She nodded."I assumed that would be what you would first think of."
"Why did you assume that?"
"You are at war with us.Of course, your first thought would be to attack."
"We have not attacked your people once in the war."
She paused."Not once?"
"Not once.We have never instigated an attack.That has always come from your side."
She seemed to be considering his words, looking down at the table they were sitting at.Then she met his gaze again, and there was a determination in her eyes--something quite confident in her expression.
"Then, I suppose we need to be the ones to end the war, then, don't we?"
"If that brings our missing people back, then yes."
"I will find a way, Rhimodian.The war between our two people must come to an end.I know what we have experienced and how the war has destroyed families all over the Terran Empire.I can only assume your own people have experienced similar losses."
He was not sure if she was attempting to get more information from her.He chose not to give her any."Your determination is admirable."
"Thank you.I don't know how I will do it, but I will figure out how to bring this war to an end for your people and mine."
"To find peace would mean that our two people will have to find a middle ground."
"And I think the prisoners of war are the starting point.The key I needed to bring this to an end."
"You're the Imperial Princess.Do you have control over decisions made in the Terran Empire?"
"I am working on it," she said.
A woman came into the back.She was older, probably in her fifties or a bit older."Princess, you need to go."
The princess glanced at him."I shall be speaking to you soon with more information."
He held out his hand, and the gauntlets manufactured a direct communicator."Here, take this.It is the easiest way to reach me directly, regardless of what I'm doing."
"I would not want to bother you," she said, hesitating before she touched it.
"If we can bring home our missing people, then no matter what I'm doing, I will stop for you."
She smiled again.
Her eyes crinkled up in the corners.
And it was beautiful.
"As you like," she said, accepting the communicator.Then she turned back to the woman."I am coming."She got up from the table.
Bahran stood as well, pulling the table back, so it didn't inhibit her.
She glanced at him, her eyebrow raised, before she started to cross the room, her dress swishing as she walked.
The woman held open a door for her, then glanced back at Bahran.
"You get.Out the way you came.And do not acknowledge her in public."
He headed out.He hoped as he walked that this would be what was needed to bring their people to the end of the war.
