What did it matter if one didn't go up or down precisely like history decreed? She thought they were a foolish addition to the outfits anyway.
"You need to know exactly—" Diado began to speak—though it would likely have been a lecture had Caoimhe not cut him off.
Caoimhe smiled. "We all want this to go perfectly."
The dresser did not look happy, but he closed his mouth and jerked his head, and his dark bangs fluttered around his face.
Caoimhe continued as she stroked her dark hair. "This is the movement forward toward the peace that both our people need."
Freya understood this as much as Caoimhe did. Possibly more because she, unlike the princess, was not raised among the privileged of the Terran Empire. She, like their bodyguard Veta, was from the streets.
Luck had brought her into the palace, and next to Caoimhe as her Lady in Waiting. Luck and a lot of hard work.
Freya glanced at Diado. He, from a privileged household, had more than once reminded Freya exactly where she came from.
A place that Freya had desperately pulled herself out of, and worked hard to stay away from, every day.
She kept herself as useful for the Imperial Princess as possible—always coming at her in different ways, from different angles, so the princess could make the best decisions.
This mission, however, was not Caoimhe's best plan. There were too many challenging variables. Both in the Rhimodians and in the Terran Empire.
"We want it to go perfectly," Freya said. "But it is a negotiation. We have no idea what the Rhimodians want."
"We know what they don't want." Eleanor, Caoimhe's younger sister, had been quiet up until now. Diado helped her slip on her red over her robe.
Freya was perfectly able to slip on her own and fasten the front clasps. "And what is that?"
"They don't want war anymore," the younger princess said.
Diado made some adjustments to Eleanor's robe. "What is this?" he muttered, brushing at a spot.
"What?" Eleanor asked.
"Were you eating chocolate in this?" Diado asked as he ripped the cloak off.
"Probably." Eleanor grinned.
Diado darted away, carrying the heavy cloak. "Give me a moment." His exasperated walk would have shaken the ship had they been in atmosphere.
Well, Freya imagined it would have.
Caoimhe watched the door shut, leaving the three of them alone in the dressing room. She glanced at Eleanor. "Lovely, my sister."
Eleanor smiled. "It is what I do," she said and bowed just a bit.
Caoimhe narrowed her gaze on Freya. "What did you learn?"
Freya stopped. Blinked at the princess. "Uh." Had she been caught when she snuck into the archives? Nothing should have been able to trace her. She had been very cautious with her digging.
At least, that was what was supposed to happen. Evidently, she wasn't as stealthy as she had hoped.
Damn.
Caoimhe raised her eyebrow. "Quickly, Freya, before he comes back." She waved her arm. "And don't pretend you do not know what I mean. I know you were in the archives. It is your favorite thing. Tell me, please. It's vital."
Freya nodded. Shocked that Caoimhe was as aware of her hobbies as she was. "Construction. A large, extensive project, named Fallon."
"After Mother," Eleanor whispered.
