─•~:~•─

Breakfast was again delicious, though Isis couldn't help but to notice the mood of the Palace.

"Is it just me, or does everyone seem stressed out?" she asked, sipping coffee to left of the main table.

"This is a very important day, Isis. If something happens here, or the negotiations fail, our nation will be at war again."

The Doll was still fighting, but Violet was winning slowly. She felt everything today.

Fear.

Hate.

Anger.

Sorrow.

This has to work. There must be peace.

I can't fight again.

Violet waged war in her mind, but Helga visited her table, and the war was halted, at least for the moment.

"Good Morning, Lady Evergarden and Lady Isis. Was your breakfast enjoyable?" she asked in perfect manners.

"Helga, you gotta relax a bit. Look, I'm just Isis, kay? Here, have a coffee," Isis replied, dragging the maid down to the table and all but shoving a cup into her hands.

"R-really, Lady Isis, this is hardly-"

"No, no, no! You're gonna have a coffee with us, and you're gonna relax. And if ya call me Lady Isis again, me and Stanny will slap ya!" Isis shouted, pouring yet another coffee out for the maid.

Not sure what to make of the sudden breach in protocol, Helga simply sat in silence and drank her coffee.

The girl in Violet almost wanted to smile, but the Doll fought back, and she simply kept her gaze at the door.

A gentle chime ran, and Helga stood up, "I'm sorry my la- my friends, but it's time, we should get to the throne room."

Violet stood, and took Isis by her hand, "I must ask you one favour, Isis."

"Sure."

"Try to take this seriously."

─•~:~•─

For as much ceremony and importance surrounding the negotiations, the room was surprisingly empty.

The King and Heinrich were present, as was a uniformed General of the Leiden Army that Violet didn't recognize. Across the oak table was Erik, another aide, and another General wearing that same, grey uniform that sent a cold chill down her spine.

Violet took her place at a small table behind and the left of the King, her typewriter already there and waiting for her. Someone had taken great care to set it up, including selecting the correct paper and ink roller type. She checked the reel, and then sat patiently for the meeting to begin.

"Welcome Gentlemen. Thank you for joining us today. As we're all aware, our purpose is to bring an end to this war that has wasted so many lives between our two great nations."

The King spoke well, and at least to Violet, his words seemed true.

Erick rosed to his feet, "On behalf of The Republic of Konigreich, we are honoured to be received by the Kingdom of Leiden. It is my own hope that we can forge a lasting peace, one that will bring stability to our nations and allow us to prosper."

"And mine as well, Mr. Prime Minister. Obviously, we're far from friends, but I hope we are no longer enemies. Do you have any conditions that we need to be made aware of?"

Erick walked over and handed a rolled piece of paper to the King, "I trust you'll find everything in order."

He took a few minutes to read it. But he's easy-going face turned to disappointment, and his voice to anger.

"What the hell is this?! These aren't conditions, these are demands! And outrageous ones at that!"

"Your powers of observation serve you well, Stanislaus. This will be the cost of our peace," Erick said, calmly.

The paper made its way to Violet, and she studied it closely.

Konigreich was demanding a massive sum of money as reparations, nearly 30% of the treasury. Additionally, they wanted free access to Leiden's ports without tolls, a percentage of the harvest each year, half ownership of the National Coal Mines, and the right to collect taxes from Leiden Merchants passing through their own territory.

But most concerning were the final two demands. The Leiden Army was to be stood down, and Leiden was to admit – by capitulation – that they had lost the war.

The Doll again fought the Girl, as Violet stared blankly at the paper. Her friends had fought and died in the war. She had lost almost everything.

Violet crushed the paper in her metal hand, and thought about standing up, but Henrich would stop her, along with everyone else.

"Gentlemen, I think we've gotten a little off track here. Might I suggest a one-hour recess?"

"Agreed," the King and Erick both said at the same time.

Everyone stood and walked out of the room. Only Violet and Isis were left behind.

"Are you okay?" Isis asked.

Violet couldn't answer.

The war in her mind was raging, and the Girl tried desperately to fight back the tears.

─•~:~•─