A day later.
Lord Reginald stood by his desk, staring out at the rolling grounds of his estate as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns. The air in the room felt thick with the weight of his next decision. His fingers drummed lightly against the wood, a habit he picked up during moments of deep thought. Adrian's suggestion still lingered in his mind: apply pressure.
But now was not the time for overt force.
He turned slowly and moved back to his desk, where a blank sheet of fine parchment waited in front of him. His fountain pen rested beside it, poised for action. It was time to make his next move. If Valoria continued to evade a formal meeting with their ruler, Triesenberg would lose the upper hand in this diplomatic chess game. A direct approach was now required.
Sitting down, Reginald dipped the pen into the ink well, watching as the dark liquid clung to the nib. Then, with a precise hand, he began writing.
[To the esteemed government of Valoria,
After our recent and fruitful discussions with your Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is clear that both of our nations are entering a crucial moment in our relations. Triesenberg deeply respects Valoria's position on matters of trade, cooperation, and partnership.
However, as a nation that prides itself on transparency and direct leadership, we feel it is essential to further these conversations at the highest level possible.
It is for this reason that we formally request a face-to-face meeting with the ruler of Valoria. Our intention is to engage in meaningful dialogue that will benefit both our nations and solidify a long-lasting and prosperous relationship.
We believe that such a meeting would not only cement the mutual respect between our nations but also provide the necessary clarity and understanding that can only be achieved through direct, personal interaction.
We await your response with great anticipation and hope that this proposal will be met with the same spirit of openness and cooperation that Valoria has displayed thus far.
With sincere regards,
Lord Reginald Ashworth
Envoy of Triesenberg]
He paused after signing the letter, scanning its contents. The language was diplomatic, carefully neutral, and yet firm enough to signal that Triesenberg was expecting an engagement. There was no room for Valoria to retreat into further evasiveness. If they refused, it would send a clear message to the global community that they were unwilling to meet as equals.
Reginald folded the parchment carefully, sealing it with a precise drop of wax and the stamp of his personal crest. He summoned Adrian with a brief knock on the desk.
Moments later, Adrian stepped into the room, his eyes falling on the sealed letter.
"Is this the formal request, my lord?" Adrian asked
"Julieanne, it's Emily," she began, her voice carrying the seriousness of the situation. "We've received an official request from Triesenberg. They want to meet His Excellency—formally, in person."
There was a brief pause on the other end as Julieanne processed the news. "I expected they'd push for it eventually, but this soon?"
"Yes," Emily replied, glancing down at the letter once more. "Reginald's letter is diplomatic, but it's clear that they view this as a critical step forward. They're framing it as essential to cementing the relationship between our nations."
Julieanne let out a soft sigh. "Of course they are. They want to make sure they can gauge us in person. It's all about power, perception, and control."
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Emily said, taking another sip of her coffee. "They believe they'll get the upper hand by forcing a meeting with His Excellency. But we can't let them think we're at their mercy."
"Agreed. We'll have to be strategic with our response," Julieanne said, her tone thoughtful. "Let me reach out to His Excellency and brief him on the situation. I'm assuming this can't wait?"
"I think so... I'm sure His Excellency would want to see the diplomat sooner rather than later."
"Very well, I will call you later," Julieanne replied.
Julieanne wasted no time. She strode down the halls of the executive wing with purpose, her heels tapping sharply against the polished floor. Reaching Alexander's office, she was met by the guards, who gave her a quick nod of acknowledgement before allowing her to enter.
Alexander was seated behind his desk, going over a stack of reports.
"Julieanne," he greeted, though his eyes indicated that he knew something important was on her mind. "What's the matter?"
Julieanne stepped forward and relayed the news. "We've received an official request from Triesenberg. They're asking for a face-to-face meeting with you, Your Excellency."
"I see... then set it up tomorrow," Alexander said, leaning back slightly in his chair.
Julieanne nodded, already thinking through the logistics. "I'll make the necessary arrangements. We'll control the venue, the setting—everything will be on our terms."
"Good," Alexander replied. "Triesenberg will try to assert dominance in this meeting. We must show them that while we're open to diplomacy, we are not to be underestimated or manipulated."
Julieanne smiled slightly. "Of course, Your Excellency. I'll ensure everything goes smoothly. They'll get their meeting, but we'll remain in control."
"See that you do," Alexander said, his tone final.
With that, Julieanne left the room.