Chapter 42

  Trellian Galaxy, Sector 901

  Crescellia sipped her tea as she studied the globe. It had become her common habit each afternoon, and even though she had memorized every detail available on the artifact, she still found it comforting to look at. Her son was facing dire straits and she was all too aware of the coming climax to his planet’s conflict. The System was hardly original in its machinations after all. Some speculated that it had a thing for the underdogs, which was why the lesser races always won. She didn’t share that opinion though, her own planet’s history was evidence enough of each selected race’s potential to come out on top.

  No, the System was fair in all things, even if its reasoning wasn’t understood. It was also rather protective of its newly initiated planets, going so far as to block even the most minute shred of information from polluting its experiments. There were exceptions to this rule, of course, but the exceptions always came from the planet in question, not from the outside. Her own son was an excellent example of this. She had communicated with him on several occasions through methods of his own making, even unintentional as they were. She had been warned by the System, though, and knew better than to share information too pertinent to his survival. That little bit about the deer was hardly news to Noah, or anyone with eyes and half a brain. If she were to share about the System standard methods of stat-balancing, however…. Well, it was best not to think about those things.

  As she took another sip of her tea, the door flew open in a rare display of discourtesy for someone of her standing. She looked up in interest, wondering if it was bad news or she would have to schedule an execution. Unfortunately, she recognized the face of her lead protectorate and knew it was the former.

  “My lady, please excuse my intrusion. I have news,” he stated. She locked eyes with Garitol and pursed her lips.

  “Has it finally happened?” she asked. He took a breath and nodded.

  “Yes, my lady. House Aniquen issued a draft this morning, calling all able-bodied Irons to service. I believe this is the sign we have been waiting for,” he answered.

  “A draft on both of their planets?” she asked.

  “Exactly so, my lady,” he replied. She took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts.

  “Then the time for war approaches,” she mused aloud.

  “I fear so, my lady. Shall I issue a draft of our own?” he asked.

  “Garitol, you know it won’t be enough. The duke has long made his stance known and has many supporters among the aristocracy. Those supporting the crown have dwindled for many years—Ever since my husband’s passing,” she replied.

  “May his majesty be honored forever!” he replied. She nodded.

  “Yes indeed,” she agreed.

  “My lady, I would like to issue a draft nonetheless. At the very least, we can amass enough men to slow their advance. Though I must say that if you have another plan, it is certainly time to act, your majesty,” Garitol replied, dipping his head.

  “Very well, Garitol. Issue the draft. And you know I asked you not to be so formal with me in private,” Crescellia said.

  “My apologies, my lady. Old habits, I suppose. I will get started at once,” he announced as he exited the room. Crescellia sighed and relaxed into her chair. The Duke and his faction had been pushing for succession over the last couple of decades, demanding that an heir be produced or the crown passed along. She had staunchly resisted every offer of marriage and therefore ceded her rights to the throne, at least in the mind of the Duke. No one else was aware of her son's existence, and few even speculated that there may be an heir due to the rarity of royals sending away their children. After her husband had passed, however, she knew that she needed to take drastic action. When her son was born, she had been devastated to discover his innate weakness, being born of a Grade so far below her own. What initially seemed like a curse ended up working in their favor, however, as she managed to smuggle him to an isolated planet that had yet to be touched by mana.

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  She knew that he would need every opportunity possible if he was to have a chance at claiming the throne. She also knew that he would never get that kind of opportunity on her own planet. His constitution was so poor that he barely managed to survive his brief stay on her own world, even with the System's protection. Finding Earth had been a great relief, and it seemed that everything would be coming to a head just in time. calling in a favor from an old friend was also a price that she had to pay if she wanted to preserve her and her husband's legacy. She knew however that her son would ultimately pay the price of her desire. She hoped that he would forgive her in time, and judging by the dream encounters that they had shared, he was the kind of person to forgive one like her.

  Alure GalaxIy, Sector 849

  Livia was disgusted. No, she was livid. When her maid barged into her room, startled by her screaming, only then did she realize the racket she had been making. After apologizing and blaming it on some nightmare, she finally managed to convince her maid to leave. Her mother had not been so easily convinced. When she arrived at the room, she didn't stop to ask questions or appear worried like her staff; no, she immediately began to search the room. When she uncovered the loose floorboard, and the artifact hidden beneath, she had exchanged a slight smile with her daughter. It was only after the maid left that she shared her real feelings. And so Livia found herself sitting sheepishly in the parlor while her mother poured her a glass of tea in tense silence. Finally, her mother sat down in the chair across from her and took a long, measured breath.

  “Livia, are you going to make me ask?” The queen questioned, eyebrows raised.

  “No, mother. I know better than that. I—” The queen cut her off with a hand.

  “No, it seems that you do not know better. What good did you think would come from spying on your betrothed? Did you think he would appreciate having his privacy invaded? Or perhaps you thought it would help you get to know him better? I’m willing to bet you saw something you didn’t like! Need I remind you that he does not yet know of your engagement? He is innocent of whatever crime you have accused him of in your mind,” the queen stated. Livia sighed.

  “It’s not like that, Mother. I don’t blame Noah for any of it. It is that wretched orc that I despise! Who does she think she is laying hands on him like that! She may be better than the awful human woman but she shouldn’t dare claim what is mine!” she protested. Her mother had the audacity to laugh in a very unqueenly way. Livia glared.

  “It’s not funny!” she argued.

  “My daughter, do you hear yourself? You sound like a common woman caught in a tryst! This is rather hilarious, really. Who cares who the boy beds before meeting you? From what I hear, he wouldn’t be the type to do so if he were aware of your arrangement,” she commented. Livia’s face grew red.

  “No one said anything about bedding! He hasn’t bedded anyone!” Her eyes went wide at her own words. “He better not! I swear if I find out that he gets together with that orc—” She was interrupted by the queen's laughter.

  “But you said she laid hands on him! What did you mean?” she asked.

  “They were dancing! And they made eyes at each other!” she explained.

  “Oh, darling. Are you afraid he loves her?” her mother asked, her voice turning gentle. Livia sniffled and nodded.

  “I think he does love her, at least a bit. I was happy that he wasn’t so lonely anymore, but when it started to look like something more, I began to worry,” Livia explained. “Isn’t there a way to tell him about our engagement? What if he falls in love and I rip him away from her? He will hate me!” she said, tears welling in her eyes. The queen stood and closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around her sobbing daughter.

  “I will talk with Crescellia and see if she knows a way to communicate with him. No promises though, you know how the System is,” she said. Livia squeezed her mother tightly and nodded into her chest.

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” she exclaimed before shooing her mother away to contact Cresecellia.