Cleus and Cyte sit in silence for a while.

Then the door opens. A young man who looks like royalty steps in.

“I sincerely apologize for the wait. I am Prince Kalonga. I understand you wish to meet my father. Could you perhaps tell me what it’s about?”

Cleus and Cyte stand and bow slightly.

“I request an audience in the hopes of forming an alliance between our kingdoms.”

Kalonga smiles.
“Excuse my ignorance, but haven’t our planets been friends for a long time?”

Cleus’ eye twitches, but he keeps calm.
“Indeed. But due to certain issues in my kingdom, I have come to formally request a proper alliance with the true heir to the throne.”

Kalonga nods.
“I understand. I believe my father will be available later today. Would you perhaps be interested in joining me and the other princes for lunch?”

Cleus nods.
“I would be delighted.”

A short while later, Cleus and Cyte are seated at a massive table inside a grand dining hall. Servants stand beside each chair as personal attendants, and soldiers guard key positions around the room.

At the table sit Kalonga, his three brothers, two sisters, and the queen. The queen sits at the foot of the table, her presence commanding the room.

She raises her glass toward Cleus and Cyte.
“Welcome to our humble abode. I am Queen Mukazi. You’ve already met my son, Kalonga. These are his brothers, Zoipa, Nonga, and Langa. And these lovely ladies are his sisters, Kuluma and Ozizira. It has been a while since we’ve received royalty.”

Cleus and Cyte both raise their glasses in respect. Cleus begins politely,
“Yes, I was saddened to hear the news about the recent turmoil in your beautiful kingdom.”

The queen’s expression hardens.
“Yes. We had a minor issue with certain people not knowing their place.”

Zoipa downs most of his drink in one gulp and suddenly throws the glass behind him. It hits the waiter standing behind him square in the face.

“HAHAHAHA! These bastards actually had us scared for a second! But fate always sides with those who deserve it! HAHAHAHA! It was interesting, though.”

The waiter doesn’t move or speak. Blood trickles from a small cut above his eye.

Nonga starts giggling.
“Indeed. Those ungrateful bastards wanting more than they deserve. Cleus, I’m glad your kingdom’s servants know their place.”

Cleus nods silently, taking another sip from his glass.

Kuluma leans forward with a teasing smile, her eyes glinting.
“How is the school on Hominidae? Ozizira is thinking of going next year.”

Ozizira remains quiet, sipping her drink.

“It’s a great school,” Cleus answers. “I learned a lot not only academically, but also in life.”

Kuluma smiles sweetly.
“A friend of mine goes there too. You might know him. Endo?”

Queen Mukazi and Princes Kalonga and Nonga grin subtly, hiding it behind their glasses. Zoipa starts chuckling, then bursts into laughter.

“HAHAHAHA! Yes, Cleus, do you know Endo?”

Cleus closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, then looks Zoipa directly in the eyes. Zoipa doesn’t expect the confidence but smiles, anticipating a reaction.

“Yes,” Cleus replies evenly. “I met Endo several times during my stay in Hominidae. He taught me a lot and helped me grow both as a prince and as a fighter.”

Zoipa takes a long gulp of his drink.
“Hmph.”

The doors open again. Several servants enter carrying trays of freshly prepared food. The table servants take the dishes and set them carefully in front of each guest.

Cleus and Cyte receive delicious-looking plates. The others, however, have extra garnish and presentation.

The queen smiles gently.
“Our dishes are customized to our tastes. That’s why yours look a bit different. Please, take no offense.”

Cyte and Cleus both nod.
“No, no,” Cleus replies politely. “This looks wonderful. And since we’re both new to this dish, it’s only right we start with the basics.”

When Zoipa’s plate is served, the waiter leans forward slightly to set it down. Blood from his earlier cut trickles down his face and a single drop falls onto the food.

Zoipa freezes. Then his eyes flare with rage.
“YOU BASTARD! You dare poison me with your peasant blood!”

He stands abruptly, seizing the waiter by the throat.
“If you wish to poison me, do it properly!”

Zoipa snatches a knife from the table and slits the waiter’s neck. Blood gushes out, splattering across his face. He holds the dying man’s head over the dish until the plate is soaked red.

When the waiter’s body goes limp, Zoipa tosses it aside. Smiling through the blood, he looks at Cleus and Cyte.

“Your family likes blood, right?”

End of Chapter 86