The phone on Alexander's desk rang, prompting the two to halt their mouths and flickered their gazes onto it.
"Your Majesty, do you like me to leave and give you the room? I have nothing to report anyways," Sevastian asked, walking out from behind Alexander and standing in front of him.
"Usually I get calls when something is urgent. I wonder who, if it's in our government then you may stay as I might need your counsel but if this is from the Imperial Dynamic Systems, then you may go."
"Very well Your Majesty," Sevastian nodded politely before grabbing the remote control of the television and putting it on mute.
The telephone continued to ring until Alexander picked it out from its cradle. "Okay spill it out."
"Your Majesty, sorry for the sudden call and the inconvenience this could bring but I have an important person on the line wishing to speak with you."
Alexander recognized the voice of the caller, it was the Foreign Minister of the Ruthenia Empire, Sergei.
"Get him on the line," Alexander beckoned.
"Ah, no Your Majesty, it's not him but she," Sergei corrected himself.
"Then put her on the line," Alexander said as he glanced at Sevastian. He whispered to him. "Someone wishing to speak with me and I don't know who but the sex is revealed."
Sevastian leaned forward, humming. "This is interesting. I'm also curious as to who that might be."
After a beep, the call was connected to another person. Alexander spoke. "Before you introduce yourself, you must be aware that I'm not a person that you can just contact anytime at your convenience. You must fill out papers to--."
"Hello, cousin...it's been a long time hearing your voice,"
A soft voice trailed from the other end of the line like a whisper of a mother. It was motherly and the tone was familiar.
"Diana?" Alexander uttered her name.
"I hope that I'm not disturbing your work, how long has it been? I can't remember."
"I'm not certain of the date but the last time we spoke is about us sealing the deal of selling a battleship for your Royal Navy, am I right?"
Alexander tried to recall the exact date of their last call but the fact that his mind was preoccupied with the issue at the time is making it a hard time to remember.
Speaking of which, Alexander's memories are starting to fog these days. There were some instances when he was at one of the research facilities of the Imperial Dynamics System where he was inspecting one of the gas turbine engines for the ocean freighter and suddenly suffered from a sudden brief memory loss. It happened for a brief moment before regaining the said lost memory. It was a humiliating day for Alexander. Maybe it's from a lack of sleep?
"Yeah, you're right," Diana confirmed. In Buckingham Palace, in her bedroom, she can be seen twirling with the strands of her hair.
"Diana, why did you exactly call me? Don't tell me you want to catch up."
"That's a bit cold, cousin. You never used to act so cold and distant towards me," Diana pouted.
"I have been busy lately so I'd like to settle everything quickly. So, returning back to my question, why did you call me?" Alexander sternly asked again.
"You have heard the news, right? About our uncle's response to the atrocious acts committed by the Boxers on the International Legation Quarter."
"Of course I did, I just watched it on the television, it was a stirring speech I must say," Alexander commented.
"The truth is, the Britannia Empire is getting in on the action as well. You must know that the Britannian Ambassador to the Han Dynasty, Sir Claude has been killed inside the International Legation Quarter along with his staff. This is a provocative act that justifies a retaliatory strike against the Hanese."
"So the Britannia Empire is joining huh? Two great powers decided to wage war on the Hanese, making the conflict in the Hanese very complicated. You know that they are dealing with a civil war there right? And one of the faction fighting is the Boxers, a movement that began three decades ago. Do you know the Boxers' attitude towards foreigners? I have offered them help if they'd like to evacuate but they said no. Everything could have been prevented if not for them staying in a war-torn nation."
"It's too late, the parliament has already decided," Diana stated. "For the reason, I called you, it is because we require your aid."
"Diana, your country is the biggest empire in the world and boasts a strong navy across seven seas. You don't need our help," Alexander looked momentarily at Sevastian who shook his head, suggesting that they shouldn't help Britannia and Deutschland. "Also, there's been discord between the people of the Han Dynasty and the Ruthenia Empire after we annexed Manchuria. And to add the incursion of their space. Any direct intervention would result in an unfixable relationship so we will sit this one out. After all, we have no gripe over the Hanese people since my people living there were evacuated out to safety."
"Is that so? Well, I can't say I didn't try right?" Diana said. "I was hoping that we can get your help to deal with the situation swiftly but no, you must have your reason and I completely understand from your point of view. There is a line you cannot cross."
"Then we have an understanding. Before we end the call, allow me to express my deepest condolences to the Britannians that perished on the International Legation Quarter," Alexander said solemnly.
"Thank you," Diana muttered softly.
"If there's nothing more, I'll put down the phone."
"No no wait!" Diana said urgently, imagining herself stopping Alexander by the arm from going away. "There is something else I want to ask you, it's important."
"What is it?" Alexander replied simply.
"On this coming April, I will have my coronation. I am inviting you to come there. Of course, you can say no. After all, I didn't come to your coronation day..."
"Okay," Alexander replied flatly.
"Eh? You're going?" Diana blurted out surprised at Alexander's reply. That was easy.
"Of course. I see no reason why not," Alexander shrugged off.
Diana's face dropped. "Oh really?" She chuckled nervously before continuing. "Okay then, see you in April I guess?"
"Yes," Alexander replied.
Diana hummed in response and ended the call without further ado. Hearing his confirmation, she jumped out from her seat and dived into her bed, pulling her covers up onto her head in excitement.
