Chapter 411 The Declaration of War  Empire of France, seven o'clock in the morning. The Place de la Concorde in Paris was bustling with activity as journalists and civilians alike gathered, drawn by the promise of an important announcement from the Empress of the French Empire. The usually calm morning was now a scene of anticipation and curiosity.

Journalists, having arrived early, were busy setting up their camera equipment, ensuring they had the best angles to capture the Empress's speech. The air was filled with the clicking of cameras and the murmur of reporters discussing potential reasons for this sudden gathering.

Civilians, initially on their way to start their daily routines, found themselves drawn to the growing crowd. Word of mouth had spread quickly about the Empress's appearance, leading to a diverse mix of people filling the historic square. Some were office workers in suits, others were local residents, and there were even a few tourists who had stumbled upon the event by chance.

As the minutes ticked by, the Place de la Concorde swelled with more and more people. The crowd was a mix of excitement and apprehension, as the reason behind the gathering was still unknown. Speculations ran wild among the onlookers – some guessed it might be a significant policy announcement, while others worried it could be related to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, police and security personnel were strategically positioned around the area, ensuring the safety of the Empress and the public. Barricades were set up to control the crowd, and officers were vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.

People checked their watches, counting down the minutes to the scheduled time of the speech. Cameras were trained on the podium, where the Empress was expected to appear.

As the clock struck the scheduled time, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to the podium, waiting for the Empress to emerge and shed light on the purpose of this early morning assembly.Moments later, the Empress of the French Empire, Ciela Bonaparte, made her entrance. A sigh of admiration was let out from the mouths of the crowds as they saw the Empress's beauty complemented by her opulent dress and dignified demeanor. She approached the podium with a composed and solemn air, aware of the multitude of eyes fixed upon her.

The Empress surveyed the crowd for a moment before beginning her speech.

"Citizens of France! I stand before you in a time of great uncertainty and challenge for our nation. At 11 p.m. Central European Standard Time. The Ottoman Army, despite many warnings from our country, crossed the demarcation line, prompting our Mediterranean Fleet stationed at the Ionian Sea to fire a salvo on them. In response to this, the Russian Black Sea Fleet, also stationed in the area, fired at our own fleet."

After saying that, a gasp could be heard rippling through the crowd. The reality of the situation was beginning to sink in for many. The Empress paused briefly, allowing her words to resonate with the audience.

She continued. "Today, we face a grave situation, one that extends beyond our nation's borders. The Ottoman Army, in its ruthless pursuit to quell the Greek revolution, crossed the demarcation line despite our warnings. Their actions, aimed at suppressing the legitimate aspirations of the Greek people for independence, have left us with no choice but to intervene.

"We hereby formally declare war on the Ottoman Empire and its ally, Russia. This declaration is a response to their blatant disregard for human rights and their threat to regional stability. The Ottoman's intent to commit atrocities against the Greek people and Russia's support in these actions cannot be ignored or tolerated.

"Our involvement in this conflict is not merely a matter of national interest, but a moral obligation. We stand in solidarity with the Greek people, supporting their fight for freedom and independence. We cannot, in good conscience, stand idle while a genocide unfolds.

"The Russian involvement in this matter has further complicated the situation. Their support for the Ottoman's brutal campaign against the Greeks is reprehensible. By aligning themselves with the oppressors, Russia has shown a disregard for basic human dignity and the principles of sovereignty."To our brave soldiers, I ask you to fight not just for France, but for the principles of liberty and justice. You are the defenders of the oppressed, the protectors of freedom. Your courage and valor will be the beacon of hope for those fighting against tyranny.

"To the citizens of France, I call upon you to support this just cause. This war is about defending the values we hold dear – liberty, equality, and fraternity. It's about standing against oppression and ensuring that the light of freedom is not extinguished.

"To our allies and friends across the globe, we seek your support and solidarity. This is not just France's fight; it is a fight for all who believe in the principles of freedom and human rights.

"We are committed to bringing an end to this conflict swiftly and justly. Our goal is peace, but we will not hesitate to confront aggression and injustice. We owe it to the Greek people, to our own citizens, and to the world.

"Long live France, and may our efforts bring about a future of peace and freedom for all."

With these powerful words, the Empress concluded her speech. The crowd, visibly moved by her words, erupted into applause.

***

Meanwhile, on St. Petersburg Palace Square, under the cold Russian skies, a similar scene unfolded. The Russian populace, summoned by the Tsar's decree, gathered, waiting to hear from their leader.action

As Tsar Paul I stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the square, the crowd fell silent. He surveyed the sea of faces before him, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension evident in the crowd.

"Citizens of Russia," began Tsar Paul I, his voice resonating across the square. "Today marks a significant moment in our nation's history. France, driven by its imperialistic ambitions, has declared war on our ally, the Ottoman Empire, and consequently on us. This act of aggression cannot go unanswered. Russia has always stood for sovereignty and the right of nations to defend themselves. Our alliance with the Ottoman Empire is not just a strategic partnership but a commitment to protect those threatened by foreign domination.

France's actions, under the guise of supporting Greek independence, are nothing but a blatant attempt to expand its own influence at the cost of regional stability. This is not a battle for freedom, as they claim, but an act of unwarranted aggression.

Thus, in response to France's declaration, we too are forced to declare war. This decision is not taken lightly, but out of necessity to protect our interests and uphold the balance of power in Europe."