The grand study of the Winter Palace was cold, despite the roaring fire in the hearth. The faint light of dawn filtered through heavy curtains, casting long shadows across the room. Tsar Ivan III sat at his mahogany desk, his expression one of simmering frustration as he read the telegram from Ambassador Morozov.
The letter from Valoria's Supreme Leader had already been delivered to his advisors for analysis, but Ivanpreferred to review such matters personally. The language of the letter was polite, but the implicit threat behind the supreme leader's words was unmistakable. The Tsar's grip tightened around the parchment as he read the ambassador's warning for the second time.
"Your Majesty?"
The voice came from Mikhailov, standing at attention near the door. The general's sharp military uniform and commanding presence did little to mask the weariness in his eyes. The strain of Ruthenia's internal struggles was taking its toll on even the most stalwart of men.
