Touch the Sky (Hyunjin X Felix X San X Juyeon)

|Fourth Act - Be As Strong As The Seas Are Stormy|

"WHAT!?"

Felix sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. He'd expected some resistance from the three leaders when he ultimately brought up the financial plan Seungmin, Seonghwa, and Hyunjae had come up with, but he didn't think they'd take it so badly.

(He'd sincerely hoped that the few weeks spent together and sharing the baths would help tip the scale in his favor, or at least make them pause to consider it.)

"No," refused bluntly Hongjoong.

"Bloom does not need any help," stated firmly Sangyeon.

"Neither does Miroh," snapped Chan.

"That's not what your respective financial states tell me," retorted sharply Felix. He pushed forward the map on which the three treasurers had been working for the past few days. "This is a solution with the potential to resolve almost all issues on the table. Why can't you even consider it?"

"Because you can't trust those from Bloom and Aurora."

"Because trusting Miroh and Aurora would be foolish."

"Because Bloom and Miroh will only stab us in the back."

The three leaders exchanged unhidden glares at that, and Felix sighed again. He genuinely didn't understand why they disliked each other so much. Of course, there were histories and a fair amount of stereotypes and prejudices at play but, watching them interact, Felix couldn't help but feel like they hated each other merely for the sake of, well, hating each other.

"This is a great opportunity for your three nations to help each other out. There are little to no risks involved because the High Palace would fund most of the project, and literally everyone would greatly benefit from it.

          Miroh has the appropriate tools and knowledge to exploit an unfertile land. Aurora has a large, rich, and varied market which would allow the people to become independent of the Houses. If Bloom used both to slowly chip away at the influence of the Houses, it would only take a few years before they lose all power, and you would become able to establish a constitutional monarchy with the people and for the people.

          Bloom has knowledge and experience in writing laws. In addition to regulating prices and thus breathing new life in Aurora's market, you would also become able to establish a certain control over the criminal activities that have started seriously growing out of control lately. And, Miroh not only has weapons to spare, but they would also be able to procure you with tools and proper equipment for longer expeditions in the unexplored seas. Instead of simply letting everyone do as they please, you would be able to establish an actual system that would guarantee a better life for the people of Aurora.

          Aurora has an excess of people, meaning an excess of manpower. They have an incredible number of refugees who aren't only from Quatre, but who also come from neighboring continents who aren't doing any better than we are. If we give those people a reason to move to Miroh, such as lands, jobs, and an increased protection, many surely wouldn't hesitate to seize that opportunity. As for Bloom, they are incredibly talented diplomates. They would certainly be able to either train some of your people in the subtler art of diplomacy, or could outright act as an official envoy to discuss with those from the East before we rashly deem them a threat when we actually know nothing about them.

          All your nations have their faults and their flaws, but it still isn't too late to make things right. I'm ready and willing to fund this project in its entirety, but my hands are tied as long as you can't come to an unanimous agreement."

"Agreement? There's no way we'll ever agree on anything," scoffed Hongjoong.

"We're too different. And centuries of grievances can't just disappear because you want them to," added Chan.