The following morning, Lord Reginald sat at his desk, the familiar landscape of his estate bathed in the soft morning light. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the polished wood, his mind focused on the upcoming diplomatic maneuvers. The formal request he had sent to Valoria was a gamble, one he hoped would shift the balance in Triesenberg's favor.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter," Reginald called, turning in his chair to face the door.
Adrian stepped in, carrying a letter sealed with the Valorian crest. His expression was carefully composed, but Reginald could sense the importance of the message he carried. Adrian crossed the room swiftly and placed the letter on the desk.
"My lord, the response from Valoria has arrived," Adrian said.
Reginald nodded and gestured for Adrian to leave, his eyes already fixed on the seal. Once alone, he reached for his letter opener and carefully broke the wax. The parchment inside was smooth, the writing elegant and direct.
[To Lord Reginald Huxley,
The esteemed government of Valoria has reviewed your request, and His Excellency is prepared to grant an audience. The meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow at a designated location within Volkshalle, and we trust that this will allow for a productive and forthright discussion. We look forward to furthering the relationship between our two nations.
Yours respectfully,
Julieanne Carter
Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Supreme Leader of Valoria]
Reginald read the letter twice, his mind already shifting to the preparations needed for this meeting. Valoria had agreed, and now the real test would begin. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the text once more, parsing every word for meaning.
The meeting would take place tomorrow.. That alone told him they intended to control the encounter from the outset, but it was a step forward. They were willing to engage, and that was enough to set his plans in motion.
After a brief moment of reflection, Reginald called for Adrian again.
"Prepare for travel," Reginald said the moment Adrian reappeared.
Adrian nodded, already anticipating the next set of instructions. "Shall I notify the team?"
"Yes, and ensure the diplomatic party is briefed. We need to be at our sharpest. Valoria has finally opened the door, but we'll need to step carefully."
And what's with the mask? He couldn't quite fathom the need for it.
"Lord Reginald Huxley," the masked ruler spoke, his tone smooth and composed, but with a resonance that stirred something deep within Reginald's memory. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
The voice was familiar—unsettlingly so. Reginald's mind immediately began sifting through past encounters, trying to place where he might have heard it before. He couldn't pinpoint the exact moment, but there was no doubt it struck a chord. He had heard this voice somewhere, but the masked figure in front of him didn't match any of the faces that came to mind.
"It is an honor, Your Excellency," Reginald replied, keeping his tone steady despite the unease that rippled through him. His diplomatic instincts kicked in as he suppressed any outward signs of discomfort.
The ruler of Valoria gestured for him to sit. "I trust the journey to Volkshalle was not too burdensome."
.net
"Your city is remarkable," Reginald said as he sat, choosing his words carefully. "A testament to Valoria's strength and grandeur."
The Supreme Leader inclined his head slightly, as if acknowledging the compliment but not lingering on it. "We have much to discuss, Lord Reginald," he continued. The familiarity tugging once more at Reginald's thoughts. "I understand that Triesenberg is eager to establish a partnership, one that promises mutual benefit."
Reginald nodded, adjusting his posture to lean slightly forward. "Indeed, Your Excellency. We believe that our two nations, through cooperation, can achieve a balance of power that benefits us both, especially in these uncertain times. Triesenberg has much to offer in terms of resources and expertise, and I am confident Valoria will see the value in aligning our interests."
The ruler's masked face remained unreadable, but his voice carried a subtle edge. "And yet, power does not simply balance, Lord Reginald. It shifts. It demands. Valoria does not seek to share power, but to secure its future in a way that ensures its dominion."
Reginald was momentarily taken aback by the directness of the statement. There was no attempt to soften the intent. Valoria didn't view this as a partnership of equals but as an opportunity to consolidate its strength.
"It's an idealistic view Your Excellency but I have to remind you that you are nation that popped out of nowhere."
"Out of nowhere?" the ruler repeated, his voice carrying a curious undertone, as if amused by the observation. "I assure you, Lord Reginald, Valoria has always been here, quietly shaping its own future while the rest of the world looked elsewhere."
"We were sure that your country was not on the map thousands of years ago," Reginald said. "That is a fact."
"Perhaps your maps were incomplete," the ruler responded smoothly, the tone still carrying that strange, unsettling familiarity. "Valoria has always existed, not in the shadows, but in places where the eyes of the world failed to see. It is not our presence that was absent—it was your world's awareness."
Reginald narrowed his eyes, trying to read between the lines, but the mask remained impenetrable, both physically and metaphorically. He felt that Valoria's ruler was playing a deeper game, one that involved more than just territorial claims or political influence.
"Be that as it may," Reginald began, regaining his composure, "Triesenberg has made every effort to understand the dynamics of this world, and for centuries, we have known all nations, all powers. Valoria's sudden rise does not fit with what we know. This abrupt emergence, though impressive, raises questions."
The ruler leaned forward slightly, his posture exuding authority even behind the mask. "I would expect nothing less from a nation such as Triesenberg. You seek to understand, to fill in the gaps. But Valoria has no obligation to explain its origins to you, Lord Reginald. What matters now is the present—and the future."