Nicola I of Istalia

Nicola I
His Most Excellent Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Istalians
Nicola I
Emperor of the Istalians
Reign	15 November 4621 - 2 January 4663
Enthronement	21 February 4622
Predecessor	Alessandro I
Successor	Alessandro II
Born	30 October 4571 Romula, Istalia
Died	2 January 4663 Romula
Burial	8 January 4663 Imperial Mausoleum of Istalia
Spouse	Empress Consort Josephine
Issue	Alessandro II Grand Prince Adriano Grand Princess Sofia
Full name Nicola Michele Giulio Appiano De Borromei
House	House of Appiano De Borromei
Father	Alessandro I
Mother	Empress Consort Valentina
Religion	Aurorianism (non-practicing)

Nicola I of Istalia (Nicola Michele Giulio; Romula, 30 October 4571 - Romula, 2 January 4663) was Emperor of the Istalians and thus Monarch of the Istalian Empire since 15 November 4621 until his death. He ascended to the throne being the eldest son of Alessandro I and Empress Consort Valentina and he was the first heir apparent to the Imperial Throne as well as the first child born within the Imperial House under the Empire, founded just two months before his birth. He is also famous because in 4596 he contracted a prestigious and dynastic marriage with Josephine of Hulstria, a year before he was officially created Imperial Grand Prince of the Crown by his father.

Biography

Early years

Nicola was born in Romula just two months after the declaration of the foundation of the Istalian Empire on September 1st 4571 and he was the first member of the Appiano De Borromei family after its elevation to Imperial House of Istalia. Actually, only a decree by the newly enthroned Michele I created Nicola officially Imperial Prince, like his father, and thus member of the Imperial Family, being born out of wedlock when his parents just lived together.
At the time his father had just completed the Military Sciences' Studies and was about to join the Defence Staff unaware of the fact that Michele I,his oncle as younger brother of Alessandro's father, was already looking at him as his successor.

Nicola, despite the new role of his family, was raised like any other child and indeed for the first years he continue to live with his parents in their Romula's appartment and attending publix schools. Only since 4576, when his father began to be ever more involved by Michele I in the state affairs, it began to be clear that Nicola was the son of the next Emperor.

At the end of 4578 Nicola's parents finally got married and after a few months Alessandro was officially created Grand Prince of the Crown and thus officially designated as heir apparent to the throne. Nicola, 8 at the time, remained however Imperial Prince on decision of his father in respect of the three daughters of Michele I who had the title of Grand Princesses.

Education and Military Career

When Nicola graduated on High School, between 4589 and 4592 he attended the Political Sciences course at the State University of Romula alongside extensive military studies and training in all three services of the Armed Forces but privileging the Navy. Despite initially he was a little reluctant about following the military career, it was on his father's insistance if he joined the Armed Forces developing then a passion about the Navy which became his services of reference. within the navy he was specifically trained on submarine's crewman: he was part of a 8 months cruiser of the Nuclear Attack Submarine NSMN 519 Siracosa.
In 4594 he started to attend the Strategic Military Studies to the Agirgento Navy's High Accademy.

Grand Prince of the Crown

On 9th Jenuary 4597 Nicola was officially created Imperial Grand Prince of the Crown by his father the Emperor Alessandro. Since this moment he was fully able to act as Imperial Regent when provided by the Law. As official heir, Alessandro was forced to left the Navy to focus on his duties of heir to the throne, starting to share with his father the duties of the Imperial dignity.

Succession to the Throne

Since 4618 the old age and some health issues forced Emperor Alessandro to create several time Nicola as Imperial Regent to take charge of the Imperial duties on behalf of his father.
Alessandro I actually died on 15 November 4621 in the Hunting Residence of Terracche Lakes during summer vactions. Nicola instantly succeeded to his father as Nicola I while the coronation took place on 21 February 4622. Nicola too had to face the criticism from the republican forces, especially the Left Bloc, known to have been during most part of the history of the First Empire the political force most opposed to the monarchy. Nicola I, however, like his predecessors, never expressed himself on the criticisms leveled against the crown in respect of his role as super-partes guarantor of the Constitution and of the State given that any declaration would have been interpreted as a political intervention and an attack against a party of the nation and therefore against its voters.

In 4623 Emperor Nicola visited Zardugal together Prime Minister Leo Tomassi and Foreign Minister Stefano Terenzi to meet their Zardic counterparts promoting mutual understanding, peace and increase of trade and commerce while Emperor Nicola expressed concerns about Deltaria. The Emperor was warmly welcomed by Emperor Felipe of Zardugal, confirming the solid personal friendship established between the two monarchs and the increasingly strong ties between Istalia and Zardugal both aimed to work together to promote a peaceful coexistence among the Majatran nations and increase relations and exchanges for the common good in order to preserve the continent from the horrors of war and other conflicts, espcially in the light of the growing concerns about the authoritarian regime established in Deltaria by his czar Miroslav.

Few years later, in 4625, Emperor Nicola and Empress Josephine welcomed in Istalia the Empress' family in exile after that the monarchy in Hulstria and Gao-Soto was abolished. Despite the transition in Hulstria wa quite paeceful the former Hulstrian Imperial House was menaced by death threats and the former Kaiserine Sophie actually fell in a deep state of depression after the abolishment of the monarchy and for some years she needed of some time to recover discretily hosted with her family by his sister in Istalia in one of the residence of the Imperial House.
The former Kaiserine and his husband Kaiser Charles with their children received then the Istalian citizenship and were created by Emperor Nicola as Dukes of Castelpeltro began their life in Istalia spending their time in focusing in managing several business that their family had in Istalia for a long time. After few years, however, Charles died and Sophie, depressed, get tired of Istalia in deciding to return to her palace in Kien in 4628. The decision by the Government to support the Imperial request to grant citizenship to the former Hulstrian Imperial family was another opportunity for the anti-monarchical forces to express their criticism against the Imperial institution that however were strenously defended by the exponents of the right-wing government of that time.

Like his father, also Nicola I had to witness a terrible escalation of tension between Istalia and another nation dominated by an authoritarian regime, namely Deltaria who after being criticized for the absolute regime of its zar, after causing an environmental disaster following a nuclear test conducted at the end of her military nuclear program, then invaded Jakania sparking the reaction of an international coalition aimed to contrast the expansionist goals of Deltaria and defend Jakania to which Istalia decided to adhere. However, before than the Coalition could begin its operatons against Deltaria, the Deltarian forces carried out a devastating surprise attack against the Istalian naval forces docked in Alaria to be prepared for the war efforts against Deltaria, having been Istalia at the time the nation with the most relevant and powerful Navy of the coaltion. After the attack which caused more then 4000 deaths among sailors, officials and also several civilians, Nicola I supported the appeal by part of the Prime Minister Teodoro Carraro to declare a total war against Deltaria with the goal not to stop until Deltaria and its czarist regime were defeated. The situation, however, was really serious: many months, if not years, would have passed before Istalia would have been able to fully recover and project once again its forces, the whole Defence Staff presented then its resignation in the hands of the Emperor and in general morale collapsed all over the country. Nicola I then released an appassionate address with which he succeeded in restoring strength and confidence to the country:

«People of Istalia, in this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful of our recent history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you, as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself. For the umpteenth time in our history we are at war because we showed to be ready to respond to the suffering people of this world. But for the first time, today, for our courage, our country was cowardly directly attacked, our fatherland violated. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain and today, almost 3000 brave men died. We have been finally forced into a conflict, for we are called to meet the challenge of a principle, which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world. This is a principle that allows a state to ignore treaties and solemn promises, which authorizes the use of force against the sovereignty and independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. If the principles of our adversaries prevailed, the peoples of the world will be kept in slavery to fear, and all hopes of stable peace and security, of justice and freedom, among nations, would be over. It is for this reason that today we are called to this total war and it is for this reason that the only acceptable epilogue shall be the total eradication of the czarist regime and the adoption of permanent measures to stamp out definitively the deltarian menace from the continent. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home, and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm and firm and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war may no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to the well being, the peace and the good of all people of Terra. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to these principle, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, also with God’s help, we shall prevail. May He bless and keep us all. Long live the Empire, long live Istalia!»

(Nicola I)

Nicola I followed very closely the conflict in his role of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, continuing to morally support the men and women deployed in the Deltarian neighbouring allied nations to carry out the operations and prepare to invade directly Deltaria. Nicola I showed great satisfation after the successful destruction of a crucial deltarian rafinery and wanted to dedicate the victory to the 4000 men and women who died after the deltarian attack against the Istalian fleet, further spurring the men and women leaving for the front keeping high the banner and uphold the honour of the Empire:

«I invite you to demonstrate, as many other times in the past, what the hardening and resoluteness of the Istalians may be. With strength and courage we will face the enemy head-on, because we do it for our murdered brothers, because we do it for oppressed peoples and those who are suffering, because we do it in the name of most noble and most virtuous ideals that no one can ever bend but in front of which they can only bow. Long live the Empire, Long live Istalia!»

(Nicola I)

What passed to the history as the Deltarian-Coalition War saw finally Deltarian totaly defeated and occupied and Nicola I then warmly welcomed home back with all the honors the men and women who fought in the war expressing his most deepest respect for them and the satisfation for another great victory for the principles of democracy against another dictature that once again brough war and suffernces on his citizens and other nations.

In the following decades Nicola I ruled during a quite peaceful period for Istalia but under his last years of reign the republican forces joint together forming a political alliance called "Republican Front" aimed to support the republican cause and abolish the monarchy. The increasing criticism by part of the Front ignited great political tensions involving all the political forces from left to right. Nicola I as usual kept his dignity and was faithful to his no-partisan role never entering the diatriba until his death that occured on 2 January 4663 caused by a hearth attack although while the Emperor was peacefully sleeping. Despite the national mourning, the Republican Front did not hold back even at this moment in hurling further strong criticisms against the monarchy but in doing so it generated such great indignation that even parties historically allied to the member parties of the Republican Front expressed their dissatisfaction for what was judged as a real smear campaign against the Crown, like the Socialists & Democrats who didn't spare criticism considering the Republican Front's goal as a sterile crusade that does nothing but diverge forces and resources from the true and sole objective of pursuing the well-being of citizens and even openly declaring that many things said by the Republica Front were just lies and fake news.

Personal life

Prince Nicola since he was teenager has been heavily under the attention of the gutter press which reported several Nicola's liaisons with commoners as well as more famous girlfriends, like the one with Cristina Montevecchi, aka Kris K, two years older then him.

Prince Nicola and Princess Josephine of Hulstria in Romula

In 4592 Nicola met Josephine of Hulstria, youngest daughters of the former reigning Kaiser and Kaiserine Hans Friedrick Albert lll and Annemarie I and sister of the reigning Kaiserine Sophie I. She was spending a summer in Istalia to study the local language and culture hosted by the family of Alessandro I, since years a close friend of the Hulstrian Imperial couple.

In 4593 Nicola and Josephine were spotted on holiday together on a beach of Selucia in intimate moments while since 4595 the couple was seen together in several mundane and social events and also in one official events of the Imperial Family, the baptism of Princess Michela, daughter of Alessandro's cuisin Grand Princess Ginevra, youngest daughters of Michele I.

In 4598 finally Nicola and Josephine's wending was officially announced by Quattroregni Palace after the one made by Josephine in Hulstria some months after the tragic death of her parents on a plane crash, as a way to honor them who strongly supported the daughter's union with the Istalian Prince. The couple married on 4 March 4600 and unlike the marriage of Nicola's parents this one was a majestic national state event celebrated with great pomp, attended by head of states and crowned heads from all over the world and viewed by millions of people in Istalia and abroad.

In June 4604, after many attempts and also a miscarriage, the Imperial House announced that Princess Josephine was pregnant. Thus on 4605 the couple finally had their first baby boy, who was baptized Alessandro Giovanni Mattia Michele. Nicola if was present at the moment of the birth, he was not present for the baptism because sent in mission with the expedictionary force of the navy against the Kazulian fascist regime and in support of the rebel forces. Due to his status, however, he didn't partecipate to the Battle of the Kazulian Waters serving on a frigate dedicated to the escort of the merchant ships carrying aid and supply to the kazulian rebels but then joining the operation to recover the wounded and the bodies of the fallen sailors.

In 4609 Nicola and Josephine had a second son, Grand Prince Adriano, while in 4612 the family was completed by a daughter, Grand Princess of the Crown Sofia, called like the beloved sister of her mother, Kaiserine Sophie I of Hulstria.

Titles, Styles and Honors

Title

Since 4571 Nicola after a decree of Michele I held the title of Imperial Prince and the treatment of His Imperial Highness like is natural father.

When Nicola's father was officially designed Heir to the Throne, despite the title of Imperial Grand Prince of the Crown was recognized to him and to his wife, in respect of the three daughters of Michele I, Nicola maintained the title of Imperial Prince.

Only when his father Alessandro succeeded to Michele I as Emperor of the Istalians Nicola and his sister Eleonora were elevated to the title of Grand Princes of Istalia.

Nicola was officially created Imperial Grand Prince of the Crown on 9th January 4597, maintaining the treatment of Imperial Highness.

When he succeeded to his father in 4621, he ascended to the Throne as His Most Excellent Imperial Majesty, Nicola I, by the Will of the Nation and the Constitution of the Empire, Emperor of the Istalians, Protector and Guarantor of the Constitution, Defender of the Democratic Values, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces of Istalia, clearly with the threatment of Most Excellent Imperial Majesty.

Honors

Nicola, once he ascended to the Throne, authomatically became the Grand Master of all the Istalian dynastic and chivalry orders.

Young Prince Nicola during his military service

Nicola and Josephine dancing at a gala

Nicola with Prince Alessandro

Nicola I during a gala