GATE: Task Force Guillotine

Chapter 21: Escape Plan

Hyatt Centric Hotel, Tokyo

April 2, 2028, 13:05

Pina straightened in her seat as Susan Ross leaned forward slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

"Princess," Ross began smoothly, her voice carrying the weight of experience and authority. "If I recall correctly, you requested this meeting the moment you met the Captain—just as he was picking up Lieutenant Itami after that... incident involving your knights."

Beside her, Bozes stiffened slightly at the veiled rebuke, but Pina remained composed, even as she felt the weight of Ross's gaze pressing down on her.

Ross folded her hands, eyes sharp and calculating. "Tell me, Your Highness, was this initiative sanctioned by your government? Or is this just an impulsive act?"

A heavy silence followed, deliberate and pointed.

Pina's fingers curled slightly against the armrest, but outwardly, she remained poised. Scrutiny was expected—resistance was inevitable. But there was something else in Ross's tone. Amusement? Skepticism? A challenge.

She met Ross's gaze head-on. "I understand my actions may seem impulsive, Madam Secretary, but rest assured, I am here in the Empire's best interests."

Ross arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Best interests, you say? Fascinating. Because from where I'm sitting, this looks more like a personal mission than an official one. I have to wonder—does your government even know you're here?"

Pina tensed, but before she could respond, Yanagida spoke up, his tone carefully neutral. "Madam Secretary, while I won't comment on the Empire's internal decisions, I can confirm that Princess Pina has taken great initiative in opening this dialogue."

Ross turned her gaze to Yanagida, studying him briefly before returning her attention to Pina. "Initiative is one way to put it," she remarked. "Risky would be another."

The room remained taut with unspoken tension until Toshiyuki Aramaki, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

"Regardless of how she got here," he said, measured and firm, "the fact remains—she is here. And Japan is willing to hear her out. The question is whether the United States is as well."

Ross leaned back slightly, considering his words before nodding. "We're willing to listen. That's why I'm here in the first place."

Aramaki gestured subtly toward Pina. "Then, Your Highness, I must ask—why the urgency? Arranging this meeting in a day was no small task. I trust our hospitality has been satisfactory?"

Pina nodded. "Yes, it has been very satisfactory."

Aramaki offered a polite smile. "That's a relief. We were concerned our country might not meet the expectations of royalty." His tone turned slightly more serious. "Now, if I may ask—does this meeting concern the agreement we made in Italica? Are there any issues with it?"

Pina quickly shook her head. "No! The agreement was not unsatisfactory at all. I simply wanted to personally apologize for my knights' behavior. Their actions were... unacceptable, and I take full responsibility."

Ross raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "An apology, is it?" She leaned forward slightly, lacing her fingers together. "Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness, but a formal diplomatic meeting for a simple apology seems rather... excessive. Especially considering the circumstances under which this agreement was made."

Pina swallowed but held her ground. "I understand how it may appear, Madam Secretary, but honor demands that I make amends. My knights acted rashly and without provocation. I cannot allow such behavior to tarnish the Empire's credibility—or mine, for that matter."