Tevun-Krus #22 - Best of 2015

(Alternate History) That Good Men Do Nothing - @originalthinker26

In one singular rule, or in what was intended to be a prevalent rule to come, the British Empire had sustained itself in the war with Spain. It had been a hard-fought, but ultimately led to no conclusive victor. It was, however, displayed in the King's Annunciation such concerns about the war ignited in the world.

"My Liege," addressed the messenger, "I would like to notify you that Russia has sent you a new message."

"I shall see to it immediately," I said in reply, turning on my throne to the regally ornate box suspended to the wall. By the flick of my fingers the box expectorated a slip of paper, translated from the Cyrillic diction automatically. The Russians had proven themselves to be of ineffable importance. They were helpful in pacifying the Middle-East in what seemed to be a perpetual inward struggle that required beyond any other attendance a third party capable of amplifying and promulgating unity and security throughout the area. It was inevitable that they would join the war in Europe, though likely as England's enemy, rather than ally. England had in the past averted several conflicts, allowing that this great Empire be allowed to reach the paragon of all conquerors. No more was there a Rome... but there was a London.

" 'Already there have been skirmishes along the African French-English border,'" I read sotto voce. " 'The flame of war is disastrously spreading to every corner of our world. It has the mien of a crisis coming in Russia. Therefore, I, as Czar, concede to you, at a reasonable expenditure, the Alaskan territories controlled by Russia that you may use its resources. But Russia must defend itself in this time. The border of China is progressing beyond allowance. It is of dire importance that we analyze this threat foremost. In answer to our gift, I request that you will use your Australian fortitudes to back our forces. The Emperor of German Austria has supplemented our cause with his own assistance.'"

"Harold!" exclaimed the familiar voice of Joshua entering my palace. In a title commemorative of another age this man was the Lord Protector of North America, an amassed area that still required this man, though somewhat to a lesser degree these days, to govern and protect the Americas from foreign assaults. This man, my brother, had recently sojourned in St. Petersburg, and using his ability to peer through the "Window to the West" included his own diplomatic guidance in the matter of Russia's alliance. The Window to the West was, as Czar Peter had intended, most beneficial to Russia and to England, harmonizing the two and restraining them from discord.

Joshua was a handsome man with confined features, not like our late older brother, George the Sixth, who was diminutive and rotund. His face was level and exhibited little protrusion. "It is so splendid to see you again!" he said in his cultivated higher echelon accent.

"The House of Hanover I am sure was resplendent with anticipatory elation at your footsteps into the palace. The Hanoverian Citadel is malleable to your pleasure," I said, standing and bowing my forehead. I snapped, and the servitors attended us with exquisite dining.

Due to our privacy, I had the luxury of being in what was considered casual attire to a regal member, but what would be to the average townsman a sublime outfitting. The frilly and flamboyant fabrics surrounded and embodied my affluence with irreproachable style.

Often as King I did a great deal of reading and self-erudition. I felt compelled to do so. My predecessors had topped success with success; I should be obliged to do the same. England, an island, held its jeweled hand in a fist around the entire world. That was incredible. Quickly, my forefathers had seen the weak nations perish in the ignited fire that did not cease in its voracity for the fuel that was mankind. This fire was the fire of dominance. The House of Lords met today, simultaneous to my own current meeting. They were to proceed on the events of "This, the two-thousandth and fifteenth year of Our Lord..."