Lyra's POV
"―esident, I've heard that Herwa, our neighbouring country is forming an Economic Union of some sorts," Nalam said. "If I remember, its the international Mariner Trade Union. I think it would be a good idea to join them."
"Ms. President?" he said, trying to get my attention.
"Huh?" I asked in confusion after coming down from my world of imagination.
Fuck, I'm still at this cabinet meeting. When will this stop...
"Like I've said, Herwa is forming an ec―" I interrupted him, "Yes, I heard that. Sorry, I need to focus better."
"Do you need coffee, Ms. President?" Risa asked.
I wish she would just call me that. Or my fucking name, yknow. None of that princess bullshit.
"No no, thank you." I replied in kind.
"Anyways. Going back to that, yeah, sure! I'll write to Herwa abou―" I got interrupted. "To Herwa's IMTU headquarters, Ms. President," he corrected me.
"Alright, to Herwa's IMTU HQ," I said in a slightly asking tone.
"Yep," affirmed Nalam. "I'll entrust the writing of 'Intent to Join' letter to you then, Ms. President."
"Got it!" I exclaimed.
"And that's it Ms. President. Meeting adjourned," said Risa.
Fuck, finallyyyyyy
I stretched out my arms in relief. Yawning, then I let out a tiny squeak. I can hear some giggles from the cabinet. Grrrrrrr don't make fun of me.
The ministers are arranging and packing their things up, readying to go outside.
I hurried up going back to my room. Y'know how it is with me, always hurrying up. Risa accompanied me.
I'll go write this letter to Herwa's IMTU HQ now then.
I went into my table where my typewriter is.
After a while, I've drafted something like this:
---
Novus 26, 1614 AR
From:
The Office of the President
Republic of Ikobitestan
Grove Palace, Grove St., City of Libre, Anek'haru Region, Ikobitestan
Sparkalia
To:
IMTU Headquarters
The Federated Command of the Republic of Herwa
Sparkalia
Hello! I would like to join the IMTU hehee. I think it would be really cool if we both build a mutual port. I can export Ikobite labor to build said port. It will create lots of temporary jobs. And it will be super cool as well because, yknow, money!
Thank uuuuu!!!
Love,
Lyra
---
Look at that. One of my ministers taught me how to write properly. Look at that. Wonderful stuff, really. Wow, writing "The Office of the President of Republic of Ikobitestan" makes it super official as well.
"Hey, Risa," I hollered.
"Yes princess?" she asked.
"Can you give this to the IMTU," I said while handing to her my freshly made letter.
"Sure. I'll make sure this arrives to IMTU at the crack of dawn," she assured me.
"Thank you soooo much!" I exclaimed in joy.
---
Ministry of Strategic Insight (MSI) HQ – Bureau of Arcane Surveillance and Harmonization (BASH)'s POV
Inside a dimly-lit room, emanating a suffocating fog of enchantment and bureaucracy, Agent Kieran Solwyn, senior memetic screener, reviewed the document under enchanted lenses.
"No state secrets, no coordinates, no sigil traces," he muttered. "though the phrase ‘money!’ is culturally ambiguous and potentially memetically resonant... But it’s probably just enthusiasm," he then sighed.
A younger analyst, Juno Myre, leaned over his shoulder.
"She ended the letter with ‘Love, Lyra.’ That’s a diplomatic incident in, like, four languages!" he exclaimed.
"Could be worse. She didn’t include a sketch of her lunch," Kieran laughed to himself.
They stamped it as "Non-sensitive, Low Risk. For Delivery. Proceed with MFA Coordination."
---
Ministry of Foreign Affair (MFA)'s POV
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Valen Seres, a tall and perpetually tired woman who probably hasn’t smiled since the Pre-Revolution period, received a magically-transmitted copy of the President’s letter. She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Ryn, get me parchment," she said in a tired voice. "We’re damage-controlling."
Her aide, Ryn Alvera, pulled up a fresh parchment, enchanted to carry diplomatic warmth and formal subtext.
---
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE
From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Republic of Ikobitestan
Date: Novus 27, 1614 AR
To:
International Mariners Trade Union Headquarters Incorporated
The Federated Command of the Republic of Herwa
Greetings and warm winds from the people of Ikobitestan,
We humbly extend our sincerest apologies for the… exuberance of our President’s previous letter.
While the President’s letter was heartfelt and sincere, it may not fully reflect the formality we place in such matters. Please allow this communiqué to reaffirm our genuine intent and extend an invitation for mutual dialogue, cooperation, and future visits, aligned with your protocol and expectations.
Please rest assured that the Republic of Ikobitestan remains committed to upholding the highest standards of diplomacy, respect, and cooperation. Should your esteemed delegation visit our capital, we will ensure that all accommodations are arranged in accordance with your preferences and diplomatic standards.
We look forward to fruitful relations and a mutually beneficial future within the International Mariners Trade Union.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to strengthening ties in the spirit of peace and prosperity.
In service of peace and prosperity,
Valen Seres
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Acting Diplomatic Liaison
---
"Alright, that's much better," she said.
"Yep, that's definitely better," Ryn assured her.
"Just send pres a carbon copy of this letter," she commanded Ryn.
"Alright, will do," he replied promptly.
---
Lyra's POV
"Ughhhhh it's so formal. It's like drinking tea made from bureaucracy," I whined.
"At least you didn't use that sparkly typewriter ink, again", Risa smirked.
"I actually did!" I proudly told her. "But I used the slightly less sparkly one this time."
