THE ALBA CHRONICLES (XV) ((Private))
Esteban Alonzo Fitz-James Stuart y Silva was standing near the grave, his hands folded piously on his chest. The groups of nobles, courtiers and bureaucrats were, one by one, moving towards the coffin of the Duke of Valencia, to pay their respects. They were leaving majestic green garlands, elegant bouquets of white, red and tea roses and pieces of expensive material near the grave. Nine aide-de-camps, three from cavalry, three from infantry and three from artillery, were carrying velvet pillars, on the top of each of them sat several awards, medals and orders of the deceased Don Alejo. Among them were shining the diamonds of one of his foreign decorations - the Star of St. Alexander Nevsky. Don Esteban smiled - he remembered how procured this one for the old man, during his visit to St. Petersburg many years ago.
... This man was both meek and brave, kind to a sinner, but strict to sin. He was a true Christian both in his mind and body... Nothing could corrupt him, nothing could distract him from his righteous path... While many have seen him as a noble, a minister, a general, Our Creator (who knows His Will?) may see him as his saint in the years to come... - the tall and lanky Archbishop of Valencia was declaring loudly, as the Duke of Alba was deep in his thoughts. The priest already said the last rites - and the people were still coming and coming, to honor a person who has for many years been, in many aspects, the Spanish government. The representatives of the provincial organs of authority the local audiencia reale and governorates brought a large bronze shield, with the Santa-Ava coat of arms depicted on it. The shield was decorated with emeralds and black pearls and had a golden writing on it "To the restorer of order." The members of the corps of judges carried a large volume, with a cover of elephant skin encrusted with amethysts. It contained all the decrees and laws passed during the tenure of Santa-Ava as First Secretary There was also a writing "To the true man of the Book." A silent procession of officers put a simple sword inside the grave. There were words on the hilt as well "To comrade."
Montcada silently walked towards the Duke of Alba, leaned towards him and whispered into his ear.
- I have checked. Buying these plantations near Las Tunas may be a very profitable decision. The Minister looked at his minion, then answered back.
- OK, buy them for me. He noted to himself that Montcada has greatly changed during the years they worked together. He was no longer the field officer brooding over the death of his wife. He married again, a daughter of a wealthy landowner, and grew fat. Fancily dressed, he had many expensive rings on his fingers. The director of chancellery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senor Montcada was now an important figure among the midlevel Carlist bureaucrats. He was a loyal servant for the Duke of Alba and could be entrusted with very delicate missions. Such as the investigation of the Infantado Case.
A cruel smile for a moment appeared on the lips of Don Esteban. That shit Juan Navarra was at first very cocky, he believed that the Archbishop of Toledo would free him even from the gates of hall. He did soon realize it was the other way round and became timid and orderly. The Duke of Alba remembered certain documents turning into ashes, burning in the chimney. State secrets. Public morality. The interests of the Crown. Discipline.
- I will say a few words. - the First Secretary of the Spanish Government said, as he walked towards the coffin. He was a cold person and did not have much emotional ties with people, while possessing a certain sense of familial duties (one of the reasons why he could not feed the Duke of the Infantado to the carnivorous cleric). However he always respected Valencia - as, in a way, his mentor in the governmental matters, an old colleague and a friend. He tirelessly worked days and nights, often substituting even for his lower ministers. His government was one clad in military uniform - and he brought the simple values of officer honor and army discipline into it. One could say that he was just the man Spain needed at that moment. Taking a few gulps of air, the Duke of Alba started to speak.
A SPEECH of the DUKE of ALBA at the funeral of the DUKE of VALENCIA (Public)
Gentlemen,
We all today see a great man pass. I have known him for years, our friendships have been born in the cannot shots of the War of the Restoration. And I can say the following - it is hard to find a person who would more correspond to the simple ideals of a Christian officer, gentleman and statesman.
A man of simple and modest ways, he never saw power as something to covet and something to seek. For him the authority entrusted to him by the King was a burden and a duty, one that should be executed for the good of the Throne and Country. And the sense of duty and his obligations towards the Monarch was extremely strong within the nature of this modern El Cid. Sacrificing his health, time and even life for his King was not something especial for the Duke of Valencia - it was a matter of instinct, something that passed over to him with the noble blood of his ancestors. During all his life he was a soldier - a soldier of God, a soldier of King Carlos, a soldier of Spain.
He died as simply and honorable as he lived - while serving His Catholic Majesty. He lived a knight and died knight, died as a living reproach to this cynical and material century, in many ways alien to the ideals of a caballiero. Now he is with God.
We in the cabinet would always miss his reassuring presence, his solid leadership, his wise advise - and all Spain would weep for him.
Rest in peace, friend, general, leader.
From the DUKE of ALBA to the KING and CABINET ((Private - Revan + Cabinet (MoW, SS, MoJ, MoF, MoI...) + Captain General))
Your Catholic Majesty, dear colleagues,
I must, first of all, thank my Sovereign for the high honors He granted to me and say a few words of greeting to the new faces within our distinguished body. The organs of state are like an organism, they need fresh blood pumping inside their veins to continue to be strong and healthy. Hopefully we would all be united in our zeal to serve the King.
I would ask my colleagues to timely provide His Majesty and myself with their plans and proposals for countersignature and approval. A responsible government, united in its actions - this is what we strive to create.
However, let us move to business. While the latter years were not easy, the brave new world created now opens many opportunities for us, which we must ponder upon.
First of all, France together with the Ottoman empire is now at war in Russia. They are stepping on the principles of the Congress of Warsaw regarding the protection of Christians there - and the belligirent Bonapartist policies are at odds with the safety of the European Concert and the principles of the Congress of Wienna. However, we have the final opportunity to put a sympathetic government in Paris, end with Bonapartism once and for all - and increase the influence of the Holy Alliance in Europe, guaranteeing its leading role in the civilized world - and guaranteeing solid and long European peace. If a new France, lead by a legitimate government based on Christian values, would enter the Holy Alliance - who would ever stop us?
I should also mention manifold material gains the eternal Spain could get from such enterprise. If we assist the rightful King of France by the Grace of God, the kinsman of His Majesty, now known as Henri, Count of Chamborde, to return his throne - how much can we ask from him? In theory much, ranging from colonial gains (such as Morocco which is now under influence of France) to perhaps even certain territorial gains in Europe. Putting a member of the royal House of Bourbon, which is tied to our own dynasty both by ideas and blood, would be very useful long term.
And what path could we choose, if we want to achieve this? It is a simple, if a very major decision. Other realms of the Holy Alliance - Prussia, Austria and Spain - could intervene and unite their collective efforts to bring France on its knees. I am sure that if we work together, we can achieve that.
The other existing objective is one which Spaniards have dreamed about for a long time - and yet could not achieve due to external circumstances. The return of the possessions of His Catholic Majesty that are currently in rebellions against him, the so-called countries of the Southern America. It is known that their protector, the United States of America, is now falling apart and its internal situation is close to civil war. If it happens, we should make sure that its lasts as long as possible - and use the time to restore the authority of the Catholic Crown in the Indies.
The time is ripe to increase the glory of the Empire - but we must understand that we cannot do everything at once. I am awaiting the decision of His Catholic Majesty and welcome the expertise of my colleagues, especially the Secretary for War and Captain General.
From the DUKE of ALBA to the PRINCE of BELMONTE ((Private - ML))
Dear brother-in-law,
Sadly enough, the state duties have over years distracted me from my social ones. Alas, it is the payment each statesman has to make. My wife and your sister feels well - and is eager to see you.
I intend to take a short leave and travel to my manors in Seville, would you like to accompany me? There we could dine together, hunt and converse.
Yours truly,
ALBA
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