Queen Valentina's Study

I was in my study looking through some important documents of state in just my first month as Queen following the death of my father and amongst the papers, their was a letter the messenger had bought in from the King of the Ukraine. I had known us to have been at war for years with this country, so I was curious to find out what King Nikolai wanted.

I opened the letter and read through it and noticed that he wanted a meeting with me in Ukraine to discuss a peace treaty. I knew that I would not be able to attend this in person without a carriage, given my riding accident when I was 16, I could not ride. I was now just 19 and still very young. I decided to summon my sister Alexandra, who herself was just 18. I would ask for her to go in my stead. I sent a servant to inform her I wanted to speak with her.

A servant came and escorted me to Valentine's chambers as she wanted to speak to me. I knocked on her chamber door. Her chambermaid answers the door and announces me. I looked at her, curtsey and smile to her.

. Good day, your Majesty. The servant told me that you needed me to come see you. So tell me how I can help you. It is strange that you are Queen now. I miss Father greatly. He would be proud of you. Seeing the young lady that you have become. I am so proud of you

I smiled at my sister as she had come in.

"Alexandra, I am so glad that you are here. I am still getting used to being Queen too. It is quite daunting being queen of the largest country in Europe and so young. There is a lot to learn.

I did want to speak to you, as while I was looking through these papers, I received this letter from King Nikolai of Ukraine, he has requested a meeting, as he wishes to discuss peace with me following his ongoing enemy disputes with father.

I have to say, I am not fond of him, however, I am willing to hear what he has to say, but as you well know, my riding accident from three years ago now means I cannot ride to the Ukraine, as I think a land journey there would be better, so was wondering, would you go to the Ukraine in my stead and see what he has to say? I say showing her the letter.

I listened closely to my sister as she asked her questions.

"Alexandra, thank you. I am most grateful to you for agreeing to meet with King Nikolai. Please make sure that you get all of the information regarding the treaty. I may rule the grandest kingdom in Europe and many see Russia as an enemy, but I don't want to be remembered as a Queen who brutalised nations. I want Russia to be at peace.

The King and Queen of Sweden, are going to come here to talk alliance, which I think is good. It will be nice to meet fellow young monarchs. I do hope that you will be back from the Ukraine by then, it is not for another month or so yet as the Queen os Sweden is with child I believe.

I am preparing myself for all of the potential matches that the Russian nobles are going to present to me as possible husbands, it is going to be busy. When can you leave for the Ukraine?

I looked at my sister and smile to her hugging her gently. . Well, I can leave as soon as my trunk is ready then I can leave immediately.  So the nobles are setting up possible suitors for you hand.  Choose wisely.  You do not have to rush your choice.  I too believe that Sweden will be good for our country to have an alliance then.  I hope to be back from Ukraine so I can meet the Swedish monarchs.  Have you heard anything else about them?.  Do something for me. When you find your husband will you find a match for me.  It would be glorious to marry close together. Well I hope that you will find a cordial match.  Let me go now so that I may return soon.

I hug my sister back.

"Thank you Alexandra, I do hope that you are welcomed into the Ukraine, for given the previous tensions, it may be awkward. King Nikolai will be expecting me, but given he is obviously unaware of my accident, it will be a surprise for him to see you.

The Swedish monarchs are a very loving couple. Queen Mary, is the beloved sister of King Henry of England and is well loved by the people. Sweden is a nation that loves it's King and Queen as they are the kindest people you could meet. We can greet them together when you return.

There are going to be many suitors, but i am not going to rush things, for it needs to be right and I can promise you sister that I will find someone for you soon.

Smiling at my sister.  

. I know that you will choose wisely.  You are a very smart and strong woman.  I will make sure that I will be cautious while I am there.  Do not worry.  I will be fine and with the guards you have entrusted to watch over me I feel safer.  So the Queen of Sweden is the King of England's beloved sister.  Well I will make sure that I will be back so that I can meet them both.  Thank you Valentina for looking out for me and I know that you will find a good match for you and me.

Dear Valentina,

I have reached the Ukrainian border. I hope that this letter finds you well. I have met with King Nikolai. I have seen the terms for peace between us. I am taking a couple of days to think about it. I hope that you are proud of me and the decision that are made.

Alexandra

I listened to my sister then I thought for a moment before speaking.

"I am interested to see this peace document of his Alexandra, however there are conditions that need to be put forward by myself to him in order for me to consider peace. Ukraine, in one of their prisons have imprisoned important Russian generals, who are a valuable resource to me and in order for me to consider peace, I would like to have them returned safely to Russia unharmed. The other important factor that needs mentioning is a recompense payment for the damage caused to our religious buildings and important Russian artefacts by Ukrainian looters during a night. I think that you will find, despite father being an expert at war, that no such damage was done to Ukrainian buildings. The repairs have been costly to us. These are the terms, I need you to put forward for me Alexandra please.

Dear Alexandra,

I am pleased to hear that you have safely arrived in Ukraine. What are your thoughts about King Nikolai, especially now that you have met him? You will have to let me know his thoughts about our terms for accepting peace. I have just had the physician come, he prepared a new mixture of the remedy for me for my injury.

Valentina

Dear Valentina,

Ukraine is beautiful.  I am in awe of his palace.  King Nikolai is a strong monarch.  He treated me respectfully.  I am happy that the physician provided you with a new remedy.  I hope that it is helpful.  I read the document and he wanted to ask if you would agree to open the trade routes to Asia.  Father closed off the trade routes and that makes it hard for their ships to get cotton and silk.  He also asks if the Russian soldiers to be call back from the boarder towns.  Is this something that you could agree to.  I will put to him your terms.  I hope that he will agree and we can have peace between us.

Alexandra

Dear Alexandra,

It pleases me to hear that you are happy. The remedy, I now have, is a huge difference and it is very helpful too. His terms seem reasonable however, for me to agree to them, my terms must be met, if not I cannot agree to it. The King and Queen of Sweden have just arrived here too Alexandra, I am to meet with them this afternoon.

Valentina

Dear Valentina,

I have spoken to the Ukrainian King and he will release the Russian generals.  With the Russian artifacts he is unsure if he can help with that issue but with the buildings he suggested if you would be interested in the release of the leader of the looters into our custody and put him before you so that he will receive judgement or he has also suggested that if this is something that you need he can give you a healthy sum of coin.  I believe that I can have the looter tell me what has done with the artifacts and you can receive the coins.  He is handing out an olive branch.  He understands about the buildings but he may be unable to give you all of the funds to rebuild.  But knows that loss of the religious buildings.  They are a Catholic nation.  Tell me what you want me to do?  I hope that I can get the chance to meet the Swedish monarchs.  

Alexandra

Dear Alexandra,

I thank you for your letter.

I am pleased to hear that King Nikolai will release the generals back to us as we need stability amongst the army ranks. I am not sure as to why he thinks that the artifacts cannot be found for he has the looter who took them there in his custody. I would like for the looter to be released into our custody and he will face judgement here in Russia. One of the items that was taken was very precious to me. You know the special chalice, engraved with jewels that was in the church? That was one of the said items, I want returning.

The looter is to be released into your care and questioned by you to tell you where the items are. He will then return to Russia and before facing his trial, he will help rebuild our church to show him what he has done. King Nikolai, as part of our treaty will pay for the repairs to the Church, given that it was damage by Ukrainians. If he does this, I will opened up the trade routes for him.

The King and Queen of Sweden seem lovely. I do hope that you can return here tomorrow, for I have a presentation of possible suitors for me to marry and two have accepted the invites, a certain Hugh O'Donnell of Ireland, coming with his sister and a certain Richard Williams of Wales to.

Queen Valentina

Dear Valentina,

I will tell the King but how do feel about the soldiers leaving the border towns.  Would you consider having the soldiers ordered to leave the border towns?  
I am happy that the Swedish King and Queen seems lovely.  I heard that Queen Mary is quite the beauty and that King Gustav is very kind. I can not wait to meet them.  Remember you should listen to your instincts.  It has not failed you before.  Use it.  Hopefully I will be home soon.  


Alexandra

Dear Alexandra,

The border towns cannot be left unprotected, but I will recall several soldiers from each town, so that there is not a frightening appearance.

I am meeting with King Gustav and Queen Mary now and as you can imagine, the court is buzzing with preparations for the ceremonies tomorrow. I received word recently that a certain Russian composer wishes for me to attend the theatre this week as he is presenting his new musical piece for me. The court painter is to arrive for new portraits in the coming days too.

How are things with you sister?

Queen Valentina

Dear Valentina,

Things are going well with me. I will let King Nikolai know that. Perhaps he will understand that. Protecting the boarder towns is paramount. I hope that he will accept the other terms. I am happy that you like the Swedish monarchs. I hope that you will enjoy the concert and you will see the portraits of potential suitable suitors.

Alexandra

Dear Alexandra,

I am pleased to hear that negotiations are going well in Ukraine. I am already starting to miss you sister and very much hope that you will return soon. The Swedish monarchs, bring a welcome peace here. The concert, is a special occasion to mark my ascension as Queen. I have received news that soon portraits of potential suitors will be presented to me.

Queen Valentina

Dear Valentina,

I miss you as well.  The negotiations are going well.  King Nikolai agrees and he excepts the terms.  He will fund to have the church built but we would have to bring the materials.  He will sign the peace document but he is concerned that without your signature how will it be valid.  I have propose that it would send it to you for your signature. Valentina I believe that you will make a wonderful queen because you are already a wonderful sister.

Alexandra