In the Ruthenia Empire, Alexander was facing the mirror as he smoothed out his suit, not wanting any wrinkles to be noticed by the people he’ll be speaking with shortly.

Sevastian was watching from behind, observing his emperor fiddling with the buttons on his waistcoat, trying to make sure it was all in line and perfect. He waited patiently for him to finish what he was doing before he can speak up about some urgent news.

And finally, after two minutes, Alexander was done. A smile graced his lips but it was not a smile of happiness but rather an emotion that was kind of the opposite of it. “I need to ask you something.”

“What is it, Your Majesty?” Sebastian inquired politely. His eyes were locked onto Alexander’s back.

“What would be the consequences after I declare war on the Yamato Empire?”

“Well, Your Majesty, a war with the Yamato Empire would surely bring the battlefield to the Choson Peninsula, their protectorate. The St. Petersburg treaty states clearly that the Ruthenia Empire must not expand its borders outside Manchuria. Other nations might see it as an invasion of another’s territory should we deploy troops in Choson.”

“But they are a protectorate of the Yamato Empire, right?” Alexander questioned as he pulled at his sleeve. He could still feel the stare directed toward him. “Surely, there must be no problem if we deploy our forces there, right?”

“You’re right, Your Majesty. But still, the main problem is present. The St. Petersburg treaty. We can only defend Manchuria but not use it as a staging ground to build up forces to invade another.”

“So, what are you suggesting? From the way you speak, I think you already know the answer to it.”

“Certainly, Your Majesty. We can justify to the world that our mobilization towards Choson was a defensive act against the invasion forces of the Yamato Empire and that we must assure each nation that Ruthenia doesn’t have any intentions of annexing or occupying the Empire of Choson. That at the end of the war, the Ruthenia will leave the peninsula promptly once peace is restored. Perhaps you can think of it as liberation since most of the citizens didn’t like Yamato controlling their domestic affairs and their way of life.”

Alexander scoffed softly and spoke wistfully as a memory abruptly came into mind. “Liberation huh? Those words alone made me remember something in the past.”

“I couldn’t follow Your Majesty,” Sevastian replied, not having caught a single word the emperor said.

“Never mind,” Alexander dismissively waved off his questions. “I’m just mumbling. Anyways, since I have negotiated with the Francois Republic to sit this war out, the Yamato Empire won’t be able to invoke the Anglo-Yamato Alliance. We should also look out for the Han Dynasty. Let’s keep this war to ourselves alone.”

“We already have agents in Peking on standby watching every move of every bureaucrat. Just say the word and they will take care of them promptly.” Sevastian reassured, earning a smile from Alexander.“Speaking of Choson, how are our Chosonese emissary guests faring? Are they getting used to living in our country?” Alexander asked. Reminded of the Chosoneses he gave refuge to in his country.

“They are doing well with the hospitality given to them for the duration of the stay. They are still rather in shock at our busy city with all the cars and modern electric machines. They are rather fond of the television, and the bread toaster. And also, they gave us valuable intel about the Yamato forces garrisoned in Choson,”

Sevastian replied, remembering the looks on the guest when they saw the Ruthenian standard of living.

The Choson Empire, like its bigger Han Dynasty neighbor, is still rather way behind in its infrastructures compared to western powers and even Yamato Empire. A huge portion of land is still rural and underdeveloped with many people still traveling to places on foot or taking animal-drawn carts.

Where other powers see an easy target to annex, Alexander sees a country that could stand to profit mutually.

By liberating them from the yoke of the Yamatos, Alexander’s Chosonese guests he is protecting will soon return home as unintended walking advertisements in the Choson Imperial court and speak of the wonderful Imperial Dynamic Systems products they used during their stay in Ruthenia. Thus, opening possibilities for business contracts and massive orders for Ruthenian products to modernize the entirety of Choson’s lands.

There was a knock on the door and both men’s attention immediately went over to it. As they turned around the door opened revealing Sergei. “Your Majesty, members of the Imperial Council are now in their seats. They are waiting for you.”

“Perfect,” Alexander turned around and cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”

…

In the House Chamber located inside the Imperial Council Building, Alexander walked across the platform, he glanced around and saw hundreds of politicians who stood in unison upon his arrival. There are television cameras following his movement as well as the cameras capturing this historic moment.

When he arrived at the podium, he didn’t face the people in front of him, rather he looked behind and gazed at the geographical map of the Ruthenia Empire painted on the wall. It was grand and majestic, enough to make one patriotic and proud of their nation’s history.

After delighting his eyes with the sight of the map of the Ruthenia Empire, Alexander took a deep breath and turned around to face them. The politicians immediately sat in their seats, anticipating the speech of their emperor.

“Members of the Imperial Council, today I have received terrifying news stating that my sisters, the Grand Duchesses of Ruthenia Empire, were attacked during their peaceful royal visit to the Yamato Empire’s capital city of Tokyo. We believe that the Yamato Empire government is behind this atrocious act and I take this as an act of provocation to our motherland. Our great Empire of Ruthenia was at, peace with that nation, collaborating in good efforts to maintain a peaceful relationship that we enjoy that was once severed during the Rutho-Yamato war. Now, the Yamato Empire has broken it again and I will assure you, everyone, that the Ruthenia Empire will not stand idly and tolerate such barbaric acts. Even going as far as keeping my sisters in the Ruthenian Embassy surrounded by military and police forces. Aware of such peril the embassy staff and my sister’s faces, I ordered a military operation to evacuate them through any means necessary. They were safely extracted and are on their way now to a safe place.”

Alexander paused in the middle and observed the people watching him from their seats, nodding in agreement and sympathy.

He continued.

“The Grand Duchesses of Ruthenia Empire is the extension of the Ruthenia Empire itself. An attack on the Grand Duchesses of the Ruthenia Empire is an attack on the Empire of Ruthenia and a direct attempt to murder my sisters. Therefore, in response to this attack, I, Alexander IV, Emperor of the Ruthenian Empire, with full conviction, declare war on the Yamato Empire. As Commander in Chief of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.”

“From the heart of our great nation. I vow to you my people, that I will never make peace while the enemy threatens our holy motherland. God is with us!”

A round of applause erupted among the gathered men and women upon the conclusion of his speech. The declaration of war speech is not only limited to the people that have gathered in the Imperial Council but throughout the Ruthenia Empire and abroad.People who were working at the foundry, factories, and every other type of profession that were gathered around the televisions and radios cheered as well. Their hearts were filled with patriotic sentiments and were fueled with great motivation to work hard for the cause.

In times of war, they’ll be depended upon by their country to produce the war materials needed to accomplish victory.

…

While the Ruthenians were having their moments, the Yamato Empire was watching from the other side of the world through their inventions.

- “So that’s the Emperor of the Ruthenia Empire huh?” Taisho commented. “He looks younger than my eldest son, the crown prince Hirohito.”

“Your Majesty, the Ruthenian Empire has now declared war on us. Your people and the world are now waiting for your response,” Prime Minister Haru urged carefully. “The broadcasting teams are now waiting for you in the broadcasting room.”

“Very well, lead me to it,” Taisho nodded and followed his Prime Minister to the broadcast hall.

As soon as they arrived, the equipment necessary for the emperor of the Yamato Empire to share his speech was ready.

The Ruthenians broadcasted their declaration of war speech on televisions and radios but in the Yamato Empire, they’ll do it in an old-fashioned way.

“We, by the grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, and seated on the throne of a line unbroken for ages eternal, enjoin upon thee, our loyal and brave subjects. We hereby declare war upon the Ruthenian Empire.”

“The men and officers of our army and navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting the war. Our public servants of various departments will perform faithfully and diligently their appointed tasks and all other subjects of ours shall pursue their respective duties.

“The entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their united strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of our royal aims. We have crossed arms with the Ruthenian Empire before for the sake of protecting our national interest in the East. With the destabilizing of such peace, we have no other recourse but to appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path.”

“The hallowed spirits of our imperial ancestors guard us against above and we rely upon the loyalty and courage of our subjects in our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by our forefathers will be carried forward.”

***

Across the globe, the news of a new war took the world by storm.

Newspapers are being bought while the inks are still fresh, and the paperboys sold out within minutes as people want to read about another Rutho-Yamato war that is going to happen.

War journalists, reporters, and some foolish people began packing their bags and booking the earliest tickets for ships, trains, and zeppelin ride to catch the action about to take place.

Market speculators estimated that both Ruthenia and Yamato will have large demands for materials and get ready for larges sales.

Countries preparing their militaries for war should either come calling for alliance aid or worse, the war spilling over into other countries.

Many people assume this time it will end poorly for Ruthenia and Yamato will give them another good thrashing like last time.

What a big shock and surprise everyone is going to get from this war.action