THE PALATIAL RETIREMENT, 567 E.S.

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

 

THE PALATIAL RETIREMENT

 

Issued by the

LADY PALATINE

Naf zwy 5th hag i Vzmey ag Hyff i 567 E.S.

 

---

 

AS THE GENERATIONS CHANGE, SO TOO MUST TIME PRESS US ONWARD. As a child, I dreamt often of the great men and women who had led the Haeseni to greatness in time long passed. The formidable Prince Otto Alimar, or the diligent Iosif Basrid were not far from my thoughts when it came to my girlhood aspirations of one day becoming Palatine of the realm. At that time, I was the youngest child of a dead heiress. I had thought my destiny was to be forgotten - perhaps only a footnote in the telling of our nation’s history.

 

All of that changed when I decided that my life meant little when compared to that of Koeng Ivan VIII’s own, flinging myself into the path of an explosive potion meant to claim his life by the hand of a would-be assassin. From that day forward, my existence was entirely transformed. Wedded to a prince and named as Lady Emissar, I was entrusted with much and more by the House of Barbanov-Bihar in those years that followed. Eventually, my diligent service to the Crown was further rewarded upon the retirement of Count Erik Kortrevich as Lord Palatine. It was I who was named as his successor - the first royal woman to assume the cherished Golden Bulava.

 

For eighteen years, I have given every piece of my being to my beloved kingdom and the Haeseni who reside within it. From the day the Golden Bulava was pressed into my hands, I felt a greater calling - a destiny to be fulfilled. Through the woes of King Marius III, who was so often bedridden or otherwise disinterested in the day-to-day governance of his inherited land, I paved a path forward that ensured our kingdom’s continued survival. He placed his faith in me to not only guide his subjects, but to also raise his eldest son to manhood. That was perhaps the greatest gift of all.

 

His Majesty, King Karl IV is one of my proudest achievements. A young leader worthy of his name and the throne he sits upon. A man of strong mind and formidable will, who is more like a son than a nephew by marriage. But as so many mothers are oft to do, there comes a time when we must allow our children to lead themselves - to make their own choices. The regency is long over, and the King is a boy no longer.

 

Thus, with my fullest trust placed in his ability to lead the Haeseni people into this Karolean Age, I hereby announce my retirement from my position as LADY PALATINE, effective immediately. I trust that my successor shall serve my royal nephew faithfully, representing the wishes and desires of this upcoming generation.

 

It has been my greatest honor to serve as your Palatine. Born to be irrelevant, I only wished to be of some use. I believe I have far exceeded expectations.

 

KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM

 

---

Godani Jest Wielki,

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, Milena Anastasya, Lady Palatine of Hanseti-Ruska,

Duchess-consort of Galahar, Lady of Isle Maenvestiyaeo, Kossaras of the Walton Order of the Unyielding

 

Spoiler

Thank you to @Dogged & @CheekyNolan for allowing me to be your Palatine, the last 18 weeks have really made me proud of the choice I made to play in Haense. I'm excited to continue playing Milena and see what comes next from me on LOTC! All my thanks and love especially to the Haense community!

 

[Toffee 2843]

Princess Milena had long since earned her rest. Erika could scarcely remember a time when she was not at the top of ve Karodur, the crows shifting above, croaking mournfully, stacks upon stacks of papers in front of her. Mountains of work, ones that could never be surmounted, but that was the job. To live for others more than any knight, to dream and work for others more than any priest, to fight for others more than any soldier. To sacrifice oneself, neglect one's family, neglect one's own personal dreams.

 

Everything, for the kingdom.

[Cheese 8883]

“She has always been incredible. Ever since her youth,” the Lady Amiratus mused aloud to herself. “Just goes to show how far one can go if they believe they are meant to.”

After a brief consideration, Esfir reached for her stationary, and began to pen a letter. While the retired Palatine may be a distant friend, she should remain a friend nonetheless. And Milena surely deserved the utmost congratulations on her retirement.