[u][b]The Imperial Palace, The Empire of Toubres. Early July, 1905[/b][/u]

Empress Maia Bastos took a deep breath, absentmindedly running her hands down the front of her dress. She could hear the low murmuring of the room beyond, even through the ornately carved doors, but she set her jaw and pushed through regardless. 

Her face became the very picture of cordiality as she greeted the crowd of men that quickly rose to their feet as she entered, already calling out questions to her. She simply smiled until she had taken her seat, before holding up a hand for silence. The noise dropped away as the men sank back to their own chairs. There was a long moment of silence, the Empress watching their tentative faces, before gesturing towards a man she recognised in the front row. 

[b]“Silvio, your question?”[/b]

The short, heavily bearded man, rose to his feet, nodding politely.

[b]“Silvio Martins, reporter for the ‘Correio Da Noite’. I was hoping that I could get a statement from you regarding ‘Black June’?”[/b]

The Empress all but winced, but she managed to hide her reaction as she nodded slightly.

[b]“Thank you Silvio. Firstly, I’m afraid I can’t stand the name ‘Black June’. From a Toubres perspective, just as from an Illesian perspective, I’d prefer it to be referred to as ‘Operation Crusader’ from this point onwards.”[/b]

There was a murmur of agreement from the assembled crowd, which the Empress allowed to die down before she continued.

[b]“My statement is as follows. The Tehmigs were holding our colony to ransom, and threatening only greater bloodshed if we refused to co-operate to their absurd demands. Initially I had hoped we could resolve the crisis in a Conference, trusting that the other Great Power’s of the region could aid us, but unfortunately greed is a primal sin, and the conference was quickly becoming a wrestling match to carve up our proud colony. Thus myself and King Avandre devised a plan to solve the issue ourselves, and to put the rebels to the sword.”[/b]

A mass of hands shot up, and voices rose up with questions, but again the Empress held her hand up for silence, gesturing towards a tall, 
lanky figure.

[b]“Olavo, if you would?”[/b]

The figure unfolded his long frame and rose to his feet.

[b]“Olavo Mendes, of the ‘Notícias Toubres’. What is your response to the protests currently happening across Toubres?”[/b]

[b]“Thank you, Olavo. Those of you who know me, will know how much it pains me to see my people in such distress. But I understand your anger. If I had been able to warn you all of the Operation, then I would have, but we could not risk the meddling of those who stand against us to interfere. It is true that we will take some losses in our budget, but I want my people to know that they are still our first priority, and that this is only the beginning of a new age for the Toubres Empire, and a time that our people must unite behind our leaders.”[/b]

There was a general murmuring of agreement amongst the reporters, and before they could begin crying out for her attention again, the Empress gestured towards a young, clean-shaven man sitting in the back row. 

[b]“Afonso, isn’t it?”[/b]

The man smiled, rising slowly to his feet and waiting till everyone’s attention was turned to him before speaking, his voice soft.

[b]“Afonso Ferreira, your Imperial Majesty. Of the ‘Exclusivo’. So far your answers have very much been in line with those of Prime Minister Davi Rego, but I am curious to hear your personal thoughts on the condemnations from Tara and Etelia?”[/b]

The Empress was silent for a moment, feeling the eyes of the room on her as she watched Afonso’s confident smile. When she did reply, it was with a smile of her own.

[b]“Thank you for your question, Afonso. I do not doubt that my previous answers have been close to those of the Prime Minister, and it is important that we present a united front during these troublesome times. The declarations from Tara and Etelia concern me greatly. With an alliance between our two great nations all but signed a few months ago, only to have it thrown in our face due to my engagement to King Avandre, and now to be publically condemned by Tara breaks my heart. We were so close to committing to a lasting friendship between our two nations, and in all honesty I do not fully understand their motivation for discarding our offered alliance, and instead seemingly rallying against us. To have the same thing happen with Etelia, for the the young King Armando di Mavoia IV to offer us a hand of friendship in the form of a Non-Aggression Pact, only to rebuke our agreement and now ally themselves with Tara, even going so far as to announce the termination of their alliance if either attempt better relations with us, seems nothing short of a total change of heart. I can only hope and pray that the two great rulers of those nations cease this needless increasing tension, and we can maintain to the prosperity of peace. 
Does that satisfy you, Mr Ferreira?”[/b]

The young man smiled, bowing his head slightly.

[b]“Very much so, ma’am.”[/b]

Rising to her feet, the Empress nodded towards the group of reporters.

[b]“If that will be all gentlemen, then I trust that the Prime Minister will be able to answer your further questions. It has been a pleasure as always.”[/b]

[u][b]OOC: +1 to all July Orders[/b][/u]