Azur Lane: Kaiserin (Book 2)

Ch52: Mother-Daughter Bonding

Roselyn's POV: 

As I sit across from the Northern Parliament's Premier, I can't help but wonder what the Empress was thinking. Her order to halt the attack and seek peace came so suddenly that one would think we were close to losing the war and yet she's given the talks over to her mother. I mean, it's good that we aren't seeking to wipe them out but...

FDG: You have some nerve.

Huh?

FDG: Showing yourself before me after-

Roselyn: Madam...

She sighs, visibly forcing herself to put a smile on her face before addressing the other side of the table. Everyone tenses when she begins speaking, likely fearing that things will devolve into fighting but to our amazement she actually manages to remain calm.

FDG: Here are my terms.

#1 - Nothern Parliament will cede all territory west of the Urals.

#2 - Northern Parliament will demilitarize and be restricted to a military not exceeding the following:

120,000 soldiers
25 tanks
100 artillery of any type
25 military aircraft
25 naval vessels of any type (no aircraft carriers or battleships permitted)

#3 - The land just east of the Urals (within the next 50 miles) will be a demilitarised zone.

#4 - The Northern Parliament will pay 15% of its GDP to Iron Blood for the next 99 years. 

#5 - The Northern Parliament will withdraw from Azur Lane and remain a neutral nation for the extent of a minimum 55 years.

Joseph: Do you think I'd-

FDG: You're more than free to refuse outright but given my daughter was kind enough to not say I shouldn't kill you and everyone else here, I suggest you not test my patience.

Joseph: Why you-

She slams her hand on the table and everyone falls silent. However, the ambassador from the Northern Parliament is quick to begin negotiating, pointing out that the two last clauses would destroy the Northern Parliament, rendering any such agreement null and void.

For her part, the Empress' mother listens and asks him to provide more suitable terms, to which he responds by requesting that the 5th clause be removed and the 4th be lowered to 5%. To everyone's shock, she agrees but before anyone can continue we are interrupted by the arrival of Akagi and Kaga, both of whom have come presumably to represent the Sakura Empire's interests in these negotiations. 

When our counterpart asks what's the meaning of including them, FDG laughs before pointing out that we'd never formally begun the negotiations to begin with. As fury threatens to overcome the other side of the room, however, she stands.

FDG: Now we can really begin.

<->

As my daughter and I walk towards the port of the newly renamed city of St. Petersburg (Leningrad), I can't help but steal glimpses at her smiling face as she holds my hand all but skipping the entire way. She's happy and seeing her this happy makes me happy.

Me: So what would you like to do?

Rupprecht: Hmmm? I...why don't you choose?

Me: It's your day. You've managed to steal me away for the day, all to yourself, so your choice.

She seems torn between choosing to remain in the city and continuing with the initial plan of going on a cruise through the Baltic. Seeing her so indecisive causes me to laugh, even as I pull her closer.

Me: Alternatively, we could simply go around trying everything we come across until you figure something out.

Rupprecht: Like what?

Me: Like those.

I point at a nearby food stall selling various local foods and after some initial hesitation, Rupprecht pulls me towards the stall where the owner quickly freezes in place upon seeing us. The other customers he was catering for also fell silent causing me to realise that perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to come out without disguising ourselves. However, where I fail Rupprecht quickly begins conversing with the locals and before long everyone's comfortable around us though they still put a respectable distance between themselves and me.

Vendor: You must try this next, Your Majesty...your Highness. This one is called Pirozhki or if something a bit more unique suits your tastes then do try the Chebureki. 

Following his advice, especially after the other customers swear he makes the best street food this side of Berlin, both Rupprecht and I get a few and begin eating. True to their word, a burst of flavour envelops my mouth the minute my teeth sink through the crust.

It isn't long before we gather a crowd and it's only then that I notice that Rupprecht seems to be well-known amongst the locals. I know I had assigned her sometime back to oversee the research facility in the city but I'd never have guessed she'd go out and get to know the people of her own accord.

Standing aside, I watch as the people crowd around her. Little children all but fight one another t be the first to give her flowers. Mothers bring their little ones to see her, commenting on how if it weren't for her help they wouldn't have managed. Still amazed by all the words they have to say about her, I don't notice the vendor sitting down on the stool next to me until he speaks up.

Vendor: She's really helped the people of this city a lot. She's even the one who sponsored this stall I now call my own. We owe her much but were never able to repay her for what she wanted was something we could never provide.

Me: What do you mean? I'm sure she'd be happy with anything you decided to grant her in return.

Vendor: Perhaps but...well, it isn't my place to say but I'm happy she's getting to spend time with you...Your Majesty.

Before I can ask what he means, he stands and after a quick shout to the crowd that they should allow us to continue on our way, the crowd parts to reveal Rupprecht who's face is red from embarrassment. Simultaneously, it seems the vast majority of the crowd finally realises I'm also here and though there are conflicting expressions of adoration and dread crossing their faces everyone bows.

Me: T-there's no need to bow-

Vendor: On the contrary, Your Majesty. We all owe you much as well. If it weren't for your mercy, we-

...

...

...

Later in the day, after visiting many more locations and hearing even more things about my daughter, I realised that there wasn't much about her that I knew. As we sit in the back of a taxi heading towards the airport, I can't help but wonder how I missed so much of her life.

A soft thud against my shoulder stirs me from my thoughts just long enough to see her head resting on my shoulder. A smile creeps across my lips. 

Me: Rupprecht...

Rupprecht: Hmmmm...

Me: We're almost there.

Rather than get up, she snuggles closer, her hands wrapping around me as she leans further into my breasts. Her hair tickles but I stifle my laughter in favour of letting her sleep and as the driver pulls into the airport I spot Jean and Bellona talking by one of the security posts and tell him to stop in front of them.

Both girls open their mouths, likely to berate me for heading off again but upon seeing the sleeping Rupprecht resting they fall silent, a look of understanding replacing their initial worry. When neither moves to help me get her out of the car, however, it's my turn to go off on them for "shirking" their duties.

Laughing, they open the door and after some initial struggle, we manage to get Rupprecht out of the car. As I hold her in my arms, her head still resting on my shoulder, Jean pays the driver before helping me inside the waiting aeroplane where I barely manage to lay Rupprecht down before collapsing on the bed beside her.

Jean: Your Majesty...

Me: Hmmm?

Jean: Good night.