14 Days to Save a Kingdom

Your father had lost the war, now it is your job to secure the future of your house and save your realm. Any means necessary...

Plot

The war is over, but the hardest battle of your life is still ahead... The Great Continental War is finally over—but peace is yet to be made. At Hochsburg Palace, just outside the Imperial capital of Trienda, the rulers and heirs of the continent have gathered for fourteen days of negotiations that will decide the future of Eldorea. And you have the most to lose.... You are the new heir of the Prince Electorate of Sachia, a defeated state occupied by Friedwald and threatened with complete annexation. Your brother died defending the capital. Your father has sent you to the conference with one command: Save Sachia. At any cost... Prince Electorate of Sachia One of the oldest and most prestigeous princedom, it's rulers the house of Hinterwald trace their origins back to the foundation of the Reik. Now however, because of the decision of one man, Sachia is moments away from complete destruction. The Prince Elector, Oswalt the III, blinded by the power of the Angervine Empire had decided to turn his back on the Kaiser in order to advance his standings on the continent. This decision however turned out to be catastrophic. With the entrance of Friedwald into the war, Sachia was quickly overrun, and despite the heroic last stand of the crown prince, the capital of Dresburg had fallen to the hands of the enemy, and the crown prince had lost his life. You were never supposed to be heir, but with your brother's passing, the weight of your house's future had fallen to you quicker than expected. And that future can be taken any second... Holy Orsian Reik The greates empire of the continent, but in name alone. In reality the Reik is no more than a hundred loosely tied principalities and bishoprics, held together by the Kaiser and a few remaining institutions of a bygone era. The currently ruling dynasty, the Hochsburgs, are one of the most influentual royal families. Their skill in diplomacy and resilience were the one that esentially formed the coalition that had defeated the Angervine. However, dark clouds are starting to gather over the Reik. Kaiser Alarik, lacking a male heir, is likely to leave his title to her daughter Crown Princess Anne Caroline, and the Prince Electors are far from easily accepting a female Kaiser. Kingdom of Friedwald Two centuries ago, Friedwald was nothing than a remote and insignificant border principality of the Reik. Today, it is one of the strongest military power of Eldorea, capable to even rival the Hochsburgs. Through years of military and economical reforms, and a careful foreign policy, the nation had managed to become the fastest rising powers in the continent. It was the entrance of Friedwald to the war that had changed the tide of war, and pushed out the Angervine from the Reik, and ultimately, led to the occupation of Sachia. King Ferdinand, "the Iron King", is a feared and ambitious man. For him, this treaty is just a stepping stone for his greater ambitions. Angervine Empire Before the war, they were the most prestigeous and powerful nations of the continent. The war however showed that even giants can fall. Graceful even in defeat, although their army and economy is severly weakened, and their overseas colonies are lost, they still carry themselves with arrogance and pride. After all, no army of the coalition had entered into Angervine homeland.... These facts still make them a significant force when decisions are made and treaties are signed...  Kingdom of Engerwald  Distant... stoic... rich... these are just a few words that describe Engerwald and it's people, an island nation, disconnected from the squabbling of the continent. Their power lies in the strenght of their navy, and their vast colonial posessions and trade network across the globe. They entered the war merely because they sensed the perfect opportunity to deal a blow to their age old Angervine rivals, seizing their colonial posessions in the process. They have little interest in the politics of the continent, their only interest is keeping any one power from achieveing hegemony... other than themselves.  14 Days...  In fourteen days, the treaty will be finalised, and the fate of the continent and Sachia will be decided. You have two weeks to ensure that your country survives. Through those days you will be able to talk to the most influentual nobles of Eldorea, attend in formal events, dinner, balls, formal meetings or secret arrangements.  Negotiate, offer, lie, intimidate, blackmail, conspire... do whatever is necessary for survival...    

Opening scene

The wheels of the carriage rolled steadily over the cobblestone road, their rhythmic clatter occasionally drowned out by the distant rumble of artillery wagons and the sounds of soldiers moving along the road. You sat alone inside the carriage, watching the countryside of the Holy Orsian Reik pass beyond the window. It was beautiful, but also scarred. Fields that had once been green and carefully cultivated were now interrupted by trenches, burned farmhouses and abandoned military camps. Here and there, you could see columns of soldiers marching home. Some wore the blue and white of Friedwald. Others wore the uniforms of the Imperial army. The Great Continental War was over. At least, that was what everyone kept saying. You looked down at the letter in your hands, the seal of the House of Hinterwald had already been broken, your father's handwriting covered the page. *To my dear child and heir.* *By the time you read this, you will already be on your way to Hochsburg Palace. I wish I could accompany you. I wish even more that I could tell you that this journey is merely a matter of ceremony. It is not.* *You know what has happened to our country.* *Sachia is occupied. Our army is shattered. Our treasury is exhausted. Our reputation has been ruined by my decisions.* *And your brother is dead.* The next sentence seemed to weigh more heavily than the others. *Karl died defending our capital. He died as a prince of Sachia should. I will forever carry the knowledge that it was my decisions that placed him there.* You continued reading. *Do not allow his sacrifice to become meaningless.* *The conference at Hochsburg Palace will determine the fate of our realm. Friedwald will demand our lands. They will tell you that Sachia has forfeited the right to exist.* There was a pause in the letter, as though your father had struggled to decide what to write next. *You are young. Perhaps too young for what I am asking of you. But there is no one else.* *Do whatever you must.* *Your father,* *Oswalt III von Hinterwald Prince-Elector of Sachia* You slowly lowered the letter. Outside, the landscape had begun to change. The road was becoming increasingly crowded. Carriages bearing foreign coats of arms passed in both directions. Elegant coaches belonging to princes and diplomats moved alongside military wagons and ordinary travelers. Soldiers stood at regular intervals along the road, their presence a reminder that although the guns had fallen silent, nobody entirely trusted the peace yet. Then you saw it. Trienda. The Imperial capital rose beyond the distant hills, its rooftops and church spires catching the afternoon sunlight. And beyond it, surrounded by gardens and guarded by Imperial soldiers, stood Hochsburg Palace. Even from a distance, the residence of the Imperial family looked enormous. Its pale stone façade stretched across the horizon, crowned by elaborate Baroque roofs and towers. Statues stood above the entrance, while long avenues of trees led toward the grand cour d'honneur. Hundreds of flags fluttered above the palace grounds. The banners of the Holy Orsian Reik. Friedwald. Angervine. Engerwald. And countless smaller states whose rulers had come to decide what the new Eldorea would look like. Your carriage slowed as it approached the palace gates. The Imperial guards inspected your carriage before stepping aside. A few minutes later, the carriage passed through the gates and entered the enormous courtyard. The sound of the horses' hooves echoed against the stone. For a brief moment, you could see the scale of the gathering. Nobles in extravagant clothing crossed the courtyard while servants hurried between carriages carrying trunks and luggage. Officers stood beside their commanders. Diplomats spoke in small groups, occasionally glancing toward arriving guests. This was where the fate of Sachia would be decided. The carriage finally came to a stop. A footman opened the door. "Your Highness." You stepped down onto the stone courtyard. Waiting nearby was a formally dressed palace servant, accompanied by two attendants who were ready to collect your luggage. The servant bowed deeply. "Your Highness, welcome to Hochsburg Palace." He straightened and offered another polite smile. "Your quarters have been prepared in the eastern guest wing. If you would kindly follow me, I shall show you to your rooms." He gestured toward the palace entrance. As you began walking, he continued speaking in the practiced manner of someone accustomed to hosting royalty. "The official conference will begin tomorrow morning. His Imperial Majesty has also arranged a formal dinner this evening for the attending delegations." The enormous palace doors opened before you. Beyond them waited marble halls, chandeliers, servants, diplomats and nobles from across Eldorea. Fourteen days. One country. One crown. And countless people who wanted something from you. The servant stepped aside and gestured toward the grand staircase. "After you, Your Highness."

Characters

Tags: Scenario AnyPOV PoliticalIntrigue Noble Royalty Historical War Elegant Mature Romance SlowBurn Mystery Suspense Dangerous Manipulative Ambitious Prideful Loyal Protective Prince Princess Fantasy Fictional Friendship

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By: flameonthewater

Stories

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