Liluth walked majestically through the halls of the royal palace as she made her way to the royal family's exclusive shuttle bay.
As she passed them, Solarians who either worked in or were merely visiting the palace moved aside and greeted her respectfully.
As Liluth walked past a corridor, a familiar voice called out to her.
"And where are you off to in such a hurry, my daughter?"
Liluth stopped and turned to see her mother, Queen Riniya Solar, walking towards her with a happy smile.
"Mother," Liluth greeted affectionately.
"You're not off to another presentation at the university, are you?" Riniya asked with a chuckle before adding, "I seem to recall we met like this at that time also."
Liluth rolled her eyes before saying, "No, mother, I'm not off to another presentation or to get kidnapped."
Riniya chuckled at her daughter's response before asking, "Then where are you off to in such a rush? You have only just returned to the palace and we haven't even had time to sit down and talk."
Liluth gave her mother an apologetic look before saying, "I'm off to begin negotiations with the Terran Princess."
"She's here already?" Riniya asked in surprise before adding, "Why have I not heard this?"
"Probably because father and grandfather are being childish and have ordered everyone to ignore the Terran's hails," Liluth explained with a sigh before adding, "Honestly, I sometimes wonder how two such childish men manage to run the kingdom."
Riniya laughed before pointing at Liluth and saying, "They're only like that when it involves you and your sisters."
"What, you mean overprotective?" Liluth complained.
"Can you blame them?" Riniya asked sternly before adding, "If not for that young man back then, we might have lost you."
"I know, I know. But that was years ago, mother, and I'm more than capable of protecting myself nowadays," Liluth replied.
"I know, but a parent will always worry about their child," Riniya said lovingly.
"Only a good parent," Liluth muttered.
"What was that, dear?" Riniya asked.
"Nothing, mother," Liluth replied before asking, "but since I ran into you, could you do me a favour?"
"Of course, dear. What is it?" Riniya asked.
"Inform father that I'm heading up to the Terran ship to begin negotiations," Liluth replied.
"Pardon?" Riniya asked in surprise before adding, "Did you say you're heading up to the Terran ship?"
"That's correct," Liluth replied.
"I thought negotiations were to take place here, in the palace?" Riniya asked in confusion.
"Well, that was the plan, mother. But since father and grandfather are adamant about causing trouble for the Terrans and interfering with my negotiations, I decided we should hold them someplace they can't interfere," Liluth explained.
Riniya studied her daughter for a moment before asking, "why are you suddenly so adamant about fixing relations with the Terrans?"
"There is nothing sudden about it, mother; I always planned to fix relations with them," Liluth replied before adding, "it just wasn't time before now."
"What do you mean, it wasn't time?" Riniya asked in confusion, to which Liluth just smiled.
Riniya sighed before saying in a sad tone, "you used to be so sweet and obedient when you were younger."
"I bet grandmother said the exact same thing to you in the past," Liluth replied.
"Well, you're not wrong," Riniya admitted with a wink before turning serious and saying.
"I'm not happy about you going up to the Terran ship, Liluth, even more so alone."
"Don't blame me; it's father and grandfather's pettiness that's led to this," Lilith said as she turned to leave.
However, she froze a second later as if thinking of something, causing Riniya to look at her in puzzlement.
Liluth turned back to her mother with a smile before saying, "actually, if you're that concerned about me, why don't you come along?"
"Excuse me?" Riniya asked in surprise.
"I know you don't have any bias against the Terrans' mother, and it would paint an even stronger picture if we both paid a visit to their ship," Lilith stated.
"That's true," Riniya conceded before asking, "but why should I? It's you who invited them after all."
Liluth's smile turned into a smirk as she asked, "what if I told you that by accompanying me you could see your future son-in-law?"
Riniya's eyes widened in surprise before asking in concern, "don't tell me you plan to marry a Terran? You know your father and grandfather would never accept that."
"He's not Terran," Liluth admitted.
Riniya sighed in relief before asking in a puzzled tone, "then how can I see him?"
"Why not come along and find out?" Liluth stated before adding, "if it makes you feel better, bring Keerla along with you."
***
As the cross-dome transport flew through the tunnel connecting the two domes, Adam asked, "Spector, are there any maintenance entrances into the main dome before reaching the cross-dome transfer point?"
[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): Huh, why's he asking that?]
[NonpareilRaphilia (Aaru): Smart. The streamer's expecting an ambush.]
[OfficialMuriel (Aqua Primus): Ambush?]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): The transfer point will probably be deserted upon his arrival, not only because of that nerve agent, but because they want to take him out.]
[NonpareilRaphilia (Aaru): I agree. I'm sure they didn't like the fact that he threatened them.]
[OracleRomy (Elysium): How will they do it?]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): Sniper, that's what I'd do. The nerve agent is still in the case, so it would take time for the streamer to grab it. Even if he was holding it, though, one clean shot to the head would solve the issue.]
[Justiceistruth (Earth): You're scary, you know that right?]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): I'm good at what I do.]
[Superherofangirl (Earth): Might want to take back those earlier comments, 1000yearsofdeath. Kekeke.]
[1000yearsofdeath (Earth): …]
[[Afirmative. Two service entrances can be used to access the main dome.]]
"Good, once the transport crosses into the main dome, open the door, and I will disembark," Adam stated.
[[Affirmative.]]
[HackerSu (Trillion): You know I've been wondering, just how rich is this Fiere Lucent? I mean, look at how many people she employs.]
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): True. I thought it was a bit strange that the streamer had to pay to use the taxi and cross-dome transport.]
[Lizziethetruepower (Palaxia): It's definitely strange. With the number of employees, how organised they all are and how most of them seem to be in uniform, you could easily mistake this as a moon base instead of someone's home.]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): Don't forget how organised those guards were. It definitely seems to be more than just some oversized home.]
[OfficialKasumi (Aqua Primus): Can't it be both?]
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): What do you mean?]
[OfficialKasumi (Aqua Primus): Well, can't it be a moon base for the secret organisation that's fronting as this woman's home?]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): That's plausible; we know she's part of that organisation after all.]
[OracleRomy (Elysium): Let's not jump to conclusions. It's not like there are no examples of rich and powerful families owning planets or moons and living there.]
[Phoenixempress (Fenix Nest): True, the Nogitsune nine are a prime example.]
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): So what do you think Fiere Lucent wanted with the nerve agent?]
[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): Maybe she planned to kill the senator who is due to visit her.]
[AlamoMatador4thewin (Earth): Maybe she planned to give it to the senator.]
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): Or sell it to him.]
[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): What would a senator want with a nerve agent?]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): What does anyone do with nerve agents, idiot.]
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): You're suggesting Senator Arisu Kasai is here to purchase a nerve agent?]
[OfficialKasumi (Aqua Primus): …]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): It's a theory. I'm assuming Universal Senators get special privileges like politicians here on Earth.]
"Undoubtedly, politicians are the same everywhere," Adam stated, since he had been following the chat.
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): Not all politicians.]
"I'm yet to meet an honest politician," Adam replied.
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): What about me?]
"You're not a politician anymore," Adam replied.
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): …]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): Impressive. It's rare that Erkath is rendered speechless.]
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): Fuck you, Malacoss.]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): Or uses such vulgar language.]
[OfficialKasumi (Aqua Primus): Can we get back on topic, please?]
[OfficialRowena (Fenix Nest): Assuming Senator Arisu Kasai is here to purchase the Yliaster DX Six, the next question we should be asking is why]
[NonpareilRaphilia (Aaru): Senators meet a lot of powerful and influential people; he could be acquiring it for someone else.]
"Or he could be planning to use it someplace only senators have easy access to, the Universal Senate Chamber perhaps," Adam suggested.
[OfficialRowena (Fenix Nest): I think that's a bit of a stretch, darling.]
[LadyErkath (Aqua Primus): I agree with Rowena. Doing such a thing would turn the entire universe against the Nogitsune race. They might be one of the more powerful races militarily, but they couldn't contend against the military might of every race combined.]
"It was only a suggestion," Adam remarked.
[OracleRomy (Elysium): No offence, but one I hope you're wrong about.]