New Asia really was a beautiful country. I had never really considered the idea that it could be anything but a physical representation of the costs of war. It was clear from being here that the war was just fear0mongering that had been used by Clarkson to control the masses. Where was this war happening? The peace talks were very simple and easy (as neither country really wanted the huge costs that come from having a war and both wanted the simplicity of peace) and all there was left to do was for Maxon and Li to sign the official peace treaty to end the war. Although these meetings still seemed long and boring, they were mixed in with outings into the city and the further country.
Beijing itself was a wonderful city although it was very different from Angeles. The smells of food mingled with the dirt and pollution that covered the city, giving the place a very strange palate of smells and sometimes making me feel ill and other times not – although this could also have a lot to do with the pregnancy. It was also apparent that this city was much older than home which seemed to have been almost completely rebuilt since the last war as fashions and styles changed, Beijing, on the other hand, kept its traditional dragon-esque style that adorned most of the buildings that lined the main few streets that they drove through.
Every now and then, however, we would see a child stood on a street corner or a sheet stretched between two houses that was filled with children and adults and we realised that it was no different to home, really; there was still a huge difference between the haves and the have nots. I told myself that we were working towards changing this in Illèa and whilst it seemed to be hidden to royals here, it was only too clear to me and therefore Maxon. When we were walking and saw these people I always gave them some money or food in exchange for a small smile of thanks from them but when we drove past there was nothing I could do for them except hope that someday their king and queen would do something to help them like we were trying to do back home.
But some of the things we saw were truly marvellous. One day we went for a walk along the Great Wall of China that once protected the northern border of China from the Huns, of course, it now goes almost through the middle of the country but it is an impressive feat of engineering, especially since it was built over two thousand years ago.
"Are you sure you can manage?" Maxon asked me under his breath as we walked from the car up to the top of the wall. I nodded and sighed. He had been very overprotective of me on this trip because of my pregnancy but there was no real need for it – I was only two months pregnant and I was completely fine. Nonetheless, he kept his arm firmly around my waist as we walked and I kept my arm around his.
The views from the top were amazing. Although I knew it was false, I felt as if I could see the whole of New Asia, or at least the old country of China, as I saw the mountains and hills to the north that so greatly contrasted my view of the city to the south. From here I could see the whole city. The slum-like communities that surrounded the city seemed so much worse in comparison to the great spires that reached up into the skies from further into the centre. In the very middle sat the palace of New Asia which was covered in the green jade and gold that this area was so famous for.
We didn't walk the full 13000 miles of the wall, of course, and barely walked a mile before we went back to the car for the next stop on our tour of the country which turned out to be back to the palace for yet another extremely formal dinner.
By the end of the week, we had managed to iron out all of the issues with our treaty and peace was officially declared by a handshake between Maxon and Li that was photographed for the newspapers of the world to use for the morning post. It seemed somewhat anti-climactic, so much planning and hoping and wishing for this moment that was a simple handshake and a photo. The best part would be greeting the soldiers as they arrived back in Illèa at the end of next week. Until then we had to make the official announcement on the Illèa Report on Friday (which was only two days away) and Maxon wanted me to get another appointment from Dr Ashlar as soon as we got back to make sure everything was still ok with the baby. I was almost glad, therefore, when we got on the plane on Wednesday night and began the journey home.
We waved goodbye to the country, the royals and the hundreds of people that had come to see us off before collapsing into our seats at the front. We kept Shalom with us this time and he slept peacefully in my arms as I nestled into my husband with my feet on the chair and my head on his shoulder.
"So, in our 18 month reign, we have created peace between two warring countries, negotiated a peace treaty with a country that has wanted nothing to do with us for decades, had a son, and conceived another child. I think we can say that we're doing better than my father who simply started said war as the biggest moment of his career." Maxon laughed.
"That's because you're the best king that this world has ever seen." I yawned, almost falling asleep.
"No, it's because I have the best queen at my side." He kissed me lightly on my forehead just before my world floated back into the dreamland that it was beginning to mirror.
Short one this time but we should get a little more next time – I think I'm going to skip forward in time a little if that's ok with you lot. I know this one has been quite fluffy and not much has happened but I swear it will get more interesting so please stick with me! Please review, I love reading them. - Chescaannie xx