Oleg walked towards us with his legs dragging. He spoke through gritted teeth, "It's late. We need to rest unless you want to go practice fighting." I got up carefully, "Fight practice" he took me with him. I asked him if he was angry. He was calm. He was sensing my emotions. I had no desire other than to convince him to move on. The guy was in trouble. I was happy. Roland was practicing his fighting style. It looked like he was trying to be the Conquistador. He faced me, "I don't need to be the Conquistador. I am the Conquistador." Everyone booed him as they threw the towels at him. He tried to defend himself. I turned around to go change. I saw Aragón and he asked me, "Who is this Conquistador?" I blushed, "A story I made up as a child" he raised an eyebrow.
I decided to drop all pleasantries so I can beat Roland. First I had to show him what I meant by cat like agility and flair. He watched all of it with an amused expression. Then I defeated him. Oleg was bored so I sighed. He sat down and watched me do spin kicks. Flying kicks and saber practice. Then I sat down to play the violin. The tune I chose had a dark tone to it. Then I did contortionist moves. The others began their practices. I was bored so I used the ropes to do aerial ballerina. I did twirls and other moves I don't know the names of. Then finally Oleg raised his hand to say he had enough. He extended his hand and I fell in. He nudged his head on mine as he carried me upstairs. I quickly cleaned up and went out to get a bottle of blood. I got in the ship and found one in the chiller.
I had some and walked out to see a few unruly people. They were making rude comments as I made my way back to the palace. The Baron was by the door. The men froze as they saw him. He was very still. Disturbingly still. I walked passed him and he slammed the door shut. I heard screams. At breakfast he asked Søren for my hand in marriage. He was told that he can't annul the marriage. He made it clear he loved me. He has never known the feeling before. Søren politely asked him to bow out. I have chosen my husband so he can't divorce me without causing discord amongst his nation. Kae grimaced, "World war one if he ever did it" Everyone silently agreed I happily ate everything and it was time to enjoy the festivities. Oleg and I went to explore the colorful people who had made camp inside the castle. Aragón came and challenged Oleg to a duel. If he wins he get me. I shook my head. To my dismay Oleg said yes. I had the strong urge to slap him.
Roland was the first to yell at him. The others got in line. Aragón got ready he wore a purple tight pants with lines here and there. He wore a shirt with frills on it. The top buttons were undone. A lion tattoo was barely visible. He wore a mask with only his ice blue eyes visible. Both were given the rules. They must walk ten paces and turn around. They will fight until one of them is fatally injured or killed. Oleg allowed Aragón one swipe. He got to see his injuries. He was surprised. Oleg asked nicely, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Aragón jumped and stabbed Oleg in the heart. He muttered, "Of course" Oleg tilted his head as he pulled out the sword. The injury healed. Aragón was getting tired but Oleg wasn't wasting energy. He was patient as Aragón got closer. Finally Oleg stabbed him fatally. The fight was over and I kicked him.
Aragón recovered a week later. He came to see me. He asked what possessed me to kick my husband. I explained, "He was behaving like a child. I told him he didn't need to show off. But he didn't listen. I felt a kick would suffice. Apparently it was exactly what the doctor ordered. He promised not to do it again" he chuckled. I wished him a speedy recovery. I hope he finds someone worth spending his life with. He nod his head as I walked out. I was careful as I navigated the castle. I am confused. Some people here call it a castle and others call it a palace. Let's see what this place really is. They have a moat. So it is a castle. It has sentries on guard. A castle is built like a fort. But a palace is built as a status symbol. So castle it is. The Baron's mother was eyeing me. Søren asked me to avoid her. I had to face her since my husband and her son fought. The others agreed. I met her and she asked me why I didn't accept her son's proposal.
I explained, "I am married" she retorted, "You will be a baroness." I grinned, "I am one of three who rules Nocny. You have one planet. I rule five system when I am empress." She stared for a second, "It was you wearing the mask." I nod my head. She blinked, "Why are you dressed so humbly? Your dress should be regal. It is unbecoming of you" I blushed, "I like to be inconspicuous. There have been many attempts on my life." She simply wouldn't have it. I had to wear royal robes. Serena had them pulled out of the closet. I wore a emerald green robe with yellow belt and yellow coat. My wardrobe arrived a day later. I had to sit in high table. It was very awkward. I promised not to go with Søren on his travels since I might get in trouble. There is a reason I travel and have fun while Søren rules. I watchout for trouble that I can solve when I am empress.
The trip was over and I took a different ship home. Zen and Zaid came to go with him. I went home and discovered my daughter was now a vampire. I was shocked but she didn't regret it. She was learning how to operate with heightened senses. I linked with her and she was greeted by the others. There were those who preferred privacy. I respected that. I was told to have fun and stay out of trouble. The first stop was the house on top the cliff on the beach side house. It was a house carved from the cliff itself. The stairs that reaches the waves. The platform for the ship. We went inside to recuperate. I was able to have a second of peace. Søren called to know if I was going to Nocny. I told him I will go once I recover from the embarrassment. He asked me to go there in a week's time. I agreed to do so.
The seas were rough so we chose to stay indoors and played darts, pool, chess and carom. We played cards and I noticed the walls were painted with mute lilac. With streaks of iron gray to imitate marble. The floor was carved with different designs. I promised to stay away from Søren till it was my turn to rule. Søren asked me to come next week regardless. He knows I mean well. I have the right to be me. He needs my help since my presence has been calming. I told him to apologize to wolves and asked them not to be afraid of persecution as they explain their problems. The wolves explained they did just that and he is being stubborn. Cain was frowning. I told him to stop growing wrinkles. The others started laughing. I told him I will take a seat in the council and they can explain their problems to me. This was slashed faster than the speed of light.
I was told I can't be a member of council till Julian accepts office. Bane retorted, "If he ever gets to be emperor" the others grunted. I asked them what was going on. They explained their payment arrived a day later. I spend the rest of the day working with the bank to install the instant pay system. So every month the computer will automatically send the money. Their next grievances was they didn't get the tools to repair ships. Søren had them sent within the hour. The last was getting a day off. I recommended a day every week and on holidays. Søren decided they get days off on the holidays and once every two weeks. I reminded him of the weekends. He allowed a half day on weekends. I accepted it and the others agreed and it was legalized. The council told me take a break and that I can stay here instead of coming to the capital.
I asked Søren why he insist I come over. He was asked to send men and women for peacekeeping. I reminded him that as immortals we are not allowed to join it. I also asked him not to disable my family. He wasn't aware of the immortal rule. I showed him and he handled the rest. I was told to take a well deserved break. I walked into see some of the walls were still unpainted so I called the paint shop for a select colors. I requested peacock blue, teal, fuchsia, plum, antique gold, forest green, olive green, royal purple, pearl luster, black and burnt orange. I began painting the day it showed up. The walls on the first room was painted with forest green. The drapes had two layers. The first was see through fabric which was olive green it was overlapped by a heavier midnight green drapes. The furniture was painted olive green. The next room was painted black with plum flecks here and there. The next room was peacock blue and pearl luster.
The rooms were painted as the furniture was moved. The werewolves still felt like outsiders. I did my best to mediate. They appreciated it. The vampires were more open minded than I expected. They didn't like the treat people like second class citizens. Both sides would come visit my house and we would settle everything. I would get requests from Søren to stop these meetings. The council on the other hand were appreciative. They told him that he is doing a terrible job. I am just picking up the slack. He had no right to be so ungrateful. He had to apologize as he made a committee to handle it. Oleg predicted trouble. I grinned, "They are your people Søren. If they have any kind of issues they should be able to talk to you directly. That is the law. You can't create committees to outsource your job." Søren finally caved and he agreed to meet them. I was allowed to meet my family as much as possible. I send out an open invitation for a sleepover.