@BenOfTheIwi
Even if both the Emperor and Empress didn't understand a single word of what the native warrior said, the context in which one could hear his voice and the looks on his eyes indicated very well the fact that the relations weren't at all perfect between the two countries. Arriving with the rest of the delegation, including Foreign Minister Alexander Szücs and their guards, they began to discuss the solutions to this welcoming challenge, which wasn't exactly easy at all. "I would suggest that His Majesty pick up that branch by the line and show us much as possible how friendly and humble you are." Szücs gave the little advice he could, knowing that Diplomacy and Iwi weren't exactly according to the ordinary book of protocol.
However Emperor Axel had this feeling that it would've been too easy to begin with, there must be something else that the Iwi required if their delegation would be accepted with open arms and friendly hospitality. After a short while of whispering to his Imperial wife, she gave nod of approval to his plan, which was to say the least probably the craziest and risky he would've undertaken in a state visit, which may or may not cost his life. "Your Majesty, what in the actual heavens are you doing?" Minister Szücs reacted shockingly.
The Krimeonite Emperor began to take off his clothes, handing them over to equally stunned aides, as well as his wedding ring he handed over to the wife. "Sweety, If something should happen to me, I want you to know I've never been happier. You and the kids made my life. Jadwiga will make a very fine Empress, I'm sure they'll understand that sometimes to make progress, great sacrifices ought to be made." he told her and kissed each other so passionately which may be the last ever occasion to do so in this mortal life.
"Szücs I'm planning to take this branch over there and if necessary, sacrifice myself to appease their Gods, our God, to which relations between our nations may be restored for the better, you shall see. I would like to thank the services you've performed for our great Empire..."
"Have you gone mad Axel?" Szücs once more shouted and couldn't believe that the Emperor was acting completely out of his mind; he couldn't bear allowing his very own Emperor and symbol of Krimeon to be sacrificed like a pig fit for slaughter. "You haven't completely recovered from that burnout! I'm sure some additional time in the monastery will put you back in order; this is too extreme as to what you're doing..." he tried to continue before his Monarch began to speak.
"Apparently it's not crazy in your view that we Krimeonites didn't intervene and help these poor fellows out during the 450 years we were given opportunities to do so? The previous governments? My ancestors and myself, now that we've reigned for almost 255 years alltogether? I have to take the risk Szücs, who knows what good may come out of it no matter if I survive this encounter or not." the Emperor explained.
"NO, YOU CA...WHAT IN GOD'S NAME ARE YOU FOOLS DOING? STOP YOUR EMPEROR FROM COMMITTING HIS GREATEST MISTAKE EVER, THAT'S WHY WE'RE PAYING YOU TO BEGIN WITH...-" the bodyguards to their horror and great sadness had to restrain and wrestle with their Foreign Minister as he desperately fought to keep Axel alive from possible doom. Empress Elena simply stood there with a face made of iron and accepted whatever fate was in store for her beloved Imperial husband and began to pray to her God for the Emperor's soul.
Emperor Axel I Poniatowski-Esterházy picked up the branch which was lying by the line, crossed it after taking considerations being replayed over and over in his head and made his way to the warrior with the club. Standing a meter or two away, he fell unto his knees amongst the dirty, placed the branch between himself and the possible executioner and opened up his arms.
"The Imperial Commonwealth of Krimeon's deeds are many, but so are its crimes. The greatest of them all is undoubtedly inaction over your people's butchering under the hands of the Royal Seleucid machinery, to which we could've done something about and help you overcome it during these centuries of oppression and stagnation, but alas in the end we failed your people and the nation. This is why I hereby embrace all of the sins of my people, including my past Imperial forebearers and myself during the years of my reign for not showing official concern until the very end of this hellish nightmare of yours. As much as everyone would like to think so, an apology containing words of sincere remorse isn't enough to make a redemption, amends for the horrible crimes that the RS commited against your people; the intent of my visit is that hopefully we could lay down any squabbles between and work together for the common good; Krimeon is more than ever to repair relations, as long as the United Iwi are willing, and to that if it's required...My Life. If it's by the will of your Gods and Mine, I'm now kneeling right in front of you, Oh Great Warrior of the Iwi, to receive my deserving judgement of everlasting death." Axel ended.
He closed his eyes and no longer could sense anything; each and every moment of his life now sprung past him, from the first days of his reign when he sat on the throne to take over his Grandfather, and up to know. If this indeed was the last breaths he took, he hoped that it would make a difference for Krimeon-Iwi relations in the end and it wasn't in vain. He would have preferred to live longer and die a natural death with the entire family beside him, though he also knew that the country was in good hands, placing his entire fate on his eldest daughter and heiress to continue the great legacy of the Poniatowski-Esterházy name. In silence and contemplation, Axel began to pray to God that he may show mercy and forgiveness if the time indeed came.