Shi Lang led Amelia back to the spot where his teammates were standing. They all were done mingling with the nobles and had developed some understanding of the political structure here. They were all taught human psychology in school, and Neomons were similar to humans by a large margin, thus they assessed them with the same and found a lot of things useful to them.
Nexalia clapped gently when the young Terran couple came back to the spot. Shi Lang and Amelia bowed to her slightly. The queen spoke, “That dance was something I have never seen before. It was truly mesmerizing.”
Shi Lang smiled and asked, “We can provide some lessons to the royal instructors, they will be able to pass it on to everyone interested, if you allow us, Your Majesty.”
Nexalia nodded and said, “Then on behalf of the Neomonians, you have our gratitude.” after a pause she said, “Well, let us go and have the meal. I guess all the guests are also famished now.”
The people thanked her for being so considerate and they all moved from the hall to the gardens where the tables and decorations were set up. The queen sat at a higher table, Shi Lang and the rest were the guests of honor so they sat alongside her.
After the queen raised her glass of wine and said, “Let the feast begin.”
The attendants on the side of the tables began to serve the food to the nobles. Shi Lang and the others looked at the new dishes curiously and began to eat as well. When someone raised a glass to toast to the guests of honor, the team would raise their glass and take a sip as well.
Suddenly, the middle-aged man, who had tried to insult Shi Lang in the courtroom spoke up in a loud voice, “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but I have a question for the young guests.”
Nexalia Neytiri raised her eyebrow, and the old man continued speaking, “Earlier in the morning, you said that Respect should be mutual. Now you sit beside our queen, and you feast with us, yet when someone displays you respect by raising a toast, you all only take a sip. What is that, if not disrespecting?”
Shi Lang replied in a calm voice, with no emotions, “In our world, before you have crossed the age of eighteen years old, you are not old enough to consume anything that may hamper your brain and senses. The drink in this glass is stronger than what might get us drunk back at home by at least ten times. So should I not pay attention to the fact and get drunk? When people let something else control their bodies, they regret their actions.
We do not want that, thus, a sip to show that we accept your respect. Is that a satisfactory answer to you, Sir?”
Shi Lang’s words made sense and the nobles all nodded. Nexalia Neytiri said, “Minister Abbey, do not try to find fault with every action. They are not here to please us, but for us to understand how we are different. Only by working through these differences will we be able to come together.”
The nobles nodded and the situation was dispelled. Amelia asked, “Your Majesty, who is Minister Abbey, and why is he so against us, if you do not mind me asking.”
Nexalia put down the spoon in her hand and using a napkin, gently wiped her mouth. She said, “Minister Abbey, is my half-brother.”
This sentence was enough to stun the people. They did not expect to witness complicated relationships so soon. Nexalia Neytiri continued, “He should be sitting on the throne but his character is not very tempered. He lacks a few things, and thus he was appointed as my finance minister. We thought that dealing with numbers his temper will improve but ever since Terrans were discovered, his ambition has reignited.”
Shi Lang narrowed his gaze and said, “Oh, so the treasurer wants a piece of the pie, right?”
“Ace, calm down, and let her majesty speak,” said Rosa Blues. She said, “I apologize for his rudeness, your majesty.”
Nexalia Neytiri shook her head and said, “It is fine. This proves that he is not an ignorant teenager. I appreciate his spirit if only these noble scions were alike him.”
She paused to cast a gaze at the jaded people sitting at their tables, eating and socializing with extreme mannerism in every more, “The reason the population is declining is not that there are not people to mate, but because Neomonian Nobles misinterpret the cry of my mother. Well, let us focus on the meal.”
Shi Lang nodded, they were outsiders, and the level of trust they had with this Queen was not good enough. They needed time, to get deep into this place. Jenkins and Darcx played the roles of the foodies and would compliment the chef every time they ate a new dish. The servings never exceeded more than two spoonfuls.
Quinn and Amelia had short exchanges with the queen, and Rosa watched over them from the side. Shi Lang was relatively quiet. The dinner came to an end when they finished savoring the dessert. Then after greeting the guests, her majesty left and the nobles also began to depart.
Ameris led the team back to their rooms, and Shi Lang asked, “Minister Abbey, he seems to have some ill will towards Her Majesty.”
The people were surprised by his sudden statements. This was the royal palace, how could he speak like this. Ameris replied, “You are correct, but I would like to advise you to refrain from meddling in such things and commenting on the royal family. Although a minister, the personage is royal.”
“I will not hide it from you, captain Ameris, we came here with the intent to ally with Neomons. Wars leave empires in shambles and sorrow. Her Majesty will understand it better than anyone else, that once she slips up, and someone caught this chance, her ending would be terrible. People in power are safe, only till they are in power because every minute they wield it, they make enemies.” said Shi Lang before he fell silent.
The people understood what he meant. Ameris nodded and said, “I will convey your words to her majesty, but I hope this will be the last time you speak of these matters in public corridors.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Rest assured, we are aware that all the people here are soldiers in disguise and they are all your veteran and loyal ones.”
Ameris asked in surprise, “How do you know?”
Amelia replied, “Their demeanor is not that of a servant but that of a guard. We are young but not fools, Captain Ameris.”
The rest of the people did not bother to make any comments. Shi Lang asked, “I hope that you have one of your guards to provide food to Zysha. She gets antsy when hungry.”
Ameris, was aware that he was changing the topic, she nodded, and then after dropping them off, she made her way to report to the queen right away.
…
Inside a wide bathroom, a figure was laying inside a ceramic tub. The figure belonged to Nexalia Neytiri. The tub was big enough to fit ten people, but it was used by only the queen. Suddenly, she heard a voice coming from behind her and asked, “What is it?”
The lady coming from outside looked like a mirror image of the lady in the bathtub, yes she was also Nexalia Neytiri. However, she was a twin that Nexalia had created for herself, to be able to live in the shadows, monitoring the world from the side.
The lady standing outside the tub said, “Your Majesty, this guy is not easy. He even dared to give me pointers on how to deal with the nobles and rest.”
The lady inside the tub nodded and said, “You go and rest, I will deal with it myself.”
She was sent away from her body double, but soon she was visited by another person aware of her secret. Captain Ameris. When the captain told Nexalia about what Shi Lang said today, the lady smiled mysteriously.
She said, “To be able to deduce all that in one day, to try and extend his hand towards us for an alliance, I guess, this kid has what it takes. Arrange for him to meet me, without his partner beside him.”
Ameris nodded and said, “Your Majesty, I will follow your command.”
Nexalia Neytiri nodded and said, “Keep a tight eye on Abbey. I do not wish to kill him just yet.”
She was not soft-hearted. She also agreed with what Shi Lang said, If you have the power then you will stay in power, and that was how you will survive. Nexalia Neytiri had no intention of letting off anyone who would harm her. Even if he was her brother. The throne was the piece of pie she did not wish to abdicate it and then die like a slave, starving in some cell.