[img]https://i.imgur.com/IRyA353.png[/img]

[hider=Oil Painting of King Avandre VII at the age of 26, circa 1905.][img]https://i.imgur.com/dOiJr17.jpg[/img][/hider]

	Near the end of April, the King of the Illesian Kingdom sat staring at a map of the known world splayed out in his hands in a carriage crossing a border, one of his advisors, De Gamos, sitting across from him. As the carriage rolled along, occasionally making its way over a rock before clambering back down to the soil, Avandre Gustere peered intensely at the map. Recently, Serranthia had become particularly interesting in the grand scheme of things, resulting in a conference where even the Great Powers had entered to attempt to make their mark, "The Toubrians should've flat out denied the request for this 'Conference', or else use it to maneuver troops there. The Serranthians are savages, especially this 'Mullah' Kahmar Mustafa, and should be dealt with as such."

	De Gamos, a deeply tanned man with black eyes adorned in standard Illesian military garb, shrugged as the carriage hit another rock, "Of course, my Lord. But the Serranthians are hardly the major issue at play here. Colonial endeavors have never really been the strong suit of Illesia."

	"Nothing military or imperial has ever been the strong suit of Illesia. We were mostly just farmers for centuries, fighting to protect our lands when necessary."

	"And the reason for that is simple. Tara. Tyria. To a small extent, there is Cadia as well. Itherae could have always presented a few problems too. Your ancestors simply felt that defending and developing the Kingdom itself and its people took highest priority. And so, they chose to try to remain away from the center stage of the world."

	Avandre mentally circled a number of nations on the map, "Yes well, perhaps it is time Illesia began to bloom like a flower. A deadly nightshade."

	"Don't be dramatic, my Lord."

	"I'm simply brainstorming, De Gamos. All leaders should consider all avenues of attack or defense, as my father once said. The furtherance of Illesia is my highest goal. Glory, second."

	De Gamos squinted slightly at the King, murmuring, "Mhm," before returning his attention to the outside of the carriage, "We're almost here, my Lord."

	Avandre rolled up the map and then clapped his hands together as the carriage came to a stop, the man opening the doors for the pair of men to pile out of. Around them, a few Illesian guards stood, ensuring the safety of their King, as Avandre focused his eyes on the building in front of him.

	"My Lord, may I reinforce that she may not even be here? We should've sent word ahead that you'd be visiting."

	"Nonsense, you know I hate royal welcomes. Too much fanfare. If she is not here, then I shall wait for her return. I've heard women like a bit of brashness and initiative anyway," Avandre waved off De Gamos' advice as a number of passing Toubrians looked at the Illesian men, some of them widening their eyes in shock when they recognized the Illesian King. Toubrian palace guards quickly approached, to which Avandre waved with a great smile, "Good evening, gentlemen, I am King Avandre VII, and I have come to see your Empress! We have much to discuss!"

	De Gamos sighed in slight frustration. This might not go well.