CHAPTER 7
Thick wooden doors closed behind us with a heavy thud, muffling the murmurs of the questioning delegates. Some are probably wondering why am I even involved. A question that I, myself did not have an answer to.
The two biggest leaders in an enclosed space were too much for me to handle. Gulping, I followed and sat in the chair facing Chairman Zala, while Father was seated at the center.
Chairman Zala eyed me like I was some specimen under a microscope, and I eventually grew uneasy under his intense stare.
"I assume you've brought us here to elaborate on your condition, Chairman Zala," Father began, his voice steady yet careful.
A smirk curled on the Chairman's lips. "I've heard your little princess remains unmarried…"
I grimaced at the word "little princess" because Chairman Zala was clearly belittling my presence.
Father glanced in my direction, "Yes, but she mentioned that she fancies someone and hopes to introduce her significant other to me soon." He clasped his hands on the table as though discussing my love life was the most amusing story of the day.
Chairman Zala's smirk deepened, "Why don't you introduce him now to your father, little princess?" His tone dripped with mockery and challenge.
I swallowed hard. "He's… busy." I was expecting further peace talks in this closed space, not to be grilled about my non-existent love story which I merely fabricated!
Chairman Zala roared with laughter. Before either of us could respond, a soft knock interrupted.
Kisaka's voice came through the intercom. "Apologies, Head Representative, but a guest insists on entering under Chairman Zala's orders."
Father and I exchanged wary glances before he gave his nod of approval.
As if in slow motion, the large doors swung open, revealing a tall man with midnight blue locks and piercing green eyes. His face was stoic, devoid of emotion. Chairman Zala immediately stood, while Father and I remained seated.
"This is Alex Dino," Chairman Zala introduced, gesturing towards him. "An Orb immigrant, now a skilled engineer in PLANT. Does the name ring a bell, little princess?"
Alex's cold gaze darted to me, almost glaring. Father's eyes bore into me as well, silently demanding an explanation.
My throat tightened.
"I heard you fancy him, little princess?" Chairman Zala taunted.
"What?!" Father roared. I took a glimpse in his direction and I know he is berating me through his eyes. "Cagalli indeed told me she has a lover, but can't meet me because his mother was hospitalized."
Chairman Zala merely chuckled in a low tone as if Father was telling him a joke.
Father turned to me, confused, "Cagalli, what's the meaning of this? And Chairman Zala, I believe we were supposed to discuss the peace talks and I don't get why Cagalli had to be involved? And why are you introducing this young man to us?"
Chairman Zala took his seat and motioned Alex to sit beside him.
"Let's cut the story short, Head Representative Athha. Since you want PLANT to sign the peace treaty, then I believe you should give us a concrete demonstration of how Coordinators and Naturals should co-exist."
I furrowed my brows, confused by his words.
"What do you mean by that, Chairman Zala," Father asked.
The room grew colder as Chairman Zala replied, his voice unyielding, "Your little princess should marry Alex Dino, a Coordinator. That is PLANT's condition to the peace treaty."
Father slammed his fist on the table, rising to his feet. "A marriage between a Coordinator and Natural is not some condition when we are talking about the lives of millions of people here, Chairman Zala!"
The PLANT Chairman remained unfazed. "Precisely. Millions of lives depend on this treaty. Surely the Head Representative of Orb values those lives more than his little princess."
Father's face darkened, his hands trembling with restrained fury.
Chairman Zala is right. Although I initially involved Alex in order to evade Father's prodding for marriage, I never thought this would escalate to a situation wherein I had to marry Alex for PLANT to agree to the peace treaty. Yet, if this sacrifice could preserve peace and Orb's ideals, I knew what had to be done.
"Let's do it," I finally found my voice. Father's eyes snapped to me filled with disbelief.
"For peace," I added softly. "And for Orb's ideals, I'll marry Alex Dino."