28-12-2024, 12:58 AM
Quote:Stonewall, Cirrane, 20 November 5591
D'Ambray and Hampton both enter the private meeting room
"We certainly have drawn some attention to ourselves with our internationalist policy, didn't we?" Teobald broke the silence. The 44-year-old Prime Minister of Beluzia has been leading his nation for six years and has "invigorated" Beluzia in the eyes of its neighbours. D'Ambray's Labour Party has unseated the long-lasting Conservative governments for the first time in 50 years in a historic election, installing a new regime, which reshaped Beluzia's domestic and foreign policies.
"Well, look, Teb, it is our chance. We both worked so hard to achieve this, and it is working. You have to stay confident in a second term, that we can do it and more, we can make sure that Beluzia becomes not just relevant again, but that it becomes a leading force. Empires and major powers never last forever", D'Ambray's right hand and foreign minister Peggy Hampton has said. Hampton has led the efforts of the new Beluzian foreign policy and is currently regarded as the most powerful woman in Beluzia, and a successor to D'Ambray whenever he steps down.
Theobald pours some tea for both of them while saying nothing in response. He looks at her before saying, "Look, Peg, when I got into politics and founded Labour, my main goal was to bring change to Beluzia. I never saw myself as a strongman, who could be a 'father of the nation', leading us towards some major achievements. I am merely a transitionary premier. You are a strong and ambitious woman, you have served Beluzia for much longer than I did and ever will. I want you to lead Labour and the government. I've written a resignation letter today, and it's waiting its time after you agree to my proposal." Hampton looks with shock at him. She slowly stands from the table and goes to the window, while Theo quietly observes her.
"Caghlaa obbyr aash", she sighs. "Is there a specific reason you don't want to tell me? You've been so excited about our victory, about leading the nation. I refuse to believe you will just drop it all like that halfway", she says without facing him.
He waits for a minute, then another one, and two more, before finally saying, "I am terminally ill. I am dying. I have leukaemia, and doctors are predicting I have about a year or two, so I clearly can't 'believe' in our second term, as much as I wish to", he chuckles.
Both stay silent for a couple of minutes. Then, Peggy comes to Theobald, hugs him, and whispers in his ear: "I will gladly continue your work, and make you proud, promise.". She wipes tears from her eyes, before quietly leaving the room, leaving Theo alone, sipping now-cold tea.
Later that day, Prime Minister Theobald d'Ambray shocked the nation by announcing his resignation as the nation's head of government and the leader of the Labour Party, with his foreign minister Peggy Hampton succeeding him as both the Prime Minister and the Labour party leader.