39.1. Political Relations - Part 1

"We're here, love," Erik says encouragingly. I'm holding him tight, not willing to let go just yet.

I slowly open my eyes and because the elevator isn't moving anymore and the door opens, my head stops spinning. I sigh out, relieved. I'm used to feeling dread during my panic attacks but there's usually some trigger I can identify and logically assess later. This time, however, was different. I got hit by claustrophobia just because I'm a Celestial and that's supposed to be our racial weakness.

But a rather understandable weakness, hm? Erik caresses my feathers. Considering how huge your wings are, it's no wonder you don't feel comfortable in narrow spaces. It sounds logical to me.

I want to reply something but I'm interrupted by an overly cheerful and annoying voice of a person standing in front of the elevator.

"Good morning, Your Majesty! I was told you're coming so I'm waiting for you. Oh, are you okay? You look pale."

It's the EU ambassador Dubois, literally the worst person to see me in such a vulnerable state. He's staring at me while I'm still desperately clutching Erik and there's a spark of recognition in his eyes. He must have studied everything about Draconian races so he put two and two together quickly. While I can't read his thoughts without touching, I can tell that he's making a mental note that I became claustrophobic.

"I'm fine," I try to sound confident but I know that I'm failing. At least I finally let go of Erik and grab his hand the normal casual way.

We step out of the elevator, me making an effort of not obviously running away from the confined space.

"Your Majesty!" Luviael appears from behind the door and hurries towards us, her wings fluttering behind her. "My apologies that I wasn't waiting for you in the morning but we've been so busy! The conference starts in half an hour!"

"What conference?" I freeze.

"The world political leaders are meeting today," Luvi explains and chews her lip. "Sorry that I didn't tell you beforehand but... well... you wouldn't be able to prepare for it anyway and it would only stress you unnecessarily. Her Excellency wanted you to have a goodnight's sleep at least."

"It stresses him now," Erik rolls his eyes.

"Your Majesty, can I join you for breakfast?" Dubois is suddenly standing next to me.

So close that his arm is touching my wing. He's doing it on purpose, he wants to make me feel uncomfortable. Luckily, I can't read his thoughts because the layers of fabric that make his suit are in the way of direct touch but it still gives me goosebumps when his emotions intensify. I don't think Dubois means us harm, I can feel he's here to keep peace between humans and Draconians, but that's where his kindness ends.

There's an egoistic person behind that fake smile. If I didn't demonstrate my powers, he'd be definitely looking down at me. But I did, twice, so he's wary. My Celestial Emperor's nature reacts wildly. I can't let him play with me!

"Personal space," I hiss and my guards step between us.

I have no doubt that they were meaning to do so even without me saying it. Can it be a good thing that they know about my telepathy after all?

"No touching His Majesty without permission," one of the guards says and her golden eyes are piercing the ambassador.

"Oops, I sincerely apologise," Dubois bows but there's a hint of smirk revealing that he did it to test our reaction.

Ryuu, your feathers are all puffy, Erik points out. Don't give that bastard any satisfaction seeing you flustered.

I force myself to calm down and my feathers flatten. Celestial wings mirror our emotional state, especially anger and irritation. It's wrong to consider them simply as our additional limbs. They mean so much more to us.

I catch Dubois studying my right wing—especially the part where my feathers are clearly missing and there's only soft white fluff covering my skin for now. Can he tell I'm bashful about that? I do try to keep my right wing protectively a bit more out of the way than the left one.

"Aefener!"

Out of the blue, Ingri lands on my chest but very lightly, aware of my barely healed ribs. I'm glad for that distraction and I'm really happy to see her after so many days. I hug her back and momentarily connect to her mind. I don't go deep or for any specific information because I value my friends' privacy but I just peek a little to make sure she's okay.

She smiles because my concern moves her and she leans back. She looks more than okay, she's literally beaming. She's changed the colour of her eyes again, now they're unnaturally violet. Her skin colour is a different shade of green and the backs of her hands poking out of her dress are covered in something resembling tiny scales but much softer than Fefnir's.

"Can I?" she asks and shows me her fingers which begin to sprout tiny roots on her command.

I nod and let her connect to me the Earthborn way. Her race are no telepaths, of course, but they can connect to living organisms in order to assess one's health and genetics. The sensation is much different from my telepathic connection. I can feel her analysing my body but I don't feel her inside my consciousness.

"You should still rest more and eat a lot but you're mostly fine now," she evaluates skilfully. "I was practicing my healing skills but Julia didn't want to let me try it on you."

"Because you're still not in perfect control," Fefnir also makes an appearance, probably because he could hear the ruckus from the hall. "That last guy you practiced on puked after one of your attempts to heal him. That's why Julia didn't let you anywhere near Aefener."

"You could still come just to talk?" I wonder because I didn't see her at all during my recovery which I thought weird.

"It turns out I can't help it," Ingri blushes which creates a nice pinkish colour on her otherwise green cheeks. "When I smell someone seriously hurt, I want to connect to them and try healing them. It's an instinct. I visited you in the infirmary, of course, and Fefnir had to tear me away from you."

"Oh, yeah, your rooty tentacles were all over him," Fefnir laughs.

"But I'm starting to get the hang of it," she announces proudly. "I'm training hard every day on minor injuries and I'm successful more often than not."

"Still, there's no way we're letting you train using our Emperor," Liana emerges as the last one. She's wearing a more ceremonial-looking robe and her black wings are bigger again. She approaches us slowly, reluctant to face me.

"Words can't express how glad everyone is that you've finally recovered, Your Majesty," she says so extremely politely that it's unnatural.

I widen my eyes. Did she just call me by my official title? I quickly analyse her feelings. While she still adamantly stands by her decision, she feels guilty about it at the same time. She's really afraid that I don't trust her anymore. I've never seen her this anxious over a personal matter before. Liana, my exceedingly competent Viceroy and a dreaded multibillionaire businesswoman, lost all her confidence when facing me.

Well, maybe she should have. She did betray my trust after all. But for some reason, I just can't stay angry with her when she's looking at me like that—when she's feeling like that. She did what she did because her thinking process is Celestial now. Because I'm the Emperor and she's the Viceroy. I stretch my wing and touch hers.

Please, use my name, I say. Not many people do these days.

She can't nod because Dubois is watching us but she blinks slightly and asks me to join everyone for breakfast. We enter a smaller area that's situated next to the meeting room and it turns out it was transformed into a refreshment place. There're several tables with delicious-looking treats and Ms Ortega is here already, pouring herself coffee.

She greets me with a bow and a smile. I'm relieved when Dubois joins her but he's still watching me intently.

"Some cheese canapes?" I suggest because the table holding them is on the opposite side of the room. Erik lets go of my hand, knowing that I need to talk to my Viceroy.

Liana nods timidly which is totally out of character for her. She's supposed to be the one person who's not afraid to blatantly berate me, despite my status.

We approach the buffet table, turn our backs to the EU ambassadors and I spread my left wing to hug her. That creates a very handy enclosure since Dubois can't see our expressions through all those feathers.

"Oh, I love Roquefort cheese," I say loudly and stretch for one of the canapes.

"Me too," Liana plays along and quickly stuffs one canape into her mouth as well.

We keep eating as part of our breakfast and disguise while, in reality, the most important thing is happening in our minds.

Aefener, I... I'm really sorry, she blurts at me. I realise why you're angry with me but at the same time I couldn't help myself. I did was I thought was best for you and our species. I'm not able to differentiate between the two anymore. You're our Emperor and that means everything.

I know, I sigh, trying to send her some comfort because I'm not angry at her anymore. Telling my closest servants was a good decision, I see that now. Only, next time, consult me first, will you?

Sorry again, I really am, she says and her wings shiver. I'm trying but I can't think human anymore. Do you still trust me?

With my life, I say simply and convey the rest through my feelings.

She finally relaxes.

We're not even remotely human anymore, are we? she ponders. Our relationship isn't ordinary friendship. I'm your Viceroy, you're my Emperor. It goes beyond anything I've experienced before. We love each other but there's nothing human about it.

I realised it this morning, I say slowly, surprised myself how calm I feel about it.

Realised what?

I love all Celestials unconditionally, Li," I smile and I don't think I've ever smiled so sincerely. Is this how I'm supposed to feel as their Emperor? I want to protect all Draconians, of course, but when I think of my race in particular... my chest gets warm.

I think that's how it should be, she agrees and also manages a sincere smile.

Then we don't talk anymore and focus on eating because we're super hungry. We've conveyed to each other everything that was necessary and things between us healed. Now we both feel a surge of joy and inner peace which stirs our appetite.

"What about leaving something to me?" Erik grins, noticing that we're fine again.

He pushes himself around my right wing and we ravenously decimate all remaining canapes. We don't have to be afraid that we won't leave anything to the others because meat and vegan canapes are on different tables.

"Your Majesty, Your Excellency, the meeting starts in five minutes," Luviael informs us urgently, barging into the room because she disappeared for a few minutes after she greeted me, probably arranging some things. "The EU and the UN are connected already, waiting just for our participation."

My hand holding a doughnut I planned for a dessert freezes halfway to my mouth. Did she just say both the EU and the UN? No wonder everyone felt so nervous whether I'll be able to work today. Naturally, I get anxious but not as much as I'd expect. My relationship with Liana is mended and I have her full support. With her by my side, I'm not afraid of anything.