Neoth slumped in his chair, sighing in exhaustion. Ullanor was well on it's way to full compliance; the unexpected reinforcements from Jaghatai, Guilliman and Alesia sped the process up and had the unexpected bonus of wiping out cults within the system thoroughly.
However, his youngest child had been a massive source of stress and worry. Ever since her rescue from her entrapment in the Man of Iron, Alesia had clung onto whichever sibling visited her as though her life depended on it, and the treatment extended to her guard, Kithes. When he visited, she bursted into tears and clung onto him as she did with her brothers, babbling incoherently as he soothed her. Several weeks had passed since the incident, and Neoth felt resolute in his decision to send his daughter to her older sister's home world to rest and recover.
"My Lord," Valdor's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. The Captain-General of the Custodes stood at attention next to the office doors. "The Second Primarch's transport has arrived. Brother Kithes is preparing Her Highness for departure."
"Has there been any changes in Alesia?" The Emperor asked.
"Kithes has reported that she is more coherent today, but still requires assistance for daily tasks."
He sighed again and stood, "It's progress at least. Hopefully this forced vacation will speed up her recovery."
"I am not familiar with psyker wounds and their treatment, yet her current recovery feels-"
"It may look as though she's recovering fast, but wounds to the soul can take years to heal, or, much like psychological trauma, never fully heal." I would know. I have quite a few of my own. Neoth thought to himself as he left his office on the Bucephelus to make his way to the transport bay.
"She has survived her mind being shattered, my Lord," Valdor continued, "and the rest of your children are always ready to aide her should they be called for."
He unconsciously clenched his fist at the reminder of that event. It was the reason he didn't allow Alesia from leaving Terra for long, despite the need to further her training. Her recent abduction and his discovery in the Warp didn't help to alleviate his irrationality.
They continued through the ship in silence, neither speaking until they came to the transport bay and approached the ship that would take the Imperial Princess to the Second Primarch's flagship. Nekona was speaking to one of the Tec Priests when he approached and his oldest daughter dismissed the priest before addressing him.
"Hello, Father," she bowed to him in respect akin to how the Japanese folk of Ancient Terra did in greeting to others. "Have you been taking care of yourself?"
"Hello, Nekona," he gave her a soft smile, knowing how she got when she wasn't satisfied with her family's health. "I am well enough; your sister is the one in most need of care."
"I heard everything from Konrad, and yes he surprised me too when I got a message from him, so that kinda homes in on the seriousness of this situation." Konrad rarely sent messages to any of their siblings, even Alesia rarely got a simple check-in message from him. "Then Jaghatai recommended that Alesia visit a more recently acquired world for a time before we head to my home."
"Hm? The more aquatic world with the unique coral ecosystems?"
"Yes, it's called Nel'tith. Most of it's culture is based off of Ancient Terra's Indonesia and has popular meditation sites for Psykers," Nekona rattled off, clearly excited to visit this world. "Brother Jaghatai recommended visiting an island called Coral Island as it's mostly protected land and embodies Little Sister's desire to preserve nature."
"And the diversity of food recipes also play a factor in this?" he teased her.
"There's an entire company of Maids that have studied and perfected the culinary trove from there," she responded with a proud smile and then looked as though she had an idea. "I should see about sending one of them to teach Sister's personal chef some of the recipes. There are certain dishes she'd love-"
"That can wait until aftershe returns to Terra," he held up his hand, stopping that train of thought before she got carried away, and gestured to approaching group.
"Baby Sister!" Nekona immediately noticed Alesia and nearly tackled the still sickly appearing teenager. Kithes quickly steadied them while the Princess's attending serfs all fussed over their lady once the Primarch released her. "Ready to go on a much needed vacation?"
"Big sister…" Alesia smiled at her older sibling. "Yes, I'm ready."
Hearing his youngest child finally string coherent sentences after weeks of gibberish gave Neoth a massive sense of relief and joy. She was healing and that was all that mattered to him in the moment.
"Safe travels, my daughters," he said, patting both women on the head. "And no life threatening adventures."
"Yes, Papa," both women answered together.
Alesia had been settled on Nekona's flagship, the Yamato, and they were on their way to their first destination a few hours after her sister came to collect her. She had been escorted to a room close to her sister's personal quarters so her older sibling could check on her easily while also being heavily protected by the Space Maids stationed onboard.
"Princess, it's almost time for dinner," Kithes gently informed her, getting her attention as she got to an ideal save point in the game she was playing on a hand-held device her Mechanicus friends designed for her. It was similar to an old Steam Deck, but solely meant for games. "What are you playing?"
"A farming game called Coral Island," she said, setting the device in the portable dock to recharge it and standing up with her guard's assistance. "Kind of ironic considering what the place we're visiting is called."
"Indeed, my Lady."