Lonely Queen of the North

Just one negligence is enough to repeat past mistakes and old enemies.

Author's Notes: That's why it took so long, this was the first time I've written something like this, I hope you like it, if there's a mistake in English, please let me know
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The atmosphere in Sasebo was tense, with recent news of Siren attacks across the Pacific and in the territories of the Empire Sakura. However, amidst this turmoil, a small combined fleet of ships from the Empire Sakura and Ironblood was preparing to depart towards the newly established Amami Naval Base. The expectation of returning to combat without bloodshed, as it was 80 years ago, left the atmosphere light and animated. However... Not everyone shared the same enthusiasm.

So, a small combined fleet of ships from the Empire Sakura and Ironblood was heading to the newly established Amami Naval Base, where some Eagle Union and Japanese ships were already stationed.

In an area close to the departing ships, stood a short girl with short platinum blonde hair adorned with a black, red, and yellow ribbon featuring an iron cross motif.

She wore a white cross-over dress with silver buttons and embellishments over a black turtleneck top with a dark blue and yellow tailcoat, black bicycle shorts, brown ankle socks with garters and frilled cuffs adorned with red iron crosses and red bows. She also had on a blue beret with a ribbon bow, highlighted black sleeves, white gloves, and a red and blue armband on her left shoulder.

Her piercing blue eyes reflected a deep sadness. It was Z23, one of the Ironblood ships selected to go to Amami Naval Base. Unlike the others, she kept herself apart, sitting on some crates, away from the gaze of others.

In a huddled position, with her face buried in her knees and one arm wrapped around her legs, Z23 seemed lost in her own world of pain. Silent tears streamed from her eyes, as if she didn't want anyone to see her suffering. The recent news about the missing Ironblood ships in the Atlantic had left her utterly devastated.

Among the ships that disappeared were her sisters, Z24 and Z26, her dear younger sisters. They had gone missing along with other Ironblood ships, while British ships arrived at the Kingdom of La Plata in a deplorable state. Z23 perhaps wouldn't openly admit it, but she deeply loved her sisters. She always made sure to know how they were doing, and now, with two of them missing, she felt overwhelmed with sadness and a profound sense of discouragement.

Her eyes filled with nothing but sorrow, she received no answers, not even a reason for the disappearance of her two sisters, which only tightened the grip on her heart.

While the young girl suffered in her corner, a tall woman with long white hair and a red streak on the right side approached silently. Her hair reached her waist, with two twin tails held by red metal. The woman walked calmly towards Z23, who seemed to be unaware of her presence.

"Z23... Everyone is getting ready to depart..." The woman said, sitting down beside the girl. Her voice had a strong German accent, just like Z23's, marking her identity as German.

"Please, Mrs. Eugen... Let me stay here..." Z23 murmured, her voice choked with sadness. She avoided showing her face, but her anguish was evident in the tearful tone of her voice.

"..." Without saying a word, Eugen remained silent. She looked at Z23 with understanding eyes and embraced the girl, wrapping her arm around her.

Eugen didn't need to say anything; her comforting presence conveyed her support and empathy. She knew that Z23 was deeply hurt by the disappearance of her sisters, and in that moment of shared sorrow, Eugen offered her a much-needed solace. They sat there together, finding strength in each other's company, as the world around them prepared for departure.