A Very Public Falling Out

King Ferdinand Adolphus (you'll remember he has become known as "Sweet FA" to the subjects of Pils-Holstein) has made no secret of his affections for Teresa (Tessa) Pepisa, most notably having given her an honorary command of the Pils-Holstein light horse as well as considerable estates in Lower Holstein.

Her attendance at the court of Pils-Holstein had originally come about after her father (a wealthy Italian financier) presented her to the Astrovian Imperial court some years earlier, and the visiting King of Pils-Holstein, struck up a "strong friendship" with the beautiful debutante. Following the Queen's sad passing, Tipsi Pipsi became a regular visitor to the widowed King Ferdinand Adolphus, and soon their friendship blossomed into something more - Well, that's the official version anyway. Some say the timeline for this sequence of events is somewhat mirky, and there were even suggestions that the Queen's passing was hastened by her broken heart ... but, I couldn't possibly comment.

Regardless of the exact details of the whole episode, Tessa Pepisa, who is nothing if not absolutely charming and delightful, subsequently became a favourite with the people of Pils-Holstein too. Their nickname, "Tipsi Pipsi", showed their growing affection for this flame-haired femme who was popularly regarded as "a good thing" for the King.

Now, it turns out, Tipsi Pipsi is in fact not all she seems...

And, as a result of certain rumours (rumours I might add that are as yet unsubstantiated), things have gone awry between Tipsi Pipsi and Ferdinand Adolphus.
A series of public "sulks", raised voices when in private, and on at least one occasion door slammings, have not gone unnoticed.

Now, at last, with the King's angry words "Once a Hapsburg, always a damned Hapsburg!" ringing in her ears, Tipsi Pipsi has headed South-East once more, bound for Astrovia. 



(above: Tipsi Pipsi, with her ADC, Major Ligue).

However, what is more surprising is the level of loyalty and affection that her light cavalry troopers have now invested in their honorary commander. For, cantering over the rolling hills, in Tipsi's wake, a column of cavalry can be seen. Many of the Holstein Hussars, and all of the Transvladak Uhlanen have followed her into the moonlight (though the defection of the latter is presumably linked not only to their native heritage within The Astrovian Empire, being from the mountainous regions of Transvladakia, but also down to the promise of some form of booty and wealth from forthcoming campaigns). 


(above: Transvladak Uhlanen)

But, what can have precipitated such a defection?
And just who, really, is Teresa Pepisa?
And what does this all mean for the state of Pils Holstein, and poor "Sweet FA"?

Time will tell...