February 1, 1899
Geneva, Switzerland — International Peace Conference
Snow blanketed the rooftops of Geneva's Old Town as carriages arrived one after another outside the Hôtel du Palais. Inside, beneath vaulted ceilings adorned with golden filigree, the world's great powers had gathered—not to wage war, but to formally end one.
The peace conference room was a grand chamber of dark mahogany walls and wide windows that faced the Alps. Delegates from all belligerent nations sat in silence as the final documents were placed before them.
At the center table sat President Matthew Hesh of Amerathia, flanked by two senior aides. Across from him sat Lord Ivan Golenishchev of the Russian Empire and Minister Zhang Mingyuan of the Qing Court. Between them, the table felt longer than it was—filled not just with ink and parchment, but pride, grudges, and unspoken consequences.