Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 110: The Mechanic and the Scratched

Daniel carries his luggage to the shuttle that he's preparing for the trip to Mattarglos. He has permission from the Fievegal inner circle to leave his house arrest, though he'll obviously be escorted by most of his new friends, including Neith, his primary male friend on Zenkon.

The shuttles aren't the most comfortable form of travel, but they're fast and effective, requiring little space to take off and land, and able to close a great distance faster than riding on a dragon.

Thymeria, Illianna, Shek, Skloe, and the children will be remaining at the Citadel, while the four Empresses, Gwenesphia, Treia, Kera'tai, Aoloan, Doephluev, and Vaergraes will be accompanying Daniel to witness his duel and establish friendly relations with Mattarglos, if possible.

Just as Daniel is turning to pick up the next crate, he halts.

Grand Duchess Aramellianna is entering the hangar with her usual guards, though her daughters appear to be elsewhere. She walks with a grace that Daniel could never hope to complement, let alone match. She carries her head high, no matter where she is going or what she is doing.

She approaches Daniel without any hint of having other business, and he hesitates, straightening to receive her. "Grand Duchess."

"Your Grace." The guards with her bow respectfully to Daniel... in spite of his many protests.

Daniel simply sighs quietly. "Anything I can help you with, Mother?"

"In fact you can, dear Daniel." She passes him, inspecting the shuttle for a moment. "You are heading to the territory of Mattarglos, are you not?"

"I am. Myself and a handful of others."

"I see." She peeks in the back of the shuttle, where the seats are much like the coach seats of an airline. "It seems quite crowded in these shuttles of yours."

"It serves the purpose," replies Daniel respectfully, watching as she studies the seating.

"This won't do at all. We'll take my airship. It is much more spacious."

"'We', Mother?"

She smiles at him and nods. "Of course. Did you think I would miss out on an important diplomatic trip to Mattarglos?" She muses, "I hear the confections of Mattarglos are uniquely flavored, thanks to the honey produced by a species of insect found only in Mattarglos. I'm looking forward to trying it."

"If that's the case, Mother, we should try brewing with this honey. A whiskey I liked on Earth used honey as a flavoring, and it was quite good."

She smirks. She's not a heavy alcohol drinker since he introduced her, but she does have the occasional wine with dinner, and she has tried Daniel's rum. "Interesting... Then, we have a mutual reason for going."

"Actually, Mother, I have a reason for going. Yours... doesn't seem like a good idea."

Her expression dims to that of slight disgust, as if he insulted her by countering her. "Hmm? And, you would go to this place with your entire harem, which includes my eldest daughter?"

Daniel twitches, stammering a little. "I... well... you see..."

"I know you wield a great deal of influence because you make decisions swiftly and with confidence. Admirable, of course. My late husband was the same way. But..." She grins at him wickedly. "The real power lies in those you wish to make happy. Those whose opinions you will always consider, unless your own decision is resolute. I expect you will have a great deal of trouble refusing me, my dear, sweet son."

Daniel sighs. She's not wrong. While he could put his foot down on the matter, Wenlianna is not the only one who will likely argue for Aramellianna's presence on the trip, especially once she makes the extremely logical and simple argument that she has much more diplomatic experience than anyone in the Fievegal. Leaving her behind would almost be foolish more than wise.