Unyielding Decision

Alexander sat in his private office within Volkshalle, doing usual task such as looking at the reports from different departments, stamping documents, and all other things that a ruler must get done.

A knock on the door broke the stillness, and Alexander looked up as Julieanne entered, carrying an envelope marked with the Ruthenian imperial seal. She approached with her usual grace but a look of concern shadowed her face.

"Your Excellency," she said, presenting the letter with a formal bow. "This arrived from Ruthenia—delivered directly from Tsar Ivan Alexandrovich."

Alexander took the envelope, his gaze lingering on the familiar seal before he broke it open. As he unfolded the letter, Julieanne stepped back, waiting in silence, her sharp gaze observing every flicker of emotion that crossed his face as he read. The words on the page were precise, direct, and laced with the steely defiance he expected from the Ruthenian Tsar.

To the Valorian State,