[center][h2][b][color=fff200][u]The Grand Republic of Karlev[/u][/color][/b][/h2]
[img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/80589065/Random/mari_el-republic-flag.gif[/img]
[b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlatwB4YQCc]Arise Karlev! Arise![/url][/b][/center]

[center][img]http://www.optecgroup.com/upload/medialibrary/f5a/St_Petersburg_1914.jpg[/img]
[i]Minstry of Foreign Affairs, Karlevygrad. Circa 1898[/i][/center]

It was rare for the Grand Prince to make an appearance at the Ministry; but when he did, it was important. As assistants and aides ran about the halls, ensuring that every painting was centered and every marble floor so clean one could eat from it, Lubas took another drag from his pipe. From the open window he could hear the police barricading the roadway for the Grand Prince's arrival; safety was key when men of such stature came to the Ministry. 

"Mister Bulgakov?"

Lubas looked up from his thinking and scanned the small boy in front of him. He was no older than twenty and pale, more pale than the average Karlevian, and held a look of consistent anxiety. 	

"Yes, how can I help you?" Lubas said simply, sitting up and gesturing for the boy to step in. "The G-Grand Prince is here for you sir..." 

An awkward silence fell over the duo for a long moment before the boy quickly stepped aside, stumbling his way out of the minister's presence. In his place appeared the Grand Prince, ruler of all Karlev and self-titled 'Prince of the Sea', Bogomir Sokolov. Lubas quickly rose to his feet, putting aside his pipe and gesturing for the Grand Prince to enter. 

"Greetings your majesty, please have a seat." 

Prince Sokolov entered slowly, looking over the small office and judging his foreign minister no doubt, before taking a seat in one of the velvet cushioned oak chairs in front of Lubas's desk. Lubas ignored the Grand Prince's lack of a handshake or even an acknowledgement of him and sat as well.

"How long has it been, Lubas? Last time I saw you, you had only a pencil moustache. Now here you are, full beard and everything!" The Grand Prince gave a chuckle before continuing, "However I'm here on some pressing matters, so we will have to keep chitchat short for now."

Lubas nodded, the Grand Prince may be an arrogant brat but when he came to the ministry it was usually for more than idle banter. Besides, Lubas wasn't sure he wanted to speak with his majesty for long.

"With the new year comes new circumstances, my dear Lubas. As you're well aware the 'Grand' Zellonian Empire has begun their saber rattling again, and now the Dongarians are their meal of choice. Our forefathers built this Republic after facing the tyranny of the grand eastern empires before Zellonia, and I have no intention of being the elected Prince who sat idle as the northern emperor gobbled the other minor states. So I'm sending you from the capitol. I want you to head south, to the Emirates. I hear word that this new southern queen has stirred quite a fuss in their little desert oasis. Aligning with another power will do well to keep the Zellonians well away from Karlevian soil, and having an Emira in our pocket would do well to ensure our continued naval and economic interests in the eastern sea." 

"My apologies, your majesty, but what will a southerner be able to do to aid us if a northern threat comes to our borders? Surely going to the Tyro-Antaris would be more logical."

The Grand Prince chuckled, looking at the older man in front of him. "Afraid of getting a little tan, Lubas? The southern emirates are a powerful and loyal force to their allies. Regardless of that though, this is not a military action. The Republican Guard can handle the logistical nightmare that would be a Zellonian invasion. However, we can't do that without money. The southern emirates may not look the part, but those palaces they live in are filled with gold, silk, and more coin than you and I have seen in our lifetimes. Befriending them befriends their money Lubas. Now, you leave at dawn and when you return I expect you to be dark and carrying good words about this new Emira." 

Lubas sighed, and nodded. Arguing with the Grand Prince was a pointless gesture, and he had certainly made up his mind on the matter well before he had arrived at the ministry. Thus, he watched silently as the Grand Prince left the room with his sickly aide following him.