"A missed opportunity to give the benefit of doubt," Beatrice sighed. "Things aren't the same anymore, I gave word to East Moreland prior to announcing the Treaty between Rokkenjima and the Conglomerate and, while I knew that it wouldn't be a popular Treaty in the eyes of the Morelanders, it shows our intent at least to approach them, rather than reading about it along with the rest of Mundus. If you had reached out and said you were concerned and wished to discuss this, I'd have come with no preconditions."
"As I was led to understand the controversy surrounding Styx should have been taken care of," Beatrice continued. "I have to put into place the infrastructure to ensure that not only Rokkenjima is safe after my reign, but that Adriana has the toolset to tackle any threat or challenge she may face in her reign; the Treaty with The Conglomerate is one element of that. I no longer trust Lakhzovia, after the display with Slava Lavosk I'm questioning why I ever discounted the advice and position of Evanthe, so ensuring our presence in the Krimeon is important should I be proven right. Kadassa stood by me when others didn't, I viewed our relationship as friends on the same page but, all the same, I know he's an absolute bastard."
"I will do what I can on the issue of Styx but," Beatrice took pause, "the overriding issue is I see the cracks, I see the strain, and in all truth I don't wish for our nations to fight as they once did. When Charles had me isolated and right where he wanted me to be I was separated from my family and friends. As much as the fissure with David hurt the fissure between us, not just you and me but Serenity too, hurt ever more deeply. I've always considered us to be family, and it is still fresh in my mind when I came here as Iona laid in the hospital, right there with you and Serenity as she passed. Alex told me to be your light, and I did my best to hold you up in those dark moments."
"Now we've the issue of two Cross-Straits organisations, the lingering issues I wish to resolve, there's so much to be done. I've always tried to do what I thought was best and for the greater good, but I can't get it right every time, and I'm sorry for that. Maybe I would have been stronger, a bit better prepared, if she never went back," she looked away from Peter, holding back tears to no avail. After a moment of silence she spoke weakly, "You could have, you should have, stopped her. She would have known what to do better than me, damn it Peter why did you let her go? The best I have is the fact that at least Adriana will have a choice when she takes the Throne, but me, all that's been taken can never be given back. I am permanently broken, just doing the best I can to try to do good by my mother, but it's not enough is it?"
"I'm sorry I don't truly blame you," she said after a moment, "Please forgive that outburst and let's focus on the present, yes?"