Chapter Text
Weeks ago…
Within the representative council meeting room, a cacophony of voices resounded from the annular table. Faction leaders and subordinates alike voiced their discontent, pointing fingers at each other, gesturing, and raising their voices. Queen Elizabeth listened silently in her seat, her gaze darting from person to person as they argued and debated the Commander’s current state.
“Hoy, hoy,” Jean Bart said. “If that dumbass Commander hadn’t locked himself in that office of his for God knows what, we wouldn’t be in this janky situation in the first place.”
“Well, if it weren’t for you ungrateful pests,” Akagi countered. “The Commander would’ve reconsidered. Girls like you are the reason why he’s locked himself up.”
“Why you—”
“Wasn’t it the Sakura Empire that caused this mess?” Gneisenau remarked. “If I recall, it was one of you who led him to isolate himself from us.”
“Well, that’s—”
“Now, now, everyone.” Yat Sen mediated. “Let’s not point fingers at each other. We still have to remedy the issue at hand…”
“Might I suggest we exchange ideas to determine a solution?” Vittorio Veneto said. “It would be fitting for each faction to give their take, no?”
Sovetsky Soyuz nodded. “I agree—”
“The only take we need is to push that stupid Commander outta his office.” Jean Bart interrupted. “Maybe then he oughta fix this crisis, ya know?”
“That seems too much, though.” Gouden Leeuw said.
“Yes,” Richelieu added. “Jean, forcing the Commander might not be the right approach…”
Jean Bart folded her arms. “Well—”
“That’s exactly the same reason why he closed himself off from us!” Akagi exclaimed. “I don’t understand why you girls are hellbent on making life harder for our poor Commander. Tsk, tsk, insects.” She turned away.
“Akagi,” Nagato advised. “Ease the poison in your words. We are in a meeting, not a dispute.”
“Heehee,” Clemenceau teased. “It appears Lady Vixen bit off more than she can chew~”
“Hey—”
The arguments went back and forth, neither reaching a conclusion nor resolving.
Queen Elizabeth rubbed her forehead. She closed her eyes before opening them again.
Enterprise’s gaze remained on the table’s veneer surface, her finger tracing circles as she let out a low sigh. Across from her, Bismarck listened and nodded to what Gneisenau whispered in her ear. Beside them, Nagato continually shook her head as Akagi remained on the defensive from Jean Bart and Clemenceau’s words, neither of them giving ground. Sovetsky Soyuz and Sovetskaya Rossiya’s gazes darted from person to person, before both eventually shared a glance at the door.
The loud voices, insults, and dramatic gestures made Queen Elizabeth’s eye twitch once. She turned to Warspite, who sat beside her watching the chaos unfold with pressed lips, and motioned her to move closer.
Warspite leaned towards her. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Remind me to tell Valiant that she’ll come represent me in the next meeting the following week. I simply have better things to do than this.”
Warspite nodded. “As you wish, Your Majesty.” She returned to her seat.
As voices grew louder and agreement farther from reach, Queen Elizabeth clicked her tongue and slammed her palm on the desk.
Everyone fell silent mid-motion.
“That’s enough!” Queen Elizabeth said. “You lot have been rowdier than a pack of dogs. It’s utterly meaningless and a waste of my time.” She glanced at everyone—they stared at her. “Regarding my servant’s public withdrawal, I neither know the whys nor whats of his mind, but this morale crisis has got to end! My subjects have complained to me of hardships these last two months, and I presume my faction isn’t the only one affected by it. It’s either you HELP me FIND a solution or let your people face the consequences!”
Silence lingered as Queen Elizabeth scrutinized the room. From faction leader to subordinate, they blinked. A chair creaked.
“If I may ask…” Richelieu pressed a hand to her chest. “Does Her Majesty have an idea in mind, perchance?”
Queen Elizabeth bit her lip. “Well… yes, I do have one.”
“Would ya mind sharing?”
Queen Elizabeth's lips curved into a smile. “Well, it requires the absolute cooperation of not just the Royal Navy, but all factions involved. The idea is to influence the Commander’s thinking, not by force, but through proximity. I do not give an inkling of what he may say to us, but a suitable candidate must be appointed as his new secretary in order for this to work.” She grinned, “And I know exactly the right person for the role...”