"Tell me, Warspite. Why is the Commander walking around our base alone? I thought we always had a maid assigned to follow him wherever he went."
"It would seem that Belfast had gotten a request to leave early in order to train Bel as an upcoming maid. She arrived at the dorm just a minute ago, My Queen."
The two figures stood alone by a tall window, adorned by the finest of drapes. Silently watching the Commander, now alone on his journey… At least until the queen processed Warspite's words.
"WHAT?!"
Surprise dominated her features, looking almost offended that that was a possibility. Her small crown coming dangerously close to falling off as she turned to her sister ship, looking her over as if to see if she had played a joke in bad taste. Though reality quickly settled as she saw her serious expression that met her own.
"Can I not even rely on Belfast anymore? To fail at the most simple of tasks, perhaps her role as head maid should be rethought if this is all she can accomplish!"
Finishing speaking, she let out a single 'hmph', crossing her arms.
"My Queen, if I may interject. Belfast was only following the Commander's directives. She should not be punished for something he decided."
Warspite knew that the queen had a bad temper, easily throwing a light tantrum like the one she did now. Was it without reason? No, but the fallout if not handled delinquently would certainly be unfair.
"Really now? She knows nevertheless why she was assigned to him, leaving is an insult to my name. Punishment of some kind is most certainly required!"
She slowly lost her energy, more tired than angry over the current situation. Feelings of unfairness filled her whole, the luster from her eyes disappearing. She gazed out towards the island, talking aloud to herself;
"It is my God's given right to take all I desire. To wait while the thing I want the most simply walks away is beneath me as queen. I should just claim him while I still have the chance. All this smoke and mirrors isn't something befitting royalty such as I."
Warspite felt anger flare up for the smallest of seconds. Anger from a comment that was neither thought through nor appropriate, overstepping even the queen's authority. Responding fiercely to the queen's loud thoughts.
"Elizabeth, Temper yourself! You know full well what those words suggest, Azur Lane would cease as quickly as it formed!"
A tone Elizabeth was happy to match, though not quick enough to answer. As a third voice rang out from behind, joining their conversation. One who had listened silently as the situation developed, one who now thought it necessary to interject.
"Lady Warspite is right, your Majesty. A lady must always seize the initiative, that is true. However, what you are suggesting would only lead to disaster. The balance of power is yet too strong."
An eloquent tone, with each word feeling like they were chosen with utmost care. Both Warspite and Elizabeth turned to the source, knowing full well who it would be.
"Lady Hood, I thank you for your support in this matter."
Warspite was the first of the two to speak up, bowing slightly. Elizabeth too busy looking downtrodden to do it herself, in no mood to participate in a conversation that did not fully agree with her.
Hood on the other hand sat gracefully on a sofa, sipping black tea from white-gold china. Her long blue Edwardian style dress almost reaching the floor as she sat there, cross legged.
A maid stood ready beside her, holding a teapot gently in both hands. Eyes closed and head lowered in a show of respect, though still observant to her surroundings. Quickly understanding that the attention had now shifted towards Hood, and in extension, herself.
She quickly took advantage of it, putting forward a proposal.
"My Queen, if Ms. Belfast has left the master's side, perhaps I could be entrusted with going instead. I promise that you will not be disappointed."
Elizabeth gave it a thought but shook her head.
"I know you're already busy as is, Newcastle. You don't have to push yourself even further. Send someone else, will you… Sheffield will do. I can trust her to discipline the Commander for his unwise decision. Bring me Belfast while you are at it as well, she needs to be reminded of her duties."
At the queen's orders put Newcastle down the teapot on a table beside Hood and performed a curtsey, bidding them all goodbye. Leaving the three alone to discuss matters further.
"Is there not a new meeting called to discuss the upcoming operation in the Atlantic today? Perhaps you would find it a great time to bring up your displeasure around the handling of the Commander?"
Elizabeth froze at Hood's suggestions, knowing full well what the consequences would be. Though, with her high pride as fuel, tried to play it off.
"Hmph! P-perhaps I will. They would do well to bow down to a mighty queen such as me!
Warspite looked over at Elizabeth, unconvinced at her boasting. Whilst Hood only took a sip of her tea, not commenting further. The silence quickly affecting Elizabeth, cracks beginning to show in her prideful facade.
When it looked like she was ready to break down completely, stepped Warspite in, not wanting the queen to show a disgraceful side of herself.
"Perhaps it would be best to put this matter aside for now, your Majesty. You can't let this spoil your mood for the meeting. That should go for you too, Ms Hood. I thank you for backing me in this matter, but the way you've proved our point is simply beneath you."
This got Hood's attention, a sharpness in her eyes as she spoke.
"Victory and defeat is something we all must get used to, Warspite… Your Majesty. It's better that one would get a taste of it in the presence of compatriots, rather than adversaries."
She paused, sadness from the reality of her next words entering her voice.
"My Queen, neither of us, nor any other at this base, can truly act in the way they desire. We must simply bid our time until something out of our control occurs, or the Commander himself makes his move."
Having done the first of his countless morning routines began the Commander his journey back towards his personal office.
He had confirmed that both the supply line and upgrade list held schedule. At the same time noting that the dock had seen a small uptick in productivity from the bulins. A thing that seemed to happen whenever he did a prolonged visit or inspection.
He never understood them. Born from the wisdom cubes without weapons or the will to fight, more focused and happy with a wrench or a hammer in their hands. That and there were hundreds of them, all basically clones of one another. Though he would never insult their working spirit, as they always went above and beyond on anything he tasked them with. The morning checkup, another statement to that.
Everything done in the morning mostly consisted of making sure that everything on the base ran as it should. Seeing over the operational readiness across all divisions and correcting the ones falling behind.
Not a monumental task per se, but something that required a fair bit of time. The high command had tasked him to oversee most of the base's functions and all its operations. Stating that the importance of his mission required personal oversight on all fronts, be it battle or logistics. A thing he did not complain about, being told he was the only one that could.
Arriving at the main building, one of simple but elegant design. Standing at the edge of a small cliff, overlooking the ocean beyond. Perhaps not the most strategically sound decisions, but it wasn't built in times of war either.
Many buildings around the island had styles of their own, the dorms especially. Partaking in each of the nation's cultures and lifestyles. Making the island look more like a world fair than an advanced military base. The building before him had none of that however, consisting only of three floors that lacked any real detail. The reason for it was so that it wouldn't favor any one nation's architectural style, but it left it quite drab in the process.
As he was about to enter, the thought that he had yet to have breakfast struck him. He usually favored getting a few of his assignments done beforehand like he had done today. But now with Belfast gone and Gloucester, the maid usually in charge of his cooking, away on a mission, had he no one but himself to rely on. But with several more tasks nagging him in the back of his mind, waiting for his arrival. Decided the commander that it would be better to forgo breakfast, just this once.
This train of thought however got stopped in its tracks with the sound of a firing gun from behind, a bullet striking the wall right beside where his head was. His tiredness from before disappeared almost immediately, his whole body filling with adrenalin. He knew who it was by instinct, that he wasn't in any mortal danger. But it took every ounce of willpower that he had to not put his hand on the service weapon strapped to his waist. Years of training and experience screaming at him to act.
"Master…"
A somewhat quiet monotone voice filled with ice entered his ears. A combination he had grown to slightly fear, especially when it came from this person specifically.
"...I believe both her majesty and myself have made it very clear about our thoughts on you being alone."
He took a deep breath in an attempt to limit the adrenaline spikes effect on him, already feeling the heightened heart rate as he did. Taking his hand off the door handle slowly, turning to greet the girl in question, the maid, Sheffield. Her gun still pointed squarely at him, lightly smoking from its previous shot.
The ensemble she wore matched the other maids, wearing one of the long french style design. A frilly white headband kept together her carefully braided platinum blonde hair, well kept like everything else on her. An extremely cute girl, if not for the look she gave him. deadlier than even the gun in her hand.
"Sheffield, a surprise as always! Don't know how much my heart can take seeing you like this every day, but I'll count my blessings for as long as I can handle it."
He paused slightly, knowing the consequences of what he was about to say. Though feeling the need to at least try, nothing gained if nowhere ventured.
"While I am perfectly aware of your and Elizabeth's stance on me being alone, I-I als-"
Pang!
Another shot fired, as he expected, this one clipping his hair by the millimeter. The feeling of the bullets' airwaves struck his face, making him go quiet immediately.
"This isn't something negotiable, Master. If you for some reason have to recall or send away your secretary, then make sure to also have them send someone else to take their place. We have been extremely explicit on how you are able to have more than one secretary at a time. A thing that would solve my highly unnecessary use of ammunition. Or is it that you like being reminded this way, my beloved Master?"
She tilted her head slightly, awaiting his response to her question.
He knew that arguing wouldn't do much, it never had. But couldn't help but hope that he could perhaps convince her that spending a few minutes alone at their own base wasn't that much of a big deal.
"Sheffield, please. Let's be reasonable for a second."
His hands went up slightly in a defensive position for a gunshot that never came, Sheffield at least willing to listen to his pleading. Her quiet stare continuing.
"We're at base, Sheffield. If it's company that I'd want then I could have it whenever I'd like. Sometimes a person gotta spend some time alone, gathering their thoughts. Besides, we're probably in one of the most secure places on the whole earth, it's not like I need protection every minute of the day, right?"
Despite his hopes, remained Sheffield's determined face, her stance clear on the matter. However, after a few seconds escaped a loud sigh from her lips as she lowered her gun.
"You truly are hopeless, Master. While your safety is something I am highly concerned about, your health takes precedence. Master, what would have been your intended breakfast, which I know you haven't taken yet?"
The Commander only stayed silent, slightly ashamed to tell the truth. Making it clear to Sheffield what he would have done if she had not shown up. Her already scary face souring even more as she clutched her gun tightly.
"I see… My beloved Master wants to be treated like vermin, strapped to a chair and force fed. You can go up to your office, I'll prepare a suitable breakfast for you in the meantime."
She walked past him, not meeting his gaze as she did. Entering the building and leaving him alone outside to reflect. In the end, he had gotten what he wanted, but the victory was anything but sweet.
His walk to his office was not a long one, only needing to ascend a couple stairs. He had heard noises from the kitchen as soon as he had entered the building, Sheffield already hard at work on his breakfast. He decided because of this that it would be best to continue with his previous plan of completing some paperwork. Giving him a good time-waster while he waited for her.
Opening his office's double doors greeted its large open area him. It was for the most part barren, only a desk and a couple of chairs disrupting its otherwise clear floor, a blue mat covering most of it. All the walls were filled by bookshelves, except the one behind his desk, where a large window stood, overlooking the entire ocean. Its length spanned the entire wall, intricate wooden design running through it.
What followed was the mind-numbing task of simply reading page after page of requests concerning material allocations to different projects, simple decisions, or done papers only needing his signing. Something that thankfully didn't last too long as Sheffield entered shortly after with a tray holding various refreshments and eatables.
"Master, I have prepared your breakfast. Make sure to eat it all, else my previous threats become reality."
Sheffield was straight to the point like she always was. Her decision final, or else. The Commander knew that most of her threats were empty. Though with her current mood being what it was made him second guess going against her.
"Thanks, Sheffield. It looks lovely."
The tray had freshly made toast and tea on its left side, while the right had a couple of small sausages with scrambled eggs. All lightly seasoned. Having it presented before him really made him feel how hungry he really was, taking a bite from one of the sausages almost immediately.
"Now, my Master. Mind explaining why you were alone today?"
She didn't rush him for an answer, waiting patiently as he took several more bites of his tray. It was a question he knew was coming. One he had no problem answering, the situation easy enough to explain.
"Me and Belfast made sure to visit Bel this morning. Perhaps you know that It was her last checkup today? I couldn't in good faith send her out on her own. So I had Belfast escort her to their dorm. I'm sure she's making Bel settle in nicely right about now."
An explanation that didn't satisfy Sheffield, who quickly continued to prod.
"Master… Bel has been here for nearly a month now, longer than some of the regular shipgirls. She knows her way around the island, let alone to the dorms. Is there something else you forgot to include in your feeble explanation?"
Her question was so immediate that the Commander took a small pause. Perhaps she already knew what he had left out, or it was obvious that he at least did. He felt stuck either way, unable to frame ignorance as he had done before, opting instead to glance over the topic.
"Well, you are correct in that I left something out. It's just that I believe I'm not the one that should be the bringer of those news."
Sheffield stared down at the Commander, noting that he indeed seemed quite apprehensive to tell her anything about the subject in question. So she changed tactics. Her steely look giving way to a kinder one, at least relatively speaking.
"Master, I am simply trying to understand why you acted the way you did. If it is something you would want secret I sincerely hope you can trust me enough to tell it."
Sincere hope… That really was the only thing the Commander felt when he looked into her eyes. Of course he trusted her, as he trusted everyone else at Azur Lane. Even his former enemies did not get any less faith from him compared to the ship girls he had before. However, he truly felt that this was something up to both Belfast and Bel to tell themselves.
… But telling one couldn't hurt, could it? Especially one who was so close to her. At worst she would run over and congratulate them in her own way, creating a memory that they could all laugh about in the future. Yes, one wouldn't hurt.
"Well, you see… They apparently grew quite close to one another with the time they spent together. Actually to the point that I feared if Bel would get to know anyone else. But I guess it enabled a new form of love to grow between them. They now consider themselves family, mother and daughter."
Sheffield felt that she always had good control over her feelings, especially how she portrayed them physically. But even she could not help but lock up for a split second, the news hitting her like bricks.
"They see themselves as mother… and daughter?"
she asked for clarification in disbelief, as if she had simply heard wrong.
"Yes, wonderful isn't it?"
The Commander had been extremely happy for the both of them. His soul at rest from seeing the love of family blossom even in dark times like these. Reinforcing his feelings that in the end, no matter what happened, would everything be alright.
Sheffield had almost instantly shaken off her shock. To the point where she was unsure if the Commander had even noticed it. But the conversation subject remained uncharted waters before her. So she did the only thing she could, she played it safe.
"Yes, truly wonderful indeed, Master. And it would give a satisfying explanation as well. Such an event is something that must be considered special, no wonder you let them go celebrate."
To that gave the Commander only a small nod, his mouth occupied with taking another bite. His feelings and thoughts on the matter understood and accepted.
Swallowing, the Commander continued.
"Thanks for the food, Sheffield. It was most delicious. But now I really need to get back to work on these documents."
Sheffield glanced down at the tray still full of food, only to in turn stare down the Commander once again, frowning.
"Master… You've only eaten half of it. Do pests not get large appetites? Or is it that you wish to scorn the experience of having a beautiful maid cook for you?"
The Commander waved his hand defensively, smiling at the clearly upset maid.
"No, nothing of that sort, Sheffield. I'm just slightly behind on work. I promise that I'll eat the rest of it if I have time later."
Though Sheffield did not budge this time as well. However, she chose to negotiate instead of making threats this time.
"How about you eat it all now and I'll help you with your work later? Even an insect like you must see the value in that?"
The Commander smiled at that, a small laugh escaping him as he started to look over a pile of nearby papers. He knew that her harsh language bore no real disdain. But instead was used as her form of caring.
"Don't tempt me, Sheffield. You know what high command thinks of that. I'm really grateful that you'd like to help but only I am allowed to do the paperwork. You're free to stay if you want to keep me company though, I'd never say no to that."
An answer that didn't amuse Sheffield in any way, leaning forward a bit to get closer to the commander.
"The Admiralty wouldn't know if I helped you, Master. I know that I'm usually pretty insistent on you completing your work on time, that is still the case. However, that doesn't exclude me from also seeing when you need help to do so. So again, Master. Please let me assist you."
Hearing Sheffield's words crumbled his smile slowly. In the end sighing quietly to himself, tired eyes looking over her.
"I can't just disobey direct orders, Sheffield. No matter how small they are or how low the chance of them finding out is. I got this position from a foundation of trust. A thing I can't break, no matter what. I would fail both the HQ and humanity by doing that."
What followed was a tense stare down by both parties. The room completely enveloped in silence, only their breathing still heard. Sheffield was the first to break it, a displeased tone evident in her voice.
"Very well, Master. Have it your way… Or perhaps the high commands. I'll check up on Belfast and have her return immediately. Be sure to not overwork yourself to death while I'm away."
With those parting words turned Sheffield on her heels and quickly left the room. Closing the doors loudly to make sure that the Commander knew of her sour mood, leaving him alone with his half eaten tray of food and piles of papers.
She was completely brimming with frustration. Why couldn't her master just accept the help she was willing to give? She knew he had strong loyalties to the higher command, but for him to go this far bothered her greatly.
Her thoughts also strayed to Belfast and Bel. Their supposed family not making her any happier, womanly intuitions giving red signals everywhere. If she was right, then Belfast had surely overstepped her bounds.
She whispered to herself, making a beeline to her majesty to report her findings.
"Belfast, you truly are too greedy for a maid…"
The Commander closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Leaning back in his leather chair, already exhausted enough as is from his work and adrenaline rush. Now also having to deal with the emotional baggage of feeling guilt from denying someone meaningless work. He didn't understand the fierce reaction he had gotten. He would, like always, complete his tasks in time one way or another.
His emotional turmoil turned fatal, however. Probably with some help from his stomach now being somewhat full. Ensuring that when he laid, resting on his office chair, fell unknowingly asleep.
The Commander got roused from his sleep by the sound of the doors closing, followed by ever closing footsteps.
"Ara ara~ Commander, it's not good to sleep on the job you know? Though with how exhausted you look, it was probably for the best."
It was… Belfast voice, carrying a happy tone. It would seem that Sheffield had brought her back after her abrupt leave.
Rubbing his eyes, he tried to quell the growing anxiety from having accidentally slept during work hours. Looking up to see Belfast standing right in front of his desk, amused. Both her hands held behind her back as she examined the still groggy Commander.
"How long was I asleep for?"
Her smile lost a bit of its energy at the question, becoming more subdued.
"Too long."
Two words, two words that did not help the growing anxiety he felt. It subsided quickly however, as he checked his watch in a panic. Only around half an hour of time had passed.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
"You scared me for a second there, Belfast. I thought I had slept the whole day away!"
Half an hour, not optimal but not really enough to ruin the whole day. He would simply have to stay up a bit later, perhaps at worst relinquishing his dinner or the invitation to Elizabeth's tea party. He would get food on either choice so it-
His silent replanning of the day got interrupted by air lightly getting blown in his ear, making him jump slightly. Belfast, of course being the culprit.
"Commander… You shouldn't space out when in the presence of others, it's unbecoming. Or are you perhaps still tired? You do know how it's bad to overwork yourself right? Perhaps we could cuddle in your bed to recuperate? I promise to be gentle… at first."
While she spoke she slowly crept closer beside the Commander, leaning slightly forward. Her white hair falling down over her shoulders as the chain around her neck dangled freely in the air. In the end, making her tower over the Commander who was still sitting.
Her forward nature had completely caught the Commander off guard, still trying to process it in his half awake mind. In other words, he was speechless. Something that seemed to drive Belfast even further as she placed one arm along the backrest as the other held his chin. Her right leg placed right between the commander's own on his chair.
Once again she spoke, looking highly victorious over the commander's troubled face.
"Sadly I don't have any time for that, another day perhaps? I have another reason for coming today, a small test to conduct and progress to check if you will."
At those words could the Commander register the sound of his office door opening and Belfast's lips crashing into his own, forcing him into a deep kiss. He was completely at the mercy of her fierce assault, stuck in a kiss that felt like an eternity.
Belfast soon ended it, a strand of saliva following with her as she slowly pulled away. Though what dragged his gaze was the complete hunger overtaking her eyes, a yearning for more evident.
As they stared into each other's eyes the sound of breaking porcelain could be heard throughout the room, breaking the trance the Commander was in.
Looking over he could see...Belfast? A tray with now broken cups and teapots on the ground before her, liquid everywhere. Her blank stare was… indescribable. A void.
The Belfast above him was the first to speak of the three, smiling as she touched her lips gently. Having waited for this exact moment.
"Well, aren't you mannerless? Perhaps I should inform you that it's quite rude to interrupt someone's kiss like that."
Author's notes
Good day everyone, Ben here! Just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for the positive reception I have gotten. I would be lying if I said that I hadn't reread all your kind comments with a smile on my face several times!
With this third chapter posted I wanted to tell you all my goals and aspirations with this story, perhaps also clearing up some things about it along the way as well. I am an extremely new writer, completely fresh out of the oven. So if you find flaws, got some critique you want to share, Post it, I won't judge! My goal is only to become better and I can't do it without your help.
With that said, there's one thing I already know I'm doing wrong. Mixing past and present tense in sentences, which technically is grammatically incorrect. This is because I feel it makes the sentences run along easier, but if you want this to change just say so. I'll try to limit it to the best of my ability. On that note, does anyone know how to do a hard scene break on this site? I just realized it hadn't translated onto my two previous chapters and I can't figure out how to do it on this one. I've put horizontal lines as a substitute for now so hopefully, the story is a bit easier to follow.
As for the reason I'm writing this story, well there are two. The first is that I want to become a better writer, it has always been a dream of mine to write my own book. The second is that I really lacked a good Azur lane story focusing on yanderes, one that didn't focus on either Taihou or Akagi. I didn't have the patience to wait for it so I set out on a journey to do it myself. Hopefully, I'm delivering somewhat so far!
This isn't gonna be oneshots or small isolated stories, but one overarching one spanning probably dozens of chapters with a real beginning and end. Though hopefully, for my own sanity, not one that lasts over 300.000 words.
As it looks like right now is a chapter gonna be released around every two weeks to a month, depending on my own circumstances. Please be patient, I'm doing the best I can with the skills I got!
With that said I want to thank you all for reading and to continue having a great day!
-BenedictusVespa