01-26-2023, 06:43 PM
Palace of Flowers
December 1st, 2022
8 PM Xiomeran time
In the morning, Calhualyana had faced an assassin. In the evening, the Empress faced another challenge: the cameras of the media.
A hastily called press conference found Calhualyana on the front steps of the Palace, which was bathed in golden light. The rest of the Palace grounds had their lights turned off, causing the Palace itself to glow like a beacon in the pitch-black night. The Empress was clad in her full Imperial regalia, its black and gold splendor matching her surroundings. Her facial expression was as dark as the evening surrounding her Palace as she began.
"Good evening. I come before the Xiomeran people with shameful and disgusting news. I shall not sugarcoat it. Earlier today, an assassin of unknown origin entered the Palace of Flowers, disguised as a servant, and attempted to murder my two children."
The normally jaded assemblage of reporters broke out into gasps; this was beyond the pale even for them. "The assassin was, thankfully, thwarted by our security personnel. One Imperial Guardsman, sadly, gave his life in the ultimate sacrifice to protect the children. That Guardsman, Xilochel, will be honored and remembered for all time as a brave and loyal servant of the Empire."
Xiyāōtl, the husband of the Empress, stood grimly next to her as she continued.
"We do not yet know who is behind this assault upon innocent babies, which is utterly depraved and beyond the bounds of humanity. But I can assure you, we will find out. These cowards, who would rather attack children in their cribs than face adults who can fight back, will face the full power and fury of Imperial justice, no matter who they are. We cannot rule out foreign involvement, either. Nations such as Eiria, Lauchenoiria and Milintica have openly and frequently expressed their hatred for Xiomera. Their Huenyan puppets have threatened to force Xiomera into their so-called Federation, whether Xiomerans want it or not. Who knows how far they might go to attack us? All of the nations I just mentioned either have in the past, or are now, committing acts of grave violence against us and our society. One of those nations, in the belief of our intelligence agencies, has even attempted to poison me in the past. We are working to produce undeniable proof of these acts, and will present them at the appropriate time."
The crowd grew even more vocal, murmuring, when Calhualyana announced that someone had tried to poison her.
"We will find out who is behind these cowardly and craven attacks against us. And when we do, they had best pray that whatever gods they worship show them mercy, for we will not," Calhualyana said as a sharp wind whipped up the Xiomeran flags behind her.
"To the Xiomeran people, I assure you that we are secure. We have defeated these shameful attacks in the past, and will continue to do so. Even if half the world is against us, Xiomera will stand tall and proud, and we will not be defeated either by enemies who dare to confront us, or who hide in the shadows like the rats they are."
With that, the Empress and her husband turned to walk back into the Palace, ignoring the wave of questions from the crowd.
December 1st, 2022
8 PM Xiomeran time
In the morning, Calhualyana had faced an assassin. In the evening, the Empress faced another challenge: the cameras of the media.
A hastily called press conference found Calhualyana on the front steps of the Palace, which was bathed in golden light. The rest of the Palace grounds had their lights turned off, causing the Palace itself to glow like a beacon in the pitch-black night. The Empress was clad in her full Imperial regalia, its black and gold splendor matching her surroundings. Her facial expression was as dark as the evening surrounding her Palace as she began.
"Good evening. I come before the Xiomeran people with shameful and disgusting news. I shall not sugarcoat it. Earlier today, an assassin of unknown origin entered the Palace of Flowers, disguised as a servant, and attempted to murder my two children."
The normally jaded assemblage of reporters broke out into gasps; this was beyond the pale even for them. "The assassin was, thankfully, thwarted by our security personnel. One Imperial Guardsman, sadly, gave his life in the ultimate sacrifice to protect the children. That Guardsman, Xilochel, will be honored and remembered for all time as a brave and loyal servant of the Empire."
Xiyāōtl, the husband of the Empress, stood grimly next to her as she continued.
"We do not yet know who is behind this assault upon innocent babies, which is utterly depraved and beyond the bounds of humanity. But I can assure you, we will find out. These cowards, who would rather attack children in their cribs than face adults who can fight back, will face the full power and fury of Imperial justice, no matter who they are. We cannot rule out foreign involvement, either. Nations such as Eiria, Lauchenoiria and Milintica have openly and frequently expressed their hatred for Xiomera. Their Huenyan puppets have threatened to force Xiomera into their so-called Federation, whether Xiomerans want it or not. Who knows how far they might go to attack us? All of the nations I just mentioned either have in the past, or are now, committing acts of grave violence against us and our society. One of those nations, in the belief of our intelligence agencies, has even attempted to poison me in the past. We are working to produce undeniable proof of these acts, and will present them at the appropriate time."
The crowd grew even more vocal, murmuring, when Calhualyana announced that someone had tried to poison her.
"We will find out who is behind these cowardly and craven attacks against us. And when we do, they had best pray that whatever gods they worship show them mercy, for we will not," Calhualyana said as a sharp wind whipped up the Xiomeran flags behind her.
"To the Xiomeran people, I assure you that we are secure. We have defeated these shameful attacks in the past, and will continue to do so. Even if half the world is against us, Xiomera will stand tall and proud, and we will not be defeated either by enemies who dare to confront us, or who hide in the shadows like the rats they are."
With that, the Empress and her husband turned to walk back into the Palace, ignoring the wave of questions from the crowd.
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