XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 46 - Father's Advice

Legate stepped out of the shower and reached for his towel that he was sure he had hung on the wall. He pat the wall to find it not there.

"Damn it." He grumbled. He was sure he had brought a towel with him to shower in his ship.

Genie had returned onboard his ship just as he had managed to plug in the wrong two ports together. It had blown burnt exhaust out on him.

"Genie?" He called as he wiped his eyes.

He heard the door slid open and someone handed him a towel.

"Thanks, Sweetheart."

Poltious grinned, "You're welcome, Dear."

Legate jumped and covered himself. "Poltious!"

"Hell kid. I've seen it before." He complained and walked away. "I changed a few nappies of yours."

Legate wrapped the towel around his waist. "Well, I'm out of nappies."

Poltious laughed as he walked away and sat on the edge of the bed. "Need to talk to you."

"Can I put on some pants?"

Poltious shrugged his shoulders. "Sure. But, it will have to be while I'm chatting. I can't stay."

Legate ran his hand through his wet hair. "What has happened?"

"Lewis has the feeling that you and your bride, are going to run off. Hide from Lartius."

Legate sighed and leaned on the edge of the door. "We couldn't talk about this-"

Poltious pointed at him, "You've always been able to talk to me. Do it now. Is this something on your mind?"

Legate looked back at his father. "Yes. There is so much….I just want to be together. I don't want this fear hanging over our heads. No one will miss us-"

"That's where you are wrong."

"There's already a Legate here-"

"And a Genie. But, they aren't you two. So, get that out of your damn head."

Legate sighed. "Okay."

"You are thinking...emotionally. You cannot afford to do that. You know that."

Legate groaned. "I know. You're right."

"You want to make her happy-"

"Yes. I don't want this to be a concern in every second of our lives. John's still so cross-"

"Not as much as you think. He and I have had a….father's chat."

"A father's chat? What is that?"

Poltious crossed his arms. "How strong of a possibility is this?"

"I can't return to the homeworld. War? I'm not bringing her into that."

"Well, I have been sent to tell you several things. First of all, that you will not be recalled. No matter what happens."

"Even war?"

"A personal favor asked by the King's One. Three sons, and one in harms' way is too many. Lartius agreed and you and Lenox will not be summoned."

Legate nodded. "Well, alright. That's a relief."

"Lartius has spoken to Summus and has asked him to return."

"What about this with Soli?"

"That's getting us nowhere. He's needed back with this. Tony is my next stop. I have to explain that to him."

Legate sighed. "That will not go over well. Bassiano is being paneled later today over a bounty hunter. That's two in the matter of a week looking for Soli."

"I know. Lewis and I are working on that and I'll speak to Tony. Meanwhile, Lewis will be headed back with me to speak to the king. Advise him and ….the other Legate. They are all sorting out what to do."

"Then a threat has been made." Legate realized.

"Worse. Legate was nearly assassinated only hours ago. As far as they know, he is dead. But it was that other guy….ummm…without the 'L' name."

"Melun?" Legate helped.

"That's the one. Yes. But, they identified him as the Prince to give the actual Prince Legate time to get away in my ship."

Legate groaned, "Prince Legate. Oh, I hate that."

Poltious agreed, "He does, too. I have his ship."

Legate nodded. "That's clever. The cloaks."

Poltious grinned, "Adriano didn't even hear me until I asked him to open the doors. She's right beside of yours."

"Where is the other Legate? Here?"

"No. I know you don't want him near Genie. He's back on the homeworld. We're meeting there."

Legate nodded.

"We're not sure what has happened with Ashena's ship. No one can find anything but pieces of it. All of the Quauhtin onboard have gone silent. They could very well be involved in this."

"Not Quauhtin."

"Everyone is a suspect at the moment."

Legate sighed. "Amazing that Ashena was able to get away."

"Without having an heir? Let's be thankful she did. Logan has prevented a war there, just by saving the Queen. Meanwhile, two planets are threatening war at this time, if Lartius attacks one more thing."

"Lartius hasn't attacked anything!"

"That's what it appears to be. Everyone who has been attacked have openly opposed the Quauhtin. This one, loudmouth from ummm….. Luminar. He had a lot of ships docked there and at Iota Zealae. Someone destroyed everything there."

"The mayor would declare war over some ships and some….rogue-"

"His son was aboard one of the ships."

Legate sighed. "Damn."

"So, the problem has grown more than we foresaw. The loss of his son has him wanting revenge. Hell, I don't blame him."

Legate nodded.

"So. I've been sent. I've sent myself. I wanted to know of your intentions and to let you know about all of this…mess."

"What am I to do?"

Poltious laughed and leaned on his hands. "Your king has instructed me to come and beat your ass, kid. He expressly told you not to do something that you did anyway."

"Have you seen this woman?" Legate asked.

"Oh, I have. And the grandfather has softened his position, considerably. He and I have chatted. A lot. I have reminded him that you lot have always been told to follow your own lives. Live them for yourself. Plus, you are my son. And his grandson. He should have known that 'no' just makes it more appealing. And thus Lartius, the grandfather, has told me to ask you to please forgive his original reaction. He says…he was surprised and wants you to be happy. This entire heir thing is not something you have to carry, if you do not wish it. Even if something happens to the other Legate."

Legate bit his lip and nodded. "What if, I'm warming up to the idea?"

"Your father will try his damnest to talk you out of it. I've spent nearly my entire life in this mess, and don't want it for you. Reconsider. But, if you decide you want it, I'll support you in that."

He sighed. "I don't know what I want."

"That's healthy. Don't let anyone tell you it's not. Lartius was the same way before he agreed to it."

The adult Genie walked into the room, rubbing the black exhaust off of her hands with a towel. "I got most of it sorted, but-"

She stopped in her tracks when she saw Poltious stand up and Legate still wearing only a towel. She covered her mouth. "Oh no. What has happened?"

Poltious smiled proudly. "Nothing terrible, I assure you my son's beloved."

Genie put her hands on her hips and rose her eyebrow at him. "Good. Umm…."

Poltious held out his hand to her. "I know we spoke at Lenox's. I want to remind you that I'm not cross about this Promise. I'm very pleased."

Genie's eyes welled up in tears. "You're one of the few!"

Poltious pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

Legate laughed under his breath as he dropped his head. His father seemed to always know what to say.

Poltious smiled at Genie's face proudly. "My son has the most beautiful woman as his bride, that I've seen in this galaxy in many years. But, just don't tell his brother's wife I said that. I will deny it. Phipps will slip something in my drink."

Legate and Genie both laughed.

Poltious looked up at Legate and threw his hand up. "I know you're newlyweds, but can you put on some damn clothes, kid?"

Legate laughed and busied himself putting on clothing as he stood in front of the closet in the small room.

Genie stood in front of Poltious and wiped her eyes. "Thank you for coming out here."

He smiled at her. "I wanted to come sooner, but I've been busy. I do need for you to promise me something."

"What's that?"

"Keep an eye on him." He pointed at Legate. "And if I'm needed, don't hesitate to ring for me. Also, I need you to promise that you will not do a runner. I need to know where you both are. I need to know you are safe."

Legate joined them wearing a pair of trousers and pulling on a jumper. "What if Lartius asks us to go into hiding. What with this threat now?"

Poltious rubbed his face. "We'll deal with that. Just, stay on the island. It's safe there. Oh and…." He reached in his pocket, and tossed Legate a small box. "That's a new identity marker. For your ship."

Legate read the side of it. "I'm a cargo ship from where?"

"Hell, I can't pronounce it, either. I've already replaced ours for the same sort of thing. Do not fly as yourself, nor identify yourself with anything to do with Quauhtin, Smith, or Terra. Are we clear?"

Legate slipped it in his pocket. "Yes, sir. Thank you for this."

"Thank your grandfather. You have no idea what that cost." Poltious grinned.

Genie crossed her arms. "So, can you stay? There's a card game-"

Poltious groaned. "Damn. And Lance isn't playing?"

Legate nodded. "I know, I want to go, too. But-"

Genie turned and put her hands on his arm. "Then you should."

He looked at her. "But, you-"

"I'm going to sleep, Legate. I've been up all night. I need a kip."

Legate nodded. "Well, alright. But, in the suite. I want you close to where I'm going to be."

Genie teased him. "So, I can hear you shouting if you win?"

"So, I can get you to a pod if the ship comes apart." Legate told her seriously.

Genie rolled her eyes. "You need to work on your bed time stories."

Poltious smiled at Genie. "I need to do something, and then I need to go. I wanted to tell you….ummm. Something that was told to me, when I wed, into this family."

Genie rose her eyebrows, "Oh goodness. What is it?"

Poltious bit his lip and seemed to collect his thoughts. After a bit, he looked at Legate. "Would you please excuse us?"

Legate crossed his arms. "Ummm….well…"

Poltious smiled at him. "She's safe. She's with me. It's just easier for me, if you don't hear this. Please?"

Legate looked at Genie.

She nodded, "It's alright."

He pointed with his thumb, "I'll be just out here."

He walked out. Poltious pressed the button to close the door. He pointed at it. "This okay?"

Genie smiled, "You're Legate's Fifth man. Why wouldn't it be?"

He nodded. "Good. Don't ever be in a room without him, if one of the Ten aren't there."

She grinned. "I am aware of the security concerns."

"Good." He told her as he crossed his arms. "Well, ummm. How is he doing? Really?"

She closed her eyes and sighed. "He's had a hard time with it. I've already had to ask Arles to serve as Two and….make him feel better."

He nodded, "This will all be a memory, at some point. Legate has always been one to smile and carry on. Even when many would have screamed and ran."

She smiled. "He said a man told him a long time ago that when it rains, he should look for rainbows."

Poltious grinned, "And when it's dark,"

"Look for stars." Genie smiled. "He says this all of the time. He threatens to get another tattoo."

Poltious laughed, "I approve."

Genie smiled.

"And how are you? What with all of this?"

"Oh, Daddy and I aren't getting on at all. Mum hasn't even come to see me about it."

"John believes you are avoiding them both."

"I am." Genie confessed. "But, I don't know what to even say to either one of them. It's such a…"

"I see." Poltious told her. "When he does come to speak to you, remember that he is your father. Even though you are an adult, he will always see you as the little girl that he took into his home so many years ago."

"Does that ever change?"

Poltious grinned and pointed back to the door where Legate had disappeared. "My son there, is….how old?"

Genie giggled. "Legate is 105 this year. He says that he's simply 35."

"105? See, that's young for a Quauhtin. I have to remind myself that he's not a child, a lot. But, I missed a lot of when he was a child. I don't think it would have made it any different though. John will apologize to you. When he does, listen with an open mind. For me. Okay?"

Genie nodded. "I will. Okay."

Poltious took both of her hands in his. "Umm. Legate's mother, was a princess. I am not of royal or noble birth. Not at all. The same thing has happened here. You and I, Genevieve, are the same in this. Living among these people had not prepared me to be one of them. After she and I wed, I found that I hated it. I felt….as though, I had tarnished her. The entire family. Please let me assure you that you haven't, and you will never, do that. You are just as important, if not more so, than them. This is something you have agreed to. It's something he never had a choice in. You can see things from both sides, where as Legate's judgment will often be clouded by a sense of duty. The job that you have agreed to do, as his bride, to live to serve him. Just as he has agreed to live to serve you. Make him do that. You, are never more important than a kingdom, but they will make you think you are. Others will, too. They may never even realize they are doing it. This entire thing with you not being able to wed is a great example of it. It's so easy to just put the need of the kingdom first, and to hell with how anyone feels about it. They will say it's for the good of so many, but, I have always found it...the easy way out at the expense of one person. Often, the outsider. Myself. Or you. Feelings need to be considered. And I'm grateful you have made them to do it."

"You are so important to him and exactly what he needs. No matter what he decides to do with his life. He wouldn't have made this promise lightly. You have agreed to share your life with him, just as he has agreed to share it with you. Don't allow them to dictate what that means. You and him, sort that out yourselves. Because his role is to protect what he has declared what is most dear to him. You. And your love."

Tears rolled down Genie's cheeks as Poltious continued to speak to her.

"As someone who has been in love before and stayed in love up until this very day, I know what it is like to get caught up in romance. I also know what it is like, to feel inferior. As though you are less, because of this….royal madness. You, are in no way less. In fact, I admire you more. He may need you to remind him of that from time to time. Don't hesitate to do it, but do it in private, of course."

"So many will say how lucky you are to have him. A prince of the Quauhtin people. But, your reply, if even to yourself, should be, 'No. He is lucky to have me.' Because, he is. So very lucky."

Genie nodded and he wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Poltious."

He chuckled, "I meant to tell you this when we were all at Lenox's, but….couldn't. Forgive me."

"I understand." She looked back up at him. "Tell me. Who told you all of this when you made the Promise?"

He took a deep breath, "Legate's mother. She had to remind me of it often, as I will try to remind you. Phipps is a princess by birth, so we didn't have this chat. But you and I. We need to stick together."

Genie wiped her eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Poltious."

He smiled proudly, "My daughter. Sara Genevieve. I'm always there for you."

She laughed under her breath and they embraced one another again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX