395 After the Convention
Upon the conclusion of the convention that discussed the creation of the United Nation, Alexander took his break in one of the hundred rooms in the Mikhailovsky Palace.
He can leave the palace if he pleases, but after talking for about three hours, he’d wanted to have a break first and discussed things with his high-ranking officials who are with him at the moment.
“So, Sergei. You just returned from Senegal right? Please share with us your experiences of staying there.”
“As much as I would love to, Your Majesty, there is nothing that I can regale to you as my stay there was rather unpleasant.”
“Unpleasant?” Alexander leaned forward and gave Sergei a curious look. “How so? The locals didn’t receive you warmly? What is it?”
“Well, the territory was poor, Your Majesty. There was little to no infrastructure. It was primitive to the point I felt that I had traveled back in time. If there were no automobiles driving down the unpaved road, my feelings could have been a reality.”
“So you are saying that the territory was undeveloped and that made your stay there unpleasant?” Alexander repeated. “I thought there was civil unrest going on when you arrived, you know, people who were vying for power when the Francois Republic left. But I was wrong, it turns out it was all comfort. Sergei, I didn’t like your answer.”
Sergei gasped and immediately bowed his head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to offend you in any way.”
Alexander sighed, tired of hearing the same phrases over and over again whenever he got disappointed. He’d wished they’d stopped it.
“Well, at least you did some fine job of making them agree to our demands. Them becoming part of the Ruthenia Empire,” Alexander said softly as if whispering, making everyone around him find it a little troubling hearing him.
“They were more amicable than we had expected, Your Majesty,” Sergei raised his head. “With one of our foreign policies finished in the Black Continent, we should start focusing on our neighbors. Do you wish to discuss them now?”
“No,” Alexander shook his head while waving his hand dismissively. “I want to hear your opinions about the recent convention. Christina, you can share your thoughts. What did I do? Did I do well?”
“Aside from the fact that you have angered the Yamato Empire and displeased the Francois Republic, I’d say it was a job well done. Everyone seems eager to join the United Nation as it will bring more benefit than isolating themselves,” Christina shared her thoughts.
“I concur,” Sergei chimed in. “You carried yourself pretty well in that meeting, Your Majesty. Even if you have to apologize for the ambiguities. With that said and done, what is your plan next, Your Majesty? To be honest, if all the countries joined the United Nation, then the Ruthenia Empire would have no enemies. We basically control the whole world at this point.”
“I don’t think so,” Alexander frowned deeply. “The Ruthenia Empire still has its enemies lurking in the shadows. For example, the communist may have lost China but have not fully surrendered to the Nationalist regime. They are hiding in the mountains, recovering from their losses by recruiting people through brainwashing. The Choson Empire also had communists and soon almost every country will have a communist party.”
“What makes you say that?” Christina asked curiously.
“Because, as it stands, the Ruthenia Empire is the strongest country right now in possession of the world’s deadliest weapon. No country in their sane mind would let it keep that way. They will do everything it takes to counter us. Meaning empires and kingdoms would start exploiting their people, making them work day and night to catch up to us. And then those exploited people would realize the power they possess when gathered together…”
“Leading to proletariat revolution,” Sergei finished. “Is that what you are pointing out, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, and the fact that we already started exporting assault rifles would make any revolution worse and tragic. People back then marched in the streets and demanded reforms. And we all know that peaceful protest is always accommodated with the military shooting at them. They will take the violent approach.”
“But the organization you created brother will prevent that, right?” Christina asked.
“The United Nation will have peacekeeping forces made up of soldiers from member states. They’ll be the ones responsible for actively preventing conflict, reducing violence, and strengthening security. For now, the United Nations is the only way to keep our potential adversaries in line, but sooner or later, the organization will be questioned for its commitment…”
“What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?” Sergei asked. Alexander has been talking in riddles for a while now.
“Ruthenia Empire is busy strengthening itself again, Sergei. We are the strongest because we have a nuclear weapon that can wipe out an entire city where their government resides. We are not actually strong, we still lack in some areas. Give me another decade and I’ll make sure myself that the Ruthenia Empire will no longer be truly a paper tiger.”
Alexander stretched his hand and yawned. “Okay, I think that’s enough. I want to go home.”
“Oh, about that, brother. The Queen of the Britannia Empire wanted to see your son, Andrei at the Winter Palace.”
“Yeah, she mentioned that at the airport yesterday. Where is she now?”
“She’s waiting outside the palace, waiting for you from her car,” Christina answered.
Alexander rose to his feet and stretched his back. He felt his back popping like bubble wrap, relieving the stiffness on it. “Very well, let’s go.”
***
An hour has passed since the convention. Alexander and Diana walked side by side as they entered the Winter Palace. Her royal guards insisted that they should come with their queen but the Imperial Guards of the Winter Palace barred them from entering.
As if a scuffle was about to break out, Alexander and Diana worked together to resolve it.
“We take security very seriously in this palace, Diana, I hope you understand.”
“I am aware of that. But they also take my safety very seriously. If the Royal Guards aren’t with me, then they’ll assume that I have been compromised, leading to a greater misunderstanding. I know that your Imperial Guards are capable and trusting but I would still prefer to have my own guard following me.”
Diana has a fair point. If Alexander was to visit Buckingham Palace and the Royal Guards didn’t allow the Imperial Guards to enter, he would talk through it with Diana.
“You can have four Royal Guards, the rest can stay outside. Winter Palace may be big but the hallways are not,” Alexander chuckled.
The issue was resolved and they continued into the Winter Palace. There was an Imperial Guard standing on either side of the door, which leads into a room where Sophie and Andrei were staying.
Upon seeing their emperor, they stood dutifully, and in attention.
“Okay, Diana, this is off limits to the Royal Guards, they’ll have to stay outside.”
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With that, Alexander opened the door and beckoned her to enter.