--- 3rd Person POV ---
--- 6th of June 1907 ---
Yuvraj Siagu remains silent, pondering over his mama's words. He has indeed been pushing for reforms that he thought were beneficial for his family in the long run, forgetting the difference between the monarchy in Asia and in Europe.
Although he was confident in emphasizing his family's importance in Butuan to Mary of Teck, he was inwardly fearful of his family's future and the possibility of experiencing the same bad luck as the British monarchy or even the unpopularity of the Spanish and Thai monarchies.
Criticism about the royal family's exception on taxes and the continual support the public provided to the royal family through taxes back on his previous life always haunts Yuvraj Siagu when thinking about the future of his family. He can still remember how the popularity of the Thai monarchy plummeted after the talk about taxes came, which haunts him constantly.
Thus, despite knowing how absurd or idiotic the idea of having the entire imperial family pay their taxes while subsequently relinquishing ownership over those palaces. Yuvraj Siagu still brought this to his mother, as before he could even bring this to the Imperial Estate Agency and the Ministry of the Imperial Palace, he still needed the approval of his parents.
And as he was expecting, he was denied and even reminded by his own mother of what it was like being the monarch of Butuan. It also awakens him to the idea that what he is doing is leading the family into losing its power over the nation and the government. As his mother has said, the monarchy is an institution completely different from the other institutions of the empire, even with the temple of Butuan.
Yuvraj Siagu allowed the silence to stretch between them, his mother's words resonating deeply as he stared into his cup of tea. The soft clinking of ceramics as Maharani Alice placed her teacup back on the table brought him back to the present.
He raised his gaze, meeting her sharp, yet affectionate, eyes. "You are right, Mama," he admitted, his tone thoughtful. "Perhaps I have been too fixated on the idea of reforming everything in the name of progress, forgetting the delicate balance that sustains our position. The monarchy isn't just a governing body—it's the heart of this empire's identity. And any reform that weakens its perception risks unravelling the trust and faith that bind us to the people."
Alice's expression softened, her maternal pride shining through. "I'm glad you understand that, my son. It's not about resisting change entirely but ensuring that change strengthens the monarchy rather than erodes its essence. The public doesn't look to us for policy or politics—they look to us for continuity, for something unshakable amid life's uncertainties."
Siagu nodded, his resolve tempered by the wisdom his mother imparted. "Then perhaps my approach must shift. Instead of drastic measures that could be misinterpreted, I will focus on subtle adjustments—actions that enhance the monarchy's reputation without compromising its authority or symbolism."
"For instance?" Alice prompted, her tone encouraging but measured.
"Taking your suggestion, Mama, I could address the Imperial Grant's clauses. Phasing out the direct public subsidy while ensuring our financial independence could demonstrate accountability without diminishing our status. Similarly, streamlining how the Imperial Estate Agency manages the palaces under its purview could project efficiency and responsibility, even if we retain ultimate ownership."
Alice nodded approvingly. "That would be a wise beginning. It shows a willingness to adapt without undermining the core of who we are. And remember, Siagu, your words and actions carry weight. While you push for change, ensure you always convey the timeless strength of the institution."
Siagu's lips curled into a small smile. "Understood, Mama. I will tread more carefully. The reforms I propose will fortify the throne, not weaken it."
"Good," Maharani Alice meaningfully stated while smiling towards her son, "I know what you are planning in the long run. And I have no plans to stop this plan of yours, but let me remind you that despite the government's unpopularity, it is still an institution that people prefer, and even your papa prefers to have. Not because it gives the people a sense of representation, but because it provides us with protection, protection from any criticism.
Your papa has already decided that the parliament must remain while he is the one ruling the nation. As the adhipālaka, you know too well how to maintain this balance. If you ever wanted to fully take control of the government, dissolve the House of Lords and take its power, but maintain the House of Commons to give the people a sense of representation within the government."
Understanding what his mother was saying and getting the broader picture, Yuvraj Siagu nodded in recognition. Dissolving the entire parliament is really not the solution in bringing an absolute rule over the empire; the House of Lords, the only house that provides no representation of the public, is the sole body of the government that is dissolvable, according to Yuvraj Siagu's opinion.
Dissolving the House of Lords will not just bring power back to the monarch but will also remove a body that practically has no use in the empire's affairs. The House of Commons, on the other hand, is far different, with the house being the voice of the people as status means almost nothing in the chamber; dissolving it entirely will bring nothing but a backlash to the monarch.
But the current House of Commons is far from the one that Yuvraj Siagu have envision the House should be. Thus, Yuvraj Siagu promises that once he takes the helm from his father's hand in the near future, he will first reform the government in his fashion, eliminating corruption within the institution.
With that, the tension in the room eased, leaving behind an air of understanding and mutual respect. As the sun dipped lower, casting golden hues over the city, Senior Eunuch Radhesh entered the room, announcing the start of supper, which Maharani Alice and Yuvraj Siagu waited. The pair then proceeded to the dining room of the palace and had their dinner along with Yuvraj Siagu's parents, wife, siblings, and relatives.
The dinner went smoothly without an ounce of disturbance, having Maharajkumar Kiran and Maharajkumari Anaya along with their cousins providing the laughs that everyone needed. Before the night came to an end, Yuvraj Siagu visited his wife, Yuvrani Abbhantripaja to her chamber.
The days went by without an ounce of disturbance from the outside world. The government of Butuan took 4 weeks to stabilize after the resignation of Aguinaldo, with Prime Minister Sanhi now fully controlling the entire House of Commons under the leadership of the Conservative Party.
Along with the stabilization of the government, a trial was then made by the Imperial Judicial Council on the matters of cases filed by Yuvraj Siagu himself, bringing another blow to those individuals involved in the case. Even noble houses that were involved in the case were never spared, as all of their assets and dealings were frozen by the court while the investigation was ongoing.
This was evident after a noble of baron rank was convicted of bribery and corruption, sentencing him to 80 years in prison and having his assets seized by the government after being found guilty. The assets being seized were a manor in the Sabah region and a few businesses that were proven to be the fruit of his dealings. It was huge news in the entire empire as it was the first time in 100 years that a noble family was found guilty and had its assets sequestered by the government.
In the newly acquired land of the Far North Region of Butuan, which was once part of Eastern Siberia. Trade once again resumed after months of being halted due to damages on railways, and road improvements were made to hasten bringing essentials within the region, as the coast it has were always covered with ice. The temple of Butuan has also established its first temple in the province of Amur, evangelizing the people to the faith of Aylashanism.
Although an uprising was occurring due to language and cultural differences, as Butuan had forcefully introduced its language and culture to the people. All were nothing in the face of the military of the empire, crushing any uprising before it could even gather some support.
But despite the uprising happening within the region, a number of native inhabitants and Russians have slowly accepted the Butuan Empire rule. Testament to this is the growing number of individuals attending schools and visiting government buildings, seeking help and assistance. Which the military government of the Far North willingly provided as they were being sponsored by the government of Butuan.
Tourism has also boomed in the region as resorts and leisure activities that needed snow and ice were appearing one after another in the city of Sanghaya, the capital of Seljo. Causing wealthy Butuanons to acquire patches of private lands to be used for summer houses, causing the employment rate to skyrocket in the region, a phenomenon that was never experienced by the natives and ethnic Russians.
While in the regions of Gunung and Bangkit, taking full control and bringing peace and order within the regions were far from being easy. Due to the sheer number of added civilians and the dilapidated situation of most towns and villages, not to mention the number of nationalistic individuals within the region. Bringing stability was far from reality even after a year of control.
Although the provinces that supported and welcomed the Butuanon Imperial Army are increasing, those that are bordering the Qing Dynasty were far from being brought into the fold of the Governors-general. But despite this, relief operations were continuously happening within the region, helping the populace who were unable to provide food for themselves.
This did not just boost the morale of the people but has even made them look at the Butuanon Imperial Army in a brighter light. Although Gunung and Bangkit were far more in need of rehabilitation, Yuvraj Siagu knew that if completed, it would not be long before these regions became an integral part of the empire's economy. Not just in agriculture but also in manpower.
Doubling that of the growing investment made by the government and a few stable manufacturing companies in the empire towards Gunung and Bangkit, the future of these regions is already secure. And in the near future, when stability is established in these regions, Yuvraj Siagu believes that overtaking the USA economically will not be a distant dream to achieve.
Not to mention that Gunung and Bangkit alone have brought a total of 203 million inhabitants, add to that the 1.05 million inhabitants from the Far North Region, coupled with the original 70 million inhabitants of the empire. Butuan Empire now boasted a total of 274.05 million individuals. Although far fewer compared to the population the British Empire has, Yuvraj Siagu believes that this number will not be far from reach in the long run.
The situation in Peking has also been favourable for Sooraj and her allies. Since the installation of the 4 commissioners from Butuan, Siam, Japan, and Korea, within the court of the Qing Dynasty, everything has been developing for the better. Despite having only a standing army of 50 thousand soldiers, stability was brought to the remaining land of the Dynasty after Prince Chun was deposed just months after the end of the war, bringing back Emperor Guangxu to power.
But not really in power as Emperor Guangxu remains bound by the treaty and is listening to the advice of the 4 commissioners rather than any other within the Imperial court of the Dynasty. Its offense against the forces of Yuan Shikai has been a huge success over the past months, with them retaking the province of Sinkiang. But due to the rough terrain of Tibet and Kantzu, Emperor Guangxu decided consolidate his power first within his empire before fully crushing Yuan Shikai's forces.
Back in Sooraj, Yuvraj Siagu once again was back at the confines of the four-walled office of his father, burying himself in the piles of papers stacked within the side of his office table.
"Your Imperial Highness," Senior Eunuch Radhesh called.
"What is it?" Yuvraj Siagu answered without batting an eye to his courtier as he buried himself in reading the reports about the current development in the Far North Region and the research team's expedition in Antarctica.
"A letter has arrived from Honolulu bearing the seal of Prince Consort Rohan Harish." Senior Eunuch Radhesh answered as he placed the letter at the office table, allowing Yuvraj Siagu to reach it easily.
Seeing the envelope with the combined seal of House Sharada, Yuvraj Siagu could not help but smile in amusement. It appears that his cousin has fully accepted the fact that his dream family with his wife is now nothing but a distant past.
This reminded Yuvraj Siagu of how his cousin and his puppet wife made a scene back then as both tried to cut ties with the empire, a foolish action that was only met with nothing but stern retribution. And since then, Kaʻiulani has remained under house arrest while her daughter, Princess Kahealani, was raised by Maharajkumar Sharvil. Moulding her to be a great puppet noble.
The stability of Hawai'i remains strong after the arrest of the involved ministers and the tightening of the empire's grasp on the island. The process of making Hawai'i a province of Butuan has also been sailing smoothly, slowly moulding the minds of the people, eradicating any thought of independence towards Butuan rule.
The tightening control of Butuan towards Hawai'i has also halted any idea of the United States meddling with the matters in the island, as the once ample number of American citizens present in the island was reduced significantly after it was announced that Queen Kaʻiulani and Prince Consort Rohan will be stepping out from government affairs and instead be giving the reign towards Maharajkumar Sharvil and the 3 elders council of Cleghorn, Bishop, and Queen Emerita Liliʻuokalani.
But this is not the content of the letter received by Yuvraj Siagu from his cousin, Rohan. It was an invitation to the upcoming Christening of Princess Kahealani. The letter also mentioned that Rohan would like him and his wife to be the child's godparents while subsequently requesting that he bring an Aylashan priest, which Yuvraj Siagu fully understood.
Rohan wanted his child to be baptized at an Aylashan temple, not on an Anglican faith.
This also made him have his thoughts wander to the happenings within the empire and outside for the past years, remembering details that had affected him and his people.
In the Middle East, after months of closing the deal with the Imam of Yemen and the Amir of Riyadh and establishing a secret outpost in Riyadh and Yemen in 1904, the Butuan Empire and its military had already gained significant influence over the two petty countries.
The very first settlement of Butuanon forces was built in Bani Nukay, Yemen, by the end of 1904. In the subsequent month of 1905, the second independent secret military settlement of Butuanon forces in Al Bustan appears in Riyadh, both are inhabited by Butuanon scientists, engineers, and military personnel assigned to the area. No trace of Emirati nationals was allowed inside the settlements except for high-ranking Yemenis and Riyadh officials.
Without the British in Aden and Ottomans in Ha'il, Butuanon forces under the umbrella of Yuvraj Siagu slowly establishes its control in Yemen and Riyadh. Covered by the barren desert and mountains, research facilities and military camps were erected, starting their mission of studying the terrain and searching for the oil that they were looking for.
Even during the years that Butuan joined the war against the Qing Dynasty and Russian Empire, Butuanon assigned in the Middle East continued their research and increasing its control of the region in secret.
But their research and oil exploration for the past years came with a cost as the environment is far harsher than they all have experienced in Butuan. Not to mention their slow progress made over the months of their stay due to intense heat and severe cold at night. But instead of being reprimanded by Yuvraj Siagu, they were instead further encouraged after receiving an increase in their salary. Boosting their morale and support for Yuvraj Siagu and the monarchy.
On the border of the Sabah Region and the Dutch East Indies, tension continues to rise after soldiers from both sides continue to clash with each other in smaller scale. With Butuan still recuperating and the Dutch not wanting to escalate the tension into an all-out war, a demilitarized zone was made by the month of August 1906 along the border of the two nations.
Signed by Foreign Minister Li Hongyi and Governor-General Johannes van Heutsz, the treaty established a temporary ceasefire and the creation of a neutral zone, basically another no-man's zone similar to that in the border between the Champa region and French Indochina. The agreement, though fragile, was seen as a necessary step to avoid a broader conflict. However, both sides viewed it more as a pause to regroup rather than a true solution. This is because more Aylashan locals call for revenge over the deaths of Aylashan pilgrims in the Dutch East Indies.
But British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Sir Edward Grey, having visited Sooraj weeks after the end of the war, made a deal with the then Prime Minister Aguinaldo to have an agreement of non-interventionism in hopes of promoting peace within the region, which Prime Minister Aguinaldo accepted. Along with this is the information of having all trade return to normalcy, a situation that Sir Grey hoped to occur as trade was disrupted during the war.
The Temple of Butuan and its council, despite the open letter sent to Yuvraj Siagu regarding the development, were asked to stand down and remain in neutral ground, causing the evangelizing of the Dutch East Indies natives to be halted. But few medical nuns and priests were allowed to stay on the border, providing religious and medical relief to the soldiers near the border.
As chaotic and tense as the situation in the Sabah region was in 1906, in the same year, a disaster was brewing in the Champa region of Butuan and the borders of the Kingdom of Siam to the French Indochina territory, once again. Despite the demilitarized zone present, tension still mounted to a boiling point as stand-offs and provocation from both sides continue to happen.
This was the response of the government of French Indochina after feeling encircled by Siamese and Butuanon forces. It was nearing its tipping point before Yuvraj Siagu in December of 1906 ordered the soldiers of Butuan to standdown knowing that Butuan was still recuperating from the damage dealt during the previous war. This was also echoed in Siam, giving the situation a fragile halt.
In the Russian Empire, just a year passed since Tsar Nicholas II was deposed, a lot of things had happened over the year. Tsar Michael II and the new Duma of the Empire manage to consolidate power and stabilize the empire after months of instability, after losing Eastern Siberia. Reforms were introduced gradually from all sectors of the government, from the military to the economy, and all experienced reforms that had never been done for decades.
The deposed Nicholas II was then exiled to a remote village in Argentina, living his life as a normal citizen without titles and influence. But he was also under strong surveillance by the Russian forces, ensuring his safety. His wife and children were back in Russia, and Tsarevich Alexei was named as the next Tsar, much to the shock of the Duma and the tabloids. But what is more shocking is the silence and acceptance of Tsar Michael II's wife.
Empress Dowager Maria, Grand Duchess Elizabeth, and Tsarina Emerita Alexandra, along with her children, toured the lands of the Pan-Oriental Alliance, which took them 8 months to complete. Visiting Bangkok for their first stop, and then Hanseong, Tokyo, and finishing with Sooraj, all in the name of a tour, but in reality, it is to establish a stable relationship between the alliance and Russia.
Grand Duchess Olga, in particular have grown fond of Maharajkumar Ainesh, whom she viewed as her friend and older companion during her stay in Sooraj for 3 weeks. With Grand Duchess Olga constantly tailing behind Maharajkumar Ainesh, wanting to spend time with him. Which Maharajkumar Ainesh responded with goodwill and has been on the side of the Grand Duchess during her stay in Sooraj.
Tsarina Emerita Alexandra has grown worried about this action of the little grand duchess, as she is not fond of having her family mixed with the blood of Asian descent. Despite her wanting to have a good relationship with Butuan, marriage is another thing that she cannot just bypass. Empress Dowager Maria, on the other hand, viewed this as an opportunity to tie the Imperial House of Shaja to her family, causing her to further encourage the young grand duchess to spend time with Maharajkumar Ainesh.
Along with this is his realization that his younger brother, Maharajkumar Ainesh have indeed been harbouring some feelings for the younger Grand Duchess Olga of Russia. Which is not an issue for Yuvraj Siagu himself, as he also wanted to tie his younger brother to someone to avoid further issues in the future.
And by January of 1907, with the guidance of his own mother, his pregnant aunt-in-law, and uncle, Tsar Michael II suddenly announces his empire's recognition of the Empire of Butuan's claims over the lands currently being controlled by the British, French, and the Dutch. Subsequently, Tsar Michael II also announces his intention to establish a more friendly and positive relationship with Butuan and its allies, forgoing its grudges over the seceded territory in the far east.
What is even more shocking to the Russian public and other European leaders is the announcement of Tsar Michael II of an economic, political, and societal reform within his nation, just a year after the establishment of the Duma. And the first to experience this are members of the State Councillor as after being stripped of much power and giving the State Duma more power, balancing the power with the two-government body.
Ivan Logginovich Goremykin, who is known to be a reformist, and other reformists within the government welcomed Tsar Michael II's announcement. Works have also started just a day after the announcement, with bill after bill submitted and debated within the State Duma and the State Council. Topic of land, tax, workers' rights, salary, and others were discussed and debated within the halls of the parliament.
Sir Arthur Nicolson, the new British Ambassador to Russia, subtly asserted his nation's sovereignty over those lands in Asia, along with the French and the Dutch, in a newspaper just days after Tsar Michael's announcement. Souring the relations between Russia and Britain, the Netherlands, and France.
As Tsar Michael II alienated his European allies and instead focusing on cultivating friendly relation with members of the Pan-Oriental alliance, investors and wealthy Butuanons, Siamese, Koreans, and Japanese, who saw great interest on the still building Russian industry started to flock the Russian market, bringing with them businesses and factory standards that greatly helped the Russian public and economy in the later years.
This causes people to start having a good opinion of Tsar Michael II, hoping that his reign will not be as disastrous as his brother's. But despite this, few have still harboured the idea of the removal of the monarchy in power. Pockets of uprising still happened within the Russian borders, particularly in its eastern lands and in Finland. But with the suppression from the Russian army, this uprising had no significant effect on the public.
This development wasn't welcomed warmly by Mary of Teck as she hoped that the Russian Empire would still remain on its side, much like what she had seen. But it appears that her hopes weren't heard, as instead of siding with her nation, the new Tsar of Russia instead sided with her enemy and cohort in the coming battle.
With Russia now out of her potential allies, Mary of Teck can only choose between the Ottomans and the Italians. She also considered potentially bringing the Nordic nation into the picture, but she knows that she needed enough leverage to do so.
"Change of plans, Sir Campbell-Bannerman, Lord Asquith." Mary of Teck seriously stated before taking a look at the two gentlemen standing behind her, who gave her a smile in return with her words.