Kalistan

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Dana Ananto is Married to Christopher Bjorksdattir
Firing was "Not a Punishment, but a Promotion" says Bjorksdattir
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 14, 5595


Sir Bjorksdattir makes his promises to Lady Dana Ananto

It turns out that the rumor mill spinning up around the sacking of Sir Christopher Bjorksdattir was entirely wrong.  Many people believed that Bjorksdattir had been fired from his position because the Empress disapproved of his handling of Kalistan's foreign affairs.  But in fact the real reason appears that he was "fired" so that he could be married.  "Being allowed to resign was not a punishment," said the former Foreign Minister.  "I was promoted to member of the Royal Family.  I couldn't be happier!"

"Christopher and I requested that he be released from his duties as Foreign Minister in November," said Lady Dana Ananto at her wedding celebration in Eveari at the Eveari Monthly Meeting.  "The papers were saying that he had been fired, but in fact, it was always his intention to start a family, and he felt that now was the right time."  According to Lady Ananto, the couple revealed their longstanding relationship to the Empress in mid November, and the former Foreign Minister said he couldn't focus on his job and start a family with Lady Ananto, so he offered to resign and take another post instead.  The Empress granted the request to allow Bjorksdattir a leave of absence while she figured out another job for him.

The secret was kept for these last two months, and the wedding day finally arrived.  In a ceremony that has been repeated numerous times in Eveari, the two Brethrenists were married at the Meeting House.  The event was small, primarily attended by family and close friends.  Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Carolina I Ananto was in attendance, along with His Highness, the Prince Consort William Ananto-Sandoval, as well as His Highness, the Minor Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Sandoval, and the Minor Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval.  Several members of the National Government were in attendance to wish their old friend well, including Dame Diane Bolton, the Chancellor of the Empire.  And Sir Bjorksdattir's sister Monica and mother Jacqueline were also in attendance.  Many of the Eveari Brethren stayed home, but several Sulari Brethren attended the wedding, as the Sulari Monthly Meeting is where Lady Dana and Sir Christopher attend when she is in the country.


The Groom and Bride cut the Cake at their Wedding in Eveari

Following the ceremony, including the signing of the Brethrenist Wedding Certificate, the Wedding Party moved to the Club House on the Grounds of the Ananto Estate.  There was a great cake made by the Imperial Bakery staff in Eveari, and lots of food and drinks.  The Wedding Reception was held, pictures were taken, and a fantastic dinner was had by all guests.  In the evening, the gates to the estate were opened and the townsfolk were invited to come and celebrate at the Estate, as is the custom, and more than a hundred people showed up to welcome Sir Christopher to the Ananto family.

"Few people remember," said Lady Dana, speaking Vrassan with her characteristic Gaduri accent, "that Sir Christopher is descended from a much more ancient line than even I or Carolina are.  His ancestor was the martyr, Elga Bjorksdattir, who was President when Kalistan began the great conversion to Brethrenism.  She was the first Brethrenist President, and he aircraft was actually shot down while she was returning home from a diplomatic mission to Trigunia.  She created GanJam, believe it or not.  The great port in Sulari is named after his grandmother.  My family has been in politics for 15 generations.  He has been in politics for 1600 years."


Her Imperial Majesty and Lady Dana Ananto at the Reception

At around 9pm, both the Bride and Groom said their good nights, and retired to the Main House along with Her Imperial Majesty, the Prince Consort and the two children, but the Party continued late into the evening.  The Eveari Bar Rock band Three Shots Two Many took the stage shortly after 8 and played several sets for all the guests.  At around 10pm, Lady Dana and Sir Christopher returned to the reception to hear the band, who serenaded them with a slow dance original tune called "For You Alone."  The newlyweds stayed another hour listening to the music and greeting friends and well wishers before returning to the house for the evening.

The wedding in the books, Lady Dana Ananto and Sir Christopher Bjorksdattir returned this morning to Lady Dana's home in Vespiano, Gaduridos, where she is spending the winter.  Sir Christopher, now that he is retired (probably temporarily at any rate) and on a pension, said he looks forward to warmer winters and sailing, and both agreed that it is better that their relationship is finally public, so they don't have to keep avoiding the press. 

The Couple is expected to return to Kalistan in February, to don their AOotGS Regalia for the first Order Function and Procedure of the Year, an event which is to be held annually to celebrate the birthday of both the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan and the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke.  Lady Dana is a Royal Lady Companion and Sir Christopher is a Knight Companion--Usually, he would take the Class of Stranger Knight Companion because he is now the Spouse of a Royal Lady Companion, but as he was already a member of the Order, he keeps his Seniority as a Knight Companion.