"I respect that you're facing some political reckoning over the circumstances surrounding Pyrettania-Nakim," the Empress began, "believe me, I am as well. The Trinitron Attack upon Azukishima-Ashinxao Nuclear Power Station, and the attack upon the Rokkenjiman Embassy remain points of contention with several in the Imperial Government; these are attacks which your predecessor linked to the LDC and Lakhzov Home. It is an open secret that the relationship between our nations largely was sustained upon the personal relationship between Sachim and my mother, now that both of them are out of power I'm certain that, just as we're seeing in Lakhzovia, there are those in Rokkenjima who are looking over what happened in those days, where the money trails lead, and while Teikokutō is a party which is most accommodating to allowing Chrysanthemum Throne great latitude in its actions, they are also highly nationalistic and had great apprehension in my presence for your inauguration."
"Rokkenjima is, first and foremost, a friend to the People of Lakhzovia and those ties will persist regardless I'm sure; the days where the relationship between the Empress and President dictate the overall picture ended when my mother lost the Throne and, later, when Sachim was toppled. To date, there are those responsible for the Trinitron and Embassy attacks who remain unaccounted for in the pursuit of justice. I'm in the uncomfortable position that the intelligence service of another Rokkenjiman ally has tied your own involvement in those actions, so this is a moment where both of us must make a choice and stand by it. I have been gracious in not speaking on these matters as perhaps I should have been, but I realize that I have to make decisions which my predecessors, for whatever reason, were incapable of making. I can stand here, hear what you have to say, or I may return to the Imperial Palace and make what will be difficult decisions. The attacks themselves, the money laundering, the loss of Rokkenjiman life in the Embassy attacks, the apprehension of Teikokutō is now understood by me. Perhaps I'd hoped, as we talked, that you would see my authenticity and come clean, but if your concerns are only those tied to power, if you're capable of concealing all that from me even as I stand before you, what would it matter what deal I could negotiate on the prices Rokkenjima pays to utilize your ports?"
"I remain happy that the People of Lakhzovia finally freed themselves of the reign of Sachim Kadassa, yet I'm now left to wonder what they traded him for. I'm truly tired, sick even, that those who stood before me traded our values so freely over such menial things as this. I'm disappointed in some of my aunts and my mother for doing what they said they couldn't: taking the convenient path over the one difficult and just. Whether or not you admit to what I know is true is on you; but I won't repeat their mistakes. You can either absolve yourself before me and your People, or we can see a drawn-out process which has been long delayed begin to play out. For what it's worth I'm truly sorry it has come to this, but as with each reckoning, the day finally comes and all of us, regardless of our station, must answer its call."
"Enjoy the rest of your day though," the Empress said as she turned, "McKenna, we're going home." She walked slowly in case the new President had something to say in response; indeed, with the carriers the IRN had at its disposal port usage wasn't as crucial, the position of Kalasin allowed for Rokkenjima to operate mostly from home ports after all, and with a renewal of ties between Rokkenjima and East Moreland in front of the Empress she wasn't concerned about the ability of the IRN to refuel and resupply in the North as greatly as her predecessors had been. The so-called "values-based" policy which Rokkenjima had long prided itself upon would be reinstated under her, not just useless lip service, but genuine policy.
As she entered her cabin aboard the Austrana she saw the familiar face of Thomas and collapsed into his arms, taking a moment before speaking, "I missed your face, you know that right?" she asked as she snuggled in beside him. "We're going home, and in the days that come I've got some difficult decisions ahead of me, it'll be a reckoning to be sure but I don't have the luxury of age to preclude me from making them so, here we are, right? It's very likely that in the coming days the Imperial Diet will tear the Pyrettania-Nakim Accords asunder and call upon me to recognize the new Lakhzov President as a state sponsor of terror under the Terrorist Enterprises Act. Whilst leaders from across Mundus wine and dine with him, I'll be applying sanctions upon him and his Government. Never get too involved in government," she paused as she "booped" his nose, "it's a trap."