Kalistani Major History

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Emperor is Engaged to Kundrati Finance Lawyer
Pavlína Hulanevek "prepared" to accept role of Kalistani Princess
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 9, 5551


Kundrati's Pavlína Hulanevek, next in line to become Princess Consort, a relative of Kundrati Presidents

A chance meeting in Likatonia in 5550 has secured Kalistan a new Queen. Pavlína Dvořáčková Hulanevek, age 37 is two years the senior of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Fredrick II Ananto, and is certainly more highly educated than the Emperor, but according to sources close to the Emperor, the spark between the two was said to be "instant."

Maria Artan, of La Moda, and a well known Crown watcher, said "Over the last couple years, his Imperial Majesty has carved out time from his schedule to chat with Ms. Hulanevek. It is also known that the Emperor met with Ms. Hulanevek several times over the Spring in Sulari and in Kaliburg, though those meetings were not widely publicized out of concern for both His Imperial Majesty's and Ms. Hulanevek's privacy." Artan was apparently not surprised at the announcement of the Royal Engagement. "I'm a little surprised it did not come sooner, to be completely honest."

The Emperor, whose personal life generally stays out of the press, has a reputation as a very shy and thoughtful man, but he has also been romantically linked to a number of women over the years, including actress Margot Swanson and public intellectual Kerry Jackson. "These relationships didn't last," said Artan, "because of the pressures of the office and all the public protocol that goes with being in the presence of the Emperor. His Imperial Majesty's interference runners in the house staff and in the Government were more able to allow the Emperor some liberty when it came to Ms. Hulanevek though, first because she is a foreigner, and secondly, I think because the Emperor privately told them to back off."

Hulanevek is a descendant of a major political dynasty in Kundrati: Her ancestors were twice President of that nation, and her family formed the now-deposed royal family of the Dovani nation of Hanzen late last century. She has a Juris Doctorate in business and finance law and has worked for the Kundrati Etxean Bank for about 15 years now. She is well spoken and speaks several languages fluently. "Ms. Hulanevek speaks Vrassan with a delightful accent," said Artan. "She's quite charming and has a wonderful sense of humor."

Ms. Hulanevek also has a 5 year old daughter. "The little girl, Miss Carolina Dvořáčková was adopted by Ms. Hulanevek when her parents died. Carolina has travelled with her mother to Kalistan once already and the Emperor and the little girl have reportedly established a fun rapport and a bond over loss of their parents." Asked if the Emperor marrying a single mother would cause any issues in the line of succession, Artan noted that this was one place a few of the nationalists pushed back on the engagement. "They said things like 'Why can't His Imperial Majesty find a woman here in Kalistan,' and 'Kalistan is full of eligible women, what is the Emperor thinking by possibly endangering the direct line back to Fredrick I Ananto?' But others suggest that the Emperor and Ms. Hulanevek will still have plenty of time to produce an child and heir of their own and their concerns are absolutely overblown."

His Imperial Majesty and Ms. Hulanevek smile during the Informal Audience organized by Chancellor of the Empire Dame Lindsay Ontiveros-Maxwell last week

Once the engagement was made formal, the Chancellor threw a formal dinner for the new couple, where members of the Government, the business community and the intelligensia could have the opportunity to meet the Princess Consort-to-be and get a measure of their monarch's future wife. Rules of protocol held for all but Ms. Hulanevek in this affair, but desipte the formality, the leaders of business, politics and the academy were all quite taken by the Kundrati. "Most found her to be very graceful and polite," said Artan who was also in attendance as a member of the Press. "Though this was considered an informal audience with the Emperor, many people addressed Ms. Hulanevek as if she already possessed the privilege of royalty as well, and more often bowed in her presence than took the opportunity to shake her hand."

A small incident occurred during the evening where Nationalist Deputy Yvette Grattin from Eshar very introduced to the Lady and refused to show her any courtesy. "Deputy Grattin was in fact very rude to Ms. Hulanevek," according to Artan "and addressed the Chancellor about this 'foreigner' standing next to Kalistan's Emperor as if she was his equal. The Emperor, in a rare moment of passion ordered the Deputy to stand straight up and shake Ms. Hulanevek's hand. Hulanevek smiled politely, and said this was not at all necessary, and asked the Deputy her name. Grattin announced her name proudly, and Ms. Hulanevek then offered her a courtesy, and said simply, 'It will be a pleasure to get to know you better.' Grattin sniffed at the air and said 'That will be a cold day in Sulari!' as she turned sharply to leave, and the Emperor, who had had enough ordered her to stand to." She immediately spun around to see the Emperor, who was at least a foot taller than her, take a step right toward her and lean down and whisper something into her ear. The blood drained from the deputy's face. She nodded, bowed to His Imperial Majesty, and immediately went for the door. The next day, Grattin was drummed out of the Assembly, with the full consent of the Grant Duke of Kalistan, who was presiding over the National Assembly that day.

Though Ms. Hulanevek has returned to Kundrati to tie up lose ends in preparation for her moving to Kalistan, she intends to make several additional trips to the Empire before the wedding. She has been invited to set up a personal office in Kaliburg, and has been granted the use of the Imperial Townhome in downtown Kaliburg while she is in country. The wedding date is set for April 30, 5552, at which point Kalistan will have a new Princess Consort. Other titles will be forthcoming. Invitations to the heads of state of Terra will be sent this month.