“Your father wouldn’t stake the union on an aleatory appearance.”
I rolled my eyes at my overzealous aunt. “Just say you don’t trust him.”
Her skin reddened, contrasting heavily with her bleached updo. “And you do?”
Not really.
Seated in the glimmering throne room, I waited for the double doors to open. Light came through the vaulted windows, refracting along the dark silver walls. Blue and gold fabrics framed the unsmudged glass and covered the smoothed floor.
The swoosh of a door sent me to my feet. Erik stepped out of a side entrance with a low bow. “Milady.”
I dropped into the upholstered throne, resetting the golden half-skirt around my navy leggings and boots. My already tense nerves grew more stressed, ears refocusing on the door before me.
“He hasn’t arrived yet?”
“Course not, mutt,” my aunt spat. She lifted her chin in disdain, focused on the door. “If he had kept his word, then you’d see him yourself.”
“Can you not?” Rolling my shoulders back, I sat straight. Just as Father always did. Patient, poised. Prepared for any unexpected surprises.
The duchess huffed, satin pants scraping as she neared my seat. “He’s obviously not coming. Which means we should gather the union and discuss how we’re preparing for war.”
“The royal guard is certain the invaders are some terrorist sect, not the Quadrian empire,” Erik interjected. The duchess took up the position to my left, forcing him to go down a couple steps in order to face me. He’d combed back his dusty brown hair and donned his dress blues.
Despite standing on a higher elevation, the duchess had to look up at him. “Emperor Gergo has been looking for an opportunity like this to take the throne. With the king dead and an inexperienced ruler on the throne, we’ve given him the perfect conditions for victory.”
At least she’d stopped feigning fealty. Since the king’s memorial and my crowning, the duchess had been suffocatingly positive about my reign. Honey slipped through her teeth in order to mask the venom in her eyes. I was the only one not daft enough to fall for her tricks.
Pulling at the stiff seams of the gold bodice, I considered my request. Asking Emperor Gergo to the Orillian capitol had been hotly contested, but I’d convinced the council that our aleatory truce held some weight. He wouldn’t attempt invasion without contingencies. And I wouldn’t arm the populace without certainties.
The doors opened. I stood, limbs tensing as the entrance swung wide. Flanked by mechanical bodyguards, Emperor Gergo sauntered across the room. Reckless curls brushed his rounded glasses and pale neck. Metal armbands covered his forearms, the sleeves of his black robe pushed up haphazardly. He stopped at the foot of the steps and tapped a couple glowing keys on his band. The machines halted, filling the vaulted room with an eerie hum.
Erik stepped beside me, nose twitching incessantly. The duchess grew rigid, flinching when one of the obsidian machines let out a wheeze.
I smiled. “Emperor Gergo. Thank you for making time.”
Removing his glasses, he wiped the lenses. “Would’ve been more efficient if we’d conferenced over the Miralink.”
My smile hurt my cheeks. “My father thought face-to-face contact was important. A reminder that we are people and not… machines.” My palms grew sweaty, gaze locking onto his control bands.
Resetting his glasses, he sniffed, “And I thought his passing would provoke a little change.”
A low growl rumbled in Erik’s throat.
I tapped his elbow, hoping the emperor didn’t hear. “Nothing wrong with tradition. It reminds us where we came from and who we are.”
“And stops progress.”
“Is that what you call those things?” the duchess sputtered.
Gergo’s eyes held little life, lips shifting into odd lines. “If I’m to listen to the poodle of the union, then I’ve wasted a trip.” His fingers grazed his armband.
“I requested your presence in order to clear up a situation.” He paused as I continued to speak. “A couple of your ships crossed into our jurisdiction. The landing parties were composed of armed men trying to blend into the populace.”
His gaze lifted, interest finally sparking in his dark eyes. Nothing but the hum of his guards filled the room. I forced myself to exhale, chest tightening as he remained silent.
Fingers dancing across the control band, the metal machines came to life. And walked toward the door. Hands behind his back and posture straightening, Gergo said, “My apologies, your majesty. I shall look into the matter. Know that I didn’t sanction an attack and will ensure this doesn’t happen again.” He turned more briskly than how he’d entered.
I ran down the steps, a gasp fluttering from the duchess’ lips. Gergo turned at the sound, eyes widening at my approach.
Stopping short, I gave a slight curtsy. “Thank you Emperor Gergo for coming.”
He pursed his lips, fidgeting where he stood. With a slight bow, he replied, “Thank you for your understanding, Princess Terra.” His eyebrows knit, nose crinkling. “I mean, Queen Terra. I…”
“It’s all right. We’re all learning.”
His contorted expression relaxed, eyes softening behind his glasses. “My condolences for your father. He disagreed with my coronation, but maintained respect for my title.”
Admiration bubbled in my heart as I tried to keep the mournfulness out of my voice. “He was a good king.”
A half-smile brightened Gergo’s face. “And I’m sure you’ll be a great queen. Despite your traditions.” Walking out, he eyed the tapestries and potted plants.
Hints of humanity in a galaxy of progress.