Chapter Thirty-Four

The threads of anxiety are woven into the very fabric of existence, an intricate tapestry that unfurls without warning, shifting the contours of everything you know. Life and worry, are the same thing entirely, both come out of nowhere, and both shape destinies and bend wills.

I rose to my feet, an uneasiness stirring within me even before my senses could fully register the disarray of the situation. The cave room felt foreign, unfamiliar, and a blanket hastily wrapped around my form provided a semblance of modesty. But what truly unnerved me were the voices, the tumultuous murmurs that seemed to reverberate against the stone walls. A chorus of Kaimari and others, their words tinged with urgency and tension, filled the air around me.

I approached the kitchen slowly, my heart racing. His presence, the Kaimari's, was unmistakable, his figure cloaked in the armor of his helmet and the everyday attire he wore beneath it. His hand clung to a cell phone with an intensity that spoke of emotions suppressed and tightly controlled. And then there were the others, figures of authority and power, including Azhrel, his countenance marked by an unfamiliar gravity.

A palpable sense of foreboding settled over the room, thick and suffocating like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. My gaze flitted from one face to another, recognizing the individuals who held court in this moment of uncertainty. Maria, commander of Kairos's Shadows, stood among the throng, her posture erect, her presence exuding a sense of responsibility that sent shivers down my spine. And then there was Senator Lyra, a figure of the Dawnlight Senate, her poised demeanor offering a semblance of stability amid chaos.

A tremor of unease coursed through me, a sensation that I couldn't shake. Kaden's voice cut through the tension, sharp and edged with frustration. "Irina, go and put on clothing," he ordered, his tone a mixture of anger and concern. Irina. The name struck me like a blow, a confusion that rattled my thoughts.

I hesitated, half-concealed behind a bookcase, the whispers of their conversation filtering through the air. Kaden's voice, this time raised in both volume and irritation, reached my ears. "I said go to your room!"

But I remained rooted in place, my eyes never leaving the figure of Prince Azhrel, the expression etched across his features revealing nothing yet everything at the same time. The question on my lips hung suspended, suspended in the air, as if I dared not give voice to the truth that clawed at my chest.

"W-what is going on?" I managed, the words emerging as a fragile plea, a plea for answers that held the weight of a world shifting beneath my feet. An instinctive knowing, an intuition too raw to dismiss, whispered that something was amiss, that my sisters, my chosen family, were at the epicenter of this disturbance.

Maria, one of the pillars of my past, stood with an unwavering stance, her eyes unwavering as they met mine. I sensed it, the unspoken secrets that hung heavy in the air, a truth they were withholding from me, a truth that threatened to unravel the very threads of my equilibrium.

My voice wavered, torn between desperation and a need for clarity. "Tell me," I demanded of Kaden, the emotions I held tightly under control slipping through the cracks in my composure. "Tell me now!"

“Don’t,” Kaden warned his brother, earning a protest from none other than Maria.

“She has the right to know,” she argued on my behalf.

Senator Lyra stepped forward, her presence a calming anchor in the storm that raged within me. "Princess Irina," she began, her words carefully chosen, "your homeland has been invaded. The Empire rules Astraeus."

The words struck me like a blow, a truth I could not evade, a reality that shattered the fragile illusion of security I had held onto. "N-no," the denial slipped from my lips, my grip on the stairwell railing slipping alongside it. "It-it can't be–" And then, as if responding to the turmoil within me, my vision betrayed me, darkness clouding my sight.

—----
I awoke to the embrace of sunset hues that spilled through the luxurious chamber. My form was cocooned within the opulence of an unfamiliar bed, the fine robes that adorned me an ethereal touch against the intricate surroundings that seemed to whisper of both regality and abandonment. As I stirred, the handmaidens, graceful and silent, converged around me like loyal guardians of this enigmatic realm. Their hands, gentle and steady, offered both support and a sense of unease as I rose, my confusion painted across my expression.

"Where am I?" The words slipped from my lips, a breathy confession of uncertainty and wonder, a plea for understanding in a world that felt both familiar and alien.

A handmaiden stepped forth, stepped with grace, her presence like a calming balm. "You're in the Imperial Palace, Princess Irina," her voice carried an undercurrent of reassurance, her eyes soft with empathy. "Emperor Kao expresses his deepest apologies for your planet's trials and extends his hospitality to you."

Irina. The name resonated within me, a phantom echo of a role I had taken on. Why had the Kaimari referred to me by that name? Was it a mantle I was meant to wear again, a facade to slip into?

"Thank you," I managed, my gratitude genuine as I met the handmaiden's gaze. "What is your name?”

“Yumi,” she introduced herself, “and this is Riko and Mei.”

Riko and Mei, the other handmaidens, stood with a kind of reverent camaraderie, their presence a testament to their loyalty and their shared duty in serving me, an unfamiliar princess in their care.

"Yumi, could you prepare a bath and assist me in preparing for dinner?" My tone was composed, every word a reflection of the Heir to Astreus I had been groomed to embody. "I would appreciate an audience with the Emperor this evening."

However, Mei hesitated, her timid demeanor breaking the news with grace. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, we were directed to ensure you have ample rest. The Emperor's schedule, it's—"

"I am rested," I asserted, determination weaving through my voice. "If the Emperor is to dine tonight, kindly convey to him that I shall be honored to accompany him."

Mei's bow was a gesture of submission, a display of reverence before my determination. With a brisk departure, she hastened down the corridor, her anxiety and responsibility palpable.

Turning my attention back to Yumi, I was already immersed in calculations and strategies, my mind dancing between negotiations and potential conflicts.

"The bath," I reminded Yumi, the urgency in my voice a testament to the impending responsibilities that demanded my attention, even amid the opulent surroundings.

—------
In the gentle company of Yumi, Mei, and Riko, I found myself relaxing in a newfound camaraderie. Their origins traced back to the Three Kingdoms, a constellation of twelve planets that had blossomed from the roots of ancient Japan, a distant echo of my world. As the initial tensions dissolved, laughter intertwined with shared stories, bridging the gaps between our realms and painting a vivid tapestry of connection.

With their adept hands guiding me, makeup brushes and hairpins became instruments of transformation, reminiscent of the rituals I had known in Astreus. White powder and red lips were familiar choices, a comforting reminder of my past. As they delicately worked on my appearance, a pang of guilt twinged within me. What had become of my sisters, my people, my planet? Was Irina safe, hidden away as before, or had she too suffered the fate of the invasion? Could I have made a difference if I had been there, prevented this calamity from unfolding? The weight of what-ifs and the shadow of responsibility loomed heavy.

Amid the reverie, Yumi's words pierced through, tethering me to the present. "It would be my greatest honor, Your Majesty, if you would consider wearing one of my designs."

My gaze lifted from the azure-tinted vanity, the room a testament to the intricate fusion of cultures and aesthetics that characterized this new court. The windows framed a view of ethereal archways overlooking the courtyard, a place Kaden and I had soared above in flights that had now become cherished memories. I turned to Yumi, offering her a composed smile, my heart fluttering with the effort to appear put together.

The robes before me were a revelation, unlike anything I had encountered before. Intricately hand-sewn pink sakura blossoms adorned a canvas of light pastel purple, a harmony of delicate embroidery that breathed life into the fabric. The square neckline and the wide sleeves were a testament to the craftsmanship that Yumi had poured into the creation.

“It would honor me, Yumi,” I nodded to her, to which she blushed.
----
Leaving the seclusion of my chamber, I stepped into the expanse of the alien palace's hall. Yumi, my steadfast companion in this new world, flanked my side, her presence a reassuring anchor in the unfamiliar surroundings. Among the trio of handmaidens, she was the one I trusted the most, her loyalty and warmth a source of comfort.

“Your Majesty!” She attempted, as I pushed open the first door open where I heard voices.

"Your Majesty!" Yumi's voice held a note of concern as she tried to get my attention, but I pressed forward, my determination unwavering. Pushing open the first door that beckoned with voices, I entered to find a gathering of familiar faces, a mixture of Dawnlight protectors and Astreus forces. The sight of Master Kyros and Master Sonya was a balm to my soul, a reminder of the resilience and strength that had brought us together.

As my gaze shifted, I locked eyes with Ezra, his expression inscrutable. His presence, alongside Rey's, our second in command, was a testament to the shifting dynamics that had shaped our new reality. Rey's embrace was heartfelt, a connection forged through trials and triumphs. "Are you in charge of forces now?" I inquired, my voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and acknowledgment.

“Are you in charge of forces now?” I asked Rey, whose heartfelt smile suddenly turned as serious as mine.

Ezra stepped forward, his bow a symbol of respect and honor. "Yes, Your Majesty," he answered on behalf of Rey, his demeanor both humbled and resolute. The weight of his new position was palpable, a reminder of the sacrifices and challenges that had led us to this point. My mind involuntarily tallied the losses we had suffered, the lives altered irrevocably by the tumultuous events. Among them, the absence of my sister Amaya, the Commander in training, weighed heavily.

"What of my advisors?" My question hung in the air, met with a haunting silence that spoke volumes. The absence of those who had counseled me guided me, and stood by my side was a stark reminder of the price we had paid.

But as silence lingered, another presence made itself known. "I have volunteered to guide you," Senator Lyra's announcement was a welcome relief, her willingness to stand by my side a gesture of support that stirred genuine gratitude within me.

"Your assistance honors me," I acknowledged her, turning my attention to the table adorned with celestial projections of Astreaus's galaxy. “Yumi, when is dinner?”

Yumi's soft voice trembled in the corner as she informed me of the upcoming dinner. "Thirty-seven minutes, Your Majesty," her report echoed, a detail I filed away as I took my place at the polished oak table.

“Step up here,” I commanded to her, making room for her at the table.

“And I assume,” I directed my question towards Senator Lyra. “That Kairos has offered its planet as a meeting place? That many of Astreau’s allies stand behind those doors?”

Senator Lyra smiled proudly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Turning to the table that held the projection of our galaxy, my attention settled on each face in the room. The presence of the Kaimari Warrior in the corner was noted, but my focus remained on the individuals who had come together in this pivotal moment. I addressed them all, my voice a blend of authority and urgency. "Tell me everything, now."