Reincarnated with a Country Creation System

Emily stepped into the quiet room where Julieanne waited, her friend already seated at a small round table. The room was cozy, with soft chairs and warm lighting casting a gentle glow on the space. A delicate porcelain tea set was arranged neatly on the table, accompanied by an assortment of sweets—macarons, tiny cakes, and fruit tarts.

Julieanne was sipping from her cup, her usual calm demeanor present as always. She glanced up as Emily approached, offering a welcoming smile that made it clear this was a break from the more formal setting of diplomatic talks.

"Emily," Julieanne greeted, setting her cup down with a soft clink. "I trust your meeting with Lord Reginald went as expected?"

Emily eased into the chair across from her, allowing herself a moment to relax. "As expected... and then some," she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "He was more prepared than I anticipated, but still, predictable."

Julieanne arched an eyebrow as she reached for a small cake, taking a bite before asking, "How so?"

"He kept pushing for information on our origins," Emily explained, pouring herself a cup of tea. The fragrant steam rose in delicate spirals, carrying the scent of chamomile. "It's obvious they want to understand our power and where it comes from. But I turned it around on him—made it clear that Valoria's focus is on the future, on trade and partnerships. He couldn't quite get past that."

Julieanne nodded, understanding. "It's a classic move. They want to know if we're a threat or a potential ally. His strategy is transparent, but I have to give him credit for persistence."

"Indeed," Emily agreed, taking a sip of her tea. "But he didn't get what he wanted. I kept the conversation on Valoria's goals and our readiness to engage with the world. He seemed frustrated by the end, though he tried not to show it."

Julieanne chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It's always fun to watch them squirm, isn't it? These diplomats come in thinking they can control the narrative, only to realize they're not as clever as they think."

Emily smiled, but it was a tired one. "Yes, but it can be draining, too. Constantly redirecting the conversation, keeping them at arm's length. They want answers that we can't—or won't—give. And we have to be careful. We need to appear open, while keeping certain things out of sight."

Julieanne poured herself another cup of tea, her eyes thoughtful as she stirred in a little sugar. "Do you think he's going to push harder next time? Or will he step back?"

"He'll push," Emily said without hesitation. "He's not the type to back down easily. But we've set the tone now. He knows we won't be cornered. I imagine his next move will be more cautious—maybe he'll try to find some common ground, focus on what we can offer each other."

Julieanne took a slow sip of her tea, nodding. "That's likely. Triesenberg can't afford to be too aggressive. They're still figuring out how much of a role we'll play in the global scene, and they don't want to alienate us too soon."

"Exactly," Emily replied. "That's why I made sure to highlight our willingness to cooperate, to join the global network. I wanted him to see that we're not looking to disrupt anything—at least, not openly."

Julieanne picked up a macaron, her fingers delicate as she examined the pastel-colored treat. "And he bought it?"

"He has no choice but to buy it," Emily said with a quiet laugh. "For now, at least. But we'll need to keep our guard up. If they sense any weakness, they'll try to exploit it." Discover hidden stories at m,v l'e|m-p| y r

Julieanne nodded in agreement, her expression serious now. "Of course. They're watching us closely. But we're ready for them. And besides, we've managed more difficult situations before."

Emily leaned back in her chair, feeling the tension of the day slowly ease. "True. But it's not just about keeping them at bay. We need to show that we're here to stay, that Valoria is a player on the global stage. They're still trying to figure out how we fit into their world."

Julieanne's eyes sparkled with a touch of mischief. "And we're showing them that we're not here to fit into anything. We're creating our own space."

Emily smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "That's the plan."

She then let out a dreamy sigh. "I wonder when they are going to ask to meet His Excellency."

"There's no chance of that happening," Julieanne replied. "At least not without the mask. They would know for sure the moment they see his face."

"Really? So what are you going to do now."

Julieanne grabbed one macaron and then took a bit. She chewed it until everything was mushed and then spoke. "Well, I'm going to tell him what you just told

me, of course. He needs to stay informed about every detail of these interactions. You know how meticulous he is about keeping an eye on how these negotiations progress."

Emily chuckled softly. "Oh, I can imagine. His Excellency never misses a beat. I'm sure he already has a strategy for when they finally demand a meeting."

Julieanne nodded, her expression thoughtful. "He's always prepared for every possible outcome, but meeting in person? That's a different story. They would never get the real His Excellency. The mask stays on, and we keep the mystery alive. It's all part of the plan."

Emily swirled her tea, watching the ripples move across the surface. "It's brilliant, really. The more they can't figure us out, the more cautious they become. It keeps us one step ahead."

Julieanne took another bite of her macaron, savoring it for a moment before replying. "Exactly. They think they're gathering intelligence, but all they're really doing is chasing shadows. And by the time they realize that, we'll already be too deeply embedded in the global system for them to stop us."

Emily's eyes flickered with a sharp, determined gleam. "Let them play their games. We've already won the most important battle—they're engaging with us, which means they're acknowledging our power, even if they don't want to admit it."

"Right," Julieanne said, her tone matter-of-fact. "The second they opened the door to negotiation, they gave us a seat at the table. Now it's just a matter of making sure we stay there."

A comfortable silence settled between them as they continued to sip their tea, both lost in their own thoughts. The friendship between them was more than just personal—it was strategic. They both understood the stakes, and they both knew that the future of Valoria depended on how well they could navigate the murky waters of diplomacy.

"This is it for now," Emily said, setting down the cup of her tea. "I will have to make the uhh…unexciting part of the day productive." Emily sighed. "There's a pile of documents on my desk that need my attention."

Julieanne smiled knowingly, leaning back in her chair. "The endless sea of forms and reports, I presume? Diplomatic correspondence, trade agreements, logistical plans?"

"Exactly," Emily said, shaking her head. "I need to review the economic cooperation drafts with three potential partners—make sure everything aligns with Valoria's interests before they reach His Excellency's desk. Then there's the follow-up on the infrastructure projects—those reports need to be compiled and sent to the engineering teams.

And I still have to go through the security clearance forms for the new personnel we're bringing in for the next phase of development."

Julieanne let out a small laugh. "Ah yes, the glamorous side of power. It's not all tea and strategic discussions, is it?"

"No, it's not," Emily replied, rolling her eyes. "I also need to review the financial estimates for our upcoming technology exports, and that's going to take up most of my afternoon. I can't overlook any detail, especially since we're dealing with some of our most important resources. One mistake in the numbers, and we could lose leverage during the trade talks."

"Sounds like you'll be drowning in paperwork all day," Julieanne said, her tone sympathetic but amused.

"And don't even get me started on the legal documents," Emily continued. "We've been tweaking the international trade regulations to fit Valoria's model, and I need to sign off on the final revisions before the lawyers send them out. They're waiting for me to approve the legal framework for export tariffs."

Julieanne grinned. "Looks like you'll have quite a bit on your plate."

Emily sighed again. "And I have to make sure all the meeting summaries from today are logged and circulated to the right departments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will want detailed updates. I swear, I spend half my life writing summaries and debriefs."

"At least it's you who gets to shape the narrative," Julieanne said, offering a playful wink.

Emily smiled wryly. "True, but it doesn't make the process any less tedious. And there's still the agenda planning for the upcoming summit with potential allies. His Excellency wants every item covered, and I need to make sure our stance on every issue is clearly articulated."

Julieanne leaned forward, her expression softening. "You've always handled these things with finesse, Emily. But don't overwork yourself. You need to pace yourself. Valoria's rise is a marathon, not a sprint."

Emily nodded appreciatively. "You're right. But sometimes it feels like it's all coming at once. There's never a break when it comes to building a nation."

Julieanne gave her a warm smile. "Well, I'll let you get to it. But remember, if you need help, you have an entire team behind you. Don't hesitate to delegate."

Emily stood up, her hands resting on the back of the chair for a moment as she collected herself. "Thank you, Julieanne. I'll try not to drown in the paperwork."

Julieanne chuckled softly. "You've got this. Now go tackle those forms like the diplomat you are."