A Lover's Dispute
A Lover's Dispute
The Fall of the Samurai had come, and without even expecting it, Shiba found that many of his highest ranking officers and their families had come under siege. At first, he thought that this was perhaps a group of unconnected attacks conducted by various groups of troublesome deserters.
However, it became increasingly clear by the banners that these men flew, and the weapons that they wielded, that this was an organized rebellion. In retaliation, Shiba ordered what remained of Japanese Armored and Air power to invade the South, and route these rebels before they caused some serious harm.
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While the war within the Japanese Mainland reached a new level of intensity, Berengar found himself cornered by Itami, who, after being neglected for so long, had forced a situation where they could talk.
The Kaiser had quite literally been caught in a corner of the palace by the young Japanese Empress, who was pouting at this moment. An expression Berengar found to be quite adorable, even though he himself had conflicted emotions regarding his relationship with this woman. However, before Berengar could even think about this, Itami vented her frustrations on the man.
"What gives? You have been avoiding me for weeks now! I know I did something wrong, so why don't you just tell me what it is so I can fix it? You can't just kiss me, and then the next day start avoiding me for weeks on end!"
Itami's voice was so loud that it echoed through the halls, alerting several of Berengar's children about the conversation that their father was having. Ultimately, Berengar sighed heavily, and decided that hiding from Itami was no longer an option. His expression suddenly became tired as he expressed what had been troubling him.
"I just need some time alone... If I'm being honest, I'm having trouble reconciling the fact that you were once my enemy, and have caused the deaths of so many of my people..."
The albino beauty was struck speechless by this sudden change in Berengar's mindset. What the hell did he mean by this? Everything was fine when they went on their first date a few weeks ago, so how did he suddenly become so upset about this issue?
It was at this moment that Itami thought she understood when and why Berengar had suddenly become so distant with her. It was that damned speech. She curled her fists in rage when she realized that the speech which was written by german agents, and approved by Berengar himself, had been the cause of the sudden rift between the two of them. She could not believe this. Thus, Itami began to shout at Berengar with all the fury in her heart.
"It is that damn speech, isn't it? The one you signed off on, and made me say in front of my people! I'm right, aren't I?"
Berengar shook his head in dismissal of Itami's thoughts, judging by the enraged look in her sanguine eyes, he was forced to elaborate further which he begrudgingly did so.
"While the speech may have had some part in my current internal conflict, it is not entirely responsible. From the moment you put on your Imperial Regalia, and addressed your people, I saw you in a different light.
You were not this gentle, and innocent damsel in distress who I was saving from a bad situation. Instead, you became the enemy who was responsible for more casualties in my empire's entire military history than all other wars combined.
I don't know if you are aware of this, but I believe in the afterlife, and I have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that when I die, and am reunited with my soldiers, I will have to explain to them, that I let you get away with all your crimes, and instead pinned the blame onto your latest political rival..."
Itami stood there in disbelief for some time... Struggling to string together the thoughts; she wanted to scream at Berengar. After several moments of silence, she took a deep breath before yelling in a voice so loud that half the palace overheard what she had to say.
"I don't believe you! It was your idea to shift the blame onto Shiba. In doing so, you have destroyed any and all legitimacy of my claim to the throne! The only reason my people are willing to follow me is because I have essentially become Germany's puppet and am promising them peace! How can you condemn me for something that you came up with?"
Perhaps Itami had gone too far with her shouting, but Berengar responded to this accusation with a sharp tongue, and a heightened tone.
"You just don't get it, do you? Thousands of my people lie dead because of you! Tens of thousands more have been wounded, some even crippled. All because of your fucking ego. And yet, you have not taken accountability for your actions. Instead, I am forced to wipe the slate clean for you, and lie to everybody so that you can regain your throne, and provide some semblance of stability to Japan.
This entire clusterfuck could have been avoided, but because you could not stand the idea, of another powerful nation existing on the other side of the world, you have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, and untold suffering to so many more. How am I supposed to just ignore all of that?"
By now, tears were streaming down Itami's eyes as her fists instinctively uncurled. She knew deep down in her heart that everything Berengar said was true. However Itami was having a hard time coping with the fact that for the first time since Julian's death, she finally felt something for a guy, only for that budding romance to be snuffed out before it could truly begin, by something that was out of her control. Thus, she made one last comment before running off to her room.
"You think I don't know that? Every single day, I have to live with the fact that I have fucked up so badly. I know that you have every right to be angry at me, but I genuinely felt something for you, especially after our first kiss. You were the one good thing in my life, and now you're telling me it's over. because I followed your orders? That's just cruel! I hope I never see you again!"
After saying this, Itami ran off towards her room, where she locked herself away in the darkness for some time. As for Berengar, he suddenly felt guilty for going off on the girl like that. His conflicted emotions were something he himself would have to work through, and it was improper of him to lose his temper, especially towards a woman.
There was definitely some attachment lingering in Berengar's heart towards Itami, however he just did not know how to accept these emotions, when his mind was telling him that Itami was to blame for the war with Japan, and all the previous conflicts they had fought via proxy.
Even now, with all the conflict in his heart, Berengar found himself wanting to chase after Itami and mend the rift in their relationship. But he couldn't. Too many of his men had lost their lives because of her actions. And though he himself was responsible for the deaths of millions, they were not his people, and thus he could not be compelled to care about them.
He suddenly had an urge to go back in time, and prevent Itami from making that speech. Perhaps if he had not seen her dressed up in her imperial regalia, and taking on the role of the Japanese Empress, then he would have continued to see her as an innocent damsel in distress, and thus would not be having this internal conflict.
However, Berengar could not bend time and space, for he was not a god. Thus, like Itami, Berengar no longer felt the need to associate with the world at large, and locked himself inside his office, where he drank heavily to cope with the confusion he felt deep within his heart and mind.
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