DISCLAIMER: Fortunately Shuumatsu no Izetta doesn't belong to me. So all rights are reserved to Ajia-do Animation Works.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I apologize for the slow update. Kanmasu and JavaScript coding have been eating up my spare time. I haven't forgotten about this story however. Though I had to give some thought to my path.
Walküre
(Landsbrück Opera House: A few days later)
The atmosphere of the opera house was a mixture of apprehension and excitement. For it was the seminal celebratory decade performance of the National Opera Troupe. Such as it was many people were expected to be there. Including the archduchess.
Finé sat in her ducal regalia which hadn't changed in the last ten years. However she wore a well tailored emerald suit to commemorate the occasion. Every so often she'd rotate between waving and smiling as the main event had yet to start.
"I feel like a figurehead." Finé said whilst smiling at a dignitary across from her.
"You are still here are you not?" A familiar voice said from her right.
"I know you'd rather be driving into the countryside right now Bianca. But try to understand my position." Fine said as she waved to another diplomat.
"My apologies Lady Finé. I do seem a bit anxious don't I?" Bianca stated as she looked around. In recent years Bianca had taken on a habit of wearing a suit as well. She often traveled with Finé around the world and found that her formal uniform was a bit too old fashioned to be attending guard work.
"You think that I wouldn't want to be in the car with you? I suspect Izetta is getting anxious. Yesterday's call seemed a bit too 'rehearsed'. She likely refused to eat until Lotte gave in. Lotte is very proud of her cooking. As you well know 'Captain'." Finé finished having laid her playful dig.
"Is my relationship with Lotte troublesome?" Bianca asked behind a stone expression.
"I wouldn't say 'troublesome'. But I would have liked to find out about it before finding you lounging on my den couch nary a thread with dear Lotte wearing your shirt happily toiling away at that morning's breakfast." Finé teasingly reminded.
"Lady Finé, I thought you said you wouldn't speak of that again." Bianca said with a blush.
"How could I resist. You must be pleased with how toned Lotte has become. She is strong enough to pick Izetta up with little issue." Finé said pressing the attack.
"My Lady!" Bianca said with reddening face.
"You are so fun to tease Bianca." Finé stated as the lights came down and the scene was set. The selection for tonight wasn't the least bit surprising.
"Die Walküre" Bianca said with a bit of excitement.
"Yes, yes, I was hoping for Carmen actually." Finé said with a dismissive wave.
"This is a wonderful opera Lady Finé." Bianca said in defense.
"That it is. But it's also the same opera I end up going to see when I travel. I won't let the troupe know that though. They've worked so hard I will make sure they know my pleasure. Bianca make sure there are fresh bouquets back stage as well as a party ready for the cast." Finé said as she settled into the performance.
"Of course. My Lady." Bianca said with a bow and quickly departed. She was replaced by one of her subordinates.
"I must say though. That soprano is exquisite." Finé commented as the act was now underway. "Sara, see to it that my car is ready to depart from the back gate. Izetta would never forgive me if I didn't show proper thanks."
"You do realize Lady Izetta that you are breaking protocol." Lotte scolded from behind the wheel.
[We've been doing the same thing for so long. Finé deserves a change.] Izetta quickly flashed towards the mirror. Due to this Lotte had become exceptional at reading backwards.
"I don't think that Lady Finé will be upset with you. But this is still sudden. After seeing the doctor you immediately demand to be taken to the capital. Outside of that case the doctor gave you, we didn't even have time to pack." Lotte mused.
[About that. Don't say anything to Finé. It's a surprise. A very dear surprise.] Izetta responded.
"Of course." Lotte stated.
Lotte had a fair idea of what was going on. She'd been able to put it together over the last week or so. Izetta's insistence to see the doctor alone. Izetta's remarks that she was going to be 'fitted' only to brush it off in the next sentence.
Still, Lotte elected to say nothing and pressed on.
[You might be right Lotte. Maybe I did get ahead of myself.] Izetta responded.
"I don't think you're 'ahead of yourself' at all. It's been a number of months since you've seen Lady Fine. I also miss her." Lotte said keeping her true statement ambiguous.
[Going to be 'sculpting' Bianca again with no stone present?] Izetta chided.
Lotte blushed deeply in memory of the event. It had come on quite suddenly in the last year. A long talk about dedication and love had ended up with Lotte and Bianca entangled in a blanket together.
"Lady Izetta seems intent on bringing up embarrassing things I can think of several." Lotte said with a small smile to the sound of loud scrawls.
[YOU WOULD NOT!] Izetta presented in letters about twice as big as usual.
"I might remember a few things to report to Lady Finé. Some of Lady Izetta's more cute moments. I'm sure she'd cherish them." Lotte replied.
Izetta thought for a moment as it all came back to her. The time she tried to bathe on her own. The time she thought she could walk the dogs from her wheelchair and ended up in a creek. The dogs were quite happy to be wet. Izetta however did not have a fur coat to keep her warm and ended up with a cold. Another event where Izetta attempted to cook and made a mess of the kitchen.
[Okay, you win Lotte.] Izetta resigned in defeat.
"I thought you might see reason." Lotte chided.
[So mean.] Izetta displayed with a pout.
"If you want to talk I can stop this car and we can talk. I can't keep looking over to read your pad while I'm driving. It's not safe Lady Izetta." Lotte reported knowing the response she'd get.
Izetta furiously shook her head no and tucked her pad away. She then drew a novel from her pack as well as a pair of glasses and began to read as Lotte continued down the highway.