DISCLAIMER: Fortunately Shuumatsu no Izetta doesn't belong to me. So all rights are reserved to Ajia-do Animation Works.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hello all. The only excuse I have for not posting sooner is a severe lack of will to do anything. That being said I think you'll like the building complexity of this chapter to the rest of the story. That being said, enjoy.

(Not) Upsetting The Apple Cart

(Izetta's Cottage)

"So that's what she's been up to. I suspected it was something more depressing." Lotte said into the phone.

"Lady Finé has been sniffing rather close thinking that Lady Izetta is keeping a secret. I don't think that with everything that's going on right now it would do well to continue keeping it. Either for her, or for you or I Lotte." Bianca replied from the other end.

"So in the end we're left with how to do things in such a way that it doesn't 'upset the apple cart' as it were." Lotte responded.

"In the end it has to come from Lady Izetta. That being said, try to encourage her to tell Lady Finé as soon as possible." Bianca stated.

"I'll do what I can. In the end it's up to Lady Izetta. Hopefully she makes the choice soon." Lotte stated.

After hearing the creaking floorboards Lotte quickly made her leave. After wishing Bianca well she hung up and turned to find Izetta nearing the door. As Izetta entered the room she found Lotte conveniently cleaning the room. Lotte soon turned back to face Izetta and noticed her wearing slacks and her leg braces.

"So you intend to practice today as well?" Lotte asked as Izetta was already jotting her response.

[Of course. I want to get started soon.] Izetta showed.

"I'll have to set up your rails. Give me a moment." Lotte stated.

After hearing that Izetta desired to do her physical therapy at home the doctor seemed somewhat relieved. He took Lotte though Izetta's regimen step by step and even sent home a set of hand rails that would allow Izetta to work on her walking.

It had been a few weeks but Izetta was making more progress. She was able to stand while holding the rails. Though Lotte attributed this to Izetta's upper body strength. The two moved into the den where the practice rails leaned against a far wall. Lotte retrieved them and quickly set them up. Izetta immediately began pulling her legs out of the leg rests of her chair still not quite strong enough to lift her legs outright. And the braces were also a little on the heavy side.

"Now just wait a minute. Don't be in such a rush. Did you massage your legs before putting your braces on?" Lotte asked.

[I knew I forgot something.] Izetta replied.

Lotte quickly undid the various straps and buckles and moved Izetta's braces aside before she started to massage her legs.

"Can you feel it when I work your legs?" Lotte asked.

[Yes. The sensation has been coming though more.] Izetta responded.

"Coming though? You make it sound like your legs are radios." Lotte responded.

Izetta responded with a soft giggle as she watched Lotte move downward again and again starting at the tops of her thighs and then downward towards her toes. On days when Izetta wore shorts Lotte could feel Izetta's legs warm up as she did the massages.

"Your circulation keeps getting better. So you are on the path to recovery." Lotte stated

[My feet are starting to tingle.] Izetta replied

"That's a good sign that means you're almost ready for your workout today." Lotte reported as she began to bend Izetta's legs.

(Landsbrück: Palace: Main Courtyard)

"So that matter has finally been settled?" Finé asked as she walked along admiring the roses.

"It would seem so. I don't think there will be any more issues with those characters any more." Bianca stated as she followed close behind.

"Ah, I wish they could all be so cooperative." Finé stated.

"Lady Finé you wanted me to remind you." Bianca hinted.

"Oh that's right! I can't believe I forgot already." Finé replied

"The royal plane has been fueled up and is ready to take you to Atlanta." Bianca reported.

"Really, who calls a peace conference towards the end of the year?" Finé stated mockingly.

"Lady Finé ..." Bianca trailed.

"Don't worry Bianca I helped build this peace we've enjoyed. Though to be honest nobody wants another war. I hope to keep it that way." Finé replied.

"This one will be for a week and a half. A little bit shorter then last year." Bianca stated.

"Just think Bianca. At this time next year Izetta could be coming with me." Finé mused.

Bianca held further comment and instead lead Finé to her waiting car. As Bianca opened the door for Finé the two exchanged glances.

"Something seems off. Bianca, what's going on?" Finé asked in an innocuous tone.

Bianca had wondered how long it would be before Finé noticed that there was something more not being spoken of. The last time had been for Finé's 30th birthday. Though that and the knowledge that she now possessed were comparable as the sun to the moon.

Bianca coolly collected her thoughts and forced herself to pretend it was Finé's birthday again and that she wasn't involved in a seemingly innocent cover-up. Though the key was to do this without actually lying.

"I would rather go with you. But I cannot always do that. I have to leave your security to others." Bianca played her distress card hoping that Finé would not attempt to call her bluff.

"The conference hasn't changed in the last ten years. Plus I'm confident in your choices for my security. And was it not you who spent the last two years helping me learn how to defend myself. Or am I carting around this heavy pencil for no reason at all." Finé responded apparently folding.

"It's not a 'heavy pencil'. It's a carbon steel riot baton and it's only supposed to be used in the most dire circumstances." Bianca quipped. "You didn't want to carry a gun or a knife so I had little choice in your personal defense weapon."

"I couldn't very well vouch for peace by shaking peoples hands with one hand while holding a gun or a knife in the other. Relax Bianca. I know this will be your first time minding the fort while I'm gone and please do a good job. I have faith in you." Finé expertly disengaged Bianca and sat down in the car as the door was closed behind her. And as the car drove off the palace grounds an all knowing epiphany emerged in Finé's head

'Bianca could never lie with a straight face. So she tried to bluff me instead. Seems innocent enough though. I wonder what Izetta is up to that is causing my most trusted adviser to be in an uncomfortable collusion with. I bet it's for the celebration. But still...'

Finé decided to accept the conclusion for now. But she would be sure to put both Bianca and Lotte to the coals when she came back.