Felix’s coronation was a grand affair. Just as he’d told both ladies the event was not limited to national TV only. The restrictions on international reporters were eased greatly to allow significant reporting of Felix’s crowning moment. The palace was already beginning to take shape and looked more than respectable for the placing of the crown, at least in the interior. Hundreds crowded into the old throne room to witness the ceremony, all carefully and meticulously chosen for their loyalty to Felix. We need not mention all that was said, for that would be quite a long page of speeches, declarations and promises.

I will include only that which is most important to our story of Felix. In his own personal address to the people he spoke intensely about his desire for a new Syrnat. One that did not shy away from international relations (Under Communist rule Syrnat had been removed from the UN and only held diplomatic relations with six States. That is the Russian Federation, the Democratic Republic of North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba and the People’s Republic of China.) New Synrat was a land that welcomed foreign diplomats and hoped for foreign representation of their own. Plans were also declared to hold professional transfers where teachers, scientists, and engineers from international States would come to Syrnat and local Syrnats of the same profession would travel abroad.

The threat of the Communist insurgents was mentioned, regularly and with all sincerity, Felix stressed the need for caution and a willingness to follow commands to ensure those ‘enemies of State’, now hiding in the mountains, would be brought to justice.

He also announced his plans for a Royal Wedding, where he and Avelina would become official in the eyes of the world. Unsurprisingly he never mentioned that Avelina was also his Aunt, and the widow of his own uncle who he had murdered. Now did not appear an appropriate time for such revelations. Naturally it never was an appropriate time.

It was here that he formally announced his new Cabinet along with the new departments of his Kingdom. I shall list all of them below.

* Ministry of Public Affairs and Social Harmony. It operated equivalently to a Ministry of the Interior, led by Umtar it dealt with the internal functions of the Kingdom and the maintenance of civility between Balduin soldiers and the local populace.

* Ministry of Animal Relations. A new creation which worked to preserve the natural environment and its wildlife. Felix took control of it himself.

* Ministry of Homeland Protection. The Syrnat Ministry of Defense. Aside from directing the Balduin militia and trusted Restorators Armed Forces, it spent most of its time negotiating ceasefires with the Communist Insurgents and warning people against the guerilla movement. Renal was given its charge.

* Ministry of Communication. Also a new body, it was designed mostly to improve foreign relations, Felix himself oversaw its running.

* Ministry of Revenue and Social Development. Controlled the Syrnat economy and trade. Avelina was given its command.

* Ministry of Tourism. Here too Avelina took control, there had been a similar department in Terio’s reign but it had become almost non-existent in his time such was the danger and general trouble international visitors suffered visiting the nation under Communist rule.

* Ministry of Arts and Entertainment. Karina wholeheartedly accepted the role from her Brother. An area where she displayed a fine ability to spend money, both on financing art events and projects. Despite that overspending none could doubt her innovation. Always seeking out new Festivals and Artists to be enticed to Syrnat’s borders.

* Ministry of Animal Control. Responsible for monitoring animal activity that may be dangerous to Syrnaty citizens. Arisan was made Head of the department.

* Ministry of Labour. Responsible for maintaining Syrnat's workforce. Renal was given its charge.

He never addressed the Concilium directly. Only in his final words did he make any allusion to them at all. And that only discreetly, declaring that the Balduin Family had defeated its enemies, and now wished to assure those watching that they had only one desire. That is to guarantee that his own interests and that of the people of Syrnat were now only to rebuild the nation and secure its future prosperity. All of their focus was now on Syrnat and Syrnat alone.

Now finally confirmed as King Felix decided that a tour was in order. First within his own nation, and secondly abroad. A way of securing popularity within Syrnat, and gaining it without. It began in the third month into his official reign and would encompass a Royal visit to each of the island’s cities and major settlements.

It was the first true chance to see just what the people thought of their new Ruler after all had begun to settle.

Overwhelming the reaction was positive. Though Syrnat was once more under the rule of a Dictator in all but name Felix was not like Terio. For the people there may have been some concerns, but nothing compared to what life had been like before. Unemployment had plummeted drastically, the economy was finally growing for the first time in decades and the level of new infrastructure nationwide was unprecedented in any living memory. So there were some rather strict rules on crime, crime is bad, those who commit it should be punished. The lack of free media was nothing new to them, but at least under Felix international media was permitted once more in the State, if only in a limited capacity.

Already some trade embargoes had disappeared, mostly from Countries readily willing to abandon any restrictions at the sight of Balduin coin. Thus there was already an influx of foreign goods completely unfamiliar to almost all of the island inhabitants. There was a strong and noticeable military presence all over the island’s major cities, particularly Limar, but once again it was here that Terios’ past regime aided Felix. He could afford to be extreme so long as his men were not as heavy handed as the Communist party had been, which was not at all that challenging.

So long as the people were well fed and the right people financed everything seemed perfectly aligned for Balduin rule.

And on top of all that was the people’s curious fascination with their new Royal Rulers. A strange fascination that people everywhere often seem to hold for those who are placed above them through nothing more than a Family name and money. A fascination not exclusive to Syrnat’s populace but one they themselve were fast developing. Felix had naturally boosted such interest with a plethora of articles, media, photos and videos of carefully selected publicity. There were signs even at that early point of a cult of personality forming around both Felix and the others of his family. One he was carefully nurturing.

Of course this was far easier for them than most. Terio for example had attempted his own cult of personality, however his rather wide frame and exaggerated sense of self worth had made him more a hated figure of mockery than anything else. Though no one would ever have said such things openly.

People are attracted to beauty and nobility, and the Balduins displayed both with apparent ease. Young boys had begun replicating Felix, Renal and Arisan in both style and speech, in schools all over the island physical training was made compulsory for all males. Sports, combat training and callisthenics becoming priorities for all young boys.

Whilst the ladies of Syrnat were bombarded with pictures of their new Queen and Princess, both embraced as style icons and lauded as fashionistas. They encouraged girls into the more traditional positions of nursing, homekeeping, fashion and culinary education.

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Here was one of the few points Felix maintained the Restorator's goals, seeking to promote the traditional household in favour of more modern compositions. Though no bans were placed on the LGBT community (another point in Felix’s favour internationally) it was certainly not promoted. Felix saw the traditional family as being far more beneficial to his desired society and landscape.

Any problems people did have were inevitably attributed to the dormant but still alive Communist insurgents which had gone into hiding.

The Royal Procession over Syrnat was rightly then considered an overwhelming success, cementing Balduin control and garnering a large amount of public esteem. With that done Felix now had to look to improving matters abroad, and convincing the outside World that he was indeed creating a land of peace and prosperity for Syrant and its People. That would be tested by his appearance at the next UN congress where he had been approved to speak, the world growing increasingly interested in the man who had supposedly saved the island from tyranny and willingly offered up his own private fortune in the name of Syrnat’s revival.

A week after returning to the Palace, and a week before he jetted off to Geneva Felix brought the family together to discuss their future plans in more detail. Present were Avelina, Karina along with the twins.

“So, firstly let us establish who will be heading to this opportunity of ours.” Felix began once all were seated. As usual he had a bottle of redbreast forty seven year old in front of him. He, Renal and Arisan were all drinking it, Avelina and Karina instead had wine. Neither of the two ladies had touched the whiskey since that notorious meeting.

“Avelina will remain behind to oversee affairs here on Syrnat. The people are well enough in awe of you now, and none better understand the running of our Kingdom. Karina and Renal, you will accompany me. Arisan you shall stay and aid Avelina in what areas she needs.”

“Will not Avelina’s absence only bring more eyes to your relationship? What if they question you?”

“They don’t know anything about me and Avelina, nor our shared history. I wouldn’t worry about that dear sister.”

Despite what he claimed at that moment, in truth I daresay Felix was worried. The UN was already concerned by the new strict laws, reintroduction of the death penalty and labour camps acknowledged and rumoured to be in place on Syrnat. Him marrying his aunt, after having killed his own uncle would have surely been a step too far for even him to handle had it gotten out at that time.

“And why me and Renal? Why us two?”

“Why not you two?”

Karina frowned but said nothing, it seemed to vex her to no end that Felix openly encouraged and welcomed her and Renal growing closer.

Renal and Arisan both nodded assuredly at their cousin’s requests. Both had grown in prominence day by day and were now almost as crucial to Felix as any of his political and economic advisors, certainly they were the only two he seemed to fully trust. Most any of the major issues and problems he faced he strived to deal with himself, but if not him then it was left to the twins to solve.

But it was not merely in the professional sense that Felix and the twins had grown close. What time he had free from ruling and with Avelina Felix spent with both of his cousins.

Many times even within those first three months had the three of them headed into the mountains with a small contingent of their best men whereby they conducted some of the most outrageous parties I have ever witnessed. Infrequent as they were when they had time for such leisure there was massive binges of alcohol, drugs and indeed women.

Despite his evident love for Avelina the boy was not entirely against having fun with the local ladies, nor as it happened were the twins. Felix had a sort of amused admiration for the late Italian Politician Berlusconi, his infamous mountain parties might then be considered as a sort of nod to the other’s bunga bunga parties.

In any case, the twins, whilst still dignified and solemn in the presence of the Queen and Princess, had become quite commanding in all else. Months of giving and orders and issuing commands giving them a source of confidence they now took into their personal life.

Renal had also started to become a rather constant figure by Karina’s side, wherever she went he was not likely to be far behind. An almost unofficial bodyguard of sorts, they had certainly grown close. Though they behaved formally around others there were rumours of them being quite less so in private.

“Anyways,” Felix continued, “as I am sure you are all aware, our priority is to convince the Western powers of the US, France, Germany and England to recognise Syrnat as a legitimate State. One with full independence and soon to be a member of their organisation. We can deal with China and Russia later. Let us get on good terms with the West first.”

“And by the West you mean those countries most under the Concilium’s control. I am sure they have targeted this meeting just as we are. They may work to prevent our entry.”

Felix grimaced, “Yes, that is admittedly a possibility my Queen. Which is why we must do all we can to make a strong case for our involvement, public opinion will rule the day here, I am sure of it. We get that then we will get into the UN.”

“Besides, the people need a distraction, what better than a new Royal Family emerging seemingly from nowhere on an unknown Island. And one that does not look as if it was born wrinkled and upturned.”

“Exactly,” Felix pointed a finger at Renal, “Cousin Renal is correct. We are a worthy distraction to everything that is happening in Gaza and Ukraine. The People are crying out for something like us, that will be enough to override any dissenters, no matter how powerful. It’s too public for them to push too hard against us.”

“Are you sure? We have certainly been in violation with the UN’s rules, there will be questions Felix.” Avelina, organised as ever, had the UN’s rule of law in front of her, “You must be prepared to answer for them.”

“I will. And do not worry. I have friends already on the Council. Some will in fact be visiting us next month. Besides, it is not as if the UN had a definitive line on these things, what law or crime has Israel, the US not committed in its time? All without any true criticism, we will be fine. I know it.”

“Well just make sure to be on your best behaviour Felix, no drugs, no partying. We need to show our most professional face to the world if any of this is to work.”

“I beg your pardon sister? You are warning me to be on my best behaviour? What happened the last time you were in Europe hmm? You remember in Berlin that you-”

“Yes,” Karina interjected, a slight flush coming to her cheeks as Renal glanced sideways at her, “I remember.”

For reference, Karina had placed herself in the midst of a love triangle, one involving footballers from opposing teams. In a rather messy incident in a nightclub both men had come to blows. A scandal, it had taken all of Eustace and Alexander’s considerable resources to ensure Karina was not implicated in the story. The young Balduin heiress taken far away from any possible limelight.

“But that is not the same as this at all Brother, so I don’t see why you are comparing. Just behave is all I am saying. A word of warning because I won’t babysit you.”

“Babysit me? And how would that be? Listen sister just because you ordered a few new wallpapers doesn’t mean you get to-”

“SHE…is just making the point that we must be wary of how we act, all of us.” Avelina forced a smile as she looked from one to the other. Karina continued to glower at her Brother but Felix managed a smile of his own.

“Right, yes, forgive me. Perhaps I misunderstood. And it is a fair point. We will all be on our best behaviour.”

The rest of that meeting was spent analysing the most important members that would be present at the UN and going over once more what Felix would say once he was given the floor at Geneva. Naturally it took some time for the meeting to conclude, mostly spent working on that all important speech. However I won’t waste time further discussing the preparation, not when I intend to give you the finished piece that Felix proclaimed out loud to the world during his first appearance at the UN. For it is a speech worth hearing. One which changed things completely.