So, of course, her father would use it against them.
She looked at Bahran's eyes.How could she tell him?
How could she not?
Her father might have been bluffing, and he would not be genuinely trying to use her envoy to sneak in his own troops.
Who was she kidding?She knew that he would fulfill his threats; however they played out.
"No one is ever happy with how negotiations go until everything is finished.We will be able to negotiate the future of our two systems.Your empire will find a way to coexist with our ownership of this system."
"We will find a way to come together," she said."And end this destructive conflict."
"I believe we can," Bahran replied.
She wanted to ask him something that her father said.If only to confirm the truth."Did your people, the Rhimodians, cause the Orlician star to go supernova to escape your world?"
He blinked.
Caoimhe clasped her hands behind her back and tensed her grip.The way he paused, she didn't know if he was angry or gathering information.He was silent for far too long.It felt like an eternity.Oh no.Had she done the exact wrong thing by asking him about this?
"I was not there.I cannot say for certain personally," Bahran finally replied."However, in our records, the account says that no, we did not."
She sighed."Did your leaving contribute to the Orlician supernova?"
He shrugged."I cannot say."
"You don't know, or you cannot say?"
"I don't know.I do not have access to that information."
"So it could be true," she whispered, more to herself than him.
"Why is this important?"
"It was a story I heard.I wanted to know the truth of the matter.No other reason."
He raised his eyebrow.
He did not believe her.
A knock at her door drew her attention.She glanced back and saw it starting to open.
"I must go," she whispered.
Before he could reply, she disconnected the communication.
The image disappeared just as Bianca led in Venzi, who was carrying a case.
She smiled.At least something was working so far.
"Imperial Princess," Venzi said, and this time, he looked much cleaner and put together than the last time she'd seen him.
"Is this the commissioned piece you were telling me about?"Bianca asked.
Caoimhe nodded."Please, put it here," she said, gesturing to a nearby table.
He laid the case down and opened it.
