Prologue
There was a cloud of smoke that rose from the east wing of the vaults. The guards were shouting and passing messages and orders to one another. The alarm had set off, and they dispersed across each direction to cover the vicinity. A separate team was tasked to deal with the possible intruder. Their heavy footsteps were approaching the problem area, led by the commander. They halted at the sight of sprawled unconscious guards on the floor.
"Freeze! Put down your weapon," The commander ordered, "and place your hands above your head! Do it now!"
The guns were raised and pointed at the intruder.
There was a man dressed in a dark coat, but his figure was but a silhouette from the smoke that the damages have created. He stepped forward,
"I said freeze! Do not move!"
There was a low, rumbling of a sound. It was a laugh. It came from the intruder.
He emerged from the smoke, and in an instant, the team of guardsmen screamed their last breath.
1
She could feel the grass prickling softly behind her. In her jeans, and an overused button-down shirt, the High Queen of the Galaxies spread herself like an eagle on the ground. Not minding the gentle hum of the bees that once annoyed her, they danced in a swirling frenzy right above. With a single stroke of her hand, they followed in synchronized order, mirroring her command. She played with them and watched them create a small tornado.
Stinger leaned on his windowsill, watching Her Majesty play like a child on his front yard.
If the Royal children could see her now, the Commonwealth, let alone the Royal Parliament, he wondered how they would perceive the highly esteemed Mother Jupiter.
He shook his head and let a heavy sigh escape his mouth. A bias to earth and a bias to the intergalactic forces. Which side will she eventually take? Stinger couldn't help but think if Her Majesty ever thought of the gravity of her responsibilities.
He looked at her again, smiling and laughing at the bees; young, brimming under the afternoon sun, relaxed and unbothered by the world, let alone the dangers and threats that her kingdom faces.
Who took care of the problem for the mean time while she was away? Who speaks with the parliament? Her children, from her first life? Do they honestly care? Do they even represent the High Queen?
She has no champion, except for two re-assigned Aegis officers who were about to enter the inner realms of the Aegis. And when their hands are full, who will protect her?
Caine Wise got himself in a strange tangle of events. The boy doesn't understand this is out of his league—beyond his imagination.
Beyond anyone's imagination.
To be in love...and loved back, by the High Queen herself.
Wasn't it just luck, or a deathwish.
Stinger sighed again, his head in a deep furrow. He refilled his mug with the tap water from the faucet and drank it clean. Tomorrow, they head back to the Commonwealth.
Tomorrow, nothing will ever be the same.
A shout of laughter sounded from outside. His daughter, Kiza, and Her Majesty is having fun with the bees. Jupiter was protecting Kiza from getting stung, enveloping her with those small lean arms.
This...this is the Queen. A young lady...who still knows nothing of what's to come...
His phone rang, and he picked it up immediately.
"Caine? What?... When? ... But we're not supposed to be there until tomorrow... Alright, alright. Calm down. I'll bring her safely to the ship. We've packed anyway. Yes, understood. Goodbye."
"Dad, who was it?"
The girls burst inside the kitchen, laughing, their faces flushed and warm from the sun.
Stinger gave a lingering look at the girls, perhaps relishing a rare moment he bet he'd never see again.
Jupiter was still catching her breath when they got inside. She stood still when she saw a familiar alarm in Stinger's eyes,
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid we must leave at once..."