Chapter 12: A Small History Lesson
"Prince Schneizel! This is outrageous! The amount for reparations have pass way beyond of extortion!" Pina protested. She, Grey and Hamilton sat with Schneizel and other Britannian leaders to discuss the terms of the Peace Treaty, and she nearly fainted when she heard the cost, one billion Suwani, one fucking BILLION Suwani, her two knights were left agape at the unbelievable price. "The peaceful and neutral senators will never agree to this."
"Well, my father did say that your country must pay a heavy price to ensure its survival, and this is the cost we believe appropriate- unless you want the war to continue." Schneizel said.
"But even if we did agree to it will not be enough, even if we gathered all the gold from the treasuries around my country, and crowns to jewelries, it wouldn't even reach a quarter of the demand!" Pina explained to him, she would willing to pay the price but this is simply too much, they don't have that much gold, she is thinking of a better alternative or reduce the cost.
Schneizel smirks, he intentionally made it difficult for them to pay so it would move them into accepting his other form of payment. "I have some other alternatives to which you can choose from: The cost will drop to seven fifty million and you surrender twenty-five percent of your territories; or cut the billion by half and you must relinquish half of your territories as well; or twenty-five million gold coins and seventy-five percent of your land; or lastly ninety percent of your territories and you get to pay only one hundred million."
Pina felt like she's going insane by these numbers, this demands will turn every peace loving senators into war hawks. Before she could speak Schneizel suddenly spoke.
"And before I forgot, you must also release all of our citizens who were captured by your legion."
"If we are to release them then you should do the same thing to the soldiers of Sadera." Pina said.
Schneizel complied as he calls for someone; three men entered and placed three huge files in front of the princess. "Very well, in those files are all the listed names of prisoners of war that we captured, you get to pick which one, and you only get to choose one hundred and fifty-seven of them, and they'll be released once our captured citizens are returned to us."
Pina stares at him with surprise as this doesn't feel right. "But why? Why not all of them?"
"Because the numbers of Britannian citizens under captivity are one hundred and fifty-seven, therefore we would only release of the same number." He said sternly. "And you better be sure that they're alive and in good health, cause if they are returned in coffins then ten Saderans will be executed as penance for the lack of care."
Hamilton decides to voice her opinion which earns her the ire of her Princess. "Prince Schneizel, please be reasonable, those captives would've been sold and could've been taken far away, it might take months to recover them all, and we currently doesn't have that amount of money, and the senators and generals will never agree in relinquishing territories, what you're asking is simply unfair."
Schneizel gaze at the little girl which made her uncomfortable. "Unfair? Then tell me about the countries and people you've conquered, dominated or subjugated, do you know that you're treating them unfairly? Do you know they received little benefits despite handing out plenty of tribute to you? Do you know how high the taxes that are imposed on them who are not like you? Also, if you refuse to release our people then we will resume the war and tear down every single cities, towns and villages to rescue them all." This got the desired effect as Hamilton remains silent, afraid to answer. "Now, what do you say?"
"I don't know, like I said before, the aristocrats and senators might not agree to such demands." Pina explains, though peaceful those ruling elites can be prideful, and of course there's the fact about her father who will strongly oppose this agreement.
"Then I have an idea in how to convince them, cause once it came to fruition they'll seek peace with Britannia, not caring how high the cost." With that Schneizel tells Pina of his plan.
Aries Villa
The mansion where Marianne and her children lived is where Pina and her knights are staying. It was a beautiful sight, the architecture, the interior, the garden, it's simply magnificent. Pina plops down on her guest bed tired of today's effort in negotiating with the Britannians.
Thinking back to the talks and remembering every detail of Schneizel's plan, it just involves a party which she invites every single pro-peace senators, aristocrats and generals, show them the advanced weaponries from firearms to Knightmare Frames, explain the difference of power, it seems more of a scare tactic really.
She was about to take a nap until a knock is heard, turning to the guest room door and said. "Come in." It's her friend Bozes who enter along with Lelouch's Royal Guard Jeremiah.
"Uh, Princess, Ser Jeremah has a message from Prince Lelouch."
Their attention turns to him who said. "Prince Lelouch asks you out for a date."
Standing up from her bed she said. "Oh... Wait... I don't understand what he means by that?"
"It means that he ask you to go out with him, dine with him, walk around public spaces with him, and more."
She blushes since that sounded like courting to her, but then she realizes that this is an opportunity, if she manages to make Lelouch fall in love with her then she might be able to negotiate a political marriage, one where it would be more beneficial for her empire, though she thought of ordering Bozes to seduce the prince instead but she wipe that off from her mind, she doesn't want to insult the Britannians by making their prince marry one of her knights even if the Palesti is one of the prominent nobles, no, it must a princess, it must be her.
"So what do you say?" Jeremiah asks.
"Uh- Yes! Yes, I accept his invitation."
"Good, it will starts in the afternoon and I'll return later to take you to him" He smiles; he then shows her a dress. "Before I leave, Prince Lelouch gave this for you to wear if you like it, if that is okay with you."
Pina examines the dress with keen interest, it's a black dress with gold and silver outlines, it's pretty nice actually, a fitting oufit if she were to become the bride of the Black Prince. "It's beautiful; sure, I'll wear it. Can you give him my compliments."
"Sure thing." He hands the dress to the blond knight and smiles. "My Lady." Pina manage to catch a sign of blush on Bozes face when Jeremiah left.
It appears that her friend have a slight crush with the Royal Guard. She'll tease about it later as Bozes made her way to her side. "Is it just me, or is prince Lelouch planning on courting you."
"It appears that is the case."
"Then are you fine with it?" She asks incredulously.
Pina sees that Bozes worried for her so she speaks her mind. "Yes, it seems that he desired me, or something similar with that, and it's good." Seeing the puzzled look on her friend's face, she explains. "You see, if Lelouch is indeed attracted that then this can turn into a blossoming romance."
"I don't see the purpose of it." Bozes said which Pina sigh.
"You're missing the point; if Lelouch falls in love with me then we can arrange a betrothal contract and get married." Pina explains which Bozes understands but look concerned.
"But that could turn you into a political hostage."
"We're already politcal hostages when Lelouch ordered our arrest at Italica, we're still prisoners of war who are given the luxuries of being a guest."
"But would it be much better if we arrange one of their princesses to marry the first born prince of our country?"
Pina thought about it until she pales and remembers the one disturbing factor about her older half-brother. "One of their princesses marrying Zorzal? Bozes, that's a disaster waiting to happen!"
Bozes realizes this and agreed with her Princess, Zorzal is a sadistic brute when it comes to treating women, in the past, few princesses of other kingdoms have approach Zorzal in hopes of marrying and gaining huge political power, they either go home in tears or in horrific conditions, some even committed suicide, after that no women ever approaches the abusive prince Zorzal.
If a union between Zorzal and a Britannian Princess ever happen then he will surely abuse the princess like what he do to sex slaves and other women, and when the Britannians caught wind of this then war will resume and reduce their precious Empire to dust. "Then the betrothal between you and prince Lelouch is the only best option?"
"Yes, if it all goes well, we might be able to push to reduce the cost for the reparation." She took the dress and went to the bathroom to change. "Now we must prepare ourselves."
With Lelouch
It five in the afternoon and the Black Prince stood there in the hall gazing up to the portraits of many important figures in Britannian history, what he's about to do is another part of Schneizel's plan, all he have to do is take her out for a date, give her the impression that he likes her, Schneizel anticipates that if Pina thinks that way then she might push for a political marriage in hopes of gaining an advantage, and if that is to happen then Marianne will step in and place some conditions for Pina to follow, from agreeing absolute loyalty to Britannia to agreeing any demands that Britannia have for Sadera, and then they'll wait and see if she's still willing to pursuit a marriage.
Now he was joined by Pina who was accompanied by Jeremiah, Bozes and Hamilton, looking at the princess of Sadera wearing the black dress he gave her, one that is simply optional since the dress did well to reveal her cleavage and back, hair groomed neatly, lips red with lipstick, eyeliner, blush, everything to make her desirable. She's definitely trying to seduce him with her looks, exactly as Schneizel said she would.
"Pina, I'm delighted that you've come." He greeted as he gazes at her from top to bottom."And I must say that you're very ravishing."
"Thank you." Pina said while blushing at the comment. "So what do we do for today?"
"Learning history and culture, how our nations came to be, how we rise and face challenges, walk with me." Pina did as she say as the Prince and Princess walk slowly through the hallway. "Let's start with your country, I wanted to know it's humble beginnings."
"Our humble beginnings?" Pina remembers everything she learns through history classes, as Princess of Sadera she must be knowledgeable of her empire's past. "At the beginning, Sadera is just a small city with many surrounding villages and towns. At that time, humanity live in constant fear, orcs, werewolves, goblins, ogres, and many other demihuman and beastmen of every size and race roams the the land, pillaging and ravaging helpless villages and towns, taking any wealth and things of value, slaughtering innocent people."
The Saderans think of their people's history, it was a pitiful thought that their ancestors suffers in the hands of such savages. Pina then continues. "It was then that our first Emperor, Valerian Romulus Sol Augustus rally the majority of humanity and winning strings of important victories against our adversary, and soon laid the foundation of our nation."
"Interesting." Lelouch said. "Very interesting indeed. You must be proud of your ancestor for inspiring courage, hope and unity to the human race."
Pina nodded, pleased that Lelouch like the past. "So, what about Britannia, how did this great nation begin?"
At this question, he stops and the rests stop as well. "Before Britannia, there was the British Empire." He points at the map on the wall which shows every country of the earth.
Pina, Bozes and Hamilton look at the map, there are areas colored with pale red which show that they're either conquered territories or colonies, and then they saw one area that is colored crimson red. "That's the British Empire? It's- small."
"Yes, it's small- but we have the most largest navy the world have ever seen, those areas which are colored pale red are our colonies or conquered areas. We were at the top the world, a powerhouse, the envy of other nations; we're even called "The Nation were the Sun Never Sets"." Lelouch proudly said.
A brief silence followed as the Saderan everything they've heard until Pina asks. "So what happened?"
Lelouch turns to face her and answered. "The "Age of Revolution" happens. Our longtime rival, France, have a new ruler, Napoleon Bonaparte. We feared that he would become a tyrant who will invade the British Isle, and it came true," He walks down a few pace and stops before a painting on the wall, one that is the battle on the seas. "Napoleon had amassed an armada and set sail to Britain, we tried to stop them at the Battle of Trafalgar... and the defenses failed and French troops landed on the shores of Britain."
"It was our greatest defeat and humiliation, the current ruler of the time, Elizabeth III made an escape from London but was captured, she was forced to sign a treaty that will abdicate the throne and the country to the French, this was called the "Humiliation at Edinburg". After that fiasco came the great exodus, over half of the British population fled their conquered country to their colonial holding in the Americas."
Over nine million people escaped Britain. Despite such defeat, the British Navy is still a strong and large entity that prevents the French from chasing the fleeing British people to the Americas, a large fleet stationed at the colonies in Africa and the Middle East have gathered every colonials and everything valuable and heads to the conquered country to assist the evacuation.
The East India Company and all other fleet and colonists had done the same in Asia having packed up everything they have and abandoned India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Asian colonies and strengthen their hold and defenses on the Philippines, New Zealand, Solomon Island, Hawaii, and other Islands in the Pacific.
In accordance to Queen Elizabeth's will, Britannia send an agent to assassinate the imp by poisoning his drinks and food, after his death the Britannians took great pleasure in insulting the leader of their enemy, calling him dwarf, midget, imp, and also "The short man who live a short life".
"We were battered, humiliated, and on the brink of extinction... And you know what happens next?" Lelouch asks her which made her feel that the phase the history might not sound good. "What came next is the beginning of the "Age of Conquest", we were bitter and angry, and we sought to regain our might and power."
Pina and the others followed as he walks through the halls, looking at the map and portraits which the important people and events, they're all entranced by the story. "There is a saying: "What doesn't kill you make you stronger", we lost but we gain much, much more. We began an aggressive campaign of expansion, we've conquered the entire North America within a few years, and the next decade Central and South America soon fall to our hands."
By securing the West Coast they've gained access to the Pacific Ocean, and established a connection with many of the fleets and colonists from Asia. They also gain a huge economic boost when they seized the sugar plantations in the Caribbean, the cacao and tobacco plantations in South America, and along with other types of farms and plantations that produce other crops and livestock, cutting off many of these valuable resources that was heading to Europe.
"It was a long and bloody century, building up our forces, purging the majority of the natives along with other European colonist off from the New World. You know what our words back then? Fire and Blood." He said darkly which make Pina and her friends shiver.
Pina went with him as they stop to another map, one was three arrows coming from Britannia and heading to Europe "After a century, we return to Europe- with a vengeance. Our forces are larger than before, twice the number of ships and thrice the number of soldiers. We caught them off guard as we strike hard and fast, we've reclaimed our ancestral homeland, and invaded and occupied one-third of Europe within weeks. First time a large scale war was started purely by revenge."
Pina think back to the history of her Empire, most of the time past Emperor would simply start campaign and wage war with the goal of expansion, rarely for revenge. "We Britannian became notorious for our vengeful attitude at that time, very unforgiving, uncompromising, ruthless, and cold. Like what happen to the British people, we did the same to the Europeans, we occupied villages, towns and cities, and give them three choice: switching allegiance, exile, or execution."
"You should consider yourselves lucky that the Fifth Legion attacked us during the Golden Age, if it happens during the Age of Conquest your capital would've been a smoking pile of rubble." Lelouch said with a smirk.
Pina nervously gulp, from everything she heard the Britannian were far more aggressive in their war for expansion than Sadera, and she also think that their revenge mentality might still be lingering in their minds, a fire that was reignited when they attack Los Angeles. "So all of that change when you Father became Emperor?"
"Yes," Lelouch answered as he smiles. "My father was an idealist, a ruler seeking the best for his people; he suffered and worked hard for the changes that you see today." The butler made an appearance and told them that dinner is served. "Let's discuss this over dinner, shall we?"
"Of course, Prince Lelouch." And so they all went to the dining hall were a long table filled with food, taking their seats and saying their prayers they dine as Lelouch told her of his father's past, how he rised to power and led the nation to an era of peace and prosperity.
Alnus Frontier Palace
Marianne is present in her office as she reads some reports of what was happening in Alnus Hill and other countries in Falmart, Sadera have set up multiple line near their territories, there was some clashes her and there but it's nothing serious, word have already spread that Pina is currently negotiating with them.
While the Saderans are in standby, she's focusing on some other pressing matter, apparently the Flame Dragon have master, an Apostle name Giselle, from the findings she's part of a species called Draconian, rumored to have the ability to tame dragons with ease. If that was true than this Apostle have been controlling the Flame Dragon before its demise.
She was spotted somewhere near Elbe, and thus Marianne planned to capture her, and she's going to enlist a help from a helpful inhabitant of this world. In cue the door opens and Lieutenant Itami steps in followed by Rory. "Your Highness, Lady Rory is here as you requested."
"Thank you," She turns to the immortal girl. "Now, how do like Alnus Hill so far?"
Rory smiles and answered. "It's great! The wonders of your world never ceases to amaze me, warm baths, delicious meal, comfortable lodging, it's like I'm royalty or something."
"I'm glad that you like our hospitality."
"So why I'm here? I know you didn't ask me to come here and tell you how nice the place is." Rory asks.
Marianne takes one file from a bundle as she approaches her. "You're right, there is more to this- do you know an Apostle name Giselle?"
This question just made the Apostle of Emroy tensed up and became serious. "Yeah, I know her, Apostle of Hardy, the Goddess of the Underworld. And she's also very talented in taming dragons."
The former Knight of Six caught the change in her tone. "Is there a bad blood between you two?"
"Small rivalry, nothing more- the only problem I had her is she's serving Hardy, who many times have tried to drag me down to the Underworld so she can marry me!" She ranted. "I'm into men! Not women! Can't she take a hint?"
"Oh dear, you poor little thing." A lesbian goddess? who would have guess.
"So why did you ask me about her?"
She hands her the file, it contains some pictures of Giselle, nurturing two dragons. "She's the cause of the Flame Dragon's rampage, we want some information on her, and we want your help to bring her in. We believe that her talents could be beneficial to us."
"And how are going to convince her to join your side?" Rory asks with a raised eyebrow.
"I'll let Schneizel and my son handle this, they have a way of persuading people." Marianne said with a smile.
Chapter End
AN:Finish, hope it's satisfactory, especially the history that I've put together for the Britannians. There might be romance between the two but it'll be heavily monitored, if Lelouch falls to far that he forgot the objective then Schneizel and Marianne will put a stop to it.
Now for Shirley and Sophie, sorry to make you sad but Sophie's dead and Shirley is been bought by Zorzal. But don't worry, you can have a good guess in what will happen next once Lelouch and his party arrived at the Saderan throne room.
Britannian Expeditionary Force
Leaders:
Marianne vi Britannia- Commander
Michelle Manfredi- Secondary Commander
Schneizel el Britannia- Diplomat and Negotiator
Cornelia li Britannia- Commander of the Glaston Knights
Lelouch vi Britannia- Commander of the Black Knights
Robert Montgomeri- Air Force General
Thomas Godefroy- Artillery Major General
Diethard Ried- Secretary of Media and Information