Chapter 20

  Domina

  For days, a single message had been displayed across the city:

  The mysterious defender of Jaje Neima is invited to the Chamber of Senators.

  Aaronn now stood before the immense edifice where that invitation awaited him. The Chamber of Senators had been built within a vast political park—the only rural expanse where steel structures and living nature coexisted in quiet balance.

  He entered the main building, whose glass walls allowed daylight to flood the interior. Security gates separated the entrance from the main ground-floor hall. At the center stood a large tree with drooping branches, decorating the building’s central thoroughfare.

  “Can we help you?” one of the guards asked. “You’ll need a badge to go any farther.”

  “I was invited by Senator Neima,” Aaronn replied. “I’m the person he’s looking for.”

  A flicker of surprise crossed the guard’s face.

  “Just a moment,” he said, stepping aside. “A man claims to be the one Senator Neima is seeking. Is he here?” he asked into his walkie-talkie.

  Several minutes passed before Senator Neima appeared on the ground floor. He strode briskly toward the security gates, his expression lighting up when he saw Aaronn.

  “It’s him!” he exclaimed, spreading his arms in welcome. “You can let him through!”

  After being cleared, Aaronn joined the senator, a faint, reserved smile on his lips. Senator Neima radiated undeniable charisma—but that was not what unsettled Aaronn. It was the circumstances.

  “I sincerely wanted to thank you,” the senator said, extending his hand. “What is your name?”

  Aaronn shook it.

  “My name is Sa?mone. When I see a situation spiraling out of control, I can’t help but act. It’s stronger than me.”

  “That’s remarkable!” Neima replied with an amused laugh. “We need more men like you in the Lower World! Have you eaten? If you don’t mind, we’ll be much more comfortable over a good meal.”

  With that, Aaronn followed him to a Michelin-starred restaurant on the same floor. They took their seats, ordered, and resumed their conversation.

  “I took the liberty of looking into you,” the senator continued. “My son informed me he knows your sister, Lunamilla. They were in the same orphanage.”

  “That’s correct. My family adopted her when she was sixteen. Since then, I’ve considered her my true little sister.”

  Aaronn had to lie to maintain his cover, but it didn’t trouble him—he was acting for a greater purpose.

  “The same is true of my son, Conrad. You see, family is of utmost importance to me. Forgive my directness, but my son’s birthday is approaching. And Conrad is very interested in your sister, Lunamilla. Would you permit me to invite her as a prospective suitor?”

  Such an announcement would undoubtedly be viewed as an honor in the Lower World. But Aaronn refused to decide for Lunamilla. Only she could choose whether to become one of Conrad’s suitors—or not.

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  “I’m deeply honored by your offer, but I would prefer to let my sister decide. She had a diffic—”

  “I completely understand,” Neima interrupted. “No need to justify yourself.”

  A waiter arrived, placing carefully arranged plates before them. At the center of each sat a large octopus, its tentacles delicately arranged, each arm meticulously sliced into sections ready to be savored.

  “I hope you’ll enjoy my recommendation,” the senator said cheerfully. “It’s my favorite dish!”

  Aaronn loved seafood, and the presentation alone made him eager to begin.

  “Sa?mone,” the senator resumed after swallowing his first bite, “I’d like to return to the other night. Who taught you to fight?”

  “My father, when he was still alive.”

  “My condolences… I was very impressed by your skill. Even my men were helpless against those mercenaries. That’s why I wanted to make you an offer.”

  “An offer?”

  “Yes. If you agree, I’d like you to join my personal guard. What do you do for a living, Mr. Sa?mone?”

  Though Lunamilla’s original plan had shifted course, it had produced the intended result. He had gained proximity to Senator Neima. Now he only needed to uncover clues leading to the sale of information about the Half-Chosen.

  “I took a gap year to travel with my sister. She wanted to see the world. I’ve just returned and intend to resume my political studies soon.”

  “Oh! How interesting! I wouldn’t want to pull you away from your goal—but if you accept, I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you become far more than a mere security guard.”

  “I must admit, your proposal strongly interests me,” Aaronn replied. “I’m certain I could learn far more at your side than on any school bench.”

  A satisfied smile curved the senator’s lips.

  “Perhaps so. What motivated you to attend my reception? To stand at my side? I mean… deep down, what are your convictions?”

  Aaronn paused, feigning reflection before answering.

  “Family matters deeply to me as well. I see myself in your speech. My father died of illness, and I’m convinced medical research based on amarite could have saved him.”

  Neima’s expression darkened slightly.

  “Are you familiar with the dominas, Sa?mone?”

  “The dominas? No. What are they?”

  “They are divine fruits that grow exclusively on the island of Eile?n.”

  An image surfaced in Aaronn’s mind: a golden oval form layered like a rose with closed petals. On his first day on the planet, Princess Anastasia had been gifted a domina by a merchant in Celestaem.

  “It’s said they also grow in the Lower World, but no one has ever seen them firsthand. A single bite of these fruits could cure a thousand diseases.”

  “And you believe that?”

  “I don’t believe it. I know it. Only my close family is aware of this—but I’ll make an exception for you. I tasted one as a child. You see, I am sterile—and diabetic. I was cured when I consumed the divine fruit.”

  “Truly?”

  “Yes. However, the effects are temporary. And as you might imagine, obtaining them in the Lower World is… difficult.”

  “Is that why you want to legalize the use of amarite for medical research? To find a way to combine that stone with the dominas?”

  An approving smile appeared on the senator’s face as he set down his cutlery.

  “You are very perceptive. When purified, amarite becomes a resource… almost alive. In its molten state, it can absorb the genetic imprint of organisms placed in contact with it. However, the process is extraordinarily complex, and I still doubt whether dominas are compatible with such a method.”

  Aaronn knew of that property, but viable combinations were rare. The Neima family had once been pioneers in amarite usage. It would not be surprising if they possessed it in abundance—with or without Eile?n’s approval. Which meant the true obstacle in his plan was acquiring dominas. If Neima collaborated with royalty, was it ultimately to increase his chances of obtaining them?

  “That’s extraordinary. I sincerely hope you succeed.”

  “I always achieve my objectives,” Neima replied gravely.

  He dabbed his mouth with his napkin.

  “The debate between the senator and myself is approaching, and I intend to prepare thoroughly.”

  “The final debate before the elections?”

  “Yes. As you surely know, I defeated Senator Godrick last month. If I defeat the senator, I secure my victory.”

  Neima’s gaze began scanning for the waitstaff to settle the bill—a clear sign he intended to conclude the conversation. He withdrew a business card from his pocket and handed it to Aaronn.

  “Call me if you’re interested in my offer. I want my security guaranteed at least until the day of the debate,” he said with a faint smile. “The position includes housing and an excellent salary. And don’t forget to speak to your sister about Conrad’s birthday. It’s very important to him.”

  “Thank you. I won’t forget,” Aaronn replied, taking the card.