Kalistani Major History

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Kalistanis say Goodbye to Last Empress
Beloved Monarch, Last of the Imperial Family dies at 100
Eveari, Ananto
February 2, 5324


Empress Rivière and Emperor William I Ananto, at Ananto Estate in Eveari shortly before Emperor's Death

The last member of the Imperial Family has died, at the age of 100. Empress Rivière Ananto, who was born Rivière Orléans-Vassee-DeChambeau, daughter of Queen Eugenie and Prince Francois in Lourenne was laid to rest next to her late husband William I Ananto in a private ceremony attended by former nobles, Socialist Party officials, and a small handful of invited guests. With the Empress goes the last vestiges of the Imperial Period.

Rivière was the beloved but reserved Empress of Kalistan governed Kalistan as Co-Monarch along side William I, until the pair were deposed in a bloodless regime change led by The Socialist Party in 5299. Since then, Rivière has split her time between Kalistan and Lourenne, often serving a semi-official role at several national and international events including the welcoming ceremonies of the Foreign Minister of Lourenne to Kalistan. Privately, Rivière was known for her wit and her erudition: Those who knew her best called her the "fount of useless knowledge" because she could discuss nearly any subject anyone could put to her with ease, and held well informed opinions on topics ranging from philosophy to art to math and engineering, to natural sciences to music to sociology. She was called a "renaissance woman" in her life.

Rivière became the last imperial title holder upon the death of William seven years ago. Though she mourned her husband, the eulogy she delivered at his funeral was considered one of the great oratories of the modern age in Kalistan. "Citizen, Emperor, Husband: All words to describe the late William. But none come close to the word I hold dearest, my own name for him: Friend. In happy times and in dark times, he made sure that I was never forgotten, never left behind, never unappreciated. In all things I wanted to do, he was there to lift me up, and with his confidence, I was able to soar to higher heights than I ever dreamed imaginable. Though we had our difficulties too in life, as all those who are part of our chosen family do, we persisted and never gave up, and that tenacity kept us together through a dark night, or two, until the sun rose the next day. I will miss my friend," Rivière said at William's funeral.

And now the kind words are spoken about the Empress. She will remain on the estate at Eveari, and her two surviving children, William and Yvette have committed the house to be converted into a museum of the Empire, so people can view this particular period in the history of Kalistan. Additionally, it is their wish that any remaining valuables be on loan to the Historical Preservation Society in Eveari to display in the house. "Other properties are to be liquidated and the proceeds to be returned to the general fund," said Yvette, who along with Bill, are allowed to keep the family name in perpetuity, and pass it to their direct descendants. "It is the least our family can do: to return the property of the People to the People."

With the passing of Rivière, Empress of Ananto and Kalistan, the official chapter of the Empire finally comes to an end.