Long Distance

Part 3

Huy Deshal had always wanted to be Emperor.

Not in a creepy, 'I'd kill the Emperor to have the throne all to my own,' kind of way. More like, 'oh, it'd be interesting.'

But no, he was just the Chairman of Defense, which was enough for him.

Of course, he didn't mind that Emperor Kaito and Chief Advisor Konn Torin were leaving for Luna, thus, the duties of the sovereign became his.

He didn't mind how all the servants and guards seemed to bow to his every whim. It didn't really bother him that the court were always up and ready to serve him.

And he actually kind of liked that he got his lunch and dinner served to him.

"Chairman Huy?" A man appeared in the doorway to the Emperor's office, cutting off his thoughts. It was the man that had basically replaced the Emperor's android, Nainsi, who had gone with him to Luna.

"Yes?" Huy asked, straightening in his chair. He hoped it wasn't obvious that he'd forgotten the man's name.

"Her Majesty, Queen Selene of Luna, has requested an audience with you."

Huy jumped up from his chair, straightening his suit and lapels. "Queen Selene? The savior of our country?"

"The world. Yes, Chairman. She wants to see the emperor, and when I tried to explain that he is gone, she ... well ..."

"Yes, yes," Huy waved his comment away. "Send her in."

An audience with Queen Selene. Oh, what a treat! It made him giddy just thinking about it. Emperor Kaito had hogged the girl long enough, it was Huy's turn to strike a proper alliance.

Sure, the Queen was only sixteen and Huy was in his 50s and balding, but that was a trivial complication that could be overlooked.

The man clicked his heels and moved to the edge of the doorway, bowing.

And Queen Selene walked in.

She was, unexpectedly, normal.

Huy's hands tightened behind his back. He'd get beheaded for that thought.

Not that the Queen wasn't pretty, because she was. Sort of.

She wasn't ugly, that was for sure. Huy was just expecting something radiant, impossibly beautiful, a goddess. He may have been imagining the late Queen Levana.

Which would definitely get him beheaded.

Selene was wearing simple clothing, jeans and a jacket with a furry hood, making Huy somehow feel overdressed.

He bowed, and so did she.

"You are Chairman Huy Deshal, if I am not mistaken?" 

"Yes, your Majesty," Huy replied, taking care to use the deep melodic cadence of his voice properly. "I take it I am not what you were expecting."

The queen smiled guiltily. A Queen; smiling guiltily. "You thought right. I hope you will excuse my improper clothing, I came here in a rush. I am seeking Emperor Kaito. Is he well?"

Huy dared to glance back at the man, who had an annoyed look on his face.

Huy cleared his throat. "I'm afraid the Emperor is on a diplomatic mission to none other than Luna, Your Majesty. Were you not informed?"

Selene's brow furrowed. "Diplomatic mission?"

"Yes. For your birthday festival, I believe."

"Birthday ... festival?" She suddenly clonked the heel of her palm against her forehead. Huy started. "Oh, I'm so stupid."

He was speechless. She was suddenly acting in a very unprofessional manner.

"Your Majesty?"

"Of course. This is completely something Kai would do," she mumbled, probably talking to herself. "Throw a surprise birthday party for the sovereign of a country, it'll be fun." Selene rubbed her temple. "No doubt he got me a present too. Something frivolous, where the money could have been used better somewhere else."

Huy coughed awkwardly. "Is this a bad time, Your Majesty?"

The queen looked up, surprised, like she'd forgotten he was there. "Oh, forgive me chairman, but I must return to Luna at once. I wish you well." With that, she bowed again, and Huy, shocked, scrambled to bow back. She left the room in a haste, leaving him dumbfounded.

"She does not seem like a queen, does she chairman?" the man said after a short silence.

Huy didn't answer.