While Ferdinand was lost in thought, Alice's clear voice rang out. "Your Highness, Count Paul Shuvalov, the Russian Empire's diplomatic envoy, has arrived."
Ferdinand gathered his thoughts and said, "All right, I know. Please show him to the reception room to rest. I'll meet him there shortly."
He took a deep breath, and his spirits immediately lifted. The moment that would decide Bulgaria's future had arrived. He had already done everything he could.
Ferdinand called out, "Someone!"
"Your Highness, what are your orders?" An attendant hurried over.
"Notify all ministers and officials of equivalent rank or higher who are in Sofia to attend a meeting at the palace tonight," Ferdinand instructed.
The attendant replied, "Yes, Your Highness. I'll take care of it at once!"
After tidying his appearance, Ferdinand decided to meet Count Paul Shuvalov first. One way or another, Bulgaria still needed Russia's help, and he couldn't afford to neglect proper etiquette.
In the reception room, Paul Shuvalov saw Ferdinand arrive and immediately placed his left hand over his right chest, removed his hat with his right hand, then bowed slightly and nodded in greeting.
"Your Highness, Count Paul Shuvalov of the Russian Empire greets you!"
Ferdinand gave a polite nod in return, accepting Paul Shuvalov's greeting.
"Count Paul Shuvalov, welcome to Bulgaria!"
After a great deal of polite chitchat, Ferdinand had spent most of the day at it. No, that wasn't right. He had spent most of the day discussing utterly pointless topics before they finally got down to business.
Ferdinand put the diplomatic language of later generations to use and began boasting about the two countries' relationship. "Count Paul, the Russian Empire and Bulgaria are neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water, and our ties stretch back through the ages. Although there have been