Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Prince Bjorn released from Hospital
"I was the lucky one," says new Prince Regent
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 5, 5528


Prince-Regent Bjorn takes post as new Regent of Empire from Duke Victor of Suldanor

Prince Bjorn has been released from the Eveari Medical Center nearly 8 months after the horrible train accident that took the life of Empress Nicolette II Ananto and nearly ended his own. The new Prince-Regent walked out on his own two feet, an accomplishment that Doctors doubted even possible a few short months ago as the Prince underwent major surgery that saved his life. Though officially taking over the regency in September, it wasn't until now that Doctors have felt that he is progressing in his physical therapy to the point that he could leave their direct care.

"I came in to this hospital on a stretcher tied to the treads of a helicopter," said Prince Bjorn, whose life flight from the remote pass where the accident happened to Eveari looked like something out of a war film, "and I leave on my own two feet, plus, of course a cane. I will probably have this for the rest of my life, and have nicknamed it Nicky, because I wish I had her with me instead. But like this cane, I will lean on her for strength and courage going forward that I can complete the task she began in raising for our Nation a new Emperor."

The Prince Regent vowed that he would continue Nicolette's policies of cautiously opening the economy to foreign investment, promoting peace, and working to restore the Empire. "I govern in the name of my son, the Minor Emperor Fredrick II, and in all things I do, I will want him with me, so he can watch and learn how to be the Emperor he was born to be. Nicolette had always privately stressed the idea of birthright: The power of sovereignty had been invested in her family, passed by blood from her mother, through her to her son. Birthright includes many other things as well, including the extension of our national sovereignty over all of Kalistan Proper, including those parts of Kalistan which were stripped unjustly from our nation in the imperialistic wars of the past. Those territories, which are now considered parts of no fewer than five foreign nations, were not forgotten by Nicolette, and it is my job to make sure they are remembered by our son as well."

The Prince Regent took a moment to thank the governments of Luthori and Lourenne. "Both of these mighty Emperors took a moment to express their condolences over the loss of my wife. I take that personally, and want to express my gratitude at the shows and gestures of kindness toward me and my son and brother-and-sister-in-law over our loss. I assure you that Kalistan does not forget who its true friends are, and even a simple gesture such as a note or a word of kindness in the single darkest and most terrible moment in my entire life, goes so far. We... I... owe those two countries a gratitude that can never be fully repaid. And my son has also accepted this debt of gratitude as his own."

The Prince Regent also took a moment to thank Duke Victor of Suldanor. "During these seven months, the Duke stepped up to ensure continuity of rule in Kalistan. He had to put his life and his business on hold, and did so without a single second thought or complaint of any kind. Both he and our Nicolette's mother have done so much to welcome me to the family, and I am very glad for his steady hand and expert advice any time he cares to offer it. I'll probably see less of him now that he will be returning to his villa and business in Gaduridos, but he has now born the burden of Government as his sister did before him, and for his willingness to step into this position, I thank him personally. I also would like to thank the Duchess Carlota for her warmth and kindness toward me and my son in our time of mourning. We wish them safe travels and will always look for their return, for any or no reason."

The Prince Regent may be returning home and taking up duties of the Regency in Eveari, but he will also continue physical therapy at home. "The doctors had to remove a portion of my left fibula which was shattered in the accident. It has been replaced with a titanium steel rod that allows me to stand but it will take me a very long time to feel comfortable with it, and then to build the strength back up to stand or walk for more than a few minutes. I'll likely always use this cane, and though I escaped most of the neurological damage associated with this kind of accident, just, physically, I am kind of a mess. So it will take me a long time to really be able to get around." But he ended his interview with a sad smile, "I was the lucky one, they said. I get to go on living, while basically everyone around me didn't make it, while my wife, who was resting in our cabin while I was out playing cards in the bar, didn't make it. I was the lucky one."

Following the Interview, a car drove the Prince Regent to the Ananto Estate in Eveari, which will act as the defacto Imperial Seat for the indefinite future.