"Your Majesty, we've just received word from our embassy in Vienna. Former Prime Minister Mr. Stefan Nikolov Stambolov is critically ill. Before he dies, he hopes to return to Bulgaria one last time!" the attendant said.
"I understand. Inform the Vienna embassy that Mr. Stambolov is a meritorious servant of Bulgaria. He went to Vienna for medical treatment, and his living arrangements must be properly seen to. If he wishes to return, he may do so at any time," Ferdinand said in a low voice.
No matter what, Stambolov had contributed to Ferdinand's ascension to the throne. Their earlier conflict had been a matter of political struggle, with no way around it. Now that the man was close to death, Ferdinand naturally could not go on making things difficult for him.
In fact, aside from sending the former cabinet to Vienna, Ferdinand had never treated them poorly in terms of material comforts or daily life. They continued drawing salaries issued by the Bulgarian government while "receiving treatment" over there.
Other than being restricted in their freedom during the first few years, after the First Balkan War, when Ferdinand's position had become unshakable, they had been completely free. So long as they did not return to Bulgaria, they could go anywhere.
Oh, the reason they were barred from returning to Bulgaria was mainly that they had taken on rather enormous blame, and had too many enemies within the country. Their lives might be in danger.
Now that they were nearing death and wished to return to their homeland, there was naturally no problem. More than twenty years had passed, after all; things had long changed, and people were no longer the same.
Even their enemies from back then had long outgrown their edgy teenage phase. As time passed, the hatred had