It was going to be a pretty long day. A day before the reception at the Royal Palace the Hyspannia Dynamics HD-112 belonging to the Imperial Household landed at the International Airport of Kaldea. This plane was for the exclusive use of the Prime Minister, the rest of the Cabinet and the diplomatic missions around all Ordis since the HD-1112 (A smaller version) were only for the Imperial Family.
Nicknamed “Centurion” by the pilots of the Group 5 the plane was painted on a pristine white color along with two thin red stripes from the tail to the cabin, on the right side of the fuselage “Nueva Hyspania” was written while on the left, “Aviación Imperial” could be read. The Coat of Arms of the Imperial Household was under the chain of windows from right to left next to the plane’s door.
The “Centurion” was carrying, apart from the security staff and part of the Hyspanic Diplomatic Mission two very special characters: For one side there was Xavier Ocando, executive of HyspanOil, one of the few state-owned companies. Mr. Ocando was in charge of the Inter-institutional Commercialization Department being on office around twelve years. Last but not surely not least, the newly elected Prime Minister of the Empire, Helenna Monserrat. The nationalist industrial engineer was in charge of the Hyspanic Government for five months now and this was going to be her first official event outside her home country. After finishing all the respective matters in the Ahrenic Custom, the Hyspanic Delegation headed to their embassy on two black sedans.
After having some words with Dr. Calzadas, the Hyspanic ambassador, Monserrat headed to her room. The small but comfortable habitation was painted on light marble, counted with a slim screen TV, desk, bathroom and king size bed. Over the bed were a navy blue dress and the invitation for the ball, the woman approached and took the paper on her hands to read it again, the temperature of the room made her remember the warmth of the office back at La Velena, and the situation brought back a very unlucky quote made by one antecessor. “How can be possible…” She thought. At that time someone knocked the door.
―Come in― she said.
The door opened without noise and Xavier Ocando stepped into the room, the 42 years old man was attired on his tailored grey suit and black tie over a white dress shirt and polished black dress shoes. He was tall, dark haired; his coffee-colored eyes had a friendly yet inquisitive look remarked over the glasses he was using.
―Excuse me Prime Minister, I didn’t meant to disturb you.
―You haven’t done anything, it’s nothing.
―Good. I just wanted to talk about some last time details on the event of this evening.
―It would be smart to keep them until the next two hours, I’m expecting a call from Minister Holt and then we can talk about this on the meeting before our departure to the Royal Palace. Understood?
―Yes, Prime Minister.
―And just one thing: If we are going to work together on this assignment of ours we need to break some boundaries, just call me by my name or surname as suits you, I’ll do the same. Of course we are going to do this on private matters, on public you know how it goes. I made myself clear?
―Yes, Helenna.
The prime minister nodded and dismissed Ocando with a gesture. When the door closed behind her, Helenna returned to remember her predecessor: The conservative Mercedes Briceño-Blanco, who in her time was the first woman to reach the head of government during the years of the "Reconstruction" at the end from the war.
Briceño-Blanco was a woman of those times: haughty, scathing and accurate in her statements, a true iron lady, defender of national values and democratic institutions. When she was asked in an interview what she thought of a country called Ahrenok in the continent of Valeya, she said: "Ahrenrok is by far the most decadent and abject serpent lair in Ordis, the hammer of justice shall fall over their heads for good."
Just remembering it made him feel ashamed. Now she was there, in a different country, different from the rest, known for its traditional secrecy and its policies contrary to the western democratic government system. Even so, she felt optimistic, knew that she should amend such indiscretion, try to improve the image of her Majesty's government before her hosts and the rest of the international dignitaries. It was the perfect opportunity.
At that moment his phone rang, it was Minister Holt, of foreign relations.
-Yes, Mr. Holt ...
The twilight had given rise to the night, the city of Kaldea offered in that season of the year a warm and comfortable climate, the breeze of the night subtly caressing the trees and their leaves. Kaldea was, in addition, a highly organized and clean city, in addition to modern; You could see skyscrapers and buildings of unique architecture. A really superb place.
When Helenna could appreciate the views the capital thought it was like being in a place where the outside world had not permeated, a city without any parallels. And even more impressive were the gardens of the royal palace where he was walking: leafy hedges, trees trimmed with a master planter technique and the walled with its lanterns and climbing plants.
Beside her was Mr. Ocando, accompanying her on her tour before the reception in the garden.
―So, we are going to take this proposal to the President of the Conglomerate?
―It is one of the most important personalities of the Golden Circle, the caste that governs the country.
―I understand, everything is in the folder that we will show to him anyway.
Helenna looked at him with confidence and a touch of complicity.
―It will attract his attention. I'm sure.