Chapter 82: 'Choices'

Even if the sound of his voice had not been enough, the room suddenly awash in pale bluish radiance insured all eyes turned. Beholding Tenchi, incredibly now standing just behind the queen, his Lighthawk blade inches from her throat.

"If you hurt my child." He assured the room thickly. "I'll kill every one of you!"

His eyes were haunted as he made the pronouncement, his face set into the hardest of lines as he moved the blade a fraction closer. "Starting with her." Tenchi concluded flatly.

In the two rooms, which comprised the Masaki's dining area and living space, all eyes were riveted upon the impossible event.

"Tenchi..." Fell from hushed from Mihoshi's lips as she too gazed in stunned horror. Kiyone only cupped herself tighter about Mayuka, determined that she would not see what her father had righteously been driven to. Thus the only ones not bearing witness when the queen slowly, incredibly ... smiled.

"So, my sweet Ena..." Funaho mused calmly regarding the blades almost blinding radiance. "This then is my decision!" Her eyes almost causally surveyed the faces in front of her, finding a sort of amusement in the collective looks of panic and awe.

"You and your bloody cards!" She added mentally to the tally. "Always right! About everything! So, it seems I must now make the right choice!"

"Stand away from the child." Funaho at last commanded the room firmly. "There will be no innocent blood shed here this day!" Still smiling, she then turned her head with the same infinite calm.

"Don't you agree Tenchi?" She asked, regarding him mildly eyes locked with his over the radiance of the Lighthawk sword.

The quiet assurance and total composure of the queen did much to reclaim a measure of his equilibrium. Allowing him to step back from the edge of sanity where the threat to his daughter had bidden he go. Even under the circumstances Tenchi couldn't help thinking.

"What a remarkable woman!" He quietly if begrugingly marveled."I can see where Grandpa gets his strength!"

"Let her come to me." he then told her cautiously. Nodding to where Kiyone was still holding Mayuka protectively underneath her body.

"First," The queen addressed him mildly. "I need you to swear, That you will at least listen to what I have to say. Before you take any kind of punitive action!" Funaho paused, her smile waning only slightly. "Do we have a deal?"

Tenchi chewed his lip for a moment, feeling the weight of so many eyes. Weighing also the moment and his options, or the enormously evident lack there of. Before curtly nodding dismissing his weapon and stepping away. Deciding to trust simple instinct though he gave a silent prayer as the queen straightened, reclaiming her dignity.

"Let the child come to him!" Funaho then intoned firmly to the room. "I have commanded it!"

There was, some general murmurs about the room as one by one each of the Knights gave ground. Clearing a path, begrudgingly notable in some cases, between where Tenchi stood and where Kiyone lay.

"Is daddy mad at me Key?" Mayuka sniffed.

Kiyone looked at the child. Wide eyed, tiny lips trembling, even with the extra hair and incisors, Mayuka was still, Mayuka. More worried about displeasing Tenchi than the mayhem her dropping from the rafters had caused. Key took a moment to smile.

"I don't know." She said, deliberately light as she could muster. "Why don't you go ask him sugar runt?" Over beside the queen Tenchi squatted down holding out his hands to her. In response Mayuka squirmed out from under.

"D-DADDY!" Mayuka cried as she ran directly towards him, becoming less hirsute until a very normal, naked little girl leaped into Tenchi's waiting arms!

"I was bad!" She wailed. Burying her little face against his tunic. "I did'n hide like you say!"

"Shhhhhh!" He told her gently. "How could that be?" Tenchi pulled her close, whispering "You're the 'bestest' little girl in the whole wide world!"

A short distance away, looking decidedly rough around the edges, Kamadaki extended his hand to his mentor Azaka.

"Brother?" He asked the prone knight, still lying in a ragged concave in the west walls sheet rock where catapulting off Tenchi's right fist had flung him. "Allow me to lend you aid?"

"Speak for yourself young pup!" Azaka grimaced, tenderly fingering his jaw. "The prince packed quite a wallop!"

In his mind Azaka wondered if perhaps he were finally slowing down? Certainly he had been concentrating, seeing to the queen's safety. That after all was the point! Tenchi seemed to have come out of nowhere. One instant he's been at a set distance, the next a fist materializing in time to contact Azaka's jaw. The elder Knight found astonishment anyone that size could move that fast! To say nothing of reaching let alone taking the queen unawares. Lady Funaho was not some damsel in distress after all! He paused another moment before accepting the offered hand.

"What manner of beast is that child?" He added, after regaining his feet.

"Perhaps Karaga will tell you." Kamadaki nodded then mildly grimaced, still smarting from his own 'hair pulling'. Gazing at the raven-haired knight whose face Mayuka had nearly filleted. Where she still stood bleeding. The intact side of her visage not covered by her hand, favored both Tenchi and his daughter with a look that could have frozen hell over.

"I suspect she wishes to dissect the creature." Kamadaki concluded ruefully.

"Lady Funaho," Still close to the queen, Tenchi addressed her quietly. "Can this wait for a moment?" He gestured to Mayuka still clutched to his chest. "I need to put her to bed." He explained. More over he was anxious to remove her, far from harms way as currently possible.

"Nooooooooooo." Mayuka whined in protest. "Wanna stay! Help fight evil queen!"

Funaho, certainly not immune to children, had been in the act of smiling. Upon hearing that last, a rather dark cloud settled over her features.

"Of course." She consented. Bowing ever so slightly.

Kiyone audible snorted, still standing close to the wounded Karaga, noticing immediately with grim satisfaction, Tenchi neglected to correct Mayuka. Her face was set in a dubious cast, having sympathy for neither The female Tanzuru or perhaps an 'apply' identified queen.

"Now stop that fussing!" Tenchi told his daughter as he turned, heading for the stairs. "Using your Lighthawk sword draws directly on your chi!" He continued to her gently. Even if he knew privately that wasn't precisely true.

After all, he knew better than most Mayuka's 'blade' wasn't technically the same as his. Tenchi wouldn't had been disposed disclosing intimate details of his daughter's power's under the best of circumstances. Any mention of the Jurian Shadow Demon, who was Mayuka's actual 'Mother' even if only in the sense of the blending of DNA in current company, was absolutely unthinkable!

"Right now you need to rest." He continued firmly, as Tenchi's foot lit on to the first step, he glanced meaningfully at Kiyone. "I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding."

Kiyone blinked. Watching him start up the stairs. Marveling at Tenchi's phenomenal talent for understatement! Understanding fully the need to comfort the child but remembering that wild look in his eyes a few moments ago.

Would he have done it? Every instinct at her disposal said a resounding yes! given the stakes involved. Tenchi was the kindest soul she believed she'd ever met in her travels. It was that very depth, the 'size of his heart' which forced her to contemplate what had almost occurred. Kiyone felt a mild shudder passing though her entire being, thinking of the line that he had nearly been forced to cross. What was wrong with these people? What could have prompted this outright insanity?

Funaho watched in silence until Tenchi had disappeared from sight, before turning to the assembled Knights.

"Magnificent!" She snapped angrily eying the battered and bleeding assembly. "The noble Tanzuru!" She paused, the Queens face contorting disgustedly. "Laid low by a child!"

"But Milady!" Karaga gasped miserably from where one of her fellows was hastily applying a dressing to her wound. "Twas a not a child! More like unto a devil!"

"Then perhaps you would cast aside your stave's for prayer tapers?" Funaho demanded of her acidly, as the wounded knight visibly shrank back from that withering gaze. "And amid your whining to deities unseen, a prayer perhaps? That whatever female bore that child did not have twins?"

"Could in fact she be?" Azaka considered aloud to one side. "Ryoko's?"

Being the only Knight of sufficient rank to speak directly to the queen as counsel, his question lingered a moment before the mute assembly.

"you're all such a bunch of clueless morons!" Ayeka snapped tersely, returning from the patio where she's been hauled like a sack of potatoes. She had not seen all of the dubious proceedings. But she had seen enough.

"Then perhaps you could shed some light upon these matters?" Funaho asked, as 'halting about mid-room the princess blinked then studied the queen.

"Mother," Ayeka addressed Funaho coldly. "Do not 'now' pretend that this is some cordial family visit!" The queen visibly startled, looking mildly surprised.

"You will not answer?" She queried abstractedly. In response Ayeka almost mirrored the queen's reaction before drawing herself up regally, to regard her mother coolly.

"Get stuffed."

"Child, there is no need to be overly unpleasant." Funaho breathed. Prompting the princesses jaw to almost impact the floor.

"OVERLY UNPLEASANT?" Ayeka yelled, utterly astonished. "IF YOUR 'GOONS' HADN'T REMOVED MY KEY!" She waved a hand at the assembly about her. "I WOULD SHOW YOU OVERLY UNPLEASANT!"

The first princess then paused, visibly seeming to compose herself.

"Being however that is the case..." She smiled tightly once again ever the lady. "Get stuffed."

"Huzzah!" Kiyone sniffed uncharitably over at the base of the stairs.

"Ditto!" Mihoshi added, still next to the ruined Television whose 'passing' she'd been mildly pinning for over the last several minutes. Funaho, for her part looked more than slightly miffed. A mixture of Ayeka's quite understandable attitude, 'and a few of her daughters choice of words' had been mildly unsettling. A mood made more foul when what was unmistakably a snicker had escaped Azaka.

"Well then." Funaho sighed uncomfortably after a moment. Whatever The queen might have been about to say faded from consideration at the sudden reappearance of Tenchi at the second floor balcony.

"She's fast asleep." He told them as he descended. "I would like to check on her in an hour or so."

"A remarkable child." Funaho said, almost as though musing aloud.

"I'm glad you agree." He told her as his foot left the last step. "Now then, I think you have some explaining to do my lady."

"I'll gladly second that notion!" Ayeka seethed, visibly declaring her fealty, moving to stand beside Tenchi.

"Ditto!" Kiyone sniped, now leaning against a wall, refusing to except any glares from the Tanzuru close at hand.

"Huzzah?" Mihoshi added uncertainly, prompting a brief paused as everyone glanced her way.

"Sorry." She took a moment to mutter. Begging a slight sigh to escape Kiyone as the current surreal quality of the situation continued to persist.

"Then, I suppose the best way to begin this..." Funaho told them, straitening. "Is at the beginning..."

"As you well know, " The queen began slowly. Speaking clearly and in a voice whose mature femininity declared the power and authority of its owner. "Seven hundred years ago, as time is a reckoned upon this sphere. On that day, when Ryoko attacked our world of Jurai. A cascade of fateful subsequent events ... some known, while others of equally importance lay hidden, were all set inexorably into motion."

Still observing from her wall, Kiyone mildly winced, wondering vaguely if it was really necessary to dig quite this far back? Certainly everyone here knew 'the story' or most of it as the queen herself had just indicated.

"It was on that day My eldest son, took it upon himself to pursue the devil," Funaho intoned with a note of obvious pride. "Alone and across the void. Eventually ... Running her 'aground' upon on this," She gestured mildly indicating the floor. "Upon my home world ... of Earth."

Kiyone nodded gravely, mostly to herself. While news of the queens 'terrestrial' heritage wasn't a well kept secret, it was still disconcerting hearing it so irrefutably confirmed directly from the source.

"The battle which ensued required all the skill and guile Yosho possessed as one of the empire's finest warriors!"

Funaho continued. Relating the tail as though telling of some recent event rather than a story long passed into dim history. "A conflict of which my son emerged ultimately victorious!"

Tenchi's mouth reflexively quirked, in spite of the current 'gravity' almost finding a movement in which to smile at the queens undeniable pride in her son. Well, it had long since been discovered, the great and powerful 'Yosho' ultimately had been something of a 'mommas boy'. Tenchi considered. Though he would never let 'grampa' over hear any musing like that!

"Though only at the most horrendous of cost." Funaho continued solemnly. "For even with all the power he and his tree ship possessed..." she paused again notably here, smiling ever so slightly at the mention of the tree which bore her name. "He chose to subdue, rather than destroying the menace!"

The queen paused, the lines of her face deepening ever so slightly.

"This he did out of fear, he assured me." Funaho began again. "Although much later of course. Across empty centuries during which A mother only had the silence of the void to answer her sorrows. And a queen consoled herself to the affairs and needs of her realm!

Yosho, told me he feared Ryoko's life force, inexorably 'linked' to the strange gems she possessed. And that killing her, might well unleash the powers 'unknown' he instinctively sensed contained within. Fearing as well she might somehow, one day escape the confinement he had hastily constructed. Using his sacred tree, the very heart of his vessel, My son appointed himself guardian of her 'tomb' choosing to remain here upon the world of my birth."

Tenchi glanced mildly at Ayeka, they had both been present when Grandpa had admitted 'his reasons' for not returning home. Sighting a possible rivalry of succession with her and mostly for Jurians and their pure blooded bigotry. It was evident he had never told his mother!

"As a direct result, the royal line was left without an immediate heir." The queen resumed gravely, oblivious to this minor revelation. "Under any circumstance approaching normal, this would not have been cause for undue concern." Again a slight pause intruded here, as The queen's thoughts seemed to cloud over.

"Except... " The next words fell solemnly from her lips. "With our world in flames and fearing Ryoko merely 'harbinger' of some larger force. We had also placed both our crown princesses aboard Ayeka's Ryu-oh, launching them away, in hopes of protecting the bloodline!" Funaho's eyes shifted subtly, gazing with unveiled tenderness at where The princess stood. "Thus, charged with their safety, and with only the most minimal of instruction, precious Ryu-oh wisely took them into the dark recesses of known space."

Ayeka shifted uncomfortable under that gaze, honestly wondering what her step-mother expected her reactions to be?

"We had planned to retrieve them," Funaho continued, almost with a laugh. "When certain that Jurai was safe. However, unknown to us at the time ... Tsunami, our greatest warship and perhaps, most importantly 'the focus for all our trees'. Inexplicably seemed to have wandered away." She managed a slight actual chuckle, devoid of all but the barest trace of humor.

"It was only, recently even as we Jurians perceive time. Sasami's bond with the first tree was discovered. With Tsunami gone and our world in shambles," The queen added with a bitter edge. "We virtually had to master our ships all over again! With nothing to truly coordinate them, Jurai's defenses were indeed broken ... reduced to a farce. In short, no place for our princesses." She concluded solemnly.

"And so, it was decided we allow them continue to sleep among the uncaring stars!" Funaho told them. "It has taken much of the subsequent seven hundred years just to rebuild! Ryoko on her rampage did much damage to the inner sphere, not just Jurai itself."

"You would think you'd have had another kid by now!" Kiyone hissed uncharitably.

"Key!" Tenchi snapped. "For Christ sake!" Even under the circumstances, he saw no reason to further provoke the issue.

Kiyone bristled slightly under the admonishment. Perhaps, she was talking 'out of turn', 'beneath her 'station' and so on. Under any other conceivable situation. The queen's bit of reminiscing about 'things' which everybody damn well already knew about was lovingly caressing the covering on her last nerve!

"It is not something I would expect the likes of you, to understand!" Funaho sniffed, regarding Key coldly. "Not being granted virtual immortality as we." She paused, eyes growing ever harder.

"And for your information, Constable." She spat the word like a curse, indicating she'd not 'conveniently forgotten whom she was addressing'.

"I have had, no less than twenty three children by the emperor!" Upon this admission the Queen seemed to wither inwards ever so slightly. "None, are allowed to sit upon the throne!"

"Why is that?" It was Mihoshi's turn to suddenly ask. Everyone turned, Kiyone managed a mildly bemused expression in aftermath of the queens assault. Leave it to good 'ol Miho to cut strait to the chase! Blunt though she may be.

"None, I imagine could exhibit the holy power." Ayeka supplied softly. Glancing her way, Tenchi felt a pang noting a modicum of the anger had managed to slip from the furious mask Ayeka had worn. She now gazed at her step mother somberly.

"Yes..." Funaho answered quietly, seeming genuinely if mildly surprised.

"It was the only reason that makes sense." Ayeka helplessly shrugged, Answering the unasked question with the first trace of benignity Funaho's direction since this 'little excursion' into the unreal had begun.

"But Grandpa has the power!" Tenchi blurted. Not exactly 'following' the flow.

"My eldest son was conceived, different than all others." The queen again paused. "Upon the world of my birth." The bitterness to her tone softened only slightly at the renewed mention of her son. Funaho's eyes studied Tenchi speculatively a moment longer.

"And that, it would seem broaches another matter of business..." she added softly. "We will leave unattended for now."

Tenchi continued regarding her uncomprehendingly. Ayeka and Sasami were both Masaki's children by Emperor Azusa. He'd even learned the first princess had dyed her hair to its present ebony shade, mimicking Funaho's long ago in hopes of pleasing young prince Yosho.

Tenchi had also gathered from many conversation not to mention examples of behavior. The Jurians placed a high priority indeed upon the so called 'power'. If, for some reason the queen of Jurai were found incapable of producing 'viable' children in that respect...

His thoughts turned out wards again away from contemplating yet another piece of the current puzzle. Noting the Queen now regarding Ayeka.

"Since it appears both, my daughter and son have not deemed an explanation of our political structure a worthy endeavor," Funaho added briskly as Ayeka noticeably bristled."The task, it seems falls to me."

"While Jurai is indeed ruled by the Emperor, our empire is vast." The queen continued her oratory gravely. "Too vast to be governed effectively by the central monarchy alone. The moment to moment minutia, those decisions, required per capita have always been assigned to various local governments, comprised of families directly related to the royal line. Twelve recognized families rule the inner sphere of the Jurian Empire." She related.

"This is what we call the commonwealth. Each family in turn has a representative who answers directly to the Emperor. It is these twelve individuals which wear the name of the consulate."

Lady Funaho paused, speculatively, mildly surveying the faces of Tenchi's household. Almost as if expecting some question.

"During the prolonged crisis, which began with Ryoko's attack," She then resumed. "Azusa had to rely heavily upon the support of our people. For a time utter chaos reigned, and we came with in a small stone throw of falling as an empire!" The note of finality held no allotment for melodrama. It was clear she believed every word which she said. It was hard for Tenchi even now, not to ponder. He knew so little of Galactic or even local politics for that mater!

"It was therefore necessary to hide our weakness from those that sit watching from the darkness." Funaho continued. "In our galaxy there are so many that wait, like so many Terran vultures! And still so many more who depend upon Jurai! Who need our strength to protect them!"

The Queen paused, drawing a solemn breath.

"If we should crumble, these opportunists would burst forth! Raping and plundering, all the small worlds lacking the power to resist!" Funaho continued forcefully. "Earth is but one of hundreds of systems, simply too primitive to realize they are all as young squabs being eyed by a hoard of hungry tigers!"

The Queen seemed to shudder mildly, contemplating the horror of her own words.

"But less I digress," She resumed firmly."It was during this span, The Conciliate grew to believe ... that perhaps, The emperor was now too weak to rule decisively."

"And of course, they reasoned, since 'The Throne' lacked a legitimate successor." Funaho again paused looking at each of her listeners in turn. "They had grown confident enough ... that eventually they dared even put forth, that Azusa might be incapable of siring a suitable heir."

"I'm surprised that father would have tolerated such a treasonous act!" Ayeka interrupted, clearly astonished. Tenchi found he could only agree even given what little he knew of the Jurian emperor.

There was a general noise in the immediate area, issuing from the various Tanzuru present, an amused

wave of consensus. Even as Azaki crystallized the moment, emitting a derisive snort.

"He didn't." The elder knight added wryly.

"Yes." Funaho nodded mildly directing her response to Ayeka directly. "Your father thanked the august body of the Conciliate for their collective wisdom." She paused smiling tightly.

"By sending the heads of all twelve back to their respective homes."

"Thats barbaric!" Kiyone gaped. The horror on her face mirroring the look on both Tenchi's and Mihoshi.

"Consider it rather, as just compensation." Funaho supplied coolly. "For those who would dare tell the emperor that it was they, not he who would appoint an heir to the throne!"

Tenchi gulped, sounding loud in his own ears. The sweetness and sunshine image of her home world Ayeka and yes, even Sasami had often painted was receiving a splash of turpentine. Revealing a much grimmer reality.

Again, what did he really know about the Jurians and their politics? The histories of Earth ... Particularly Japan was a mosaic of blood horror and honor! It was so easy to Judge and perhaps miss-judge as well being a practical outsider as he was. Yet challenging the emperor in the fashion The queen related, if he could take Lady Funaho at her at word, would be tantamount to high treason!

"Mother?" Ayeka asked suddenly, seeming to have digested it all. "does the House of Camoe have anything to do with this?" Funaho turned, favoring her Daughter with the subtlest of smiles.

"You do your father justice." She told the princess smoothly.

"Who is the house of Cameo?" Tenchi asked, mildly befuddled by the sudden change in tone.

"You've met their representative Tenchi." Funaho blinked. Then regarded him mildly. "Or do you not remember who Mihoshi nearly drowned?"

"Seiryo?" Tenchi asked, still somewhat bewildered, though it required only a brief search of his memory to unearth the appropriate name.

"That 'pink' poodle cut sissy boy?" Mihoshi suddenly gasped.

Around the room and in the gallery above, the general quiet was disturbed by the attempt of various knights within earshot of Miho to contain their reaction. Even Azaka leaned forward subtly, actually biting the end of his battle staff to keep himself from laughing out loud. Funaho herself smirked wryly, clearly not in total disagreement.

"Well," Tenchi muttered. "He certainly was..." He looked over to where Ayeka was blankly staring holes in him. "Flamboyant." He finished.

"Flaming! is the word you're looking for Tenchi!" Mihoshi sniffed. Since the queen herself had drawn her in to this conversation, She didn't feel any pressing need to censor herself.

"Whoa!" Kiyone gasped astonished, looking wide-eyed at her partner. It was so rare to see her put forth an opinion like that!

"You didn't see him Key!" Miho grimaced, only slightly apologetic, towards her long time partner anyway.

"If Ayeka would have married him she'd have doubled her wardrobe!"

Kiyone just stared, trying to piece it together. This must have occurred sometime before her arrival on earth, several months after Mihoshi had been officially declared missing and she had dutifully begun her search.

"Let us rather," Funaho told them, attempting to dispel the wry smile inflicting her features. "Press on with the issue at hand."

"Tharry." Mihoshi lisped, totally deadpan. Extracting an involuntary snort from Tenchi, shaking his head unbelievingly while even Ayeka mildly tittered, blushing.

Key merely looked on, thinking that guy must have been something! Mihoshi never stooped to that kind of character assassination! This situation was, unreal!

"After the conciliate had delivered, their," Funaho paused even as she continued. Flashing the slightest of grimaces.

"Suggestion? As to the succession of throne. Viewing what both Masaki and I believed to be the beginnings of a coup, Azusa was obliged to declared marshal law. The inner sphere is now exclusively under control of the emperor and his armies."

"How long ago was this?" Tenchi wanted to know. The last time they had visited ... well, discounting the mild unpleasantness involving Seiryo. among other things. Things had seemed down right amiable!

"Less than three of your standard years." Funaho informed him gravely.

"My god Mother!" Ayeka whispered loudly. "The empire's on the brink of a civil war!"

"A vague earthly reference," Funaho smiled grimly. "But I see you are beginning to appreciate the gravity of the situation."

"My lady." Kiyone spoke up. "Forgive me, but what has any of this have to do with invading this house?" She shrugged as Funaho, noting her prescience ground teeth.

"It is our opinion," Funaho began slowly, now focusing directly at Kiyone. "That a union between Ayeka, who is recognized unequivocally, by all people of Jurai as the first princess of the blood, with someone who clearly commands Imperial levels of the holy power, will quiet this unrest."

The queen turned her gaze looking full into Tenchi's eyes.

"That someone, is you Tenchi Masaki."

No one spoke, what could be said? In light of what they had just heard? The quiet seemed to stretch on to infinity. Shattered finally not by any one's tongue but when the gong of the old grandfather clock Grandma Masaki had given Nobuyuki, ominously chimed eight times. As the dull echo of the last chime reverberated to a close. Ayeka now kneeling composed beside Tenchi drew a deep breath.

"I, understand Mother." She sighed, her voice seeming loud in the new silence. "And I hope you will forgive me my impertinence" The princess carefully added. "But what you suggest is quite impossible." She paused, taking a moment to smile at Tenchi.

"As I have already stated, Tenchi has chosen to marry Ryoko. And, we must accept their wisdom in this matter."

Still standing framed against the front entry halls doorway, Funaho listened attentively. The queens expression however was unreadable.

"I'm aware, as I have always been." Ayeka continued. "Of the responsibilities carried by my blood line! And I will of course honor them."

"How noble." Funaho told her cooly after another slight pause. "You're assuming of course, this is a matter of choice?"

"How could it be otherwise Mother?" Ayeka politely glared. "Father has made his feelings on the mater quite clear! He wanted nothing to do with Yosho or Tenchi!" Ayeka smiled tightly as her word visibly struck a cord. And the queen bristled.

"Even an Emperor must bow to reality." Funaho shot back, the coolness of her previous voice falling to arctic temperatures. "And errant princesses as well!" She added. The Queen then drew herself up returning Ayeka's glare.