"So your brother is marrying Emperor Tamerlane Anasazi's childrens' head governess' daughter," Leydon commented to break the silence that was stretching between he and Terra.
"Yes," Terra's eyes finished scanning the small crowd of people who were still on the main terrace of the palace. Once the group had returned from town, many of the guests headed to their rooms for the evening. It appeared that the younger crowd which consisted mostly of Kindred's buddies had remained to party. Over the last hour, Terra had assisted in escorting the most inebriated to their rooms. Between escorting them to their rooms, Terra had been seated off to the side with her father. They had talked briefly about the dinner party that 'overtook' the town of Alatopah, if Leydon's recounting of the huge rehearsal dinner/party was true. With the number of guests present, Terra believed it might have been a little overwhelming for the small town on the coast.
"Why?" Leydon couldn't help but ask the question. He knew very little about Kindred's intended wife. His son was getting married the next evening and Kindred had shared nothing more than the invitation to the wedding with his father. Even Leydon being on Arktos for two days had not brought him the information he really desired about his future daughter-in-law.
"True love," Terra replied with a hint of skepticism in her tone. Kindred appeared happily head over heels in love with Alexandra. However, Terra had seen her brother 'in love' with female marks throughout their lives. He was so convincing in his cons, that Terra had a difficult time detecting his true feelings and intentions. She believed his affection for Lex was genuine given her identity was unknown to Kindred early on.
"You sound like you have your doubts," Leydon replied as he toyed with the glass of water he had served himself after returning to the palace. Beka and Tyr had retired a short time ago, leaving Terra to chaperone the party. The handful of guards also ensured no one wandered off and got hurt.
"I grew up surrounded by grifters and cons," Terra shook her head slowly as she picked up her glass of wine and took a drink. Her eyes moved over the crowd once more. She knew they had been invited but she found herself a little uncomfortable with Bart and Nate both being at the party and the wedding. They were both Kindred's friends and Bart knew Lex well. However, Terra's private relationship with each of them made her uncertain how they might interact and what their drunk selves might share with one another. Bart had already come over to try to lure her back to his room a couple of times. Nate had kept his distance and had been hitting on some of Lex's friends throughout the night. "My family are some of the best. There is always … doubt … when you know those people are so adept at pulling off such convincing facades."
"How did they meet? What does she do?" Leydon asked as he leaned back in his chair and regarded his daughter closely. After all this time, Terra was bound to know all there was about Alexandra Cymri.
"Kindred first laid eyes on her at an archeological dig site we were conscripted to when we were placed under house arrest for the debacle on Sahure," Terra took a sip of her wine. She could tell when her father was fishing for intel. It was obvious that he knew nothing about Kindred's life since Kindred had remained on Arktos years ago. "He would see her at local restaurants, clubs and bars in Aeolian. He finally got up the nerve to ask her out. The rest is history, I guess you might say."
"What does she do?" Leydon repeated that part of his question that Terra failed to address.
"Right now, she is working in a professorial capacity at Kodiak University in the archeology department while continuing her work for her third level degree," Terra replied after a thoughtful moment. It was all information that was readily available to the public should one choose to research Alexandra Cymri. "I am not certain of her future career aspirations."
"Her family?" Leydon gestured around him. "I would guess working directly for the Emperor might have its advantages. However, I doubt it is as lucrative as many other options."
"As you already know, her mother is the head governess for Emperor Anasazi's children," Terra replied slowly. "From what little I know, her mother has worked for the palace Lex's entire life. I believe Lex grew up in the staff quarters on the palace grounds. If you want details, you will need to ask Lex."
"And her father?" Leydon prodded as he reached for his glass once more.
"You will have to speak with Kindred or Lex if you want to know more about her family. I am not marrying her. Kindred is," Terra replied with a small smile.
"Touché," Leydon raised his glass towards his daughter. "And you? Anyone … special?"
Leydon gestured in the direction of Bart. "I noticed he was rather friendly earlier."
"I am keeping my options open at the moment," Terra took a long drink of her wine as she gazed at her father. "There are a few people that I see socially at the moment. Bart is one of them."
"Any special projects?" Leydon raised his eyebrows questioningly as he looked around the open area. The crowd had grown smaller as the evening wore on.
"Depends," Terra replied as she leaned forward and placed her glass on the table. "How are you coming along on your end of things?"
"I am doing my part, Terra," Leydon studied his daughter for a long minute. "The question is … are you doing your part?"
"Why would you ask such a thing?" Terra asked her father quizzically as she studied his demeanor.
"I just mean … you have been here for a long time, honey," Leydon reached over and took her hand in his. He gave it a gentle squeeze. "It sounds like you have settled into a nice little life here at the palace. Your mother said you were enrolled in University, taking classes and looking for a job. It does not sound to me like you are really focused on our projects."
"I am taking courses in business at the moment. I have learned a great deal about how the Nietzschean Empire runs. I have learned a great deal about running businesses with and for the Empire," Terra pulled her lower lip between her teeth as she considered her answer to her father. "I am doing my part. I just need to know all of the ins and outs of the laws, regulations and restrictions before I push ahead."
"Last time we tried to do business in the Empire, you got a little hung up when it came time to make the hard choices and the big moves," Kindred patted Terra's arm. "Kinda can't help but wonder about your commitment to our cause. You can't let yourself get derailed this time."
"I am not getting derailed," Terra argued gently as she started to get to her feet.
"Your mother and I talked. She is worried about your interest in Tamerlane Anasazi," Leydon broached the topic cautiously. He really did not care if Terra carried on an affair with the Nietzschean if it got them what they wanted and needed. "She is hoping I can lure your back to Elysium for a little while. Then maybe convince you that university on Tarazed is more to your liking."
Terra sighed deeply. She knew her mother was not happy with her ever since the night the family had walked in to the suite to find her and Tamerlane 'making out' on the sofa. Beka had repeatedly addressed the topic with Terra until she was tired of hearing about it. Ever since that night, Tamerlane had made no effort to spend time with Terra. It was as if he was obeying Beka's directive to stay away from her. Terra was surprised that Beka had mentioned it to Leydon.
"You are a grown woman who can do whatever she wants as far as your private life," Leydon replied as he studied his daughter. It did not appear that his daughter was going to open up to him about whatever was or was not going on with the young Nietzschean Emperor. "However, when private affairs threaten business, I feel I have the right and obligation to voice concerns. Is your relationship with Anasazi affecting our business?"
"No," Terra replied adamantly as she fixed her gaze on her father. She gestured toward the group of people milling around the terrace. Before retiring, Beka had relay to Terra about been displeased that Kindred might end up hung over and worthless for the events of the next day. Oddly, Lex had encouraged him to enjoy himself before excusing herself to join her friends in another part of the palace for one last night as a single. Terra had taken it as her cue to keep an eye on her big brother and his guests. "I am going to make the rounds and see if I need to put an end to anyone's night. I'll be back in a little bit."
"Pretty sure palace security can handle it," Leydon tried to get his daughter to stay. There were business plans in the works that needed discussing. "We need to talk."
"Not now and not here," Terra shook her head before she leaned down to hug her father. The two guards nearby moved a little closer when Terra moved away from Leydon. Tamerlane didn't trust Leydon even with Terra's assurance that she would watch him. Terra worked her way into the small crowd. When she made it to the other side, she looked back toward her father. He appeared to be focused on the people on the other side of the terrace at the moment. She hesitated only a moment before heading back into the palace and up the stairs.