Zyric then leaves to search for Elzilaura. He finds her being comforted by Enna. They were also joined by Lem whose clothes have just been restored. The former Elitea leader hands out a card with an id code. "Here are your id passes for entrance to Patara Headquarters. Wear them at all times while you're within the compound for safety and security."
"Thank you, Lem. But before we leave, is there a way I can visit Kanunia first?" Elzilaura asks. "Enna was just about to take me to my sister."
Lem agrees to her request but tells them all to hurry. They went to the clinic and were reunited with Alednos and Ranued. The physician says Kanunia is alright but is now resting. It would be best not to wake her up.
Alednos promises to watch over Kanunia and report any incident that might occur in their absence.
Soon, Elzilaura together with Lem and Zyric travels to Patara headquarters. Upon arrival at the main gate, they were told to proceed to the Calian Wing where they were received by Admiral Mirtaz. She introduces them to her close friend, Defense Minister Joll Ascop-Par.
The defense minister promises to have Princess Elzilaura as a guest on the first day of the session which was tomorrow. There, she can appeal for help from the governing body. Defense Minister Ascop-Par informs Elzilaura that she has a whole day ahead of her to prepare her speech. He then brings them to the guest quarters within the Patara compound. When they settled in, Lem takes leave to go back to check on Enna and the rest.
Elzilaura looks out the window appreciating the view. It was indeed a futuristic city with spiraling tram-trains and enormous buildings reaching the skies. Unlike the futuristic metal facade of Tergiel 6 and Techton, the city had a mix of greenery. Trees and plants grew at different levels of the buildings. Artificial waterfalls and spiral fountains cascaded from one level to another. They also served as an irrigation system for these botanical gardens.
Surprisingly, it wasn't as crowded as she thought it would be. Maybe it was because Pataran strict security within its headquarters also limited the people within its vicinity.
Soon, the princess starts to create her speech and practices it. However, she struggles to do so when she heard different voices.
"Oh my, there is the poor pampered princess who doesn't know anything about ruling a kingdom."
"It's the little lamb of her lioness mother."
"She's old enough to marry and yet she's still clinging to her mother's skirts. It's so childish."
"I wonder what will happen when she takes the throne."
"Well, if she can take it before someone else beats her to it."
"She doesn't know how to be decisive."
Partly, she heard some of these voices before at the royal court. What was worse is that she could identify some of them as her mother's friends. She tries to walk around and breathe deeply to calm down. It doesn't work. She ends up breaking down as a result of these fears springing from her insecurities. She then calls Zyric to come to her room immediately.
Zyric rushes to her room. Upon entering the room, he was astonished to see Elzilaura lying on the floor in a fetal position reiterating how stupid she was.
He once heard of the gossip and rumors at the Fliskan court about the heir to the throne having anxiety attacks. Now he saw for himself the rumors to be true.
He knew her to be a bit soft and subtle and most of the time intimidated by her tasks but he didn't know it was this bad. Usually, he would run away from women seeing them this wasted but this was Ella, a friend he cared for dearly.
Zyric kneels. "You're not stupid. You're one of the smartest girls I've ever met."
"No, that's not true." She tries to hold back her sobbing. He comes closer to the princess then and continues his inquiry.
"What seems to be the problem?" He asks. She turns her head away and deflects his query.
"Please, I need Kanunia. Please call her. Please." She fails to conceal her sobbing.
Zyric then rises to unfold his communicator. He manages to contact the team and Ranued was the one to answer.
Unfortunately, Ranued says Kanunia is still indisposed due to medications given earlier. Ranued and Alednos tries their best to have Kanunia talk to Elzilaura but the patient was so groggy her words made no sense. Elzilaura ends up panicking even more. Upon seeing the princess, Alednos steps in. "You seem weary your highness. How may I help you?"
"Alednos." She cries hysterically. "I need Kanunia. But she can't hear me. Huhuhu."
"It's alright. I'm here princess." The adviser comforts her. "Tell me what's wrong?"
"I'm afraid. I can't breathe. I need help. I can't talk to the assembly tomorrow, what if I freeze or have a mental block or something?"
"You'll be fine your highness." The adviser assures. "It's just a speech. Do remember that you are not there to be impressive just to gain popularity. You are there on behalf of your people who are in dire need of help. You are there to show the courage and strength of a girl who has faced a lot of ordeals to appeal for support.
You are not showing off your wealth but rather letting them know who you are. You deeply care not only for your people but for the rest of this universe. Go and tell them that. I'm sure they will love you the way we do." Alednos smiles.
"I fear I might not convince them to help us. What words should I say to persuade them?" Elzilaura slightly calms down but her tone was still weary.
"You are our princess. No matter what you do, you will always be successful in our eyes. Whether you gain their support or not, we will be proud of how well you vouched for us and humbled yourself before a great assembly to help your people.
Remember you are there to convey a message. You only have to speak the truth and the right people will believe you."
"Thank you Alednos. I am so pleased to have you here with me. I appreciate this." Elzilaura's panic wanes down. Alednos is happy he could help. Soon, they end their communication.
Afterward, Zyric then asks. "Are you okay now?" The princess nods and smiles back.
"Almost." She tries to catch her breath. "Thank you for helping me reach Kanunia and Alednos."
"You're welcome." Zyric answers back. "I think you are just burned out. You've been stressed by our travels and working on that speech is wearing you out. You need a break." Zyric jolts up from his position. "I'll leave you for a moment to change into something comfortable. We'll go out into the city just for a while to get some air. I'll make the arrangements and be back soon, alright." The princess agrees.
Meanwhile, back at the hangar in Techton, Harrion supervises the space vessel upgrades and sees Dazifae sitting at a corner being approached by Merus.
Merus then begins to talk. "I hope you're feeling better." He pats the girl's shoulder.
Dazifae just looks at him. She still looks troubled. Merus began to tell his tale. "You know, I too have been troublesome." He sighs.
"It's because I feel unappreciated too. I even tried to be an inventor just for my parents to appreciate me. Still, I feel they love Enna more until I realized that love comes from within. You know."
He then sits down beside Dazifae, who also moves to the side of the bench so he can have extra space. "If I can't learn to love and appreciate myself and accept my flaws, I don't think anyone would come to love and respect me. If I accept my strengths and weaknesses, I would not seek validation elsewhere. I may not be the greatest or the best in my field but at least I will have peace of mind."
Dazifae utters. "My friends think I'm weak. Everyone thinks I'm weak. People think you are weak if you are flawed and it's also unfair you know. People tend to turn a blind eye when you're successful, strong, and powerful. They don't mind your shortcomings because you are larger than life but when you're perceived as weak, they notice everything wrong about you. They don't respect you."
"Not everyone thinks that. I don't think you are that sociable to know everybody in the universe." Merus laughs but quickly continues.
"But you have a point. It's unfair. The universe can be harsh and judgmental at times but other people don't know you yet. They do not know your capabilities and one day they will see that you are so much more than what they perceive you to be. But do not let them hinder you from being you. Do not let them be roadblocks to your success.
If your so-called friends think you are weak and that they don't respect you, then why are you with them? People who love you respect you too and having weaknesses doesn't make you a bad person. Not owning up to them does."
"It's hard to be reprimanded all the time." The lady answers softly.
"Well, we all need to be corrected so we can improve and get better. After all, success doesn't come easy." Merus says. "I'm still not perfect as you've seen earlier. Yes, I constantly get scolded here and there but I know I'm improving. I'll get there too. I'll be successful like my elder sister and her husband and her friends too.
Besides, you are lucky to be born with a roof over your head and a family that provides for you. Here in this part of the universe, you will meet people who are victims of violence or refugees from invaded planets and other stories that will make you thankful you have privileges."
Merus points to a guy and a girl sitting at the far side of the room."See those two? That's Graenem, a scholar from Pataran Engineering, and beside him is Calala from Patara Architecture. They are Pataran scholars but they work during school breaks. They grew up in an orphanage on Planet Chaone and looked up to Pataran social workers. That is why they chose this path. They grew up with no families or emotional support but they are always happy and thankful for the blessings they receive day by day. They are so inspiring that we love having them around."
Suddenly, a booming alarm sounded. Everyone stood still. Merus then checks his gadget. "Oh, it's my new invention. I call it the cooking machine. It's a giant oven that can prepare a whole feast all at once but gotta improve the alarm. It's too loud. I must go now, my lady."
"Alright, thank you Merus." Dazifae smiles at him. The inventor grins before leaving.
Dazifae then stands up to approach the space vessel. She sees Enna at the base of the hull giving instructions to one of the technicians working at the windows of the vessel while her colleagues were just beside her holding gadgets that had cables that were connected to the power supply at the bottom of the vehicle.
Harrion steps out of the vessel and sees Dazifae observing them at a distance. He approaches her. The lady stops once he reaches her. They stare into each other until Harrion realizes he had to do something to lose the awkwardness.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier," Harrion utters.
"Likewise," Dazifae replies. "I am sorry too for my behavior. You are right. I should be more careful and responsible."
"I am also inconsiderate of other people's feelings." Harrion slowly replies. "Especially to women so I too will try to be cautious." Suddenly, the tension between them eases.
A drilling sound disrupts and Dazifae looks over his shoulder. "I guess you are doing great progress then?"
"Oh yes, it's in better condition now," Harrion says. "Come let me show you." He grabs her hand and leads her to the vessel.
Harrion explains the improvements and shows her as they enter the ship.