They Will Take, Until Nothing of You Is Left. SL02 - A tale by Cinder and Kaito - Part 1
I was lying on a burning pyre, hot coals beneath my back. Flames, Smoke. Blisters burbling across my skin. My Leg and hand were gone, leaving stumps where the surgeons had attached my prostheses. Dead wires dangled from them. I tried to crawl, but it was as useless as an upended turtle. I reached out with my one hand, trying to drag my body from the fire, but the bed of coals starched off into the horizon.
The heat was the hottest beneath my neck, trickling down my spine. The unrelenting pain. like hot coal had gotten beneath my skin.
My eyes flew open from the jolt of heat creeping its way up my human hand, which then turned cold. The pin prickling chill under my skin wasn’t something I had felt in a long while, to the point that I wonder if I am imagining it all right now. I had to have been dreaming. Of course, the nightmares had been coming back to me over the years. When I felt lost, incomplete, or even uncertain on where I would end up, they became more frequent.
However, as the stars before me started to turn into shapes and colours, as the warning messages telling me that I have been in an involuntary shut down and a reboot was taking place. Gradually the odours of cleaning chemicals started to make their way to my senses. I knew something was out of place.
‘Hello sleepy head. You are finally coming back to us.’ an unrecognised male voice, with a thick European accent asked, but when I tried to move my head to see him. I could not.
‘Don’t move, you are still connected. Med-droid disengage Linh Cinder now.’ And now fear began to make a home in me.
“Where am I? How did I get here? Who are you?” All the questions came out in one string of words.
‘You are at the Letumosis labs at the Palace. You were brought here after you volunteered your services to the cyborg draft—’ I cut him off, because what was he talking about? Why would I be here? In the Palace? In a lab? No… No… I must still be dreaming.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t volunteer, let me go! I am not meant to be here.” Panic captured my muscles, or so I thought. I realised that I was restrained. “Why am I tied up like a prisoner!” I demanded pulling at my arms and legs, however with no luck.
‘Hey, you need to stop moving, otherwise I will have no choice but to shut you down again.’ Only then did it occur to me.
“You have me connected? Without my permission?” I felt violated, I felt… abused. I had been stripped down to a thin knee length shirt, with no pants. All of my scars, my human and cyborgness on full display for this man who I couldn’t see and did not know.
The pressure was building behind the retina displays that were my eyes, telling me that if I were still human and untouched by the hands of scientists. I would be in tears right now.
“Let… Me… GO!” I screamed pulling at my arms once again.
Sleep hadn’t come easily but I had managed to drift off until my light sleep was broken by a swift, quiet exchange in the living area of my chambers. A man and a woman... #Hiro had insisted on spending the night here. After our encounter with #SybilMira I was happy to keep him close.
"Kai?" The familiar voice sounded at my door followed by two light taps. I was already shrugging into a silk robe which I hadn't yet tied when light flooded in through the crack in the door as it opened. It was not sunlight; it was still the small hours of the night then.
A woman I remembered from the labs was stood several feet behind my friend; she averted her eyes at the sight of her Crown Prince bare-chested in his undergarments and an open black and gold robe. I hastily tied it. "What's happened?" I moved towards the door so fast that I lurched forwards and startled the middle-aged woman.
"I'm sorry, Kai." #Hiro's eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "Your Father has entered the third stage of letumosis." The woman behind him shuffled uneasily.
The blow landed like a kick to the centre of my chest, I waited for it to physically knock me backwards... But nothing came as I stood there for seconds with my throat slowly closing up. I would lose the ability to speak in moments. I moved forwards to the woman again, slower this time so as not to spook her. "Thank you, for bringing this news." I said; the shake in my voice was acceptable...considering I had just learned that my father was one step closer to death.
"I... I am so very sorry, Your Imperial Highness." A tear slipped down her cheek. I reached up and tilted her chin with a crooked finger.
"We will all remain strong, as Emperor Rikan has taught us to be." I gave her a nod and she straightened proudly, righting her stance.
"Of course, Your Highness." She bowed low. "In his honour, long live the emperor." Her voice remained strengthened and lent its newfound potency to mine.
"Long live the emperor." #Hiro and I replied at once, and the woman left swiftly. Her composure was seemingly restored.
"Stars!" #Hiro gasped when the door clicked shut behind her. "How do you do that? A handful of words from you and people turn from a quivering mess into a beacon of confidence." He was dragging his hand through his hair as he became blurry around the edges. How strange... he was by no means a slim young man... but how does one become blurry in such a way?
The room tilted, rocking, and rolling from side to side, spinning. "Kai?" He asked and closed the space between us. He sounded far away... like he was speaking through a window. "Kaito!" His alarm was evident as he dropped to his knees and his arms came around me. I was falling with him... was he pulling me down? What on Earth was he thinking?
Then came the shrieking... I flung my head around searching for whoever was in distress. #Hiro struggled to restrain me. I had to find this person, my fingers scrambled at the thick rug, and I crawled forward but he pulled me back. Panic struck me, I needed to make it stop, my heart raced, fear and pain lancing through my body. Hiro continued clutching me to his chest, trying to stop me from moving away as he murmured words like. "It's okay, I've got you... Just let it out."
Why wasn't he looking for this wailing man? #Hiro may not have been the heroic type, but he wouldn't sit idly by while another suffered.
I wasn't sure how long I sat there with him. But over time the shrieking turned to muffled sobbing. There was a soft tapping on my chamber doors. "Wait!!" #Hiro shouted and scrambled to stand. "Wait!" He left me on the plush rug and rushed to the door. There was a muffled conversation as he opened the door narrowly. "The Crown Prince will get himself ready today." He said with an authority that made me sit up. "Send up a breakfast tray in twenty minutes, and ensure his schedule is clear for the morning so he may visit with his father, after last night's news."
Last night? I glanced around. Pale sunlight was indeed trickling through the drapes. Awareness crept in that I was lying on the floor... My throat was raw... from screaming. The screaming man had been me. I had crumbled, I had fallen to pieces. I was all the Commonwealth had... and I had broken beneath the crushing weight of it all.
Before I knew it #Hiro was back and hoisting me to my feet. "Come along, Kaito. It’s time to be the man that can sway a nation with only a few words again." He tilted my face up. "Your Father needs you."
He told me his name was Dr. Dimitri Erland. He told me that he was the man in charge of finding the cure for the pandemic that was killing our people. He told me that #LihnAdri had signed my rights over to the palace and that I now was being used to test on.
The old man in his late fifties sat there as calm as he could be as he spoke to me. To him, my reactions, sarcasm, and outbursts did not matter. He would just sit there, wait for me to be done, and start where he left off.
When I finally stopped interrupting him, I started to take in his appearance as he spoke.
He wore a crisp white lab coat. His hair was balding even if he tried to cover it with a golfer cap with a herringbone pattern. Lines drawn into his face suggested he had spent many years thinking very hard over difficult problems. His eyes… they were the colour of the sea… So… blue. ( I had never been; however, I had seen images of it on the Netscreens. ) He had crow's-feet when he smiled which are covered by a pair of tiny, silver spectacles.
What this man had to smile about was me. I was a test monkey that had been handed over to the palace when my sister…. “Peony.” My mind reeled. How had I forgotten about #Peony? Where was she? How was she? Was someone looking after her?
‘So, you see Linh Cinder, you are a medical marvel. Some may say a miracle. Who would have thought that today when I woke, that I would be sat here with you in a lab. After you had been infected with letumosis.”
“Wait… What?” This caught my attention. Was the old man still speaking to me or about me? “What do you mean?” The Med-droid wheeled away from me, I had been disconnected and my arms and legs were freed. As I slowly sat up, my head spun, and the ground came up to meet me.
‘Slowly there, you will hurt yourself.’ He jumped up to help me back onto the cold metal bed. ‘I told you just now, weren’t you listening to a word I was saying? We injected the letumosis virus into you. However, Wait… Let me show you.’
He turned his attention to the screen behind him. Tapping on the keyboard he brought up the image of a girl, a cyborg. It was me… Half of the image showing the outline of my body, and the other half showing dots flashing in and out of vision. ‘These here are the letumosis virus, and if you watch you will see how your amazing body fought them off.’
The man was crazy, or he was lying to me. But as I waited for the orange warning light to flash behind my vision. Nothing came.
“No one fights off letumosis. It’s a sure-fire way to deaths doorstep. And then it occurred to me. “You have a cure?” My eyes were on the back of his head. Only his cap and it’s patten visible to me.
‘That’s the thing, your body started to fight off by itself, we hadn’t had time to give you the injection.’ He still wasn’t facing me when my eyes darted to the door.
There was only and old man, and sure there was a med-droid in here, but I could take it. But… Why would I want to leave this place? I was safe here; Dr. Erland had been taking such good care of me. He would be my friend. And I would be safe here.
“Stars!” I rubbed my face, as the orange light to indicate that I was being lied to was flashing. And I knew no one here was talking to me. Something told me… Those thoughts weren’t mine, But then… where had they come from?
My eyes were back on him, and I wanted to hit him over the head with the spanner I kept in my artificial leg. And then… I wanted to become his friend. I was so messed up. “Does this mean I can go?” I asked him.
‘Go?’ He turned himself and the stool around to face me. ‘Why in the name of the stars would you want to leave?’
“Oh, I don’t know… Spending extended amounts of time with old people puts a damper on my street cred?” My words were filled with sarcasm to the fullest.
‘Funny. But No. You cannot leave. We need you. We need your help. We need to find out why you… Linh Cinder are the only cyborg who hasn’t reacted the way the others have. This is a gift for you… It’s a gift to help save the world.”
“Girl!” I jumped down from the bed. “I am a GIRL!” I shouted. “I am not a pin cushion for you to test on.” My eyes darted to the door again.
‘Yes, yes. But. My dear, there is no way out of here for you. I may have freed your hands and feet, but You are the key to unlock the greatest mystery the world is all working on right now.’ I didn’t want to be this miracle. I just wanted to be me. ‘Our Emperor Needs YOU, Cinder.’
Those last words stilled my thoughts. I saw Kai at the press conference shown on the Netscreen, holding it together. Doing the right thing for his people. And now I could hold the answer to save his father? Could I push my fear and want to run aside? Could I do this for my friend and his father?
My father was weak; the Med Droids pushed his bed right against the glass and helped him turn to face me. I pressed as close to the window as I could; my hands against the glass. He lifted his hand to the window. His fingertips were pressed against it as though he could touch me. The inch-thick barrier between us made me want to rage. His face and neck were marred by the lesions of this awful disease. The blue, bruise-like rings had faded, and the angry red blisters had crusted and turned lighter.
But I wouldn't show my weakness in front of my Father. He deserved to pass in peace, believing that the Commonwealth was in the hands of a capable ruler. A ruler I had believed I could be, until last night. 'My beautiful boy.' He was hoarse from coughing. 'Be strong, lead our people your way, laugh... And Kaito, fall in love. Promise me?'
"Father... I can't... I’m not even nineteen yet. To rule I might need to..." I couldn't make him a promise like that. There was a good chance I would need a marriage alliance to keep the Commonwealth safe and as long as it wasn’t the damned Lunar Queen... I would do it.
'No! Kaito...' His body lurched into a coughing fit. Blood splattered the glass and I struggled not to let tears overtake my eyes. 'Promise me, my son.' He tried to sit up and his body protested with another round of violent coughing.
"I promise, I promise. All of it. I promise." I pressed both hands to the glass. As soon as the words were out Father's body stopped shaking and the coughing ceased. Blood coated his lips; his breathing was quick and shallow. A Droid was injecting something into his IV and in a few seconds, he took his first deep breath, then his eyes fluttered closed. The machines he was connected to made no noise... it wasn't like the medical dramas that streamed on the net feeds. I knew it was for my father’s comfort that they were silent.
I waited until the numbers and lines stopped rapidly jumping. 'He is resting comfortably Your Imperial Highness.' The irritatingly soothing voice of the Med Droid said. 'He will sleep for several hours. Shall we notify you when he awakens?'
I pulled my hands from the glass. "Yes please." I nodded, standing up and adjusting my clothing. It was time to put on the mask again. To be the confident... almost cocky royal once more. I left the room, my shoulders back, head up and hair in my eyes despite my efforts to comb it back with my fingers.
When I stepped out, #Hiro was waiting. I had tried to convince him to stay in my rooms for the day, but he told me he would be just as safe from the Lunars with me; as he would be hiding in my rooms. I had of course pointed out that that was not true, or we wouldn’t have had that incident, to begin with.
He gave me a nod that told me I looked like I had it all together and I smiled. #KonnTorin appeared at the end of the hallway as we walked to the elevator bank. ‘Where to now?’ #Hiro asked.
“The medical wing. I want to speak with Dr Erlund. To see if there is any progress yet.” I slowed preparing myself for whatever my father’s advisor had to say when we met halfway along the corridor.
‘Your Highness.’ He dipped his chin respectfully, and his assistants bowed a little lower. ‘I’m glad to see you’ve visited your father already. We have some…’ His eyes moved to #Hiro. ‘Urgent matters of state to discuss.’
#Hiro’s throat bobbed and #Torin continued. ‘I was about to visit His Imperial Highness, but I received a comm stating he is resting, presently. So perhaps now would be a good time t—‘
I cut him off. “We can discuss it later, I’m on my way to the medical wing to speak with Dr Erlund.”
‘Kaito, if there was anything new to report…’ He tried to insist.
“Later, #Torin. Just allow me an hour or so and we can discuss whatever is on your agenda.” I signalled to the droid attending the lifts to call for one. “Father is resting, but I’m sure he will be comforted to have you by his side.” We all knew that the emperor could have only moments left now. There was no telling when he could pass into stage four, and no one could guess how long a patient had after that.
When I stepped off the lifts o the level that housed the research facilities, I instructed my guards to wait there. They obeyed as this was the most heavily guarded wing in the palace right now. Probably even more than the royal family’s living quarters. #Hiro stayed at my side, visibly more at ease now, his fear of reprisals for his so-called actions towards #SybilMira had him more worried than he was willing to admit.
‘You don’t ask for much do you?’ The old doctor called out from the other side of the divider; I had been redressing myself behind.
The doctor had spent the last hour asking me about my past, trying to paint an image in his mine with where I came from and how I came to be in New Beijing. Upon finding out that Linh Garan had adopted me from the European Federation after my family had died in a hover accident, leaving me fighting to live in the hands of scientist and doctors who’d turned my body into what it was now. His excitement had toned down a few notches. That was until I continued my story to the point where Linh Garan was lost to us due to Letumosis.
“Like you said, I’m the answer everyone is looking for. So, if you want me to stay and help without making your life difficult. I don’t think it’s much to ask for.”
He went silent on the other side, and when I popped my head out from the side to make sure the man hadn’t left and locked me in the room, I saw him gazing out into nothingness. “Dr Erlund?” I called his name, stepping out fully dressed, and pulling my gloves back on over my animatronic hand. “Are you okay?”
He didn’t answer until I was stood before him, clapping my hands to jerk him out of it. ( Whatever It was. )
‘Oh, Hello. My…’ He clamped his mouth shut, as though he were stopping himself from saying whatever it was, he was about to share. ‘You don’t know or understand how difficult it is to take someone out of the quarantines once they are processed.’
Okay, he had a point. I’d never heard of it being done. But that wasn’t my problem. “That sounds like a problem you need to solve not me. From where I stand, I could have asked for more.” And he knew it from the way he was looking at me.
“Listen Doc, I’m not asking for much.” I started to list the things out on my fingers.
“One, I want all payment for this lab testing to go to me and not Adri. She isn’t making a single univ from me as of today. She will not see any of it! Two, I want you to keep it to yourself that I am helping you. Three, I want you to get my sis out of the quarantines. Now. Today. That is not debatable. Four, I am going home. As much as I don’t want to. I know if I am not there Adri will do something to Iko, and I’m not having that….” I wasn’t even stopping to breathe. “And Five, Peony is to be the first to get the cure. If I have to pump every drop of my blood out of me and into her for this to happen. We do it.”
His overly grown eyebrows pulled together, as if he were holding the biggest secret in the world.
“Just spill it will you.” I crossed my arms, popping my hip out. Impetuses growing by every passing moment. I could make this happen. I could help #Peony, she could survive this disease and then the three of us could leave this forsaken place.
‘I… I cannot make that promise.” He finally crocked out; his voice thick with sorrow.
“What? Why? Which part of it?” That tension at the bridge of my nose was back.
‘No. Listen.’ He held his hands up as he spoke to me. And I realised that he was trying to calm me. ‘Just the part where your sister is the first to have the cure.’
My hands fisted up. “Oh, I see. I am the one who is going to be the test pig in this place, and I can’t save my sister? Fat chance Doc… I’m not helping any of you, not if she dies. Stars!” Pacing back and forth, I wasn’t sure when I had picked up the spanner from the side.
‘Cinder, you aren’t listening to me. She won’t be the first. She will be the second. I must give our Emperor the first you see.’ I came to a stop my eyes were on his again, the blue of them looked to have dulled a little now.
“The emperor… Right…” How was I forgetting about him?
‘It’s hard to think of others when the ones you love, are hurting. It’s understandable.’ He slowly placed a hand on my slumped shoulders.
“I’m such a bad friend. I knew he is sick, and of course I want to help to save him. But my little sister… She is so innocent. She didn’t deserve to get this. She shouldn’t be alone in the quarantines.” I sat down on the chair as the door slid open, the both of us turned to stare at the med droid rolling in.
‘Let’s get started. We need to take some more blood so I can continue with my testing. I know the answer will be in your plasma... And then… you can go home... And then come back tomorrow. He added the last part as though they weren’t going to be tracking my every move.
Eyeing up the Med droid, I could see that it was unbalanced. “What is it with droids in the Palace, do your mechanics not understand the meaning of a good service?” He looked the droid over and shrugged his shoulders. Telling me to sit and give the droid my elbow.
“Your bedside manners need some work doc.” I rolled up my sleeve and did as he asked until six vials of blood were taken.
#Hiro and I reached the labs... these corridors made me shudder. All the rooms along here had an exam room with a quarantine room attached. I hated to think of what went on in them... Human testing, even on a volunteer basis just made my skin crawl.
I reach Dr Erlund's office, I knocked politely but opened the door before I was invited in... I was still a Prince after all. When I stepped inside, I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Cinder!" I said... my voice too high... my smile far too wide and my chest far too light after everything I had seen today, and it wasn't even noon yet. The sensation was immediate, the lightening of the weight on my shoulders... Just from laying eyes on her.
'What!?' #Hiro had been in the hallway, waiting to be invited in like a polite person would. but now he shouldered past me into the room. 'Stars above! This is her?' He chuckled, beaming, and nudging me with his elbow. Dr Erlund seemed to cringe at the casual interaction between him and I... He never would have seen me with #Hiro before. He never normally accompanied me in my official duties. That was a recent development for my comfort when Father became ill.
My face and neck burned red hot. Dr Erlund bowed low. 'You two have met before?' He looked between Cinder and I, or I believe I caught a flick of his eye from my peripheral vision. my eyes had yet to leave Cinder.
She was on this side of the glass, she hadn't been caught in the outbreak... there were no marks on her skin. The doctor wasn't wearing a mask or protecting himself from infection... she was okay. She hadn't been carted to the quarantines... But then, why? Why was she here?
I cleared my throat. "Apologies... Um... Hiro This is Cin... Lihn Cinder. Cinder... meet Hiro."
He bounced forward and extended his hand. 'His best friend. Nice to meet you Lihn-mie. I have heard so much about you.'
I was staring again. Dumbfounded. 'You'll have to excuse him.' #Hiro spoke when I didn't. 'If he looks as though he's seen a ghost it's because... well, he has. He spent the night thinking you were dead... or as good as, at least.' He laughed and I was aghast. 'I can respect playing hard to get... but damn lady! That was harsh.'
"Stars! Hiro! Hush." I hissed through gritted teeth and stepped towards Cinder's, but not into her personal space. "Are you okay? Did you make it out of there? When you didn't..." I stopped myself from saying when you didn’t reply.
"I'm glad you made it out safely. But... why are you here? Is everything okay?"
‘Linh Cinder!’ His voice chastising now. ‘I have told you four times already; I have nothing to do with the Luna delegation. And if you know what is good for you. You will stay well away from them or anything to do with them. Nothing good will come of you digging into that mess pot.’ #DrDimitriErland had his blue eyes cemented to the screen. The blood the droid had taken from me had started its analysation process. And the doctor sat like an impatient child. Unwilling to miss a thing.
I moved to walk around the lab, taking in everything that he did here. More so to distract myself from the monitors and the outlined image of my body on full display. It was unnerving to see ones self in such a way. That was when I started to question the doctor about the visitors who didn’t seem to be leaving. “Okay fine. But is it true they are staying for the celebrations? Why would they even want to be here for that?”
He huffed in frustration, however before he could tell me to shut up again, the sound of a knock on the door and it opening jolted us both to attention. I quickly turned away rolling my sleeves down and pulling my gloves up over my hands to cover myself. It was one thing for them all to have seen me stripped down, but now that I was on my own two feet ( well one foot was mine at least ). I wasn’t going to be seen in that way.
When I turned myself back around, my jaw fell open to the floor and I was frozen in place for a short while. Kai stood there before me. I wondered if I were imagining it, but why would he be here? Had he heard I was brought in? Fear transformed into a beast in my head. Because if he knew I was here, then he knew what I was. However, he was smiling? He looked happy to see me?
#DrErland took a low bow, reminding me where I stood, and how it was a must that the proper edicts where followed. I bowed my head towards our Crown Prince, but my eyes never lowered. I couldn’t pull them away from him. The last time I had seen him, I have vowed that I wouldn’t see him again. So, much had happened since then. And I wanted to tell him everything, and yet I knew I couldn’t.
“No…” I replied to the doctor as he asked if we knew one another. “I mean… Yes… Well… Just work...” I couldn’t take my eyes away from his. He was okay. He had gotten out and he was, okay?
“Are you okay, I couldn’t believe you wer—?” I bit my lips, before I couldn’t ask him outright as he was me. I was aware of the doctors eyes watching us. I wasn’t sure how would we explain his trip to the market and my booth?
The moment he called me by my formal name, I knew I was doing the right thing. Finally, I drew my eyes from him. With the other boy I would say the same age as Ka… Prince Kaito. Handsome looking, with a kind smile. I reached my hand out to take his. Shaking it before letting go. My eyes kept moving back to him stood there lost.
“Well, best friend. I’ve not heard anything about you. I feel like I am at a disadvantage here.” I cleared my throat and stepped back. Blinking at the fact that this boy was telling me nothing but the truth.
My gaze moved right back to Kai, and I whispered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s… Well... just… A lot happened.” Was all I would tell him for now. He eyes drawing me back in again. “Are you okay? Is your fath— I mean the emperor; long may he live. How is he doing?”
I barely paid attention to anything #Hiro said. I was too stunned by Cinder's presence here, she was watching me closely too. She had been worried about me? I remembered the face of the staff last night when I revealed I had been at the market within hours of the outbreak. Was she worried for her Prince or her friend? Maybe both... I could settle for both.
"No, no..." I shook my head and took a step closer to her. "Don't apologize; I can't imagine what it was like there, after I... after everything started. I just couldn't help but worry about you." My eyes flickered to our observers a little self-consciously.
#Hiro cleared his throat. "Um... I'll um... Wait outside." He shifted awkwardly. "It was lovely to meet you, Cinder. Hopefully, we will meet again soon."
I rubbed my hand over my chin and willed my heart to still at the mention of my father. "Father is... He entered the third stage late last night." I didn't take my eyes from her; she was the only person that looked at me with the resolve instead of sympathy and pity. Like she knew what it was like to need to accept what couldn't be changed and keep moving forward, as I had to do. Maybe she had done so too. "He has been made comfortable."
"I was very sorry to hear the news, Your Highness. I have been monitoring your father’s progression closely and adjusting his medication." #DrErlund told me. "I believe he may have another day, possibly two with us."
I just nodded. "Thank you, Doctor. But I'm not here about Father today. I wanted to see what kind of progress you might have made in the search for a vaccine. Possibly a treatment?”
The look on the Doctor's face was enough to answer in itself. "We are working as diligently as we can..." He started.
"I know, I didn't mean to imply you weren't." I tried to give him an encouraging smile.
"There's is one thing though..." The Doctor started and I looked eager to hear what he would have to say. "The blood work on some of the victims from yesterday’s outbreak is... interesting." He continued in his heavy accent. "I would like to have one of the patients transferred here from the quarantines to be more closely examined. If you were to sign the transfer order, I could have the whole process expedited." He picked up a large portscreen and started tapping.
"Can we do that?" I asked pinching my brows together.
"YOU may do whatever you deem necessary in pursuit of a cure, Your Highness. We haven’t transferred patients from quarantine since the beginning, because there was nothing new to be learned... until -"
"Until now." I nodded, trying to appear confident as if I had known I had that power all along. I took the portscreen from him.
𝙻𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚜 𝚀𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚃𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚏𝚎𝚛 𝙾𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛
"There aren't any patient details here?" I scrolled through the form.
"Yes... I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting your visit. I haven't had time to review all the blood samples yet to choose a patient. However, if you aren’t comfortable, I can send it to your office once I get a chance to choose a candidate and perhaps, I could begin the examination tomorrow or the day after?" The doctor rubbed his brow impatiently and I began to feel foolish.
#DrErlund had been with us almost as long as I could remember. Of course, he only had the best of intentions. Every second wasted during this pandemic meant life lost. "No... Of course, I will sign it." I typed in my ID number. "But if the patient is being used for research purposes and testing, then I expect them to be treated no differently than a member of the court. They receive the same medicine and the same comfort measures. And their family is to be compensated." I pressed my thumb against the designated portion of the screen; an enlarged scan of my thumbprint appeared in the slot. "And make sure the palace covers funeral expenses also... if..." I trailed off... all this talk in front of Cinder. She was going to think me heartless.
"I apologize Cinder... sometimes these matters are unavoi...d-able..." I trailed off, my eyes moving to the hologram behind her. This person was thirty-six-point two eight percent cyborg? I didn’t even know that was possible. Her hand... most of her right leg, wires running almost everywhere, like veins. Her eyes… parts of her brain... her... No... It couldn't be... her heart? I reached into the hologram, examining how it pulsed. How had this woman survived whatever had happened to her? I couldn't imagine the pain and suffering... my heart ached. Her family must have been desperate to make her endure the sheer number of procedures she must have undergone. The expense... She must have been so loved, so valued.
She must have suffered so much.
The image vanished before my fingers brushed against the projection of her heart. "Pardon me, Prince Kaito... Patient confidentiality." #DrErlund cleared his throat.
"Of course." I shook my head and turned back to Cinder, trying to remember what I had been saying. "I... eh...Didn't mean to intrude and talk business. I'm sure you had a purpose for being here." I smiled again, still feeling the ache for the young woman and all the pain she must have felt. "You were called in to… fix something?" She had said something about work, right? My mind was a too full to cling to a single train of thought.
The two voices around us, made my feet step back away from Kai, with a stark reminder of there we where and who he was to me / to / us! The Prince. The next Emperor. The boy who is to become a man to rule over us. And here I stood acting as though I had a right to ask questions of him. The resolve I had in place from last night had faltered the moment he had stepped foot into this lab. Making me see just how weak I had become when it came to this new friend of mine. I straightened up, however keeping my neck bent slightly now that I knew that the doctor had me in his sights.
My technology crafted heart, stilled. Setting warning signs off in my retina about it, and I adjusted myself accordingly. ( I couldn’t even grieve for the loss Kai would be feeling without the inhuman side of me threatening to shut me down. However, my heart did go out to him. He had lost his mother, and now his father would be gone soon, to the same murdering affliction.
When #Hiro stepped out of the doors, my eyes shot over to the doctor when he began to speak about having someone from the quarantines moved to the labs here. This had to be #Peony he was speaking of. However, why was he lying to Kai? His crown prince? What reason was there for #DrErlund to keep my secret?
The lies didn’t stop there. First, he told Kai his father only had a day or two to live, then he played the innocent one saying he would delay the search for that same amount of time? He was playing with Kai’s emotions? And I couldn’t do anything about it. If I told Kai, it was my friend, my sister who was being transferred here, he would surely question why it was the case.
I then just managed to hold myself together when Kai mentioned compensating the family, and then the palace covering the funeral expenses. ‘No!’ I wanted to scream out. ‘No, she will not die. I am not doing all of this so that the only human on his planet who loves me will die.’ However, those thoughts never turned to words.
My eyes fell to the ground when Kai began speaking with me again. “It’s… it… it is okay…” It really wasn’t. I wanted to run out of here and I wanted to find and bring #Peony here myself. But I knew that wasn’t possible. And then he trailed off.
By the time my eyes found Kai, he already stepped around me to look at the outline of my body on the screen on the wall. Damn #DrErlund, he hadn’t removed the image from view when the Prince and his friend #Hiro had joined us.
I didn’t need to witness the look on Kai’s face at what he was seeing on the screen. I knew what he would be thinking. But most of all, I was trying to process my own feelings. I felt violated, I felt rotten, I felt like he was seeing me naked when no person had.
My hand reached up to my chest when Kai reached his hand into the holographic imaging of me, it was like he was reaching into my chest and squeezing my heart. I wanted to shout at him to stop.
The point of no return for me was when he turned back and smiled at me. It felt like a slap to my face. I stumbled back into a tray. My clumsy hands try to stop things from falling to the ground. “No… No… Nothing… I… I…” I couldn’t find my words and #DrErlund gave me a sympathy filled glance.
‘I asked Lihn Mei here to help with a med droid no-one could seem to fix. The glitch just kept coming back. Did you know she is a well-known and sort after mechanic with a high star rating. I was lucky she had the time to come in to help me.’ I stopped looking and paying attention to the orange light that was flashing whenever #DrErlund spoke. The man really did know how to lie.
“I should get out of your hair. You both are busy men. You have so much you need to be doing. I… I .. Should leave.” Starting back towards the door. However, #DrErlund cut me off.
‘Before you go Lihn Mei, let me take a look at that alinement issue you spoke about.’ He was pressing on my back.
“Wh—” before I could say the words a hot dagger like shooting pain exploded from my back and all the way up my spine. All the warnings came rushing over my retina display as I screamed out and then everything went black.
My heart still ached for the woman in the holograph and the suffering she must have endured. When I turned back to see Cinder stumbled back into a tray of tools that clattered and clinked as she fumbled the keep them from falling. I knew it was wrong, but I smiled to myself; because this... this was what I was used to. When I paid the kind of attention to girls that I paid her, they became flustered. They lost the ability to form whole sentences and lost touch with the world around them and occasionally their own limbs... or worse.
Over the years I had become an expert in identifying a true fainting spell from a faked swoon. The key was in how long it took for them to come around... when someone really fainted, they were out for only a matter of seconds. The fakers took it too far. I had seen far too many of both.
I had thought a lot about how Cinder seemed to be immune to my charms and position... and I couldn't deny that I had wondered if that was why I was so fascinated with her. What if she did react like everyone else did, would the enchantment be broken? But it hadn't been, I knew that this was an anomaly... and an endearing one that boosted my confidence. There was a chance to sway her, there was something here... and not just for me. Which was another thought that plagued me... the possibility that she truly wasn't interested in me. But no... there was something else there.
I tilted my head at Dr Erlund... Hadn't I said that I had met Cinder at her booth? Surely, he could have put it together that I did in fact know this since it sought her out myself. I shook the thought away, remembering my father explaining away the doctor's... eccentricities.
'The most brilliant among us are often... lacking in other areas like social awareness and people skills. This is why, as leaders, we must recognise genius and create an environment for those that have skills we don't, to thrive for the good of the people and The Commonwealth.' My heart twinged at the memory. There would be no more of those short but life-changing conversations.
"She is?" I smiled at him, winking at Cinder. "Perhaps we need to poach her for a position in the Royal Mechanics Suite."
When Cinder tried to take her leave, I stepped aside... but the next few seconds all passed in a blur. I was about to leave when the doctor mentioned some kind of treatment. I didn't want to intrude on medical treatment... that was private. But the good doctor didn't seem to mind at all and the next thing I knew Cinder's eyes (that normally gave away nothing) widened, clearly pained, then went so dark they were almost black, and she was crumbling to the floor. Dr Erlund was ill-equipped to keep her from falling.
Cinder's form drooped back onto the man as her legs slipped from beneath her on the polished floor. I caught her arms and hefted her away from the doctor before she too hit the floor, just in time to stop Cinder's torso and head from thumping to the ground. "Cinder!" I called out as soon as I was able to do anything other than react. #Hiro came rushing in too.
'Star above, Kai!' He huffed. 'What did you do to this one?'
I glared. "It wasn't... I didn't... I..." I looked wide-eyed at #Hiro. Realising that my heart was beating far too hard. He looked at me with confusion... I wasn't one to be deemed speechless.
I turned all my attention back to the unconscious girl. "Cinder." I said softly, forcing my body and mind to calm. I adjusted my arm beneath her shoulders, keeping her slightly raised above the cold floor and brush her hair away from her forehead, a fine layer of moisture clung to her skin. It hadn't been there before she collapsed, I smiled... No grease smudges... but I kind of missed it. It was... inappropriate. I schooled my features.
"What happened to her? What did you do?" The words were more accusatory than I had intended.
Red lights were piercing my eyelids, the first thing to sound the alarm were the warning messages over my vision, on the backdrop of my closed eyelids. Something had gone wrong, the doctor had tried to reboot me? But why? The messages told me I had gone into a soft boot. That systems checks were in progress and that I was still alive. Parts of my body where spasming and I couldn’t control it or stop it from happening.
‘Calm yourself Linh Mei, you are alright. Just give yourself a moment to adjust.’ #DrErlund said in his odd accent. There was no sympathy in his tone, more matter of fact as he spoke.
“Next time… At least buy me a steamed bun if you’re going to knock me off my feet, Doc.” I muttered out before opening my eyes.
“What—” The smiling face of Prince Kaito the first thing to come into my eye line, his hair fallen forward, over his forehead, and worry plastered on his features. Followed by two faces over his shoulders leaning down from behind him. Worried expressions on #Hiro’s face, with a frown sunk into his brow, and the Doctor… He looked pleased with himself. I closed my eyes again, hoping no one saw the green writing scrolling over my retina display. “What did you do to me?” I demanded.
‘Stars, she is back in the world of the living.’ #Hiro smiled now straightening up. Tugging on his cuffs and then his collar.
“I hope it’s not a disappointment to you.” I quipped before I could stop myself. I tried to straighten up a little, however when it took me too close to Kai, I stopped. Had he asked me a question? I wasn’t sure.
‘It was only a little something to help. You will be fine Linh mei, see you are waking up now, and could get up.” I was scowling at him.
“Why would I get up? Falling to the floor is my favs pass time.” I started to move again, pulling my gloves up and my pants down. Thankful to the Stars that nothing had shown in the meantime.
‘Feisty, I like it.’ #Hiro popped his head back into the mix before stepping back again.
“What did you do Erlund?” I asked now again, freeing myself from Kai. Giving him a small smile as a ‘thank you.’ I was starting to feel like I had a fever, my skin felt muggy with moisture which had never before happened. It shouldn’t even be possible for me to feel this way. My body enhancements meant that I could never overheat.
‘It was nothing, just a little readjustment to your spine.’ I frowned wishing he would speak a little faster. Because right now the orange light in my eyes told me he was lying.
‘Why did you do that?’ #Hiro asked now.
“What he said.” I asked too, started to slowly get back up onto my feet.
‘Linh Mei was saying she has a pain in her neck and shoulders, said it was from hunching over and working. All those hours come at a price. I just gave her nerves a little space. So, they won’t hurt her as much.’ I had said no such thing to him.
My eyes were on Kai, knowing any moment now the doctor would tell him and #Hiro what I am, and then I would never see this boy again. I was ready for Kai to have me walked out of his lab and palace and tell me he never wanted to see me again.
#DrErlund was still talking. ‘It is an old practice; however, it is said to be very helpful, I just hadn’t thought her alignment would be so out that it would impact her in this way.’ The orange light never once giving up. The man spoke lies, like children ate custard dumplings. There was no stopping him.
However, the thing I was waiting for didn’t happen. #DrErlund didn’t turn and tell Kai what I was. Why?
“I’m… I’m going to go. I’ve wasted too much of all of your time here.” I started to take a step back away from the hands holding me and towards the door. It was time for a sharp exit for now.
My eyes rounded at the Doctor's words. "A moment to adjust?" I almost hissed. "What in all the Stars did you do to her?"
Cinder stirred and I realised I was still cradling her a few inches from the floor, my hand became clammy at the closeness. I adjusted my features into a smile I hoped was comforting, her sarcasm helped. It seemed like she was returning to herself.
Unruly curls fell into my face... I knew better than to try and shake them out of my view... it just made me look like I belonged in a Second Era romance movie. Concern filled my eyes, but the closeness between us closed my thoughts.
Then Cinder mirrored my question with her own. #Hiro looked around wildly... 'What no... of course not.' He stammered and I gave him that look I do when he didn't understand someone's sarcasm.
It didn't escape my attention that Dr Demetri Erlund avoided the question yet again. I helped Cinder sit up a little more as she seemed to be recovering, slowly helping her to her feet while avoiding another fainting spell.
My eyes narrowed slightly at the doctor's explanation... In all of his years with us; I had never known him to be that careless... performing a procedure with consequences like this without first thoroughly explaining it to the patient?
"Wait, no... you can't go running around in this heat after a spell like that." I held out an encouraging hand to her and turned back the Doctor. "Should she.. stay.. and, uh, be observed for a while?" Really eloquent Kai!
'I think not, Your Majesty.' His accent seemed to get thicker. 'I believe our young mechanic is rather eager to return to her other work duties.'
I turned back to Cinder, wondering if there's any way to stretch out this encounter and maybe try one more time to convince her to attend the ball... alone if not with me. Just so I knew she would be there too. "We should at least make sure you have something to eat and drink after an episode like that."
'Oh yes! We should take her to the kitchens! Mama could whip us up something really nice.' #Hiro rocked playfully from his toes to his heels. 'Mama would just love to meet our sweet, young mechanical genius.'
The eighteen-year-old boy in me wanted to smack him in the arm... maybe the chest. But that wasn't a Princely move so squashed the impulse and opted to glare at him.
He snorted. 'Give it up Kaito... you're too pretty to be scary.' Then to Cinder... like she had accepted our invitation. 'This way to the kitchens Lihn-mie!' and waved dramatically to the door, despite the fact that:
A: she was closer to it than him and
B: it was literally the only way out of this room.
There were no windows in the lab and still I pointed to the wall as I spoke. “Heat? Nah. It is a mild day out today.” I had no idea what the weather outside of these walls were. “People like me are used to high temperatures.” I had been in here for how long now? I shook my head and took an additional step back away from them all and the concerned expressions.
For once since I met the man, I was bobbing my head in agreement with the Doctor. “Please… Call me Cinder…” I told #Hiro. “And… I really should be getting back to… uhm… work.” I told them all, however #Hiro wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Witnessing the exchange between Kaito and #Hiro had me wondering just how deep their relationship went? There had to be more here than the boy working for the prince. And then I recalled how #Hiro had introduced himself to me. ‘His best friend’
Of course, there were best friends, now it was all falling into place. “Pardon? Your Mama?”
This time #Hiro did not wait, he stepped up to me, hooking his arm into mine and started to pull me out the lab doors and down the corridor as he spoke.
‘Yes, my Mama, she makes the best buns in all of New Beijing. If you don’t believe me, just ask Kaito.’ He half turned his head. ‘Kaito! Don’t you agree? Wait... Where is he? Kai? Are you coming? Hurry.’
I looked lost and confused, glancing back over my shoulder to the only face in this palace I truly knew, and then at this boy who walked and talked with me as though we were fast friends.
‘You like steamed buns, don’t you? Oh. Wait. I know you do. Kaito sent you some the other night. You know. The night you didn’t reply to his comms.’ He was talking a mile a minute. Without any stops for anyone to reply. ‘Rude by the way. He was really worried about you.’
My cheeks were burning hot, and I didn’t understand why? My body had never over heated as long as I could remember. Why was this happening now? What had the Doctor done to me? And why were #Hiro’s words bringing these reactions forth?
#Hiro did not stop talking, even when we came to a stand before the elevators waiting for the doors to open. I glanced back over my shoulder once again. However, this time he caught my eyes. ‘You really don’t like talking, do you?’ He smiled as the doors opened and he tugged me into them. ‘Kaito. We are waiting for you!’ the boy shouted, stepping one foot out and his head too.
I stood shocked at how comfortable this boy spoke to our Prince with. And now I saw how Kai didn’t mind my missteps when I first met him.
I had thought it would be great to try and get her to stay a while. But I didn't want to monopolise her time either. I knew she was the main earner in her household. It was a big responsibility at her age. At that age, I was making diplomatic visits and giving public addresses at large events. But I had an entire team travelling with me.
"His mom has worked in the kitchen here since before I was born." I tried to fill in that blank for her but I was pretty sure she didn't hear me of #Hiro's rambling.
"Do you have anything that would knock him out quickly?" I asked the doctor as he stole Cinder away. #DrErlund's bushy brows knitted together.
'That would be inadvisable, Your Highness.' He said in a confused tone.
Before I could explain that it was a joke I heard him calling for me in the hallway.
"Stars Above! That boy is meant to be keeping a low profile." I thanked the doctor and swiftly left.
When I reached them; #Hiro was basically letting everything I told him about her slip. "Hiro leave the woman be... it was a frightening night for the whole city. Cinder has a family to worry about too." Though the recollection of spending the night worrying tightened my throat a little. Then I noticed soft pink tinting in her cheeks and my smile was back...
Stars!! Wait... #Hiro could make her blush? Did she... Stars!
They were in the lift already and I turned to the android operator. "Hold the lift please." I stepped over the threshold. "Why don't we take the service lift?" My eyes were intense and glued on #Hiro. Hoping he would remember that he was smack in the middle of a potential political disaster. "It will take us right to the kitchens without all the crowds." I stressed the last word, and what I really meant was Lunars.
Realisation dawned in his eyes, and he walked, still linked with Cinder back out of the lift and across the hallway. I scanned my wrist across the concealed scanner hidden in a plaque beneath a hand painted portrait of my Great-grandmother. The panel gave a small hiss and popped open enough to slip my fingers into the gap and pull it open.
We stepped inside the almost empty, hidden hallway, a small number of staff members carrying bundles or maintenance staff carrying tools went about their business. I liked these hidden hallways, the staff that had been here long enough passed me with nothing more than a respectful nod. It made me feel like a normal person for a few rare moments.
The staff never worried about running into any members of the court or government, so they felt more at ease being casual with me.
"Welcome to the inner workings of New Beijing Palace, Cinder." The hallways were plain and functional, nothing like the Palace. But hopefully, I could show her all of that another time when my best friend wasn't at risk of being arrested or worse.
Was it crazy that I wanted to get as far away from this place and Kai, and then at the same time, I was so glad to see him coming into the small space of the elevator. The droid did as ordered, while the two friends exchanged words and looks. And my mind went to #Peony, my step sister needed me to come through with this plan of action. And I also knew the Doctor had the signed orders from Kaito. (That thought stung. I didn’t like lying to Kai, but more so, I didn’t like knowing my step sister would be in the quarantines all alone.
My eyes were doing something I couldn’t understand. There seemed to be a stinging coming from behind the lids and from the bridge of my nose. “Stars?” I looked confused at my reflection in the well-maintained mirrored panels ( which didn’t even have a finger mark on them. How the other side lived! )
‘The Service Lifts are much more my style anyway.’ #Hiro said with a flourish of his wrist and then we were moving again. I had no time to think, to speak or to stop him. Every part of me working on making sure my pants didn’t rise up to revel my legs, and my cuffs remained low over my gloves.
One thing that had been becoming so clear to me as we walked the halls, and that was how different our worlds were. Kai— Prince Kaito belonged to a world of beauty, carelessness, and ease. Whereas I came from a world where I wasn’t even certain I would be fed after a full day of working in the heat of New Beijing. My Clothes hadn’t clung to my body from the humidity of the day once since I woke up and put them on, whereas in my world, the moment I stepped out of the shower some form of heat cohered my being.
I watched closely as Prince Kaito, used his wrist to open the secret panel under the portrait of a woman I never knew, however did at the same time. The family resemblance was uncanny. He shared the eyes and nose of his mom, however the shape of his face, his forehead and chin… I could see where they came from.
When the door slid open. I stood looking at the clean hallway before me. “This is the inner workings?” I whispered.
This was the hidden world where I still looked out of place. These hidden walk ways were better them what I called life. My brows pinched together, why had I ever thought that Prince Kaito, the soon to be Emperor of New Beijing and a low-class Mechanic… and Cyborg... could ever be friends? I needed to remember my place and his. They weren’t the same.
‘Why are you wearing these in doors?’ #Hiro asked tapping the back of my hand, bringing me out of my spiralling thoughts.
I glanced to the prince out of the side of my vision, thinking about what to say. “I… Well… I… was working in the lab.” I finally recalled the lie the Doctor told as to why I was here.
However, the true question I found myself asking…. What was I even doing here now?
I turned and looked at Cinder once we were inside. She seemed troubled, and I hoped she hadn't decided to come with us out of a misplaced obligation. I may be her Prince... but I wouldn't dictate that sort of command. I couldn't give private citizens orders even if I was the type of person that would.
It was the worst thing about being royal... never knowing if the people spent time with were there because they wanted to be or because they believed they had no choice. Of if they wanted to be there for entirely selfish reasons.
"Yeah, this is where it all happens." I laughed. "Father doesn't think I should be back here... he thinks that the staff deserve a space where they don't have to stand on ceremony. I know that he is right... but I also grew up with these people. Played with their kids..." I shrugged. "I don't use them often, but sometimes I don't want to stand in ceremony either, you know."
I stiffened when #Hiro mentioned her gloves. I knew she always kept her hands covered and I wonder if maybe she had scars or something she wanted to hide. But it was her choice to reveal that when she wanted to... or never.
"They are kind of her trademark..." I laughed and changed the subject. the lift at the end of the hallway dinged and a porter a few years older than me, stepped out with a tray and the scent of sticky buns and Jasmin tea filled the hallway.
"Mmmm!!!" I beamed. "What is cooking down there?" I asked and he grinned back. Holding the tray higher when I tried to peek under the silver dome.
I heard #Hiro whisper something to Cinder about me having my first kiss in one of these corridors while I was distracted.
'Are you trying to get me fired!' He laughed. 'Get your own. Zhao-Jie is on roll down there!' I laughed and zagged out of my reach when I swiped teasingly for the try.
"Looks like we are going down." I smiled and stepped into the lifts. "Fair warning Cinder... it can be really busy down here. If you see someone coming with a pot or hot tray... get out of their way." I laughed. "They will not stop for anyone."
I walked with #Hiro and Kai In a small haze, with my thoughts spiralling out of control. I knew that I should excuse myself. I should leave. After all, what was the reason to stay here? To be reminded of all the reasons I had been foolish? That the Prince had come to see me for a job. A job I had yet to complete. Once I had fixed his droid, let’s face it, there would be no reason for him to need or want to see me. Stars above! When he learnt of my lies. He would throw me in prison and forget about me.
#Hiro leant in closer at some point, telling me of Kai’s first kiss in this clean and simple hallway. With a sweet girl… But I didn’t hear it all. Of course the part that stuck was how he had kissed a 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵 Girl.. Something I was not.
I pushed those thoughts away. I didn’t want to Kiss him. No! I was just a subject… No… I was the Property of a subject of his union. I didn’t even have rights. I was a nobody and a nothing.
I frowned at that stinging sensation, which came flooding back with no warnings fleshing up. What had that mad doctor done to me?
The scent of sweet buns, and Jasmin brought my attention to the now. ‘And that is how his first kiss ended.’ #Hiro held his chest with his free hand and looked heartbroken for his friend. He looked to me for… I wasn’t sure what for. I hadn’t really been listening.
“That… Uhmm…” I was saved by Prince Kaito’s warning. “Oh… Uhm... Okay. Move fast, and don’t wait.” This made #Hiro laugh.
‘Stay close to Kai, nobody would dare take him down.’ He stage whispered by my ear.
“Why does it sound like we are about to take our lives into our own hands. Are you sure the palace guards don’t want in on this death wish we are walking towards?” It wasn’t all a joke.
I mean if it was that busy, Did the Prince need to be down there. However, one look over to him, witnessing how he was intermingling with the person with the tray in their hands, told me all I needed to know. Their Prince was loved, and he was welcome in all parts of this Palace. Yes, the Emperor had been correct in warning his son to give their people a safe space. However, those people were happy to welcome him behind the scenes too.
The service elevator doors opened, Giving #Hiro a glance up, once again tugged me in with himself. ‘Oh, we are so going down, and I am eating everything in sight. And if my mama asks Cindy Darling… You were the one who wanted to try the yam and red bean tarts.’ He whispered again. ‘They are deliciously divine. And mama will not pull your cute ears for eating some.’
“Cindy Darling?” My eyebrows shot up in wonder. This boy had known me less than half a day, and was already changing my name? “So, this is why I am here? You are setting me up as the fall guy. Nice Xiānshēng Hiro! ( Mister Hiro ).
I swallowed hard, I really hoped #Hiro wasn't going to finish that kiss story. The story she'd sold to a news feed had been long since buried with years of new things for people to obsess over. I didn't blame her... she probably needed the money, and it's not like she lied about what happened. Though I was pretty sure she lied about still being in love with me...Four years after she left the palace and never got in touch with me? I wasn't so sure I believed that part.
When we were in the elevator and #Hiro called her Cindy, I spluttered out a very unattractive laugh that earned me, an 'Uck!' sound from my friend but I just stared at Cinder my eyes telling her she was never getting away from that nickname.
The kitchen was a hive of activity. "Ready?" I asked her, slipping my hand into her gloved one and stepping out, checking each walkway before I tugged her across it. "All the bakery stations are over that way." I pointed to the door at the back of the kitchen and explained that was where all the vegan food was prepared to prevent cross-contamination.
Which started #Hiro on a tangent about the herb gardens and how Cinder just had to see them. I stopped dead in my tracks bringing the others to a halt too. A chef rush by with an oversized, steaming pot. "I told you." I grinned at her.
'Kaito!!' That familiar smile greeted me at her usual station. 'I'm so happy you visited today.' I released Cinder's hand when she clasped my chin and tilted my face this way and that examining me. She wouldn't ask about my father here. 'You need to eat my boy and you need tea for that headache.' How did she always know?
'Don't mind me, Mama. I'm just your one and only son.' #Hiro griped and she waved the dish towel in her hand at him.
'This one is always so hungry for attention.' she teased, and her eyes snagged on Cinder. 'And who might this be?' Hiro introduced her but unlike my best friend, his mother Zhao-Jei knew how to play it cool. 'It is wonderful to meet you, Cinder. Come and sit." She wiped down the seat along the opposite side of her workstation. 'You look like you haven't eaten in days. I will go fetch something.' She shuffled away as I moved towards the seat.
"Mama Zhoao firmly believes that the right food can fix anything." I chuckled... she was mostly right.
I stopped the feed as it started to scroll an image of a pretty young girl over my feed, the title of the news feed made me not want to know anything.
….Palace worker’s Daughter tells her side of the story, and how she earnt the Princes Kiss…..
This wasn’t a story that should have been covers. No other teenage boy or girl would have their private life spread over the net feeds, so why did they do it to him?
I stopped, waived, and then continued into the belly of the beast. The hustle and bustle of the royal kitchens made me smile. This was a place I could feel at home (ish), because even if the madness in which these people worked was no different to that of the Market place where my booth was situated. These people were still better feed, uniformed, and knew that I the chaos there lay a system that they could all follow.
My retinas formulated the speed in which they all worked, and I knew that these people all knew the precise was what determined their success. I was distracted when my hand was taken and I froze unbeknownst to Prince Kaito I thanked the Stars that he took my human hand, and then it occurred to me. Kai had taken my hand!
I mean, he still wasn’t forgiven for the look he had shared with me before. The one that screamed to me that he wasn’t about to forget the nickname his best friend had given me. I would somehow gain my revenge someday, I thought to myself.
Listening to Kai and #Hiro talk about all the workstations, people looking up at we passed to greet their crown prince, his best friend, and someone who didn’t belong in these kitchens. “Vegan… Okay… Herb gardens… yes.” Oh, how the other half lived. We had nothing like this. You ate what was given to you, or you didn’t eat at all. People in my walk of life didn’t know how to cook things such as those I was seeing before me. And then I went into the back of the prince.
“Stars!” I seeing the person rushing with a hot pot in their hands I made a face. I should have seen that coming. He let go of my hand and I pushed them into the pockets of my pants once I tugged at my glovers. ( Noticing how #Hiro watched me from the side. And thankful this time he didn’t ask about them.) And then the woman calling for the princes attention had #Hiro’s too. the curve of her face, the softness in her eyes, the jawline. I knew them, and then it all fell into place.
I stepped back away, watching the three interacting. Kaito was lucky to have so many people who cared for him. And then her eyes were on me. The warmth from them emanating different from the heat of this kitchens.
I stepped forward and bowed my head in respect to my elder. “The pleasure is all mine Dà mā.” I said and her beamed.
‘Finally, a young one who knows how to respect her elders.’ Hitting her son with that towel once again before she was off.
“I have to say your mama is nicer than you.” I tole #Hiro, and then smiled to Kai. “I like this new found philosophy.” A bang of sadness as how a mother should look out for her children set like a thick cloud over me. Did these boys understand how lucky they were? “She really loves you both.” I said without meaning to.
Her hand was warm in mine... the rough stitching of her work gloves did nothing to stop her warmth seeping through... or were my hand sweating. Oh, Stars!!! She was wearing gloves... would she be able to tell? Suddenly I was convinced my hands were clammy.
I could see she was taking it all in, there was a lot going on here. "This kitchen serves the cafeteria for staff and visitors too. Not just the Court and government officials It's open 24 hours because there are always people here, and not all the night staff live here."
I felt her thud against my back and I should not have thought about the way her body brushed against mine before she (too quickly) right herself.
Cinder addressed Zhao-Jei with the highest honours and it made me smile. Mother would have really liked her, I thought to myself. These thoughts had stopped stinging a long time ago... but now, with everything... my heart twinged.
But then Cinder burned #Hiro and I was laughing, I deep unrestrained belly laugh. Mother would have 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 like her. "#Hiro's Mom has worked with her since she was fresh out of culinary school. She was one of Mother's dearest friends." I explained. "So close they were even pregnant at the same time." I laughed.
'That poor woman was an awful, awful cook.' Mama Zhao reappeared as fast as she had vanished with an expertly laid tray. 'I loved her dearly.' She was talking only to Cinder now. 'But no matter how many hours I taught her...." She shook her head and looked wistful. "Everything tasted like cotton or salt." I finished for her.
'Such a treasure! And she so loved to cook with you boys...' She missed her friend and Empress still. It was clear to see.
She laid out bowls of soup with generously stuffed wontons in front of us. Hoarding the sweets like she always did, until we ate something substantial.
'She taught me to paint.' #Hiro boasted.
'Yes... well you were much of a cook either.'
She roasted her son without missing a beat. I gave Cinder a smile that said; 𝒞𝒶𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝓎 𝐼 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝒾𝓉 𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒?
Bowing my head in thanks to Zhao-Jei I lifte the bowl from the table and sit down on the stool her pulled to the side for me, but only after she sat down herself.
‘Eat, these boys will never stop talking. I have something sweet for after.’ She whispered in such a way, that the two boys would hear it clearly.
She was them up and ruching off. ‘No… no… both like that.’ She corrected a young kitchen hand, showing him how to stir the spice in correctly. And then she was back with us.
‘Sometimes I wonder if you adopted me, and you weren’t happy with the outcome.’ #Hiro filled a spoon however, before it was lifted to his lip, a towel whacks his on the head.
‘You will say no such things, are you trying to break you mama’s heart?’ She chided her only son. However, both mother and son were laughing.
The soup was like nothing I had tried before. The broth was so clear that without the finely sliced vegetables, and the wontons, you could be mistaken to believe it was an empty bowl before you.
“This is delicious, thank you Dà mā.” The woman rubbed my back like she knew a mothers touch was needed. My eyes stung and prickled for some reason, and I was stunned. What was happening to me today?
I couldn’t help the smile I had seeing Kai’s unspoken words and reading them for what was being shared between us.
I smiled and laughed with them as they shared something that was so personal to them. An insight into not our empress, but to a friends, a sister, a mother and an aunt.
When my eyes glanced over to Kai I saw a slight change in those brown eyes of his. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking. I wanted to know. And then I had to remind myself. I had no right to. Straightening up a little, I asked “Want about the Prince?” I asked when my mouth was empty. “Did this one cook or paint?” I raised my brow over the bowl at the boy who looked like and acted like he was just that here with these people.
I smiled watching the mother and son duo they had always gotten along so well. They had their moments like most families. But they were happy and they loved one another. And neither was afraid to show it.
"She's an amazing cook, and she takes it upon her herself to care for everyone that steps foot under this, incredibly large roof." I smiled at her.
When Cinder asked about my cooking skills I cringed. Would they expose me as the typical privileged royal that I was? That I could barely boil rice. 'Oh no, no, no... This boy...' She just smiled at me and snuck up behind me and grasped my chin. Squeezing my cheeks so hard it took all my years of etiquette training to keep from dribbling soup down my chin in front of Cinder.
'This boy was a wonderful dancer, and oh how he loved to dance! He was so talented.' She said dreamily... but not in the creepy way women her age did when they were talking about me. In the way family did; when they fondly remembered the younger generations' childhood.
I dabbed my mouth with a napkin before I spoke... just in case my etiquette training was lapsing. "I was made to learn for gala's and balls and things like that. But I ended up really enjoying it, so I kept up the lessons and tried out lots of different kinds of dance." I decided to come clean before #Hiro could sell me out. I wasn't sure Cinder had much time for things like dancing, she worked so much and so hard... then again, neither did I anymore, and not just since Father became ill.
'Remember when you tried to start a boy band with the other Palace Chucks --' #Hiro was belly laughing as he spoke but a swift kick to the shin under the table shut him up.
"I told you not the use that term and we agreed to NEVER tell the story again!" I laughed
Normally he would kick me back, but maybe e thought kicking a prince in front of a citizen was a bad move. Because no retaliation came. Oh, stars!! was I about to look like a spoiled Prince that abused his friends? Or one that abused the staff? Was that worse? Both sounded pretty bad.
The #Hiro hissed quietly when his mom helped a member of the kitchen team with a query. 'You'll pay for that when there isn't a lad watching!'
"You mean when your mom isn't watching?" I teased and he laughed that rolling laugh again.
Stars! How different their life is to mine, I think to myself. These boys… if they were not who they were, I couldn’t help but feel that they would still be just as happy.
That their mothers would still be friends, and that Zhao-Jei would still love Kaito as much as she did her own son #Hiro. And most of all, maybe prince Kaito would have the opportunities others his age had?
Continuing to eat. (Because the food truly was the best I have had.) laughing at times as they all told their stories, adding and removing parts as they went.
Wincing when I felt the kick under the table, thankful I wasn’t meant to know about it. Smiling into the soup bowl listening to the two friends exchange threats of what would come later when there were no witnesses.
“So, I really want to hear more about this Palace Boy band.” Trying to distract them both from whatever they would end up saying. “I mean did you have to be royalty to be a part of it? Or was it open to all the boys? Oh…” I set the bowl down with a little excitement in my voice.
“Did you have to be a nine and above? Because who would want to see a three like me in one of those shows… oh… oh… was it only open To boys? Why weren’t the girls allowed into it?” Jokingly huffing and crossing my arms. Then I could stop the laughter.
‘Hold on… that’s a lot of questions there Cindy. But you can be sure we will answer then all.’
A commotion came from the far side of the kitchen, making #Hiro go pale in his face. He pushed my head, and then Kai’s down whispering. ‘Uhm. Kai. We go trouble.’
The sound of Zhao-Jei’s voice loud came over the cluttering of dishes. ‘You are not allowed to be in here.’
I tried my best to eat, but my appetite wasn't really what it used to be, and it was nothing to do with Mama Zhao's food. It was amazing as always. Even when she hadn't cooked it personally... but most of the food that made it to my family's table was made by her two hands.
My stomach just constantly felt like it was lined with lead. I laughed out loud when asked if the boys had to be a nine to join. "What? Never, I'm a nine so no one above a seven could join... A Prince can't share the spotlight." I joked, about what I wouldn't give to share my spotlight... I nudge #Hiro with my elbow. "Besides Hiro barely scrapes past a six... but we were joined at the hip back then, so I had to let him in."
'Actually... I don't there were any girls in the servant wing our age back then... not until...' #Hiro stopped. "You know... But she only moved here we were... what?' #Hiro looked at me. 'Fourteen.'
"Thirteen." I corrected. "And a half." I cringed internally. Well, that was pathetic!!
Then #Hiro stiffened and delivered his warning. #KonnTorin was on his way with two on my personal security detail... at least he left that ridiculous droid behind.
Part of me wanted to tell #Torin he had no place here and that if he had needed me so urgently, he should have sent me a comm, I glanced at the screen. Stars! Four missed comms. No time to check the contents now. was stressed and tired.. and constantly trying to hide that I lived in a never-ending state of fear since Father became ill. Moments like these when they weren't consuming me were rare... so naturally... the royal advisor had to show up and spoil it.
But I realised why #Hiro's mother had reacted the way she had.
#SybilMira's head guard walked several paces behind my own. "What is the meaning of this?" My brow furrowed and I stepped between the approaching crowd and my companions. "The Lunar Delegation agreed to our terms regarding not interfering with the palace staff. They are restricted to the public areas and guest wing."
The Lunar Guards, #Jacin, eyes locked on #Hiro... was that sympathy on his face? He had always been utterly impassive. 'I'm afraid in this instance... Since His highness misplaced his portscreen.' #Torin glared pointedly, and I shifted my arm to make sure the outline of it wasn't showing in my pocket. 'The matter was rather pressing. We require you and Zhao-Zhu's presence in your father's office.'
I heard my friend's mother's audible intake of breath. She still didn't know what had happened with the #LunarThaumaturge we had hoped that we could smooth it over before she ever needed to worry. "Fine." I said through gritted teeth. This was unavoidable. "We will be there in fifteen minutes."
#Torin dipped his chin and turned with a raised hand to instruct the guard to leave the way they entered. A prince never came when he was called, at least not when the one calling was not royalty. 'My mistress instructed me not to return without the boy.' The impassive Lunar drone was back.
“The Boy…” I bit out. "Is MY SUBJECT, not your mistresses." I was speaking the only language that the Lunars knew now.
I felt a warm body come close behind me. 'Pick your battles, Kaito.' #Hiro whispered and stepped past me. 'I will accompany you to the emperor’s office.'
Brave fool! #Torin turned and ordered the guard out, therefore, #Hiro needed to remain a respectful distance behind the Royal Advisor and by extension and a good distance from the Lunar. I would need to send that man and his husband a gift basket or something.
Behind me, Zhao-Jie started to sob.
I was laughing, eating. And then listening to their tales. They had all helped me for a few hours to forget what my real life consisted of. The pain and the worry I had for my younger step sister still remained, but I could take this fleeting afternoon for myself maybe? However, everything altered so rapidly, the vibe of the afternoon went from filled with fun and joy to having such tension thickening a hold around us, to the point that it felt like it was surrounding us.
It was difficult not to witness the way the attitude of the staff in the kitchen transformed. The low whispers that I could hear clear as if they were shouting.
‘It much be true.’ One spoke.
‘Will the Prince let it happen?’ another.
‘No. Hiro is his best friend.’ Another adds.
And I was confused. Because I thought they were coming for me. At first, I wanted to hide from what or whomever made their way into the kitchen. I could tell that I would be found out, and maybe Kai would be able to help me, however the chances were higher that I wouldn’t be able to get away without being seen. But why were all the staff worried about #Hiro?
“Lunar Guards?” I tried to peek past the body wall that Kai and now #Hiro had erected between the others and me. Maybe they too were trying to hide me?
The moment I thought about him, the Luna Guard’s head shifted noting my presence behind Kaito. His eyebrow peaks in a questioning manor, and then his eyes were back on the others. It was like he had said. ‘I see you little Earthen.’ I rubbed my hands down the side of my pants, they were clammy once again. What had the doctor done to me?
I gave the Luna Guard another glance, he looked so Earthen however there were some tell-tail signs. He didn’t seem to be much older than #Hiro, Kai, and me. However, there were a few years between us. His skin had a paler colouring to it, with his blond-white, straight hair combed into a clean style. When his blue/grey eyes found me and then took a moment longer before dismissing me as something / someone who was unnecessary to him and his orders. But it was to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
My eyes were on the sobbing Zhao-Jie, wishing #Peony were here. She knew how to comfort people without having to think about it. So, I just placed my human hand on her back when the others left.
“Kai, you should go. Don’t leave Hiro with them alone for long. I …” I didn’t know what I could do. “I… Will stay here with Da Ma.”
She reached out to Kai and squeezed his arms. ‘I don’t know that Hiro had done, but you know him, you know he would never do anything out of malice.’ She sobbed some more.
“Go Kai… Please.. Help Hiro.” I knew I didn’t need to tell him. His eyes told me he knew.
It was good to hear her laugh... at least more than her sarcastic, playful little chuckle I had heard before. Zhao-Jei's food did that... it brought people together and eased their burdens for the time they were sitting together engrossed in flavours and conversation.
As I argued back and forth with my advisor and The Lunar Guard. I saw him eyeing Cinder. she wasn’t a uniform or an apron so she stood out as a civilian. I tried to shift my shoulders and block her from view, but it was hard to do while maintaining that royal stature. I could not appear to squirm before a mere Guard, not even for #Hiro...
I turned to Cinder to try and explain the reason I wasn't rushing after them, but Mama Zhao gripped my forearms like no one in the Palace would ever dare to. The way she only ever did in the privacy of their apartment here in the palace. The way an aunt speaks to a nephew to make sure she had his full attention.
"#Hiro didn't do anything, the only thing he did wrong was be seen with me. This is my fault I should have insisted we limit out time together while the Lunar Delegation is here. I am so, so sorry Zhao-daren." I blurted it all out at once and she reached up to touch my cheek.
'You have always been a good friend to him... He wanted to be with as much as he could to support you. Protect him, Kiato. Like Family.' she said, and I nodded. "Of course, he’s my brother."
I turned to Cinder then... wondering if the terror was showing in my eyes. "I want to... I really, really do Cinder... but there are protocols..." I worked my jaw... "If I go running because they called, they'll think I'm weak. And that would be so much worse for #Hiro. They are singling him out to get to me."
I never cared for anyone but #Peony and #Iko, and that care and love is what I could witness in the two people before me.
He stood there looking into the eyes of a woman who wasn’t an employee, she was more. And yes they had said as much while we ate and spoke about their history together. However, to witness it. “Stars!” I whispered.
I may not have understood why he hid and came to my booth in the market, or why he would wear clothes that didn’t belong to him. However, right now. There were elements of his reasons showing.
When he spoke to explain the situation, i couldn’t stop myself from gasping. The Luna’s were playing games with people? And not just any people. But people he loved? Why?
“Kai...” I just managed to stop myself to reaching out to him. From squeezing his arm as a friend should. To show him that I was reading the pain, fear and fury in this beautiful eye. But the thing that took me aback was the terror in those eyes. He really was trying hard to keep his composure.
“I don’t understand protocols... not when it comes to people I love. However, I do understand that you wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t a good reason.” It had become clear to me this afternoon. That he was a pure soul. One his mother and father I was sure are proud to call their son.
“Can… I know I don’t have much… but... can I help at all?” I don’t know how I could help. But I had to offer.
Did she truly understand? I mean, of course, she did… she was a highly intelligent woman. I say that because a teenager was hardly an accurate description for her, even if it was also a fact. She supported an entire family on the back of a highly rated business. But understanding that even a Prince was bound to certain rules wasn’t the same as seeing a Prince that could break those rules if he chose and not choosing to when someone he loved was in danger.
But if I ran when they called they would know how important he was to me and that would be so, so much worse. When offered to help again, I released the older woman that had composed herself now… the epitome of strength once again. I rested my hand on her arm and squeezed. “Thank you… I’m not going to let anything happen to him. Can you stay with her? Or just make sure she isn’t… alone, if you need to go. I know you have a busy business.”
I ran my hand through my hair a few times and stepped up onto a step stool, calling out to bring the kitchen to a halt… only it was already halted. Other than the muttering about #Hiro being carted out of the kitchen and my lack of action. “May I have your attention for just a moment?” I pause.
“First, I would like to apologize for the intrusion into your workspace. The Lunar Delegation had received very strict instructions to remain in the guest wing and the public areas of the Palace. But I assure you that Advisor #Torin would not have granted one of the Lunar Guards access to a staff area unless it was the prevent and major political incident. I will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. This was an isolated incident and I’ll make my personal agenda to keep it that way. In the meantime, all the staff, residents, guards and members of the court and parliament depend significantly on the work you do here. So I ask you to please remain at your stations…”
As if on cue a middle-aged woman passed out and was caught by a very young man… fifteen maybe? STARS!! I mean this one wasn’t on me, right? It was stress or fear? A Delayed reaction to the Lunar Guards' appearance?
And he was struggling to stop her sliding to the floor until a larger man in his forties scooped her up like she was lighter than air. “Um… apart from her.” I muttered and to my relief, there was a chuckle or two from people close enough to hear. “I will do whatever it takes to protect Zhao-Zhu as I would for any member of the staff or guard. I’ve taken enough of your time, please return your duties with my gratitude.” The older man was already carrying the fainted woman towards us and Zhao-Jei was fussing.
‘Permission to take the lady to the medical wing, Your Highness?’ He asked as I pressed the back of my hand to her flushed cheeks.
“I think she just fainted, she will be okay. And you can’t carry her that far, you can Comm for the med droids they can decide if she needs to go and transport her.” He nodded to her and carried her somewhere quiet. Somewhere in the room, I heard someone call out that the droids were on the way.
I turned back to the Cinder and my best friend's mother. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll keep him safe… Whatever it takes.” I promised his mom, I mouthed a thank you to Cinder and made my way back through the kitchen.
While all eyes were on Prince Kaito, mine were travelling over the kitchens. As they were drawn into his words, I witness the strength these words grew in the people who only moments ago were fearful.
He had a way about him, it had been an experience to watch Kai speak in the net screens. To see him plastered all over them. Big one, small ones, even hear his voice and image on a port screen. However, this, being able to witness this first hand, being in the room, seeing that he didn’t need time to practice or prepare anything. He just…. He just knew what to say. And his people were feeling his strength when they all knew full well, that he was going through so much.
And of course… of course Prince Kaito of New Beijing would be the reason for a grown woman to faint from listening to him speak. And yes it made me roll my eyes. How this boy… could act so blasé, knowing him know. I could see. He didn’t really see the power his words, his presence with his people held with them.
The attitude shifted in the kitchens. As Kai mouthed his thanks and then was gone. And when I turned around I saw #Hiro’s mom rushing off behind the man carrying the fainted woman. I stood there lost, unsure of what to do. Did I follow them? Or did I leave them to it?
The sight of the med android was the answer. Hearing the voice of #Hiro’s mom taking control of the kitchen again, told me she was no different to me. She needed to busy herself to make it through the day.
So, I slowly backed out of the kitchen. Following a few staff towards her voice, seeing that she was back to work. I started back out. I needed to now find my way out of this palace and back to my life.
#Iko came to the forefront of my mind. “Stars!” Was she okay?
In the corridor, I stopped the first man I met and traded shirts with him just to add insult to injury. I knew that the Guard would inform his mistress that I had stopped to dress before our meeting. I thought about tidying my hair, but if a whole team of professional stylists hadn't managed it yet, then I had no chance.
Before I stepped out into the Palace corridors I took deep breaths and straightened my shoulders. I emerged from servant corridors every bit the Crown Prince. Word had spread through the palace staff, it seemed and as I passed; they all stopped and bowed a lot lower than was expected of them while they were working. It made others that maybe weren’t so used to the sight stop and do the same. I acknowledged none of them, confident that they were making this gesture knowing that I was defending one of their own. They were bolstering the show of power I needed to put on today
“Now then.” I burst into Father’s office and moved to stand behind the desk while #SybilMira sat sipping tea. I didn’t even glance at #Hiro. It made me hate myself. But all I could do was hope that he knew me well to understand and trusted me. “What is all this fussing that was worth interrupting my staff in the middle of their work.”
‘As you are well aware Your Highness… you’re…’ She eyed #Hiro with disgust. ‘Friend’s behaved rather appallingly yesterday and it needs to be addressed.’
“I am well aware Thaumaturge Mira, that you violated your agreement not to use your Lunar gift on any member of the staff or court during your stay with us.” I shot right back and #KonnTorin.
‘Have you any evidence to support that accusation?’ She asked like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. ‘Also, from what I understand, mister Zhao is neither a member of staff, as the son of the cook I highly doubt that he is a member of the court.’
Rage was a wild thing inside me, how dare this woman think she had the right to judge a good honest man like #Hiro? But she was right, he was a resident of the Palace but he didn’t hold a paid position on the staff. A back and forth ensured where The Thaumaturge insisted on punishment for #Hiro and that if we were to refuse it, then she would have him taken to Luna and be tried there for assault.
#KonnTorin cleared his throat. ‘Perhaps I can make this much more simple. Because Zhao- Zhu is in fact an employee of the Royal family.’
‘I have been assured by a reliable source that this young man is not on the Palace payroll.’ #Sybil said through gritted teeth.
‘You are correct… because this young man, as you put it is directly employed by the Emperor. And as such, is afforded a far higher form of protection from these… perceived indiscretions.’ #Torin stood straighter by the second like every word he said increased his confidence. ‘
I tried to hide my shock, but there was something in the way my Father’s advisor looked at me, that told me not to.
“What are you talking about?” I looked from him to my friend, wide-eyed and I could sense #Sybil's glee at the event unfolding.
‘Hiro has been employed for several years by Emperor Rikan.” He gave a command to the NetScreen on the well to display his employment record. ‘His duties were to report on the young Prince… more rebellious movements when it became apparent that he was indeed slipping his security detail on a regular basis. And he reported directly to the Emperor, and his salary was paid to him from the Emperor's personal accounts. As an agent of the Emperor, he has the same diplomatic immunity in political matters such as these.’
The contract on the screen did in fact detail these duties and there were even files attached with dates that were recognized. Dates of concerts that we had snuck out to, days #Hiro and I slipped out to do all sorts of things I was not meant to. Now my shock was very, very real… I moved around the table and stared at the screen.
“What…” I felt like a fish in a bowl. But I also felt an opportunity. “#Hiro Is this…. Have you…how long?”
‘Kai it isn’t what you think, I swear… your father was worried for your safety that’s all!’ #Hiro looked on the brink of a panic attack.
‘Well, well! What an unexpected turn of events.’ The Thaumaturge was almost giddy.
“You’ve been lying to me for years!” I yelled now… not sure if this was for show or it was genuine anger. Could it be both?
“Did you really fail your fitness assessment to become one of my Guards?”
‘No.’ He shook his head and dropped his gaze. ‘I never really took it, it was all…’
‘Kia please! The emperor thought this was for the best. Just listen… Please!’ #Hiro was either very scared or suddenly a far better actor than before.
“You’ve lost the right to address me so informally, #Hiro.” Bile rose in my throat as I said the words. If they believed this friendship was broken beyond repair, then maybe… just maybe he could be safe.
I fell to my knees in my small closet sized bedroom. #Adri and #Pearl had both been in shock when they saw me retuned from my so-called volunteering for the draft. She called me useless, a shame to their name, she told me that I had been the reason for the downfall of her family. And that I couldn’t even die the right way.
However, this… This I hadn’t expected from her. Not only had I lost my younger step sister. But #Iko… “I’m so sorry Iko!” I held the broken tread I had promised her I would fix in one hand, and her defected personality chip in the other.
“I’m so.. so.. so.. sorry Iko!” Repeating it over and over again as I swayed forward and back on my knees. I knew that standing for me would be hard after this, because I was now also without a foot.
#Adri had sold #Iko off for parts, just as she had threatened to do so for years. She hadn’t expected my retuned, so after checking her accounts, she had seen the univs #Iko had spent on my foot. Saying that the foot belonged to her, I ripped it off from under me. throwing me back to the floor as she screamed at me to stop curing her family.
I had screamed back saying that she had been the curse on this family. Because she had been the one to send me off to the draft in the first place. But none of that mattered now. Now that I was alone I my bedroom, and #Iko was gone. And it had been my fault.
I had been in the palace swanning around the prince with my comms off, when #Iko had been sending me 25 messaged to help her. To save her. To come home! She didn’t know if I was dead or alive, but she had in her last moments called out to me, and I had been laughing and joking with the prince and his friends.
“I failed them both… the only two who loved me.... Peony… Iko… How can I beg for your forgiveness? How could I not have seen this coming?” My eyes were burning and that pressure I knew so well had began to build. However, this time… This time droplets of tears rolled down my cheeks? What had that doctor done to me?
‘Are you planning on sitting here all day? I’m sure there is work to be done at the booth. If you are back, you ned to earn you way again.’ #Adri spat from the door she’d pushed open.
“How do you expect me to work? I have non foot to walk, and right now, the market square is closed. I’m sure there fire isn’t even out from Chang Sacha’s bakery.” I couldn’t look I her direction. I hated the fact that I still needed to come here to this apartment. That I was still seen as a commodity to be owned and used by her.
‘Always looking for a way out of working.. fine.. go down to the cage.. I don’t want to see your face for the rest of the day.’ She banged the door closed leaving me hugging the parts of my friend that were left.
#KonnTorin allowed the screaming between #Hiro to go on until I wasn’t sure I could keep going without breaking down. The hurt and pain in #Hiro’s eyes told me he wasn’t sure I was acting… or mostly acting. I wanted to kick everyone out of this room and dig into these so-called reports on my extra-curricular activities.
‘Your Highness I really must insist that we return to the issue at hand.’ He said, his voice raised expertly to the highest level it could be without crossing the line into yelling. #Hiro fell silent.
“Fine.” I huffed and dragged my hand through my hair. I walked back around my Father’s desk and stood there. I still couldn’t bring myself to sit in his chair. “#ThaumaturgeMira… despite our personal issues; #Hiro is an Earthen and furthermore and citizen of the commonwealth, therefore, and crimes he may or not have committed are for me to punish not you. Regards of these new facts we both know that incident in question was not perpetrated by him… I may even go so far as to name him the victim of an abuse of power.”
#Sybil’s perfectly painted lips parted in protest I raised a hand to stop her… Lunar or not, Royal Delegate or not… I was the only true Royal here. “So, rather than turning this into a much larger political incident. I will have Zhao-Zhu removed from the palace and his position here.” My eyes shot to #Hiro, as cold and unfeeling as I could manage. “Permanently.” #Sybil’s eyes lit with glee. I knew I had given her exactly what she wanted, but I didn’t care. I needed him to be safe. I needed him to be out of reach of these monsters forever. “And we will not speak of this incident again. #Hiro will be free to start his life elsewhere without any interference.”
#Sybil crossed her hand demurely on her lap her bell sleeves cascading over the of her chair. She sighed as though she was surrendering. ‘Young Prince…’
‘Your Imperial Highness.’ #Torin corrects her but she continued with no more acknowledgement but the flick of her eyes to the advisor.
‘You do still have so very much to learn… accusing a delegate of the Lunar Crown of committing an offence such as this is rather undignified. However, I do find the proposed… disciplinary actions to be adequate.’ Her eyes cut to #Hiro now and I instructed my guards to remove my best friend from the office.
As soon as he was gone from sight I felt crushing loneliness, it constricted my chest. They had done it… they had isolated me completely from all those I cared about. I could never again venture into the kitchen as a friend, I could never again visit the #Zhao’s apartment. I couldn’t risk them being targeted.
#Adri locked the cage behind me. ‘This will stop you from becoming even more troublesome than you are. I expect to see results when I let you out.’ #Pearl stood far in the back where the light of the day still kissed her fine pale ski. ‘Come darling, let’s take you out of here before the musty scent sets into your hair.’ Her mother ushers her out from the basement, leaving me behind.
“STARS!” I scream turning around and looking for something to throw. Kicking whatever came in my way, I piked thigs without seeing them and threw them to the door of the cage. It was pure anger built over the day that pushed it’s way out of me.
I had in one day been reminded my worth, lost my younger sister to the blue fever, and #Iko… my other non-human sister had been killed and destroyed. Tears… Shock as… Yes, tears flow from me. Something I have never done before today. I wasn’t certain that that Doctor at the palace had done to me. but felt into my chair, cupping my face into my hands as I cried and let a life time of emotions flow through me.
“I cannot believe this. I cannot believe that only yesterday we had plans to escape from this life. And now I have nothing left.” The free-flowing emotion had never been my thing. It was a waste of time I would tell #Iko and #Peony. However, they disagreed. Now I understand the reason behind it. It was cathodic in a way to let ones self-come apart for these brief snippets of time.
As I sat there my eyes drifted over the mess I’d made, knowing full well that it would need to be cleaned up before I could start any work. And then my eyes stopped on the small fabric covered droid. “Stars Cinder. How could you forget!” Kai’s android. The reason the prince had come to the market in the first place. I pushed everything else out of the way, the mess could wait. Pulled the cover off I sat face to face with the white very well kept Tutor8.6.
I knew that this droid was as important to Kai as #Iko had been to me. She has been his childhood tutor. So, I promised myself to do all I could to fi her.
Despite her many years, Nainsi looked like she had just stepped off the conveyor belt. She was in pristine condition. The android had a mock-feminine shape, with her body covered in plastic. This was a sleek design along with a spherical head atop a pear-shaped body and a glossy white finish.. She was, however, an outdated model so pulling up her data and finding parts if I needed them wouldn’t be easy.
“Why are you no powering up?” I opened her panels and began the slow process of troubleshooting. “I will get you back to your old self before long.”
It took longer than I thought to appease #Sybil as soon as I got her out of my Father’s office I bolted from the room. I burst through the door, and down the hall to the security office. I knew that would be where they had taken him to await further instructions.
I saw #Hiro slumped in a chair with his face in his hands. He jumped up the moment I pushed into the room. ‘Kai!’ He started but I cut him off with a fierce hug.
“I’m so sorry #Hiro... I had to make her think that I was mad at you and it was unfixable… so she would stop targeting you.” I held onto him tightly and he hugged me back hard.
‘Wait … you’re not mad at me!’ He pushed out to arm’s distance. ‘About the files and the..’
I shook my head. “I don’t care about any of that as long as you are safely out of the Lunars' reach.”
He stepped back now. ‘Wait? you’re really kicking me out of the Palace?’
“Not kicking you out #Hiro… But you need to get away from here while the lunars are still here. They are trying to isolate me… trying to find my weaknesses.” I replied.
‘You’re just giving them everything that they want!’ #Hiro started to pace.
“#Hiro please… until all this trouble with the Lunars is over, you’ll be in danger here because they know you’re important to me”
We argued about it for a long time and eventually, it turned into me begging him to leave. “Just give me tonight to make arrangements for you #Hiro… please. But right now, you need to see your mother… she’s beside herself with worry.” I knew I needed to go with him and explain to mother why I needed to send her son away… and then the last time I had in the palace would be severed and they couldn’t hurt me ever again.
“Nothing is working, All the diagnostics are coming back clean. All the tests are coming back like she just came off the factory belt. He wasn’t joking when he said she we well maintained in the palace. So… Why isn’t she working Iko?”
The second her name came out of my lips, my eyes dashed to the table where her personality chip lay in a small box. The burning sensation came rushing to the forefront once again, making my wipe mf face in the crook of my elbow. “I will make this okay Iko. I don’t know how long it will take. But I will fix it.” promising the last of where had been left of my best friend, my droid sister.
Returning to the specs I’d downloads for #Nainsi I began to work my way down it again. Working the troubleshooting one step at a time. Frowning at myself as I never made mistakes. It was so unlike me to do so.
‘Cinder! Are you still in here?’ The shrieking voice of #LhinArdri came from the far side of the basement.
“No, I magiced my way out of the locked cage you left me in.” I replied quickly covering #Nainsi up and tugging another part in front of me. I didn’t look up; I didn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing my reddened eyes. This mishap that had been caused by the doctor was going to get fixed as soon as I saw him again.
‘I don’t know what I put up with such insolence from you.’ She seethed from behind me.
“Because I am the only reason you can buy things and eat?” I blandished my reply. She went silent for a while, however I could feel her eyes burrowing into the back of my skull.
‘I need the hover.’ She finally said.
“And I need money for a new mag belt, and I told you this three times.” The chicken wire door rattled.
‘I will no put up with this hostility from you Cinder!’ To this I finally turned to face her.
“You should have thought about that before you sold me off. Sold Iko off, and then come down here after locking me in asking for things.”
#Peal stood behind her mother and now I saw that the two of them were dressed up. ‘It’s Peony, Cinder. Mom was sent a coms. Peony has been moved to the palace med labs, and they said she can have visitors.’
I shot up from my stool rushing over the makeshift door. “They moved her?” Why hadn’t the doctor send me a coms? It didn’t matter now. “Open the door. I want to come to.” I pushed the door but #Adri did not move.
‘You are not family. You are not welcome to join.’ She turned taking a hold of her older daughters hands dragging her off and out of the dust covers basement.
“Adri!! Do not do this!! I WANT TO SEE HER TOO! I NEED TO SEE HER!” I screamed after her to no avail.
#Hiro and I made our way back into the staff corridors and headed to the kitchen. But halfway there we were accosted by other members of staff asking all kinds of questions I couldn’t answer right now. We assured them that everything was fine and we needed to get #Hiro to his mother, they told us she had been brought back to her apartment by a young woman.
Was it Cinder? Had she stayed to see what would happen? But upon our arrival, I instantly registered her absence from the small living quarters. Stepping inside weighed heavy on my soul… I knew that this would have to be the last time. I could put Mama Zhao on the Lunar's hit list.
The older woman leapt up and embraced her son. there was so much said between them that I could hardly follow it as I thanked the other staff members (not all kitchen staff, Zhao-Jei was loved within the palace, though there was indeed a young woman in an apron among them) and asked them to give the mother and son time together. They were all aware that a request from their Prince wasn’t really a question, especially when the presence of the Lunar Guard in the kitchens made it clear to all that this was a political issue.
Only then did we all sit, and I poured us all tea from the steaming pot that someone must have made just before we arrived. and Zhao-Jei insisted that a Prince should not be pouring tea for staff. “We are just family today, okay?” I replied and she nodded seeing I needed it to be that way right now.
#Hiro started to speak and though his mother was confused she just listened. ‘Kai, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the job, but the emperor insisted that it was the best way to protect us both. When The Lunar queen shifted her focus for a marriage alliance from him to you, he was convinced that would try to isolate you. When I applied to be on your Guard, he came to me and asked me to take a different position. He wanted me to report on your movements, but he swore that he would never read them, but I needed to file the reports. There needed to be a trial that we could prove. He swore he would never use them unless you were in danger, and to my knowledge he never did. He said the Lunars would together the people that matter to you and that is employed by the Royal family was the only way that I could get diplomatic immunity. I never even touched the money he paid me… I told your father I didn’t want to be paid for being your friend.’
#Hiro’s speech was long and every part of it resonated with me. Of course, they were protecting me… but why it needed to be a secret had no idea. But this wasn’t the time, our time was running out fast.
I explained to all of them what had to be done and #Hiro’s mother cried. But we all knew the Lunars wouldn’t be okay with this defeat and that he would be targeted if they believed he was part of my life still. If Father hadn’t been ill, then maybe… maybe we could have found a different solution. But my best friend was no longer safe here.
#Hiro needed to leave the Palace… no… he needed to leave the Commonwealth.
I couldn’t understand it, when I was the one who had made the deal with Dr. Dimitri to move #Peony to the palace, why had he not sent me a comms to tell me that it had happened? After our time together, I thought that the two of us had come to an understanding. However, I was clearly wrong about it.
“Of course, he would follow the correct protocols now, he couldn’t have cared less about it when he lied to his crown prince.” Kicking the chair, I remember that #Adri had been glancing down at the floor when she had been casting doubt over my worth to this family. Had she seen my new foot? Had I forgotten to limp?
“No, No… there is no way she would pay me that much mind.” Sitting back down on the stool by the worktop I considered why I couldn’t do anything correctly of late. I had been the one who should have stopped all of this from happening. I should have told #Peony No when she asked to come with me and #Iko…
“Iko…” That burning pressure began to build behind my eyes again, making me rub my hands over my forehead. “Dr. Dimitri! We need to have words!” I set off to send him a comms only them to realise that I had turned my comms off. “When did I ….” It came to me. I had turned it off in the palace. When my feed was filling up with the stories about Kai, I had turned them all off and then once I came back I only switched on my net feed to down load what I needed for Kai’s droid.
The moment I switched the comms on, I wished to the Stars above that I hadn’t. There was text scrolling with messaged. from the Doctor, from customers, another from the Palace. And then it was a number of messages I did not expect.
From Iko [ CINDER, WHERE ARE YOU? SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT HERE.]
From Iko [ CINDER SHE IS DOING IT, SHE CALLED SOMEONE. HE IS COMING,]
From Iko [ CINDER….. PLEASE…. HE IS HERE…. THEY ARE GOING TO KILL ME!!!!!]
From Iko [ GOOD… BY……….. ] This Message was cut off.
Devastated… Traumatised…. Crushed…
I felt back off my stool hitting the floor trying to get away from the scrolling text. I couldn’t turn it off. I couldn’t move from the frozen states I was left in… She had been looking for me. trying to find me… crying for help… and I was… I was at the palace with the Prince… laughing and joking….
“I… I… I… am… sorry… Iko!”
When I left The Zhao’s quarters I was instantly making a mental list in my head. I sent comms as I walked at a slightly clipped pace through the Palace corridors until a staff member that had been with us as long as I could remember stopped me with a very formal tone. ‘May I be of assistance, Your Highness?’ He asked, brows raised like many of the staff did when I was misbehaving.
“Oh… um… no but thank you?” It sounded like a question, and I quickly checked the comms I had sent… Had I accidentally sent a message that I was in need of…
‘It's just that you seem…’ He glanced over his shoulder in the direction I was heading. ‘You seem to be in rather a hurry, Your Imperial Highness.’ Those words were delivered with deliberate strain.
Ah! I wasn’t acting very Princely right now. That was why he stopped me and why he stopped me here… the door ahead of me would lead me to a very busy thoroughfare where too many people might witness my harried expression. There was too much to do… I smiled at the man and straightened my back. “Actually… there is something you could do for me if you are still on your shift?” The man nodded, but I knew that he probably would do the same even if he had been on his way home before he stopped me. I delegated some of the tasks that I needed to complete thank him profusely.
Then; standing where I was, I sent the last comm I needed to while looking every bit the Royal I needed to be.
[I’m so very sorry about the events in the kitchen, Cinder. Hiro is going to be okay, but it’s complicated. I hope you made it home safely]
After I sent it I hastily added.
[Despite everything… it was a great afternoon. Thank you for spending it with me. it was nice to be just Kaito for a while, no matter how short lived. I don’t have many people I can be myself around.]
I briskly made my way to the engineering wing and the mechanics' suite, deflecting the rare person that did approach me as politely and promptly as I could. When I get there a frazzled young man was nervously directing a delivery crew to line up packages.
‘Please can we have a neat line!?’ He was trying to yell as a large crate was placed at the end of a row slightly askew, but his voice quivered. ‘The prince is… Oh, Aces!!’ He whimpered when I entered. And as the others in the room that weren’t accustomed to my presence bowed at the waist, the young Apprentice Engineer (if I had read his bade correctly) dropped to his knees. I fought an eye roll, this boy was younger than me and I had clearly made his job much harder today. I channelled Mama Zhao, there’s no need to be mean when kindness would do just as nicely. I crouched down as some of the more seasoned staff chuckled and returned to their work, extended my hand to help him up and said. “My apologies I didn’t mean to startle you.” The boy looked up and then flushed when he saw no one else was kneeling and had all returned to their duties.
I didn’t add insult to injury by introducing myself. When he took my hand I helped him up and whispered. “First week?” With a kind smile.
‘First day.’ He said flustered. And now I really did feel bad. ‘The Head Engineer wanted to be here to greet herself but she was able home for the evening and is on her way now.’ He explained. ‘Should we wait for her?’ he asked and someone else nudged him as they passed and he looked at them incredulously. I coughed and whispered under my breath. “Your Highness.”
‘Should we wait for her, Your Highness?’ He corrected himself.
“Unfortunately, I am rather pressed for time. I think you should show me what you have in the meantime, but I will be needing the services of your best programmers.” I gave a nod to the awaiting crew, and they stepped forward to pry open the crates.
‘I apologize for my lack of… protocol… Your Maj…’ I shook my head at the boy… that was not my title… yet. ‘Your highness?’ I gave him a smile. ‘I just arrive from The American Federation as part of the apprenticeship program with University.’
I chuckled. “The accent tipped me off.” I said quietly. “And Sir is fine after the initial greeting, Kia if your boss isn’t watching.” I gave him a wink. He would catch on soon enough.
The crates before us began to open and revealed what seemed - rather horrifyingly - to contain body bags that were standing upright. The squeal of several zippers being pulled at once did not help that visual. Then I was stood in front of a row of escort droids that looked far too human if it wasn’t for their utter stillness and blank, staring eyes. It was uncanny. Escort droids were… built to be people's version of perfection… these models had freckles; uneven yet still attractive skin tones, and hair that wasn’t quite perfect. One had a visible birthmark… and all their eyes were shades you would see every day walking the halls of the Palace or the streets of New Beijing. The practice of giving them brightly and wildly coloured eyes was common practice so they could be easily identified as androids.
【 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 】
Message received from PRINCE KAITO
[I’m so very sorry about the events in the kitchen, Cinder. Hiro is going to be okay, but it’s complicated. I hope you made it home safely]
[Despite everything… it was a great afternoon. Thank you for spending it with me. it was nice to be just Kaito for a while, no matter how short lived. I don’t have many people I can be myself around.]
The green text looped over and over again before my vision, making me wish I had turned my comms off. But that was something I wasn’t prepared to do. Not ever again as long as there was someone out there who needed me.
I had held some hope that any moment now I would hear from #Peony, that she would tell me that she was better, and that she had a craving for some custard steam buns. That she wanted some noddle soup and Stars, she just wanted to eat anything and everything I could afford to buy for her. Nothing had come.
I was crying! Wiping my eyes as they filled again. “Where is Adri now? she thinks I’m heartless because I couldn’t cry… Now where is she?”
No one was here to hear me, I dropped the driver and pulled out the circuit board from the back of #Nanci. If I was stuck here, then I may as well work, while there were still tears in my eyes making it difficult for me to read the downloaded specs for the droid.
“That doctor has broken me.” muttering as I worked, looking at the two card slots that looked fine and yet something also looked out of place.
“I am the one who is broken here.” Sure, I was feeling heat, I was sweating. I was CRYING!!!! All while I sat here in the basement of Phoenix Towners working on a royal droid that costed more than what I could make in…. I shot that thought down, because I knew that Kaito had never made me feel like I was less than him. But I had to face the truth. He was soon going to be our ruler, today in the palace I had witnessed first hand how his life would soon change. He wanted to help is best friends #Hiro, however he had to act like…. Like he felt nothing.
“Wait… You aren’t meant to be here.” I was spiralling, thoughts and moments all combining into one and then into their own again within a moment or two. Moving the board out I exchanged it for another I had spare and then I began the diagnose. The card that had bee jammed in of the slot was old technology, that didn’t make sense. “Everything about her is brand-new. Except for you.” Speaking to the card. Pushing myself to the far side of my work bench. “I know I have one here somewhere.” I had so much In the boxes ready to be used. Because who knew what I would be asked to fix next. But this. “There you are.” Pulling out the old card reader, I attached the cards from the droid into it. attaching it to my net feed connection, I waited to see if anything would show up on the port.
Dialling... Dialling... Dialling... Connection Lost...
Dialling... Dialling... Dialling... Connection Lost...
Dialling... Dialling... Dialling... Connection Lost...
“Maybe… I don’t know. Maybe the doctor broke my know how too?” Pushing back away from the screen I needed to keep going. If I stopped, I knew the thoughts of #Penoy and #Iko would consume me.
【 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐣𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞】
I stopped in front of an android… male, with neatly trimmed facial hair. He looked just slightly older than Hiro and I… so it wouldn’t look like he was keeping strange company. He had and a shallow crease between his brows and a small scar on his forehead that you could only see when you got close. A tattoo peeked from beneath the plain white t-white all the models wore. He looked incredibly human or, at least, I believed that once he wasn’t utterly still, surrounded by packing foam and staring blankly ahead with dark brown eyes… he would look human. “This one…” I pointed to him and the delivery crew started disassembling the box around him and closing up the others.
The new engineer cleared his throat and began to look awkward now, his pale cheeks flushing. But I was still a Prince so I wasn’t about to explain what it was that I wanted with an escort droid. No matter how down-to-earth I was with the staff. ‘Should we use the Head Engineer’s office to discuss your programming needs, sir?’ He staggered over the words and I nodded as one of the lab techs activated the Droid and moved him to a charging port… The human look was yet to kick in as he moved easily but too stiffly.
“Yes, we should. Thank you.” I followed the young man to his boss's office, he moved behind her desk; eyed her seat wearily, and chose (wisely from what I knew of his boss) to remain standing. He hit a button which illuminated the screen before him.
‘Let me just register him as yours. All I need name I used when I didn’t want to be identified. He wouldn't have been here long enough to know of Hiro. But my secret identity was something else entirely. I had briefly considered crafting him a new identity but if the Lunars went looking for him and he had disappeared it would be bad for all of us.
‘I see…’ He cleared his throat and typed. ‘This model's default personality is set to a Canadian Male with a mild accent from the Calgary region, inquisitive and…’ The boy grinned. ‘Sarcastic. Would you like to change this? It can take several hours to scrub this data and reinstall new defaults.’ I could tell he was impressed at the complexity of the programming.
“No… that is all fine.” They were going to be a lot of travelling for a while anyway. “I’m going to need some personal protection programs installed too.”
Now the engineer’s brow furrowed. ‘Like… bodyguard programming? Escort droids aren’t…’
I cut him off… “It doesn’t need to be combat ready just whatever the hardware can handle, just a basic program… and basic domestic and personal assistance programs too, and he will need to pass as human as possible. He’ll need a portscreen too, but keep the internal comms.” I added when I remembered how horrible Hiro was in the kitchen… not that I was much better. But Hiro would someone to help look after him and no one could pass as a human without a port screen.
The confusion on the boy’s face grew but he seemed more relaxed about this, hopefully, that meant the programs would be compatible with this model. He typed furiously for a long time and looked up at me. ‘We will get started as soon as the head engineer arrives.’ He gave me a nod. ‘Y-Your Highness.’
“Excellent. I think you are going to do just fine here. Welcome to the Palace.” I smiled and extended my hand to the boy and he shook it. I made my way to the door and turned back. “Have the techs dress him in something casual and sent to my quarters as soon as it’s done. Make sure he uses the staff corridors.”
I was halfway back to my room when I realized how that would have sounded and I chuckled to myself about the gossip that was probably spreading around the lab now. As long as it never left the palace walls… all would be well.
I hadn’t intended on falling asleep on the couch but as read through the reports that #Hiro had made about me and us…. I dozed off.
I woke up to a deep voice and a hand on my cheek. ‘Good morning, My Prince.’ Dark eyes looked down at me as I opened my eyes to a feint morning light and an eerily convincing seductive smile. I pulled his hand away from my cheek. “Oh no, no, no!” I laughed and shuffled away. “That is not why you are here. I should have had them purge that program…” I wondered if there was still time. But then another part of me thought… Maybe #Hiro would like a little fun… He normally went for older men. But this was a good-looking man… model… It was confusing…
Then I began to fill him in on his mission.
【 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 】
I gave up on the D-Comms chip, there didn’t seem to be a link fully established. It kept attempting to open a new window, however it was like a link to an open blackhole from which no one was answering back. “This direct link must have been in place years ago.” I thought to myself. “ ]And now no one is on the other side?”
I knew there hadn’t been any viable data on it. And if there was, there was non saving it. I had tried a few back ups however they all came back corrupted. “This model hasn’t been issued a D-Comm chip since 89 T.E. So… Why do you have one Nainsi?” Talking to myself while work would become a habit, I was sure, because I no longer had the two who would have kept me company.
“Let’s try to see if this was the thing you were rejecting and shorting out because of it being in the wrong place.” Turning my full attention back to the princes android, I did another full reboot on her. This time her data began to process the moment she was powered back up.
“Stars! Finally! Finally, something good is coming out of this day.” I was unaware of the time because I refused to check, thankful for the meal I’d enjoyed in the Palace kitchens because right now it felt like it would be the last one, I would have in a while. For now I wanted to ride the high of maybe fixing #Nainsi for Kai.
Her green screen lighting up with messaging scrolled up taking her thought the reboot. “All good signs” Muttering to myself. Seconds later the messaging changed to:
INTIATION OF DIRECT LINK TERMINATED…
Followed by a number of clicks and the control panel came to life. And then taking a step back I gave the droid the time it needed to come back to me. “That’s it… come back… nice and slow… Just come back.” I knew that with everything that had happening in the Palace, Kai would need her back more than ever.
As the droid came back to life, a calm and collected female voice began to speak out of the droids speakers. She sounds like she had been in the middle of giving a class.
‘….pected that a man by the name of Logan Tanner, a Lunar doctor who worked under the reign of Queen Channary, first brought Princess Selene to Earth approximately four months after her alleged death.’
I froze in my stop, shocked at what I was hearing. This had to be some functional story.
‘Unfortunately, Tanner was admitted into Xu Ming Psychiatric Hospital on 08th May 125 T.E., and committed suicide on 17th January 126 T.E.. Though Sources have indicated that Princesses Selene had been given to another keeper years before Tanner’s death, I have so far not been able to confirm these reports. One report suspects that the new keeper of the Princess was ex-military pilot from the European Federation, Wing Commander Michelle Benoit, who—’
“STOP… STOP…. STOP talking!!” I shouted out to the droid. “I don’t believe you should be telling me all of this… So STOP!!!”
She turned her head to glance at me. ‘Who are you? And where am I? What am I doing…’ She was gathering data. ‘What am I doing in the 76th Sector of New Beijing? I have no memory of leaving the palace.’
“Kai… I mean Prince Kaito brought you to me, to fix you…” Holding my hands up to the chicken wire lock in we were stood in. “Welcome to the home of New Beijing’s Best Mechanic’s suite.” She didn’t look impressed. She gave me and the space a once over. The droid was up herself.
‘I need to return to Prince Kaito. It is with great importance I must return!’
It felt like hours later when I was waiting in the garage for Hiro. His new travelling companion with me. He had a suitcase of enough personal belongings to pass as a human. He understood his mission objective was to pass as a real person… but his core programming to serve humans couldn’t be overridden so there was always a chance that they would be discovered, which was why I had told them both to keep moving until the Lunar issue was resolved.
I had spent most of that time obsessively checking my port screen for comm from Cinder. I really hoped that she got home safely.
Hiro arrived, dragging a ridiculously large suitcase behind him. His shoulders were squared, and he walked with purpose. But his bloodshot eyes gave him away. He was being strong… after saying goodbye to his mother.
I hugged him when he came close, and he hugged me back. “I’m so sorry about this.” I whispered to him. I wasn’t going to justify this decision again. I had already told him why I believed this was best. And the fact that he had stopped fighting me on this was a sign that he thought so too… It was just a lot deeper down.
‘I’ll be back as soon as that Lunar Bitch and the Queen Bitch are out of our lives forever.’ He said with a shaky voice and tight embrace. The hug was the longest we had ever shared. He broke by whispering. ‘Who’s the stunning hunk of man meat?’ He asked and I couldn’t contain my laughter.
“This is your new travelling companion. His name is #Nathan. I smiled and beckoned him over.
‘You hired me a sexy bodyguard?’ #Hiro asked out of the corner of his mouth.
“No, I bought you a sexy bodyguard.” I explained with a grin.
‘I knew you liked me despite all the rebuffs.’ Nathan said and winked at me. There was that sarcasm they told me about. Then he introduced himself to Hiro.
‘You brought me an….’ Hiro trailed off, still shaking his hand and staring at the android.
“Peeer—sonal assistant.” I smiled and finished for him. “He is not a toy… Hiro… okay. You need to try and help him pass as a human. He is to protect you from any Lunars trying to manipulate you… just in case they try and check up on you. He is the latest in the most life-like line… he even has an imitation heartbeat, and it looks like his breathing even when he is recharging.” I continue to explain to Hiro about his new companion while Nathan loaded the bags into the waiting hover car.
Everything was happening too fast… I knew that he needed to leave but fear started to grow inside of me that once we parted ways; we would never see each other again.
Finally, I hugged Hiro one last time. And whispered. “I may have left the escort programming in there… but he’s still not a toy.”
‘I knew I loved you!!’ Hiro clasped the back of my neck and fixed his gaze on me. ‘Promise me you won’t marry that psycho queen Kai… no matter what?’
I shook my head; I couldn’t make a promise like that. “Unless there’s absolutely no choice…”
‘No Kaito, please promise me that you won’t.’ He pressed.
“I can’t do that Hiro… I don’t want the last thing I say to you to be a promise I might have to break. I can’t…” My voice shook and trailed off now.
‘Okay…. Okay… way to play to a guy's weaknesses.’ Hiro was holding back tears. ‘Just stay safe… and ask Cinder to the ball again’
Then he was climbing into the hover… refusing to let this be a goodbye. I returned to my quarters and commended the Palace press office. There was no way I could ever wash off the stain of what I had to do next. I admitted no wrongdoing or assigned no blame. But it didn’t matter how I worded this… It still made me feel dirty.
New Beijing Palace Press Release
Following a diplomatic incident involving the Luna Delegation and a member of staff from the New Beijing Palace. The member of staff has been dismissed and a formal apology has been issued, by the Crown to Thaumaturge Sybil Mira of Luna, for the misunderstanding.
‘Why could we not call a hover. I must return to the palace.’
#Nainsi was rolling so fast that I was having to hop, skip and run the best I could to keep up with her.
Ducking and diving around the people who all had come out onto the streets for some reason or another.
“Which part of me having to convince the building manager that we were locked in the basement by accident and needed to be let out did you now witness? Do you think I have the univs needed for a hover ride across New Beijing to the palace?”
She was computing the detailed as she rolled out into the street, and I had to pull her back to stop from becoming squished.
“You know what Nainsi, you do not need to answer that. The answer is no. No, we couldn’t afford a hover.”
‘I can afford a hover. Prince Kaito has always made sure I have what I need to adequately complete my tasks.’ Was this android looking down her nose at me? And she didn’t even have a nose!
“Sure, go figure… of course an android would have the means to ride a hover, and I wouldn’t. It’s how my life is.” Rolling my eyes, still rushing to keep up with her.
I can’t to a stop as did everyone else in the street at the big DO NOT ENTER signed plastered all over the entrance of the Market square.
‘Ahh. This way is quarantined. We must that the longer route.’
I wanted to use a 20th century saying, so I did. “No shit Sherlock. What gave it away?” This time I pulled her down the side street to take us around the blocked area.
As we came out the other side the net screens above us all came to live with the news flash.
New Beijing Palace Press Release
Following a diplomatic incident involving the Luna Delegation and a member of staff from the New Beijing Palace. The member of staff has been dismissed and a formal apology has been issued, by the Crown to Thaumaturge Sybil Mira of Luna, for the misunderstanding.
The people all over the street and around us shouting in an uproar. Saying that the emperor would not allow this. That we were not safe. That the Luna’s must leave!
They all started towards the palace gates.
“That stuff you were say when you powered up. It’s not a joke is it. You really are—“
#Nainsi rolled on now. ‘That information was not for you. It is highly confidential, and you have no clearance to hear it.’
I watched the net feeds of a hastily cobbled-together protest outside the Palace. So far only a few dozen were gathered but the net chatter of the gathering was widespread. More were coming. The IT team had asked me if they should try and limit the reach of the feeds.
I told them no. I was not going to stifle the voices of the people. They had every right to be angry. I sagged onto the ornate couch, annoyed at having been ushered off of the balcony by my Security Team. #KonnTorin looked up from the Port in his hand. His face had that pinched quality that it only got when something was both wrong and testing his nerves.
‘The Lunar Thaumaturge has concerns about the crowd.’ He said at my prompting gaze.
“Tell her she will be safe in the guest wing. But if she’s afraid of us mere humans I will happily send her Palace Guards.” I scoffed; I would never Happily put any human within reach of her hellish magic. #Torin’s eyes narrowed. He was aware that I knew all too well that the Lunars insisted on their own security. “Or she may return to Luna. I will not disperse a crowd that is lawfully gathered. They have the right to peaceful demonstration.”
‘Apologies sir… but if it becomes…’ One of my bodyguards asked. ‘Less peaceful?’
“It won’t,” I said, half certain and half hopeful. “They are mad… not afraid. Fear is the beast that begets violence.” I turned to the Guard. “Have faith in our people that they will not resort to violence.” He nodded, his shoulders eased, and he moved to peer between the curtains. It appeared I had convinced him… or he simply returned to his duties.
My port chimed on my belt, and I pulled it off, about ready to chuck it across the room. At least…. until I say the name. She was safe! I sighed a breath of relief.
[Thank the Stars you are okay! Are you okay? If you can stay off the streets. The people are angry. He is going to be okay. He’s safe. I had too…]
[I’m sorry. I let you down… I let all our people down.] I couldn’t say this to anyone else… she is the only one I even admit this to.
[I’m…] I deleted this and started again.
[It’s…] This too was deleted.
[I’m all alone now.] Stars… no I couldn’t tell her that. Deleted.
The comms were sent in rapid succession. No one questioned it most people in the room were hunched over Port Screens or furiously scrolling net feeds on the screens embedded in the small study desk from my childhood or mounted on the walls, other that the Palace guard whose full attention was trained on me.
‘You do not have clearance to enter the Palace. We are in lockdown here. No one without ID can go in or come out.’ We stood at the main gates with people protecting behind us. #Nainsi and I were attempting to find Kaito.
“You don’t understand, this here.” Pointing to #Nainsi. “She belongs to Prince Kaito. She is his droid. He asked me to help fix her and I have done so now.”
‘Good try kid. We don’t send droids out of the palace to be fixed. They are all maintained here in the workshops.’ The guard rolled his eyes in frustration at me. ‘I’m not telling you again. No ID, No Invite, No entry.’
‘I have my ID.’ #Nainsi spoke up, rolling forward she opened her chest plate aa arm extending and the guard brought a scanner to it. He looked at his screen in confusion for a while before opening the gate just enough to let us in. However, he stopped me. ‘That was her clearance, you still do not have one. No Entry!’ The gates closed on my face.
“Nainsi! Go straight to him. Don’t stop to speak with anyone.” I shouted while being pushed away from the gate.
‘I know my duty, Linh Cinder.’ She called back without stopping.
“That’s all I can do for now.” Glancing up at the palace walls and the palace itself towering over the city. I stepped back slowing weaving my way down the hill side.
Kai’s replies stared to flow one after another, so fast that I had to stop walking abruptly with people banging into me. A man pushed me out of the way into the wall of the Palace. Shouting that the Luna’s had to go.
[Prin— Kai! I am okay. I know, everything out here started while I was here to drop Nainsi off.]
[She is on her way back to you. Working and well.]
[The people… Your people! They will understand once they have time to reflect. Give them time… Just as I know, and He knows you did this for him. to keep him safe. Your people will too see this truth. Kai.]
[Please stay safe in there. You are not alone. He will be back. I know I am not him. And I may have no right to say this. But I will always be a friend to you. Always.]
I sat forward on my couch an elbow on one knee, the other bouncing wildly, two fingers pressed to my lips and the sound of the room faded into the background. She was okay… It was all I could think about, I couldn’t keep the people in my own Palace safe… but maybe… just maybe I could keep the city safe. I just had to betray my best friend to do it.
My Port buzzed in my hand. She was here… I launched myself off the couch and commsed the gate.
[Issue an Imperial Pass to Linh Cinder, New Beijing Mechanic. If she is no longer at the gates, please send an android to escort her to the west entrance for an audience with Prince Kaito.]
I left the room in a hurry, leaving #KonnTorin calling my name behind me. I made my way to the west entrance. The halls were very empty, all non-essential, non-resident staff were sent home for their own safety. I wasn’t expecting violence, but I also wasn’t willing to send my staff out those gates to a waiting crowd of unhappy citizens.
As I paced just inside the West Wing Foyer I stopped and read her other messages. #Nainsi would find me where I was in the Palace, she was the key to everything. I needed to know what she had discovered.
‘But I will always be a friend to you. Always.’
My heart felt lighter, having been a stone in my chest ever since that Lunar Guard showed in the kitchens. When was the last time I had made a friend? The only people that treated me as a true friend were the staff children around my age… and they were mostly all gone now. #Hiro was one of the last. The Court children always had an agenda. That only got worse as they grew up and their parents shaped them for their roles. Especially the girls. I hated the feeling that they were raised being told their worth was wrapped up in whether or not I would choose them for a wife. It was no way to live.
My guards remained at a respectable distance while I paced. “Please come, please… just let me see you for five minutes.” I muttered to myself, pressing the corner of my Port into my temple.
Half way down the hill leading back into town, I had to stop. The new foot felt seamless on the best of days, however the walk to the palace and now back again was a little more than it could handle. I knew that tonight, if #Adri let me back into the apartment, then I would need to soak to stop the blisters from coming to bloom on my skin.
As I began to slowly walk back down the way I had come. Someone calling my name behind me made me stop.
‘Linh Cinder… Halt! Halt right there!’
I had a split second to decide. Run, or stop?
However, why would I run? Because upon glancing back I could see a palace security droid making its way towards me, calling out my name. and that never meant anything good for me. I glanced down the hill, then to my foot, and then back over my shoulder again.
‘Linh Cinder.. ID Number: #0097917305… Licensed mechanic for New Beijing.. Halt in the name of the emperor
Rikan, Ruler of Eastern Commonwealth!’
“Okay… I’m in big trouble!” Muttering to myself as it came to stand behind me.
‘Linh Cinder, you have been granted an Imperial Pass.’ I was told.
“Hmm.. okay… what does that mean for me exactly?” I asked, confusion taking a hold of me. who would do such a thing? And why?
‘I am to escort you to have an audience with Crown Prince Kaito of the Eastern Commonwealth. Please follow me.’
This made no sense, why… how… what… ‘Linh Cinder, follow me now.’ I did, still filled with a mind full of uncertainty of where we were going. We did not return back up the hill, instead I was being taken to a different entrance, one I hadn’t even known existed.
“Where are we going?” I finally questioned as the gates before us opened and I followed behind.
‘This is the west entrance. This is where your audience will be held.’
Stopping as we came to the palace entrance behind the outer gates, with large wooden well carved doors, they opened by themselves and on the other side I saw him.
My eyes snapped up when Cinder came through the doors. I rushed a few steps towards her… fighting a highly inappropriate urge to embrace her. “Cinder!” I said with far too much eagerness and a sigh of relief. Like didn’t actually believe that she was okay until I saw her for myself. The Android swivelled its scanner towards her, probably annoyed that it wasn’t given a chance to announce her before she spoke. “It’s so good to see you.” I turned to the droid. “Thank you, you are dismissed and free to return to your post.” It rolled away on its threads and left Cinder and I with just my guards; keeping a respectful distance.
She looked like she hadn’t slept since the last time that I had seen her. Then I remembered about Nainsi; had she been up all night fixing her? “Are you okay?” I asked (Yet again.) “I’m sorry I had you brought in this way… It’s not because I was being secretive. I just didn’t want to have you walk through that crowd again.” I looked towards a muted net screen at the images from the front of the Palace. “The people are disappointed in me. I let the city down.” I sighed and turned back to her, looking at her like I was begging for forgiveness. “But I kept him safe… I had to keep him safe.”
So much took place all at once, the guards stepped in and then without a word being said they moved back and basically blended into the background. The android, who accompanied to this side of the palace moved away. And Kai… The Prince… he came rushing over to me so fast and without care.
Slowly, too slowly I’d remembered myself. Bowing my head to Kai unsurprisingly my mind flashed an image of #Peony and #Iko looking so disappointed in my attempt of some form of etiquette.
Combing my fingers through the mess that some would call a ponytail on my head. So aware that I still wore the same clothes. And stepped back when I remembered I’d not even showered in two days now! And here I was? Stood in his palace with his team watching me.
“I am fine. Uhm. Prince Kaito, thank you for your concern. However, it is not necessary.” Clearing my throat as the words and this way felt so false when it came to him.
Following his eyes to the muted net screen and then back to him. Lowering my voice for only him to hear, however still aware we were being listened to.
“Your people feel lost right now. They don’t know everything. They don’t understand why you have done what you are.”
I could see the difference in him. It felt like the world sat on his shoulders. The carefree boy who had visited me in the market was nowhere to be seen.
“Right now. Hiro is your priority, as well as taking care of your people. And that’s what you did. You took care of all your people… You set your boundaries with the Luna’s. They now know you will not bend to their demands.”
Once again being aware that we are being watched i continue.
“Your people are No disappointed, they are scared. There is a difference Kai… Prince Kaito..”
“Oh…” She bowed to me. “You don’t need to…” I was Prince Kaito again too. This woman could give me whiplash, at least she knew how to keep me on my toes. “Please call me Kai, we’re... friends now, right?” She had said as much in her comms. I wanted to step closer but given that she had stepped away I didn’t want to cause her any offence.
I nodded slowly when she told me the people were afraid. I wasn’t sure if that was better or worse.
“I can’t say this on the record, but I want you to know that #Hiro did nothing wrong. I never admitted any wrongdoing on his behalf… He was the victim here. They targeted him to get to me. I know there are a lot of mixed emotions across the Commonwealth right now, I just hope they don’t lose faith in me… because I truly believe I can take on this role. Sometimes to win a war you must concede a battle and right now this war is only in words. I will use mine to preserve life wherever possible. My people wanted me to order censorship of the net feeds to stem the spread of the protest… but I couldn’t allow that. I can’t press a button and steal away people’s voices… I can’t… I won’t… even if they do lose faith in me.”
I shook my head… That had gotten too deep, too fast. And I was sure there was far more to it than pushing a button. But the metaphor held.
“Would you like to come inside? I can send my guards on their way and we can…” I glanced over my shoulder at them. “Speak freely… as… friends do.” I smiled my most charming smile at her. I wanted to know what had been wrong with #Nainsi just as badly as I wanted to be in her company. “With the unrest outside I’m afraid they won’t leave me until I’m within the inner walls of the Palace.” I explained.
I began to head out of the foyer hoping she would follow. “So, would you mind telling me what was wrong with #Nainsi? I hope you didn’t spend all night fixing her… I would hate to see you losing sleep to get her finished.” I said even though the information she held was (hopefully) worth many, many restless nights.
Something within me saw the alteration in Kai as he remained in his perfect manor reflecting down at me. I knew I was doing this all wrong. I was trying to show him the respect he merited as the crown prince, before his team of people, as well as being the friend I promise to be for him. However, with where we stood, I could sense myself melting under the unseen eyes of all who were here to look out for him.
Taken aback by his frankness before this guards, there was a shift of unease within me once again. I never felt like someone who would buckle under the scrutiny of palace, however after the night I had gone through I knew too well that I was out of place here.
“I know..” Finally, being able to say something. “I know Hiro did nothing, and I know you are doing what you feel is the correct path to take for his safety.” I couldn’t help but sense he was a boy with so much on his shoulders and losing his best friend would become a clink in his armour. I hoped that he had others here in the palace who would do for him with #Hiro had.
“They wanted to what?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Kai, You did the right thing. People have the right to show you how they feel. When they are happy of sad. The palace can not lap up the good times and the cheers, if they plan to mute those same people when they need someone to show them light and the way in the bad times.” This couldn’t happen, and I knew that Kai wouldn’t ever let it be so.
“Oh.. Uhm..” My eyes took in that smile of his that gave him a glow, then moved to the gate behind, and then I saw his back as he walked away. Was that a queue for me to follow behind him? Was I to wait here?
‘Well, are you coming Linh Cinder?’ It was #Nainsi herself waiting for me to move, and so I did.
Kai walked ahead, with #Nainsi speeding up to moved in step with him, with me trailing behind. “Me? all night?”
However, before I could lie to him #Nainsi answered. ‘From what I could make out, she was indeed awake most of the night, to bring me back.’ This droid wasn’t one to keep a secret.
“So, what was wrong with her.” I began once we were inside and like he said the guards began to all back. “Do you know what a D-Comm chip is?” I asked.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I had known it was the right choice. It didn’t take a political genius to know the citizen would not want their voices silenced… or in this case temporarily muted. But hearing that validation from a citizen directly; meant a lot to me. Saying something out loud and being told I made the right choice was… indescribable right now. I felt everything I did was wrong the last few days.
I smiled fondly at #Nainsi when she found us. “Now, now old friend.” I chuckled, I knew that it was silly but seeing my old companion up and running again warmed my heart. “Remember what we said about not spilling a lady's secrets?” I said to her and in her patented no-nonsense manner she ignored me. “Don’t mind her… she’s a stuffy old schoolmarm on a good day.
“D-Comm??” I repeated… “Sure they are made in pairs and create a closed-end communication circuit between two devices to prevent security breaches. We use them for global conferencing with world leaders… If I understand correctly, they fell out of common use because of their limited capabilities.” I looked at Cinder to see if I was right… I may have said a lot more than necessary in an attempt to impress her.
Narrowing my eyes at #Nainsi would gain nothing. She really didn’t care about what was happening as long as she shared the facts with her Prince. And I couldn’t hold that against her: it was what she had been created for.
On top of which, if #Nainsi was acting like her old self, it meant I had done the job correctly. Returning her back to her Prince in the best way possible, right now with everything that had occurred.
“Oh..” my attention on Kai as he spoke about the chip, and he really did know it.
Clearing my throat I rubbed the back of my hot neck that had begun to cool a little since we were not longer outside in the searing heat. The place was breathtakingly cooler inside.
“So, you do know what it is.” Tapping on #Nainsi’s shoulder I looked at Kai dead in his eyes, however keeping mine a little low in case her saw something he should in them. “They you will know that Nainsi is not compatible with such a chip. It will cause her issues, and like before she will shut up, it’s her frame work providing protection for her systems.”
Tapping my pockets I frowned. “I’m sorry, I could swear I brought the….” Finally finding it in the back pocket of my pants. “Here it is!” Holding it out for him to see. “This is a no go for Nainsi, it was why she had completely shut down and wouldn’t reboot until I removed it.”
“Just the basics.” I told her. “Father always believed we should never use the technology we didn’t understand.” But when she continued my brow furrowed… what did she mean? Why would she tell me Nainsi wasn’t compatible… but she pulled out the pearlescent device… I froze.
I took all of my composure to keep my hand from trembling as she handed me the chip. “Star Above!” I gasped and flipped it… searching for some corporate logo… something… anything for a sign of some new earthen company that was trying to get ahead of the curve be added a little sparkle to the product… but why would they bother? These chips weren’t on show when they were in use, so why waste resources to make them shiny? “Lunar…” I muttered before I could think.
My eyes met Cinder’s, she’d believed I had installed this in #Nainsi. “You truly found this in Nainsi?” I asked but I wasn’t really asking… “I didn’t. I never would have installed this… I might know what they are but I wouldn’t even know where to begin to install one in an android. Anything more than sliding one in a net screen port is out of my league… This is made for the same material as the Lunar spaceships.”
Stomach-churning realisation barrelled into me like a train. Panic.
No! I told myself. I will not be afraid.
“Um… do you… could you tell how long it's been there? Of if the link had even been established? If any information was sent over it?” I asked, knowing I was asking too much. I was putting her at risk. But the whole country was at risk if the Lunars knew what #Nainsi was researching on my behalf. The whole planet.
“I have to admit, you know a lot more than most would. And the emperor is correct in his belief. If we don’t it understand technology, how do we know it’s working for us of not.”
Becoming as still as I could, I felt and heard the sound of feet shuffling just outside the doors. They opened and closed. My assumption at this stage that they looked in to make sure I wasn’t killing the crown Prince, before leaving us be again.
“What’s wrong?” My fingers dropped the small chip in his hand, and I could see the shaking. Had I done something incorrectly? Had I said or done something to make him uncomfortable?
No. Kai’s eyes were locked onto the chip as the light hit it, I saw him lost in his thoughts or far, far away. “Luna?” Had I heard him correctly? Of course I had. I could hear the beating hearts of his guard outside the doors.
“Yes, of course I found that chip inside of her. Why would I lie? You’re team here have some fancy looking chips, however as I said to you before. The foundation of your droid cannot comply with what that chip is trying to d—“
My words cute short. “What do you mean you didn’t? You didn’t install it? Or you didn’t ask for it to be installed?” Did it matter right now?
Something was wrong, this had been the most uncertain I had seen Kai. And it was giving me an unexpected feeling of anxiety.
I took a few steps back and then forward, trying to determine what to say next. And without even timing, I began to speak.
“I don’t think it was in her for very long… wait… are you sure it’s the same as their ship?” I had seen that ship land on the large net screens. But I still couldn’t believe this. “This chip wasn’t placed into #Nainsi on your request? And this chip doesn’t belong to the palace?”
My hand flew up to the side of my head, my mind replaying the first moments after #Nainsi had rebooted. “She was giving a report… #Nainsi… she was talking about…. Lowering my voice. “About the lost princess.” Stepping even closer to him. “Kai… please tell me that when you said #Nainsi had top secret information, you weren’t talking about this?”
I was still in a state of shock. The Lunar had violated my own personal android… they had access to every detail of my movement and my 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖 project. They might as well have planted a camera in my bed chamber. My gut twisted… Had they? I would have to get security to sweep sensitive areas… discreetly.
My eyes turned up to Cinder’s again. “I’m positive… I’ll never forget the day they landed.” I shuddered, remembering #Sybil’s dark magic lapping at the innermost parts of my being, taunting me… making sure I knew that she could twist me up and turn me to her bidding without breaking a sweat. Just like she had done to #Hiro.
Fear buffeted me. Cinder knew… She’s heard #Nainsi… This put her in grave danger. My heart began to pound in my chest. “Cinder… this is highly dangerous information. You mustn’t let anyone know what it is that am doing.” I warned her, only concerned for her safety. For some reason I was completely unafraid that she would use the knowledge against me, I had no doubts that this secret was safe. But it still put her in danger just knowing it.
And that was my fault. I brought #Nainsi to her. “I’m so sorry. I never thought hiring you would put you in this kind of danger, Cinder.” My mind raced…. She was here, everyone was distracted with the protest outside. But she knew… I needed to get as much information as possible. “Do you know who was on the other end of the link?” I hated myself instantly for dragging her further into this mess of mine. “Or is there any way to trace it?”
“I am most definitely certain that no one on earth has forgotten that day. Everyone had been glued to their net screens.” I was no different. And now that I thought about it. Working backwards from when Kai had first come to see me. It all fitted in.
“Stars Kai. Who do you believe I would tell about this?”
Some part hurt to know he had to even say this to me. Hadn’t I kept his secrets until now? However, the realisation kind quickly that this was not the same thing. The Prince escaping his security to walk the streets, was not the same as that very same prince searching for a lost princess of the Luna’s.
“Why are you even looking into this?” My voice so low that I stepped closer to him. The old proverb came to mind about walls having ears.
“You are worried bout Hiro, about those close to you, about me. However, why aren’t you worried about yourself Kai? You are human. You are the hope of your Commonwealth. Your people need you to be safe.”
I didn’t say that truth about me, that no one would miss me. Well, other than my returning customers. They would be disappointed to find the booth closed permanently.
And now he wanted to know more. “Please tell me it wasn’t a mistake to tell you all of this? Maybe I should have just reset #Nainsi.” The droid rolled away from me. “Chill out, there is no point now. He knows everything.”
Rubbing my forehead, before pulling my sleeves down and the hems of my gloves up as I thought about the question.
“I don’t know, I did attempt to connect. Just to speak to someone here at the palace, assuming it belonged to you. But I don’t have the power or the equipment for the connection to be made. Maybe…” shaking my head dismissing the idea before it came to life.
‘You should try the lab here. The palace had the state of the art, equipment and connections in place.’ #Nainsi offered. And this had been my thoughts too.
“You misunderstand, Cinder. It doesn’t matter who might believe you. But who might be listening, just knowing I’m pursuing this course could put your safety at risk.” I sighed… flooded with guilt. “I’m so sorry Cinder. If I had known that taking #Nainsi to you would lead to you finding this out… I don’t want to be the reason you’re ever in danger.”
I walked with her knowing these conversations were better had in the move. It made it harder for eavesdroppers, but with extra security around me today I was certain no one would try. I wasn’t sure I should answer her question and drag her deeper into this mess of mine. Cinder was a curious sort. If I didn’t give her the answers, she might well seek them out. “Believe the Lunar Princess is still alive.” I said in hushed tones, leaning in so to onlookers we appear as two young people courting and sharing intimate secrets. Both to discourage anyone from listening in and for the chance to get close to her. I knew that just like with #Hiro... spending time with her would put her at risk…
Ridiculous Kai… I chided myself internally. She won’t even attend the ball with you.
“No.” I said too quickly, still softly… years of etiquette training working its magic. “This information is too important. It could be the only thing that saves m—” I couldn’t finish the sentence. It was selfish… But it wasn’t just about me. It was about the whole planet; it was about not giving Luna a foothold here. For some reason when I was with Cinder, all I could think about was how this quest of mine could save me from a marriage to the Queen of Luna.
I looked around, never finishing the previous thought. “I imagine the engineering lab would have what we need? There will be empty labs there at this hour.” I told her, already steering us towards the elevator bay. Even if there wasn’t, I didn’t want to use my position to clear a room… which I could do, and I wouldn’t even need to be rude to do it. This would impress most girls… But Cinder was not like most girls she wouldn’t be impressed by the displays or abuse of power. It was one of the things I like so much about her she judged people by their quality… their actions.
Moving in step with the prince I stopped and then started when he learnt in a little too close to talk with me. I knew it was an attempt to keep what we were discussing between us, however that rush of heat flared within ad warnings flashed before my eyes. I closed them hoping that the red writing was investable, and then I resiled within seconds of the thought. Why would Price Kaito look that closely in the first place?
“By the start Kai, you…” I knew he wasn’t giving me the full story. Flashes from the first time he came to the booth to ask for help with Nainsi replaying in this new light. It had to be the reason he had wanted her back, and had asked after her a few times. He was trying to find a princess who was dead. “You can’t believe the folktales. You are a Prince, a crown Prince. You cannot believe the stories and if you do, and the Lunas find out. Have you considered the consequences of your actions?”
I was walking a couple of steps behind him now. We had passes a few working members of staff, and I saw the shock in their eyes as they witnessed someone like me walking along side their prince. Kai made it so easy to forget the protocol of being within his vicinity. However, I knew better.
As we came to yet another bank of elevators, different to the once we had used earlier in the day. His words were beginning to make themselves at home in my mind. A puzzle that needed to work, to understand and to come to the end of.
‘It could be the only thing that saves m—'
The only thing to what? What had he been about to say and stopped?
“The engineering lab would be perfect. Do you have access to that is encrypted at all? The last thing we want is something coming back to bit you in your royal arse.” Okay, yes. This is not the language to be used in the regal surroundings. However, I was certain he would forgive me.
His droid rolled in and pushed the button for the correct floor. And once again it hit me how different things in our world were. The elevators in Phoenix Towner looked nothing like these ones.
She seemed to be a little shell-shocked when I came close to her… this wasn’t new for me… but it was so unlike how girls normally reacted to me. I wasn’t going to tell her… but the rumours that the Lunar Queen wanted my hand in marriage were all over New Beijing, probably the globe.
When she asked me if I had thought through the consequences of this path, I was following I heaved a sigh. Nainsi’s ID chip would have activated the bypass function, the lift wouldn’t stop until we reach our floor.
“I have thought of the consequences… and while some of my motives might be selfish, I also believe they are in the best interest of Earth… not just the Commonwealth. Luna’s throne is in a precarious position. Queen Levana has no heirs. The Commonwealth is about to pass to an unwed ruler with no heir. And that makes me a target… I’m sure you’ve heard the gossip. If Earthen relations with Luna get much worse, I will be left with the choice of an outright war or a marriage that will put the whole planet in a different kind of danger, especially the Commonwealth. That is why I need to find the lost Princess… she has to be a better choice than her Aunt…”
I took a deep breath. “Wow….” I chuckled darkly and rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m so sorry to have blurted all of that. You must think me very selfish.”
My eyes met hers and the elevator dinged our arrival, but the door would remain closed until my security team confirmed they were at their posts. I took the rare moment of solitude to examine her high cheekbones and those mysteriously hard-to-read eyes. Her lips were… Stars!!
I couldn’t tell a girl about my fears of an arranged marriage and then start thinking about her lips.
“Hearing gossip and believing it are two very different things. Queen Levana? She’s like a million years old. You cannot be serious?”
The words tumbling from my mouth before I could stop them. He couldn’t really think this would be a feasible path to walk. But of course not. And yet….
Everything came to a halt in my vicinity ( or at least it felt that way to me. ) Could I have heard Kai’s comments correctly? Not only had he thought about his actions, but he also actually had a plan. And it was this plan of his that brought him to my booth. Nothing else.
“So, you want to marry a Princess whom the world and the Luna’s believe to be dead, instead of her aunt.”
My hands clenched tightly. What was wrong with me? why was I saying everything I was thinking around this boy? The Crown Prince of the Eastern Commonwealth would marry a queen or a princess. This was a true fact, one we all knew to be.
So, why had he asked me to the ball? Because he needed me of course. All the jigsaw pieces began to fall in place. And I smiled to myself and my stupidity. Yet again, I had fallen into that hole of gullibility. Just like I had when I thought that #LihnAdri would take me to the ball with her and her daughters. What a fool… What a silly little teenage girl I had become. Was I actually acting like all the other girls in New Beijing? In the world? Willing to do anything for Prince Kiato’s attention? What a 𝓕𝓞𝓞𝓛!
His eyes were back on mine and I turned to face the doors, wishing they would open up quickly. Why did it feel like the walls of this elevator were coming in to crush me where I stood?
“Not selfish. Just truthful.”
Answering his questions and wishing he would stop looking at me the way he sometimes did, like now. I was a foolish girl, like the ones I laughed at. Like my step sisters who would fall to his feet and kiss them if he just gave them a glance. Even while she is sick, I knew #Peony would give him her best smile if he came to sit beside her right now….
And I wasn’t even a girl. I had lied to him… well… not lied… but I’d not told him the truth. I was a cyborg, and cyborgs do not have the right to dream or feel.
“Stars Above! Why aren’t these doors opening?” my voice betraying me carefully gathered persona.
“Sadly… I am very serious… She hasn’t made a formal proposal yet… not since Father fell ill. But it’s only a matter of time. And I’m well aware of the age difference, it wasn’t that long ago when she wanted a marriage alliance with my father.”
I choked when she mentioned me marrying the Princess instead… “What? No, nothi… That is not what this is about. I don’t want any Lunar in the Imperial family; we can’t give them that kind of foothold on Earth. I want to replace Levana with the true Lunar Heir.” It was the first time I had said it out loud and it took all my self-control not to laugh at how naive and ridiculous it sounded.
Truthful… was it? Maybe, my truth was a selfish one?
“Maybe It’s both…” I muttered. “Who I marry… it’s… I can’t…” I dragged my hand through my hair. “My parents always wanted me to marry for love. Every time I see my father and he’s awake enough; he makes me promise to find love…” I had somehow drifted closer to her, close enough to lift one hand and brush a strand of hair off of her cheek that had slipped free of her normally meticulous ponytail. My fingers lingered against her high angular cheekbones. “And I always promise him I will… even though… If I can’t do this… If I can’t find the Princess… I could end up breaking the very last promise I ever get to make him.” My voice shook.
I pressed my lips together… I could kiss her… I was so close. Everything in my body was screaming at me too. If there was one kiss left in my life that I got to choose it would be this one with Cinder, right now.
But, if I did… I could be risking her life. Just like I had risked #Hiro’s.
‘The team is assembled, Your Highness.’ #Nainsi’s monotone invaded the moment. ‘Shall we proceed.’
I cleared my throat and pulled my hand back. “Yes Nainsi, we can proceed.” I stuffed my hand in my pocket… suddenly not knowing what to do with it.”
#Peony would have swooned in this moment, in a time where she would be dreaming of Kaito the Prince searching for a lost princess all so that they could marry and live happily ever after. That was what she had dreamt of with his boy, this prince. As had a billion other teenage girls from all over earth. But I was the one stood here, listening to how he thought that he was to be married to someone that he did not know, did not like, and wasn’t even from the same planet?
I knew Kai was talking, I could see his lips moving however I wasn’t paying attention to they words ( in hindsight that was a mistake.) Because when the prince begun to step towards me, I didn’t understand what was happening.
My words were lost in my mind at his actions. What had he been saying? Something about not wanting to marry the Luna Queen? That he would have to marry the Queen or the Princess if he could find her? And then it all kicked in. He was planning to sit a dead princess on the throne and usurp the current queen?
I was frozen on the spot, Kai’s lips were moving, the prince telling me that his parents always wanted him to marry for love. We all had grown up on the love story of his parents and how in love the two of them had been. So, of course they wanted the same for their son. But Kai didn’t know, Maybe just maybe this missing princess would be the one true love that he was hoping for?
He moved even closer to me. my breathing stopped and I lowered my eyes. I didn’t want him to see what I was hiding from him. not here, not now. not like this. His sweet breath touched my skin and I imagined how that should feel without all the sensitive monitoring, my body did for me. How would a normal girl feel with his fingers gently brushing stray hair away? Would they dare to imagine his soft pink lips kissing theirs? How a prince could think to kiss someone like me….
And then the magic was broken and gone. I cleared my thoughts, stumbling back into the cold metal wall, breathing heavily bypassing all the warning messages flashing before my eyes.
What was wrong with me? That wasn’t what I thought it was. He was speaking of marrying. And then… no… it was all in my mind… Kaito wasn’t looking to kiss me. No. not at all.
‘Linh Cinder, we are waiting for you.’ #Nainsi chimed from the corridor.
“Uhm. Yeah. Yes. I.. I am coming.” Stars above, help me now!
I was such a fool! How could I ever imagine tangling this woman up in the political hornet's nest that was my life? Why was it so easy to stand near her a feel less pain, to feel like the future wasn’t as daunting as it seemed? How did the images of the epic love story I’d always wanted somehow now include her face as though those dreams had always been about her? I shook myself… on the inside… it would be very unprincely to actually shake myself.
This train of thought was only making me want to re-enter that elevator and kiss her, just once…. Just to know what it would feel like to meet that destiny… even if it could never be. Not without painting a target on her back.
Something told me that one kiss with Cinder would never be enough.
We walked to the Engineering labs I moved slowly allowing Cinder the time and freedom to peer into the mostly empty labs at this hour there were very few staff, and with the protest outside I had issued an order for all non-essential staff to vacate the Palace, the only staff here now were essential maintenance and people to monitor projects in progress that could not be interrupted. Through one window I could see what could only be a prototype android body halfway through the process of being 3D printed, through another a machine moving rapidly over a table full of circuit boards, emitting an occasional spark. The lone technician inside seemed unperturbed by the sparks, so I assumed they weren’t worrisome.
“A place like this is probably like a playground to you.” I smiled at her, hoping to break the tension my foolishness might have caused in the elevator. I stopped in front of the lit-up map on the wall, trying to figure out the best lab for our purposes. I pointed to a room labelled 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐑&𝐃 it was dark, which meant it as currently unstaffed. “This one sounds promising… What do you think?”
My over active mind from within the elevator was forgotten the moment I stepped out into the corridor. At was as clean and well-kept as the med labs I had been wheeled in and out of with the great Doctor who has been working on the miracle cure for Letumosis.
At first glance it felt like a dream coming true. The names on the doors were calling my name. There were so many things being tested and brought to life in this one place that I only read about. With each wall of windows, we passed I began to stand looking in longer and longer.
“This is incredible.” The words were out before I could even contemplate what had been said. “They are working on so may initiatives that could (if successful) make such a difference to the Earthen people. If the tech is shared of course.”
This would be the true test, how much of what I witnessed would make it out of these labs and into the hands of the common people.
“NO WAY!” Coming to a stop my hands on the windows with my nose flatly pushed up into the clean glass, I watched a prototype of what could only be a Secure Assist android being printed before my very eyes.
“Tell me this is a Secure Assist Droid here?” Not waiting for an answer. “It’s got to be a Model: Grad 283.09…. Did you know that they are going to be built to communicate over distances with their hosts via a Hybrid real time AI to human input and output?” I was on my own planet now.
“The interactions are meant to become a mixture…. Sometimes autonomously generated, sometimes scripted by a team of Robotics writers, and navigated semi-autonomously with human assistance. Similar hybrid operation is commonly used in telerobotic and voice agents, as well as character robots, and is a powerful way for humans and machines to help each other.
This AI will combine cutting-edge work in symbolic AI, neural networks, expert systems, machine perception, conversational natural language processing, adaptive motor control and cognitive architecture among others. The plan is for their underlying AI components to become combined in different ways, their responses can be unique to any given situation or interaction….. This is ground-breaking work.”
Looking around once I heard the geek In me coming out to play, I shifted pulling on the hem of my gloves before reluctantly following the others. Coming to a stop before the darken room and door of the;
“This should do perfectly. If no-one is inside, it means we don’t need to lie about why we are here.” Pushing on the door but it didn’t budge at all. “How are we going to get inside?”
Cinder was fascinated and it made her even more attractive, it was like she forgot to be nervous, and she was just herself. It was the first time I had seen her eyes wide with wonder and I was highly satisfied that it wasn’t at the sight of me, as I was used to with other girls. It was awe and curiosity and the urge the dive in and learn how everything worked. It was a deeply intelligent wonderment… not a dumbfounded stare. And it was beautiful. Cinder was beautiful.
“Very little of the research here is classified. Other than the Earthen Defence projects, which are shared with the other governments of course and those teams are made up of people from all over the globe… and there are a few communications projects that are classified too. My Father has always been very transparent with those policies. Peace can only exist between equals.”
I nodded along like I knew exactly what she was talking about, making the occasional sound of agreement. I was only barely grasping the concepts she was talking about. “Oh… Yeah… all that stuff you said is exactly what I was thinking, and I definitely understood every word. Ground breaking for sure.”
Okay, maybe I was teasing, but I couldn’t help it. The expression on her face was impossible to look away from, a rare moment of pure joy and I memorised it.
I smiled at her when she asked me how we were going to get inside. “Oh, don’t worry my lady…” I locked my haze on hers and flashed my wrist over the locking panel. “You’re in good company.” A hiss and pop indicated the door unlocking. “Thank the Stars.” I laughed… “I wasn’t sure that would actually work.”
I was mostly sure… but the second I lifted my wrist an incredible fear of looking foolish in front of her, after being so bold gripped me quicker than I would have ever thought possible.
“You are all talk Prince Kaito and right now it works for you.” We couldn’t miss the tone in his voice, however I have to respect the fact that he didn’t call me out for my Geeking out. Or had he? Who knew when I was in a place of my dreams?
“It wasn’t what I expected you to say? I thought that most of the governments would try to keep something behind. However, this is why our emperor is looked up to by not only his people, but the rest of the Earthens too.”
With the doors open I couldn’t help the small smile on my lips. Sure, my worries from before where here in my mind, also I knew at some point today will be playing on a loop in my nightmares. However, for now. I would take the joy of all these incredible things all around me.
“You are the Prince, I would question why you wouldn’t have access to every part of your Palace.” I wanted to add the fact that he needed to question his teams more. With memories of #DrDimitriErland, with his easy lies flowing at being questioned by Kai flashed before my eyes.
As the doors opened the lights began to come to life. Starting from the ones closest to us, working one by one to the far side of the lab. The fluorescents of the lighting made the whites of the walls even more prominent, the work benches were clean with everything put in it’s rightful place. Tools were in their place and the projects that were being worked on were assigned to engineers on the net screen at the front of the lab.
“This place is….” I couldn’t finish the thought as the door bust open with a guard in a different uniform came hurting in.
‘You are not allowed to be in here. You are trespassing. Who let you on this floor?’ His eyes were on me in the middle of the room, making me freeze in the spot. ‘I’m talking to you.’ He was tall, with a well built body, someone who looked like he didn’t take kindly to people not following his rules. ‘Speak girl… Who let you in here?’ He took two steps forward hissing at me.
“He… He… Let me in here.” I pointed to the boy who he had clearly not seen upon rushing into the room. We both turned to look at Kai at the same time with different reactions.
His heated demeanour dissipated in a blink of an eye, the malice that had been seething towards me had been drowned like a bucket of ice water had been dropped over his head. The man bowed at his waist a few times.
‘Duìbùqǐ wǒ de wángzǐ’ ( Apologies my prince.) He bowed again. ‘I did not see you there, I did not know this girl is a guest of the crown.’
Some part of me should be smug, the way his eyes looked baffled trying to understand how this mess that was stood before him, could be allowed to stand in this room with Kai. However, I was glad to see people who were meant to protect the Crown and their prince took their jobs seriously.
I chuckled… I loved that she wasn’t afraid to be cheeky with me and call me out on my foolishness. I had very few people in my life that would do that. Even, less now that #Hiro was gone. “Most of the research here is to benefit our people… clean air solutions, medicine… not just letumosis, technology, transportation… even wildlife conservation. Most things are kept secret until the project is complete but that’s for public safety… releasing information on untested drugs for example… may inspire some dangerous actions by citizens.” I smiled, addressing her comment about my father, I said. “Father always said that ours was a life of service.”
I chuckled again. “I’ve never been here… but that was pretty much what I was hoping for.”
Before I had a chance to react to the Palace Guard’s unexpected emergence my own Guard stepped between me and him… and me and Cinder. Their duty was to protect me, and they would do so even against the Emperor himself so a Palace Guard was nothing to them. Their Oath was to protect me above all else just as my parent’s details were to them.
I managed to step between my guards as Cinder drew his attention to me and he bowed. “I’m not the one to whom you owe an apology.” I raised a brow, stepped up next to Cinder and rested my hand on her shoulder. “You should be addressing Lihn-Mei.”
He bowed once more, not as low. ‘My sincere apologies Lihn-Mei, it was not my intention to offend… or… frighten.’
“You may take your post outside the door until we have conducted our business and my guards will… refresh your instruction on how to properly address an authorised entry during a state of high alert…” I raised a brow my voice remained cool and collected. “And not a state of emergency.” His approach had been far too overzealous.
My security detail nodded their agreement and they all moved swiftly into the corridor, the door swishing closed behind them.
I turned to Cinder, my hand still on her shoulder. “I’m so very sorry Cinder. Are you okay? That must have been an awful fright.”
“Please! I called out to the guard. “You were doing your duty. You were protecting the work being done here. You have nothing to apologise for.” Uncertain if the man heard me before the doors closed on Kai’s guards and him.
Only then taking note of the hand on my shoulder, my eyes slowly drifting up to see Kai. How had I never noticed his eyes? And the way his hair fell untamed down his forehead? Shaking the thought free from myself I answered him finally as he looked down at me.
“Not at all…” okay so, that was a lie. “He is just doing his job; we cannot be annoyed at him for that. He saw someone.” My hands moved from my face down to my toes. “Who clearly doesn’t belong here, so he rushed in. Okay. Maybe he could have been a little less presumptuous… I mean…” Pointing around the room. “Of all the things someone may want to steal, I’m not sure the lab is the place to start. I would find the server rooms and download the data from there….” clearing my throat. “But still.” Kai had said that they worked on things that made our world a better place after all.
Observing the guard being spoken to on the other side of the windows . His eyes were dropped to the ground, his cheeks looked flushed. He glanced up, meeting mine before dropping again. “He is going to hate me.” Another name added to the list I thought. Another person who would dislike me without knowing who I truly am.
‘If you are done with the unimportant conversations, could we return our minds to the work at hand?’ #Nainsi rolled her way to a workbench out of sight from the windows, typing in an accessible code before rolling away giving me space to sit on the stool.
“Is she always so bossy?” whispering into Kai’s ear before making my way across the room, my hand patted the pockets of my pants before I remembered that I’d given the chip to Kaito. “Kai, could you bring the chip over and slot it into the reader please?” Picking all the readers up, I had to search for the older of them. Most of them had moved on in technology, that it took me a few moments. Showing it to Kai, I opened up a comms data box and started to type out the commands. “This is to check for any insecurities, the link we are establishing must be safe.” Explaining myself as I worked. “We don’t want anyone knowing about it or tracing it back here to the palace. Not until we know who is on the other side of it. Like I said, the last time it wasn’t completing the connection, or they didn’t want to answer…”
‘Or your equipment wasn’t good enough to establish the connection.’ #Nainsi finished.
“Or that. Thanks Nainsi, I’m glad we are friends, otherwise that would have hurt my feelings.” Joking with her, knowing what she would say next.
‘We are not friends Lihn Cinder.’ Right on que.
“That’s so harsh! I’m not sure I could live now. Kai, you are witnessing this right? How Nainsi is breaking my heart.” I didn’t add if I had a real one, to break.
Cinder was so concerned for the guard… It was very telling of her character. She was the type to give all of herself for others.
“I understand your point... but also, this time you were with me… what would have happened if an intern, or even a member of the housekeeping staff made an authorised entry into the room, and they didn’t have the benefit of a Royal escort? There are protocols for a reason. His job isn’t in question, and he never drew his weapon so there’ll be no need for disciplinary actions… However, sometimes a refresher on protocol doesn’t hurt.” I dragged my hand through my unruly hair. “But if you tell the Imperial Advisor I said that… I will vehemently deny it.”
I cleared my throat and swiftly moved on from Cinder’s master plan. “When you activate your geek mode it's hard to shut it off, isn’t it?” I teased her. Then Nainsi made her impatience known, she had always insisted that emoting was a waste of time, but I knew this was her exasperated tone. “Always.” I answered Cinder. “You should have seen her when I failed to turn in a paper on time!”
‘It was Zhao-Jei who was frequently late with his assignments. Your Majesty, not you.’ Nainsi ruined my joke. I rolled my eyes. “Thank you for the clarification.” I chuckled. Maybe Cinder wasn’t the only geek here.
I fished the chip out of my pocket and slotted it into the reader that Cinder settled on… I wouldn’t have known where to start with the selection on display. “Whatever checks you think are necessary. I’m sure our security team has the equipment in the room very well protected. I think it's just what might be on the chip we need to worry about.”
I laughed at my former teacher. “Nainsi! Do we need to reinstall your manners? It’s a good thing our honoured guest has a sense of humour.” I patted Cinder’s shoulder. “Never fear Cinder, you have a friend for life in me.”
The tip of my tongue traced the side of my lips as I allowed myself to play out the scenario Kai had spoken of. What would have occurred if he hadn’t been here? Well, I wouldn’t have been here too? However, what if I had been?
“You are correct, of course you are correct.” Glancing towards the side of the room where I knew the door and window were out of sight. “I just hope I wasn’t the cause of his bad day. That’s all.”
My eyes moved from the screen to the hand placed upon my shoulder once again. Had Kai always been someone who touched when he spoke? Or was this something I had only now began to notice?
“So, we have a prince who likes people to believe he isn’t a Geek? How is it possible? Tell me it’s not true.” Okay it was time to pull Kai’s leg. As much as I like to follow the correct protocols, he made it so hard to unsee the young teenage boy under the title he was born to.
I waved my hand before tugging on the hem of my gloves. “Don’t worry Nainsi, no one is reinstalling you. I’ve just given you the best maintenance service of your life. You stand here with the Cinder seal of approval.”
“Maybe I need to be asking you, Kai for help. Your tutor is letting all the best secrets out today.” My fingers working the keyboard before me as I spoke. “Shall we look to activate your geek mode—” My words cut short as the screens before us began to process the commands.
‘It’s working?’ #Nainsi rolled closed to the work station.
“That’s the hope here.” Internally I hoped that I wasn’t single handily about to start an all-out war. “Just so we are clear. This here… I cannot be charged with anything, right? I mean I’m not a snitch. But you wouldn’t let them throw me in jail, right?”
The screen changed and the noise coming from the speakers sounded like someone falling over themselves and mildly cursing… child like?
I knew that the way she licked her lips was a nervous twitch… but it still made me think of the kiss I had coveted in the elevator. But it was a selfish thought… any bond between us would just make her a target. Also… Cinder was so unlike other girls. I could never tell if she liked me or not. At least, not as more than a client/friend/future sovereign.
“The dynamics in the Palace are a delicate balance. I was probably sixteen before I fully understood it all and I grew up here. But I don’t think you could ever be the cause of anyone’s bad day. Also, if it makes you feel better… seeing you and getting my trusty sidekick back has made my day so, so much better. And it started out rather awfully.”
I chuckled… I really enjoyed that she was comfortable enough to tease me. I adjusted my collar and gave her my very best media-ready smile. “I will have you know that I am a nerd and proud… it's very, very different.”
I watched the screen, the scrolling text, repeating and I realised that I had no idea what I would say to whoever was on the other end of this connection. Then Cinder’s question struck that thought from my mind… Here I was worrying that this imagined kiss I craved, but at the very same time, I was tangling her up in this sticky web of my own making.
“Of course not, once you receive payment you will officially become a contractor for the Royal Family and receive all the protection due to citizens fulfilling duties, we don’t have the skills for. Nothing you do at my request can get you into trouble… You retrieved the chip from my android… so it's technically my proper…” I was cut off by the sound of cursing in a strange accent.
The screen opened to the strange room…. That wasn’t really a room, or was it? I just now realised I should have told Cinder to remove herself from the frame… That her face being known to these people… or person, might endanger her.
“Hello?” I said after a second of scrambling sounds and the bump that seemed to make the camera on the other end. “Is there someone there?”
‘Oh, stars!’ A high, young voice chimed, but no one showed their face.
I looked at Cinder and shrugged, confused. “This is Crown Prince Kaito of the Eastern Commonwealth, please show yourself.”
‘Oh, my stars above!’ There was another bump… and a girl with a mass of golden hair piled into a chair with an ‘oof’ and some assorted grunts. ‘Prince Kai!!! I did it!!! I actually… I mean I hoped… but Stars!! I never really believed… The actual Prince!’ She squealed. I almost turned to Cinder and told her this was the reaction I was used to… but she probably knew that already.
“Well… Technically I did it… Whatever this “IT”, is we are talking about.” My eyes met Kai’s and I shrugged right back at him. Did he think I knew the answers to the unspoken questions which were plastered on his face in this moment?
The girl jolted back away from the screen, somehow, she hadn’t even notice me sat right here. Her golden hair was the first thing I noticed, unkept piled high on her head. Which made me run a hand over the top of my ponytail making sure it was still there. Followed by the fact that she didn’t look that much younger than me. She had a beautiful heart shaped face, giant big blue eyes, and freckles that ran across the bridge of her nose.
‘No… Well… Yes… that too…. Stars! When I didn’t hear from your android, I was concerned that the chip had gotten damaged. I am so over joyed at finally connecting with you.’ The young girl smiled so wide that all her teeth were on display. ‘Well... Him… I’m over joyed to finally meet him. Thank the heavens it’s you Prince Kaito. However, You…’ She pointed in my direction. ‘Not so sure who you are. Give me a sec.’ She disappeared from the screen, and the speakers filled with the sound of tapping on a keyboard.
“What in the Stars names is going on here? Do you know who this girl is? Or is your fan club reaching the ends of the world now too?” Asking Kai as I knew he was used to the attention of young girls. All he had to do was smile in the direction of someone and they dropped everything for him. He was the prince, sure. However, Kai had something more that spoke to people of all ages too.
Tilting my head from left and then to the right, as my eyes adjusted to the screen. “Wait… Kai… She isn’t on earth.” Pointing to the far corner of the screen I enhanced the clarity so that his human eyes could see what my retina displays had. “That’s a window to a ship? The sky… look… it’s full of stars…”
‘Cinder…’ She began to say rolling back onto the screen. ‘Linh… or as you would say Linh Cinder... That is your name… ID number #0097917305. Holding the Nationality of the Eastern Commonwealth. You were adopted by Linh Garan and Linh Adri. And you are a Licensed mechanic in New Beijing.’ I looked shocked I was sure, because…
“How do you know all that information?” the words blurting out.
‘Because you were just added to the Palace approved vendor registration. You will be happy to hear that the palace has just paid you for your services.’ She said fidgeting on her chair.
My eyes were on Kai in shock of what was being said to us. “And who are you?”
I hid a small smile at Cinder’s cheeky remarks, a trick I learned to hide… let’s say; inappropriate reactions in public venues… such as political debates and so on.
“Why did you….” I tried to interject but this young girl just kept on talking.
“Miss…” She vanished and I looked at Cinder and shrugged. What on earth under the Stars was happening here? Speaking softer when it was to Cinder. “I have no idea… She doesn’t look familiar… but the accent… it’s familiar but I can't seem to place it.”
My mind boggled at Cinder’s next words… I leaned closer to the screen where she pointed. “What on Ear—” I stopped mid-word because it did seem clear that she was indeed on a ship of some kind. “Could it be a view screen?” I asked, it was a device used in a windowless room that gave the illusion of a view… but this had dept and… smudges, like handprints.
The blonde girl started to recite Cinder’s information with such confidence I figured that it had to be correct. I looked at #Nainsi when she said she had just been paid for her work. ‘You wished to afford Lihn-Mie the protection of an Imperial Contractor. I saw no logical reason to delay.’ She turned her sensor to Cinder. ‘I believe you will find the rate very generous, if you have additional cost, you may invoice the palace.’
Then the girl on the screen beamed and her apple cheek turned pink. ‘Oh! How rude of me! My name is Cress. I’m on the space station in a high earth orbit. And…’ She fidgeted and hesitated that blurted out all at once. ‘And my mistress is Thaumaturge Sibyl Mera of Luna.’ She clamped her hands and… hair… over her mouth as though she had just uttered the foulest of curses.
I slouched back into my chair trying to process this information. “You implanted that chip into my android to spy on me?” I asked in a dangerously calm voice.
The girl was high energy with no stop code in sight. Kai’s expression gave me some indication as to what my own face most likely revealed in the moment too.
The need to think about the action was unnecessary, as soon as #Nainsi confirmed the fact she had taken it upon herself to complete the process of payment to the Linh account the univs were showing. Kai’s droid had taken what he said as a call to action. #Ardri would have just gotten the same notification too.
This would tell her that I have worked for someone in the palace. The only silver lining to this cloud that was Linh Ardri, is that Prince Kiato’s name was not on the payment. Just the central palace of New Beijing accounts. So, at least I had a heads up on the barrage of questions waiting to welcome me back at Phoenix Tower. I felt glad now that I had setup notifications to run over my retina display that was scrolling the green text right now. And of course, I knew for a fact everything the girl on the screen… Cress… had said was truthful.
“Stars Above!” The words departing my lips with a deep heavy sigh. It was indeed one thing to know you are correct with everything your own eyes, and mind can process. However, to be told by the core index? Wow… just wow…
‘No!’ #Cress waved her hands in the air. ‘Well… Yes… but No! not at all… It was my chip… and I programmed it…’ She was mixing her thoughts and her words up trying to talk however I saw in her eyes something I knew for myself.
“Cress.” Leaning closer to the screen, trying to make it feel as though we were both facing one another in the same space. “Breath. Take a moment to gather your thoughts and then please tell us why I found this chip in Prince Kaito’s android.”
She blinked her light blue eyes, which had a way to penetrate though the screen before me.
‘The chip is mine yes, and yes I programmed it. However, I only did so because my Mistress ordered me to.’ She covered her mouth again, like a child sharing a secret. Pushing back from her chair she then pulled herself closer to the screen too. ‘I didn’t want to do it. I promise you. I have all the data your droid transferred. However, I’ve not shared anything important to my Mistress. I give her just enough to keep her happy however…. However,…. I think she is on to me now…. She’s not come to see me in over two weeks.’
“She cannot visit you because the Thaumaturge is here on earth. In this palace.” I whispered, and then turned to look at Kai, to see how he was taking all this information. The Lunas had been spying on him for how long now?
I had no idea what to say; I was in shock. Not because I never thought the lunars would stoop so low….because I had known #Sybil had an agenda from the moment she landed here. I knew they had ulterior motives. #KonnTorin tried so hard to tell me it was only their political motives I needed to be concerned with. But I knew that there was more.
“What information did you get from my droid before she shut down?” I said, my voice was stern and cold. This girl may have looked sweet and innocent, but I had to assume everything she knew, the Thaumatruge knew too. And I had to assume that all of this conversation would be reported or possibly recorded… but one thing struck me. There were few Lunars that allowed themselves to appear on the screen. Their glamours didn’t work, it was well known that #SybilMira’s natural beauty was what had endeared #QueenLevana to make her Head Thaumaturge. It allowed her to be the face of Luna here on Earth. This girl… while appearing shy… showed no attempts to hide herself from view. Unless you counted the mass of hair she coiled around her arm and piled on top of her head.
‘Um…’ Cress shivered. ‘Just enough to know about your… research project.’ She whispered the last two words. ‘But I won’t tell anyone about it… they would… th-they would…’ Her voice shook and she trailed off. But I knew she was going to say they would kill me.
“Did Sybil Mira infect my father with letumosis?” There was no sympathy in my tone.
‘I-I-I… don’t know… mistress doesn’t tell me her plans, only what I need to do the tasks she sets me. But…. Mistress is… cruel.’ The Lunar girl stammered. I didn’t know why, but I believed her… I shouldn’t and I would take this information with a pinch of salt too... but my gut was telling me she was being truthful. She seemed to believe it was possible… although, she had no idea if it was true or not.
‘You have to stop, Your Majesty… if they find out… I don’t know what they could do to you. And it could be worse than death. You must not continue your search. That’s why I wanted to warn you!’
“Did you tell them to target #ZhaoHiro… you were the one surveilling me… is that how they knew to target him to get to me?” I wanted to add, Did you put the target on my best friend’s back? But I didn’t want to show my hand.
She whimpered and the mass of golden hair around her shifted as she pulled her knees up to her chest. ‘No… I… um… I don’t tell them what to do… I’m just a shell… but I told Mistress you and Hiro were best friends…’
I slammed my hand onto the desk and shot up out of my seat, Cress let out a yelp and hid her face in her knees and her hair… so much hair. So much for not showing my hand.
I hadn’t reacted to Kai’s anger the way the girl on the screen had, I had however sat in shock at the questions being asked and more so the answers.
At this time, I couldn’t really be of much help to my friend here, but for one thing. This was the first time I was using my skills across the comms, and with a Luna on top of that. So far #Cress had given me no reason not to believe her. But she was Luna after all.
I watched for the tell tail signs of a lie being told, I waited for the orange alert at the corner of my sight to flash in warning. When I didn’t, I was uncertain now if it was the face of #Cress as she was Luna, that she was on a screen or that this so-called alert wasn’t working after whatever it was the doctor had done to me.
“Stars!” my eyes widened at the questions… Kai believed that the Luna’s could have been behind his father’s illness? The same illness that was taking the life of my younger step sister right now?
“Kai…” My human hand reaching forward to hold his forearm, in the hopes to calm him. while I held up my gloved hand towards the screen. “Cress… we are sorry… Prince Kaito was not attempting to frighten you.”
The girl coiled in her chair and even over the screen I saw the fear in her eyes and her body quivering. Holding a finger up to ask her for one moment. I muted the comms.
“I’m sorry Kai, I didn’t mean to speak for you. However I believe her.. my eyes moved to the screen watching the girl wipe her eyes with the hem of her top. “She looks so frightened, one little action from you of losing your temper has brought tears to her eyes. I don’t think she meant for any harm to come to Hiro. She is younger than us. She calls the Thaumatruge, Mistress… I can take a wild guess as to how this relationship works, can’t you?”
Realising that I still had my hand on his arm, I dropped it right away. “Sorry.” Shifting in the stool I tugged on the hem of my gloves and then pushed my pants down hoping they wouldn’t ride up. “I think we need to use honey here, not strength with the girl.” Glancing back to the screen I gave her a smile. “She maybe about to help, however she may also need our help too.” Pointing to the button for him to push when he felt he was calmer to speak with her.
Cinder’s warm, still-gloved hand touched my arm and a sudden flash of shame washed over me. My eyes moved back to the screen; Cinder’s words playing in my mind. She looks so frightened. She was right, Cress looked like she was about to… no, she was crying because of my outburst.
Mistress… Thaumaturge…. Shell….
#Cress said Shell. She said I’m just a shell.
My eyes widened on Cinder. “I think you’re right… something she said… Shell… I passed it off as a self-deprecating comment, but I’ve heard it before… It’s a Lunar slur for ungifted people.” I sat back down, but not before pulling out a chair for Cinder to sit next to me.
I pressed the button she’d indicated and unmuted the Netscreen. “Cress… I apologize for my outburst. It’s been a rather… trying day, but that’s no excuse for my poor behaviour. ”
She nodded and murmured a little, her expression told me it was an acceptance of my apology though I could not make out the actual words spoken. “I wanted to ask you about something you said earlier. You referred to yourself as a…” I knew that the word shell was an insult, so I skirted using it. “Are you an ungifted Lunar?” I asked.
‘A Shell, your Majesty. Yes.’ #Cress sniffled.
I let out a disbelieving breath… “H-How… How are you still alive? The Shell Infanticide Laws were passed during the reign of #QueenChannary… How old are you?” She barely looked fourteen, but she could be older or younger.
‘I’m sixteen, your Majesty. My parents surrendered me to be… disposed of as a new-born. But I was spared by the mercy of Mistress Sybil… I can’t I… I… I can’t talk about that.’ She leaned close to the screen and whispered the last part. I wondered if her quarters were monitored.
‘Are you a prisoner, Cress?’ I asked her.
She nodded and my stomach roiled like a viper pit. I looked from the screen to Cinder and back again. “I… I can’t help you, #Cress. The treaty between Earth and Luna forbids us from accepting refugees or interfering with their social politics.”
‘No, Your Majesty… I’m not seeking your help. I want to help you. You mustn’t marry Queen Levana!” She was emboldened. Passionate but still very fearful. ‘She wants to use your Commonwealth to stage an invasion of Earth.’
This wasn’t a shock to me. I couldn’t voice my suspicions, there was still the chance that this whole conversation was being monitored, instead I delicately asked.
“Can you prove that? I’m not saying I do not believe you… but I cannot take any action without proof for the leaders of the Earthen Federation.”
