Kalistan

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Kalistan sells out National Heirloom
Hulanevek Diamond transferred to Queen Arianna of Hutori for undisclosed amount
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 19, 5689


Princess of the Empire just hands over Hulanevek Diamond to Hutorian Queen Arianna (seen here with Consort David Alvarez-Ananto)

Well, the short lived mystery of the Missing Diamond has been resolved. For three days, there was wide speculation that the Hulanevek Diamond, which had been on display at the Museum of the Empire on Ananto Estate, but suddenly went missing, had in fact been stolen. The Royal Family issued no comments during this period, and House Ananto had an official statement of "No Comment" when Dame Allison Ananto-Westmoreland was questioned.

During the three days that followed, rumors swirled about the nation: Who could the thieves have been? Was it Amudim who stole the diamond? Had it been returned to the Gem Vault? Was the curse on the stone real? Had the Anantos chosen to destroy it? Nobody knew anything, and nobody had a clue as to the whereabouts of Seleya's most famous diamond.

The fever of speculation broke this afternoon when Dame Ananto-Westmoreland called a brief press conference. Below is her brief remarks to the Press:

"I will not be taking any questions at this time. We have received word this afternoon that the stone known as the White Gem, or the Kundrati Gem, or as we call it here in Kalistan, the Hulanevek Diamond, has been safely turned over to the possession of Her Majesty, Queen Arianna Elizabeth Rosalyn Steuart-Carmichael of Hutori. Queen Arianna is the Lady Commander of the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke. The Stone was carried by commercial air to Hutori by Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis on orders from Her Highness Princess Regent Nicolette Ananto-Collins, and with full knowledge and assent of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress in Waiting Carolina-Katherine Michelle Ananto-Connor. Her Imperial Majesty, in consultation with her family and House Ananto, decided that the gem, which is believed to be cursed to Ananto Royalty, especially male royalty, is far safer with Queen Arianna of Hutori than it is here in Kalistan.

While in country, Lady Ananto-DeLaurentis met with Her Majesty the Queen, Sir David Alvarez-Ananto, the Prince Consort, and the incoming Liberal Prime Minister David Woodbury. The Princess of the Empire once again stayed with the Queen and Prince Consort at their residence: Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis and Queen Arianna are long time personal friends, and have maintained excellent personal and professional relations over many decades. With this, the Imperial House has put a world of distance between the Hulanevek Diamond and Her Imperial Majesty. Thank you for your attention."

Questions flew at Dame Ananto-Westmoreland, but she did not accept any--Instead she walked from the podium and left immediately. But here at The National, we view the loss of this stone to be a sacrifice of part of our national heritage. That Diamond has been with the Royal Family since it was sent here just about 100 years ago. For much of that time, the Anantos kept it safe in a vault, but recently it has been on display for people to come and see. It was long worn, and even flaunted you may say by four generations of Kalistani Royalty. It is one of the most sought after stones on Terra: Its value is incalculable, and now it is gone. Sent to Hutori, of all places.

The questions we have are myriad:

How much did Hutori give for it? They notoriously acquired a sister gem to this one from Xsampa decades ago for a significant amount of money. Did Kalistan get ANy money for this stone? Judging by Dame Ananto-Westmoreland's statement, it sure sounds like we just gave it to them.

Did Her Highness Princess of the Empire Mary Ananto-DeLaurentis receive anything else for the diamond? Technically the diamond was the property of House Ananto, and far be it from us to say they may not dispose of their property as they wish, but isn't she concerned that Kalistan will lose prestige without that diamond in our posession? Other nations have used gems to give them leverage in world affairs. Does Kalistan not want that sort of power?

It blows our minds here at The National why House Ananto would just voluntarily dispose of property they have jealously guarded for a century. And without any additional information from the House or from the royal family, we are left to guess what the reason is.

We reached out to the office of the Chancellor of the Empire for comment on the transfer of the gem, and the Chancellor's office said "No Comment, except House Ananto is welcomed to do as they please with their property." Truly an uninspired answer, and shows either complicity or ignorance by this Government.

We also reached out to Mr. Jacob Maxwell, Director of the Anantonese Yeudi Interests Committee. He was considerably more animated, but also made it clear that he did not approve of the transfer of the diamond to Hutori. "House Ananto lost a major supporter among the Yeudi Diaspora today," said Mr. Maxwell to our reporter. "That diamond was supposed to stay here so our people could see their heritage. I am aware that there is contested ownership here: House Ananto calls it their property, while we say they were merely trustees and it was not theirs strictly speaking but an item of cultural significance belonging to the Yeudi People worldwide which they were protecting for us. Whatever side you happen to come down on, three million Kalistani Yeudis were sold out today by House Ananto, and it is something we will not soon forget."

Mr. Maxwell was asked if the AYIC would attempt to sue the Kalistani Government over what he characterizes as "a betrayal of epic magnitude", and transfer of his constituents' cultural heritage. He responded that that was not in the cards. "Look, let's not go crazy here: there are larger fish to fry I think. Yeudis are being persecuted in Selucia, and it is important that we keep focused on the large matters that are in front of us. I intend to send a very strongly worded letter to Her Imperial Majesty to let her know of my personal disappointment that she and the Princess Regent took this step."

Nationalists in Kalistan, however are reportedly furious. This is a complete abandonment of a major national symbol. Whatever Mr. Maxwell thinks, this was a symbol of national pride. We had this tremendously valuable piece of history sitting in our Imperial Museum. It adorned Emperors and Empresses. It was amazing to look at, and it gave us a sense of destiny. And so many people wanted it. That's the thing: So many other nations would have killed to get their hands on this diamond. Kalistan could have named its price if they were bound and determined to sell it. We probably could have gotten important concessions on Athosia from the world if we wanted. We could have gained allies, trade, you name it.

And one nation far more than every other wanted it. Amudim, which is being reunited right now, could have made an offer that Kalistan could have taken for major advantages. Trade, intel, basing, whatever. But instead, Kalistan did something that seems incredibly random and just apparently gave it to Hutori for nothing.

It's quite infuriating to everyone in Kalistan, it would seem, except the Royal Family. Here at The National, we do not shy away from our critique of the decisions of this Princess Regent, because we love our nation and do not want her to obliterate it before the Rightful Empress can ascend to the Throne. But Your Highness: What?! Why would you order the Princess of the Empire to take that diamond out of the country and hand it to Hutori? There's no problem with giving it to our allies in the north, but why give it away at all? That stone belonged to us, to Kalistan. To nobody else. And now it is gone.

Perhaps in the coming days, weeks, or months we will gain more information about any agreements between House Ananto and the Steuart-Carmichaels of Hutori. But, perhaps more interestingly, we will also resolve once and for all time the mystery of whether or not the stone truly is cursed: The Prince Consort of Hutori, Lord David Alvarez-Ananto, the Queen's Husband, is an Ananto. Not a Hulanevek, to be sure, but a member of the older 4th Dynasty. Perhaps the curse only affects male members of the 5th Dynasty--We commoners can't really be sure what esoteric nonsense the very insular Anantos believe when they talk amongst themselves. We shall see what happens to him, now that the supposedly cursed diamond is in the hands of the Hutori Monarchy.

@TheNational