Princess of Vers

Part 5

"He's alive."

Lemrina looked to her palms as she noticed them violently trembling.

"H-he's alive. Slaine Troyard..is alive..?" She whispered, praying that it wasn't a lie. Inaho adjusted his eyepatch.

"I just said that," he mentioned. Lemrina furrowed her brow and glanced at him, puzzled.

"W-where was he all this time?" she mumbled.

Inaho sighed deeply and licked his lip. "Prison." Lemrina gasped. "He has five more years until release.." Lemrina shook her head.

"We mustn't tell my sister, Asseylum. or any of the Orbital Knights," Lemrina worriedly said. "I hate to do that to them, but in this case it's necessary.." She sighed. "Does anyone else know?"

"My older sister, Yuki. She won't say a word," Inaho replied. Following his statement was dead silence.

"I'm sorry," Lemrina hesitantly said. "For.. gett—"

"It's alright.." Inaho looked up to the ceiling. "You were upset, I get it."

Lemrina sighed, attempting to contain her emotions. "There's no need for that now; I must see him at once," she announced. Inaho thought of a way to cover the Princess's identity without it being too suspicious.

"Can you shape-shift?" Inaho questioned. Lemrina nodded, demonstrating her abilities. Her chest glowed yellow, sparks bursting, to show the new face of Empress Asseylum. Inaho furrowed his brow. "Were you the one impersonating Asseylum two years ago?"

"Yes." Lemrina said in Asseylum's voice, quickly changing back into her original state. "Yes I did. I was the one who took Slaine as my husband and supported him in his own decisions." Inaho quickly took this information to his advantage.

"Can you change into a regular girl?" Inaho asked. Lemrina nodded, determined to put her plans into play.

"Yes, using ALDNOAH, I sure can." Lemrina focused her attention to her suitcase in the corner of the room. "I have commoner's clothes, too."

"Why?"

"Because..." Lemrina sighed. "If I enjoyed Earth, I was planning on staying here."

"Forever?"

"Yes," she replied. Inaho sighed.

"I see why you would..." he mentioned. "I would do the same." Lemrina nodded and looked to the floor.

"Slaine..can we get him out?" she asked, her answer would be what she wanted. Inaho shook his head.

"I can get permission to bail him out for a week maximum," he explained. "Especially with the Princess of Vers attending, we can get him out temporarily." Inaho yawned. "Right now it's ten o'clock in the morning. We'll head out at three o'clock while the parade's going on.."

"Good idea."

Slaine look to the dirty wall of his cell. He smirked.

"How ironic," he said, smirking. "Now I'm the bird in the cage." Slaine chuckled. "Although, I suppose I'm not so beautiful like one.." He frowned, his mind leading to Lemrina's arrival. "Why didn't Inaho tell me sooner?" he said into the emptiness of the cell. "And he acted like he didn't even care.." Slaine sighed deeply, his attention turning to the officer on guard at the other side of the cell wall. "I suppose you're not listening to my rambling. Am I correct?" Slaine frowned as he didn't get a reply. "I'm asking you a question!" he shouted.

"I apologize, Mr Troyard. I'm listening," the guarding officer blankly said. Slaine smiled.

"I suppose I got used to people always listening to me in Vers. Please excuse my rudeness, I'm quite tired to be completely honest."

"I understand, Mr Troyard," the officer replied.

Slaine sighed once again. "What day is today?"

"January 11th." Slaine smirked.

"Would you look at that, it's my..what is it..20th birthday?" Slaine rubbed his eyes. "I hope Inaho visits me today.."