Last Chapter Recap: "I'll take custody of him, Captain," Princess Tila entered and said, her voice firm and commanding.
NOW
"Highness?" Brody said, his tone laced with surprise and uncertainty.
Unexpected actor appears on the stage, stealing limelight from main actors. As always, princess Tila excludes an aura that makes even Selana a background character.
"With all due respect, Princess Tila," Selana said, her tone measured. "Our mission—"
"It is precisely because of the mission that I claim him, Captain," Tila said, her voice sharp and unwavering. "His knowledge of Neo-Terran science will be invaluable for the success of the operation."
What operation? What is she talking about? No, I already knew this princess isn't a mere courier, but … what is it?!
"Sigh..." Selana sighed, her frustration clear. "If it weren't for the order of Admiral Sun..."
"I am glad you understand, Captain," Tila said, her tone calm but firm. "Please, worry not. I will not require assistance from your active personnel. I know how understaffed you currently are."
"Honestly," Brody said, his voice tinged with frustration, "intelligence officer, chief engineer, and three other engineers... we're running short of hands, Captain."
"We can manage," Brody, Selana said, turning to Tila. "Princess, I won't let you stay with Ensign—Adam—even in this state—without a chaperone."
(A/N: Chaperone is someone who looks after and supervises another person)
"Captain..." Tila said, her voice carrying a note of subtle authority, as she met Selana's gaze.
"Considering we're out of the active warzone, I can spare Ensign Natasha and Major Aurora," Selana said with a smile. "It's not like I want any of them playing engineer during an important mission."
"Captain..." Tila said, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. "Thank you very much."
There's so much sugar and glee in this exchange they don't pay attention to the small smirk on my face.
"Well, aren't you lucky, Ensign?" Selana said with a teasing grin. "Her Highness herself will take care of you."
"What an honour," Adam said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I am glad the Ensign has proven to be cooperative so far," Tila said, her tone calm. "I really don't like torture... it's so barbaric."
"Not for this one," Brody said, his voice cold and bitter.
With eyes full of disdain, lt. Brody gives me one last glance, then heads towards the exit.
"One last thing, Captain," Adam said, his tone suddenly serious.
"If you have any pleas, address them to Her Highness," Selana said, her tone cool and detached. "You're no longer my concern... Adam."
"When you decode the database," Adam said, his voice low and steady, "search for 'Alpha.' That's my codename."
"I see," the captain said, then turned and left without another word.
Seemingly uncaring, the captain stots away, alone with the royal princess of pandora. However, doesn't seem in a talkative mood, carefully studying my physique.
"Is there something on my face?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow with a faint smirk.
"You Black Kingdom princes have a peculiar physiology..." Tila said, studying him closely. "It's like you were born to be evil."
"That was the most convoluted way to call my face average I've ever heard, Your Highness," Adam said with a dry chuckle.
"Weird how happy-go-lucky you are," Tila said, eyeing him curiously, "for a man who's in shackles."
"Well, I just heard that even in this state, a beautiful woman is in need of me," Adam said with a grin. "How can I not be happy?"
"I see," Tila said, her tone cool. "Typical Neo-Terran nobles, indeed."
"And whose fault is that…" Adam raged suddenly, an outburst of frustration crossing his face. He started to say more, his mind racing with thoughts of if they—but he stopped, clearing his mind and regaining control.
The princess was stunned by the sudden outburst, but she quickly realized he was likely referring to the destruction of the Black Kingdom by the Alliance.
Just like with lt. Chand, princess's finger traces the outline of the forcefield, as if assessing its sturdiness.
"It's a shame I can't interrogate you right away..." Tila said, her voice cold, but with a hint of anticipation. "But starting tomorrow, you'd better brace yourself."
"How kind of you, Princess," Adam said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Allow me to look forward to the tortures the Pandorian Kingdom has devised."
"Didn't I tell you?" Tila bent her head slightly, her expression hardening. "I hate tortures."
With this enigmatic sentence, princess leaves me be. The moment doors closed behind her, a deaf silence falls in the room.
"What a strange woman..." Adam muttered, his voice tinged with both curiosity and disbelief.
Out of all the people on the board, princess is the character I have the most difficulty reading. What did she mean by 'operation'…?
…
No, no matter how much I rock my head, I can't come with anything plausible.
I should focus on matters at hand. Even though I won the first round, the war still rages on. She should soon be there…!
....
Author's Note:
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