Beloved Universe

It took every bit of self-control that Tova Bonavet had to not adjust her tvekel, the skirt wrapped around the lower half of her body for the twentieth time. She sat in the waiting room of Lady Yanatha Shiv, the leader of the Hope Renewed Estate and Ambassador to the Terran Confederacy. She could hear conversation and murmurs through the heavy wooden doors which were hand carved by artisans from the empire.

Tova knew what this was about. She knew that Princess Aevina Vaesh was the subject of the modulating tones and voices. Tova had chosen not to say anything about running into the woman while about New Chicago not expecting the woman to come flying over the gate with a Terran boy. Tova confessed everything to the Lady of the Estate before Baneth arrived and knew that once everything quieted down, there was a very good chance her butt was going to be whipped for hiding such an important fact. The dark look on Lady Shiv’s face when she confessed was familiar enough to know she was upset and disappointed. Tova knew she deserved it. She should
never have kept her mouth shut.

Aevina always got her in trouble.

Why was she here now? That was the worst part about it. Tova knew that behind those doors, Yanatha and Baneth were speaking with the Triumvirate. Three High Barons of the Gray Council, powerful people in their own right and terrifying when together. Only the Empress could command them, which made their words unquestionable. There was a very good chance, she was going to receive her punishment in front of the three.

Tova’s face flushed with embarrassment. To be punished was one thing but to have it done in front of the Gray Council was a humiliation that she would never be able to live down. All the young dark-skinned woman could do was control her breathing and accept whatever was given to her.

The voices were raised again, and it sent a cold chill through her spine and she jumped in her seat as the door banged open. Lord Baneth, a handsome but terrifying man with scars on his face, strode past her with only one glance of annoyance. Lady Yanatha, her hair in thick black braids cascading down one shoulder, only took a few steps out and looked directly at her. Behind her, in the dim room, Tova could make out the glow of holo projectors still running.

“Tova.”

Tova quickly hurried to her feet, the adrenalin running through her almost making her trip over her own feet. She dipped a quick curtsey.

“Yes, My lady!”

“The High Barons wish to speak with you.”

The terror that shot through the young woman was so much worse. Now, she would have rather been stripped naked, placed on the altar, and exposed to the entire planet than to be interrogated by them. It was not her own reputation at stake now but that of Yanatha and House Brevet as a whole. One word from either of them to their own High Baron and Yanatha would be stripped of her position and so much worse for Tova.

“My lady…” Tova started but the sharp shake of Yanatha’s head silenced her.

Taking a deep breath and giving in and straightening her skirt, Tova walked in trying to be proud but humble to the three who kissed the hand of the Empress. The three holo projectors hummed softly having broken the images up to three distinct individuals.

In the center was a strong looking man wearing one of their traditional military uniforms like Baneth earlier. Though in his case, he was much more decorated, the medals and awards emblazoned on his chest. He wore a collection of kovek honors, Tova had never seen anyone wearing that many given by the royal family. When her own emerald eyes contacted his, he smiled gently which seemed to ease the tension in Tova’s heart. She could make out the sandy light brown hair from the cascading blue emitter and he gave her shallow bow.

Tova broke out in a deep blush and immediately fell to two both knees and prostrated herself in front of them with her arms out in front of her. The heavy door closed behind her as Tova kept her forehead against the cool marble floor.

“Rise, Maid Tova,” the gentle voice from the center hologram said and her head popped up surprised, but she slowly pulled herself to her feet. Tova had seen pictures of this man, the favored of the Empress. High Baron Hesh Avernell.

“My master! I am humbled you wish to speak to a simple maid as I,” Tova started trying to remember the proper salutations. She cursed herself for not asking the Emissary maid for the proper wording. She remembered that a maid, no matter the bonding referred to a High baron as Master but that was about it.

“Please,” Hesh said with a raise of his hand. “You are not in trouble. We need to gauge the situation that is at hand.”

“And Lady Shiv told us that you were aware of the presence of the Princess before her arrival at the Empress.” The other, harsher voice spoke. He was an older man with a white beard and as decorated as Avernell but the jagged cut of his uniform and hints of red told her who it was. High Baron Reklun of House Tavik. Baneth’s Lord.

“Reklun,” the one on the opposite side of Avernell said. A tone of warning in her voice. There was some sort of unspoken communication between the two but the other backed down. This one wore a tvekel like she did but of cut and splendor that made her own pale. High Baroness Ilesh of House Vanen was known to wear the same clothes as her servants to blend in with her household.

“Lady Shiv—-”

“You do not need to defend your lady,” Baron Avernell cut her off with a gentle smile. “She informed us that you confessed before the conference. We are not here to take any action against her. We need the truth from you with our questions.”

“Truth? I would never lie to you!” Tova said horrified at the prospect. It was at that moment a fourth form stepped in view. The young maid could not tell if it was, he or she but the familiar robe with red sash and a faceless mask covering their identity was unmistakable. An Inquisitor.

“Maid Tova, I am Inquisitor Kal. You are called to bear witness in this triumvirate. As is your right, you may request an adjudicator to assist you but in the expedience that our masters, the High Barons, need to decide, you and the members of the estate have been granted absolution for anything that comes out about the Princess of the Empire.”

Immunity. In a way, that was a relief as that meant her lady was protected as the inquisitor had absolved the estate. They were desperate for answers. Tova’s own morality surfaced, and she lowered her head.

“I will speak honestly and truthfully to the triumvirate, even without absolution. I swore to uphold the tenants even at the cost of my own stature. I will accept any punishment the Triumvirate deems necessary.”

Tova raised her head and saw the very quick smile from the central High Baron before he began.

“Tell me of the human who is with the Princess.”

“The princess was with two humans. Shiloh Jackson, who is the one who holds the bond but when she was out of apartment, she was escorted by a Larry Turner.”

“Tell me about him,” Hesh said with a nod of understanding. “What do you make of him?”

“He is an idiot,” Tova said before she policed her words and then she quickly bowed her head in apology and continued. “But shows affection for the princess though he keeps it to himself.”

“Affection? Does he treat her as property?” Hesh asked.

“What do you mean idiot? Is his stupidity a risk o the Princess’ life?” Reklun demanded.

“What do you mean keep to himself? Does he feign interest in the princess for some other reason?” Ilesh asked with concern in her voice.

Tova breathed in slowly pulling her thoughts together and then tried to speak.

“Larry Turner is a human male in his early twenties. When I say an idiot, I am referring to the idiocy of youth. He is optimistic and short sighted, but he does possess a self-awareness to protect those around him. He chose on his own to bring the princess to the embassy as he feared her falling into the hands of the Terran police force but short sighted in not asking the princess and thus bringing her to where she was not wanting to come.”

No questions followed that, so the young woman continued.

“He cares for the princess. He hides it behind a faux disdain but a few moments ago before the arrival of the Mistress of Blue Blossom, Larry Turner was willing to throw himself at my lord Baneth in what he thought was a way to protect her.”

“Futile gesture,” Reklun said amused. “Lord Baneth would not be felled by an untrained human.”

“I agree, My master,” Tova said making sure to stay official with him. “But I believe it speaks to his affection and care for her as he was willing to risk bodily harm in an unwinnable situation to protect her.”

There was a defiant upturn of Ilesh’s chin as if some point was made for her.

“How does he treat her?” the Baroness asked.

“He treats her well,” Tova said. “I do not wish to speak ill of the princess.”

“Maid Tova,” Hesh said cutting her off. “I appreciate your desire to maintain decorum but we three are well aware of Princess Aevina’s tendencies to be a dekek in the trousers. Please speak your mind.”

“Princess Aevina has not followed her contract as she should have. Sneaking out from her master’s abode without his permission to explore the city,” Tova started giving in and realizing she had to speak. “Larry Turner chose voluntarily to escort her for her protection and made sure she was safe. Even in a bar fight that she started a month or two ago.”

“I had a feeling that was her,” Hesh chuckled to himself.

“And Larry has not availed himself on the Princess sexually?” Ilesh said. “Her contract has removed her of the ability to decline her master.”

“Larry Turner is a gentleman that I believe the High Barons would find to be honorable to the level our people. I am confident that he would never avail himself of that clause due to his own integrity.”

“I.” Tova started. Well, it was time to confess everything.

“I wanted to understand what he was truly capable of. I asked a few of the maids to wear more revealing clothing around him and to also be more flirtatious so that. He never once crossed the line and touched a maid against her will with ample opportunity. He was even caught looking, blushed and called the maid pretty and quickly retreated to the other side of the room. It was amusing. He respects the autonomy of an individual even against the contract itself.”

“Maid Tova,” Hesh started and then stopped for a moment. “Would Larry Turner protect the life of the Princess at the cost of his own?”

The maid thought for a few moments and then nodded.

“Yes, My master. Larry Turner would protect the princess with his very life, even though he does not realize it.”

“Very well. Thank you for the truth, maid Tova. You are dismissed. Please ask your Lady if she would join us.”

Dropping to her knees and bowing low again in reverent respect, she backed out, not turning her backs to those who outranked her by so much. Outside she found Lady Yanatha sitting on one of the comfortable chairs with a glass of Vevek Wine with ice floating in it. One male and one female servant waiting at the door.

Yanatha raised an eyebrow, her dark eyes smoldering with fury.

“The High Barons ask for your company, My lady.” Tova said with her eyes properly looking at the floor.

Before the lady could move and ignoring the other maids that she outranked, Tova went to her knees in front of the sitting woman.

“I ask for your forgiveness,” Tova said with her head down.

“You were absolved by the Triumvirate,” Yanatha responded coldly.

“I do not wish their absolution. I wish the forgiveness of my lady for the position I put her in.” Tova said quickly.

There was a pause and Yanatha leaned forward, her breath against her ear so only the maid could hear. There was a bite of anger in it.

“Be careful of your choice, Tova.”

“I want the forgiveness of my lady,” Tova said again with certainty.

Yanatha laid a hand on her shoulder before standing up.

“When I’m done with you, you’re not going to be able to sit for a week.”

There was a ruffle of clothing as the Lady floated through the doors that slammed shut again.
Tova stood and took her seat again knowing that she had given up the protections of the absolution. Tova did not care. Yanatha was the first to trust her and she wanted that back.

Yanatha was creative in her punishments and no matter what she had planned, it was worth it to get in her good graces again.

The pain would be proper absolution.

“Damn Aevina and the trouble she gets me into.”