Natalya thought Henrik was making some very valid points regarding their diplomatic side of these talks. "I think we can agree that further meetings should take place. I think however we should release a joint statement saying that when we meet with you and TUNA we are going to, as a mere failsafe, form an agreement on matters between Lodja and Eboracium. That way I can state to the Conclave that we have made some progress, you get to return home with something and that makes your father happy I hope. Then we have a foundation that we can build on when we arrange the TUNA meeting. Perhaps just a short statement saying.
Following a meeting between the Queendom of Lodja and The Heptarchy of Eboracum the two nations have agreed to work together to forge mutually co-operative ties in the future in the realms of trade, transport, security and various other endeavours. While talks are productive the two parties believe that the aims of the two nations will be best served seeking co-operation through TUNA and as such Eboracum will be seeking talks with the organisation and Lodja shall work to ensure the membership are receptive to the approach. The future of Eboracum and Lodjain relations will be strengthened either through the medium of TUNA or if needed seperately.
Both parties are delighted with the initial talks and are hopeful of a great oucome in the coming months
The Queen then handed the document she proposed to Henrik. "We will need though a few moments to discuss amongst ourselves your other matter, we need to consider what approach we take. Svetlana perhaps you can take Henrik for a tour of the estate while we organise a few things."
"Of course your Divine Majesty." Svetlana stood and extended a hand to Henrik. "If you'd care to follow me Prince" she waited for him to stand and then lead him out the room walking a few steps ahead of him still holding his hand. As they left she turned and took him along the corridors which were festooned in art and scultpure. "So Your Highness I hope you don't mind me asking but a handsome prince like yourself must literally have girls throwing themselves at you. I know in Lodja a handsome Prince would be drowning in noble girls at our balls. Yet here you are asking our Queen to play match-maker. Is there some cultural thing we don't know about that makes Eboracumian ladies blind." She asked.
Meanwhile in the room Natalya and the three remaining Ladies began scheming. "Such a shame he's not Lodjain" Natalya began. "Now assuming Svetlana hasn't taken him on a tour of her bed chambers we need to think how to handle this. I think this is a useful tool and an opportunity to get some strong foundations in our neighbours household. I mean one day he'll be Emperor and then we'd have a friend in his house....or bed. Its almost like a less organic version of Stasya and David but on this occasion we aren't going to be getting a high status noble. I mean while I'm sure they'll be many girls up for the job, a chance to basically be a royal, live a life of luxury I think the idea of eventually playing second....or even third fiddle isn't going to go down well with the bigger families. So anyone suggest anyone?"
Jasmina was perhaps the most well connected of the group in terms of the movers and shakers within Lodjain society. "The Pavlovsky family for a start. Klavdiya turned 19 this summer and is a beautiful young lady. Her father though is a drunk and gambles far too much. Rumour has it that the Forest Palace they own is going to be sold to pay off the Lord's debts."
"Keep me posted on that Palace." Natalya said, "I like that place and if we've a chance to acquire it then we can have some awesome parties there."
"I would think Klavdiya would expect that the rumours would be enough to put off the potential suitors she'd otherwise get." Jasmina was tapping away on her phone. "Apparently she had only one marriage proposal this summer season which is insane."
"Mark it as a possibility." Natalya responded as Jasmina scribbled it down.
"What about the Zaytsev family?" Tonya pitched in. "The main branch of the family went against Queen Klara but the smaller part of the family remained loyal. They've a desire to show loyalty and something like this allows them to help Queen Natalya out and then gives Henrik a family that was once well connected, it will also marginalise the main branch and mean that Yuri Zaytsev would likely become the defacto leader of that family ensuring its loyalty. I think Katjusha is single, she's 20 and I hear that she turned down the new academy because she intended to join the Army in order to try and get the family back into favour."
"Excellent prospect" Natalya said, "I think Yuri Zaytsev has also petitioned me in the past to find a suitable husband for his older daughter, this could perhaps be a way to show some support for him."
"Alyona Feofilakt" Zhenya suddenly announced. "If you remember last summer she was caught up in that scandal of her father being involved in the whale farm thing. She got a lot of hassle online and she had been engaged to one of the great-grandsons of Queen Sonya. That's been cancelled. She's kind of now in a little bit of a limbo. Her family isn't hated but isn't respected. The Feofilakts are kind of being given a wide berth in high society. Suddenly having their youngest daughter tied up with a future Emperor is going to help them."
"Interesting I didn't know she'd had her engagement broke off." Natalya watched as Jasmina wrote a few things down. "Its 10am. I say we've realistically 8 hours before dinner tonight with Henrik. Lets see if we can't get at least one of them here to meet him and get the ball rolling. Jasmina thats over to you."
"No problem" Jasmina exited and began making the phone calls. It didn't take her long to track down all three girls and get their responses, all of them knew this was a golden opportunity not just for their families but for the Queendom. Beside Jasmina has done a great job on promoting Henrik and all the girls seemed rather intrigued.
4pm
Svetlana has finished her walk around the Palace with Henrik and now returned him to see the Queen who once Henrik was sat comfortably dismissed all the Ladies in Waiting. "While you've been away we've been rather busy." She giggled a little. "We've made some phone calls and we have three good candidates for your proposal of being consort. Now of course they could easily say no and I will not order them to do it, I don't think morally that would be acceptable nor is it what you want. I have however arranged for them to join us for dinner. We've Klavdiya Pavlovsky, she's 19 and while exceptionally beautiful there is an issue, her father is in debt and I think Klavdiya would see being consort as a way of wiping that shame from her family. Next we have Katjusha Zaytsev, she's 20 and a very sweet girl. Her family were torn a little apart during our civil war. The family want back in the royal good books and I think she would see this as a duty that could help her do that and ensure her famil honour is restored. Finally we have Alyona Feofilakt, was very highly regarded both in terms of beauty and family connections. Her engagement was cancelled to a Prince by descent after her father was caught up in some conspiracy. Now while each of these girls has families less than pristine they are the ones that we think you'll find beautiful enough to want to share your bed but also likely to agree to be a consort rather than wife and to do so in quick time. Is there any that you wish us to introduce you to first?"