75.2. Unprecedented - Part 2

Erik and Gotrid realise there's only one free chair left by my side because Liana automatically occupies the seat to my right. They stare at each other with pursed lips for a few moments and then look at me to decide.

"Sorry, Gotrid, but I need Erik right now," I say. "Having my human partner be seen next to me will be comforting for many."

"I know," Gotrid pouts a little and demands to be kissed before he settles for a chair next to Liana.

We adjusted the fanciest conference room in the skyscraper for this historic event and it was decided that while the camera will primarily focus on me, Liana and Erik, it will occasionally show the Ministers sitting around the table. Humans and Draconians alike need to see that we have a fully functioning government now.

Diplomatic negotiations are rarely streamed online, but I wanted the whole world to be present. I want everyone to see that we're open to peace talks and transparent, but, at the same time, there's no messing with us. We have to secure our position once and for all so that we can finally focus on fighting monsters and investigating rifts.

I look at Liana and her expression is confident, but she feels tense inside. Despite her rather bossy personality, she's glad that the final decision isn't up to her. I expect at least some level of panic to overcome me, but nothing happens. Sure, I'm nervous, but there are no doubts in my mind anymore. I'm the Celestial Emperor and I'll do anything in my power to protect my people.

Ingri, who's behind the camera, shows me a thumbs-up which means that we started streaming. Just a few seconds after that the projector lights up and President Behera appears as a hologram.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your patience," she starts and looks like someone who hasn't slept for two days which she probably hasn't.

"Mrs President," I nod respectfully.

When she was taking care of us during the conference, she might have been overly cautious around us, but she never wronged us. In fact, it was Mrs Behera who sought me after the conference and begged me to stay open. She deserves a chance I'm more than willing to give her.

"First of all, I want to assure you that the former President Delgado acted without the consent of the Senate," President Behera claims strongly. "Most of the government, me included, had no idea what he was planning to do."

"Hacking a Korean military satellite would require tremendous resources and spies," Liana purses her lips, not convinced. "He couldn't have pulled it all by himself."

"He didn't, Delgado had the support of several highest-ranking military officers and four Secretaries," President Behera admits surprisingly honestly. "Three of the main culprits are dead, the rest arrested for treason."

"Dead, including your ex-president," I narrow my eyes in suspicion. "How did that happen?"

"When we found out Delgado fired those missiles, we went to arrest him immediately," Behera says slowly, weighing every word. "He barricaded himself in the Oval Office with those most loyal to him. It was obvious he didn't expect that the attacks would fail. He must have thought that he would become a hero if he succeeded and all would be forgiven."

The new President pauses for a second or two. She genuinely acts like someone who became the President by totally unprecedented circumstances, is seriously sleep deprived and the fate of her country rests on the result of our diplomatic negotiation. I can't help it and find myself sympathising with her.

"There was a fierce fight between a part of the Secret Service that was loyal to Delgado and those who clearly saw his actions as treason," Behera continues. "For a few minutes, the White House became a battlefield which never happened before in our long democratic history. Delgado was killed when he refused to surrender. We tried to arrest him, but he was holding a gun and was firing around like crazy. I think he lost it when he realised that his plan had failed."

There's silence for a few moments, we all need a second to take it in. I have just one final inquiry that will decide everything.

"If Delgado succeeded, would you arrest him all the same?" I ask simply, but that one question contains everything. Everything depends on that one answer now.

"We would arrest him regardless, we don't support war criminals," President Behera says and her voice doesn't shake. She's looking straight into the camera, bravely facing the whole world as someone who's gambling her very honour. And I do believe her, she won me over.

I also think she's telling the truth, Liana agrees in her mind.

I don't have the best memories of the States, but I don't wish to see my homeland burn, Gotrid voices his opinion as well. Bigoted people are everywhere and Americans were just encouraged to hate by manipulative corporations.

I will keep supporting you, my love, whatever your decision is, Erik assures me. But if you at least partly believe that the States can be redeemed, I beg you to give them a chance.

I realise that my silence must have been grilling President Behera. She's professionally keeping her appearance, but a sweat drop is pouring down her temple.

"Let's say I'll take you by your word and we're open to a peaceful solution," I say slowly. "How will you repent? The Earthborn ranch and the Dragonkin mansion were completely destroyed and several Draconians died. How will you make amends?"

A huge relief shows on President Behera's face and she's not the only one. The pressing tension dominating the room is finally lifted and I bet that the people around the world watching us also sighed in relief right now.

"For the starters, we will provide all necessary funds to help the Earthborn and the Dragonkin rebuild," the President proposes. "Naturally, we'll ensure that Draconians in the States are protected."

"I ordered Draconians to leave hostile countries, you'll face an exodus in the upcoming days," I reveal because the order was conveyed only through Draconian channels. "But I'm grateful for your offer and we would appreciate it if you could make sure that Draconians are safe at the airports and possibly cover their moving expenses."

"All Draconians?" she blinks, visibly taken aback.

"Did you hope to have a few around in case of another monster attack?" my voice is intentionally indifferent. "Tough luck then. India and Brazil are currently offering Draconians lucrative jobs, so most of them will relocate there. I'm willing to maintain peace between us, but unless I see it's really safe for us in the States, we won't be coming back."

"I understand," President Behera nods. "We will help Draconians with relocation then, but, please, don't think of it as us happily getting rid of you. American citizens fear future monster attacks and we're not blind. We see how effective Draconians are at fighting those creatures and my government would like to cooperate with you from now on."

"Mrs President," I sigh because despite trusting her words, I don't have any other choice. "I believe when you say that you and your new government weren't involved in the attacks, but a lot of Americans still hate us nonetheless. It's my duty to protect my people and I can't forgive you that easily. The best I can do is take you by your word, accept your compensation and label you a hostile country we won't be involved with. At least for some time, I'm willing to stay open."

President Behera is evidently thinking hard.

"That's... more than generous," she admits. "Still, I hope to convince you that my government will be different from Delgado's."

"Surprise me then," I say positively. "With Draconians gone, you can focus on your internal issues. Although I can't see you as our ally at this moment, I do wish you success. A lot of my people are Americans and they would love to see their homeland get better."

I expect no reaction from her, but she nods in agreement. Maybe I read her wrong at the conference. Maybe there's a good person somewhere under all those years of dirty politics and Delgado's influence. Perhaps she will make a difference after all, but I can't afford to wait that long. Draconians are leaving the States and that's final.

And it's done. President Behera's projection disappears, Ingri turns off the camera and everyone can finally take a breather. We've just avoided war and possibly made history. Erik and Gotrid kiss me and compliment me that I did amazing. Liana looks deeply impressed and the Ministers didn't expect anything less from me.

"I'd like to fly now," I stand up and stretch a bit. "I feel strong enough and my wings are sore. Ready the guards, Vermiel. I'm going and I won't hear otherwise. I put up thousands of shields around the whole skyscraper, I think I should be able to put up a few just for myself."

"As should we," Vermiel boasts and conjures up a shield in a blink of an eye. "We've been practising whenever we weren't on guard duty."

"Damn, I'm behind," Gotrid laments.

"You've been taking care of me non-stop," I caress his feathers. "And I can teach you personally after work."

I suddenly sense that Erik feels left out, so I switch my attention to him and envelope him in my wings. I'm broken-hearted to discover that he felt useless for a moment, thinking that he won't be able to protect me from danger the way Gotrid is thanks to magic.

I assure him that it's a silly thought he should throw away because he's saving me every single day just by being with me. He's my anchor, he's my bridge, he's my everything. Celestials underestimate it—they certainly don't protect him nearly as much as me—but the truth is that should something bad happen to him, I could possibly go destroy the world.

You wouldn't, Erik disagrees and kisses me. You're the kindest person I know.

I hope to never test that theory.