Alien [Louis]

31 | A l l y

[Dedicated to achhuu for the awesome fanart!]

Unedited

NORKAR ARRIVED IN the cells about an hour later with two small, silver trays in hand. He glanced at us a moment longer than I think he intended to, most likely pondering why we were sitting so closely together, before pushing a tray under each set of bars and turning to leave without another word.

Louis wouldn't allow it. "Oi! You!"

The Councillor came to a halt. I saw him exhale deeply, taking a moment before spinning on his heel to look at his prince. "Yes, sir?" I couldn't tell if he were being sarcastic or not but besides that, I was surprised - was he even allowed to talk with Louis? Would Klaru allow it if she were there? Part of me knew the answer was no.

Louis seemed surprised too, for he said, "Hell, some formal acknowledgement. Finally."

Norkar scowled at him before glancing over his shoulder like he were checking to see if the coast was clear. But why on earth would he be doing that? It wasn't like anybody on board would be about to throw themselves at him in a rebellious like fashion. 

But then the most unexpected thing happened; the Councillor dropped to his knees and started begging Louis for forgiveness. His words were one jumble running into the next, an array of apologies and desperate pleadings spilling out his mouth like he'd been holding in all his feelings for years. The closer I looked, I found his eyes were glassy.

"Please, my prince. I never wanted anything to do with this. The princess, she showed up one day aware that several of us on the Council were very strongly against your possible discoveries, particularly that of stumbling upon a new species in hope of one day communicating." His eyes darted over to me for a brief moment as if trying to exaggerate his tale. "I've been a faithful ally to your parents for years, not once have I questioned their rule and I am in no way about to begin. Before I could accept what was happening, the entire Council was on board with what the princess had in mind - to vanquish any possibility of discovering human beings. I was given no option but to obligate my service to her, she - my family were threatened, Sir."

Louis remained silent, though I did notice him sit up straighter. I wondered if he sat up as straight on a throne.