"Whelp, looks like the Tamorans are on their way from the airport. So far it looks like everythi-," Songprawati On Choi Phanthittra, State Elder of Kinkhnland, said as she turned to look at the Empress. When she saw the Empress standing there, cigarette in one hand and a lighter in the other, she frowned, "The fuck are you doing, Sao?"
"What does it look like I'm doing? It's the first international visit in Ancestors know how long, I deserve to have a good smoke before they get here," Empress Saowakhon said with a shrug, then went to light the cigarette.
"No you don't," Phanthittra took a step forward and swiped the lighter out of her hands, "You know what the doctors said."
Saowakhon scowled, "If I listened to the doctors every time they told me not to smoke, I'd-"
"Your lungs wouldn't be full of cancer, is what."
"Give me back my lighter, Phanthittra. Now."
"Or what?"
"I'll just call in a servant to bring me one of my literal dozens of other lighters, is what I'll do."
Phanthittra sighed, and set the lighter down on a nearby table, "Sao. This isn't a joke, you know. That flu could've killed you, and you're still healing. This is the last thing you need."
"I appreciate your concern, but they're my lungs. And I'll smoke all I damn well please," the Empress moved to grab the lighter.
"All right, fine. I'll have to go talk to Minister Wan about how Tamora knowing that our nation is lead by a feeble, decrepit, old woman might effect relations."
"Excuse me?" Empress Saowakhon's eyes narrowed as she picked up the lighter.
"You're still recovering from the flu; if you smoke then you're liable to have a coughing fit when you're meeting with the Tamorans. Several, in fact. Is that going to give off the impression of a strong leader?"
Saowakhon was still for a moment, before she slammed the lighter back down on the table in anger, "Ancestors damn it all. You're right. But as soon as they leave I am having a smoke, and you cannot stop me."
Phanthittra just sighed and nodded her head, content enough with this victory at least. Plus she knew the Empress; there was nothing she'd be able to say to change her mind on that.
------
The arrival of the Empress was presaged by a small cough from outside the door, and a few seconds later the Empress arrived alongside Minster Wan. The Empress was an older woman 74, the face lined with deep wrinkles & her hair pure white. But despite her age and elderly appearance, she held herself like a woman decades her junior as she strode into the room.
"Her Imperial Majesty Tantasatityanon Thikhamphorn Saowakhon, Grand Princess of Krung Rek & Empress of the Kinkhn," Minister Wan said, gesturing to the Empress.
Empress Saowakhon scanned the Tamorans as she made her way to her seat; from what she had heard everything had gone exceedingly well aside from a small disturbance outside the Palace, but it didn't seem as though the Tamaorans had noticed. Saowakhon had high hopes for the visit as she personally preferred to align her nation with the traditional regimes of Midaranye, unlike others in the government.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, I hope that the trip from Tamora was a pleasant one," the Empress said politely, "If you do not mind, I would like to congratulate you on the upcoming marriages of both of your sons. As a mother, I know that there are few days more joyous than the marriage of ones children."
"But I must admit that I was quite glad to receive your offer to visit Kinkhnland. The culture & heritage of a nation are something that belongs uniquely to that nation's people, and ours is something we Kinkhns are rightfully & fiercely proud of. To share it with others, especially as honoured a guest as you, is something we truly delight in. And, Ancestors willing, perhaps we shall find a common ground that can serve as the foundation for any potential future relations."