Prince George arrived at the meeting seventeen minutes late. He was met with the disgruntled looks of Bad and four other government officials all sitting at a long table, along with an additional dozen faces peering out from their respective netscreens on the paneled wall before him. Ambassadors from every Earthen country- the United Kingdom, the European Federation, the African Union, the American Republic, and Australia. One queen, two prime ministers, one president, one governor-general, three state representatives, and two province representatives. Text along the bottom of the screens helpfully displayed their names, titles, and country affiliations.
"How kind of the young prince to grace us with his presence," said Bad, as the officials around the table stood to welcome George.
George waved Bad's comment away. "I thought you could use my guidance."
On the wall of screens, Prime Minister Kamin of Africa grunted most unladylike. Everyone else remained silent.
George moved to take his regular seat when Bad stopped him and gestured at the chair at the end of the table. The emperor's chair. Jaw clenching, George switched seats. He looked up at the grid of faces- although each of the world leaders was thousands of miles away, staring into their own wall of netscreens, it felt as if their eyes were focused on him, disapproving.
He cleared his throat, trying not to fidget. "Is the conference link secure?" he asked, the question bringing back his concerns over the direct communication chip Dream had found inside Luca. The screens in this room were equipped with D-COMMS so they could hold international meetings without fear of anyone listening through the net. Had the chip inside Luca been put there by one of Minx's cronies for the same reason- secrecy, privacy? If so, what exactly had she learned?
"Of course," said Bad. "The links have been verified for nearly twenty minutes, Your Highness. We were just discussing Earth's relationship with Luna when you deigned to join us."
George clasped his hands together. "Right. Now, is that the one where the dominatrix queen throws a tantrum and threatens war every time she doesn't get her way? That relationship?"
No one laughed. Bad's gaze focused on George. "Is this timing inconvenient for you, Your Highness."
George cleared his throat. "I apologize. That was inappropriate." He met the faces of the Earth's leaders, watching him from thousands of miles away. He gripped his hands beneath the table, feeling like a child sitting in on his father's meetings.
"Obviously," said President Vargas from America, "the relationship between Earth and Luna has been strained for many years, and the rule of Queen Minx has only made things worse. We can't put blame on any one party, but the important thing is that we fix it, before-"
"Before she starts a war," finished a province representative from South America, "as the young prince already observed."
"But if the reports on the net are not mistaken," said Governor-General Williams of Australia, "communication between Earth and Luna has begun again. Can it be true that Minx is on Earth now? I could hardly believe the news when I heard it."
"Yes," said Bad, as all eyes switched to him. "The queen arrived yesterday afternoon, and her head thaumaturge, Alex Maldonado, has been a guest in our court for just over two weeks."
"Has Minx informed you of her purpose for this visit?" said Prime Minister Kamin.
"She claims that she wants to reach a peace agreement."
One of the American Republic reps guffawed. "I'll believe it when I see it."
President Vargas ignored the comment. "Quite suspicious timing, isn't it? So soon after..." He didn't finish. No one looked at George.
YOU ARE READING
cinder || dnf
Fanfictionbased off of the lunar chronicles by marissa meyer book one dream is a lowly mechanic with a secret- he's part cyborg. his stepmother will stop at nothing to make his life miserable. what dream doesn't know, is there's something special about him...
