Chapter 305: v3 - 6: the imperial council II

Chapter 305: v3 Chapter 6: the imperial council II

Adrian kept the schedule open before him.

"How are the accommodations progressing?"

The Foreign Minister straightened the papers before him.

"I have confirmed the arrangements with the Head of the Imperial Household. The Western Wing has been prepared for His Majesty King Lorenz. The royal apartments have been inspected, and rooms have been assigned for his personal attendants and guards. The senior members of his delegation will occupy the adjoining guest chambers."

"The remaining members of the delegation?" Adrian asked.

"The palace guest quarters have been reserved for them."

Adrian nodded.

Keeping the King within the palace was appropriate. It offered him the privacy and dignity expected of a visiting sovereign while allowing the Imperial Household to maintain proper security.

"The Milician guards will remain with him?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Make certain their commander receives the Imperial security protocols before they arrive."

The Minister of War inclined his head.

"I will see that it is done."

Adrian glanced down at the next page.

"Where will the King be received?"

"We had proposed the palace gates," the Foreign Minister said.

"No."

The minister paused.

"The capital gates."

A few of the ministers exchanged brief glances.

The Minister of the Interior spoke first.

"Would that not give the occasion more prominence than necessary?"

"It could be interpreted as a considerable gesture from the Empire," the Foreign Minister added.

Adrian looked from one man to the other.

"It is a considerable gesture."

The room fell quiet.

"King Lorenz is coming himself," Adrian continued. "He is not sending an envoy in his place. He should be received accordingly."

The Foreign Minister considered this.

"Some may interpret Your Majesty’s presence as an indication that the Empire places particular importance on the negotiations."

"It does."

The minister inclined his head.

"But not necessarily in the way they might assume."

Adrian’s expression remained composed.

"Peace with Milicia is advantageous. That does not mean the Empire is dependent upon it."

No one disagreed.

"We are receiving a sovereign," Adrian said. "I will receive him as one."

That settled the matter.

The Foreign Minister made a note.

"Then the formal reception will take place at the southern gates of the capital."

"Yes."

"And Your Majesty will accompany him into the city?"

Adrian glanced toward the route.

"Yes."

The Minister of War looked at the map.

"The principal avenue will need to be secured."

"Secure it."

"Should the streets be cleared?"

"No."

The minister looked up.

"Leave them open?"

"Let the city remain visible."

Adrian’s gaze moved over the map.

"There is no reason for Lorenz to see an empty avenue surrounded by soldiers. Let him see the capital."

The Minister of Commerce understood first.

"The markets."

"Yes."

Adrian pointed toward the route.

"Make certain they are properly supplied. The merchants should remain open. The public buildings along the avenue should be presentable."

"The guilds will want notice," the Minister of Commerce said.

"Give it to them."

"And the banners?"

The Foreign Minister glanced at his notes.

"Imperial banners along the principal route. We can also display the provincial standards."

"Do so."

The Minister of the Interior spoke again.

"Would Your Majesty like additional decorations?"

"Enough to mark the occasion."

He paused.

"Nothing excessive."

The minister nodded.

Adrian had no interest in manufacturing an appearance of prosperity.

The Empire already possessed it.

There was more value in allowing a visiting sovereign to see the capital functioning normally than in creating some artificial spectacle for his benefit.

Let Lorenz see the merchants.

The architecture.

The crowded streets.

The goods arriving from the provinces.

The scale of the capital.

Let him understand what sort of kingdom stood before him.

"The procession should pass through the central avenue," Adrian said.

"The road is longer," the Minister of War noted.

"Which is why it is preferable."

The minister understood.

It was not simply a route to the palace.

It was the first impression.

"And the formal reception?" Adrian asked.

"The Imperial Guard will provide the honor guard. Musicians have also been arranged."

"Good."

The Foreign Minister consulted his notes.

"The Head of the Imperial Household has also arranged a cultural presentation for the welcoming festivities."

"What kind?"

"Traditional musicians and dancers from several provinces. There will also be performers from the southern regions presenting one of the Empire’s traditional dances."

"Include them."

"During the reception?"

"During the public welcome and again at the banquet."

The Foreign Minister nodded.

"It will demonstrate the Empire’s cultural traditions."

"It will allow them to experience them," Adrian corrected.

The distinction was subtle.

But important.

The Empire was not staging a performance simply to impress Milicia.

It was receiving foreign guests and showing them what belonged to the Empire.

"And the banquet?"

"A formal welcoming banquet on the evening of their arrival," the Foreign Minister replied. "The principal members of the Council, senior military officials, prominent noble families, and representatives of the diplomatic corps will attend."

"Good."

"The finest dining hall has been reserved."

Adrian nodded.

"See that the kitchens are properly supplied."

"The Head of the Imperial Household has already given the instructions."

"Good."

The Foreign Minister placed the proposed menu before him.

Adrian glanced over it.

It was generous.

Perhaps too generous.

"Remove the third course."

The minister blinked.

"Your Majesty?"

"There is no need to overwhelm them."

A few of the ministers exchanged faint smiles.

Adrian continued reading.

"Use the Imperial silver."

"Of course."

"And wine from the western vineyards."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He set the menu aside.

The Empire could demonstrate its wealth without announcing it.

The banquet itself would be enough.

The Minister of Culture, who had remained silent until then, spoke.

"And the second evening?"

"The formal discussions begin the following morning," Adrian said.

"Yes. But we thought it might be appropriate to arrange a cultural exhibition afterward. Perhaps a tour of the Imperial galleries."

Adrian considered it.

"Leave it dependent on the progress of the negotiations."

The Minister of Culture nodded.

"Understood."

There was no point planning entertainment around a schedule that might change.

The Foreign Minister turned a page.

"The formal negotiations will begin in the Council Hall. I will lead the Imperial delegation."

Adrian nodded.

"I will attend."

"Of course."

"Keep the first session formal."

The Foreign Minister inclined his head.

There would be no private audience immediately upon Lorenz’s arrival.

The proper diplomatic sequence would be observed.

Welcome.

Ceremony.

Courtesy.

Then negotiations.

Adrian looked over the schedule once more.

The accommodations were settled.

The reception would take place at the capital gates.

The King would enter the city beside him.

The capital itself would serve as the first presentation of the Empire.

The welcoming banquet would follow that evening.

And the negotiations would begin the next morning.

The arrangement was sound.

The Foreign Minister gathered the documents.

"We will have everything prepared before the delegation arrives."

Adrian gave a brief nod.

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Tbc