Chapter 2
"So, you're coming to visit?" Relena asks, happy but mildly confused.
Mariemaia smiles at her on the vid screen. She's definitely amused about something. "The situation on L3 is stable," she says, affecting nonchalance. "I think it's about time that I learn more from an excellent teacher."
Suddenly, Relena knows what she's getting at. "You want to learn politics from me?" She has to admit that she's flattered.
Mariemaia shrugs. "Who else? The only politics I've ever studied outside of a classroom is what Grandfather taught me when I was a child." She doesn't have to say that obviously she wants a different frame of reference now.
"I suppose we could set up something like an internship," Relena agrees, happy at the idea. If she had ever gone looking for a protégé, she couldn't have picked better than Mariemaia. The younger woman could shadow Relena during all of her meetings, and sit in on any important calls.
Actually, having Mariemaia here will be a blessing. Relena can share her workload, and besides, she's interested in what all the other governments will think about Mariemaia's presence. It will change how they choose to act around Relena, that's for sure.
There's nothing wrong with trying, at least. She smiles warmly. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Mariemaia."
Mariemaia sits back in her chair and relaxes. "Thank you, Relena. I'm really looking forward to working with you. I've always admired you."
Her faith in Relena is flattering, she admits, and Relena feels her cheeks flushing. She's used to being idolized by the public, but it's different still being looked up to by someone who's also aware of her faults. "Thank you," she says.
It takes another few weeks, but eventually, Relena has even better news. L1 and L5 have officially agreed to her plans. Not that they would have wanted to miss out, at this point, what with everyone else on board.
Relena's not in the least bit surprised when, right after agreeing to work with her, the L1 and L5 governments come to her with several plans of action, and written agreements between their two governments. She doesn't even have a day to enjoy her triumph before she's swamped with work, and now Relena really can't wait until Mariemaia turns up and there's a second person to look over everything. Still, she couldn't be happier right now.
Not only is her idea actually working, but it's officially going to be put into effect soon. The ESUN parliament of Earth may not truly agree with her, and some of them still don't, but at least they're no longer working against her. L3 and L4 are completely in agreement and actively helping her, L2 is trying to clean itself up for the first time in Relena's memory, and now L1 and L5 are completely on board as well. Milliardo is also working with Relena to strengthen relations between all of them. Everything is turning out even better than she'd hoped.
Well, it's happening much quicker, and with fewer problems, than she'd anticipated, which is a huge relief.
Yes, Relena is thrilled, and scared, and cannot wait for the real negotiations to start.