39.3. Political Relations - Part 3

"We uncovered that he's part of the organisation that calls itself the Devotees of Apostles," Bennett says slowly with emphasis on perfect articulation. "They're a Christian sect that has been gaining many followers recently, mainly in Europe, North America and parts of South America."

Do you know them, Li? I have to admit it doesn't ring a bell, I ask my Viceroy for advice.

Nope, I'm in the dark here as well, she answers.

"How could some sect manage to breach our security?" Liana asks aloud. "I have the best encryption protocols and the best people on the job."

"I'm guessing their follower was secretly working for you," Bennett suggests. "Run a thorough check on everyone's background. The collaborators is probably out already but we might be able to trace them if we know their identity."

"I never ask about my employee's beliefs, that's personal," Liana murmurs. "It's my company's policy not to mix work with spirituality. But it's still weird. We haven't accepted any new human employees since we relocated."

"They could have been a follower way before that, keeping it to themselves," Luvi says. "Normally, they would have no reason to reveal it or act violently. But imagine when you're a devoted believer and then your boss literally changes into an angel-resembling creature and brings a bunch of non-humans with her."

"We think that might be the case," Bennett nods. "We're currently investigating the Devotees of Apostles but so far they're refusing responsibility, claiming it was an action of one independent branch. However, we've traced some suspicious funding transactions so we'll look into that."

"Are there more groups like that?" Twyla asks, her voice trembling. "People who seriously want to hurt us just because we're abominations in their eyes?"

"I'm afraid so," the EU President says and doesn't look so smug today. I guess he finally realised that antagonising us isn't a good idea and that he has to start taking new Draconian governments seriously.

"We're still working on organising our people so we kindly ask for your help and protection," Liana makes an official request because now seems to be the right time for it.

"Of course, and we kindly ask for your cooperation," Bennett also makes a request. "It seems the new races really listen to their rulers. Nobody wants public unrest and civil war. We'll do anything in our power to prevent that."

"I assure you Emi won't let her people wreak havoc for much longer," Liana claims confidently. "They have to listen to their Supreme Alpha. The only problem is that Clawfangs want their ruler to be close and so do Celestials. The current fragmentation of our people isn't helping the case."

"What are you suggesting then?" Bennet frowns.

Say it, Aefener, they need to hear it from you, Liana nudges me under the table.

"We want complete freedom of movement again," I blurt out and can only pray that's what Liana had on mind because she didn't have time to elaborate.

"You have it... within the EU," Bennet says carefully.

"We want it internationally," Deminas specifies sharply and I'm glad we're not the only ones talking. "Allow Draconians to form communities. That way we rulers can control them better and they won't be as nervous when living alone among humans."

"I'm afraid that's something we have to discuss in more detail and can't decide immediately," Bennett refuses. "The US President couldn't attend the meeting and we need him for that kind of decision because I suspect you're mostly talking about the freedom of movement in the USA."

Deminas opens my mouth again but Bennett continues.

"We actually wanted to arrange a face-to-face international conference," he says. "It would take place in the UN headquarters in... let's say... a month?"

"You expect us to travel to New York?" Liana doesn't like the sound of that.

"Whatever place we pick, the delegates will have to travel," Werden speaks up and sounds a bit grumpy. "Don't presume everything moves to Prague just because you two are there, Liana. Or would you rather arrange the meeting in my home country? Or in Deminas's?"

"We'll take care of your safety during travel," Bennett tries to persuade us. "You'll all be treated royally, given utmost importance and the best security in the world."

"I agree with Mr Bennett's proposition," Deminas says. "We should get to know each other personally, not only via screens. I get it that you're afraid to travel, Liana, I really do, but we don't have a choice. Some matters can't be decided online and call me old-fashioned if you will."

Liana still looks somewhat unconvinced but she nods in the end. Deminas is right, there're certain things that can't be conveyed via screens and if we're officially acknowledged as nations, we should visit the organisation which granted us that right.

Of course, I'm scared shitless about meeting the most prominent political figures of the current world in person but I realise there's no avoiding it. Because we became those as well. I look at Erik, pondering whether I should take him with me or keep him safe here.

Of course, I'm going, Erik says and it's only a hint of his slightly raised eyebrow that gives away his irritation that I'm even considering leaving him behind.

Bennett takes for granted that we're coming which starts the overall discussion in both the EU Parliament and the UN General Assembly. Delegates are taking turns, commenting on the situation in their countries and raising issues that need to be addressed. Then Werden speaks up and it's almost a ten-minute monologue.

I didn't know the situation is so bad in Brazil, I tell Liana. Why did no one mention it?

I'm making sure Erik can hear our inner conversation as well.

Because everyone is too busy with their own country, she replies. At least there's no ban on travelling for Draconians in South America.

Is it especially bad for our race? Because we resemble angels too much?

I'm afraid so, Your Majesty. Now it's Luviael who answers me, happy to test my telepathy. While the Dragonkin are definitely the most monstruous-looking and the Earthborn the most alien, the public is mostly unnerved by us. Celestials carry that religious reference stigma. People look at us and see angels whether they want to or not. And we can do magic on top.

"Our needs must be acknowledged," Twyla demands sharply. "The Earthborn have to connect to the soil and have proper sunlight every day. Yet, humans disregard that and torture us by long hours inside."

"That certainly needs addressing," the Director-General of the World Health Organisation agrees (thank God for name tags) and the delegates go into a lengthy debate about that.

So many faces and names. So many highly accomplished politicians I've seen only on the news not so long time ago. Will I fit in? What if I make a fool of myself in that conference? Won't it damage our reputation?

Me and Luvi will teach you all the basics until then, Liana assures me. Don't fret, you're actually expected to make blunders. Everyone knows you were just a student before so it'd be weird if you were too perfect right from the start. We just have to make sure they won't eat you alive that's all.

I'm still nervous about it. I'm anxious. I... shouldn't I be scared shitless and panicking right now? I do feel really worried but, surprisingly, I'm not that scared. Is it because I can rely on Liana? And also Erik and Luvi. Or is it something else? I feel miserably underqualified for the job but at the same time... I'm the Celestial Emperor. I feel like the Celestial Emperor.

I willingly embrace that feeling and my wildly beating heart slows down. I look at all those delegates on the screen in their fancy suits and catch myself thinking that they're only humans. What can they actually do to me? Nothing. They act high and mighty but they're scared of us. They won't dare to touch me or my friends or they will antagonise millions of Draconians all over the world.

I glance at Erik and he winks at me. I shiver when I realise what I've been thinking just a second ago. Only humans? If I really meant it, would it include my boyfriend as well? Do other Celestials also think like that about humans? I suppress that feeling. Being confident and proud of my race is one thing but belittling others is something I'll never do.

"Let's end here for today," Benett concludes the meeting after three hours that passed in a blink of an eye. "After lunch, we'll have our separate work groups either online or in person. I believe everyone should have got their assignment beforehand."

Liana and Luvi nod so I guess they know everything. They've been working really hard during my absence, Liana despite her ongoing growth spur that might not be as turbulent as in my case but it still takes a lot of energy. And I guess Luvi's growth spur is starting as well, her wings seem much bigger.

"That went surprisingly peacefully," Luvi breathes out, relieved, when the streaming is turned off.

"No, that was as careful as it gets," Liana shakes her head. "They were afraid of any potential misstep so they gave us something to make us happy but at the same time they refused to go deeper until they think it through and bend conditions to their advantage."

"The President is extremely cooperative, Your Excellency," Dubois stands up from the table. "But you can't expect to arrange everything through the screen as His Supreme Dominance pointed out. It might work in AstraTech which relies heavily on VR meetings, as I was told, but no such luck with the EU and the UN. We prefer to keep things more traditional and nurture personal contacts."

Oh, I completely forgot that Liana, or Laura Richter as is her human name, was quite a hermit. AstraTech was indeed famous for dealing with most of the things online and their owner and CEO wasn't seen much in public. That's why I didn't even recognise her when we first met. She was considered one of the most eccentric rich people in Europe.

"I know," Liana coughs, not showing any embarrassment. "We can't connect to the VR anyway, it's made for human brain."

Dubois wants to reply something but Ms Ortega reminds him that they're supposed to talk to the EU in private. No doubt to give their full report. They leave even if it's evident that Dubois doesn't want to and his college has to force him. If only everyone was as amicable as Ms Ortega. She still has the best interest of humans in mind but it doesn't mean she has to see us as monsters.

"So what's on our schedule now?" I ask my adjutant when it's just us in the room. Erik stands up and starts massaging my shoulders. I love him for that. He always notices when my back is becoming sore.

"Meeting the Czech Prime Minister for lunch," Luvi says as if she's telling me what's on the menu. Absolutely unperturbed.

Is this going to become a completely normal occurrence from now on? I didn't only become a Celestial, that would actually be fine. No, I had to become the Celestial Emperor and get all those responsibilities that come with it.

"Oh, and Mrs Bauerova mentioned that she's bringing her nephew," Luviael adds.

"Her nephew?" I tilt my head, not quite understanding why she would do that.

"You forgot?" Liana sighs. "He's also a Draconian now. A Clawfang."

"I thought his family was supportive? Bauerova certainly is," I say. "Why does he need to come?"

"Oh, he doesn't need a refuge, Aefener," Liana corrects me. "Everything is about politics and influence. Bauerova, however friendly she might be, means to plant him into our government to gain influence. I have no doubt about that."

"And we'll let her?" I frown. Shouldn't we stand strong or something? Not let them play with us?

Fefnir starts laughing and it's croaky. Then he stares at Erik, probably thinking my boyfriend is influencing me too much because it should be obvious to me.

"Aefener, Bauerova is making a huge misassumption," Fefnir reveals his spiky teeth. "She thinks she's planting a spy while, in reality, it's us who will benefit from it."

"How come?" I'm still lost.

Fefnir grins.

"Because he's a Draconian so there's no way he will stay loyal to humans. As simple as that."