.

Chapter VII
An Unforgettable Dinner

"That's a good girl, Elise. Remember, be brave. Don't cry, no matter what happens.
Otherwise your tears will call forth the flames inside you...
Become a strong queen who doesn't cry no matter what happens.
And... live... happily..."

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The heavy, gold-trimmed staff of the herald banged on the polished marble floor and sent a loud knocking through the vast reception hall of Kingdom Valley Castle. "Her Highness, Miss Elise the Third, Princess of Soleanna!" the obese man announced solemny before stepping aside to make way for the person waiting on the threshold behind him.

The young noblewoman entered the room with measured steps, fairly surprised by the large number of guests who had already arrived. Wow! Looks like father invited half the court, she thought. It really seems like he's taking tonight's reception and that dinner pretty seriously after all. Slowly approaching the crowd of people, she began to feel a bit embarrassed and intimidated as all eyes turned towards her at that moment. If he would just give up such inconvenient rituals like these archaic formal introductions! It's so annoying! Insecurely, she lowered her gaze, and a slight blush appeared on her pale cheeks. But then suddenly an awed murmur went through the crowd, and Elise gradually came to the conclusion that all the staring was because she apparently gave a breathtaking sight.

She was wearing a shamrock-green sleeveless evening dress that went down to her ankles and was slit to mid-thigh on one side. It was complemented by two long gloves of the same color that reached her upper arms. The elegantly cut gown featured a plunging neckline that allowed a seductive glimpse of her cleavage, and her slender neck was adorned with a filigree necklace sparkling with a dozen little gemstones. A pair of green high heels with silver laces rounded off her outfit, and her hair was held in place by her favorite feather-shaped hairpins.

The whole afternoon had she thought about which dress she should wear at the dinner this evening. The one Hector had brought to her room a few hours ago was a very ostentatious sky-blue ball gown with lots of lace and puff sleeves. She hated puff sleeves, and that dress was absolutely not her thing. Not at all. I wonder where in the world he managed to dig up such a tasteless rag. On the other hand, she didn't have many alternatives to offer when it came to evening gowns. Her wardrobe was modestly equipped, most of her dresses rather plain. When she had been almost on the verge of despair, and had already considered to give that ugly blue costume at least a try, something important from her past suddenly returned to her mind.

Mother's favorite dress! Elise had had to rummage through her closet to the farthest corner, but in the end she had found what she was looking for. When the servants started storing mother's belongings a couple of weeks after her funeral, father saved this piece from being mothballed and put it with my things. He said she had always looked so breathtakingly beautiful in that green dress, almost like a rose, with her slender figure and her long, red, pinned up hair. And that he would love to see me wearing it someday, too. That was a long time ago... I had almost forgotten about it! After the princess, with a little assistance from her chambermaids, had put on the precious dress and looked at herself in the mirror for the first time, a radiant smile had settled on her lips. It really is beautiful! And it fits me like a glove!

And now, halfway through the welcome hall, she heard all the awestruck whispering, and finally found the courage to raise her head again. When she realized that everyone was indeed staring at her, but with eyes and mouths wide open in amazement, that smile from earlier found its way back onto her face. Looks like the magic of mother's dress is still effective! Striding through the splendid palace hall, dressed as elegantly as rarely before, and admired by all the audience, the royal girl, for the first time that day, felt like a real princess. Adored. Honored. Respected.

Respected? She cast a brief, anxious glance at her father.

The sturdy monarch wore a long robe in the azure national colors of Soleanna. The crest of the seashore empire was emblazoned on his chest, a stylized golden eagle spreading its burning wings, ignited by Solaris, beneath a golden orb meant to represent the sun. She tried to lock eyes with him, but was not able to read in her father's gaze. Hector's expression was blank and emotionless. I hope he wasn't out for the partner-look with that blue rag... Because if he's satisfied with my choice of clothes, he doesn't show it. Not in the slightest. And I thought I could surprise him at least a little bit with mom's dress... She tried to hide her disappointment, struggling to keep up her smile. Then she noticed her father's usually strong and tightened shoulders hung down powerlessly, and that his face was as gray as if he had just undergone a severe bloodletting. He looked as though he had aged years during the last few hours.

Elise was overcome by an uneasy feeling. He doesn't look too good... And his glance... It's almost frightening! Is he still angry with me? That much? And all this just because Sonic... visited me today? A cold hand reached for her heart. To distract herself, she let her eyes wander over the other people in the room.

She spotted her father's closest advisor, Lord Alfred Regis, governor and financial administrator of Soleanna. The bald man stood out the crowd as always with his old-fashioned combination of tailcoat and top hat, and looked like fallen out of time. His posture was as stiff and uptight as his personality. At his side was his snotty daughter Sabrina, a blonde brat, toxic like a viper and twice as bitchy. The twenty-year-old could have been described as attractive if her arrogance had not constantly distorted her face into a sneering grimace. The girl examined the dressy princess with narrowed eyes sparkling with envy and jealousy. But Elise did not get involved in such games on principle and simply paid her no further attention.

Then she saw the commander of Soleanna's royal guards, Captain Pietro Mabohu. With his broad shoulders and the midnight-blue dress uniform, which stretched like a second skin over his well-toned body, the tall, black-skinned officer was an impressive sight, and the numerous military decorations emblazoned on his chest jingled with every move. Next to him stood his right-hand man, Sergeant Alessio Walker. Although he was quite a bit smaller than his boss, his equally tight-fitting outfit left no doubt that also this member of the armed forces was investing a lot of time in his physical training. One really can't claim our guards wouldn't keep themselves in shape, Elise thought smiling, and could not help a second sideways glance.

After that she sighted Dr. Aristo Nexton, the head of a whole army of scientists working for her father on some kind of sustainable energy generation project. She had run into him a few times by chance, mostly when he was on his way to a meeting with her father, and had exchanged a few words with him on those occasions. He was kind and smart, and judging from all she had heard about him, an outstanding quantum physicist as well as a mathematical genius. The lanky man's chestnut-brown hair stood off his head uncombed as usual. Peering over the rim of his rectangular glasses, he waved at her somewhat bashfully. I'm pretty sure by now that he secretly has a little crush on me. The princess returned his greeting by playfully waving back at him with her fingers and giving him a bright, friendly smile. It caused the shy scientist to blush violently, and Elise had to hold back a giggle. A bit more heat and his glasses would steam up.

Finally, she arrived in front of her father and took stand at his side, not without trying once more to make eye contact with him. But the emptiness in Hector's stare dealt her heart another painful stab. Gosh, it's almost like he's looking right through me! As if I'm not even there... Unable to stand still from nervousness, Elise stepped from one foot to the other. Some things went pretty wrong today, alright. No doubt about that. But, dear Solaris, at some point he has to calm down again! And while he's at it, he can take that opportunity to reconsider his irrational hatred of the Mobians. I really can't stand his sickening racism anymore! The image of Sonic, standing on her balcony and smirking at her through the window pane with big, expectantly shining eyes, came back to her mind. She clenched her fists at her sides and raised her head as she gathered all her courage and made a decision. I'm tired of this! I'm going to speak frankly with father about his behavior. In any case, it can't go on like this.

The herald's staff crashed thunderously on the floor again, twice in a row this time, and snapped her out of her thoughts. "His Excellency, Sir Waldemar Bullenhorst, Baron of Ostenheim, and his honorable son, Prince Reginald the First," the chubby man exclaimed, clearing the way for the two foreign arrivals.

Elise's eyes widened in surprise when suddenly an extremely tall and spindly old man came through the door, clothed in a black robe with blood-red margin and collar. His drawn-out, emaciated face ended in a long gray beard that reached down to his crotch, and his dark eyes laid so deep within their sockets that his head could have been mistaken for a skull. What the...?! That guy looks like an evil wizard!

Then she directed her gaze to the man who entered the room right behind the strange baron, and had to stiftle a startled hiss. Light of Solaris! And so this is the man father described as 'suitable' for me? She tried to swallow, but suddenly her mouth felt like dried out. He can't be serious!

The marble floor almost quaked as the Prince of Ostenheim made his way through the reception hall. He was more than two heads taller than Elise, and surpassed even Captain Mabohu in terms of shoulder width. His burly neck and the musculature of his upper arms looked as if they would burst his black-red uniform at any moment. A thin goatee decorated his square chin, and his long, dark hair was tied back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. Elise was stunned and speechless. What do they actually feed this guy with? He can't even walk straight through a door! But his name matches his appearance, that's for sure... I didn't expect father is intending to cross me with a breeding bull!

The bony baron was the first of the two exotic noblemen to greet Duke Hector, and they shook hands like good old friends. Out of the corner of her eye, Elise noticed Waldemar eyeing her up and down with a rather disconcerting sideways glance. Somehow it gave her the feeling as if he was assessing her value. Then he turned to her, and his pitch-black eyes met her steel-blue ones. In the old man's gaze was an ominous glint that sent a shiver down her spine. "Princess Elise of Soleanna! A pleasure to meet you at last," he said in a voice so hoarse that it sounded like crumpling up a sheet of paper. He bowed to her politely before stepping aside to make room for his son, who in the meantime had also finished greeting Hector.

Elise had not yet fully recovered from the baron's eerie stare when Prince Reginald suddenly towered in front of her, almost casting a shadow on the petite girl. He took her hand in greeting, and her dainty fingers nearly disappeared in his giant paw, which bore more resemblance to an excavator shovel. Then he bowed to her and indicated a kiss on her hand, but all of a sudden she felt him licking over her knuckles.

Ew! W-What was that?! Elise was appalled and disgusted. She wrestled her hand out of his grip and stared in disbelief at the wet spot on her glove. Gross! What is he thinking?!

Reginald straightened up again, but instead of looking Soleanna's heir to the throne respectfully in the face or offering her a proper salute, he just stared at her cleavage with eyes as dark as the ones of his father. "Nice view," he whispered audible only to her, winking at her and licking his lips.

Elise resisted the reflex to slap the impudent fellow in the face, but only because she didn't want to cause a medium-sized scandal by humiliating this so-called nobleman in front of half her royal court. She also didn't want to provoke her father even more right now. Her eyes narrowed in anger and literally sprayed sparks, but Reginald just gave her a condescending grin and turned away to join the other guests.

Slowly but surely she began to worry about the course of the evening. While her father introduced his guests to each other and led the party to the adjoining dining hall, she let herself fall back a little. No one seemed to take notice of her anymore for now, and she sighed softly and sad. Tomorrow will be another day, she figured. Another day with Sonic! That realization instantly brought a smile back to her face. The prospect of meeting the Mobian hero again in just a couple of hours filled her with tingling anticipation and drove away the dark clouds from her mind.

Completely unforeseen, one of her most secret, most fervent wishes had come true today. It had been so incredible exciting to meet the Blue Blur and even to have had the opportunity of spending some time with him. Even though their encounter had been short and she had been in pain most of the time, she had enjoyed every single second. It would be so great if we could repeat that tomorrow! Well, without the pain, if possible. Her smile grew wider. A vortex of emotions started to swirl in her chest, and her heart throbbed faster and faster.

Following the rest of the company at some distance, she folded her hands and held them to her chest, as if she could calm her wildly pounding heart that way. I know it would be wrong, downright stupid of me, to allow such feelings to just run free. He's as unreachable for me as the moon. And yet... And yet I can't stop thinking about him anymore! A dreamy gleam crept into her eyes, and she blushed slightly. I wonder what he's doing at the moment. Is he already asleep? Or is he out there somewhere, roaming the town? She chuckled. I wish he could be here with me right now! And I wonder if he's thinking of me too...

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-===XXX===-

.

Can't stand this any longer! Totally unnerved, Sonic jumped out of his bed and flung his blanket across the hotel room. It smacked against the opposite wall and slid to the floor. He just wasn't able to fall asleep, no matter how hard he tried. He had been tossing and turning in his bed for almost three hours now, trying to relax, but it was no use. Although he was dog-tired and completely exhausted, especially after all the commotion today, he simply couldn't manage to clear his head. Too many things were running through his mind, keeping him busy, stirring him up. And then this bloody blanket! Underneath it's too warm, above it's too uncomfortable! And on top of it all, the darn thing scratches, even through my fur! How can people sleep like that?!

The Hedgehog sat down on the edge of the bed and buried his face in his hands. He was well aware that the duvet was not the real problem. Elise! Somehow I can't get her out of my head. Can't stop thinking of her! Of her pretty face. Of her cute smile. Of her bright, charming laugh. I'm going crazy! He heaved an exasperated sigh. Guess I'll have to face the facts. Seems like it got me pretty bad! But what now? What next?

Finally, he got up and started pacing up and down the room. Where's this going to lead? How am I supposed to teach this to her? Or to my friends? To Amy? He swallowed dryly. And the most important question of all; would it even work with us? After all, one must not forget the fact that we're... from different kind! Can we really have a future together? Can we be happy together, and life both our lives to the fullest?

His encounter with Shadow this afternoon came painfully back to his mind. How his old comrade had sat there, in the darkest corner of that greasy bar counter. Lonely. Jaded. Half drunk. Full of hate. Could it be that he's right? Could it really be that people won't accept such a relationship? Will they really do anything to destroy a love like this? To destroy us?

But he also could not forget what the other Mobian had revealed to him. That Maria had been pregnant when she was killed. The two of them... They had not only believed in a future together, they had simply started to live it. To live their love. At least they tried. His heart skipped a beat as he came to a decision. No doubt, there will always be people who begrudge others their happiness. Who will try everything to destroy what they cannot have themselves. The Hedgehog bared his teeth. But I don't care! I don't care what others think! And I will always protect the ones I love!

The next time he passed the window, he stopped, propped himself up on the windowsill, and looked out into the night. A large full moon had risen in the starry sky, bathing the silent city in a silvery light. Elise... I wonder what you are doing at this moment. What you are feeling. Do you feel something, too? For me?

He opened the window, and immediately cool night air poured into the room. It was quite chilly outside, especially for a summer night, and cold sea air was blowing in from the ocean. He leaned out, trying to catch a glimpse of the royal palace above Kingdom Valley from his position. The towers of the castle lay in darkness, stretching into the night sky like the knobby fingers of a cramped hand. Only in a few windows burned light. She was so nice today, so enchanting! And then what happened this morning at the jetty, when I held her in my arms... It was as if I could suddenly see the true end of those freaky nightmares! Or memories? Whatever! It was as if... as if we had already met each other in another life. If that makes any sense at all. And what she said to her father, later, about me... That I'm... her friend...

The moonlight was reflected in the Hedgehog's thoughtful looking eyes. Can there be more? Can we be more? He looked at his hand and clenched it into a fist. I'm going to find out, that's for sure! In impish smile settled on his lips. But now I'll go to see her one last time for today. I just have to see her, right now, immediately! He had decided to climb onto her balcony once more, stealthily this time. To catch a glimpse of her through the windows, just for a second.

He dressed, slipped into his shoes and gloves. His heart suddenly pounded like crazy in his chest. I want to see if she's okay. If she's doing fine. After that, he would finally be able to fall asleep. He was absolutely certain about that. No peeping. No stalking. Just making sure she's alright and sound asleep!

He jumped out of the window and into the night.

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-===XXX===-

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She had not even been granted a place at her father's side. Instead of being seated at the head of the table together with the sovereign of Soleanna, the princess had been assigned a place at the flank, in the ranks of the staff. While she by no means considered herself any more privileged than the personnel, she was nonetheless somewhat offended and hurt to be degraded in such a manner. Especially today, when high-ranking guests of honor were also sitting at the table.

Opposite her sat Prince Reginald, along with his father Waldemar. Hard to believe that the two of them are supposed to be related, Elise wondered. They couldn't be more different. Waldemar and Hector seemed to want to get drunk without restraint that evening. They toasted incessantly with their wine goblets, which had to be refilled again and again by the servants, including Annmarie and Susanna.

The Prince of Ostenheim, for his part, did his best to deepen the first impression he had made on Elise. He, too, seemed determined to get drunk at any sacrifice, emptying one beaker after the other. At least as long as he was not stuffing food into his mouth with loud smacking. From time to time he let out a thunderous belch, inevitably followed by a suggestive grin in her direction. It made her cringe.

His indecent behavior repelled her, disgusted her. He was constantly staring at her breasts, undressing her with his eyes. Every now and then he even winked at her before licking his lips in a clear sexual innuendo. It sickened her, and by now she was even regretting her decision to wear her mother's beautiful and meaningful, but in some respects quite revealing dress tonight, and that hurt her the most.

This is going on for more than two hours now! I can't believe father is seriously considering someone like this as a suitor for me! He would have to be blind not to notice how that guy is behaving towards me. She looked over at her father for the umpteenth time, but Hector seemed to have decided to ignore her. He and Baron Waldemar were completely engrossed in fantasizing about the success and prosperity of their future economic relations and the exquisite and fruity character of the wine in their goblets.

At that moment, Hector rose from his chair, swaying, and thrust his drinking vessel into the air so enthusiastically that some of his wine spilled over and splashed down on the table. "Baron Waldemar! Prince Reginald! My most esteemed guests!" he toasted the Bullenhorsts with a slight slur in his voice. "Let us drink to a strong, lasting, and last but not least, a profitable union of our two kingdoms!" Then he pointed his beaker in the direction of his daughter, not without spilling some wine again. "And to a fruitful one, of course!"

What?! Elise's eyes widened in surprise. That almost sounds as if it's all settled already! Solaris, give me strength!

Reginald discharged another booming belch.

She stared at him, her eyes shooting daggers, but he just grinned smugly and then puckered his lips. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father emptying his wine cup in a single swig. He held it out to Susanna, who stood next to him, and she immediately refilled it to the brim. Apparently without having to breathe in between, the Duke of Soleanna drank up in one go again.

Elise's stomach clenched like a fist, and she was glad that she hadn't touched a bite of the food yet. She simply couldn't believe, didn't even want to consider, what her father had just implied with his words. She tried to distract herself by thinking about the upcoming date with Sonic again. But although her heart made a serious attempt to perform another joyful leap, this time the thought alone was not enough to bring a smile to her lips. She was far too troubled by now.

But thinking about Sonic, something else came to her mind that had to do with the blue Hedgehog. I still wonder what happened this morning, at the pier. When he caught me and carried me. It was as if I could suddenly see the true end of those strange dreams. Is it really a memory? A flashback? Or a vision? She sank into her thoughts, and her gaze turned to the distance. When Sonic was with me today, when he held me... It felt so... familiar! As if I had really experienced this before! It doesn't make sense, but I can't explain it any other way. All dreamy, she started fiddling with her necklace. And Sonic... I'm sure he felt something, too! That gleam in his eyes... She chewed on her lower lip in agitation. Is it possible to know someone without ever having met him before? Like from another life? Or from another time? Can such a thing be possible? Can such a thing even be imagined?

Then another thought occurred to her. If there was anyone who could help her, then it would be Annmarie, her best friend. She remembered something Annie had once shared with her many years ago, about a childhood friend of hers who worked as a fortune teller and dream interpreter here in Soleanna. I was still a child when Annie told me about her, and that she had learned from her not to be afraid of bad dreams... Because I used to have bad dreams all the time back then, after mother died. I wonder if her friend is still practicing... Elise didn't think long and took a decision. Annie will know, for sure. I'll ask her, first thing tomorrow morning. And then we'll get to the bottom of these things, Sonic and I! With the satisfying feeling of being on the right track, the princess began to focus on her surroundings again.

In the meantime, everyone at the table was engaged in some kind of conversation, and Elise was surrounded by a babble of voices. Baron Waldemar, also pretty tipsy by now, was just addressing her father. "Duke... err, King Hector, my good friend. It has come to my ears that your beautiful daughter will preside over tomorrow's glittering festival in honor of your country's patron deity? What was it called again?" He thoughtfully stroked his long beard. "Solaris? Yes! The Solaris-Festival. Your daughter will be conducting it for the very first time, is that true?" he asked in his unpleasantly raspy voice that evoked the involuntary feeling in one of having to clear one's throat.

"It's called 'Festival of the Sun'," Hector corrected the skeletal man. "But you're right. She will." He stared into his half-emptied beaker, as if the answers lay somewhere at its bottom. "She's of age now. Therefore, we're going to celebrate on a larger scale this year. Bigger boats, professional artists and performers, and the most spectacular fireworks display you've ever-"

"Yo!" Reginald interrupted him. "Seen the preps right after our landing. Whole town's buzzing with activity! Almost mistook it for an anthill." He let out a short laugh, and it sounded as if he had pulled up snot. "But I guess yar castle has seen better days, King Hector, eh? Whole east side's missing windows!" He laughed again, loud and hard. A disturbing sound. "What happened, if I may ask?"

An anger line formed between her father's eyes, and Elise saw the knuckles of the hand holding his wine beaker turning white. She already suspected what was coming now.

"I'll tell you what happened," Hector growled through clenched teeth. "We were attacked by one of those Mobian critters this morning, that's what happened." For the first time that evening, the ruler of Soleanna looked directly at his daughter, and his gaze was so cold that it nearly froze her blood. "Once again, what I always say has proven true. Those creatures cause nothing but trouble!"

The princess remained silent, but withstood his gaze. One could literally sense the tension building between father and daughter, and the air suddenly felt like it was charging with electricity.

All of a sudden, Reginald slammed his fist down on the table, causing all the dishes to bounce and some of the guests to flinch. "Yo! That's also what I always say! They should all be exterminated!"

"Well, driving them back behind the borders of that blasted rift from which they keep invading all the time would at least be a good start," Hector suggested grimly.

Elise couldn't hold back any longer and shook her head in disapproval.

"Is there anything my daughter would like to add?" Hector's voice had taken on a threatening undertone.

"The anomaly is actually quite interesting," Dr. Nexton unexpectedly jumped to Elise's aid. The friendly scientist seemed to have sensed the quarrel between her and her father. "I really think we should study the rift and its origin more thoroughly. It's such a unique phenomenon, and it's so exciting that it allows us contact with a fascinating alien race and access to a world so completely different from our own."

"Who asked that toothpick for his opinion?" Reginald leaned over threateningly to the skinny scientist, who seemed to be shrinking in his seat and anxiously fiddled with his glasses.

Baron Waldemar held out his cup to one of the servants to have it refilled. "In my opinion, those creatures should rather be considered a potential threat. Their abilities far exceed ours, and if it ever comes to war, we can only hope that our technological superiority can compensate their physical advantages."

After emptying his beaker and emitting a roaring belch again, the Prince of Ostenheim let his prominent pectoral muscles twitch. "Bah! If it's up to me, they can come. I'll deal with 'em."

Captain Mabohu and Sergeant Walker exchanged a meaningful look and rolled their eyes, but refrained from commenting. Close combat tactics against Mobians had been an integral part of the soldiers' training for several years now, but the two veterans were fully aware of the fact that even they would probably not stand the slightest chance against an anthro in melee fighting.

Reginald seemed not to have noticed their glances. He continued his chest exercises and fell back into his behavior of staring at Elise as if waiting for her to take note of his remarkable physique and body control.

But she did not do him the favor and paid no attention to him. Instead, she finally joined in the conversation and took sides with the Mobians. "Honestly, I think it's really sad that so many people still have unfounded prejudices against our visitors, our new fellow citizens. They're not that different from us. They just look different."

"But many of them use their frightening powers to do harm, or to enrich themselves," Lord Regis suddenly objected from across the table. "They operate as spies, burglars, or thieves. Criminals! Some of them have even murdered people, even here on earth. There have been many such cases, it's constantly on the news." He wagged his index finger. "That's not something to be ignored."

"In the news, a lot of things are often hyped up just to boost ratings," Elise replied firmly. "And what's mostly ignored is the fact that we owe Mobius some great heroes, who saved many lives. Every now and then even the whole world, if you like."

Now even Sabrina interfered. Her squeaky voice dripped with arrogance. "Those creatures are just creepy! And what? Heroes? Really?! The only thing we owe Mobius is the constant threat of that fat lunatic, that Egg-guy!"

"He's called Eggman. And he's as much a threat to the Mobians as he is to us," Dr. Nexton sided with Elise again.

"Egg-man, Egg-head, fuck it all," Reginald grunted. "Can we all agree that we can very well do without that crazy fatso, whatever he's called? And that those anthros are ugly and dangerous?"

"They're not!" declared Elise resolutely. Slowly she became angry.

"'Course they are. They're animals," the young Bullenhorst asserted while scraping remnants of his meal out of the spaces between his teeth with his fingernails, once again letting out a booming belch.

"I know humans to whom that term would rather apply," the princess stated sarcastically, staring at him with squinted eyes. But Reginald didn't even seem to consider that he could be meant.

His father Waldemar, however, had definitely noticed her pointed remark and launched a verbal counterattack. "So the rumors seem to be true, Hector. Your daughter really appears to have a soft spot for those furries." He grinned perfidiously.

After just sitting there in silence for a while, emptying one beaker of wine after the other, Duke Hector suddenly almost choked on his current drink. With controlled composure, he placed the empty goblet on the table before turning to his daughter with a deadly serious expression. "Elise, I forgot to mention something important. I want you to spend the day tomorrow with Reginald. At least until you have to start preparing for the festival." He spoke with a clearly perceptible slurring in his voice and was obviously quite drunk by now.

Elise suddenly felt hot and cold at the same time. What?! He can't be serious! All at once she realized the full implications of his order. Oh no... Sonic! I was looking forward to seeing him again so much! What if he returns tomorrow and I'm not there? What if we miss each other? He might think I stood him up! Her heart painfully skipped a beat before it began to race on at double speed. But I can't tell father that... What in the world am I supposed to do now?! "Father, look... I'm actually already pretty booked up for tomorrow-"

"I want you two to get to know each other better. There are reasons for that." Hector's voice was as grim as his expression. "Besides, it would be rather impolite of you not to take some time for our guest, don't you think? This honorable young nobleman and his father came all the way from Ostenheim to see you."

Honorable? Nobleman? Don't make me laugh! And what kind of 'reasons', for Solaris' sake? Elise swallowed dryly. And in what a manner he's talking to me, here in front of all our guests! She got so upset that she almost began to tremble. Restlessly, she ran her hand through her hair and brushed a strand behind her ear. "Father, really. I-"

"I tolerate no contradiction! You will do as I demand!" the duke thundered all of a sudden, slamming his fist on the table at the word 'demand'. In his drunken state, his hand touched the rim of his goblet and catapulted it off the table.

Suddenly there was dead silence in the dining hall. Even the maids, who had been busily walking around the table the whole time, abruptly stopped in the middle of their movements as if someone had pulled out their power plugs. Only Sabrina, at the other end of the table, uttered a spiteful laugh. It sounded like goat bleating.

Elise's face turned as red as her hair. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Reginald's filthy grin, and that gave her the rest. She clutched the edge of the table so tightly that her fingers hurt. I will not allow father to humiliate me like this. Not again. Not in front of all these people. And especially not in front of that cretin! She thought of Sonic, pictured the cobalt-furred Hedgehog in her mind's eye, as if he were standing right next to her. She thought of his courage. Of his strength. Of his smirk. Just smile! "Father, no."

Hector's jaw dropped. "What?!"

"I said no, father. Not this time." Although her hands were sweaty and her heart was beating so frantically as if it was going to jump out of her chest at any moment, she managed to let her voice sound steady and firm. "And now I'd like to retire to my room, if I may." She stood up.

The bearded man also rose from his seat, but swayed so violently that he had to support himself heavily on the table. It looked as if his eyes were about to fall out of his head with rage. "My daughter seems not to know where her place is!" he screamed with his voice cracking.

Suddenly, the emotional storm in Elise died down and she became very calm. She looked her father straight in the eye. "And that from a duke who calls himself a king." With her head held high, she left the table and walked past her father towards the side exit. She peripherally noticed that for the second time that evening, all eyes were on her. But by now she didn't care at all.

Hector's mouth opened and closed like that of a carp. But then, completely unexpectedly, he put on a conciliatory smile. "Elise, you're right! I really was a bit too harsh on you. I drank too much and adopted the wrong tone. Where are my good manners? Please forgive me!"

The young princess hesitated. Had she just heard right? She turned around to her father and looked at him, her blue eyes swimming in tears. She was deeply hurt. And yet... Had she just understood him correctly? Had he really just apologized to her?

"My beloved daughter," Hector continued. "I say it in front of everyone, let everyone here be my witness. I made a mistake, and I am truly sorry. Of course, you may retire if you wish." He opened his arms in an inviting gesture. "But give your loving father a hug before you go, as a sign of your forgiveness." He looked at her pleadingly.

Elises' heart softened. Such a turn of events was really the last thing she had expected, and it was more than she had dreamed of for a long time. Can this be true? He's finally coming to his senses! And apologizes to me, in front of all these people! So he does love me after all! Her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She walked up to her father and reached out her hands to him, ready to let herself fall into his embrace.

But all of a sudden, Hector dropped his masquerade. Instead of taking his daughter in his arms, he grabbed the neckline of her dress with both hands and brutally ripped it apart, all the way down to her belly button, revealing her bandaged chest, but also exposing her breasts. It happened so fast and unexpectedly, Elise had no time to react at all.

"Daddy...!?" Completely caught off guard and shocked to the core, she let out a shrill scream and immediately tried to cover her bareness with her arms and hands. The torn shreds of her mother's dress dangled down from her hips.

Hector turned to his guests at the table, who watched the event with horror and in stunned silence. He pointed his finger at the bandaged upper body of his half-naked daughter. "This is what happens when you get involved with one of those anthro critters!" he bellowed in a thunderous voice, and saliva sprayed from his lips. "You get hurt! Next time, maybe killed! They're causing nothing but trouble, as I said!"

Trembling all over, Elise finally found the strength to overcome her state of shock. With another desperate cry, she burst into tears and fled from the dining room through the nearby side entrance, still trying to cover herself as best as she could, but succeeding more poorly than well.

For a few seconds, there was eerie silence in the hall again. Then Dr. Nexton jumped up from his seat, his face bright red. "What...?! What the...?!" He was visibly struggling to regain his composure. He simply couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. "I still have work to do, down in the lab," he then stated harshly. "Please excuse me, King Hector!" Without waiting for an answer, he rushed out of the refectory through the main entrance.

Hector just grunted and sat down again. With a gruff wave of his hand, he indicated to Susanna to bring him a new cup of wine.

.

-===XXX===-

.

Elise stormed into her room and slammed the door behind her so forcefully that the panes of her balcony windows shook. Deeply distraught, she threw herself onto her bed and pressed her tear-covered face into the pillow. How could he? How could he humiliate me like that, so unspeakably, and in front of all our guests? In front of half the court! How am I supposed to look those people in the eye ever again? She writhed on her bed and wept bitterly.

Is that his idea of punishing me for what happened today and for Sonic having visited me? Ignoring me all evening and then embarrassing me to the bone in front of everyone? Destroying mother's beautiful dress, one of the few memories I've left of her? The thought tore her heart apart, and she sobbed even more.

What is wrong with my father? Is that man even still my father? He has become a monster! I can't stand this anymore! She screamed into the pillow and bit into its fabric out of desperation. I will not forget this! I will not forgive this! Oh, dear mother. I miss you so much! I feel so lonely! So forsaken!

Suddenly a knock on her balcony window tore her out of her sorrowful thoughts.

.

-===XXX===-

.

The dinner was clearly over. Hector's horrific outburst of rage had not only marked another low point in the relationship between him and his daughter, but also heralded the end of the festive event. No one had been able to get down another bite, and one by one the remaining guests had followed Dr. Nexton's example and excused themselves before retiring from the dining hall. A short time later, the Duke of Soleanna sat alone at the table with the two members of the noble house of Bullenhorst.

Baron Waldemar turned to Soleanna's sovereign. "Well, Hector. You really know what it takes to put on a good show for your guests. That was indeed an unforgettable dinner." He folded his hands on the table. "I'll spare myself the question, and you the answer, as to what that was all about. However, I sincerely hope it has no impact on our agreement." He looked over at his son, but after what he had seen of Elise's body a few minutes ago, Reginald just stared dreamily into space, occasionally licking his lips.

Hector shook his head. "Don't worry about it. We'll do everything as we discussed." He looked at the ruler of Ostenheim with somber expression. "Speaking of what we discussed. Did you bring it with you?"

Waldemar nodded. He reached into the inside pocket of his robe, took out a small box made of metal, and placed it on the table in front of Hector. "Are you sure you want to do this? And how do you even know about it? It's practically one of our best-kept state secrets."

"To be honest, I just guessed. But at some point it became obvious to me. No other country has made such rapid and impressive progress in weapons research in recent years as Ostenheim." Hector looked at the case, and a sinister glint appeared deep in his eyes.

"Well combined, my friend. Really. Well combined." The Baron snickered, and it sounded as if two gears were not interlocking properly. "But let me repeat the question. Are you really serious about this? About going that far? You have to know, it's like opening Pandora's box."

For a brief moment, Hector reflected on the situation, running through everything again in his head. He thought of all that he had been through. Of all the lost years that lay behind him. He thought of his country, his kingdom. Of his deceased wife, his lost love. Of the Aquatic Base and the Solaris Prototype. And of his daughter. Could he really do this to her? Was he really doing the right thing? But then the image of that damned Mobian Hedgehog came back to his mind. How that critter had held Elise in his arms at the pier this morning, as if she were his bride. How that animal had sat on her bed only a few hours later. And how it had touched her... "Do it!" he ordered with petrified expression.

The Baron of Ostenheim shrugged his shoulders. Then he reached out and opened the little box, which turned out to be a mobile telecommunications device. The upper part consisted of a small screen, the lower one contained a tiny keyboard. After one last searching sideways glance at Hector, he entered a long combination of numbers and letters into the keypad. A few seconds later, a green dot began flashing in the upper right corner of the display, while the rest of the screen remained dark. With a silent nod, Waldemar signaled to his counterpart that the connection had been established and that he could speak now.

Hector bent closer to the communicator. "Hello? Uh... this is King... err... Duke Hector of Soleanna speaking. Thank you for taking the time to address my concerns on such short notice, Mr... uhm... Doctor Egg-"

The static transmission of a menacing baritone voice interrupted him. "Robotnik. Doctor Ivo Robotnik."

...