Kalistan

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Her Imperial Majesty delivers Address to National Assembly
Sets Date of Abdication for June 15, 5672
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
June 12, 5668


Her Imperial Majesty Addresses the National Assembly, to announce her imminent retirement

"The Goal of all Empresses--and ironically, this should also be the goal of all revolutionaries as well--is to be retired," began an unexpected address by Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto in the Capital today. "In consultation with our Government, our son, His Highness The Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins, and with our closest advisors, we approach to announce the happiest news we have ever had the privilege to deliver. Our date of retirement is at long last approaching: It is June 15, 5672. And that now the world's clock begins ticking."

The Empress continued to explain that following her son's marriage in August, the Crown Prince will make his first foray into International Affairs. "The Crown Prince will make a major debut on the world stage, with an international journey whose itinerary includes visits to many close friends, many old friends, and hopefully to many new friends. He has confirmation from ten nations on the major continents across Terra. It is his desire to reintroduce our Nation to the world. He has his vision for the place he wants Kalistan to occupy in the world, and though it may not be our own way, it nonetheless warms this old Conservative's heart to know that we will be able to leave the administration of this nation in competent and visionary hands, who will not go too far one way or another, who will continue to preserve our institutions, and who will meet with many around the globe who present diversity of opinion on cooperation."

The Empress stated that the Crown Prince's new wife will travel with him. "It is our hope that our future daughter in-law, Lady Jennifer Connor is able to warm hearts which may otherwise be cold toward Ananto and Kalistan. She is a wonderful girl, excuse us, a wonderful young woman, and she is a wonderful addition to our family. Our hope is that while our son continues his preparation, she may continue her career and get the most out of it that she can, and we will not ask more of her than she wishes to give. But she is enthusiastic about marrying, and she is excited to begin a new life as the Empress Consort. And she will, we believe be a great asset and a great help for him on this trip around the world."

The Empress noted some challenges that the new Emperor will inherit. "We can foresee, given the reports of uncertainty from our cousin, Sir George Alvarez, former King of Baltusia, that Baltusia may be something of a concern going forward. It is difficult to say one way or another where that concern will head. However, we will wait and see, and as soon as matters become more clear in our southern Neighbor, it will be incumbent upon us to reach out and determine what their orientation toward us is."

She also noted the further developments in Rildanor. "It greatly saddens us that a Seleyan Nation is offering itself up to be carved up by foreign powers, all of whom are using that nation to increase their influence in this corner. The arrival of additional foreign nations to Seleya confirms our need to maintain our Southern Presence. The arrival of one particular country, whose name we care not to mention at the moment, is particularly annoying. We have reports from many of those we ourselves associate with, that that nation is a menace, and does not have hemispheric peace as its guiding motivation. But like any other foreign incursion into Seleya, this move raises klaxons for Kalistani planners, and forces us onto an alert footing, when we would rather maintain a garrison posture. This is likely a long term problem. And it is one our Son will need to deal with."

The Empress did hold out an optimistic note, especially around Rildanor, for the Crown Prince. "We were blindsided by Egelion's expansion into Rildanor: It was something we were not prepared for, and turned into a fait accompli. But that said, there is some advantage that can be gained for our Empire then. One of the most anticipated stops on the world tour is to Altea to visit our cousin, King Artemio. We can not forget that the King is the grandson of the beloved Lady Dana Ananto and the son of Nicole Reina, and it is through these family ties that Kalistan and Egelion will always find common ground despite superficial differences. Given this fact, it may be incumbent upon Kalistan to move from a neutral position to one which acts in support of Egelion's mission to Meriath, especially if that mission includes maintaining seas free of foreign imperialists. It may behoove His Highness the Crown Prince to adopt once more a broader Anantonese outlook when choosing friends."

The Empress also hinted at the possibility of repaired relations with Artanian nations Narikiton, Luthori, and Dorvik. "The Crown Prince was especially interested in making contact with these Artanian states: We have been estranged from Artania for most of our lives. But those administrations which gave Kalistan so much trouble in the past are gone. It is possible that an opening for cooperation, or at least cordial relations with them can be made during the Crown Prince's visit. We believe that he can accomplish something we could not, and in this, we are very pleased that he is at least making the effort."

As for what the Empress plans to do after abdicating, she quipped, "We look forward to singular pronouns," she stated, a rare departure from her notoriously stoic, humorless approach. The delivery of the laugh line caught many of the gathered Deputies off guard and caused the Assembly to break bearing and laugh before spontaneously rising to applaud the Empress. The Ovation lasted for more than 3 minutes, as chants of "¡Emperatriz, Viva!" broke out. On orders from the Chancellor, the Speaker of the Assembly eventually gaveled the body back to order to allow the Empress to finish her speech.

"Most of all, we look forward to finishing our work, the passion of our life, which is the planting of trees and the rebuilding of our forests," said the Empress. "The redwoods will not be fully grown within the span of our lifetime. We will never sit fully under the shade of an old growth forest outside the Eveari Grove, the north coast of Vrassa, or isolated spots in the Dragon Hills. But we can be certain that the steps we have taken during our lifetime ensures that countless generations of Kalistanis will have the opportunity to enjoy the sweet cool breezes of an old growth redwood forest across the entire northern tier of our nation, to receive the full enlightening experience of being in a forest that feels ancient and alive at the same time, to see the wildlife that is now being reintroduced into these previously exhausted habitats, and to walk in the gentle rains of our wet seasons under a canopy sometimes 275 or 300 feet into the air."

She finally thanked the Assembly for approving her eventual abdication and retirement, and thanked her Government and each Deputy for their service to her. At the end, she admonished the Government to continue its faithful service to the Crown Prince, when he steps into the role of Sovereign. "It goes without saying," said the Empress, "that there may be a different person sitting in the Imperial Seat, but the authority he will wield stretches ultimately back to Fredrick I Ananto, and from there to the ancient Anantans. There is no difference, when the time comes, between our word, and his. It is this continuity of authority which separates us, as people, from others. Fiat from respective monarchs carries with it the authority of ALL monarchs who have ruled this nation, and that will not change once the Crown Prince has stepped into his destiny as your Emperor. We will make him as prepared as we may, and make his transition as seamless as possible. It is merely your duty to conform your official action to his word."

As Her Imperial Majesty stepped from the dais, helped down by the Lady Companion, Lady Victoria Jensen, who was watching from the gallery just off the Rostrum, and left the Assembly, the Deputies rose in unison, lowered their heads in fealty, and waited for the Sergeant at Arms to close the door behind her. At once they broke out once more into applause, both in honor of the long serving Empress, and also in excitement over the news concerning the Crown Prince's eventually accession.

The Royal Family now departs for Hutori for three weeks, to visit with the Queen Arianna and her family. They will return two weeks before the Crown Prince's marriage to Lady Jennifer Connor, who has stated that she will adopt Ananto as a surname following the wedding.

@TheRepublic