Tea Party
"And that's what happened on the operation" Andrew finished then sipped his tea.
We are currently having the tea party in the Royal Gardens just behind the Royal Navy HQ, which looks more like a royal palace rather than a military building.
"You guys are pretty reckless, aren't you?"
"Tell me about it" Queen Elizabeth said with a hint of irritation in her voice.
"Uh-huh. You say that, even though you approved of the operation" Is I want to say, but I am already aware that the Royal Navy is somewhat of a monarchy with Queen Elizabeth at the center so being rude to her might damage my reputation here.
"What happened to Alena after that?" I asked.
"She was forced to explain her actions by the Northern Parliament girls. She also confessed to using her abilities on them as well"
I noticed that Andrew chuckled just after he answered my question.
I finished my slice of chocolate cake. Belfast then immediately replaced my empty plate with another serving.
"You sure like sweets don't you?" Andrew commented, smiling at me.
This is when I realized that this is my fifth slice, and Belfast was actually beside me with the new plate she served, just waiting for me to finish the one I was eating.
I smiled awkwardly. "Um...I apologize" then took a bite of the new serving. "for showing something unsightly"
I wipe off my mouth with the table napkin and sipped my tea.
"I was expecting you to be a bit more embarrassed by your actions" Queen Elizabeth said.
"W-well, people didn't really mind back in my world, your majesty"
"I don't really mind, Andrew has been doing the same ever since he got here. It's just that the way you moved since you got here is just like Hood"
She then looked at the girl beside me who looks very patriotic with her dress, but very elegant at the same time. She has only been quietly listening to our conversation thus far, quietly enjoying her tea and pastry.
"I see. You see, families like ours are required to have etiquette training for meeting with important people"
"Does your world still have actual nobles? Not the titular ones" Andrew asked, referring to the time where royalty and nobility still ruled countries.
"Ahh no actually, most are now just titles given by some governments. Our training is actually just for the sake of tradition"
"A rather annoying tradition, huh?" Andrew said.
"I thought that way at first and planned to get the bare minimum since it isn't essential in modern times"
I took another bite from my slice then sipped some tea "But I ended up taking the full-course because I was bored and it seemed interesting"
Queen Elizabeth sighed and made an unamused face "The higher-ups sure summoned another weird one"
I could see Warspite, who's sitting beside the queen making the same expression.
Meanwhile, I can hear Andrew chuckling at my rather stupid reason for taking etiquette class, and surprisingly, Hood found it amusing as I can hear hear giggling beside me.
Their reactions made me giggle as it reminded me of the times someone asks why I took that bothersome tradition seriously.
"You seem to have remembered something good" Hood said. "What was your world like?"
"Oh right, we're also curious as Andrew and the others already described theirs" Queen Elizabeth added.
Sorrow swept over me as I remembered that the world I just left is racked by conflict. Robbed of its beauty and peacefulness by a forgotten war.
"Well, it was a beautiful world" I started, forcing a smile and trying to hide the negative feeling, although I think that they have already felt the gloom as the atmosphere in our table got heavy.
"I'm sorry for asking without knowing your circumstances" Hood apologized.
"No it's alright" I smiled. "You won't really know unless I told you."
It's not really in issue for me telling about what's happening in my world, but it pains me remembering the destruction happening right before my eyes.
"It's me who should apologize for ruining the atmosphere" I added.
"Well it may be ahead of schedule, but I guess we can start your tour around the headquarters. Bel" Queen Elizabeth changed the topic and turned to Belfast.
"Understood your majesty" Belfast bowed and walked over to another able where she talked to a girl wearing glasses, and a white coat over a casual dress.
The girl looked at us and bowed at Belfast. She then walked over to our table and greeted us.
"Good Afternoon Your Majesty, Your Excellency, Warspite-sama, Hood-sama" She then turned to me and introduced herself "Pleased to meet you, miss Sophia. I'm London, first ship of the London class of heavy cruisers"
"Nice to meet you too"
"I'm tasked with guiding you around the building for today along with His Excellency
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After Sophia, Andrew, and London left the Royal Gardens, King George V, Nelson, and Illustrious joined Queen Elizabeth at her table. Belfast, and Suffolk served them with new cups of tea.
"So, what do you think of the Eagle Unions new commander?" Queen Elizabeth asked the group.
"It was quite difficult to observe her for a long time" Nelson started.
"I understand that part" Queen Elizabeth said. "She does look like she feels your observation after a short time, it's fortunate the she loved our cakes. Anyway, did you get anything?"
King George V thought for a moment.
"Hmm. She did look like she was uncomfortable up until the end of commander's story"
"Has she realized we're studying her perhaps?" Queen Elizabeth pondered then took a sip of her tea.
"Not quite. It's more like she's forcing herself to attend this party" King George V replied. "Ah Suffolk, may I have another cupcake?"
"Uh yes, Your Majesty" Suffolk obliged then went back inside the HQ to get more snacks for the attendees.
"Bel, what about you?"
Belfast recalled the moment Sophia arrived at the Royal Garden, escorted by Enterprise and Cleveland.
"She was very cautious when she arrived, glancing at everyone as she walked to Your Majesty's table, although she was very great in hiding it. And as Your Majesty King George said, she instantly felt nervous once miss Enterprise, and miss Cleveland left for the exercise"
Suffolk came back with a tray of cupcakes then served one of them in front of King George V. She bowed then went on towards the other tables.
"Also" Belfast added. "She feels a little different from the other commanders"
Queen Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Like she's someone familiar?"
"Yes. That's why we stared at her back at the meeting. The other ladies here should have felt the same"
King George V, Illustrious, and Nelson nodded in agreement.
Hood giggled. "I wouldn't blame her for being upset that time. All the shipgirls then were looking at Sophia"
"But how can someone from another world be familiar to us" Nelson asked.
"There's still not much we know about her" Queen Elizabeth said. "By the way Bel, who did she pick as her secretary?
"That would be Bataan, Your Majesty"
Queen Elizabeth crossed her arms and thought for a while. "I was hoping it could be Enterprise so it won't be suspicious if you're with Sophia all the time. For the time being, do your best to observe her while you're in the Azur Lane base"
"Understood, Your Majesty"
"This feeling of familiarity is suspicious in itself so we need to know what it is first before we trust her"
""Yes, Your Majesty"" The girls obliged.
Queen Elizabeth then seemed like she remembered something very important, to her at least "How could I let this happen?!"
"What is it Your Majesty?" Warpsite asked.
"This is not good!" She begun to panic for some reason.
The girls looked at the Queen with worry.
"Bel, order London, and Sheffield not have those two be closer than a metre, you got that?!"
The girls are relieved that it is not something that important, for the Royal Navy and smiled without saying a word. Hood, and Illustrious giggled while Nelson sighed in resignation.
"Y-your Majesty" Warspite softly said with an awkward smile,
"Warspite, we'll be leading London's in her duty for today!" She ordered then proceeded to drag Warpsite from her seat.
"W-wait Your Majesty! I can walk by myself!" Warspite protested while trying to keep herself from tripping.
"The rest of you can stay here until tea time ends!" The Queen said to all the attendees and quickly left the Royal Gardens.