[center][h3][color=red][b]Kingdom of Acheona[/b][/color][/h3][/center]
[center][b]Spring 1911[/b][/center]

[center][b]A new year[/b][/center]

The loud cheering of the new year and grand celebrations could be heard for miles to come. Even the usually quiet halls of the royal castle where lit in joyous celebration as King Bernhart feasted with celebrated guests and family from across the world. “Tis’ a pleasure to enjoy such times with friends and family alike. May this new year bring joy and prosperity to our homelands.” He pridefully shouted to his guests. A man of honor and tradition, he looked over every attendent carefully, caring more for their character rather than the politics behind their relations.

One such man of importance was the prime minister himself. Someone who King Bernhart saw in ill favor, but the landowners of the nation backed him graciously. He pressed for democratic reform and denied the traditional appeal of the monarchy, but because of currently law held onto these opinions with little repercussion. 

Once the crowd had died down and Bernhart had finished his speech he simply finished with “Now drink” and so they drank. The night afterwards was relatively quiet. The firework display shined beautifully over the castle courtyard and the people gazed upon its magnificence. Beyond that however, the night chose to remain relatively uneventful and so time of celebration ended.

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[center][b]Relations with the Emirate[/b][/center]  

After the recent celebrations of the new year had passed, along with many weeks King Bernhart was met with an ambassador of the Emirate of Alijabel Almuqaddas in regards to future relations and the possibility of opening up trade between the two nations in the future. The man, while unaccustomed to the more traditional clothing of the Achean populus, held the courtesy of a royal knight.

Soon gifts and various other courtesies followed and it was not long before an embassy had been established between the two nations with promised trade in the future. “While I find your people to be generous and kind, my advisors and I have discussed that it would be best to withhold an official trade agreement for some time, until we can completely understand the relationship between our two nations in the coming future.”

While there was no official trade agreement, the Emirate was granted free travel through the strait of Atlas in the coming future, whether it be a fleet of war or trade. “It has come to my attention that allowing our friends in the Eastern Middle Sea free access through the strait will not only boost their economic prosperity, but ours as well.” King Bernhart cheerfully announced to the ambassador of the Emirate sometime later that day.

[center][img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512%2BEJj%2BBuL._SX300_.jpg[/img]
[i]Almutasalliqin Embassy, circa 1911[/i][/center]

[center][b]Further expansion of the military[/b][/center]

Considering the recent actions of the Zellonian military in regards to Dongaria, the Kingdom of Acheona has begun to bolster its military claiming “While we have no intention of fighting Dongaria’s war, continued uncontrolled expansion of Zellonia may lead to a call to arms. We only seek to defend ourself if that ever becomes the case.” Jeremias Myers, minister of foreign affairs claimed. 

Over the past few weeks the budget has already begun to improve the current training regime of the standing army with the idea of quality over quantity. Though some military experts argue that so long as we continue to bolster our naval might, that we will not see the need of our army. A popular opinion among the Chief of Army’s staff.

Along with this focus on military training, the increase in budgeting has also lead to the discovery a newly improved destroyer. While no official designs have been made for such a destroyer, it is suspected that in the future it will be a dominate part of the Achean fleet.

[center][img]http://blogs.lib.uconn.edu/archives/files/2016/03/cadets_field_rifles.jpg[/img][/center]