Ocean breeze blew across the harbor with natural certainty. Kaguya strolled across the docks, with her bodyguards and servants flanking her, but keeping their distance. She watched from afar the foreign ship being escorted by smaller boats into the pier, with a dozen personnel overseeing the docking.
Earlier in the day, news came announcing the arrival of a diplomatic envoy. The Palace had sent for Kaguya to have them arrive in her governing province, and she was to meet them there. Hers was the only region of the Imperata other than the Capital. The local humans were sent to guide the ship towards their harbor, and Kaguya was driven back by carriage to attend the rendezvous.
For a while now, the Imperata has stayed comfortably isolated from the rest of the world, with only the most minimal of imports from smaller countries in the Orient. But recently, messengers from a prominent nation over in the Centre-lands started arriving, bearing propositions of establishing a relationship. No such nation has ever really done that in a long time. At first, only lengthy letters were delivered back and forth as communication, until the arrangement of an envoy was approved by both sides.
This nation in question was an imperial power known as Volaria. They are vaguely familiar to the Imperata; they may have been one of the powers that have tried clashing with the Imperata in the past. They were known for their massive fleets, and of course, Lumenkind scoffed at this. But most of the records are a bit muddy, and are written in more archaic texts that are no longer used today.
But if the records are true, then this would be the first time in centuries that they've come to interact with them again. Today marks the first envoy, with representatives chosen by the Volarian Crown. While historical encounters between Volaria and the Imperata go far back before the current dynasty, perhaps with the turning of this era have the times changed.
Volaria has made clear their intent to "get to know" the Imperata. It's unknown if they are aware of Lumenkind, even if they've fought before. The Imperata has always emphasized discretion with the outside world, and no humans outside are to know about them. It was a strange direction at first, particularly with the nobility that prided in flaunting their Lumien nature. But since then the Imperata has managed to keep it a secret.
And Kaguya must continue to keep it a secret too, despite the loom of foreigners whose underlying motives may very well be to expose them. This negotiation will have lasting consequences. Her nerves were afire, but she dared not show one single iota of it.
The vessel was finally moored and secured. A walkway was connected to the side of the deck. The dock personnel and the sailors were finalizing the preparations as Kaguya sauntered up to the steam-powered ship.
Kaguya has heard of the recent advances in nautical technology, especially as the Court began vouching for it. Most ships that she heard of were designed for transport; they were bulky, dull, and awkward in their sailing with little to no outer maintenance, as years of travel eroded and decayed their outer hull. They served only to do its job.
However, the envoy vessel was nothing like that. Being sleek and of the latest design, the hull was smoothly curved and seamless. Painted in coal black and brilliant gold accents, its varnish absorbed the sunlight splendidly. It had an impressive array of masts, which served purposes for fuel efficiency and to balance out its rotating paddles in a storm. Its single funnel where the steam comes out was decoratively welded, with its yellow rim near the top as boiler steam billowed out of it. It was a fine nautical masterpiece.
She raised her eyes on the girl standing on the opposite end of the walkway. The Volarian representative was fanning herself with a circular silk fan. Hugging her figure was an aristocratic dress consisting of four different parts: a white collarless blouse, a translucent kerchief draped over it, a lengthy skirt stretching just above ankles, and a rectangular half-apron wrapped around the hips. The gown was covered in embroideries of intricate design.
The girl herself was delicate and graceful, having deep brown eyes and short, lush hair. She closed her fan shut, and drew her skirt to the side in a rapt curtsey. Her lips pulled into a smile, a diplomat's smile.
"Greetings, milady Shinomiya." She spoke in Oriental Tongue, the commonly used language of the Eastern continent, and adopted by the Imperata to help unite the Lumien clans. "We are most esteemed to be in Her Highness's presence. I am Nagisa Kashiwagi, Representative of Volaria."
Kaguya returned with her own deep bow, and instantly recalled from her quick briefing on the appropriate term to refer to a Volarian. "I'm just as honored to receive you, Srta. Kashiwagi. As you certainly know me, I am an heiress to the throne and governor of this province, but you may refer to me as Lady Kaguya instead."
She nodded respectfully. "As you insist, milady Kaguya. And please, call me Nagisa. We are duly sorry to tell you that we can only let you on board for the sake of this negotiation. The meeting must take place privately, away from prying eyes. Thus, we cannot let any of your escorts come along."
Kaguya just smiled. "If you say so, Srta. Nagisa. Just as we are relieved with your safe arrival, we can equally place our faith in the safety you'll provide. Let us proceed then."
Kashiwagi's expression shifted to surprise for a moment, but quickly resumed. "Yes of course, milady. Let's be on our way." Kaguya let one of the sailors take her by the hand and guide her aboard. With her hand over her heart, Nagisa led her through into the ship.
As she entered, servants quickly formed to the sides, genuflecting deeply. Other sailors were attending to the ship, moving in the background and working with tireless vigor. The surfaces were spotless and pristine. Here, Kaguya could smell Nagisa's scent, a mixture of sea breeze and mild coal, atop of flowery fragrance.
They walked towards the end of the stern, where a stairwell descended into the lower deck. The steps were lined with carpet, and the walls were mounted with little lamps that illuminated the way. "In here, milady Kaguya."
Unlike the other doors, this one had a fancy black and gold finish. Brass coated its elaborate handle. Nagisa stepped aside, and followed right after Kaguya went in. A servant came last and closed the door. A second servant attended to the two while serving them the finest tea. They also placed small pastries on the little rack in the center. They then quickly left.
Nagisa gestures to the tea. She says, "Please help yourself. We offer only our highest quality desserts and brew for you."
Kaguya inclines her head, picking up the teacup and platter, and inhales the aroma. She takes a sip. Nagisa follows suit and takes hers as well. For a brief moment, the thought of politics and worldly matters slip away under the comfort of fine tea. Setting their cups down, Kaguya dove straight into business.
"So now… what are your intentions with our Imperata?"
Nagisa just smiled. "Why friendship, of course. We want to befriend you."
"That's the first time in a long time that anyone has seeked our 'friendship.'"
"Well milady, someone like you may know, we recall visiting here in the century past. Our current records are muddy and unhelpful, so we don't remember exactly what transpired." She batted an eye. "But whatever truly happened is now in the past. Instead, we want to do something different, something new."
"I'm surprised that Volaria holds such deep interests at heart," Kaguya mutters. "Especially concerning a nation so far away from their own."
She takes another sip. "Our historical connections were fleeting, and we want to change that. And besides, the Orient is outside our sphere of influence. We figure aligning with such a mighty nation would logically be in our best interest."
Kaguya takes a deep breath, and gazes into Nagisa's eyes. "If you're so insistent, then what do you have to offer?" Let's have her lay the cards out first.
She clasps her hands together. "Our strength. We are one of the most influential powers in the world, begging your grace. We can open doors for you in the Centre-Lands."
"Please elaborate." Kaguya says curtly.
"Our presence extends all across the middle continent. We have many small vassals in the vast ocean, places to make port and to exchange goods, or to simply bask in the local spectacles. We maintain close business relations with several Occidental nations. We currently lead the shipping industry, thanks to our nautical infrastructure and sizable fleets. We are one of the key players in world trade, with many of our trade companies dominating the maritime domain. We are highly innovative with our vessels too." She brushes a hand across the table.
"Those are all very good points." Kaguya took a small tart and began to slice it. "It is true that our interests align with those you've mentioned." Indeed, they're quite convenient. But let's weed out the loops first. "If you were to establish relations with us, what do we stand to gain?"
"Everything we've mentioned, we can also provide. Our pride is grounded this way."
"And in exchange?"
"We want some selective freedoms in near future." Nagisa motioned her hands in indicative fashion. "We would like a trade route established between our largest ports, as well as the permission to dock, rest, and conduct repairs. This, in exchange for our nautical opportunities and a window into our culture. We find this fair."
Kaguya's face remained stoic as she sorted through the details. On one hand, the profile of the Imperata would go up once Volaria has made its mark. Other powers would start to take interest as well. If it keeps up, they may eventually find out about Lumenkind, and discretion would no longer be on their terms. If the deal goes through, the Imperata must be prepared, if it hasn't already started preparing.
But on the other hand, even if the idea was rejected entirely, it would only serve to delay the revelation of their existence. It's probably unfeasible to keep up the facade forever. The Orient had never been a part of the grander picture, but in recent years that's been proven to have changed. The time has come to pick their poison, whether they wanted to or not.
"Well if you insist on our patronage that much, I suppose we can discuss arrangements. For a start, we're keen on the idea of purchasing sturdy seafaring vessels. However, we are deeply more inclined to learning how to produce our own steamships, so it would do wonderfully if you could provide us your top naval architects to come here and train our own."
Nagisa tilts to the side. "Is that so? But our ships are top of the line, milady. I'm sure you would want only the best there is in the world, do you not? We'd lower our prices especially for you."
"We have no need for that. Rather, we'd pay significantly more for an architect tutor than for a dozen fine vessels. We know where our priorities lie." Kaguya's eyes reflect a tiny glint.
"Very well. I myself am a daughter of a nautical commission company, so I may personally see to that once I return."
"In that case, what do you have? Are your ships always as sleek as this one?"
"Milady, if you so desire, we may provide the grandest of our vessels for the right price. Excuse me for my words, but we boast the best ships of all the seafaring powers. You can guarantee the quality in our promises. Thus, the real question is, how much are you willing to invest?"
They're confident. "Three. There's little chance we'll commission more than that for the time being. To reiterate, we prize knowledge more than the products themselves, so you know what we mean."
"On a related matter, what of fuel? They're powered by steam for a reason. On average, our vessels can carry more than a thousand tons barring other uses for internal storage. This is especially so for merchant ships that cannot refuel at its destination. We would advise the lessening of tariffs to encourage trade for this reason."
Kaguya smirked without making it obvious. "But let's not forget that we have dozens of mountains with a plethora of cave systems, those of which have been explored before by their natives. We have plenty of coal reserves to draw from, the only issue being that we've never done it on a grand scale before.
"So I propose that alongside the naval architects, we would like to invite some of your most experienced foremen to provide their insight and techniques to our miners, to maximize efficiency as much as we can. With our own supply, you may even refuel here if you need to." Which means we can focus on concentrating them in our ports.
Nagisa's forehead creased. "With all due respect, even if you could implement these new techniques tomorrow, coal cannot be produced that quickly. We respect your decision to extract your own coal, but for the sake of business, we must provide you coal alongside the steamships, and that will be costly."
"It will be costly all around, and it still won't affect our current tariff policy. I'm not the only voice in the matter, as seclusive as our country used to be. Please don't misunderstand; we do want what's best, but naturally, we're secretive by nature.
"But if the Court were to find something that we can give away, we may be more lenient with the taxes." Kaguya glanced behind her, peering at a long cabinet filled with exotic-looking porcelain dining ware.
"By any chance… is your nation the type to import exotic goods? You claim we're the first major Oriental country you've dealt with. Imagine how your people would react if they were to receive strange luxuries from a lonesome empire over in the far eastern side of the world.
"We're willing to sell you goods of our rich set of cultures for a lower export price. For anything else, I'm afraid I cannot say. We've never been the sort to indulge in merchantry across the great divide, and we're more practical-minded when it comes to foreign products. But we're willing to make appropriate concessions, so as long as any traders remain in their ports."
"I see what you want to say. So as long as we send over competent individuals to educate your folk, you'll let us accept the limited trade rights we have on your shores. These are very peculiar conditions, milady."
"It is what it is. We must know if you're serious with pursuing our friendship."
"We understand. We go to great lengths to achieve what we want. Our ambitions require us to do many things in Volaria's name. Pride is our very honor."
"How remarkable." Kaguya leans forward knowingly. "From the looks of it, you've gotten half a mind about that."
Her eyes widened. After nothing is said, Kaguya leans back. "You're a sharp one, Srta. Nagisa. If it were permitted, we would become fast friends."
"You flatter me too much, milady Kaguya." Despite herself, Nagisa was in awe with the woman before her. "But back onto the topic, it's true my country's national pursuit is to collect things all across the world. While a second envoy is scheduled to come later… perhaps you may share something about any unique pieces?"
Kaguya nods solemnly and launches into a discussion about Imperata apparel. She explains how many formal dresses, including the one she's wearing right now, are made of very durable fabric despite its gentleness upon its wearer. She even acknowledges how some variants of these clothes can even protect the wearer while still denoting one's high status.
"Indeed, such tasteful pieces sound delightfully promising. I can imagine how their sturdy variants can be used to protect someone from unsolicited combat."
Kaguya tilts her head. "The sturdy variants are actually used in active combat."
Nagisa frowns mildly. "...in a duel?"
Kaguya realizes the confusion on her face. The rest of the world each believe that their own respective cultures have already mastered the art of medieval armor and weaponry, but the new era encourages a new style of warfare which renders it obsolete. Aside from becoming outdated, there wouldn't seem to be much sense in exporting such things when everyone else already has their own.
Aside from that, they probably wouldn't accept Lumien embroidered clothing, even if they knew what it was; the stigma of wearing foreign attire may be unpopular for Volarian aristocrats.
But on the other hand, they've never seen Lumien bladecraft before.
Without waiting, she reaches into her dress and pulls out a concealed dagger. She unsheathes it, and presents it to the curious, if guarded representative. "Please take a look."
Nagisa graciously accepts. Upon lifting it from her hand, she is immediately surprised. The blade is extremely light, despite its size. Its wavy edge trails to a single, deadly point. Her eyes trail down to the elaborate hilt. The grip is oddly comfortable. The tiny pommel has an engravement on both sides with a pair of wings on it.
Her awestruck expression reflected off its silver, almost glassy surface as she wondered. "This is nothing like I've ever seen before. What material is this?"
Kaguya's lips gave a sly smile. "I'm afraid that's our secret."
As Nagisa continued to admire the blade, she explained the blade's properties. "As you noticed, its weight is unparalleled. Compared to steel though, it needs constant sharpening and maintenance. But it never rusts, and is resistant to corrosion, which combined with its brilliant shine makes it more beautiful than any other blade. It is difficult to procure, so they're bestowed only to our nobility. Little else can compare."
Nagisa scans the blade. So pretty. Even I want something like this. Kaguya lets her finish before she passes the dagger back.
She considers the potential behind them in other applications if they can learn its secrets. "Would it be feasible to trade us the raw materials, both the blade metal and durable cloth?"
"I'm afraid not, Srta. Nagisa. It is not covered by the tariff exceptions, thus it would be ludicrously high, and personally, you're better off knowing how to refine it." Kaguya shakes her head. "And that's out of the question completely. Our position may change one day, but not right now. We may only offer you the finished products themselves."
"As you say. And one more thing," she says. "With your permission, we would like to establish a Volarian embassy. It would help deepen our relationship even further."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. It would not bode well with our nobles. We are already cautious from these interactions as it is. We are steadily shifting our mindsets, but we are still wary of the prospect of opening up to the world too soon. Anything more than what we agreed on would make them feel threatened. Please understand." Kaguya ends with finality.
"Of course, milady. Forgive me for my forwardness."
"That makes me think... what will you do if these negotiations were to fall through? I doubt it would stop their ambitions of expansion. What would they do next?"
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to ask someone more superior than me."
"I'm asking you."
"I'm sorry, milady Kaguya. I simply don't know enough. My only mission is to represent Volaria in a deal with you. If I were to tell you anything I've heard or suspected, and you heard better accounts elsewhere, then you'd believe me a liar."
Kaguya relaxes. "I see. Then, if there is nothing else important to discuss, I must return to the Palace and attend to other pressing matters. My delegates will arrive later and deal with the specifics discussed, and also see to your needs."
"Oh, of course." They both stand. "Thank you for your precious time. It was an honor to have made your acquaintance, milady Kaguya."
"The pleasure was mine, Srta. Nagisa."
Kaguya walks back down onto the pier as Nagisa stays aboard. They give a final farewell, and Kaguya proceeds back to the palace with her escort in tow.
Nagisa returned to her personal quarters and breathed a sigh of relief. Lady Kaguya was intense in a cautious, yet domineering way. She gave no sign of weakness throughout the entire exchange, and was remarkably perceptive. It took everything she had to maintain her flair in front of her. As nerve-wracking as the meeting was, she was ultimately impressed. Despite her powerful aura, Nagisa thought she managed to live up to her own expectations. She had a good feeling she made enough progress.
She thought of her forward comment hinting at her internal thoughts. Little gets past her. I have to become better when I meet her again in the future.
She took a pen and parchment and began writing her report.