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very cool, this last three-dimension pic !
For those who did't know yet, try and look "through" your screen, one detail of the left side pic for your left eye and the same detail on the right pic for your right eye, and ... the scene will be in 3D :)
 
I will catch up with this. Yeah, I know, only 4 updates to read. :D
 
V. The Greatest Match

"It is an honor to finally meet you."

"The feeling is quite mutual."

The Empress finally met her future husband along the docks. It was not a stormy, passionate meeting that she had envisioned. Like most Germans, the prince lacked a soul of fire, burning with creation. He was static, he was efficient, and most of all he was curt. Adalbert was everything which she, Cecìlia was not. However, the clashing personalities caused only harmony. The Empress blushed at his statements and giggled like a girl. Perhaps she loved him, but it was in a respectable way. It was a marriage suitable to both parties, and would have to do. There would be no other chances at romance.

As Cecìlia led the German delgation down the docks, cheers filled the air, heralding their Empress was a divinely inspired monarch to lead the nation out of the darkness and into the light. The same hearty feelings were felt for the Prussian Prince, who with him would bring modern technology and industry. The liberal and conservative sectors of the nation set aside their differences to usher in a period of enlightenment. Not even the blemish of slavery bothered Brazil: it was still seen as a problem by some, but the majority believed it part of Brazilian culture, unwavering. It could not be destoryed by silly pleas of manumission. It needed to remain to usher in a new age of economic, social, and military progress!

Doing what she did best, Cecìlia clasped her hand in Adalberts, wandering the paths of the city back towards the palace. She waved, as did he. It was a happy time, and any worries which Cecìlia felt were absorbed into the euphoria which she felt. However, Adalbert was much different. His mind was not built to wander. He had a mission to marry the Empress, and to secure influence over the court. He could not be happy, but only be realistic about his goals.

"I hear the Argentines have been causing problems as of late?" Prince Adalbert questioned Cecìlia. "Should that be a major concern?"

The Empress shook her head, the innate haughtiness within her exploding. "The Argentines are idiotic! They claim to cause problems, but all they have only whipped the fueros of Paraguay and Uruguay into a quiet revolt. Merely the vocal minority. It is nothing more."

"Will war come between the two nations?"

Cecìlia didn't know, honestly. She however, didn't care. It was a day to rest, one to prepare for a great marriage! Politics had no place at the betrothal of two great royals in the current period. However, her fuming, usually so apperent was vieled behind a sweet smile.

"I doubt it. Much how the Escuros are inferior to the Brazilians, the Argentines are inferior to us as well. Spanish colonial rule bred only oppression and nepotism. The enlightened rule of the houses of Aziz and Braganza have brought Brazil wealth. We make leaps and bounds while they struggle. We are Bonaparte; they are Condé. They have yet to cause our Waterloo, nor will they ever. We will burn bright, and crush them if they ever become uppity towards us."

The Prince kept quiet, but made his notes silently. His future bride was still a young girl, unknowing of world politics. How annoying the Brazilians were! They lived in a dream, believing themselves superior than even Europe. How they were wrong. The Prince noted with distaste the lack of factories, and even railroads in the capital. The smell of industrialization was faint compared to those of Berlin. It was comforting, but somewhat excepted. Brazil was lagging: the American Austria. They made a moderately useful ally, but if war came, they would be dependent upon German subsidies to fund the war effort. Not a comforting thought. But his mind was made-up: he would marry the Empress, if only on his father's orders. The command from the ambassador still rang in his ears:

'...Your goal, as Emperor is to be more than a Consort. You must achieve influence over the Empress, and indeed, Brazil. The political system is frail: the charismatic can do as they please. Germany will depend on this influence in the coming years, I am sure..."

"Cecìlia." Adalbert said with a smile, looking at her.

"Yes?"

"....Will you marry me?"

The Prince was soon down on his knee, to the giggling and the cheers of the courtier. If the Prussian was too make himself gleam amongst the Brazilians, he needed to be popular. The monarchy was ordained by God, but drew it's power from the people. Influence over their sweet, young, Empress would be tolerated if the Emperor was loved. The proposal caused some shock to the Empress, but she soon answered.

"Yes, yes, yes! A thousand times, yes!"

As the Empress grinned brightly, embracing her future husband, Adalbert could only remain tense. He had taken the first step in the master plan of his father.

There was no going back; what was done was done.
 
The Prince kept quiet, but made his notes silently. His future bride was still a young girl, unknowing of world politics. How annoying the Brazilians were! They lived in a dream, believing themselves superior than even Europe. How they were wrong. The Prince noted with distaste the lack of factories, and even railroads in the capital. The smell of industrialization was faint compared to those of Berlin. It was comforting, but somewhat excepted. Brazil was lagging: the American Austria.
He will make for an interesting emperor...
 
A very interesting Emperor indeed. And hopefully Cecilia will not ever come to realise she CAN get rid of him.

But at least he seems to know something about politics, the world and the railroad :D
 
An interesting partnership. I imagine he will be continually and perpetually frustrated by their differing priorities.
 
Jape said:
Hopefully Emperor-Consort Adalbert can help Cecilia whip the country in to shape. Oh what an Empire, that a Prussian Prince may be the leading light of progress and liberalism :D
:rofl:

Let the smilie speak for itself.
 
VI. Dark Secrets

Some days had passed following Empress Cecìlia's formal engagement to the Prussian Prince. The Imperial Court spent it's days in revelry, but after nearly four days of indulgence and sin, the Empress felt composed with withdraw from the parties. She was now in her chambers in her private wing of the palace. She had meetings to catch up on, along with papers and the various mundane things of statecraft. The marriage had been to her liking, but the roaring beast that was Brazil needed her.

The Empress poured over her work, but that was soon disputed. A knock was heard against her door.

"Come in!" Cecìlia yelled loudly, her office being quite far from the doors of her chamber. She heard no announcement of who it was, only the slow creaking of the door opening, and slamming to indicate it had been shut.

It was quiet. Only soft footsteps could be heard. Cecìlia ceased her work, wondering who would have the imprudence not to announce themselves to their sovereign. Her query was soon answered.

João Alves. The very man she loathed.

"Your majesty." João Alves bowed low to his sovereign, and rose only after she commanded him to do. He was granted a seat before her desk, and he sat, cordially. He didn't remove his hat, which struck Cecìlia as strange: the rigerous court ettiquette demanded it be done.

"It is a pleasure to see you," Cecìlia replied, feigning interest in his visit.

"Yes, indeed!" João Alves said with a smile. "However, I fear I come for business, and not pleasure. I will be frank, your majesty. I oppose your marriage to Prince Adalbert, and I am not the only one. Brazil does not need to be entangled in the morass that is the European alliance system. the Confederates and Ianque[1] have already fallen prey. We are above that! I ask, nay, your nation asks, that you dissolve this silly proposal, and marry a proper man."

Any happiness which had been upon Cecìlia's face was gone. She flushed a bright red, angry that the Prime Minister was attempting to dictate demands to her. The government was one thing, but he had no right to tangle himself in her love-life! Did he not realize that there were no 'proper men?' No one wanted to marry her, the Empress who ruled over a Black Nation. She had been lucky to find Adalbert.

"How dare you!" Cecìlia screamed loudly, rising from her position at her desk. "How dare you...come in here, and make demands to me, your sovereign! In politics, I am obliged to listen, but my personal life is of no concern to you! There always have, and always will, be two sides to you. You demand one thing, and do another! You ask me for heirs, to make a proper marriage. I find one, and it is unacceptable to you! I have had enough of this!"

The furor of the Empress did not cause João Alves to flinch, or to even feel remotely bothered. While many envied and feared the Empress, João did not. He knew that she was nothing more than a silly girl, who allowed the fire in her heart to lead her. She was of no threat to him. He remained calm, yet hostility was marked upon his face.

"Brazil will not, nor will she ever accept a meddling consort. He does not impose to himself a life of leisure. I always see him speaking with the German ambassador. I do not trust him. No one will accept him. If you continue with this marriage, I will ensure that Parliament refuses to furnish for his coronation, and I will ensure the fueros of Plate and Alto-Paraguay[2] refuse to accept him as their sovereign. He will be nothing more than your husband; the issue will not be accountable[3]."

"Do not make threats to me!" Cecìlia cried out, her voice rising into a furious pitch. "I will furnish a coronation at my own expense, and I will make the regional estates accept him! It is my perogative!"

"Hah!" João Alves chilling laugh filled the room. "If you think you have as much sway over the people as we let you believe, then you are wrong. Brazil is fine with or without you, for you are merely the luxurious trash which holds the nation together, and stable. Brazil does not need you! It does not need an empire, either!"

"Treason!" Cecìlia screamed, referring to the Act[4]. "How dare you say such slanderous things! I thought you to be a good monarchist, your excellency, but appearantly, I am wrong! I tire of this lingering influence you have, you and your crooks as the sole opposition to my ideals. I am finished. You are dismissed. I want your resignation from all your government posts in two-weeks."

"You will regret this." João Alves stated chillingly, rising from his seat.

"Really? I don't think so."

---

João Alves, after his leaving the Imperial Complex, had spent the next few hours making contacts. He was inflamed against the Empress, inflamed that his influence over her had been broken so easily. He was no longer a manwho merely dictated his will to her: he wanted revenge, and wanted her to suffer as he was at this very moment. After several days, he managed to secure a meeting with an envoy of an important French firm. It had been difficult: his reputation as a statesman had been dimished following him being fired.

"Monsieur Alamond, of the firm of Roi et Dauphin?" João Alves replied, rising from his position in his manor.

"Yes, of course." The lean man replied, stepping forward. "How can I help you? I was quite bewildered when I recieved your letter, as our firm deals in weaponry..."

João Alves nodded, understanding the concern. "Do not worry. Although I have left my government posts for reasons of health, the Empress, bless her soul, has deigned it acceptable to appoint me Secretary over the Uruguayan Fueros. Therefore, I have a responsibility over the Cinque ports there. I wish to modernize their military capacity: we fear the Argentines."

"Then let us talk business, then. I assume money is no problem?"

João Alves smiled. "Of course not."

Revenge would be sweet.

[1]Portugese for Yankee. Often used by the Brazilians to describe the United States, and the Americans.

[2]Brazil rules Northern Paraguay (Alto-Paraguay) and Uruguay. All the Brazilian provinces have assemblies, but Paraguay and Uruguay have Fueros, which grant more autonomy. With this symbolic autonomy comes the right to confirm the ruler of Brazil as 'King of Uruguay' and 'King of Paraguay.'

[3]As per acts set by João Alves government during the Empress' regency, issue from any marriage she may contract are not considered in line for the throne unless the husband is properly invested as Emperor. João Alves meant to use his influence to prevent such an investure of Adalbert.

[4]The Sedation Act of 1905; It outlawed the Republican, Socialist, and Communist parties, and provided that 'slanderous' thoughts against the Brazilian monarchy as treasonous. It was ironically passed by João Alves.
 
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Hmmm, I rather suspect Alves has overstepped himself. After all, he ended up getting the sack. He thought she was no more than a silly girl, forgetting that Empresses are, well, Imperial. A very ham-fisted way of going about things, and shows that actually he is not as accomplished as he thinks he is.

And by sacking him, dear Cecilia has taken her first step - a leap really - in growing up. When they lock horns again I very much doubt that Cecilia will be the girl he once knew. And when they do meet again, he best beware if it is she who wants revenge.
 
I think Alves is playing a game with the stakes too high.

But surprise me :D
 
I knew that a rebellion was coming from day one…but a revolution of the aristocracy? That’s a definite surprise; I knew that the Queen didn’t like her PM but I always thought that the revolution would come from below. Well, there’s always the next revolution…and if the aristocratic coup succeeds the problems of slavery etc. will persist.
 
Ironic that the Prime Minister is getting foreign help to rid the country of a man he sees as dragging Brazil into foreign spheres of influences. Revolution makes strange bedfellow it seems.
 
stnylan: He is perhaps a little forward, and indeed misinterpretted the exact influence he had over her. However, he is by no means stupid, and will pose quite the threat to him when they cross pathes again.

RGB: You have to take a risk to win big! Alves is quite aware (and prepared) for what is in store. Later chapters will deal with his plotting, and he will become as important to the story as our Empress.

Fulcrumvale: I would not say it is a revolt from the aristocracy, as they have no reason to revolt. A change in the government means an end to their social, political, and economic privledges. But Alves is an embittered man--we will learn more.

Edungeon: Thanks! :) And thanks for the grammatical correction. I don't speak Portugese, so I'm limited in that area.

LeonTrotsky: Alves is never a man to fall on one part of the line. But if Brazil is going to ally with Germany, Alves will seek aid from her potential enemies. At this point, he's merely fostering connections. He wants no foreign aid aside from materials and perhaps money.
 
Quite an impetuous decision on her part... she may soon find herslef regretting the dismissal of such an accomplished diplomat especially one with so much power. He surely has many people in his debt and many favors he can cull
 
A little bit more shorter chapter, as it is more or less an intro. We will leave behind happiness, and engulf what you've all been waiting for, I'm sure...;)

VII. The Day the World Died

Although the tiff with Alves had infuriated the Empress, she had set aside that in her mind, and threw herself into planning her wedding. Spring melted away into a Summer, and by time June came around, Brazil was tranquil once more. João Alves had been exiled to his estates, and nothing more was heard of him at court. It was also a happy time, for the wedding plans were complete, and on June 14th, 1914, Cecília, Empress of Brazil gathered before a small entourage of Brazilian courtiers and German foreigners, with her Prussian groom at her side. His hand held hers tightly, as if trying to keep her from fleeing the scene. There would be no problem: her mind was made up.

"...Domini, Sancti. Ave Maria!"

"AVE MARIA!"


The vast colonial Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro was lavishly decorated. Wide lanterns lit the room, while damask sheets clung to various portions, looming as banners and other colorful devices. The Cathedral was filled with the shouts of the speech by the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro (in Latin), while the choir sang heavenly chords to their Empress and Emperor-to-be. Cecília could relax: if the people here supported her marriage, then Alves was wrong, wrong that people would not accept Adalbert. Cecília was pleased by this, and allowed her mind to wander. She would enjoy the remainder of the ceremony in peace.

Adalbert did not feel the same. Hearing of João Alves sacking, the Prussian Prince could only shudder. The Brazilian parliament was not strong, but the dismissal of the man who swayed that very institution could prove quite destructive. Already society was dividing on the issue. Absolutists supported that Cecília serve as her own Prime Minister, as her Bourbon and Braganza forefathers had done. Constitutionalists demanded the right to appoint a new Prime Minister. It was a dead-lock, and Parliament remained without authority (not that they had much in the first place).

Adalbert's thoughts were ruined when the doors of the Cathedral were flung open, and a well-dressed man approached the podium of the Cathedral. The Archbishop ceased his speech, and Cecília's gaze fell upon him. She looked angry, from what Adalbert could notice.

"Your majesty....I apologize for interrupting your ceremony. However, grave news has arrived from our Ambassador to Vienna. It requires your attention immediately."

"What is so important than it must take me away from marriage?" Cecília snapped.

"The Archduke, Franz Ferdinand...he has been assassinated. We are not sure on the details yet, but the assassin was a Bosniak with connections to the Black Hand, a Serbian terrorist organization. Our ambassador notes that the Imperial government of Franz Josef is eager for blood."

"Fine...Adalbert, we will need to postpone the wedding."

Cecília reluntantly left the Cathedral, her long wedding train hoisted up by her servants. Love would need to wait, for politics now reared their ugly head.
 
Here we go! :eek:
 
What a dramatic scene... a wedding interrupted by news of an assassination. I wonder how this will affect her wedding plans or the growing cracks beneath the facade that is Imperial Brazil.
 
And so it begins.

If I was Cecilia I'd stay out :D