Deathworlders Should Not Be Allowed To Date! 62

Luna VI query: Set the source to the translation logs of Princess Amara Auralyn.

As you wish!

Luna VI query: Tell me about Amara’s request to Khala.

***

With the elders engrossed in the meeting hall of the Royal Palace, monitoring the rescue operation through their legacy AR visors, issuing commands, and demanding updates, Amara stepped away from the table. Seeking a moment of quiet with her friends, she aimed to address a pressing matter–Earth's government's urgent request for an Irisian ambassador.

Huddled in a quiet corner of the vast room, Amara, Elysira, and Yelara stood together in a close circle, the intense emotions of past conflicts and whispers of betrayal now distant memories.

Though not physically present, Mia joined them as a virtual presence. Her face appeared in the floating window, her newly shortened blonde hair framing her slightly hardened features—a change she had made after narrowly surviving the day of the kidnapping, as if recrafting her appearance could help her reclaim control.

"I think Yelara would make a better Irisian representative," Mia said thoughtfully. "I think the elders don’t fully understand humanity yet. I mean, they sort of do, but I’ve had some bad experiences with them. They’ve called me rude for being too loud or refused to answer basic questions, and accused me of prying into their secrets." Mia’s gaze shifted between Yelara and Elysira, her tone expressing some hesitation. Amara, for her part, had remained a quiet observer, listening rather than engaging in the discussion.

"I... I'm sorry I can’t be of any help," Elysira said softly. Her skin containing subtle hints of gray—so faint that only Amara noticed, understanding the source of her sadness before she had even finished speaking. "Until Amara became queen, I was never allowed teachers for anything other than cleaning rooms and cooking."

"Leave everything to me," Yelara said with quiet confidence, her tail gently brushing against Elysira’s belly. "You have other priorities now. Besides, with a human of your own and Amara as your friend, I’m certain you’ll catch up to everyone else in just a few harvests."

Realizing a decision was about to be made without her input, Amara stepped into the conversation.

"I cannot allow you to go to Earth right now, Yelara," she said in a low voice, carefully ensuring her words would not carry to the elders stationed not far behind her. "You are the only one among us who knows every human aboard the space station and can communicate effectively with the elders. Without you, misunderstandings could arise, and our communication could fall apart. Until more of us are properly trained, your role is far too vital to Irisa. You cannot abandon it."

Of course, Amara herself could manage the task, but with her primary focus on Argor's rescue, Yelara had taken on the role of liaison in her stead.

"But there’s no one else besides her we could confidently send to Earth to represent you," Mia said, her tone firm. As Nathan’s handler and someone who had spent months on Caladris, she had a clear understanding of how few Irisians could truly serve as effective representatives. "Aldrinch would have been a good candidate..."

All three pairs of eyes turned to Amara. Comfortable enough around this group to let her true colors show, she stared at the ground, her colors shifting into a vacant gray—an emotion she quickly concealed.

"Nathan is my chosen, and I trust him with the fate of our species," Amara declared, her tone assertive as she presented an unconventional alternative. "Would humanity permit him to serve as our representative?"

"That... wouldn’t work. I’m sorry, Amara," Mia said hesitantly, offering no further explanation—an omission that immediately sparked Amara’s suspicion.

Yelara opened her mouth to speak, but Amara interjected with calm authority. "I trust you humans would prefer one of your own as a representative," she said. "Pray tell me, why then would the GU reject Nathan?"

Aldrinch had taught Amara that what was left unsaid was often as significant as the words spoken aloud. Yet, even without his guidance, Amara could clearly see that Mia was hiding something. The panic in her face was unmistakable.

"What are you not telling me, Mia?" Amara asked, her tone sharp and direct, provoking an immediate reaction.

Mia's jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing as a flash of panic crossed her face. "It's something Nathan made me promise not to tell you." She let out a long sigh, adding in a muttered voice, "Why am I so bad at keeping secrets."

Nathan keeping something from her? Amara paused, her colors remaining carefully neutral even as her thoughts churned. Yet, there was something in Mia's reaction—a hint of unease, perhaps even willingness—that convinced her the truth would not be hard to uncover.

"Say it." Amara didn’t even bother to sound serious.

With Elysira's and Yelara's stares joining her own, it didn’t take long for Mia to cave under the pressure. "Okay, okay!" she blurted. "Nathan... with everything that’s happened, he doesn’t want to burden you with his problems, but he’s... well, he’s facing some legal troubles after going public about the kidnapping and, um, everything that led to Argor’s existence."

Elysira's fingers intertwined tightly as she stared intently at Amara, while Yelara—closer to Nathan in both bond and understanding—showed faint traces of purple blooming around her neck, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Idiot!" Amara snapped, though her voice lacked its usual edge. Still numb from the kidnapping, she clutched her tail, squeezing it slightly, her neutral blue remaining steadfast. "How long will it take for him to realize that his troubles are no longer just his own?"

"Just how bad is his situation?" Yelara asked, facing Mia.

"I'm not sure." Having lost all reservations, Mia offered a full explanation. "All I know is that he had been interrogated two times, and that his lawyer is saying that they might sue him for more than just violating his NDA. If you appoint Nathan as your ambassador, you would be giving them a lot of ammunition against him. They could claim he abandoned the mission just for personal gain, and this wouldn't look good for him on court, trust me."

Amara could never truly hate Sally—not after her help in finding Argor and her promise to save Irisa. Yet, at times, Amara couldn’t help but wonder if they were making things more difficult than necessary. The abrupt request to nominate an ambassador to send to Earth had caught her completely unprepared, interrupting the discreet investigation the Irisian fleet was conducting in the star system Icarus had directed them to.

"Tell me, Mia, why does the GU insist on an ambassador with such urgency? Could they not wait until the fleet locates Argor?" Amara's voice was calm, but her gaze was sharp. While there was little she could do to aid the mission directly, sitting with the elders and listening to the fleet's reports had become as vital to her as breathing.

Mia pressed a finger to her lips, pausing thoughtfully before replying, "I’m not sure, Amara. Who knows what goes on in the minds of those bureaucrats?"

Her eyes suddenly widened, and her lips parted as if she had just remembered something important. "It might have something to do with Nathan going public about his relationship with you. Now it’s not just the defense department you’re dealing with—it’s the entire bureaucracy of the GU. With so many people involved and the level of public attention this is getting, I wouldn’t be surprised if the parliament has stepped in and wants to scrutinize your representative."

Could her relationship with Nathan have become entangled in human politics? Traces of purple flickered across her body as she considered the implications. Drawing on the countless hours of human movies she had watched with Nathan, Amara already knew this could spell trouble for both of them. The thought of human politicians meddling in her personal life was as unnerving as the elders interfering—perhaps even worse. On Earth, her status as queen would hold little sway, and her authority as a representative even less. This could mean that Nathan’s fate, and that of her son, might fall into the hands of others, beyond even Sally’s influence. And that was something Amara could not accept.

"I have made my decision on who will represent us," Amara declared, her voice steady despite the fear she made no effort to conceal. "I will go to Earth myself."

Amara watched as surprise rippled across Yelara's and Elysira's skin in a wave of light purple, their reactions making it clear she had said something truly unexpected. Equally telling was Mia's response—she leaned forward, her eyes wide and her jaw slack in shock.

"You can’t do that, Amara. Who will have the final say in commanding the fleet if you leave?" Yelara was the first to voice her opposition, her tone firm.

"What if something happens while you’re away?" Elysira’s reaction was different, colored with visible concern as faint traces of gray spread across her neck and arms. "Without you and Ryo, I won’t feel safe here."

Even Mia had her objections. "The conglomerate might try to contact the elders directly if you’re not here," she warned, her gaze shifting between Yelara and Elysira, who both nodded their agreement in a human-like gesture. "Zara isn’t exactly hiding how much she wants to return to the surface."

"What escapes your notice," Amara said, her tone calm, "is that there is another who could fulfill the Royal duties in my absence."

Her words landed with a shock, Elysira reacting the strongest.

"No, Amara, not your mother!" Elysira's voice rose so sharply that even the elders across the room turned their attention to them. Realizing her outburst, she flushed white for a moment before continuing in a hurried whisper. "What if... what if she doesn’t want to step down when you return?"

Elysira’s question revealed her lack of knowledge about their history, but when Amara noticed even Yelara and Mia gazing at her with similar concern, she realized she needed to address their fears.

"The elders are neither merciful nor fools," Amara remarked, casting a glance over her shoulder to ensure the elders were out of earshot. "They will not bow to Khala if she acts against my known wishes." Her gaze shifted back to her companions, her tone steady. "In fact, I would not be surprised if they used the opportunity to settle old grievances with my mother now that her prime has passed."

It took some additional convincing for Amara to persuade them that she was the best candidate to represent their species, yet not once did she lose patience or impose her will, despite having the authority to do so. In the end, they reluctantly agreed, provided certain arrangements were made.

Yelara would remain on Irisa to handle communication with the humans, while Elysira—still uneasy about staying alone in her quarters—would move in with Yelara. The latter promised to look after her, especially in case those high ranked servants who had not fully forgiven her tried to make her life harder.

As for Mia, she volunteered to accompany Amara to Earth, an offer the young queen accepted without hesitation. Despite her calm exterior, Amara knew the journey ahead would be daunting. She was venturing to an alien planet—the home of a species she was intimately familiar with, yet it remained a place that carried its own share of uncertainty and fear.

After ensuring everyone was on the same page, Amara excused herself from the meeting hall and sought out her chief guard. She quickly gathered a small entourage of her most trusted staff before setting off for her mother’s home on the far side of Caladris.

The journey through the intricate network of vertical and horizontal elevators went smoothly, and within minutes, Amara found herself beneath the edge of Caladris' dome. This area, far from the busy surroundings of the Royal Palace, was quiet and desolate, with empty streets and little activity.

Khala’s residence occupied the entire top floor of a tall, rectangular building nestled close to the dome itself. Two guards stood at the entrance to the lower floor, their bodies flushing a deep purple from head to toe as Amara approached. Though visibly tense, they made no move toward their weapons, instead bowing awkwardly in deference.

"Inform my mother I wish to see her," Amara commanded, her tone calm but unyielding. She had no intention of repaying Khala for the invasion of her own home months ago; the balance had been struck when Amara seized the Royal Palace and exiled the former queen.

The guards rushed inside, and the response came neither too swiftly nor too slowly, arriving with a deliberate slow pace that spoke volumes. It was as though Khala was acutely aware of her precarious position but unwilling to appear entirely submissive.

"The Queen Mother awaits you inside. Please come alone," one guard relayed, bowing deeply. The faint hints of worry painting his skin betrayed the fact that these words were not his own.

With a subtle flick of her tail, Amara signaled her entourage to remain behind, not bothering to glance back to ensure compliance. They would disapprove, but she had already made her decision.

Khala’s staff greeted her just beyond the threshold, their postures stiff and wary. They guided her to the elevator with tense movements, accompanying her inside despite their visible fear. It was clear they were far more intimidated by her than she was by them.

With her arms crossed, Amara stepped out onto the highest floor, emerging into a narrow corridor that led to a moderately large guest room filled with expensive furniture. Queen Khala was still nowhere to be seen.

Knowing her mother still clung to a sense of pride, Amara didn’t let the wait bother her. Instead, she found a mirror and began her preparations for the journey to Earth, determined to head straight to the space station as soon as her mother agreed to the terms—assuming she did, which was far from certain.

Her thoughts wandered as she methodically pulled a set of rubber-like coverings from her purse, slipping them over her clawed fingers one by one. She wasn’t entirely sure how the humans on Earth would react to her claws, and while the gesture felt unnecessary, it was better to make mistakes on the side of caution. Though she had come here to see her mother, her mind was already elsewhere, focused on the challenges that lay ahead.

"You are unbelievable," Khala’s voice shattered the silence, filling the room with its sharp edge from somewhere behind Amara. "Must you rob me even of the small pleasure of making you wait a little?"

"I am not in the mood for power plays," Amara replied, her gaze centered on her reflection, studying her hair with cold detachment. Her colors flickered toward a faint irritation as she smoothed every strand into place—a sign of tiredness and neglect rather than Nathan’s gentle touch ruffling it as it once had.

"If you are here, it must be because you need something," Khala continued, stepping into view. Amara caught a glimpse of her through the mirror, her mother’s skin transitioning to a shade of gray. "It has to be. If not even having your child taken or Aldrinch killed is enough to bring you to your mother, then I cannot imagine what else would."

"You offered me no love when I was just a naïve little girl, none when my brother swore to kill me, and none when Thozor broke my heart. Why would I want it now?" Amara's tone was detached, her skin the purest shade of blue—a genuine reflection of her utter indifference, not a calculated display.

Though Amara had not intended to provoke, her words struck Khala deeply. Her mother's exterior became a chaotic swirl of colors, a visceral reaction far more revealing than anything Amara could have triggered intentionally.

As the chaos settled, Khala’s gaze sharpened, her eyes burning with intensity. Amara braced herself for the heated argument she expected—anger, frustration, perhaps even a rare apology. Yet, none of those emotions came. Instead, Khala moved with calm resolve, her expression hardening into pure determination.

"Despise me if you must," Khala said as she stepped closer, resting a steady hand on Amara’s shoulder. Her voice carried the weight of conviction. "Yet I stand by the belief that I raised you well—fierce and unyielding, as the huntresses of old."

Their eyes met in the mirror, Khala’s unwavering despite the distance between them. "Your child was taken, and you summoned the fleet, arming them with the might of our nuclear arsenal—no crying, no hesitation. Your chosen is endangered, and you prepare to traverse the stars to reclaim him—fearless, resolute."

Khala stepped closer, placing both hands gently on her shoulders, her tail wrapping around Amara's in a gesture that stirred scarce, fleeting memories of happier moments from her childhood. Khala’s gaze softened as she leaned closer, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. "You have grown into exactly who you were meant to be."

Amara's colors shifted subtly, her skin a complex mixture of red, green, gray, and yellow—patterns so intricate even herself couldn’t decipher their meaning. How her mother knew about Nathan was a mystery, leaving Amara speechless. Time passed in silence as she failed to muster a reply, unknowingly allowing her mother’s touch to linger until Khala withdrew her hands, leaving behind an intangible emptiness.

Instead of moving away, Khala reached for Amara’s hand, her movements slow and gentle. She began removing the protective coverings from Amara’s claws, one by one, her silence stretching until the last covering was gone.

"You claimed your human without such artifices, and you shall not need them for Earth," Khala said, her voice steady with regal authority as she undid Amara’s work. "Now, go and show those humans what you are made of."

Amara turned, locking eyes with her mother. "Yes, Mother," she said firmly.

Without another word, she turned and left, not sparing a single glance behind. She didn’t ask Khala to take her place in her absence—for there was no need. That much she had already understood.

It was only when Amara stepped out of the building, the cool air brushing against her skin, that the realization struck her. She hadn’t even asked the question she had come for, yet her confidence was soaring higher than it had in a long time.

***

This was an account based on Amara’s request to Khala. The previous narrative is based on the events of the eleventh month of the exploratory mission of Irisa. According to your current settings, no queries will be suggested.