Imperial Palace of Yerpena, capital of Ornikarn
Niris took a deep breath. Standing in front of the huge door of the judgment room, the room reserved for the judicial activities of the palace, he closed his eyes for a moment. He remembered the message he had received this morning from Egea's central administration. As soon as Inja was released, the administration would launch an investigation procedure at the intergalactic court with the document brought back by the prince as proof.
He opened his eyes again. He was confident. This case was wrapped up for him, he knew he would win it without any problems. Yousmaïl had acted on impulse and had completely overestimated her chances of winning. Not only was she going to lose the arbitration concerning the interruption of the duel, but she was also going to suffer the consequences of Inja's confinement for lack of substance.
But that was not what Niris was preparing for. He was preparing for what was to come. Once his guard was released, he would have very little time before the organisation's investigative services intervened. At that point, he would have to disappear before the demons discovered his true identity. He would have little time to do what he had to do before he left.
He felt Azure's muzzle against his arm. The pegasus was standing next to him and looking at him with a worried expression. He reassured him with a pat on the nostrils before pushing open the double doors. Solemnly, he stepped into the already full room.
-Your Majesty, I thank you for making this hall available to us, a symbol of the pacification of conflicts and the appeasement of discord between individuals and peoples," he said, bowing to Seiran's mother, who sat in the central seat as the owner of the place.
She accepted the angel's acknowledgement with a nod. Seeing the empty seat on the bench next to Inja who was already waiting for him, handcuffed, he went to sit down followed by Azure. The guard smiled at him as he arrived. Opposite him, Yousmaïl was surrounded by advisers and lawyers.
He was the last to arrive. Apart from Yousmaïl, Mischien and his guard were there on the observers' bench, the empress sat on the political bench, flanked by Seiran on her right and the chamberlain on her left. On the angel's side, three representatives of the AEMS were on the observer's bench. Niris nodded at them and they nodded back. He did the same to the Emperor of Esethea, who returned his greeting.
No one had come to the hearing as an observer in the vampire camp. This confirmed the angel's prognosis of the princess' isolation. Deemed too risky for too few interests at stake, no diplomat had seen fit to get involved in a sensitive and pointless affair that could quickly turn into a fiasco if it went awry.
A heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone was waiting for the Peacekeeper to arrive. The electricity in the air went up a notch. Niris may have been calm about the outcome of the dispute, but the palpable agitation of the auras of the members present made him nervous. To relieve his stress and in the hope of distracting his mind from what lay ahead, he stroked the purple stone he had attached to his wrist with his long, thin fingers. Suddenly and without really knowing why, he felt the need to have the stone with him at all times.
Discreetly, he glanced at Seiran. The handsome demon's face was impassive. Straight in his seat, he had the posture of a man of power that was no match for his mother. The angel smiled inwardly. He knew that it was only a facade and that the demon did not like to display this kind of attitude, but he could not help but find him incredibly sexy in his beautiful clothes.
Interrupting his observation, the sound of a door opening made everyone stand up. The Peacekeeper was making his entrance. The creature that appeared before them took place in the middle of the room, facing the desk reserved for him, before speaking. Or rather, he projected his thoughts for all to hear.
"Hello everyone, I am Adora Shingan, the peacemaker assigned to this dispute."
The assembly of those present, including the Empress, the Chamberlain, and Seiran, bowed to the Peacemaker as one before sitting back down in silence. The Peacekeepers were deeply respected even by the organisation's detractors. Like Adora Shingan, the vast majority of Peacekeepers were members of a specific species in the intergalaxy: the Ayonites.
Although they had eyes, ears and a mouth, these did not work. Yet the Ayonites were able to sense the world in the same way as any other conscious species. They could hear what was said to them, see what was shown to them, and speak by projecting their thoughts into the outside world. Of all these strange abilities, none were really explained. Since scientific research is strictly forbidden on conscious species, the Ayonites remained a mystery to the entire intergalaxy, a mystery they themselves refused to reveal.
Many theories have been formulated about them, the most likely being that they used a very ancient form of natural energy. Contemporary conscious species could only use natural energy as a tool external to themselves. The Ayonites seemed to be animated by natural energy and to live only by it. They do not sustenance or sleep. Their whole process is a complex operation of natural energy mixed directly into their organism, allowing them to perceive the world despite their peculiarities.
For this reason, they were mainly recruited in mediation and interpretation professions. Their apprehension of the world went beyond what any other living being perceived, allowing them to have a more sincere apprehension of the cases they were asked to judge since heartbeat, breathing, the smell emitted by the body were things that could not lie.
So they were feared and respected. No one knew the true extent of their skills, and their dedication to the intergalactic organisation made them a population with no political stake. They were not very interested in the world around them. They were content to pass judgement without worrying about the rest and did not participate in intergalactic life to any great extent.
Levitating in place, the translucent blue-skinned creature opened the proceedings by presenting the dispute to the parties.
"In the presence of Empress Regent Meohle Ralaar, I am here to render a verdict on two matters: the interruption of the duel between Lord Jangta Okram and Princess Yousmaïl Namar by Emperor Mischien of Esethea according to article 7 of the protocol for the regulation of legal duels attached to the peace charter of the intergalactic organisation, and on the decision to lock up Inja Soume, Lord Jangta's personal guard during the time of my intervention.
Let me remind you of the facts. Inja Soume fighting on behalf of Lord Jangta Okram and Sao Febbleize on behalf of Princess Yousmaïl Namar, were in the middle of a fight when Lord Mischien of Esethea intervened to interrupt the duel by invoking article 7 of the above-mentioned protocol. As it turned out, when this happened, Inja Soume launched an attack on Sao Febbleize which seriously injured her.
The issue in dispute is whether the attack was launched before the interruption or after it."
The Peacemaker paused for a moment. The room was so silent that the sound of breathing could be heard. No one dared to speak. Interrupting a Peacekeeper was the worst kind of slander.
"Princess Yousmaïl Namar, you maintain that the attack occurred after the interruption and that it constitutes a crime against your guard, is that correct?"
Allowed to speak, the Amadean replied.
-Yes, that is what I maintain."
"Lord Jangta Okram, you yourself maintain that the attack occurred before the interruption and therefore does not constitute a crime, is that your contention?"
-That's what I'm arguing," the angel replied solemnly.
"Do you have any evidence to submit?" the Peacemaker then asked.
Niris stood up, asking permission to speak. With a nod, the Ayonite instructed him to speak.
-I would like to submit the video taken by the drone recorder that was around the guards at the time," he said.
As he finished his sentence, he felt the piercing gaze of the vampire on him. He knew she hadn't expected this because she thought she had destroyed the video. But Niris had been clever enough to copy the video before the vampire had destroyed it. That way he'd let her think she'd destroyed the only evidence he had.
In turn, she stood up, her long red hair braided behind her back and falling to her waist, undulating with every movement.
-I'd like to submit the video footage from the observation room. Lord Jangta Okram's suspicious behavior suggests a conspiracy against my guard, who suffered serious bodily harm," she said after being allowed to speak.
"Very well," the Ayonite said. I will start by viewing the defendant's video before I view the petitioner's."
Sitting back down, Yusmail gave the angel a challenging look, but he did not respond. He knew that all these attempts were useless. After receiving the two pieces of evidence, the Peacemaker looked at them one by one. For a few minutes, the silence in the room was even heavier than before.
Finally, ending the tension that had built up in the round room, the Ayonite straightened up and prepared to render her judgment.
"According to the various pieces of evidence brought forward and according to the account of the facts duly studied, I find that the attack on Inja Soume occurred prior to the interruption by Emperor Mischien of Esethea. Consequently, the attack carried out by the latter does not constitute a crime since it was carried out in the context of the duel. It therefore follows that the imprisonment of Lord Jangta Okram's guard was unjustified and requires reparation. The nature of the reparation is to be determined between the parties and should remain proportionate to the damage suffered. An appeal may be lodged against it if it is found that the criterion of proportion has not been met.
As regards the evidence provided by the applicant, no evidence has been identified as constituting suspicious behaviour. The parties have the right to discuss the interruption with each other beforehand, and Emperor Mischien of Esethea is free to invoke Article 7 of the Protocol on whatever grounds he pleases, since nothing is stated in the Protocol itself.
The transfer is closed.
With that, the Ayonite headed for the exit without further ado. Judgments were always quick procedures as the Peacekeepers came after taking cognizance of the case. Since the situation was simple, the procedure had not required further exploration of the subject. Niris breathed a sigh of relief. He knew he would win, but he was still reassured to have the final verdict.
But on the vampire's side, it didn't seem so simple. Apparently upset by the Peacekeeper's answer, Yusmail stood up and went to stand in the Ayonite's way as she reached the door she had entered through.
-Peacekeeper Shingan, I think you should reconsider," she tried to make her reconsider. "You should consider the elements in more depth and take into account the fact that..."
-I apologize for our guest's lack of manners," came the big voice of the Empress Regent as she descended the steps to join the vampire and the Peacemaker who had not moved. "This affair has upset her greatly and she is very sensitive to your judgment. I beg you to forgive her and to believe in her sincerity regarding the reparation due."
The vampire wanted to react but the demoness pinched her by the arm with a smile, telling her to be quiet. Adding nothing, the Ayonite went on her way and walked out the door without a glance for the vampire who watched her leave in despair.
-Your Majesty!" she protested.
-Enough, Yousmaïl! I told you that you had gone too far in this matter. Now you will abide by the decision and that is all. You do not question the judgments of the peacemakers. Never!"
For the first time, Yusmail saw Seiran's mother getting angry with her. For as long as she had known her, she had only ever been an understanding and facilitating empress. Seeing her raise her voice at her took her breath away, and the grip of her aura prevented her from answering anything. As she was about to leave the room, she stopped when she heard the voice of the person she hated most in the world echoing behind her.
-It's a relief to see that our dispute is over," he said with a placid smile. "In this vast world of the intergalaxy, it is always better to have friends than enemies.
Faced with a face so perfect that it seemed unreal, smiling his most kind and benevolent smile, the vampire felt anger rise in her, but she knew she was in no position to get angry. So she stood there without saying anything, grinding her teeth.
"As for the compensation, we'll stick to a formal apology," he added, still smiling perfectly.
Yousmaïl almost insulted him on the spot, but she held back at the last moment. All eyes were on her. She had just lost to this angel and been condemned to reparations, if she acted out of anger, she would only make her case worse. Clenching her fists, she swallowed her pride and bent over, face down, her chest horizontal, in front of the two angels waiting in front of her.
-I apologise for my behaviour towards you. It was unwarranted of me to ask for your confinement and I apologize for that."
The words sounded as if they were ripped with a knife from her full-lipped mouth like a mantra of hatred she would have recited to curse the angel, but they were still words of apology. She had kept her end of the bargain.
-Apology accepted," the angel replied with an even more radiant smile.
The vampire was seething inside. She couldn't stand this feeling of inability. This affront from the angel was a humiliation to her. Not only had she not succeeded, but she had even had to apologize publicly. And since the reparation requested was derisory, she could not appeal against it at the risk of making a fool of herself.
She hated this little angel, so harmless in appearance, but who she felt was playing her as if she were just a pawn on a vast chessboard. She who had so much power compared to him, she had not managed to crush him as she intended to do. On the contrary! Not only had he done superbly, but he had managed to belittle her in the process. It was too much. The vampire decided to make this angel with the features of a porcelain doll her worst enemy and to damage his existence for the duration of his long life. She would crush him and make him suffer a hundredfold for what he had just inflicted on her.
But not now. For now she had to accept her defeat, however painful it might be for her pride. She had to lie down to attack better. Without adding anything, she headed for the exit, followed by her lawyers and advisors, making the air in the room a little less suffocating for its occupants.
-You are very reasonable in your request for redress, Lord Jangta. I thank you for your wisdom and consideration for our tumultuous guest," the regent smiled.
-But please, Your Majesty! I wanted to put an end to this dispute before it reached uncontrollable proportions," he replied with his usual courtesy.
The empress said nothing. She observed him for a moment before continuing.
-If there's one thing I've learned from you, it's that it would be a mistake to underestimate you, no matter how powerful and high ranking you are," she finally added with a more stern look. "Angels have a talent for playing you harmless when they are true masters at manipulating situations to their advantage. You've turned your weakness into a strength, as scary as that sounds."
Titillated by the sudden sharp tone of the demoness who had kept her smile, the angel froze inside. He had not expected such a direct attack in such a sacred place.
-But no matter how talented you are, there are things you cannot change, and by pretending to be strong, you will end up paying the consequences of your desire for greatness. There are things you cannot change, even a piece of paper with a name and a dematerialised chip code. You are doomed to be slaves to our world and there is nothing you can do about it."
She punctuated her words with a piercing stare straight into the eyes of the angel, who had kept his casual, affable smile for the few seconds the demoness had spoken. But inwardly, he was on edge. Did she know that he had found his young slave's identity document? If that was the case, why wasn't she doing anything? She seemed so confident when a member of the species she despised most had physical evidence of the heinous traffic she was running in the shadows of the intergalactic community against her!
Niris calmed her suspicions long enough to answer the regent.
-Strength and weakness are subjective things based on very personal qualifications," he replied in the most diplomatic of manners. "What you consider our strength, we surely consider our weakness. Having the illusion of power is far more devastating than giving the illusion of weakness. That is the choice we have made, and I apologize on behalf of my people if this philosophy has offended you in any way."
The last thing he needed was to arouse suspicion. As soon as the procedure was officially launched, his cover would be blown and he would be exposed to all the threats. He had to keep it until then, no matter what.
But the demoness did not raise her voice. She observed the little prince for a moment before leaving, making a sign to Seiran to follow him. The latter obeyed and passed in front of Niris without a glance for him. The angel knew that they had to keep a natural distance given the conditions, but it pained him to see his lover walk past without even giving him a glance. The more time passed, the more impatient he became to see this situation come to an end.
As he watched the back of the regent and her son walk away down the corridor in front of him, he was about to turn to Inja and Azure when he met the gaze of the chamberlain who walked past him to join them. For a moment he felt an electric shock inside him. The look the being gave him was terrifying. It did not last even a second, but it was enough to leave an indelible mark on Niris.
Suddenly, as the angel watched the chamberlain walk away, he felt the stone on his wrist heat up against his skin. With a quick movement, he pulled up the sleeve of his tunic and saw the purple gem glowing softly. Intrigued by the mineral's reaction, he stroked it with his finger but it did not tarnish.
Shaken by what he had just experienced, the angel was filled with questions. That look had disturbed him, but why? And what was going on with the stone? It had never reacted before! Why did it suddenly emit light and heat when it made eye contact with the chamberlain? As if it were alive? It wasn't the first time he had come across a demon with that stone on his wrist.
The angel stopped. A demon? He thought for a moment. The look he'd seen, chilling as it was...was definitely not that of a demon. He knew it deep down. He had felt it. This man who was the first advisor, the empress's most trusted man, and the main player in politics on Ornikarn was not a demon. Niris was certain of that. The energy he had felt emanating from the man with the wrinkled skin was certainly not that of a member of the demon family.
This realization made the hair on his arms stand on end. If this man wasn't a demon, what was he doing in the closest proximity to the power of demons? And above all, why was the empress letting him have such power? All these questions added to the others and stirred inside the angel who began to feel something deep inside him, something he had not felt for a long time and which he could not ignore. Like a sudden return of the instinct that made him an animal like all conscious and non-conscious species, this feeling came over him, sharpening all his senses and telling him to be on guard at all times to protect his life.
This feeling was the basic feeling of any animal being chased by a predator: it was the feeling of close and immediate danger. In other words, fear.