“Oh. Will this testing be in the Palace workshops or at the Kaede Corporation building?” Emi asked.
“All my magical research is done in partnership with the Lilith Foundation, and at their building in East Gate, north of the airport,” Kaede said.
Emi pondered, then asked, “What did you mean the more we make?”
Toshiko replied, “Besides receiving a salary, you get a silver coin from the sale of each product you worked on, for as long as you live.”
“Well that is interesting, there are millions of covens on every world,” Emi said.
“Is that a yes?” Kaede asked.
“It sounds good, but it doesn’t sound like a big project,” Emi said.
“Once you complete a project, we decide which one you will work on next based on your magical skills, so the more you learn, the more you could earn,” Kaede said.
“What about Nori?”
“Oh right, well first Nori needs to be given a security review by the Inquisition.”
“Why does Nori need a security review?” a puzzled Emi asked.
“So, she can work as your assistant, apprentice, and product tester. It is to her advantage. The Navy would accept her into many specialist positions,” Kaede said.
“Still, I don’t know,” Emi said.
“I will be able to tell Nori anything,” Kaede said.
“Can I prepare her for the interview?” Emi asked.
“Yes,” Kaede replied.
Unsure, Emi asked Kaede, “Do you need me?”
“I know you would rather be a knight, but research pays more, and once it is over, you will be back,” Toshiko said.
“Mum, take it,” Nori said.
“Yes,” Emi said, “I shall take the job.”
“Kaede, it is time for you two to go to bed,” Toshiko said.
“Yes, come, Nori,” Kaede said.
“I forgot, Nori needs to swim laps every morning and afternoon. Your Imperial Highness, if you want to learn how to dive, you will need to do at least eight laps every day as well,” Emi said.
“Sure,” Kaede said.
“Mum?” Nori asked.
“Just because you’re a guest at the Palace doesn’t mean you stop training,” Emi replied, then said to Kaede, “If you don’t mind, I rather not drop Nori at the pool every week, can I bring her before and after school?”
“Sure, Lady Toshiko will grant Nori access to the Palace kitchen, and to my workshop, gym, pool, dojo, and training centre,” Kaede said.
“Thank you, Kaede,” Emi said with a smile.
Kaede tapped Nori and said, “Tag you’re it,” and raced to the elevator.
“Go,” Emi said.
While Nori raced after Kaede, Emi turned to Toshiko, and asked, “Did my father pressure the Prince to hire me?”
“Your father has nothing to do with it,” Toshiko replied. “I was the one who recommended you.”
“Is the Mana Bracelet a real project? It sounds like something Kaede just made up to make Nori think I am more important than I am.”
“It is real, and I will not lie. It is a low priority project that has been sitting on the shelf for a while. It is one of many projects we need to staff. I am sure many will amaze you, but you cannot work on every project.”
“Magical research sounds short term.”
“It is, but you will be a rich woman.”
“If I wanted to be rich, I take a management job with my father.”
“I know. But you are a talented witch. You have a wealth of knowledge that we are happy to compensate you for.”
“Thank you,” Emi said. “I hate to be ungrateful, but if I wasn’t the daughter of Grand Admiral Niemi, would you still have hired me?”
“Yes, there are only a few Witches with your skill set,” Toshiko replied, “But even without magic, you have experience as a racing driver, a deep-sea diver, powerboat operator, and a pilot. That makes you valuable to Kaede, and he will pay you what you are worth to train him.”
“I also spent a year horse riding, I am an aquatic dance instructor, and don’t tell my father, but in college, I was an exotic dancer.”
“Yes, I read your confession. I heard of torture training, but it sounds extreme.”
“I met Shinji when I was training in martial arts. He liked to beat me. He got to like hitting me, and I loved it. We both trained with a former member of the Naval Special Forces. They push themselves to the breaking point every day to stay strong. If I could, I would get into bar fights, but I will not break the Knights code of conduct. So please do not let my father know they only thing I like about Shinji is fighting with him and Nori.”
“Viktor will not learn it from me.”
“Thank you. My father still thinks I am a helpless victim, and I like to keep exploiting that.”
“Eventually it will get out of control.”
“I know. But I will divorce Shinji as soon as Nori is eighteen.”
“Good. Until then, keep your comms on an open channel around him and make sure each day you know that day’s distress code word.”
“Do you know why my father had me bring my son to Kaede?”
Toshiko shook her head and said, “I am sorry, but Admiral Niemi did not ask us. I asked him to introduce Nori to Kaede.”
“You know Nori is different?”
“Yes, but you know Kaede is different.”
Concerned, Emi said, “Kaede appears to like Nori, but I am worried that he is faking to make my father happy.”
“Kaede told me when he took Nori on a tour of his collections and wasn’t interested in his wealth. But that wasn’t what impressed Kaede. It was Nori being upset that Kaede had so many cool toys and no one to play with. The girls try, but they don’t like his collection of toy soldiers or watching anime.”
Emi smiled and said, “If Nori was an ordinary child, what would you do?”
“Few holders of Omega security have a son his age. If Kaede did not like Nori, I would search the care homes to find a púca who is passive, quiet and can keep a secret.”
“What about me? I am not passive.”
“As for you, I need someone to teach Kaede how to swim, scuba dive, drive, fly, keep a secret, and who can take a punch. But there is something you need to know first.”
“Oh?”
“I have been training Kaede twice a day inside a pocket of time, but I cannot always be there to help him train.”
“Will you create the pocket?”
“I will give Kaede a device. But do not worry; you will be de-aged. But keep this between us.”
“What about Czar Petrov?”
“Patya wants someone to take down Takahiro, but without crashing the economy. I will keep him from asking too many questions. But Kaede is our only hope.”
“What about Hiro?”
“Hiro is too honest. When he learnt some of his father’s mistakes were deliberate, he wanted us to arrest the Emperor, regardless of the damage it would do. Not just to the family, but the Empire.”
“How bad?”
“Every Senator and Lord conspired to drive up the price of oil, withheld technology from the people, and abuse research as a means to buy silence.”
“Thank you for your honesty.”
Toshiko smiled and said, “No need for thanks. You’re one of us.”
Chapter 16
Sora and Akiko sat in the waiting room outside the offices on the top floor of the tower. Masako came in and said, “Hello, girls.”
Sora and Akiko stood.
“Did we do something wrong?” Sora asked.
“I took the fish from the kitchens and fed it to a cat sith. Sora had nothing to do with it,” Akiko said.
Masako opened the door to an office beside the Emperor’s and ushered the girl’s inside.
“We know you girls feed the cat sith, but that is not why you are here. However, in the future, I ask that you feed it fish scraps,” Masako said, sitting behind the desk, while Sora and Akiko sat oppos
ite her.
“Why are we in the Emperor’s office?” Sora asked.
“One day this will be the office of the Empress, but for now it is my office,” Masako said.
“Why was there no Empress?” Akiko asked.
Sora kicked Akiko.
“Hey!” Akiko said as she punched Sora.
“Enough,” Masako said in a loud voice as she stood. Sora and Akiko sat up and looked at her. Masako smiled and clasped her hands. She said in a calm voice, “Kaede has hired me to teach you to be ladies, and to strut like models.”
“Why?” Sora asked.
“Kaede would like the both of you to model clothing for him,” Masako said.
Confused, Sora asked, “Us?”
Excited, Akiko asked, “What kind of model?”
“You will appear in Kaede’s product catalogue,” Masako replied.
“When did he start a fashion house?” Sora asked.
“Kaede is starting with shoes and to grow his fashion range he will assist you and the other girls with your labels,” Masako replied.
“What will we model?” Akiko asked.
“Until you are adults, just shoes, hats, dresses, playsuits, and an assortment of accessories,” Masako replied.
“How much will we be paid?” Sora asked.
“You will be paid a thousand a week, plus a share of total sales of the clothing you model, but only for the month you appear in the Kaede catalogue,” Masako replied.
“Can we wear makeup?” Akiko asked.
“Yes, but only when I say you can,” Masako replied.
“Why doesn’t Kaede ask us?” Sora asked.
“Kaede is busy, and he has asked me to oversee your modelling career until you’re eighteen,” Masako replied, “Then you are free to choose someone else to be your agent.”
Sora leant forward and asked, “What happens when we turn eighteen?”
“You will have control of your money, and if you want to marry Kaede, you need to enrol as Knights,” Masako replied.
“Must we?” Sora asked.
“If you wish to marry Kaede, you need to earn a title,” Masako replied.
“What about modelling and football?” Akiko asked.
“Relax. Knights are different from other services. You can work part-time,” Masako said.
“Is that why they are all female?” Sora asked.
“There have been male knights in the past. Currently, there are none,” Masako replied.
“Is Kaede going to be a knight?” Sora asked.
“I assume that he will join the Navy,” Masako replied. “You two are to focus on and prepare for the day Kaede turns eighteen.”
“Just us?” Sora asked.
Akiko gasped. “What’s wrong with Izanami?”
“Well, I thought Mako and Miko had a better chance than us,” Sora said.
“It is clear to everyone you are in charge, and that Akiko is your assistant,” Masako said, “I will prepare you to be Empress. I warn you it will not be easy to be the wife of the most powerful elf; He will have to give many people his attention, and you will spend a long time alone.”
“I will do my best,” Sora said.
“Me too,” Akiko said.
“We shall start with how you walk, how you talk, the proper way to wear a kimono. You will learn flower arranging, music, and how to cook Kaede’s favourite meals. I will teach you how to apply makeup, give interviews, and help you graduate. You will study for a degree in business, and I will tutor you,” Masako said.
“Business?” Sora asked.
“Yes, you cannot play football forever, and if you want to be an Empress, you need to walk, talk, and act like one. If you are not useful to Kaede and the Hashimoto Clan, then like me, one day your contract will not be renewed, and security will show you the exit in the middle of the night,” Masako replied.
“What do you mean?” Akiko asked.
“I work for Kaede now, I was lucky, many were not, the Emperor is not as generous with his employees as Kaede is,” a sad Masako replied.
“Miss, are you all right?” Sora asked.
“Please, call me Masako,” Masako replied.
Akiko looked around the room. She found tissues on the bathroom shelf and brought them to the Dwarf. Masako had been crying, and up-close Akiko could smell the alcohol on her breath. Masako blew her nose and wiped her eyes, she quietly thanked Akiko.
“We are already busy,” Sora remarked. “When do we have time to study and train?”
“You will only have one football game a week and three training sessions. A car will take you. City teams have no away games. You will study during the week and train as Knights on the weekend. As Knights are required to have a degree and to study magic, it is a long training process that will continue well after you are eighteen.”
“Lady Masako, when do Sora and I get to be Kaede’s girlfriend?” Akiko asked.
“Akiko!” Sora exclaimed.
“It is all right, Sora. Too many people imagine Kaede to be a cute boy, so you have to wait until he is eighteen,” Masako said.
“Why?” Akiko asked.
“Akiko, Kaede is younger than us,” Sora said.
“Yes,” Masako said. “Now, you know many boys will not fully develop?”
“Yes, we learnt in health class that we are all born female,” Sora replied.
“Well, boys only look female, and they grow their male parts out of their female part,” Masako said, “But Kaede is special.”
“Special?” Sora asked.
“Because Kaede will be Emperor?” Akiko asked.
“No,” Masako replied as she rolled her eyes. “Haven’t you noticed yet?”
“What?” Sora asked.
“Kaede has already begun puberty,” Masako replied.
Sora giggled.
“Oh!” Akiko exclaimed.
“We all know Kaede wants to be Emperor. I think even Grandfather knows, but he has been on the throne forever and it the Lord’s take their business elsewhere, Kaede will not last long as Emperor,” Sora said.
“But everyone loves Kaede,” Akiko said.
“Girls, Kaede will take over the company and become head of the clan. Once out of debt, he will be the richest elf in the Empire, Kaede will be Emperor of the Elves and hopefully Emperor of the East,” Masako said, “Which is key to him holding the throne. Key to that is Kenta’s support, which Mako and Miko will ensure.”
“When will he be Emperor?” Sora asked.
“I assume when Kaede is eighteen,” Masako replied. “Which means he will replace his father as the clan’s maker. Not that Hiro has been well received or in demand.”
“Maker?” Akiko asked.
“You didn’t learn about makers in health class?” Masako asked.
Sora rolled her eyes and said, “Oh, Akiko, she means baby maker.”
“Is that where females from the clan have him donate his you know what to them?” Akiko asked.
“Well, in this clan the maker can request to be first, and do it with them, and as often as they want, but as Emperor, he has the right to be first with any female,” Masako said, “Which means whoever is Empress has the potential to be very powerful, which is why Takahiro never married.”
“Why?” Sora asked.
“The Empress is his prime,” Masako replied.
“I don’t get it,” Akiko replied.
“Oh?” Sora asked, “The Empress has power as his prime to approve whom he is with and for how long.”
“Yes. We will discuss it later. But if you want to be Empress, you must never be jealous,” Masako said.
“Oh. That is easy, I love Akiko, I like Mako and Miko, and I can tolerate him with Izanami,” Sora replied.
“It will not be that easy,” Masako said.
“Oh?” Sora asked.
“Girls, as ladies, you will learn not to discuss adult things until you are an adult. When you’re an adult, you only discuss adult things with delicacy, maturity and discree
tly from behind a fan,” Masako said.
“Yes, Masako,” Sora replied.
“I will give you both a chance to unlearn all the nasty things girls learn in school and teach you how to be mature ladies, even when punching an opponent on the field,” Masako said as she swung a punch.
“What do you mean?” Akiko asked.
“Football is the number one sport, that is how we will build your popularity. You will balance study, modelling, football, and time with Kaede. I will turn you into ladies, and Toshiko will turn you into warriors. Which means when you are on the football field, you will play the hardest and dirtiest. When off the field, you will be polite, ladies with soft voices,” Masako replied. “But when you marry, you will make and raise púca. Do not expect to have a long sporting career. Empress spends her time as the Emperor’s eyes and ears in court.”
“Are we in competition with Mako and Miko?” Sora asked.
“No,” Masako replied. “Mako and Miko do not want it, as they compete against each other aggressively. Of the three remaining girls, Sora is the most popular.”
“What about Izanami?” Akiko asked.
“Izanami is the prettiest and is a great dancer, she is more popular than Sora in the Elves under fifty, but the majority of Elves are over fifty, and most of them think she is ill-suited for any high office,” Masako replied.
“Really?” Sora asked, “She is prettier than me.”
“Izanami is not diplomatic. Imagine what would happen if she stomped her foot and yelled ‘what did you say’ at someone like the Ogre Ambassador?” Masako asked in reply. Then added, “Except for Izanami, Akiko and the other girls follow you. We will make you his Empress and Akiko your trusted operative. As for Izanami, she will be the chief courtesan.”
“Courtesan?” Akiko asked.
“An attendee of the court whose job it is to, well, give the Emperor pleasure,” Masako replied.
Sora and Akiko nodded to each other.
Chapter 17
August 20, 11,573. The rim of Alcyone Proxima.
On the outer rim of Alcyone Proxima, a dapple-grey ship closed the distance on an identical starship. At 90 metres long, each vessel was not much bigger than a small cruise ship. Each had a thin hull with a long, curved bow that had a blunt end. Over the sub-light engines was a square heat exchanger covered by many small fins.
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