Ilona gave a little gasp. “Your Majesty is aware that should they invade this country when everything is at peace,” the Prime Minister continued, “both the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Rumania would protest and might even actively support us.” He paused and his eyes were on the King as he said slowly, “But if we continue to fight amongst ourselves, if the country remains divided as it is at the moment, the Russians will take control. Once they are in power it would be extremely difficult to dislodge them.” The King leant back in his chair, his under-lip thrown forward in an ugly expression of disbelief. But Ilona knew that he was genuinely surprised at what the Prime Minister had said. She was quite certain that it was a reasonable and plausible forecast of what would happen. For yea