The Dancer Prince
Chapter 30

Written by Ambassador Yrishna Wolf.


Two weeks after the invitation was dispatched from the Arnouville Palace on Chinon, Catherine Defont and her Prime Minister, Maitre Wolf were well on their way to meet the sovereigns of the Segan Monarchy and the Segan Popular Union. The provincial government of the Cardassian Monarchy had solidified under the brave command of Prime Minister Wolf and the caring symbol of their head of state: Her Majesty the Princess Catherine Defont. She was a true woman, a caring woman who represented Segan elegance, style and empathy that was barely comparable. She was a beautiful woman as well, coming from the rich mixture of colors that made up the three royal families. She was slim, her body shaped like two triangles, their points touching one another.

Prime Minister Wolf and Catherine Defont had allowed the two weeks aboard the Cardassian ship to develop a routine. Each evening at 21:00 hours, they met in Prime Minister Wolf's room to discuss the latest pressing issues of the Cardassian Monarchy, as well as reading the briefs sent to them by the Crown Princes. Catherine Defont enjoyed the dinners very much, it was a chance to spend some extra time with a man she admired. Prime Minister Wolf had engineered an economic recovery out of the Cardassians, and despite the loss of the bulk of the Cardassian Fleet as well as Vernok Krix... the Cardassians we're going to make it out all right. There were some tears to be shed on Cardassia Prime, but she was heading for Segania Prime to ensure happiness would quickly replace those tears.

Over the past few days, however, Catherine had become distracted by something odd and unique. The dinners with Maitre Wolf were getting longer it seemed to her as they endlessly droned on about the pressing politics of the Cardassian Monarchy. She had become the leader of the Cardassian Monarchy not by choice but by necessity. When the Youri regime had fallen at Chinon, someone had to take over the banner in order to engineer a counter-invasion to the Segan Popular Union. She was the only royal family member on Cardassia at the time Chinon had fallen and was thus asked to become the Princess of Cardassia Prime. It was a lucky thing that Maitre Wolf hadn't been on Chinon when the assault came, for he had become an efficient Prime Minister whose decisions were well thought out, and fair.

Catherine Defont didn't have many friends on Cardassia, she only had those interested in using her to further their gains, and those who disliked her outright. She was loved, sure enough, by the Cardassian people but this was because Maitre Wolf's work had succeeded. She felt like she was taking credit from the man she respected and she hoped that this summit would allow her to give Maitre Wolf unprecedented influence in the future of the Segan Monarchies. If she could honor Maitre Wolf in someway that he had already not been honored, she knew she could feel content and satisfied that Maitre Wolf knew she recognized all of the work he had done. Maitre Wolf and her had gone such a long way in such a short time, she felt safe in knowing Maitre Wolf was somewhere near to her.

On this evening, the dinner had begun just like any of the other ones from the past two weeks. The Cardassian ship, escorted by four others like it were nearing the Segan Monarchy's temporary capital until Segania Prime could be rebuilt from the ashes of the last Styx War. Catherine Defont had become distant from Maitre Wolf's political words, though she felt she had become closer to his soul than ever before. She tried to stop herself from thinking about the prime minister in anything other than a professional setting but all she could see was a Cardassian beach with a sunset as Maitre Wolf and her danced quietly to some soft Cardassian music. History had made the Cardassians a hard people, whose greateness had been cut short... but their artistic capabilities were greatly underestimated by all who knew them. She turned her head to Maitre Wolf as her imagination was turned off.

"Well, I've got to say Youri seems to have matured through the War, "Maitre Wolf stated as he enjoyed dinner with Catherine Defont, "His latest briefing on the ideas he's coming up with Prince Alexander are very impressive."

Catherine Defont looked at Wolf, not interested in discussing either drafts of ideas or anything, over the past few days her mind had been wondering over Maitre Wolf himself, she gave an elongated sigh, "Mmm? What do the briefings say? I haven't had a chance to read the entire thing."

"They're suggesting that we get through the peace treaty as fast as possible and start discussing the possibility of a united future," Maitre Wolf who was deeply fascinated by the proposal looked at Catherine, "The Cardassian Monarchy has to become pivotal in ensuring this... Can you imagine the market potential? Not to mention the political power we would be able to yield."

Catherine Defont looked into Maitre Wolf's soft eyes as she contemplated a future without him, she couldn't bear to think of the possibility of Maitre Wolf not being her Prime Minister. Aside from their work, there was little that connected, yet she couldn't take her eyes off of him, "Mmmm, that's a nice thought, Mr. Wolf."

Maitre Wolf grabbed some Cardassian bread as he spread it with strawberry jam from Earth, he had developped a taste for it during his tour of duty on the U.S.S. Pacifica-B, and had never forgotten the taste, "It's not just nice," he replied as he stuffed his mouth with the jammed bread, "It's necessary towards the survival of the Cardassian Monarchy."

"Why do you say that?" She asked half-interested, "The Cardassians can stand on their own, I think."

Maitre Wolf looked at Catherine Defont and smiled, "It can, but it doesn't have to. They've become Segans, we've given them a new chance at a golden age. They should remain an integral part of the Segan culture. And what if this thing succeeds? Then the Cardassians' promised golden age would return!"

"I see what you mean," She stared at an image behind Maitre Wolf that portrayed two Cardassians seemingly together and seemingly being brushed away together, "The Cardassians certainly have a way with depicting romance. It's so beautiful."

"Hmm?" Maitre Wolf's train of thought was quickly disrupted as he turned around to see the picture that she was staring at, "Oh---yes, you're right your Majesty."

"Oh please," She grabbed some water and poured it into her cup as her eyes raised to meet Maitre Wolf's, "Don't call me your Majesty. It... I don't want to feel so distant from you. They say, in the royal family, that it only takes the words "your Majesty" to build a professional and social class barrier between your most dearest friends. I don't want that from me and you."

"Sure," Maitre Wolf looked into Catherine's eyes, "Is there something wrong... err... Ms. Defont?"

Catherine laughed as Maitre Wolf jumped from one title to the next, "Don't call me Ms. Defont, call me.... call me Catherine. I would really appreciate being called Catherine."

"All right... Catherine," Maitre Wolf looked as he saw tears forming into Catherine's eyes. He wondered if there was something amiss, "Is there something wrong?"

"No... not at all," Catherine wiped her eyes, "Oh dear, look at me... Can I use your restroom?"

"Please, Catherine," Maitre Wolf rose from his seat as Catherine seemed to run for the restroom.

As soon as Catherine entered the restroom her tears disappeared as she allowed her frusteration to escape from within her body. Why had it become so hard to just see Maitre Wolf in a professional matter? She heard his voice, making sure she was all right. She was warmed by his voice, feeling even more secure, even more safe than before. She allowed her insecurities to escape from her mind as each time she heard Maitre Wolf calling her Catherine instead of Her Majesty. She sighed, looking at her face in the mirror, she cleared her face from tears as she looked at the closed door. They had had enough dancing around the situation, she couldn't take another tango or ballet without him knowing. They had made it through a war together, surely they could make it through life as well. She walked back and opened the door seeing Maitre Wolf, she embraced him.

"I love you, Maitre Wolf," Catherine Defont looked into Maitre Wolf's eyes seeing the same thing, "I've always loved you."

- - - - -

"On behalf of His Majesty Crown Prince Youri Rosbourg who is co-hosting this summit and myself, I would like to welcome you all on this beautiful morning to Arnouville, capital of Chinon, capital of the Segan Monarchy. The Segan Popular Union and the Segan Monarchy, having had to settle our unfortunate differences in the face of war, wish to ensure that along with the aid of the Cardassian Monarchy we will no longer permit each other to settle differences which can be settled in the forum of peaceful discussion by the forum of irreperable war. We can no longer afford to allow each other to weakened by differences which are artificial, we can no longer afford to fail our citizens," Crown Prince Alexander Rosbourg emotionally explained to the assembled ministers and guests.

"That is why the Segan Monarchy and the Segan Popular Union invited all of you here today. His Majesty the Crown Prince Alexander Rosbourg and I have been discussing between each other, as well as through subspace communications with Her Majesty the Crown Princess Catherine Defont to submit a proposal that would first be discussed by you and then be enlarged to include the entire Selevenar Galaxy. We hope that you understand the magnitude of this proposal, we are asking for a complete change in the system, it is already approved by the Crown but because of the magnitute we want to make sure a majority of you can come and support this proposal. The more of us that support this proposal, the higher its chances of success," Crown Prince Youri Rosbourg added, on cue as he stood to the right of Alexander.

"The Cardassian Monarchy too believes that this proposal is the chance for our future to be one filled with prosperity and filled with a capability to catch up with the headway that's been made by the Milky Way Galaxy. Already economic analysts are suggesting that a 4% economic growth in the Milky Way Galaxy will be met with a slugging 1% economic growth in the Selevenar Galaxy. Economic ministers can affirm to you all that this will only get worse unless we radically change the economic systems that exist in the Selevenar Galaxy and its sattelite nations in the Milky Way Galaxy. This is why we are highly recommend that you support the proposal that we are handing to you now. Our military ministers will be in full accord that a war like the Civil War we just fought will only further weaken us in comparison to the Milky Way Galaxy, and it is clear that the 30-some major powers in the Selevenar Galaxy and the 100-some minor powers will only weaken and stratify us even more," Catherine Defont smiled as she stood next to the three Crown Princes, the eldest of the sovereigns.

"This is why we are suggesting to take a quick step and sign a quick peace-treaty that affirms the Segan Monarchy, the Segan Popular Union, and the Cardassian Monarchy all their former territorial boundaries, as well as their sovereignty. The Crown wishes to discuss this proposal as the primary architect of our future. We hereby propose to our legislative and judicial branches that we hereby propose we enter an alliance with all of the Selevenar Alliance of Powers' former members so that we can further strengthen our collective capability to compete peacefully with the Milky Way Galaxy," Alexander proposed, hearing some nods of interest and approval from some of the liberal ministers.

"This, however, would not be an Alliance like the loose one that was the Selevenar Alliance of Powers," Youri paused a moment as he grabbed everyone's attention, "The Crowns believe that an Alliance like the last one would only encouraged stratification and competition from within, what we were thinking was to create a new nation. Yes, a new nation that would be more powerful than any we've ever seen in the Selevenar Galaxy. It would have the capability within a blink of an eye to reshape the balance of power in the Selevenar Galaxy, to add a major competing force to counter the incredible economic recovery of the United Federation of Planets, to bring a force that could without a doubt be a bringer of peace, a savior of hope, and a new chance for all of us, as Segans to take our place in the domain of interstellar politics."

"If we today approve of this proposal, we would then dispatch an invitation to all the powers who'd wish to discuss this in an open summit where they would be explained the plan to create a single nation that would lead us all. We would quelm their fears, allow them to express their concerns as we work together to make this nation reflective of us as members of a Selevenarian community. Each nation would then have to ratify the treaty through popular referendum, so that this nation not only reflect the leaders' wishes and hopes, but also those of their people. Those who ratify would then become provinces of this nation, represented equally in a republic that would be representive of our populations," Catherine's point was met with some approving nods, while others disaproved.

"We understand that some of you may feel relunctant to even discuss this, it seems like an idealist's dream. We disagree however, and we will spend the next few days explaining to you all why we disagree. We believe that we are at a crossroads between our nations, a crossroad which we believe can be shared with our neighbors in the Selevenar Galaxy. This Alliance's potential could mean the Selevenar Galaxy entering into a new age, we are in the 26th Century now, and we must change to meet the changes in the Milky Way Galaxy head on. We can do it peacefully, knowing that if we do not do it peaceful, civil war like the one we've seen in the year 2500 will surely come again. This Alliance can ensure the safety of us all, the security of our culturally rich background, that our dreams for the future become reality," Alexander smiled as he heard mre approving nods than ever before.

"This is why we invited you here today, to discuss how we can shape our future, understanding that we must save it for future genrations to come. We again welcome you, and we together hereby open this summit to discuss a final peace treaty between the Segan monarchies, as well as to discuss a proposal to merge our nations under a new banner," Alexander, Youri, and Catherine together snapped the red ribbon that stood as a symbolic opening of the summit. There was work to do, but the response was already warm, the future was so close to be assured now, they would not fail.