“But the upshot of what you’re saying is that Myshtal may be expecting this pact I made with Queen Dornoccia to result in actual matrimony.”
“No, not at all,” Gramps declared, shaking his head emphatically. “That would be like expecting you to marry Electra simply because you like her. So even if Myshtal does have feelings for you, it doesn’t mean that she’s already picked out her wedding dress.”
“Thank heaven for small favors.”
“Look, the main thing I want you to understand is that this is clearly more than just a simple business deal now. There are real feelings involved, real emotions. That means you’re going to have to figure out what’s the right thing to do here very soon, or someone’s bound to get hurt.”
“So basically, you’re telling me I need to man up.”
“That’s one way to put it,” he said laughingly as he clapped me on the shoulder. “But you’ve got excellent judgment, Jim, so I’ve got all the confidence in the world that you’ll make the right decision.”
“That makes one of us,” I stated glumly, causing my grandfather to chuckle again.
Chapter 16
Shortly after the conversation with my grandfather, we all left for the gala. Our ride was a chauffeured limousine, courtesy of Alpha Prime. It was a bit more pretentious than we had planned, but my father had insisted. Thus, we had all piled in after the car and driver showed up at the embassy gate.
The limo’s interior configuration was along the lines of what I expected, with two rows of seats set across from each other. My grandparents and mother took the forward-facing seats, while Myshtal and I sat on the rear-facing row, with our backs to the partition separating our group from the driver.
As we drove, Myshtal began peppering my grandparents with questions about proper Earth etiquette in social settings. This was, for all practical purposes, going to be her public debut, and she obviously wanted to make a good impression. However, she invariably charmed almost everyone she met, so in my opinion she was worrying over nothing.
On my part, I couldn’t stop thinking about what my grandfather had said to me. Myshtal and I had gone through a crisis together on Caeles, so it was undeniable that the two of us had a bond that had nothing to do with our marital pact. However, what Gramps had told me changed the entire landscape between me and the princess. I mean, it was one thing to imagine how things would be between us if I didn’t have a girlfriend. It was something else altogether for her to actually have romantic feelings for me (although it would certainly explain a few things).
<Hey,> my mother’s voice telepathically cut into my thoughts. <You okay over there?>
<Yeah,> I replied. <I’m fine.>
<You sure? You look like something’s got you worried.>
<No, I’m good.>
<Then what’s with the frown?>
I was about to ask what she was talking about, then realized with a start that she was right: my brow was distinctly furrowed. Smiling at my own gaffe, I relaxed my features.
<That’s much better,> Mom noted with approval. <With that scowl off your face, you actually look nice.>
Mentally, I chuckled. <Thanks – so do you. All of us, in fact.>
<Yeah,> she agreed, glancing around at our group. <Never let it be said that the Carrows don’t clean up nice.>
I nodded in agreement. Like me, Gramps, and Myshtal, my mother and grandmother had also dressed up for the occasion. Now bedecked in formal attire and with their hair styled in a similar fashion, they looked more like siblings than ever.
<Anyway,> my mother continued, <I was hoping you would do me a favor.>
<Sure,> I replied. <What do you need?>
She seemed to contemplate for a moment before responding. <I know you’re busy, but just make sure you leave enough flexibility in your schedule to spend time with your grandparents.>
<I will. I mean, I do. I think we have either breakfast or dinner together just about every day.>
<I’m not talking about meals. I’m talking about real time, where you do something together.>
<Well, we do play board games.>
<That we do,> she admitted. <But I want you to do more than that. I’m talking about things that will create memories – maybe going to see a show, or taking in a ballgame.>
As she spoke, I sensed an odd vibe in her, something like dolefulness mingled with disquiet.
<Alright,> I stated flatly. <What is it?>
She gave me a bewildered look. <What do you mean?>
<What is it that you’re not telling me?>
My mother simply stared at me, and for a moment it seemed as though she wasn’t going to answer. Then she let out a telepathic sigh and simply announced, <They’re leaving.>
<What?> I mentally muttered. <Who?>
<Your grandparents, of course! Haven’t you been paying attention? They’re leaving.>
<You mean like on vacation or something?> I asked, then had to choke back laughter. <You make it sound like it’s the end of the world. Where are they going – Europe or someplace like that?>
Mom gave a mental shake of her head. <No, they’re going a bit farther abroad than simply overseas.>
Now the frown was back on my face as I concentrated, trying to figure out what my mother was getting at. She helped me out by telepathically sending me a clue: an image of a black field stretching out in all directions, covered with twinkling lights.
<Outer space?!> I mentally blurted out, unable to hide my surprise. <They’re leaving the planet?>
<Not right away, but yes.>
<How? The ship that brought us back from Caeles is long gone.>
My mother mentally shrugged. <Mom’s made arrangements of some sort.>
<But why? Are they unhappy here?>
<No, it’s not that.>
<Then what is it? Why are they leaving?>
<Because they’ve already seen everything Earth has to offer. They got to travel all over the place years ago when they were with the Alpha League. In short, Dad got to show Mom his world; now she wants to show him
