I know many of you crossed the border daily into the Commonwealth. The President has assured me that resources will come from the east, and we will not be stranded here. In these times of uncertainty, we must remain calm, and fully assess the situation."

A diplomatic team led by Minister Charlotte Laurent has been dispatched to Vinsalia. Edited August 24, 2013 by J Andres