"Io Mihailŭ, Împĕratul Românilor" - A Michael the Brave Romania Wank
- Thread starter Zagan
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I.55. Still in the (Un)Holy Land
Zagan
Donor
The Muslims make the best scapegoats.
Still in the (Un)Holy Land
16 August 1641, Jerusalem
Empress Cristina: "What the Hell has happened in Romania, Agent? And why wasn't I informed about those scheming bastards' plans?"
Secret Service Agent: "Your Majesty... May I beg for your forgiveness, but... Communications are very slow and... It is probable that my colleagues in Alba Iulia were very much aware of the situation."
C: "Why didn't they act then? Isn't it obvious that we are dealing with a conspiracy here? A coup d'état? All of you are nothing but a bunch of incompetents!"
A: "Your Majesty... We do not know exactly what has happened in the Country. And even if it was a coup, what could the SS (Secret Service = Serviciul Secret) have done against the Army? And... In situations like this, we are usually waiting for orders..."
C: "Orders which could not arrive, because I was stranded in this oven-like country!... Do you think that Iulia was involved in the plot? Or did she simply take advantage of the power void in order to fulfill her martial fantasies and start a war with the largest country on Earth?"
A: "I do not have any opinion on this matter, Your Majesty. The only assumption we can make at this time is about the likely involment of the Church."
C: "Nicodim? That's why he send us here? To get the Army in power and start a war with the Catholics?"
A: "It is possible, yes. Though we cannot be sure of anything until we investigate it further."
C: "Do you have a plan?"
A: "Sure. Two of my best men have enlisted and will leave with the Navy in a matter of days. Once in Greece, they will make their way to Romania, contact the SS headquarters and devise a secure way of communication between Jerusalem and Alba Iulia."
C: "You have to contact Iulia. I have a letter for her."
A: "Of course, although it will not be easy, as we have intelligence that the Crown Princess is actually fighting the enemy on the frontline."
C: "Mon Dieu! Is she completely out of her mind? Poor child! She might get herself killed! If she dies, I... I..." (sighs)
A: "You do not need to say anything, Your Majesty, please. The Crown Princess will be fine. She is a great warrior and is surrounded by the best soldiers we have. They will protect her."
C: "Yes, sure... May God protect her... And here are two more letters: one for my little girl [Maria] and another for Marcu. [the head of the Secret Service]. Make sure they are delivered safely."
A: "We will do our best, Your Majesty." (bows)
17 August - 18 October 1641
In the following weeks, the situation in the Colonies (now under the direct control of Cristina) remained stable but tense as uncertainty seemed to fill the air of the hot Jerusalem summer.
Dependable news from Europe were few and far between, presenting a rather strange and confusing picture:
- Life seemed to go on normally. The people seemed content and unworried.
- Nobody was suspecting any foul play. No coup seemed to have taken place. Mihai was still Emperor and he was generally assumed to be firmly in control of the situation from the Holy Land.
- The ongoing war with Iberia did not arouse the interest of the Romanians. That was somehow understandable, because the Romanians equalled war with invasion and destruction and none of these occured.
- The soldiers were generally happy to fight in foreign lands, the main reason beeing probably the loot.
- The war was progressing well for the Romanians which were quickly getting control of Greece, evicting the hated Iberian invaders. The Greeks seemed to be totally on the side of the Romanians.
- Iulia has been crowned Basileus Autokrator (i.e. Emperor) of the Greeks in a lavish ceremony.
- The Senate adopted a non-binding resolution deploring the invasion of Greece, the unnecessary and unprovoked war with Iberia and Iulia's coronation as Empress of Greece.
- Some senators suggested that by accepting the Greek Crown, Iulia forfeited her right to the Romanian Crown. Others thought that Iulia's coronation actually ammounted to an unofficial annexation of Greece and thus Iulia was not a Monarch of a foreign country. There was no vote on the issue.
- Maria was fine, though missing her mother.
- The Secret Service seemed in control of the situation in Romania Proper, but outplayed by the Army in Greece.
- Iulia has been contacted by the SS, assured them that everything was under control and told them not to worry but did not find time to answer Cristina's letter. "I have a war to fight. I'll write letters later."
- The Aegean Sea was still under the firm control of the powerful Iberian Navy, blocking the route to Romania.
- The war seemed to widen as Romania contemplated an invasion of Croatia and Italy in order to drive the Iberians out of Italy as well.
Note: See Chaper 51. The Fall of Greece for more information.
19-20 October 1641, Jerusalem
During the night, Mihai suffered a massive stroke.
When Cristina woke up in the morning, she found her husband unable to move or speak and soaked in urine.
Obviously, the doctors were unable to help and Mihai remained paralized, mute and incontinent. In the 17th century this meant that death was only weeks if not mere days away.
Cristina was genuinely devastated. Far away from her home and daughter, alone and haunted by the sight of the empty shell of her beloved husband, Cristina felt an overwhelming despair.
21 October 1641, Jerusalem, Governor's Residence
The Governor of Jerusalem and the Holy Land: "So, did the Emperor die?"
Aide: "Not yet, sir. But it seems certain that His Majesty won't survive this ordeal."
G: "I see. That's unfortunate, isn't it. Without our Emperor, hard times may befall on our beloved Country..."
A: "Yes sir."
G: "Even in this tragic moment, we shall first think about our Country and its needs. The death of the Emperor should drive his subjects more close to one another against their eternal foe."
A: "Islam."
G: "Of course. Unfortunately the initial drive agaisnt the Islamic beast seems to have lost momentum and our brothers are now fighting the Catholics. We should help them see who is the real enemy."
A: "Plan Wrath? Now?"
G: "Should we wait until the Emperor's death? The Emperor will day soon anyway. We can say that the bandits have wounded the Emperor... And later, when God will take our Emperor to His Kingdom, we will say that the Emperor succumbed to the wounds inflicted by the accursed Muslims."
A: "Yes sir. I will summon my men right now."
G: "Be careful. And get some reporters nearby."
************
Newspaper Românul (The Romanian), Colonial Edition, Jerusalem, 22 October 1641
Extract from the article: Împĕratul Mihailŭ fuse rănit de rebelĭ mahomedanĭ (Emperor Mihai was wounded by Mohammedan rebels)
[...]
The Mohammedan inmates from the Algeabiria Prison rebelled, took control of the premises and escaped en masse.
[...]
Dozens of extremely dangerous well armed criminals made their way to the center of the City and asaulted the Palace where Emperor Mihai and Empress Cristina were living. The Emperor and the Imperial guards fought bravely against the numerically superior bandits, killing most of them and securing the victory.
Unfortunately, the Emperor was wounded in his left thigh. Although the wound was deep and bled profusely, the doctors managed to treat it. The Emperor is feeling fine, but will need rest and continuous medical attention for the following weeks.
[...]
After the captured bandits admitted being paid by the Ottoman State, they were hanged.
The continuous existence of the Ottoman State is nothing more than a spit on the face of the Romanians. We will never be safe until this beast is completely annihilated and the blight of Islam is finally eradicated from the face of the Earth.
So help us God!
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Zagan
Donor
Some questions about the latest two chapters:
1. Plausibility?
2. In the story, the situation is murky. As the reader, what do you think that has actually happened? Was it really a coup in Romania? By whom?
3. Do you like this style or do you prefer to get only straight facts?
4. How long could Mihai survive in his condition?
5. Should a breakout be attempted through waters infested with Spanish warships?
6. Other thoughts?
Thank you.
1. Plausibility?
2. In the story, the situation is murky. As the reader, what do you think that has actually happened? Was it really a coup in Romania? By whom?
3. Do you like this style or do you prefer to get only straight facts?
4. How long could Mihai survive in his condition?
5. Should a breakout be attempted through waters infested with Spanish warships?
6. Other thoughts?
Thank you.
In regard to Mihai's condition:
It is dependent on what kind of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and what kind of treatment that he is receiving. Now, if this is like OTL then there is not much that anybody can do and the fact that Mihai is paralyzed makes things worse for him. Modern day, he could live on for years after suffering a stroke depending on some factors. Unfortunately, I do not see him living much longer considering his condition.
((OOC: My grandfather ended up have a stroke roughly two years ago which caused quite a few issues. He was unable to talk, was already going deaf, and had to be constantly monitored when it came to something as simple as eating. After further complications, which were blamed on his then current wife and her lack of attention, things went down hill. He was a stubborn old man and, despite the doctors giving him three days to live, he fought on for a week before he finally passed.))
It is dependent on what kind of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and what kind of treatment that he is receiving. Now, if this is like OTL then there is not much that anybody can do and the fact that Mihai is paralyzed makes things worse for him. Modern day, he could live on for years after suffering a stroke depending on some factors. Unfortunately, I do not see him living much longer considering his condition.
((OOC: My grandfather ended up have a stroke roughly two years ago which caused quite a few issues. He was unable to talk, was already going deaf, and had to be constantly monitored when it came to something as simple as eating. After further complications, which were blamed on his then current wife and her lack of attention, things went down hill. He was a stubborn old man and, despite the doctors giving him three days to live, he fought on for a week before he finally passed.))
Plausible sure
The style is great. We know Iulia has been manipulated before, or was she a willing participant? we may never know the "truth" especially when the historical sources and press in Greece and Romania seem to be very pliant to state needs.
5 - It will need all of Romanias fleet to break out Cristina, surely they are needed elsewhere. could be safer to disguise as Turks and head north.
6 - Great update thanks for returning after everything. I suppose it depends on how many Muslims are still in the colonies as to whether that kind of bald faced "blood libel" lie could go unchallenged or not. There are probably plenty of Christians in Jerusalem itself and 'Lebanon' but elsewhere? While only the elite will read or speak Romanian, the locals will know what a scapegoating from a foreign power looks like, it could get messy if some former nominal Ottoman vassals in Arabia and Mesopotamia want to get involved.
The style is great. We know Iulia has been manipulated before, or was she a willing participant? we may never know the "truth" especially when the historical sources and press in Greece and Romania seem to be very pliant to state needs.
5 - It will need all of Romanias fleet to break out Cristina, surely they are needed elsewhere. could be safer to disguise as Turks and head north.
6 - Great update thanks for returning after everything. I suppose it depends on how many Muslims are still in the colonies as to whether that kind of bald faced "blood libel" lie could go unchallenged or not. There are probably plenty of Christians in Jerusalem itself and 'Lebanon' but elsewhere? While only the elite will read or speak Romanian, the locals will know what a scapegoating from a foreign power looks like, it could get messy if some former nominal Ottoman vassals in Arabia and Mesopotamia want to get involved.
Zagan
Donor
Thanks.
I like to leave some room to speculation.
5. Probably. Interesting idea, as Turkey is still at peace with Romania.
6. I had some very rough times, but I am much better now.
I suppose I should have posted something about the Colonies' demographics... I think that I have waited for the first plausible time for a census (after the internal situation stabilization).
Anyway, here is a schetch...
Demographics in the Romanian Colonies (1641)
Lebanon: 80% Christians (more than half of them Maronites), 7% Sunni Muslims, 9% Other Muslims, 2% Jews, 2% Others (after population exchanges with Levant).
Holy Land and Jerusalem: 32% Christians, 14% Jews (and growing by state-sponsored emigration), 54% Muslims (almost all Sunni).
Sinai: 94% Christians (almost all Copts), 5% Sunni Muslims, 1% Jews (after population exchanges with Egypt).
Canal Zone: 6% Romanians (Orthodox), 55% Egyptians (temporary workers, most of them Copts, some Sunni), 13% Slaves (mostly Romanian Gypsies), 26% Locals (mostly Copts).
Yes, extremely few people understand Romanian, besides the Romanian Administration and Army, of course. Most of the communication with the locals is done in Greek or Latin (with the Maronites).
The Romanian Colonies, while contiguous, are in a precarious geopolitical position, being almost surrounded by potentially dangerous Muslim States: Ottoman State (Levant, further north Turkey, further east Mesopotamia), Arabian Caliphate (continous raids and skirmishes for over a decade), Egypt. Trouble ahead.
Have you ever imagined a World with some other people than the Jews as the usual scapegoats?
I.56. Requiescat In Pace
Zagan
Donor
Forty years after her first try, Death has finally managed to take Mihai.
Requiescat in Pace
23 October 1641, Jerusalem, Imperial Palace
Cristina: "Now, do you care to explain me why did you fail to prevent this... this disgrace? Did the difficult communications with the Country impede your work here in Jerusalem?"
SS Agent: "If Your Majesty remembers it well, I did inform Your Majesty in two separate occasions during the last two weeks that the Governor was planning some action against the local Muslim population."
C: "I know that, but I thought that it would be some executions or something, not... that! Involving the Press... And the Imperial Family! With a lot of horrible lies! What if the truth is somehow revealed? Everybody will think that I was involved as well!"
A: "We will make sure that nothing is leaked..."
C: "And what if it does...? Anyway, get the Governor here, fast!"
A: "And what should we do if he resists arrest? His guard is more numerous than us... Shall I get the Imperial Guard as backup?"
C: "Ugh! No, I did not mean to arrest him. My God! Just summon him to talk with me. He may refuse my invitation, of course, but I do not think he will."
************
Governor: "Your Majesty..." (bowing)
Cristina: "What is this garbage, Governor?" (showing the newspaper)
G: "Oh... The problem was... Umm... Our Country..."
C: "Stop it! First of all, tell me exactly what happened. And make sure that you are telling the truth. And try to be concise, my patience is very short today."
G: "Sure, Your Majesty... I ordered the guards to leave the gates opened and allow the prisoners to escape. Then, the guards followed them towards the City, until they got near a Palace which looked as if Your Majesties could have been located there... For the Press, because we had two reporters on the site. The prison guards were wearing the uniforms of the Imperial Guard and one of my men was disguised in order to look like the Emperor. I am sure that everybody got fooled..." (smiling)
C: "I see. And what if not everybody was fooled? What if people begin to talk? No, don't answer this! Better tell me why did you do it?"
G: "The State is not firm enough against those Muslims. More should be done..."
C: "More? Like killing them all?"
G: "That would be a sensible approach, indeed."
C: "I see. So we are talking about the policies of our Empire. And who is entitled to decide upon the policies of our Empire? You, a simple... clerk? Surely not. This is the job of the Emperor and of the Senate. You usurped the authority of the Emperor and of the Romanian Senate!"
G: "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. I did not see the things from this perspective. I am very sorry."
C: "Yes, I am sure... The problem now is what should we do with this mess you created and... What should I do with you. It is a pity that I cannot have you executed as you deserve. Unlike you, I do respect the law. I cannot have you prosecuted, since a trial would get unwanted attention. I will think about this. Until then, you are fired. There is no need for a Governor as long as the Emperor is here. Now get out of my sight!"
November 1641, Romania and the Colonies
Random acts of violence against the Muslim communities occur almost every day.
Mosques are burned to the ground or looted and desecrated. Hundreds of Muslims are beaten, evicted from their homes or killed and many women and girls are raped.
The Police either does not intervene or is even encouraging the mobs.
If the Muslims from Romania Proper are completely defenseless, being less then one percent of the population, not the same thing can be said about the massive and compact Muslim communities from the Colonies.
The rebellion which has plagued the Holy Land for almost ten years starts anew. The Colonial Army cannot be everywhere. The cities are mostly safe but the countryside is usually not.
If the neighbouring Islamic States decide to intervene, the Romanian Army may not be able to defend the Holy Land. The situation in Jerusalem is calm but tense.
The former Governor and his aides are sent to fight in Greece with the first Romanian warship that leaves Jaffa. They would not arrive there though, their ship being sunk by the Iberian Navy.
Cristina lived secluded into the heavily guarded Imperial Palace, silent witness to the agony of her husband.
The Romanian Armies were fighting in Greece, Croatia, Venetian Dalmatia and on the Seas. Romania was already at war with her native country, France. Almost all of Europe was engaged in this war, already called the Second European War. Iulia was on fighting battles while the Country was rudderless.
Melancholy and anxiety began to creep deeper and deeper into her soul. Will she ever see Maria again? Or will she die in this God forsaken Land?
3-4 December 1641, Jerusalem, Imperial Palace
Cristina woke up in the middle of the night. The door has been opened. Somebody was in her room. She grabbed her dagger and waited in the dark, silent and motionless. Seconds passed like hours. Suddenly, someone jumped on the bed, on top of her. Cristina stabbed the aggressor which yelled her name. It was Iulia's voice.
In a split second Cristina realized that she had stabbed Iulia. Of course, whom else would the guards let enter her room unannounced and in the middle of the night. Cristina wanted to die.
Iulia: "Hey, Cristina, it's me! Congratulations! I see that you had become quite a warrior yourself!"
Cristina: "Iulia, my poor baby! Are you hurt? Is that blood?"
I: "Of course. That's what daggers do. They hurt and blood spills out. It's nothing, just a little scratch. I'm used to actual war, you know. I've been wounded before..."
C: "Let me see you..." (lights a candle)
I: "I'm fine, don't worry." (hugs and kisses her)
C: "I will call a doctor..."
I: "No doctors, please, not now. How is Granddaddy? Let's go to his room, I want to kiss him too." (jumps up)
************
I: "Does he recognize me? Does he understand what we are saying?"
C: "We don't know, Iulia. But hold his hand and talk to him. Maybe he does."
I: "Granddaddy... I don't know if you can hear me, but if you do, let me tell you how much I love and respect you. I want you to be proud of me, Granddaddy. I conquered Greece and Croatia. And now our armies will pass into Italy. I will conquer Rome and Constantinople and reunite the Roman Empire. And destroy Mecca and get to the Indian Ocean. And make Romania the greatest and most powerful country in the whole World! For you, Granddaddy."
************
I: "I came to get you out of here. Tomorrow we will leave for Jaffa. A fleet of 28 warships is waiting us there, Romanian and British. We will get safely to Romania. And we have doctors and all the comfort you could expect on the flagship. Granddaddy will be just fine. Oh, and we have a great escort to get us safely to Jaffa. Those bandits would not dare attack us."
C: "Iulia, dear, you are quite overwrought... Please, sit down and let me clean your wound."
************
Doctor: (knocking and entering the room) "The Emperor has passed away. May God rest him in peace!"
The Doctor left the room. Cristina and Iulia crossed themselves and began to cry in each other's arms.
An era ended and a new one was just beginning.
Notes:
1. It was hard for me to write this. I have grown quite fond of my Mihai Viteazul during this year since I began writing about him. But he had to die sometime, so... that's life.
I gave him another 40 years of good and happy life in this TL. I think I have done enough for him and his family. RIP.
2. TTL is not over. There will be another few chapters till the end of the European War, plus the Peace Conference and the aftermath of the war, followed by some data, statistics and maps.
And then Part I will be over and Part II - Mihai's Legacy - will begin.
See you around...
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I.57. The Working Anarchy
Zagan
Donor
The Young Romania proved that it could function quite well,
even when lacking the expected Imperial guidance.
even when lacking the expected Imperial guidance.
The Working Anarchy
4 December 1641, Jerusalem, Imperial Palace
Silent and heartbroken, Cristina entered Mihai's room. Iulia was there, lying besides Mihai's lifeless body, with his left hand in hers, blood still dribbling from her chest, staining the otherwise immaculate sheets.
Iulia: "He is already cold..."
Cristina: "Iulia, get up and let the morticians do their job. It's very hot in this Land. The sooner, the better... And you are still bleeding. I'll get a doctor to take a look at that wound, either you want it or not!... Iulia, do you hear me?!"
I: "Why are you wearing black, Cristina?"
C: "What kind of question is this? Because my husband has just died! I'm in mourning, that's why."
I: "I know... But Granddaddy is not officially dead, you know... He has to die in Alba Iulia. The people must be ready. All that's known so far is that Granddaddy was wounded. We will announce that the wound got infected and soon after our arrival in Alba Iulia, he will succumb to the infection... Preferably after the end of the Christmas Feasts."
C: "Oh... So you are insisting on that farce as well..."
I: "But of course, Cristina. It may have been a poorly thought idea, but it does have its merits. And, after all, we cannot back down now, can we? We'll have to just go with the flow. That's why you should not be seen wearing black for now. You'll have plenty of time to mourn back home."
C: "I see... As you are now my Empress, I'll oblige."
I: "Yes... I'm the Imperatrix of the Romanians, am I not? Funny, I have not thought about this till now. Well, actually I am not. Anyway, not since the death of Granddaddy is officially announced... Let's not think about the succession right now, shall we? And don't you ever say that I am your Empress again! I am and I will forever be nothing more than your best friend!"
C: "Sure, my dear... But please, let's do something with that wound..."
I: "Oh, this wound? It was surely made by that crazy Muslim assailant who attempted to assasinate me as well. This will surely add more support to the impeding war against the Mohammedans! And this is going to be much better! I'll get a painter and have a schetch of the wounded Crown Princess published in all of Romania's newspapers!"
C: "Do as you wish, Iulia... The doctor is already here. Please let him take care of you... Please..."
I: "Fine. Here you are, Doctor! Heal me!"
************
The Doctor cleaned the wound and applied two stitches.
C: "Are you sure that you do not want a bandage?"
I: "Yes, I am very sure. First of all, I do not like bandages and second, the painter will be here any minute now. Thank you, Doctor, you are excused... Oh, you may call the morticians now. Are you happy now, Cristina? Were you afraid that I would die by your hand?"
C: (crying) ...
I: "Oh, poor Cristina. Don't cry... You couldn't have killed me. You have neither the strength, nor the knowledge of how to stab someone. You stabbed me perpendicularly on my ribs. To get the dagger into one's thorax you have to stab parallel to the ribs. That way, even if you hit a rib, the blade slips and finds its way between two ribs of the unfortunate victim."
C: "You are scaring me."
I: "I am sorry, but after all the death I saw on the battlefields, I am completely desensitized. I may have personally killed dozens of enemies, maybe in excess of one hundred!"
C: "Do you like it? Going to war?"
I: "Yes, Cristina, I do. I like to win. I like to conquer. And I like to kill the enemy soldiers. I like to kill... foreign men... Like the one that raped me. I hate them. I hate them all!" (trembling)
C: (hugging her) "Everything is all right, my dear. Relax, you are safe now... You are with me."
************
Iulia posed for the painter while continuing to talk with Cristina.
I: "Do you think that it's too provocative? Does the breast show?"
C: "No, Iulia, it is perfect. Try not to move. But... please tell me, why are you wearing trousers?"
I: (laughing) "How would I look wearing a skirt while riding a horse like a man?"
C: "You are not riding now."
I: "Well, I like it. It is more comfortable this way. And, being surrounded by men all the time, I suppose that it is better... For all of us."
C: "I see..."
I: "Has it ever occured to you that, if you kill me by mistake, nobody would believe you? After all, if I die, Maria becomes Empress..."
C: "Don't talk like this! You are making me cry again."
I: "I'll leave that... for now... But, there is something we must talk about... You know... There were some discussions in the Senate that I shouldn't become Empress because I am already the Sovereign of the Greeks. I would like to hear your opinion. Don't mind him, he can't hear us. Just tell me, who do you want to be the Empress of the Romanians? Me or Maria?"
C: "It is not me who decides..."
I: "I know but... Just humor me and tell me, sincerely, what do you think about this matter, please."
C: "It is... difficult. Of course that I love my daughter and I would like her to be Empress, but you are the first in the line of succession, the transition would be smoother for the country, you are better prepared and already an adult, while Maria is underaged... Anyway, it is always better to keep the Succession Law sacred in order to create a tradition of legality and deter future possible claimants. It is the best for the stability of the Country and its institutions. And that Greek Crown, it is nothing but a sham. It should be clear for the Senators that you are ruling Greece because you have conquered it!"
I: (taking her hand) "Thank you, Cristina. You have been honest and this means very much to me. And Maria will be Empress herself... After my own death. And her descendants afterwards. To the end of the times..."
C: ...
I: "You know, Cristina, I love Maria as well. We spent a lot of time together lately and grew closer to one another. And she will be a great Empress... when she would grow up."
************
C: "I would like to sit by Mihai's side... Why does it take so long to... prepare him?"
I: "I brought an Egyptian. A Christian, of course. It seems that the secret of the Ancient Egyptians has been preserved and this man knows how to properly embalm a body."
C: "But is this a Christian thing to do?"
I: (smiling) "Well, we are not going to put Granddaddy in a pyramid, are we? But we should be able to get the body to Alba Iulia in as good a condition as humanly possible. I have to think of everything, because, don't get mad at me please, but it seems that you have become a wreck. Come on, you have a life to live. You are only 37 years old, for God's sake!"
************
C: "Iulia... Who is ruling Romania right now?"
I: "Nobody, I guess. The Church, the Army, the Senate, they all do what they are supposed to and everything works just fine. Only that no new laws are enacted. And who needs more laws? We have enough already!"
5 - 29 December 1641
Flanked by the Imperial Guard and Iulia's soldiers, the Imperial Family left Jerusalem for Jaffa in what turned out to be a quiet and uneventful journey.
In the harbour of Jaffa, the combined fleet of Romanian and British warships was magnificent. The sturdy and well armed RS (Romanian Ship) Victoria became the home of Cristina and Iulia for the following weeks.
With the exception of an easily won naval engagement with a small Iberian fleet and a rather unpleasant storm, the voyage was rather smooth and quite safe.
While not writing down orders for her armies and studying reports, Iulia comforted Cristina who seemed to be more affected by Mihai's death than her.
30 December 1641, Alba Iulia
The Imperial Suite reached the Capital in the morning, welcomed by thousands of joyful citizens, blissfully unaware of the fact that their beloved Emperor was no longer alive.
Iulia had been right. In Romania, far away from the battlefields, life went on normally.
In fact, almost nobody had even noticed the lack of Imperial authority. Everybody was simply doing his job, everything was just fine and Romania functioned smoothly on its own.
But this stable state of affairs was about to change and Romania had a bumpy road ahead.
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Zagan
Donor
Oh, yes, she is. It runs in the family. Mihai was odd himself and one of her ancestors was Vlad the Impaler...
This is one of the reasons I brought fresh blood in the Imperial family (French Princess Cristina).
While genetics are definitely a factor one had to remember that there are other factors involved when it comes to an individual's behavioral health. I can point out two examples. One of them is the fore mentioned Vlad the Impaler and the other is Christina, Queen of Sweden (daughter of Gustav II Adolf).
Vlad the Impaler, if my memory serves me right, was a political prisoner of the Ottomans as a child. From what I recall, even though he was taught quite a few things by the Turks, his life there was not exactly easy. Also, his older brother and father were eventually murdered. His relations with his younger brother, Radu, were also strained, especially when Radu converted to Islam and remained in the Ottoman sultan's service. The pressures of running a country and almost constant war were probably not easy either.
Christina, the only legitimate child of Gustav II Adolf (also known as Gustavus Adolphus), was quite awkward in her own right. To put it simply, she was groomed and raised to become king. Gustav essentially raised her as a son and her later actions would be evident of that. Also, it didn't help that she lost her father at a young age and that her mother was bat shit crazy. Some scientists have theorized that Christina had a chemical imbalance or another medical issue which contributed to her awkwardness.
Simply put, external factors can be a major factor in a person's mental health.
Vlad the Impaler, if my memory serves me right, was a political prisoner of the Ottomans as a child. From what I recall, even though he was taught quite a few things by the Turks, his life there was not exactly easy. Also, his older brother and father were eventually murdered. His relations with his younger brother, Radu, were also strained, especially when Radu converted to Islam and remained in the Ottoman sultan's service. The pressures of running a country and almost constant war were probably not easy either.
Christina, the only legitimate child of Gustav II Adolf (also known as Gustavus Adolphus), was quite awkward in her own right. To put it simply, she was groomed and raised to become king. Gustav essentially raised her as a son and her later actions would be evident of that. Also, it didn't help that she lost her father at a young age and that her mother was bat shit crazy. Some scientists have theorized that Christina had a chemical imbalance or another medical issue which contributed to her awkwardness.
Simply put, external factors can be a major factor in a person's mental health.
I would not say that it is a bad thing that there is weird stuff and characters in this timeline. Something that I say on the regular is that we are all weird in some way and that "normal" is a degenerate semantic. What may be seen as normal in the United States may not be seen in the same way in, for example, Romania.
Uff Da the optimist
Donor
No, on the contrary.
I quite like it that not every ruler is a straight forward boring person. Iulia seems like she will be one of the leading causes of feminism ITTL
This only adds flavour, keep it up Zagan!!!
I quite like it that not every ruler is a straight forward boring person. Iulia seems like she will be one of the leading causes of feminism ITTL
This only adds flavour, keep it up Zagan!!!
Hi.
First of all, let me say that I like this TL very much, as it is the only full-fledged Romanian-centered TL around here! Congrats, @Zagan, and keep it on!
I have one little question. I hope that it is not againt the rules to mention sexuality. If it is, I am sorry and I will delete the post. So:
Are Cristina and Iulia having lesbian sex?
Although you are avoiding the subject, some hints made me to suspect this.
If true, I think that it would be very unfortunate, because:
Thank you.
Amber
First of all, let me say that I like this TL very much, as it is the only full-fledged Romanian-centered TL around here! Congrats, @Zagan, and keep it on!
I have one little question. I hope that it is not againt the rules to mention sexuality. If it is, I am sorry and I will delete the post. So:
Are Cristina and Iulia having lesbian sex?
Although you are avoiding the subject, some hints made me to suspect this.
If true, I think that it would be very unfortunate, because:
- Iulia was a child when it seemed to have started, so Empress Cristina would be a child predator pedophile!
- Having sex with Iulia would mean cheating on her husband, the Emperor!
- Same sex relationships were a felony at that time, not to mention the fact that the Church and the public considered it an abomination.
Thank you.
Amber
Zagan
Donor
Hi. Welcome to the thread!
Just for everyone to know, @Amber has initiated a kind of game called Let's Find the POD, and the first TL featured there was this one! Thank you.
And now, the (delicate) question.
I do neither confirm nor deny that Cristina and Iulia are lovers.
This, like many odd events presented in my TL, would remain (at least for now) a mistery and open to speculation.
I think that it is better this way, at least from a literary point of view. I hope that you are not very disappointed and understand my reasoning.
Oh, it seems that I will have to live with this! What a tragedy!
No, not really, just joking! Anyway, keep it up! I am looking forward to the next update!