Her Word
Anti-gravity generation was one of many technologies developed in the twilight years of the Empire. Imperial physicists hoped it would revolutionise intrastellar travel, removing the need for starships to carry massive and cumbersome propellant. However, the Empire fell to ruins before the technology could be perfected. As such the result was a device incapable of handling the sizable masses of even the smallest ships, and only of use on small personal speeders. Naturally these were available only to a wealthy minority.
Deru Feliquay was in possession of such a speeder. It was a gift to him from his selectively generous father, the Baron of Saril. Presently it was at rest outside the front entrance of the Inthus house. Deru deactivated the engine, and walked to the door of the building. He tapped twice on the doorbell. There was no immediate response, so he tried once more. Gradually he noticed activity from the leftmost side of the building.
"Patience boy, patience," said Paitur, his voice muffled through the tall hedges that extended from the building. "Surely your libido could be tamed for the time that I would greet you? I even include the seconds it takes you to arrive in my daughter's bed," he continued humourlessly, emerging from an opening in the hedgerow, and advancing towards Deru. Deru's gaze shifted downwards.
"You mistake my intentions sir," Deru said precisely, lengthening his M's almost excessively. Such was the habit of Liraconian nobility.
"You Liar!" burst Paitur, "Do not take me for a fool, boy. I am not blind to what happens in my estate!" his tone had darkened. Paitur rubbed his fingers firmly against his forehead, seemingly pained. He sighed and flushed. "But she is old enough to make her own choices; yes quite old enough. She is in the garden and you may go to her now."
"You would mistake the meaning of this visit mister, for I have business with you that I must complete before I can indulge myself in the company of your daughter," Deru said quite unabashed. Paitur however, was taken aback. 'For what conceivable purpose could this boy require me?' thought Paitur, at once his mind raced through the limited information he could recall about Deru. He knew he was heir to the Baron of Saril, and that he personally disliked his elitist attitude, but that was the entirety of his knowledge on him. He cursed himself for not taking an interest in his daughter's lover.
A stray thought entered his mind, and instantly his heart sank. He had forgotten just how unusual the social structure of Liracon was. Liraconian law was heavily based on ancient traditions, perhaps to a greater extent than on any of the millions of inhabited worlds. Nobility were required to adhere to strict codes of conduct.
"You need me to allow you to marry her," said Paitur. Deru's eyes widened, and he coughed vigorously.
"No sir!" he spluttered. Relief washed across Paitur's face. Instantly confusion replaced it.
"Well what is it that you want?" He asked impatiently. Deru had recovered, and removed an electronic pad from the inside of his leather speeder jacket.
"Her eminence, the honourable Duchess Armandai has requested an audience with you. To that end she informed my father. Naturally he delegated me the role of official messenger," his voice was tainted with mild irritation for the last point.
"How unusual that she would want to see me," he said. He was obviously quite bemused, to such an extent that he failed to notice Okita strolling beside him. She caught him mildly off guard as she took his right arm in hers.
"Well, are you not going to invite my dearest Deru to stay for lunch, father?" She said sweetly.
Anti-gravity generation was one of many technologies developed in the twilight years of the Empire. Imperial physicists hoped it would revolutionise intrastellar travel, removing the need for starships to carry massive and cumbersome propellant. However, the Empire fell to ruins before the technology could be perfected. As such the result was a device incapable of handling the sizable masses of even the smallest ships, and only of use on small personal speeders. Naturally these were available only to a wealthy minority.
Deru Feliquay was in possession of such a speeder. It was a gift to him from his selectively generous father, the Baron of Saril. Presently it was at rest outside the front entrance of the Inthus house. Deru deactivated the engine, and walked to the door of the building. He tapped twice on the doorbell. There was no immediate response, so he tried once more. Gradually he noticed activity from the leftmost side of the building.
"Patience boy, patience," said Paitur, his voice muffled through the tall hedges that extended from the building. "Surely your libido could be tamed for the time that I would greet you? I even include the seconds it takes you to arrive in my daughter's bed," he continued humourlessly, emerging from an opening in the hedgerow, and advancing towards Deru. Deru's gaze shifted downwards.
"You mistake my intentions sir," Deru said precisely, lengthening his M's almost excessively. Such was the habit of Liraconian nobility.
"You Liar!" burst Paitur, "Do not take me for a fool, boy. I am not blind to what happens in my estate!" his tone had darkened. Paitur rubbed his fingers firmly against his forehead, seemingly pained. He sighed and flushed. "But she is old enough to make her own choices; yes quite old enough. She is in the garden and you may go to her now."
"You would mistake the meaning of this visit mister, for I have business with you that I must complete before I can indulge myself in the company of your daughter," Deru said quite unabashed. Paitur however, was taken aback. 'For what conceivable purpose could this boy require me?' thought Paitur, at once his mind raced through the limited information he could recall about Deru. He knew he was heir to the Baron of Saril, and that he personally disliked his elitist attitude, but that was the entirety of his knowledge on him. He cursed himself for not taking an interest in his daughter's lover.
A stray thought entered his mind, and instantly his heart sank. He had forgotten just how unusual the social structure of Liracon was. Liraconian law was heavily based on ancient traditions, perhaps to a greater extent than on any of the millions of inhabited worlds. Nobility were required to adhere to strict codes of conduct.
"You need me to allow you to marry her," said Paitur. Deru's eyes widened, and he coughed vigorously.
"No sir!" he spluttered. Relief washed across Paitur's face. Instantly confusion replaced it.
"Well what is it that you want?" He asked impatiently. Deru had recovered, and removed an electronic pad from the inside of his leather speeder jacket.
"Her eminence, the honourable Duchess Armandai has requested an audience with you. To that end she informed my father. Naturally he delegated me the role of official messenger," his voice was tainted with mild irritation for the last point.
"How unusual that she would want to see me," he said. He was obviously quite bemused, to such an extent that he failed to notice Okita strolling beside him. She caught him mildly off guard as she took his right arm in hers.
"Well, are you not going to invite my dearest Deru to stay for lunch, father?" She said sweetly.