Empire of Triesenberg. March 25th, 1938.
At the Royal Palace of Triesenberg, Prince Theodore was having his jasmine tea while reading a newspaper that covers the ongoing tension between the Qing Dynasty, and the Yamato Empire in the East.
He had been following the issue since it had started. The Qing Dynasty is a powerful nation in its domain and the Yamato Empire is challenging it. It was not only him who had been keeping tabs on it but the Empire of Triesenberg as well. They knew at one point in the future, those two would go to war with one another and it would be up to the country in the west to choose a side.
While he was engrossing himself with detail, there was a knock on the door.
He glanced at the door as he set down the newspaper, wondering who might be interrupting his morning routine.
"Enter," he called out.
The door opened, and his chief advisor, Lord Reginald Huxley, stepped into the room. Reginald was an elderly man, with a sharp mind and years of experience in the court. His presence usually meant important news.
"Your Highness, may I have a moment of your time?" Reginald asked, bowing respectfully.
Theodore nodded, intrigued. "Of course, Reginald. What brings you here so early?"
Reginald approached and handed Theodore a sealed envelope. "A report has come from Admiralty. You should read it."
Theodore took the envelope, noting the Admiralty seal, and carefully tore it open. He pulled out the letter and began to read. As his eyes scanned the lines, his expression darkened.
"The battleship carrying Alexander to his exile at the Red Island has been sunk due to a severe storm. All hands, including the crew and guards, are presumed lost."
Theodore turned away from the window. He knew that to secure his place, he needed to outmaneuver Edward, and he would do whatever it takes to achieve it.
***
Six months later, in the country of Valoria.
Alexander was in his vehicle, seated next to Julieanne, who had been organizing papers containing various reports on the city's progress. As they drove through the streets of the capital, Alexander gazed out the window, marveling at the rapid transformation taking place.
Wide asphalt roads crisscrossed the urban landscape, smoothly accommodating the flow of sleek, newly manufactured cars. Pedestrians walked along pristine sidewalks lined with ornate street lamps and meticulously maintained greenery.
Neoclassical Baroque palaces stood as architectural masterpieces, each serving as headquarters for various government departments. Their grand facades, adorned with intricate carvings and stately columns, exuded an air of authority. The buildings' design seamlessly blended with the city's overall aesthetic, creating a harmonious and visually pleasing environment.
Alexander took note of the ongoing construction of subways, a project that promised to enhance the city's transportation network. Workers diligently laid tracks and assembled the stations.
Water pipelines and electrical poles were also being installed throughout the city, ensuring that every corner of the capital would have access to essential utilities. Alexander watched as workers maneuvered heavy machinery such as bulldozers, steamrollers, and cranes to shape the city's infrastructure.
"I have never witnessed such a development," Alexander observed. "If this was in Triesenberg, it would take years for it to be completed...but here? It's almost as if the city is growing right before my eyes."
Julieanne simply smiled at Alexander's enthusiasm with the progress of the construction.
"Where are we going again?" Alexander asked.
"To the Department of Defense Headquarters," Julieanne replied. "You will meet with the Defense Minister where you'd tour around the finished military facilities."
"Military huh? I wondered what they have for me," Alexander said, grinning. For him, the military is one of the important pieces in a nation as it needed a military to achieve a will of the nation.