Two months later
BamBam joined his father in the library. "Lisa's sent another message, Father. Oh, hello, Grandmother. I didn't realize you were here."
Elegant white eyebrows rose. "Where should I be?"
"I'm not here to argue, Grandmother. You're usually tucked away in your rooms with your nose in a book."
"And where else would I get a book but the library?"
Jamiros chuckled. "Leave off, Mother. BamBam admitted years ago that you could think and talk circles around him. Now what does Lisa have to say? Don't tell me she's haring off to another corner of the galaxy after supposed radio signals to keep Hyun-suk from Drakan—again."
BamBam nodded. "It turns out the radio signals were real. She found another inhabited planet. And she's bringing one of its inhabitants home with her."
"Is that such a good idea with Hyun-suk on the same ship?"
"She didn't have much choice. It seems the woman rescued Seulgi and Irene from what sounds like an alter ego of Hyun-suk's from another planet. She was wounded in the process and transported back to the ship by mistake. Hyun-suk managed to get his hands on her for his damn Tests, but Lisa and Hyuna were able to rescue her before they had progressed too far."
"The woman?" Jenelle asked. "This alien is a female?"
BamBam nodded. "A very human female. It seems her blood is exactly the same as Medirian blood."
Jamiros leaned forward. "I didn't know that was possible. Why is Lisa bringing her here?"
"Because she married her."
"What?!" two voices exclaimed in unison.
"Preposterous!" Jamiros continued. "The woman is an unknown entity. What possessed Lisa to marry her? The clan will never accept it."
BamBam shrugged. "It was a rather terse message. However, Lisa did say that there was no other way to protect her from Hyun-suk. Since Jennie is on board, they're busy devising plans to keep her from Hyun-suk's clutches. She saved Seulgi and Irene from certain death and almost died herself in the process."
Sighing, Jamiros nodded. "That explains it. Lisa has always had an overdeveloped sense of duty and protectiveness. The clan does owe her more than our gratitude for saving Seulgi and Irene. The marriage is undoubtedly to throw Hyun-suk off-balance."
"Hyun-suk doesn't know about it yet, Father. Lisa's keeping it secret."
"Very, very good," Jenelle murmured. "Hyun-suk would never suspect that Lisa would marry an unidentified species simply to keep her from him."
"Lisa's probably counting on the Medirians accepting her because of their matching blood. Once she's safely out of Hyun-suk's clutches, Lisa will simply dissolve the marriage,"
Jamiros mused. "It makes sense."
Jenelle's sharp eyes locked on her son and grandson. "I wonder if she's pretty."
"What do the woman's looks have to do with anything?"
Both Jenelle and BamBam stared at Jamiros in amazement.
His expression became sheepish. "I must be getting old."
Jenelle chuckled. "No Drakian gets that old."
BamBam snorted.
Jamiros frowned. "Does Lisa say anything else?"
"Hyun-suk sent a message to the Academy directing them to make sure the Ruling Council reaffirms the Tests."
