Eleanor joked that she got her share, Caoimhe's share, and the ones their mother never got to have.
By her sister's posture, she could tell that she wanted to talk about what happened on Disguised Serenity, but she didn't dare ask yet.If the Emperor was looking for her, he likely suspected something.Caoimhe did not want to reveal too much.He could--and probably was--monitoring them.
The last thing she wanted the Emperor to find out was that she had been communicating with a Rhimodian.If he learned that, then he would know why she was looking for the prisoners of war.Finding them was paramount to her.The Terran Empire professed to never take war criminals.Through all their centuries, they followed galactic laws of humanity during wartime.To learn that not only do they have some, but they're being exploited?
It made her sick.
She was frustrated and ready to end this war, and with all she had, she was going to do it.Whatever means she needed to, to do it.
The girls' suite door burst open.
In came The Emperor.Followed by Bianca.
Three guards spread out on either side of the suite, protecting the Emperor.Bianca walked away from the fanning-out soldiers and took a seat on a chaise nearby.
The Emperor looked like a commanding general who had finally won the upper hand, his troops ready to strike.
This would not go well, Caoimhe thought.
"Traveling today, have you, princess?"Emperor Bron glared at her.
Another door opened, the one from a side room.
Out stepped Veta.Her royal protection and bodyguard.
Veta came over to the table where Caoimhe sat.She took a seat next to the princess and propped her feet up on the table.Her gaze cut around the room, and her hand laid on the weapon strapped to her side.
"I went to Disguised Serenity today," she said."And it was quite a tiring journey, so if you'll excuse me," she said as she stood up and started to walk toward her bedroom door.
"Youwill notwalk away from me."
Caoimhe turned around slowly and stared back at her father."Then tell me what you want so that I may rest."She yawned.Never had a yawn been so naturally timed.
"Who did you meet on Disguised Serenity?"
"I told you before I left.I was going to Mother's blacksmith.Venzi.To have a piece commissioned in honor of Mother."
"He is not the only place you went," the Emperor snarled as he crossed to her."You went to another shop as well.Didn't you?And you had a meeting there too, didn't you?"
She blinked."I don't deny it.I don't deny anything.Yes.I went to Puna's fabric store.Again, to commission some gowns."
"You commissioned nothing at Puna's!"He grabbed her jaw."You were making secret plans, weren't you?"
Caoimhe attempted to stay calm, her father's breath thick with wine, and logically she knew she had to be very careful.Inside, though, she was terrified.Even surrounded by all these people, he would hurt her.He would kill if he felt justified.Tears welled up in her eyes.
"That's enough, Bron," Bianca said.
He didn't let go, but he glared at her."I'll deal with you later."
"I didn't do anything," Caoimhe whispered."I didn't."
"Daddy, stop this," Eleanor cried out.
He glared at her."Shut up.You have nothing to contribute anyway."
"I didn't do--"
Caoimhe didn't see Veta get up.
