The banquet lasted till late at night and most of the time Simon and Alesia were together chatting and having a good time.
She also used this opportunity to introduce some of her friends and some nobles to Simon.
In the end he had made more connections than Midori Sato that evening.
The next day they were again in the throne room of the palace ready for the official audience with the empress.
-The delegation of The Terran Council.
They were announced and the great door opened inviting them inside.
The throne room was filled with ministers,advisors and military officers.
Simon and the four soldiers that were escorts that day were wearing their armor while envoy Sato wore a business suit to the audience.
They all bowed slightly as a sign of respect when they walked to the empress.
-What can I do for the Terran council?
The Empress asked.
-Your majesty The Terran Council sends its greetings and wishes to establish an alliance between our two species.
Midori Sato said.
-Does that mean that we don't have to sign the Geneva convention to become allies?
The prime minister asked.
-Signing of the convention is not mandatory,it is for those that see value in the rules that this document represents.
Sato explained.
-This does not matter as I already agreed to sign this document.
The empress announced.
-That's great news and it will eliminate many of the problems with the alliance.
Terran envoy said with a smile.
-Yes and we will consider the alliance but first we need to discuss it in depth.
Liara said.
-Of course your majesty.
The other thing is a private matter of Admiral Black.
Sato took a step back and her place was taken by Simon.
-Your majesty, I would like to officially propose a marriage to the Fifth princess of the Elani empire Alesia Xirna,with your permission.
He recited the formula that Alessia had told him at the banquet as it would make a great impression if he proposed according to the Elani custom.
Alessia who was sitting in her place was blushing as it was quite embarrassing.
-Do you have the fifth princess pendant?
The empress asked.
-Yes your majesty.
Simon answered shortly and took out the item from under his armor.
He was always wearing it on his neck and it also meant that he had serious intentions towards the princess.
-If the Fifth princess accepts her pendant back then I see no problem with you becoming partners.
Anyone who is opposed to this union should speak now.
The empress said as it was their custom to give anyone the right to object before the pendant was returned.
-I am opposed to this human's proposal and I challenge him to a duel for the right to marry the princess.
Irio, who was standing next to his grandfather, spoke up and went to the front.
-Well Admiral Black the challenge has been issued and what's your response?
The empress said with a slight dissatisfaction in her voice as she had hoped to avoid this whole duel farce.
-I accept the challenge and hope that we can do it as soon as possible.
Simon answered,he was looking at Irio like he was a corpse already.
-Your majesty,we need to alter the rules of the duel because the humans are death worlders from a high gravity world.
The prime minister said.
-The challenge was issued by Irio Xanzi and I'm sure that he knew of this,so there will be no alteration to the rules.
The duel will consist of a hand to hand combat to the death as it always has been.
The empress decided to cut all possible discussion.
In accordance with Admiral Black wish the duel will take place at sundown today at the castle arena.
The prime minister went pale,he knew that there was no chance for his grandson to win against a terran in a fair fight.
He was ready for this eventuality but he didn't wish to use this method on his grandson as it came with a price.
-As you wish for your majesty.
Was the only thing that he could say at this point.
There was still a chance to win this but it was a small chance and there was a huge risk if they were discovered.
The Ambassador from the Federation heard about the duel and offered his help in exchange for the support in convincing the empress to join the Federation.
The help was in the form of a pill with a very powerful stimulant that would let Irio fight the human on equal terms or even with a slight advantage.
There was only one problem with this plan as the fight would have to end within a short amount of time otherwise the stimulant would become dangerous for the user and if not treated with an antidote the user would die.
-Then this matter will be settled today,until then you both have the time to get ready.
-Yes your majesty.
They both said.
The time went by fast and in the evening they were both standing in the arena ready to fight.
There was still around half an hour before the match started and the judges were making sure that there was no foul play during the duel.
In accordance to the rules if one was caught cheating then they would be killed as a punishment.
When Irio saw Simon entering the arena only wearing loose karate pants and without footwear he could see for the first time that the human's body had enough muscles to put most of the athletes on his planet to shame.
The young Elani was wearing a traditional dueling robe which looked like a strange sportswear.
Both contestants were scanned from top to bottom to check for any illegal objects or substances.
The scans returned clean and the judges gave a green light for the duel after Simon gave the main judge the pendant that was the prize for the winner.
The audience was full this evening as everyone wanted to see what it's like to fight with a human.
The prime minister was standing by the entrance to the arena to wish his grandson good luck and give him the pill.
The fight was about to start in a few minutes and everyone was excited to see a good show.