Madrid, the Royal Palace.
Isabella II could hardly believe her ears. Her fleet had actually surrendered without a fight.
"Cowards! A bunch of cowards! How did a coward like Joaquin Iglesias become an admiral?
Who made him a general? I'll have him executed!"
The Spanish officials in the palace were long accustomed to the queen's furious outbursts.
"Your father, Ferdinand VII."
Prime Minister Duway said.
The air fell silent in an instant. Isabella II truly wanted to kill the old man standing before her.
But the Duway Family was the support she relied on at that moment. Without its financial backing, all of Madrid would descend into chaos.
Still, the Duway Family had not joined the queen's camp willingly. Its businesses were all near Madrid, leaving it no choice.
That was why Prime Minister Duway mocked Isabella II with cutting remarks, deliberately putting her in an embarrassing position.
Though Isabella II was absurd, she was not stupid. She did not continue a topic that left her so embarrassed.
"What about Varna? Why hasn't he launched an attack? Why hasn't he retaken Barcelona and driven the Austrians into the sea?"
Army Minister Lago was somewhat helpless. He was more like a military adviser than an actual army minister, with pitifully little authority. He could neither influence the country nor control the local warlords. All he could do now was step forward and say,
"General Varna reported that the Austrians have too many supplies."
"I asked why he hasn't attacked!"
Isabella II roared again. Her shrill voice nearly pierced the eardrums of the army minister, whose head was still buzzing, as Lago replied,
"General Varna said his supplies are insufficient. He hopes to receive enough before launching an attack."
Before Army Minister Lago could finish, Isabella II cut him off.
"Idiot! Imbecile!