Shitaki showed Axiom around the spaceship, from the crew quarters to the flight deck. "My lord, would you like to come back with us and take what is rightfully yours?"
Axiom thought for a moment before putting out a hand. "Later. I have a subordinate down on Earth."
Shitaki looked surprised. He had gotten a subordinate trustworthy enough to consider bringing them? He truly was Cold's son — a natural-born ruler. "Yes, of course, my lord."
Axiom thought for a moment, not seeing why he should go down himself. "Land on Earth. I'll deal with any trouble."
Shitaki wanted to protest, but he had to believe in his lord. He needed to prove himself as a valuable subordinate. "Yes, my lord!" He immediately ran to the flight deck, piloting the spaceship to a remote part of Earth.
__
The spaceship landed in a rocky wasteland, nothing but stone as far as the eye could see.
The door of the spaceship opened, and Axiom flew out toward Kukki's signature, landing next to a bakery before entering.
Axiom looked around at all of the sweets on display before looking over the counter and seeing Kukki working. He had always thought that this job was below her, but Kukki hadn't cared — this was her livelihood.
"Kukki."
Kukki looked over at Axiom, confused as to what he would want. "Yes?"
"I am the heir of a galctic epire, so I'll be leaving this planet, and if you so choose, I'll take you with me." In reality, Axiom wanted her to accept. He didn't know what dishes existed in space, and he'd be damned if he didn't like them.
Kukki's eyes nearly popped out of her head in surprise. Axiom was a prince?! She couldn't have guessed. But it made some things about him make sense, such as his commanding tone when he grew frustrated. And maybe this could finally get her a stable and respectable job — one where she could truly use her talent.
"Could I finish my shift—" She stopped. There were no customers. Maybe running off would be fine. "Oh, what the hell. I'll come."
She hopped over the counter. During the past few months, she had gradually picked up how to use ki — not enough to fly, but enough for her physical abilities to surpass normal humans.
Axiom caught her and left the building, flying off before any of Kukki's coworkers could chase after her.
__
Landing next to the spaceship, he set Kukki down before walking into the ship, confusing the aliens inside, who wondered why he had brought this human. She didn't seem particularly useful.
Axiom, seeing their confusion, introduced Kukki. "This is Kukki, the best chef whose food I have had the pleasure of tasting."
The aliens nodded, their curiosity satisfied. Of course — a chef. What else would Cold's kin bring to an uncertain destination?
Wasting no time, Shitaki piloted the spaceship and flew off, their destination being the organization's system headquarters. In the meantime, he informed the rest of the scattered Planet Trade Organization of King Cold's progeny.
__
It had been a month of nonstop travel. The aliens had fallen in love with Kukki's cooking. Even though she was unfamiliar with many of the ingredients, she still made meals far better than anything they had tasted before.
Axiom grew incredibly bored on the ship, refining his ki control until he couldn't refine it any further. He kept his ki from escaping his body entirely, making himself far more energized as his form became as efficient as possible. But this only served to make further refinement impossible, removing his one source of stimulation.
Axiom approached Shitaki, impatient. "May I ask how long until we arrive at our destination?"
Shitaki looked up at Axiom, having already figured out that he hated people taking too long to answer. "Two days, sire."
Axiom nodded. He could wait two days. Two days were easy.
__
Two days later.
Axiom stared at the solar system the ship was headed toward. It looked less like a solar system and more like a giant planet made of metal. "It's a nice sight," Axiom said to Shitaki, who was piloting the ship. Shitaki simply nodded.
Axiom looked at Shitaki. "How does my image hold up as a ruler?"
Shitaki looked at him for a moment before opening his mouth. "You are perfect for the position, but if I may... King Cold's family has a naming tradition that your name doesn't exactly fit into, so that may cause a problem."
Shitaki started sweating halfway through his words, unsure if Axiom would tolerate such criticism.
Axiom thought about it. "Call me Tundra, then, and tell the rest of the crew to do the same."
Axiom snapped his fingers, using ki to enhance the sound. Soon, a tiny attendant ran over. "What would you like, sire?"
"I would like a glass of water."
The tiny attendant ran off to fetch it, reappearing a few minutes later with a glass of water on a tray, holding it above her head so Axiom could comfortably take it.
Axiom grabbed the glass. "Thank you. That is all, Cherry."
The attendant nodded, waiting for Axiom to finish the glass.
Axiom gulped the water down and cleared his throat, making sure his voice was ready, before placing the glass back onto the tray. He watched Cherry scurry off with a smile, amused.
The time was coming for the coronation of an emperor.