[b]----------Milan, Italy----------[/b]
Milan... the economic heart of Italy and bustling city that it is, is wet. People move silently through the streets as the rain and wind rush them indoors as quickly as they could. Despite the howling wind and the thunks of large raindrops landing on the pavement and cars - the city was silent.

In a small locale coffee shop, locals sat silently as the TV in the corner continued to play the broadcast that had gripped the entire nation.

"- It seems that King Florenstano has fallen into a coma as of three-o-clock yesterday afternoon, he is currently in The San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital under going treatment. Medical officials believe a stroke that happened earlier in the morning to be the cause. It is currently unknown why our King was not sent to the Hospital at a sooner time. His planned speech on the issue of the Spanish-Ethiopian war and Italy's stance will be postponed until further notice."

With that, the news program switched to the local weather reports and people slowly began to sit down back at their tables, where their coffees and snacks had long gone cold. The silence remained as the clouds and rain washed away the color.

[b]------Several kilometers of the coast of Djibouti, several hours after the Spanish invasion.(AKA the past because im slow as fuck)-----[/b]

"They're god damn monsters. They turned the entire city into molten stone." Illardi cursed, he didn't even need the binoculars to see the extent of the damage he believed the Spanish to have caused to the Ethiopian city. "I pray the Ethiopians were able to evacuate, not even communist supporters deserve such a dishonorable fate such as what the Spanish brought with them."

Captain Aleramo Laurenzi let out a sigh as he paced back and forth, many of the crew members stationed on his cruiser were topside, watching out over the water at the massive smoke column that could probably be seen from Cairo. "We still have conflicting reports on who exactly turned that city into the state it is now. The Ethiopians could have done it after evacuating in a delay action to buy their army time to regroup. The Spanish could have done it to show that there is no hope in winning against such a superior opponent. Either way, Djibouti is gone and Rome will want to hear of this. Get on the radio."

"Aye sir... but if I may ask, who do you think destroyed the city." Illardi questioned as he started to walk away, and yet he never did get his answer from the Captain.

Laurenzi leaned against the railing as the cruiser lightly cruised across the silk waters of the Red Sea, keeping plenty of distance and making sure the Italian flag was high and proud to make sure no remaining Ethiopian shore batteries, or even Spanish guns, would fire at them.

"The more important question, is will Italy be dragged into this? Get this vessel turned around and back to Syracuse."

[b]----------Palazzo del Quirinale, Rome.-----------[/b]
Prime Minster Everardo paced back and forth in his office. His mind was too active, to unfocused from him to be sitting still. While the outside world might not know it, Italy's government was precariously balanced so that any disruption of the satus quo could have drastic consequences. The power was split between the Royal Family, himself as the Prime Minster, and the senate. Take any one out of the picture, and things can get ugly. 

Florenstano was in a coma, and he knew that it was unlikely for him to wake up. A stroke, battling cancer, and who knows what other health conditions had worn the stubborn man down over time. Seems the stroke finally broke down that final barricade. This was bad with his only heir, a female at that, too young to take the throne - a regency under Queen Isabella would have to be instituted. The Senate loathed her.

All because she was a Eagle, in a Dove dominated Senate. The coalition of several radical parties, spearheaded by the 'Fascist' party made up the term 'Eagle.' They wanted nothing more then to plunge Italy into war in Croatia, Africa, and god knows where else all the regain Territory promised nearly seventy years ago and then lost.

The Doves made up the many conservative and democratic parties not under the Eagles, and they have managed to hold sway as both the Royal Family and the Senate were under their control. Now... Italy would be split. The regency could give the Eagles the support they need to get their laws through the senate, and gather a much larger supporting base.

Everado was neither Eagle nor Dove. Like many Italians, he longed to have the honor and prestige that once benefited his country... but not in a way that would plunge his people into a senseless war against Ethiopia or Croatia.

"You have been pacing there for a solid seven minutes, Prime Minister. You didn't even notice me come in and make a drink." Isabella said coolly, suddenly appearing to the unaware Everado as he noticed her sitting in one of the open chairs.

"You are not with your husband in the hospital?" Everado asked, already knowing the answer.

"Neither are you, we both were sent away around the same time. Your memory seems to be failing you."

"Listen, I know why you're here."

"I can't say I'm surprised, you always had a knack for noticing the obvious."

"It is not for me to decide, your highness. It falls to Florenstano, not me or the Senate. He is the head of Royal Family."

"Yet, he is unable to give an answer for an unknown period of time. However, luckily for both of us... he knew something like this would happen eventually. He already decided."

"You are to become Queen-Regent, I presume?" Everado sighed, finally taking a seat and leaning back, his chair making an audabile creak.

"You'd be shocked if I said no?"

"No, I wou-... No? He said no?" Everado's entire fear over the fate of his nation seemed to wash away around him. No longer did a divded government threaten to tear away at the seems.

"Ah, so you would be. I am to be designated Queen-Regent while Princess Evelina continues her schooling and comes of age to take the throne."

Like that, Everado sighed.