Chapter 294: Baiting The Elite Part 3

To the surprise of many, news stations were buzzing the following day with the announcement that Markovia would be attending the summit to discuss peace. This came as quite a shock, as just the previous day Tara had announced her country's desire to go on the offensive. 

Given the power she had displayed in her attacks on the US, many analysts had believed that she wouldn't attend the summit, given the position of power and advantage she was in.

Going against this prediction, analysts were quick to analyze it as her and her country fearing the damage to their reputation. They proposed that even if they won, it would garner a very negative public image, and so would the meta-humans. This was among the most sensible reasoning that analysts could put forth. Of course, there were many more theories that seemed a bit more far-fetched, many of which were only designed to garner views for the stations that published them.

The most surprised at this action, however, were Tara's generals and war cabinet. Given the secret weapon they felt they all had, a great many of them were confident in Markovia winning the war outright. Tara's decision to take a step back, practically less than a day after she made her decision, made many wonder whether an unexpected variable had come into play, or perhaps the weapon wasn't as invincible as it seemed.

The top reason, though, that everyone felt but no one felt confident enough in voicing, was simply that Arias had altered Tara's decision. After it became knowledge that President Ross had contacted him, many began to see him as the true ruler of Markovia, and that's exactly how he wanted it.

At this time, the meeting involving the highest-ranking officials in Markovia was currently being held within what normally acted as Markovia's parliamentary building. Within, many officials were seated in their respective seats as they waited for Tara's arrival at the head seat atop a stage where only those closest to her, such as the head of the Army and the Air Force, could stand. At the many entrances into the parliamentary hall stood many men in elegant uniforms holding up trumpets, and as a formal signal, one of them began to play them. At the same time, a noble, masculine voice spoke up within the hall to authorize her Majesty's arrival.

Following the command, the members present in the hall stood up, including the various heads of departments seated at the front. Once everyone stood, Tara walked out from an entrance reserved for royalty. Alongside her, walking out from there alone, Arias was beside her. As the many members saw this action, they couldn't help but feel that Arias was blatantly displaying the power that he had. Some people present even went as far as to frown or just display displeasure from having someone who wasn't even born in their country act like its king.

Despite this, many thoughts against Arias, no one was bold enough to voice them as they all stood respectively and saluted as Tara made her way down with Arias beside her. Once they reached the front, they parted ways, with Tara heading up to the highest seat of the house, commonly reserved for the ruling king or queen of Markovia, while Arias simply sat in the front row reserved for high-ranking officials outside the various heads of the departments, with his official rank within the cabinet being an advisor to the Queen.

Given how he had entered, a good number of them did in fact think that he would take a seat at the end of the day, but at the end of the day, that was mere symbolism, and it didn't really matter, as Arias had already subtly put across points to everyone present whatever it was that Tara would likely say or reveal. Deep down, the long view would likely have come from Arias.

As Tara ascended to her high seat, she gave an elegant nod. "You may all sit. Let the meeting commence." With this, she sat down, and immediately a number of hands were raised, including those from the various heads of the department just below her. Tara turned to one of these and spoke into her mic. "Yes, General Lucvic, you have something to share?"

"Yes, Your Highness," a stern-looking man in formal military attire noted, standing from his seat and speaking. "I think I speak for everyone when I ask that we may even be enlightened on the decision that led to your will to agree to the peace summit that's been suggested by the warring nations. This is a clear attempt on their part to backtrack after realizing we are not so easy to subdue. By agreeing to do so, I worry that we may be showing weakness as a country and leave ourselves open to more disrespect on the international stage."

"That is my respectful concern, Your Highness. If it is something you have already considered, then please take my words as nothing more than the ramblings of a paranoid road map," the general respectfully spoke before nodding and sitting down. 

Various gestures of agreement could be seen throughout the other members seated, some choosing to remain absolutely still instead, looking toward Arias to see what official expressions he would show, whether or not he would group within the general direction of the enough. Arias did no such thing and simply kept his attention on Tara, the occasional meeting notes placed in front of him.

In response to the general's question, Tara answered, "I can understand the feeling of concern you may have following my abrupt decision to attend the summit for peace. For one, unlike the warring nations that act without dignity or rhyme, we, the people of Markovia, have strong values." 

At this, some dissatisfaction could be seen within the crowd, Arias, however, only smiled as she continued. "However, do not be mistaken by my attendance at the summit, for it is not to agree on terms of peace. Rather, this will be Markovia giving the warring nations a chance to remunerate us for the losses they have caused us. Then, and only then, can peace be considered an option."

At this, another shout from the high seat raised her hand. Tara looked at the old woman in uniform and nodded. "Yes, Admiral Levitz," the older woman stood and spoke, "Your Highness, though I can understand the intent behind your decision, what will you do if they refuse to remunerate us? Because, from our understanding of what was said, the summit is supposed to be a place where all sides can reach an agreement on the meta-humans silent in our country."

Tara noted, "While I cannot control what the other nations decide to offer at the summit, I can only guarantee you what my stance is. If you doubt my ability to carry that out, then speak now." Tara's rather blunt reply closed the brief silence that enveloped the hall, as no one bothered to raise their hand, some simply out of fear, others simply accepting that there was nothing they could do but hope that whatever it was that he referred planning was beneficial for their country, as deep down, they still felt he only had his best interests at heart and not their country's.

Seeing no one say anything else, Tara nodded in satisfaction. "Seeing that they are no more objects, we may move on to the matter of choosing the planning committee."