Palácio de São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro
The small group walked through the immaculate private garden of Her Imperial Majesty Isabel Maria. Few people knew that this small garden behind her Majestys personal residence was where the Empress practiced her hobby of horticulture. There was also a greenhouse where she would grow her favorite flower and vines trying to always improve upon them in the season.
Empress Isabel Maria looked up from her place kneeling on the ground to see Sir Florencio arrive and be quietly looked over by the Imperial Guards assigned to her person. Obviously they saw nothing because they did not move to stop him. He started to bow to her and she waved for him to stop. Sir Florencio it is good to see you, now help me up please and do try and avoid the dirt getting on your fine outfit.
Sir Florencio smiled and held out a hand to his Empress, which she grasped strongly for a woman her age. She stood and shook off most of the dirt from her gardening outfit. What are you working on now Majesty? asked Sir Florencio.
The same thing you are with people, trying to make good connections to avoid problems later. She waved at the Cattleya Orchids she had been working on. See these here, I am trying various combinations of the many colors they already grow in to try and create new ones. Sometimes they work but do not breed true, other times they come out a hideous color and I have to remove them, but do you see the several over there? She pointed to a corner of the flower garden and Sir Florencio nodded. Well sometimes you can produce wonders; those are light red with orange edges which breed true. They are my greatest success so far. Do you understand this is what we are doing with people? Sir Florencio nodded even though he was fairly certain his Empress was more idealistic than she should be in this world. Anyway are you ready or do we need to wait for anyone else?
I would like to wait for the Prince of Argentina and the Duke of Chile to join us before I report. Sir Florencio responded.
Then I suppose it is a good thing I see them coming from across the grounds. The Empress motioned to one of her servants, Please get a light repast from the kitchens Amália. The servant girl nodded and headed off.
Around an hour later Sir Florencio was finishing up his report on his trip to the United States.
and so I was able to enter into a new trade agreement and return with assurances that this regime is seeking to improve the image of the United States that the previous one has damaged.
The Empress, her heir, and pair of ministers all nodded in understanding and then moved on to issues closer to home. Duke Enéas, uncle, we need to discuss the issues with Mexico. I know you and my son both feel we should take a harder stance and make a show of force, but I am loathe to send our people to their deaths. Duke Enéas opened his mouth but then closed it as she continued. I know you all see me as weak when it comes to these matters, but I believe as Christ our savior rescued us we should not take any lives lightly. All of the people present including the guard made the sign of the cross out of a deep faith.
We all know your position on war, but we must keep in mind your Majesty that obviously from their actions so far they are out to subjugate their neighbors. We cannot allow this to come to pass because once they start nations find it hard to stop. All we have to do is look back at why we fought for our independence. Duke Enéas said with a quiet but firm voice.
Mother, Uncle, Sir Florencio, spoke up the Prince of Argentina Afonso, I have to say that I know you are discussing the territories to the north held by Europeans and that we cannot remove them by force even if you wanted to do so. But we cannot let that attitude continue here in the Americas. He finished with a slap to the table. All the others present winced slightly for they all knew that despite all his training and obvious intelligence the Prince had never actually been involved in combat, let alone a full war. Duke Enéas responded first.
Prince, you need to understand I have been through a war as a soldier and I hope for your sake we can avoid one. He held up his hand to stall the outburst already coming from the Prince. No you have never had to deal with, and I hope you never have to. Trust me we all agree here that if Mexico continues we will have no choice but to intervene. We do not like it, but it needs to be done.
The Prince sat and nodded though no one at the table was sure they had gotten past all the stories in his head about the glory of war yet. But he was only twenty and the Empress was a very healthy woman still so no one was too concerned about it.