Kalistan

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Empress and Lady Jensen visit Hutori
Isle of Sutton is "cold, and beautiful" said Jensen
Isle of Sutton, Kingdom of Hutori
April 3, 5665


In her first visit to the Grand Duchy of the Isle of Sutton, Empress is welcomed by population

In her first visit to the Isle of Sutton, Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto was treated to a warm welcome by the local nobility and Gentry. She had the opportunity to meet with local officials, to greet the House staff at Sutton Manor and to take audience with the people of the Island. Sutton is the northernmost landmass in Terra, and even with a temperate ocean current, is cold at this time of year. She was accompanied on her two week trip by Her Highness, the Lady Companion Victoria Jensen.

"The land was quite beautiful, despite its coldness and starkness," said Lady Victoria, who spoke to reporters for the couple. "We had the opportunity to tour the entire island, including the volcanic northern barony,. Looking straight north, all you see is water, but you know, just beyond the horizon the ice cap starts, and then nothing but polar bears and penguins. It is truly breath taking." The couple spent most of their time in Sutton proper.

"I think the Empress was truly charmed by the friendliness and generosity of the people of the Island here," said the Lady Companion. "They were informed ahead of time and spent two weeks inviting us to gatherings, welcoming us to visit them at their homes, and stopping by to say hello while we were out and about in town. They called Mary 'Your Imperial Majesty' wherever we went, and we could tell after only a short time, that it was a term of endearment." Lady Jensen said that most shops displayed a photo of both Queen Arianna and Her Imperial Majesty prominently, "either the photo that was taken of the two when Mary came to the Queen's wedding, or as a side by side cameo. I dare say the Empress may be more popular here than she is at home!"

Hutori is known for its genuineness and its generosity. "The Northern Kingdom and Kalistan have a long long history of open cultural diffusion between us. Hutori is a steadfast member of ODEN, but far more importantly, we share a mutual love of good music, food and festivals. We have been allies in times of war and peace for as long as anyone can even remember, and have only positive things to say about Hutori and her people. It is a long standing romance between our two people, and is perhaps Kalistan's most important relationship internationally, beyond the borders of the AE."

The Empress and the Lady Companion also spent some time together at the Manor on Sutton estate, and threw one gala where Island notables as well as Commoners were welcomed. Hutorian rock band The Blackhawks served as houseband for the well attended event, and great fun was had by all. "The Gala allowed the Empress to meet lots of people including those who technically are subject to the Empress' jurisdiction in her capacity as Grand Duchess of the Isle of Sutton. But rather than requiring any bowing or supplicating, the setting was purely social, and allowed the Empress to introduce herself and meet with the nobility and Gentry. This relaxed atmosphere was welcomed and allowed people to simply enjoy the evening." When the two weren't hosting or attending parties and gatherings, they had the opportunity to relax in a local onsen, created from a local spring of heated mineral water, that is on the property or spend time in the Sauna.

Lady Jensen said the couple's visit to the Isle of Sutton was not entirely for vacation purposes. "Her Imperial Majesty was also in Hutori to confer upon Her Highness the Queen the title of Baroness of Raven's Head. The entitlement followed a fiat she issued aggrandizing the property of the Baronetcy in Green County from 1000 acres to 7500 acres and retitling it a Barony. The aggrandizement now includes the small village of Caroline River, which has always been just on the other side of the River from the Baronetcy. Caroline River has a population of 248 people, most of whom are engaged in local farming or a small fishing operation that sells its produce in Bozo River about 50 miles away. The addition to the village automatically increases the demesne to Barony Status, making Queen Arianna a Baroness in the Kalistani Peerage."

The entitling of the Queen makes the foreign sovereign the highest ranking foreign peer in the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan. This is not an issue in Kalistan, however according to Lady Jensen. "Her Majesty, the Queen already holds familiar privileges via her title in the Order of the Gray Smoke. For all practical purposes the Queen is more like an adopted niece or even little sister to the Empress. In Ananto, she is considered a local. Increasing her demesne makes complete sense, even with existing peerage." The conferral of the title took place at Newport Castle, Bekenial, Acton, in formal audience with the Queen. The ceremony was brief and was attended by the local press. it was followed by a private dinner and an overnight at the Royal Palace. Following the night in Bekenial, the pair visited Axeminster and Icehaven for a night, and then said goodbye to Hutori to return to Kaliburg.

"We will definitely be coming back," said Lady Jensen. "It was such a pleasure to meet all the people, and the home here is so beautiful. Sutton went all out for us, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to have visited and met everyone."

@LaModa