Kalistan

[Doc]

Empress Mary Moves to Eveari
Ananto Estate has once again become Imperial Residence
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 14, 5633


Her Imperial Majesty, Mary I Ananto takes possession of Ananto Estate

It was long expected that Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto would eventually move into Ananto Estate in Eveari.  The ancient home of the Anantonese Emperors, the sleepy bayside northern town has long been associated with the Anantan and later Anantonese Monarchy and is once more the home of the Empress.

"This home, and the landscape around Eveari, speaks more loudly to Her Imperial Majesty than the hustle and grind of the Capital," said crown watcher DeShawn Jameson.  "She seems so much happier away from the City and in nature.  This has always been the case, and there is absolutely no reason that she shouldn't be in a place which makes her feel comfortable and happy."

The home, most recently inhabited by Her Imperial Majesty's Grandmother, the late Empress Carolina, has been for the most part closed up during the transition period, though it was recently re-opened for the Coronation.  "Oh, if that place is vacant for any length of time, it takes a month and an army of housekeepers to get it ready again to be lived in," said Jameson.  "The Imperial Museum is housed on the Grounds as well, and that stays open at all times for the few tourists who make their way up here, and the estate is occasionally used for banquets, meetings, and Gray Smoke Order activities, but they started cleaning and redecorating the main residence before the coronation and it is only just finished now."

Photography is not permitted within the Imperial Residence, but those who have visited reported that much of the living spaces have been gilded within the last few years.  "This Empress has really leaned pretty heavily into the opulence," said Jameson.  "Anantos have been collecting gold, silver, and jewels of all kinds for centuries, storing most of it here in Eveari.  Mary is on record as wondering why that is not used for beautification."  To this end, she has asked that much of the living quarters be gilded in a tasteful, yet conspicuous way.  "For a woman who values nature so highly, she is doing all she can to surround herself with symbols of material wealth and opulence" said Jameson.  "She can do it, of course:  Much of the actual wealth of House Ananto itself is stored in physical material like countless 10kg gold and silver ingots, as well as thousands of both cut and polished, as well as uncut raw gems.  A tour of the famed Gem Vault leaves visitors beside themselves in amazement, and Anantos are notoriously prolific purchasers of natural gemstones on the private international market.  If she wrapped the entire house two times in gold foil, I don't think she would put a dent in her family's wealth."

In addition to reoccupying the Ananto Estate, Her Imperial Majesty has also ordered the purchase of an adjacent old growth redwood grove totaling about 1500 acres.  "The forest, called the Bluegrass Grove, is thought to be more than 1700 years old in total.  It has served as a lightly maintained and culled grove for decades, and a default public recreation area.  The majority of the acreage is in the rolling upslope from the Bluegrass Valley into the foot hills of the Green Mountains.  Her Imperial Majesty reportedly wants to build a series of hiking trails on the property, and make it officially a city park to protect it from lumber operations.  She also wants the spot for her own recreational usage as well, and wants it protected from what she sees as destructive logging operations in the area."  The addition of the Bluegrass Grove brings the total estate up to just under 2000 acres.

"Her Imperial Majesty will conduct most of her day to day affairs from Eveari, and will only officially travel to Kaliburg for functions in the National Assembly, and for Formal Audiences," said Jameson.  "Cliff House will be retained by the Empress' Mother, Princess of the Empire Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, and the East Wing will remain available for Her Imperial Majesty to reside in when she is in town."  Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval will be returning home to Dulnerstaad, and it is likely that Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis will move back to Kaliburg when she is finished with her National Service in 5635.

"I think the Empress will be very happy in Eveari," said Jameson.  "She has said it repeatedly:  It is far more to her taste."

@LaModa