“You’re still blessed with a vivid imagination, I see.”
“No dice?”
“I haven’t got any concubines to begin with.”
“Not a single one? For real?” said Durin, shocked. “Then what the hell did you become an imperial noble for!?”
“Not sure, but not to surround myself with a bevy of harem girls.”
“Your values leave me scandalized and appalled.”
“I can live with that. While we’re on the subject, precious few imperial nobles have harems. In fact, as far as I know, there was only ever one, but he’s dead now. And he’s been succeeded by a woman.”
“Then I’ll have to turn down your offer. I’ve no ears to lend a noble who hasn’t even got a harem.”
“C’mon, don’t say that.” But he left it at that, since he knew Durin was just joking. After a moment’s thought, Jint added: “Before long, I’ll be creating a harem that’ll knock your socks off.”
Despite himself, Jint checked Lafier’s expression. The Royal Princess was drinking her peach juice, and stared at him blankly before flashing a meaningful smile and activating her wristgear.
“Well, might as well hear you out,” said Durin. “But only face-to-face. We’re talking the rest of my life here.”
“That was my intention from the start. I’m in the Vorlash Manor right now. Could you possibly make it up here? We’d be covering your flight, obviously.”
“Can’t. My mom’s last will says I’m not allowed on spaceships.”
“Wait, your mother passed away?” Jint had made her acquaintance. He’d occasionally visit Durin’s place after minchiu practice, and every time he did, he’d avail himself of her home cooking.
“Nah, she’s doing good.”
“Dude, don’t spook me like that.”
“Why so spooked? My mom’s fit as a fiddle. My family line’s always been super healthy, on both my mother’s and my father’s sides. That’s exactly why I’ve got to follow her last will and testament.”
“Uhh, sorry, I don’t really get what you’re trying to tell me...”
“What don’t you get? Following the will of somebody who’s still alive? I don’t think that warrants explaining. Who wants to rigorously follow the last wills of dead people?”
“You know what, never mind that,” said Jint, realizing he’d been about to tread into unproductive waters. “Let’s meet up. I don’t mind if we leave out work talk, either.”
“I’m totally down. Just don’t make me have to go up there.”
“All right, you got it. I’ll head down there.”
“How about we meet at the halfway point? You know, the spaceport?”
“No need to worry on my behalf. It doesn’t make much difference whether I stop at the spaceport or go straight to your house.”
“That right? I hate to impose, so I owe ya one. Come dressed in Delktunian clothes, though. The old bat next door’s got a weak heart. I’ve told her again and again to just get it replaced already, but she really hates hospitals. Startling her with your wardrobe is a recipe for disaster.”
“A rotter like you, worrying about that?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve gone and forgotten the basic Delktunian rules of life? I don’t know how the Abh do it, but down here, whenever there’s a funeral, the whole neighborhood’s gotta pitch in. And let me tell you, I’m busy at the best of times. I refuse to get dragged into community service, you hear me?”
“Now there’s the Durin I know.”
“I just knew we could come to understand each other.”
“All right, I’ll send you the details and the meetup time in a bit.”
“Don’t bring a whole bunch of servants with you. My mom’s healthy as an ox, and in her will she states we’ve always got to feed our guests before letting them go home. And our dining room only fits five.”
“All right, all right. I won’t go overboard, I promise.”
“Catch you later then. I look forward to the day we can discuss plans for our Harem Construction Project.”
With that, the line dropped. Jint hoped against hope the Royal Princess didn’t catch Durin’s parting words.
“Right, so, I’ll be stepping out to meet an old friend of mine,” he explained hurriedly.
“Okay. I’ll pilot,” said Lafier.
“Huh?”
“If you’re headed to the Spaceport, then we ought to borrow a smallcraft or some other ship, which I’ll pilot for you,” she said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Loath as I am to trouble you so, Fïac Lartnér, I thank you.” Using his wristgear, Jint pulled up info on how to access the landworld below. “Looks like there are regular flights, though. An intrasystem ship makes a trip between the Manor and the Spaceport once every day, so I’ll just take that ship.”
“Would my company be a nuisance?”
“Don’t be silly. If you want to come with, I’d be delighted.”
That was no lie, either. Jint had always wanted to show her the landworld. She’s only ever touched down onto one twice, and both times it was a world Jint was unfamiliar with, so he hadn’t been able to play the guide. Not that they’d had any time for leisurely sightseeing anyway.
Delktu, on the other hand, was his second home. He wanted to see the scenery she could never witness in the Abh world reflected in those jet-black eyes of hers. Then maybe, just maybe, she’d grow to understand him on a deeper level. Jint had gotten a good taste of the wonders of the Abh world. Now, it was Lafier’s turn to marvel at the natural features of a landworld.
Sadly, Yestesh’s warning was stuck in his head. And even if Yestesh hadn’t warned him, deep down he knew that bringing a royal princess down to the surface was out of the question. He had to ensure her safety, and he had to be subtle about it.
“Then it’s settled,” said Lafier, with no way of knowing Jint’s inner
