The Paleis op de Dam has been a royal residence for as long as there has been Dutch royalty in the first place. Having been constructed as a city hall by the regent class of the Amsterdam, it was taken over by King Willem I, returnjng from England in the wake of Napoleon's defeat. At the very heart of Amsterdam, it is excellently located for the Princess of Orange to oversee that bustling metropolis, that pearl of the North Sea. In one of its many rooms, a group of men stands huddled around a large table covered in maps and drawings, dressed in blue navy uniforms. Each flaunts an orange piece of clothing in one way or another, yet one man in particular stands out in that regard, by having a lion rampart pinned upon his chest, and an orange sash hung diagonally across his torso. The status of this man, who goes by the name of Jacob Obdamme, is even further exemplified by his position, right next to the Princess.

Alexia, for her part, wears her usual admirals uniform, only distinguishable from an actual captain by two golden horns, pinned on either side of her collar. Her azure eyes gaze furiously at the Mayor of Amsterdam, right across the wooden table. "You must understand, Uwe Majesteit.", the man stutters, wiping the sweat from his brow. "The knowledge of warships and blue water fleets have become obsolete during the Feuding Years. There were only enemies on the rivers, none on the sea."

The Princess looked at him with contempt. Had her seafaring subjects fallen this low in her absence? "If your men do not know how to build ships, so be it. There are plenty of others." She nods in the direction of Obdamme, who steps forward. Speaking with a notable English accent, he proclaims: "It is the wish of hare Majesteit that all maritime knowledge, present here in the Union, shall be gathered and taught at one specific location. This naval academy shall instruct engineers on how to make ships, and captains how to use them, and admirals how to destroy them." Alexia smirks. "My idea was for the academy to be located in Amsterdam. After all, it is here where it is most needed."

The Mayor of Amsterdam nods, though his complexion is still of a pale colour. "Indeed it is so. The city on the Amstel thanks you wholeheartedly." With that, he bows, leaving the room after a dismissive hand gesture from the Princess.

[M] Building a naval academy, to see what floats the boats. 5 to rolls from here