"Can't be much of a democrat if you put your hand up to be an absolute monarch, can you? All the principles in the world can't change the nature of the job."
"Aye, that may be true. But principle can still ultimately serve us, can't it? It's something to hope for."— Discussion between two Pris Xüfonzayo citizens
Grand Princess Loi-lii II is the current ruler of the
Sworn Principality of Xüfonz, having been elected to the position in 18 Return. Though an absolute monarchy, Loi-lii has gained a reputation for a distinctly democractic bent to her policy, and for an even-handed approach to governance of her realm.
History
Born in 21 Contact as Lady Lethai of Na-oivar, the future Grand Princess was the 3rd of 5 children to Countess Aizööra of Na-oivar, a largely unremarkable county in the country's central regions. With few prospects expected for her low rank, Lethai was left largely to her own devices to pursue whatever topics and paths interested her most, while her family heaped great attention on her older brother. This freedom led her to hone a passion for history, particularly the country's division from the southerly
Ibza Xüfonz.
In her late teens, Lethai and a handful of young noblewomen of a similar age set out on what they termed a 'Grand Tour' of
Lake Strelish and its countries, including the then-fledgling
Kse Feorton. On this tour, Lethai is rumoured to have developed a keen interest in democracy, and to have possibly even met
Zherla Ro Ündögzhar personally. Other highlights of this Grand Tour are said to include a handful of romantic flings, including with an exiled Ibza Xüfonzayo duchess and a nurse at a
Varrzaxadhayo hospital.
On her return to Pris Xüfonz, Lethai began to exert her limited political and aristocratic influence, encouraging her mother to establish aid for poor and unhoused citizens within her county. She further took advantage of the friendships strengthened by her Grand Tour to get more closely acquainted with the higher rungs of Pris Xüfonzayo nobility, becoming a fixture of social life.
These efforts bore unexpected fruit in 17 Return when the Grand Princess, Saxavis II, died after a short illness. After a requisite period of national mourning, the Princely Council began its hunt for a successor. Given her lack of prospects without a noteworthy marriage, Lethai put herself forward as a candidate, highlighting her worldly experience and roots within both the noble and peasant classes. She recieved particular support from the
Raiser members of the Princely Council, whose combined vote formed a notable bloc that helped her secure the throne in early 18 Return.
On ascension, she took the regnal name Loi-lii, and pledged to continue her existing work benefiting the poor, as well as to pursuing an end to the cold conflict with Ibza Xüfonz. While she has seen great success in the former, instituting a wide range of programs aimed to improve food security and provide more housing throughout the country, she has been stonewalled on the latter by the non-cooperation of her counterpart,
Grand Prince Ünivis III of Ibza Xüfonz. In her 20 year reign, she has yet to secure a meeting with him or his representatives.
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