A week later, Vincent Strode to Parisi to discuss the peace treaty with the Cabinet of Ministers. The Celtic Federation was more or less back together. The periphery had more autonomy, but the common economic interests kept the country together.

  Sia and his grandparents spoke some blah blah, and then Vincent stood up to speak, activating a PowerPoint presentation Nora had helped to prepare.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, our conditions are clear and not negotiable. First, my friend Scoundrell… sorry, étienne Valoré will be recognized as the legitimate ruler of the dukedom of Valoria. You can see the borders on the screen. He earned it, sword in hand. Crown Prince Sia will renounce all claims over that region.”

  “King Sia,” Kiara said. “Hubris and I will retire on Earth and cede the core’s control. Sia has demonstrated he’s selfless and puts the country first.”

  “Sure… so, King Sia? Do you agree?”

  “Duke Etienne has saved Orleans and our lives. He’s worthy to get the dukedom. I’d even give him my daughter’s hand in marriage if he’d ask,” the future king.

  Scoundrell waved discreetly his hand, a gesture meaning: ‘Thanks, but I’m good.’ On the other hand, Brigid panicked and winked furiously at Vincent.

  Vincent winked back, signaling he had not forgotten his promise. “Good. But let’s not forget your empire invaded us, killed our people, and associated with villains. We need insurance it won’t happen again. Princess Brigid is to stay on Earth until she takes over the throne. She will retain all her freedom of movement, and she can visit for holidays.”

  “I will visit, Daddy,” Brigid fluttered her eyelashes.

  “A hostage? But she’s only twenty,” Sia Sextus complained. “You want to abandon my young, vulnerable baby girl in an alien world? What would she do if she’s in danger?”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “She’ll use her crowbar,” Vincent hissed.

  “Sorry?”

  “She’ll live with us,” Kiara interjected. “We’ll buy a castle in France, so her habits will not change.”

  Except for modeling, starring in movies, singing, and drinking her mind out at parties, Vicnent thought.

  “You’ll visit every other month, promise?” Sia asked.

  “Sure, Daddy.”

  “Now, I think my guildchy deserves a just compensation for the invasion and the destruction of our beautiful nature.”

  “Fine, you can take Vienna,” Sia rolled his eyes.

  “Bavaria and Austria altogether are what I have in mind. Austria for our Corvinus friends, and Bavaria for us. Of course, you can refuse, and—”

  “You’ll continue the war?”

  “No, because you can’t afford a war. We’ll just occupy them and leave the peace treaty for later, in Brigid’s times.”

  “Vae Victis,” Sia raised his hands heavenward.

  “And this leaves only one more thing. Two, actually. From now on, let’s call this city Paris instead of Parisi. It sounds better… and… wait to hear it; this will knock your socks off… I propose a joint venture to build an imposing tower to celebrate our peace. Tall, with an elevator to get the public up to the top, all covered in lights at night… It will be the most famous tourist attraction in the world.”

  While talking, Vincent showed them images of the Eiffel Tower from Earth, at day and at night.

  “Over my dead body!” Sia erupted up, slamming his fist on the table. “My country will not be subject to such an insult! We’ll go to war if we must, and we’ll fight to the last man, woman, and—”

  “Dude, you crazy?” Vincent jerked. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “It looks like a dick,” Hubris said.

  “What?”

  “That tower. It looks like a dick.”

  “It’s nothing like a dick!” Vincent protested. “It’s a famous landmark that attracts millions of tourists!”

  “Well, if you ask me, it does look a bit like—”

  “Shut up, Scoundrell! Whose side are you taking?”

  “Daddy?” Brigid raised her hand. “I have an idea… Why don’t you come to Earth next month, when I’ll have a fashion show in Paris, and see it for yourself? Then you can decide.”

  A minister woman said timidly: “It does look a lot like a—

  “You guys are nuts,” Vincent said. “It’s nothing like that. It’s… like a tower. Anyway, Brigid, oldies, let’s go. I promised my wives I would take them out for a romantic dinner.”

  He was still fuming when he arrived at their new apartment, but then it began snowing again, and the beautiful walk to the restaurant calmed his mood. Being arm in arm with the women he loved, sharing those moments of happiness, finally free of worries, was all that mattered.