Chapter 16

The ball wound down with no serious incidents involving our party. There were a couple of attempts to snub me, though I ignored them and simply remained polite and moved on to the next person wanting themselves sketched. Back in my room, I used the pictures I had drawn of Jessin and her family to begin the colourised portrait, taking my time to accurately follow the image in my mind’s eye and produce a version that had both warmth as well as an innate dignity and leadership feeling about it. I did this as the others slept, though knew Liono periodically checked on me as she doesn’t require much in the way of sleep herself. Finally though, I knew when it was done as it matched exactly what it was I wanted to show. I went to my bed to enjoy a couple of hundred rotations sleep.

I was awoken by Amanda, who was flanked by Trusha whilst being observed by Liono.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” she greeted me with a kiss.

“Mmm,” I murmured, enjoying the closeness.

“We have the morning off and can explore the grounds with Jerra and Raisa,” she informed me.

“Just us two?”

“Yes, the others will be busy with their alternative tasks.”

“OK, let me have a shower and then we can have breakfast.”

“No problem, see you soon,” she giggled and went over to have a look at the portrait I’d done.

Showering didn’t take long and Liono had prepared suitable clothing for our morning activity. We all sat down for breakfast to go over the day’s activities.

“So, the signing will be this afternoon?” I asked.

“Yes,” Amanda replied. “Could I present the portrait then?” she asked.

“It’s ready, yes.”

“A perfect gift in so many ways. You did wonderfully, my love,” she beamed.

“Thank you,” I nodded.

“You made them all look so regal, yet obviously a family too.”

“It’s what Jessin wanted.”

“True.”

“Prince Jerra and Princess Raisa are approaching,” the AI informed us.

“Allow entry and hide the portrait,” I requested.

“Yes, let’s keep the surprise a surprise,” Amanda added.

Three rotations later Jerra and Raisa, along with their bodyguards, entered and were greeted joyfully by Amanda and respectfully by me. Amanda knew them well as both sets of royals had holidayed as kids together, though I’d only just got to know them over the last year or so when Amanda and I became ‘official’ rather than schoolmates. The bodyguards were also Kilios Corporation and hence received professional respect from Trusha and Liono.

We were then taken outside as Jerra and Raisa showed us the palace grounds which were filled with blooms as well as multiple partitioned gardens and features including a small, if complex, maze. It was very relaxing and I got to know both Jerra and Raisa as friends as there was none of the pretentiousness of the Nobility we’d been amongst the previous evening. The pair were simply nice kids and not on their guard all the time with us.

“Mother says you’re also here for other business?” Jerra enquired.

“Some people in the Empire are trying to manufacture a device that will enable them to evade AI tracking. We’re just here to take an unofficial look,” Amanda explained.

“Wish we could get to do stuff like that,” Raisa sighed.

“You’re a lot more constrained than I am,” Amanda sympathised. “But most people in the Empire don’t know what I really look like.”

“Yes, a clever trick,” Jerra chuckled. “Too late for us now. We wouldn’t know how to act amongst the people ... not perfectly that is.”

“Get a holo-disguise and come out with me and just watch,” I offered. “Your bodyguards can keep you safe.”

“Could we?” Raisa asked Terno, her bodyguard.

After a short pause Terno replied, “Your father says it’s OK. Just do as you’re told.”

“Ooh!”

After a light snack, we changed into our formal wear for the signing ceremony, each inspecting each other to ensure everything was in place so as not to become a focus for gossip. We then assembled behind Amanda before the court chamber doors opened to allow us access. Unlike the greeting ceremony yesterday, this was a far more formal reception and we simply walked in in silence until we reached a point three pacemarks from Jessin, standing before her throne.

“The Royal Court recognises the Princess Royal Amanda, Heiress to the Vreekoosian Empire and the Far-Flung Stars of the Imperium and her party!” a herald announced us, giving Amanda her full title.

“We greet you, Princess Royal Amanda, in this solemn ceremony of the signing of the Trade Accords between our Realms,” Jessin spoke clearly.

“We greet you, Jessin, Sovereign of the Gershonian Realm,” Amanda replied, causing a small stir amongst the Nobles as the term Sovereign implied Queenship.

“The documents are here to be ratified by both Realms; would you please do us the honour of signing them?” Jessin requested graciously, with a slight quirk to her lips at Amanda’s dig at her Nobles.

“Vreekoos recognises the Accords,” Amanda replied and placed her thumb upon the pseudopaper to identify herself and her authority.

“Vreekoos is now signatory to the Accords,” an AI announced as Jessin stepped forward to place her thumb upon the documents.

“Gershon is now signatory to the Accords,” the AI now announced.

“Would the Sovereign of Gershon be pleased to accept a token of the Empire’s esteem?” Amanda asked, going slightly off script.

“We accept with thanks,” Jessin replied, playing along, then gave an audible gasp as the AIs unveiled the portrait.

It started slowly, but gradually applause rang out in the court as all saw Jessin, her husband and two children as drawn by me, though in colour and looking immensely regal and calm.

“Truly a most wonderful gift. I thank you personally, Amanda,” Jessin replied, clearly deeply touched.

“Gershon is our oldest Ally. We honour the compact between us,” Amanda replied as we all gave the hand to the chest half bow.

“Oh my, have you caused a stir amongst my Nobles!” Jessin exclaimed as we later gathered for an informal meeting.

“Mother thought it was time someone reminded them of their obligations,” Amanda replied.

“Nicely done, as the ceremony was broadcast throughout the Realm,” Jessin chuckled.

“It was,” Rassalio added. “The various commentariats of the worlds are having a field day at the fact you ought to have been elevated to become Queen several years ago, but were prevented from doing so by the misogynist Nobles. Loved the portrait even more though. That is truly spectacular, Dayyev.”

“Thank you,” I acknowledged.

“I rather doubt much will come of this,” Jessin smiled. “But thank you anyway.”

“It gives them something else to be worried about,” Amanda replied.

“That it does.”

Several hundred rotations later our party met to discuss our further plans. It had been announced that Amanda would be spending a few days holidaying with her cousins, though would be attending a few events as well.

“The real Noble owner of the Lanestivion assembly works is still obscure,” Verlig informed us. “The apparent owner, Baron Tassallio, is a front man and has no role in the running of the company or just what it is they actually do or to whom they sell.”

“We also met up with Sakla. He will assist us to ... infiltrate the Registorum Nobilis where the company is registered and its actual owner will be named in the records,” Haelee added.

“Be careful and if Sakla tells you to run, run,” Amanda advised.

“Of course, Serenissimé,” Haelee replied formally.

“Most of the workers there come from the Tivisg district. I’ll start nosing around there,” I commented.

“Taking Jerra and Raisa with you?” Amanda asked.

“Along with their bodyguards too,” I added.

“Will give you a few more eyes looking out for trouble,” Amanda nodded. “What about you, Torric?”

“I’ll be visiting a clinic near the works to look at how they do things. I’m hoping to pick up gossip too. They should be more open to an Imperial Healer than a complete stranger,” Torric replied.

“Hmm, well no doubt you know your target better than I,” Amanda frowned.

“We Healers love to gossip. If there’s anything going on that’s of interest, they’ll know. I’ll also assist in any cases where their tech lags somewhat.”

“Very well.”

“What are you up to, Ammie?” I asked.

“Representing Mum on various negotiations for upgrades to the various Ducal Fleets under the auspices of Meritocrat Hollad.”

“Take it they’ll be pressing for the good stuff?” I chuckled.

“As ever, though trying to get it as cheaply as possible too.”

“Doubt they have the deep pockets Jessin does,” I replied with a sardonic smile.

“Very true, plus there are restrictions from Jessin on what they can and can’t buy that they’ll try to get around.”

“Sounds as boring as hell.”

“It will be, plus there will also be the somewhat oblique insults they’ll attempt to make to anyone not on the same level as them or being non-Gershonian.”

“All seemingly innocuous, unless viewed in a certain way, no doubt?” I sighed.

“Yep, that sort of meeting,” Amanda giggled.

Jerra and Raisa looked totally different from their normal selves when they called at our chambers to travel to the district of Tivisg. Both were clearly dressed down in the common wear that the non-Noble classes wore, which was similar enough to an Imperial coverall for me to wear mine. Each had a bodyguard dressed down in a similar manner and greeted Liono with professional respect, even as they scanned the room we were in for threats.

“Right,” I began after the initial greetings. “I have no idea what we’ll be getting into, but, if our bodyguards tell us to do something, don’t hesitate.”

“We understand,” Jerra nodded.

“All I’ll be doing is drawing and asking people about their lives. If it goes as these things normally do, then relax and join in the conversations.”

“We will,” Raisa replied.

“Let’s go then,” I nodded and indicated to Liono to lead the way to the maglev.

It was a fairly short trip as the maglev was incredibly fast as well as being comfortable. We emerged into a non-descript building in one of the suburbs of Vimeaon and made our way on foot to the nearby Tivisg district, which appeared to be somewhat respectable and quiet, if colourfully decorated with various banners.