Chapter 11: Royal Preparations
"The King and Queen of Windbloom will arrive in two months time for the stately visit. Due to the royal family having not visited since the Dragon King War, this is an excellent opportunity to showcase Aries' security and power." Sarah Gallagher, the Head of Homeland Secretly said from the other end of the table. "Along with finalising our trade agreements, it would be wise to cooperate with Windbloom's military police and royal guard." There was no telling how risky this visit could be with the Presidency and royal family. Prior to now, an event of this magnitude had been… when? Surely it had been the Twelve Nation War?
"That would be wise." Yukino Chrysant, Head of the Federal Defense Intelligence stated. "The Windbloom Kingdom could very well defeat us in war and place sanctions on us if desired. Their intelligence network is also incredible. It would be a shame to miss this opportunity."
This meeting had been ongoing for over two hours. Natsuki found it interesting—however, it was beginning to drag. How much longer was she going to be stuck here listening to topics she had no control over? She was glad her mother had finally allowed her access, but without any experience she was useless. It niggled inside the back of her mind numbly, depressing her. It had always been like this. She could do nothing to change her life. All she had wanted was to join the military, but thanks to her legs, this made her a liability. Even with the hope that the new research could help her, that misery would never fade. Perhaps she was being overdramatic? No, not at all. Who wouldn't be when their one access to fulfillment had been torn from their fingertips? Staring down at the oval table, her mind wandered as the meeting continued.
"The King and Queen will be brought over on the Navy's new aircraft carrier; the Suzushiro." The head of the Navy, Haruka Armitage lifted her voice from beside Chrysant. "I've had that ship checked over a hundred times this week. Nothing's getting in—or out.
"The carrier's ready then?" Saeko asked, receiving a nod from the blonde. "Good." Organising her papers set before her, she flicked to the final page. "I will need a final report of the ARS Suzushiro's armaments, safety protocol, emergency docking procedure, staff schedules and supplies. The royal's new Otome will also be joining; Mahya Blythe."
"Do you know the royal Otome?" Natsuki asked Shizuru as they entered the Haxagon's private quarters.
"I know of her; Mahya Blythe was my upperclassman. She was a Trias member during my time—the second ranking Pearl. Apart from the occasional greeting, I rarely spoke with her. She is a very dutiful and straightforward Meister." Rolling Natsuki's wheelchair into the living room, she asked: "Would you prefer to sit on the settee?"
"I can do it m-"
"Natsuki."
The mild warning made her pause, pointedly staring at her Otome, Natsuki sighed a moment later. "Sorry." She grumbled. "I just hate it when people try helping me. I can do it myself." Natsuki hated being pitied—let alone by her Meister. "If I fall over, you can help me?"
"...Alright." Shizuru watched the younger woman uncomfortably. She was yet to see Natsuki manoeuvre herself. Her surprise was clear as Natsuki physically held her legs in order to move them. It looked incredibly awkward as Natsuki used her torso to heave herself from the wheelchair towards the settee. Yet, even with useless legs, Natsuki managed it rather quickly. Shizuru could only blink as a smirk was thrown her way.
"Surprised? People always are."
"Very." Shizuru felt incompetent just standing there. Due to her background and the fact she was an Otome, physical disability was very invisible for her. Having always been able for her entire life, disability was an unknown concept for her. To see somebody have to move their body like it was partly a doll—how could she explain it? She couldn't, could she? Shaking the thought away, Shizuru rounded the wheelchair to sit beside her. "Does it hurt?"
Natsuki shrugged. "I've got paraplegic paralysis. I don't feel pain but my legs feel numb sometimes. I guess it feels like an arm going to sleep." Natsuki rarely if ever explained her paralysis to anyone. But considering Shizuru was her Meister, she needed to know this. "Most paraplegic cases are because of crashes." So it wasn't like she was unique or anything.
Oh, how she wished she could get her legs back.