IT had been almost three years since Bertine arrived in the Federation. Her life remained as busy as ever. The fancy riverboats numbered three now, and she had built another hotel near the Bilva Hotel. A library had been added to the school in the Callisto district. Regardless of age, everyone living there had access to it. It had been a result of the people’s strong demands to the chief, led by the woman who wanted to read books to children.
This nation is moving forward one step at a time. I’m so happy that my work has been able to help in the process. Bertine’s heart warmed as she continued reading letters from her friends and colleagues in the Callisto district.
Then one day, she received a message from Ignacio requesting her participation in a meeting. She made herself look presentable before she left her home for the capitol building. When she was ushered into the conference room, Bertine found another man there besides Cecilio and Ignacio. Possessed of a sturdy constitution, he looked to be a soldier in his late forties. Ignacio introduced him as the minister of military affairs. Once she took her seat, Cecilio immediately began the meeting.
“Prince Claudio’s fifteenth birthday will arrive six months from now. I asked you all here today to determine whether or not you want to be involved in matters of state moving forward. It is up to you to decide. I’ll support whatever stance you choose.”
“I…” Bertine just couldn’t remain neutral on issues concerning San Luenne’s future. After all, its queen was the one responsible for the dramatic change in her own life. “I’m the reason they tried to bargain down the reparations. I also bear some responsibility for Prince Claudio’s desire to leave his country. Though that hadn’t been my intention at all, there’s no denying I had an impact on his mindset, and I certainly won’t turn a blind eye to it either. So, as one involved in all this, I will see it through to the end.”
A slight frown had marred Cecilio’s brow as he listened to her, but once she gave him her decision, he nodded brusquely in understanding. “You know this means you’ll be betraying the Luennian royal family, yes?”
“I do. In this case, I think I’m most suited to fill the role of traitor.”
“Fair enough… Then let me explain how the situation will unfold, step by step.”
Cecilio told them what would happen on the fateful day. I’m surprised he agreed to that line of reasoning, Bertine thought to herself.
“I take it you didn’t expect that, eh?” he asked.
“You’re right,” Bertine said. “Your role in all this seems unfavorable, Your Excellency, especially when the emperor’s younger brother will walk away bearing most, if not all, of the credit.”
“Do you think so? I personally don’t give a fig what San Luenne’s royal family thinks about me. As long as I can get the results I want, I’ll drink muddy water with a smile.”
The uniformed man picked up the conversation from there. “Lady Bertine, I’d like to ask you something. That country has sharp reefs all around the island, right down to just above sea level. We’re aware that there are thirty people on active duty in the Kingdom who know the route that won’t destroy a ship’s bilge. Do you know of any retired folks possessing this knowledge? If so, are they still healthy enough to move and would any of them be willing to work with us?”
Bertine realized the situation was so fraught they needed to rely on those already retired. “I don’t know how many are older and retired, but there should be quite a few. I do know they receive generous pensions for their service though. Whether they’re retired or still active, if any of them tell outsiders of the route, they and their whole families will be executed. Moreover, this route has no landmarks that can be easily recognized when taught by letters or words. It’s knowledge that the pilots teach only to one of their own children.”
Having suspected as much, Cecilio exchanged pointed glances with the other two men before speaking. “We have spent two years searching for someone in that group who would be willing to cooperate with us because of any resentment they hold for the Kingdom. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single ship pilot in San Luenne who fits the description. Most of the ones we spoke with were dissatisfied with the current royal family, but they were also resigned to the situation since there was no one worthy to replace the current king. We thought your father may have better leads than us. Except we’d rather leave him as our very last resort, considering he’s under surveillance within his home and outside it as well.”
The people’s estimation of the king and queen as politicians was extremely low. Yet the country continued to operate smoothly because of Bertine’s father’s leadership. So there was no reason for a pilot to risk his own life and his family’s to oppose the royal family.
Bertine chewed over the situation, then her face lit up as she remembered something.
“What? What is it? Have you thought of someone?” Cecilio asked.
“Yes, but…he has a family and he’s not a citizen of San Luenne anymore either. I’m not sure he’d be willing to help us on account of his peaceful life. I’ll try asking him though. I can’t guarantee he’ll still remember the route, but he definitely used to know it.”
✦ ✦ ✦
BERTINE headed to the imperial capital to meet Luca. They met in her usual suite, the one wallpapered with white roses.
“The first thing this plan needs is a pilot,” she said.
“I understand. I’ll take on the role. I was glued to my father’s side whenever he entered and left the country on his ship, so I still remember the safe route.”
She had come here expecting him to agree. Even so, she felt awful when he did. Because Luca was married with children. He had no obligation to participate in this plan.
“You know, ever since we met again, I’ve been thinking about my father,” he said. “My father died of a broken heart, wondering until the very end why things happened the way they did with his business. And yet I could do nothing for him despite knowing the reason. So if I don’t do anything now, I know I’ll regret it until the day I die. No, even after. That’s not how I want to live my life.”
“I can relate, Luca,” Bertine said softly. “But there’s a chance, however slim, that our plot will be exposed. If that happens, your life will be in danger. Are you still determined to go through with it even then?”
Luca smiled. “I am. I have only one request. Promise me my wife and children will be safe. That’s all I need. Let me do this, Bertie.”
“I will. Thank you, Luca. I want you to discuss this with your wife first then tell me your final answer.”
Luca gave her a small nod. “You’re right. I’ll talk to her tonight.”
✦ ✦ ✦
THE next day, Luca went to Bertine’s suite once more, his eyes slightly bloodshot.
“My wife yelled at me. ‘If you don’t do it, I know you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. So did you really think I’d tell you not to? Idiot.’ Is what she said. I had no idea she was so strong. Seems she realized that something has been weighing on my mind for a long time and she was angry with me for not talking to her about it. Then she made me promise that after we succeed and I come home, I’ll take her and the children to the hotel that’s been on everyone’s lips. ‘I want to stay in the hotel that looks like a fairy’s house. I want to relax and enjoy fruits to my heart’s content while watching the hummingbirds.’”
“Understood. I’ll block the hotel’s schedule for a full month from the day we carry this plan out. You and your family can stay there the entire duration,” she vowed.
“Bertie, you know I can’t take that much time off from work.”
“I do, but I’m sure you’ll insist your wife and children stay even if you return here to resume your duties halfway through the vacation.”
“Well… You’re not wrong…”