Chapter 411 The Declaration of War

Chapter 411 The Declaration of War

Empire of France, seven o'clock in the morning. The Place de la Concorde in Paris was bustling with activity as journalists and civilians alike gathered, drawn by the promise of an important announcement from the Empress of the French Empire. The usually calm morning was now a scene of anticipation and curiosity.

Journalists, having arrived early, were busy setting up their camera equipment, ensuring they had the best angles to capture the Empress's speech. The air was filled with the clicking of cameras and the murmur of reporters discussing potential reasons for this sudden gathering.

Civilians, initially on their way to start their daily routines, found themselves drawn to the growing crowd. Word of mouth had spread quickly about the Empress's appearance, leading to a diverse mix of people filling the historic square. Some were office workers in suits, others were local residents, and there were even a few tourists who had stumbled upon the event by chance.

As the minutes ticked by, the Place de la Concorde swelled with more and more people. The crowd was a mix of excitement and apprehension, as the reason behind the gathering was still unknown. Speculations ran wild among the onlookers – some guessed it might be a significant policy announcement, while others worried it could be related to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, police and security personnel were strategically positioned around the area, ensuring the safety of the Empress and the public. Barricades were set up to control the crowd, and officers were vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.

People checked their watches, counting down the minutes to the scheduled time of the speech. Cameras were trained on the podium, where the Empress was expected to appear.

As the clock struck the scheduled time, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to the podium, waiting for the Empress to emerge and shed light on the purpose of this early morning assembly. nove(l)bi(n.)com

Moments later, the Empress of the French Empire, Ciela Bonaparte, made her entrance. A sigh of admiration was let out from the mouths of the crowds as they saw the Empress's beauty complemented by her opulent dress and dignified demeanor. She approached the podium with a composed and solemn air, aware of the multitude of eyes fixed upon her.

The Empress surveyed the crowd for a moment before beginning her speech.

"We are committed to bringing an end to this conflict swiftly and justly. Our goal is peace, but we will not hesitate to confront aggression and injustice. We owe it to the Greek people, to our own citizens, and to the world.

"Long live France, and may our efforts bring about a future of peace and freedom for all."

With these powerful words, the Empress concluded her speech. The crowd, visibly moved by her words, erupted into applause.

***

Meanwhile, on St. Petersburg Palace Square, under the cold Russian skies, a similar scene unfolded. The Russian populace, summoned by the Tsar's decree, gathered, waiting to hear from their leader.

As Tsar Paul I stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the square, the crowd fell silent. He surveyed the sea of faces before him, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension evident in the crowd.

"Citizens of Russia," began Tsar Paul I, his voice resonating across the square. "Today marks a significant moment in our nation's history. France, driven by its imperialistic ambitions, has declared war on our ally, the Ottoman Empire, and consequently on us. This act of aggression cannot go unanswered. Russia has always stood for sovereignty and the right of nations to defend themselves. Our alliance with the Ottoman Empire is not just a strategic partnership but a commitment to protect those threatened by foreign domination.

France's actions, under the guise of supporting Greek independence, are nothing but a blatant attempt to expand its own influence at the cost of regional stability. This is not a battle for freedom, as they claim, but an act of unwarranted aggression.

Thus, in response to France's declaration, we too are forced to declare war. This decision is not taken lightly, but out of necessity to protect our interests and uphold the balance of power in Europe."