“Thank you, Regalia,” Sasha regained some of her composure.
Trent opened his eyes, red from unshed tears. “It was the start of it all, I...I couldn't understand. Why would they do this? Why would they hurt me? So I isolated myself from...from everyone...everything...and assumed everyone to be bad...evil...hearts corrupt. But Sasha saved me, she gave me her warmth...” he smiled caringly down at the still crying Sasha, her head buried in his chest, kissing her tenderly, lovingly.
Tiana found something odd about his words. “But you didn't meet Sasha until a few months ago. How could she have saved you?” Tiana asked carefully and Trent, to everyone's surprise, smiled wide. He tapped his temple before raising Sasha's chin and kissing her gently on the lips. Sasha forced back her tears before burying her face back into his chest.
“Because now...now my memory is of Sasha freeing me from my bonds, providing me her warmth...during the time I gave up hope...hope in myself...hope in humanity...hope for a happy a future...” Trent trailed off as Vickie stood, joining Regalia at the feet of the two. But Tiana couldn't join them, something still didn't make sense.
“Even so...she wasn't there and you know it. So how could a memory that you know is a lie grant you peace?” she accused, finding herself angry. Angry that Trent was closer to Sasha than her, that Sasha could enter his mind and place herself into his past, into their past. Sasha seemed to sense her change in mood and glanced up at Trent, who nodded, before turning back to Tiana.
“Since I was there, Tiana...it is not a lie. The times may not coincide, but I came for him. I could have left him, just watched the scene unfolding in his mind. But I chose not to...to intervene and provide him with a new memory, to go along with the old. But let him know I am there for him...no matter if it's the past, present or......or future.” Sasha's gentle, soothing response made her feel childish. Of course Trent and Sasha getting closer didn't mean she would forget her past with her, Tiana realized.
Trembling, she stood and joined the other ladies, diving into Sasha's open arms. “Oh, Sasha, I'm so sorry!” she cried as felt many arms engulf her.
“I never knew,” Yukie whispered, her words vacant of emotion.
“It's ok, Yukie...my past may be full of demons, but my present and future are full of hope...thanks to Sasha, thanks to her ladies and...and thanks to you.” Trent's words echoed through her mind.
Who was this strange man that had invaded all their lives, making every moment more interesting then the last?
“But...but...but, Trent!” Yukie rushed across the sitting room and joined the group hug, tears flowing freely. “I'm sorry, Trent. I just...just want to know everything about you and Sasha!” Yukie cried. Tiana could see Trent's free hand stroking the young girls flowing silver and gold locks, who wept with her head buried next to Sasha's and Tiana's.
“Trent...you know we are all there for you...no matter what happened in your past,” Regalia explained quietly, her words muffled, barely audible, as she inched her way into the mass of bodies.
“Thank you, Regalia,” Trent responded with genuine kindness, kissing her curly blond locks.
Peaceful silence filled the air, only broken by the squeaks of the content catillians who'd snuggled into the center of the group embrace.
“This is my type of hug. I just wish we were all naked and Sasha wouldn't mind sharing Trent...” Vickie's inappropriate words brought them all back to reality as the lecherous woman's hands started to roam. Squeaks, giggles, and shouts escaped the bundle mass of humanity.
“Vickie! Don't even think about!” Sasha broke free from the group, shouting her jealousy as they tumbled off the small couch and onto the floor, joyous laughter echoing through the room. Tiana tried to recover, but found herself wedged between Sasha and Trent. She blushed, her heart fluttering in her chest as the two kissed, centimeters from her own face.
“No fair! Why does Tiana get to see?” Yukie shouted, releasing Sasha from her fit of jealousy. She pushed herself from Trent, pulling Tiana away with her.
“How dare you, Tiana!” she accused playfully as they rolled across the floor, Tiana trying, unsuccessfully to block Sasha's tickle attack. She barely heard the lightly spoken words from the man who lay smiling on the floor behind them.
“Thank you, everyone...my friends...my family...my love.”
*********
A projection of Don’Alutia, capital planet of the Don’Alutia Mark, materialized high above the oval conference table, sparkling like its surface was constructed of billions of emerald, sapphire, and auburn gems. The shifting hues were only broken by the smoky white clouds that tumbled slowly through its upper atmosphere. The planet’s appearance and composition were familiar, being textbook examples of a class 1 planet. This meant its environment was well suited for human habitation based on its predictable weather patterns, steady temperate temperatures, low radiation levels, adaptable carbon based flora, with gravity and atmospheric makeup similar to that of Planet Origin.
“It's uncanny,” Trent whispered from Sasha’s side. She smiled, tightening her grip on his trembling hand.
“Did you say something, Your Grace?” Sir Illion asked politely from across the rose wood conference table.
“It just reminds me of the planet where I grew up, Sir Illion,” Trent responded in kind. A wave of relief washed over her when he did not fall into despair, like had been common whenever discussion turned towards Earth.
Her relief quickly turned to hope. Hope that Trent had finally begun to heal, to move on and look towards their bright future instead of his dark past. But there was still much work to be done, only one memory replaced. An important memory, Sasha knew, but it only made up part of who he was, who he had become. So she would need to continue invading his mind, searching out all the scars that lay deep within his subconscious, to heal them with memories of her, and only her.
“Earth? A sad story indeed,” Precursor Dei'Fil, the ranking member of the King's Service present, responded as he ran a hand through his shoulder length black hair.
“It still feels like a dream. But I'm lucky to have someone close to me who can help me deal with the bouts of loss,” Trent responded sadly, turning to her with a thankful smile, his loving appreciation flowing freely through their bond.
“If it is ok with you, Your Grace, I do believe it is time to discuss how we plan on infiltrating Don'Alutia. We will be arriving in two days time and I think it would be wise to confer on how we plan to avoid any unnecessary attention while searching for the Grand Marquis Georigi,” Sir Illion started, noticing that her and Trent were growing more interested in each other then the problem at hand.
“Of course, Sir Illion. But why do we need to hide? Why not just approach the planet and demand they release Sir Georigi? Similar to what we did at Heclutia,” Trent questioned, his reluctance at discussing other options noticeable by his tone. Sasha sighed, realizing that the one thing that would never change about Trent was his tendency to approach most problems head-on.
“That would be the simplest solution, Your Grace, but there is an inherent problem in regards to the direct approach,” Sir Illion responded, Sasha glancing at him gratefully.
Sir Illion gestured to Precursor Dei'Fil, who nodded. “Grand Duke Trent, Grand Duchess Sasha, as you already know, Don'Alutia is the capital of the Don'Alutia Mark, and ruled by the Marquis Rostil Don'Zif. When the mark, or Don'Zif Earldom as it was known previous, was part of the Hulk'Zif Duchy it had been a major trade and transportation hub between the more heavily populated regions closer to Hulk'Zif’s core worlds and central dukeship, and the uncolonized regions that are now part of Alutia.
“This led to rapid growth within both the trade and industrial sectors with promise of further expansion as Hulk'Zif expanded from mining expeditions to full colonization. Though expansion slowed after Duke Zehman came to power, it did not dampen the prospects of those immigrating to Don'Alutia, which at our last estimates, sits at a population of 5 billion commons, 10 billio
n petties, and about 10 million nobles.
“Normally, a planet such as this would be simple for the King's Service to infiltrate. But unfortunately, we have been less then successful due to the Marquis Rostil's paranoia, he having forbidden immigration since the planet was transferred to Alutia. We currently have no knowledge if the marquis is still on planet or has fled back to Hulk'Zif. We do know, however, that the marquis is most assuredly a pawn of Duke Zehman and that should lead us to assume everyone of his vassals are not to be trusted.”
Precursor Dei'Fil turned back to Sir Illion, who shifted in his seat. “Marquis Rostil is rumored to have very strange “tastes”, including the forcing of petties to fight to the death for the amusement of him and his noble court.” Trent tensed at her side. She leaned closer, letting him know she was there, hoping to help him calm.
“Is there proof?” Trent asked, his tone dropping an octave, his anger at the thought of petties being abused ready to reemerge at a moment's notice.
Sir Illion frowned. “If you mean recorded evidence, no. But the few private communications I was able to intercept between Baron Tuhbil and Marquis Rostil told me something strange is definitely occurring within Don'Alutia's court,” Sir Illion responded.
“Then that means we must find evidence, Sir Illion. Precursor Dei'Fil, do you have any contacts on Don'Alutia? Anyone that you can trust?” Sasha asked while caressing Trent's back, his tense muscles relaxing.
The man rubbed his stubble covered chin, deep in thought. “Just one, Your Grace; a Sir Wontin, a commodities trader that has been in constant contact with the King's Service over the years. His daughter recently vanished and we promised we would assist in locating her whereabouts. This could be a perfect opportunity to slip on world,” Precursor Dei’Fil explained. Sasha nodded, thinking it a splendid idea, using the pretense of helping to search for a noble's daughter to sneak their men secretly onto Don'Alutia.
“If we are going to pose as traders, we may need to use one of the standard Emperor Class shuttles. Though I hate to leave the gorian one behind,” Trent muttered. Sasha tensed when his words sunk in. He couldn't be planning on going himself, not after what happened on Heclutia? But the question answered itself. Of course he would go; he thought it his responsibility to deal with these matters personally. She wanted to scream at him, tell him to stay behind, not to place himself in danger yet again. But she couldn't, she knew this was how he thought, how his mind worked, and she found that she loved that part of him just as much as the rest.
“We could leave the gorian shuttle on standby...in case we need to escape in haste?” Sasha recommended, unable to believe that only seconds before she had planned on scolding him. He’s corrupting me, she realized, and deep inside, to her rising horror, she hoped his corruption would continue to spread.
“Your Graces,” Sir Illion cleared his throat. “I would advise against handling this matter personally. We will stay in constant contact and let you know if-.” Sir Illion froze as he caught Trent's intense stare.
Sasha smiled, placing a calming hand on Trent's chest. “Sir Illion, I understand your concern. But as we realized on Heclutia, it is better for us to grasp the situation first hand and deal with problems directly as they arise. This has nothing to do with us not having trust in your abilities, Sir Illion, Precursor Dei'Fil, but our own wish to witness the state of our holdings first hand,” Sasha said. Trent turned to her, the surprise in his eyes shifting to concern, he most likely thinking to leave her behind again. She elbowed him before kissing him playfully. “Do not even consider it, my duke,” she scolded. His eyes flashed, concern and anger mixing for a moment, before settling on resignation.
He shook his head with sigh. “As Sasha said...I'd much rather us be there in case a decision needs to be made quickly. Plus, I want to make sure no more petties are being abused.” Trent's tone went cold as he mentioned the petties.
Their bond slipped open, letting Sasha feel a bit of his boiling hatred. Gently, she pushed her own calm through, letting it burn away enough that she could inject her love for him, and her own hatred, letting the two intermingle, meld together into one. The feeling made her heart race, the urge to ravage Trent on the spot, overwhelming. The look in his eyes told he felt the same.
Precursor Dei’Fil cleared his throat. “It shouldn't be an issue. Company trade delegations usually number around 20, which should leave room for a proper escort,” he explained. Sasha regretfully turned away from Trent's hungry gaze, and looked to the men seated across the table, whose own eyes were diverted. She blushed and noticed Trent smirk as he must have realized they had almost forgotten their manners.
“Thank you, Precursor Dei’Fil. I think that is it for now. Contact Sir Seb'Losh and have him prepare a proper escort. Since we are two days out, I'd like to leave tomorrow. I do not think it would be wise to chance a passing freighter accidently stumbling upon our location.” Sasha said.
The men nodded their agreement and stood. “If you will excuse us, Your Graces,” They bowed in unison, taking their leave.
Her bond with Trent exploded open and a rushing river of his love, lust, and unabashed hunger for her flesh flowed into her mind. Before she could blink she was on the floor, her dress being torn asunder. Trent was on top of her, pinning her by her wrists, eyes that of a ravenous animal about to devour its prey.
“What did you do?” he growled as he rained kisses over every millimeter of her exposed flesh.
“A new trick it would appear...” she replied, her words cut off as she was absorbed by Trent's passionate embrace.
*********
“I'm coming! And that's final!” Yukie shouted, her cheeks flush and covered in sweat. Regalia sat at her side, nodding agreement, she too not wanting to be left behind. But unlike Yukie, she understood why, they would be of little help in the locating of Sir Georigi, and may even become a hindrance.
“Yukie, I'm sorry, but this may be even more dangerous than our trip to Heclutia. There we at least had the support of the petties,” Trent answered kindly, pleading with his eyes.
“But Trent, it’s...it's not fair! Why do I have to be separated from you and Sasha!” Yukie pushed, tears appearing in the corner of her fluttering eyes. Regalia placed an arm around her waist, squeezing her support.
“It's ok, Yukie. Trent will bring Sasha back safely and find Sir Georigi...right, Trent?” Regalia explained as she looked between the two. Trent kneeled at the foot of the couch, smiling his thanks to Regalia, then looking back to Yukie.
“On my life. Yukie, I'm sorry. But when I get back we will do anything you want,” Trent said, his soothing tone making her feel safe, calm. She really did like him.
“Anything?” Yukie seemed dubious, but her tears vanished, as if they'd been false.
“Anythi-.” A hand covered Trent's mouth.
“Trent...what are you doing? You know what she'll demand!” Sasha interrupted, Yukie's grin seeming to prove her assumption right. Sasha removed her hand from Trent's mouth, wrapping her arms around him possessively while creeping slowly away from the grinning empress.
“He said it! So you have to Sasha!” Yukie launched to her feet. Trent seemed confused at first, then appeared to recall what Yukie had been constantly asking to do, or watch, for the past few periods.
“Yukie...anything but that...please...” Trent pleaded, Tiana and Vickie, who were seated in nearby couch, erupting in laughter.
“No. I've made up my mind. When you and Sasha return you shall let me watch!” Yukie crossed her arms, stomping her slippered foot, letting the room know that no debate would be allowed. But Sasha, glaring from Yukie to her laughing ladies, crossed her own arms with a frown, showing she would have something else to say in this matter.
“Ok, Yukie...” Trent whispered before Sasha could speak. The room fell deathly silent, Vickie, Tiana, and Sasha staring at Trent in disbelief.
“Trent, what...what...” Sasha stuttered, obviously lost in confusion. But Trent just stared deep in
to her eyes, and Regalia thought she caught a wink pass between the two. Sasha steady, eyes twinkling in understanding, then quickly returned to normal.
“But there will be a condition, Yukie...a simple test. That is the only way we will agree to allow you to...” Trent's words faded, his blush deepening.
“Still...after all you've done?” Vickie questioned, her always sensual tone making even simple question sound very naughty. Somehow, Trent blushed even more in response. Yukie stared up at Trent, a wide grin curving across her “noble perfect” face.
“Very well, Trent. But when I pass this test of yours, you will not only let me watch...but you and Sasha must obey my every command for an entire day!” Yukie exclaimed, her voice growing louder as she laid down her judgment.
Sasha nodded to Trent, whose eyes fell on Regalia with a wry smile. “Good...Vin, can you make sure for the duration of the test that no Program will interfere except the one integrated into the starship, which I'd like to oversee the competition,” Vin's sphere appeared above Sasha's bracelet as Trent spoke.
“Yes, Grand Duke Trent Alutia. Please specify the competition and competitors.” Regalia wondered what was going on, but had a feeling whatever it was, it would involve her.
“The one you were telling me about earlier, Vin, the...the NHA general knowledge and athletic noble competition. Let's make it between Empress Yukie and Lady Regalia and...and use the standard scoring system, the one based on one point per event, with three events per day until we return. Tell the starships Program to choose the events, but leave the last event for me and Sasha to decide.” Regalia found herself on her feet as Trent finished.
Yukie glared at her, eyes aflame with challenge. “I won't lose!” she shouted before darting towards the exit, but stopped, hurrying back to Trent and Sasha's side. “You will return safely and you better not let anything happen to Sasha!” Yukie commanded as she hugged Trent and kissed him on the cheek.
The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2) Page 53
