Moments earlier.
The metal station drifted alone between the contested territories, a quiet metallic island suspended in the void. Its hull bore no flags, no insignia, no proud markings of allegiance. Only a thin ring of lights traced its circumference, dim and pale against the vast darkness of space.
Wein's shuttle glided into the docking, two vessels already docked. One Voss the other from Ulix.
Through the viewport he could see the station interior, old unmaintained corridors, faint lighting and still silhouettes of guards already positioned all over. They were not there for war but to ensure the safety of their lords.
Their weapons remained holstered, yet the tension in the air made it clear that they were not friendly with one another.
Wein stepped out first, his boots struck the metal floor with soft measured echoes. This time he was not overly formal but still appropriate enough for such an occasion.
Wein entered the hall, following him behind was the Prime Minister Vern and Alexandria Velis and a few guards.
The corridor ahead stretched long and at the end was a table, he would wait for Simon.
Moments later, he heard Ulix arrive and their craft enter the room. From the moment Wein saw Simon he was alerted. He could feel something, something he did not feel during the gathering nor the meeting with Kell and Untra.
"…My name is Simon Ulix" Simon said stretching his hand to Wein.
Before long Wein found himself reaching to reciprocate.
"The pleasure is all mi…"
Before he could he felt an attack, psychic attack. This was the first time he had experienced something like this. As part of preparation Neilson had written down things such as these so that Wein might be prepared when he went up against nobles.
Wein's instinct reacted before his thoughts did. His Divine Core pulsed within him as blood rushed faster through his veins, his senses going off. He could hear his own heart pounding as Simon pressed against his mind.
Thankfully, it was not forceful, controlled as if probing him, to see how he would react.
In this, Wein was reminded about the notes Neilson had compiled for him.
"When facing another noble, they will assess you. Never panic"
He steadied his breathing, calmed his heart, and entered his mental space. He stood there now with a barren land staring at the endless sea of mist. But from deep within, he could make out a figure, he was certain it was Simon.
He did not confront him but the pressure lessened slightly.
Simon's eyes narrowed after this. He released his hand and stepped back, impressed that Wein, though common born, had come this far. For a moment they simply stared at each other before Simon spoke up again.
"This is my daughter Andrea Ulix."
The woman behind him, attractive and polite gave a slight curtsy which Wein received with a slight nod.
Simon gestured toward the table.
"Right then, Baron, shall we begin?"
Wein nodded.
The two delegates moved toward the table in silence.
The metal chairs scraped against the floor as everyone took their seats. Prime Minister Vern positioned himself on Wein's right, while Alexandria stood slightly behind him, her sharp eyes observing every member of Ulix.
Across from them Simon sat at the centre, his daughter took a seat beside him while several Ulix officers remained standing behind their leader.
"I must commend you," Simon spoke first. "You were rather exceptional in this war."
Wein was silent, then answered.
"The one who commanded was not me, I only delegated."
"Even so, you took over…"
"Let's cut the chatter Lord Ulix, you called for a ceasefire, state the terms and let's get moving."
The room fell silent.
Several Ulix officers stiffened at Wein's bluntness but Simon did not react with anger. Instead a faint smile appeared on his face.
He leaned back slightly in his chair and folded his hands.
"Very well," he said calmly. "Then I will speak plainly."
He gestured for an officer to place a small device in front of the table and lit it up. From it a map projected showing the planet Ulix-Ultra with the occupied composition of House Voss and House Ulix.
Simon pointed at the planet.
"You currently hold control over the eastern continent and east coastal territories of the mainland," he said. "Those regions will be handed over to House Voss."
The room remained silent.
"In exchange," he continued, "We stop this war and govern over Ulix together. What do you think?"
Wein studied the projection for a moment. The offer was reasonable, the goal of the war was to take Ulix-Ultra at best and drive Ulix out of Salven. That would nip Ulix's strength and hinder them from causing more trouble for Voss.
But that meant a war with casualties that would cost Voss a lot, at the current moment Voss under Velis had incurred a lot of losses but they were under a bearable margin with funds that were sufficient.
The deal was the better call, but even Wein knew it was not time to accept yet. So Vern spoke up.
"The reason Voss began this war was because of Ulix years long attempt to destabilise it. You ceding your lands does not ease this worry."
This caught the attention of the delegates, and Simon most of all. Though he forced a smile, everyone present could see the disgust in his eyes at the thought that a commoner like Vern, however high-ranking, dared to speak up against him.
"This war has drained both sides. The manpower lost is enough to weaken our houses in front of the empire, bear in mind that they are watching."
He continued as if he did not hear Vern.
"My Prime Minister is correct. House Ulix has spent years undermining Voss and even went so far as to attack when we were at our weakest. We did not start the war just to claim Ulix-Ultra but to put an end to Ulix threat to my House."
Wein spoke as clearly as he could, and this time Simon could not pretend not to hear it.
"I hear you, I offer my apologies in that regard. Our houses have been enemies with Voss for years stretching back centuries. I was only driven by my ancestors' vengeance and did not really intend to go this far."
Simon replied, his voice as sly and sympathetic as he could.
"Voss was always a stronger house than us and the best way to attack was through that. Again I apologise." He continued. "So then, to cement our honesty and commitment in this ceasefire.."
Simon paused slightly before finishing his sentence.
"… a gesture that will show our commitment to this peace."
His hand moved slightly toward Andrea.
"My daughter will accompany your delegation back to Voss territory and remain there at your authority."
The room went silent. Even the Ulix officers behind shifted slightly at the words, though none dared interrupt.
Andrea herself remained composed, her posture straight, her expression calm. It was clear she was not surprised at the words her father had uttered, as if she knew her role.
Simon continued before anyone could misinterpret his meaning.
"She will be a connector to our two houses and help bolster meaningful connections that will help us govern Ulix-Ultra more easily."
Wein felt his stomach churn. He more than anyone could tell the meaning of this, Simon was using his daughter as a tool to stop the war. Of course he understood the meaning of this and the risk involved.
Andrea would act as diplomatic bridge between the two houses but also as a guarantee, the most important. With her Voss would have no reason to doubt Ulix and if they protested taking her, they would have no grounds to continue the war.
A guarantee meant this: if Ulix betrayed the agreement, their own blood would be in Voss's hands. And even if Ulix was greedy with no love for his children, a noble born was still born of a noble and that held its own power.
Wein remained quiet until Vern whispered in his ear and he nodded.
"Very well."
The words settled heavy over the table.
Simon studied Wein for a moment before slowly nodding only glad he solved this before he lost more land than he could handle.
"Then it's settled."
He rose from his seat.
"I'll draft the agreement and send it over with my daughter… You know, you are a smart man, Lord Wein."
Andrea stood up and gave a curtsy once more. "I'll see you again my lord."
Simon left followed by his delegates and daughter who never spoke a word, simply looking submissive.
"I'll await your arrival miss Ulix," Wein said as they walked away.
Andrea turned back just enough for her eyes to meet Wein's, he sensed something in her eyes. Something he could not explain but he could feel like there was more than meets the eye with that woman.
"That lord is rude, treating me like I'm invisible" commented Vern when they were out of earshot.
Wein smiled after hearing that, he noticed that too.
"How do you deal with that?"
"Occupational hazard" Vern replied. "You did well lord, this success will boost your fame throughout the empire and cement your capabilities. No one will look down on you anymore."
Wein exhaled as if in relief too.
"I hope so."