Under the Maltese Skies

[Loyola]

After maids were called and arrived with warm coats, it almost looks like the situation becomes more stable from an emotional standpoint, Enms is then leading Gallic noble outside, first narrowing her eyes are bright mountain daylight slightly blinds her. Cold fresh air would slightly burn her nose as she stepped out. It would be as quiet as expected, some fighters would patrol the skies, making distant engine noise that would disturb the crystal calmness of the mountain environment. Founding the footpath that led down below the residence and eventually led to a beautiful mountain lake. Unfortunately, as most of the water resources of Malta, the lake has a high concentration of acids and normally requires neutralization to be used. It's not going to be a long way, but En still grabbed the smallest camping backpack that was prepared at the residence exit. Containing mostly basic snacks, drinks, blankets, and charging devices. She's glad that the villa's personnel is working great and everything is ready at the exit as it should be.

Taking the first steps on the footpath after making sure that no one hears then, Enma would start answering, thin mountain air would make her run out of breath pretty fast. She would quickly lose interest in the beautiful sight and concentrated and walking straight and maintaining bearable speech.

— I am very sorry that you had all this time hear, I swear to God my plans were different, and as cliche, as it might sound, it was for your own good. Because I know the people who took power back then and the best option for you was to stay hidden. I really tried to create the best conditions for you, even from afar, I am sorry if I failed, but you clearly couldn't see an attempt.

Loyola took more deep breaths after swallowing saliva and started to answer to the next, much more important question. Or well, she assumed it was from the tone of it.

— I have saved your sister, she had uprising onboard of her destroyer, apparently, there was a wide network of Council agents about low-ranked personnel. We already had contacts with the Royalist and even a meeting with Joseph, who was really struggling to find appreciation among supposedly royalist forces in the Hebrides. We discussed immediate plans of proclaiming Grand Duchy of Malta with DeFrance person in charge, supposedly you or Claire. The dynastic union is also to be expected, but it's complicated, let's put it that way.

Loyola paused to take off the backpack and pull the bottle of water of out it, she planned to drink it much more later, but it looks like she just overestimated her endurance. She would offer the other bottle to Charlotte, not feeling right to drink without offering one to her counterpart.

— Claire wanted to regain her destroyer so I sent her there with a freighter full of supplies and some escorts, I wonder if she's actually attempting to escape since there been no contact from her nor supply group. I knew there's such possibility, wondered what will happen if weaken control just a little. You know it's just somewhat interesting how life would flow without me trying hard. We can try and call her when we come to the lake, Neural Net cover in this area should be strong enough.

She lightly smiles, though, there is some pain and not quite pleasant experience behind it.

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