Page 32 of The Sovereign: Part One
He was more serious than I’d ever seen him, and I waited with him for Bellam’s answer.
“Still no,” she said, unaffected.She stood, grabbed her tresset, and left him standing there.
Roan watched her go before turning to me, looking almost lost.“Isara, I swear to you, I’m the one desperate for her attention, not the other way around.I’ve pulled every string, played every card, and none of it has mattered.I would give up every advantage, every privilege, just for a chance.You know her best.Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.Whatever it takes.Please… what can I do?”
I drained the last of my drink and met his gaze.“Pray.”
I left him, too, stepping out into the cool air where Bellam was waiting.
She studied me for a long moment before pulling me into a quick, rare hug.“Go home,” she murmured.“Take a bath.Pick out a dress for Saturday.And dream about Maxim.”
I nodded, but the moment I turned away, my thoughts drifted not to Maxim, but to Joss and the beautiful, forbidden world beyond Hyperion’s gates.A part of me couldn’t shake the fear that by the time I had the chance to see it for myself, The Vale would already be gone, erased the moment Chiron and his Regs deemed it an anomaly.
And yet, it wasn’t just The Vale that lingered in my mind.It was everything.The unrelenting quiet of my home.The way my heart stuttered whenever I passed the Stasis Bay.The undercurrent of dread that came when I thought of standing in front of Maxim for the first time, knowing he’d been made for me, and for that very reason, not knowing if I would feel anything for him at all.
What if real life was different from the moment we looked at each other after the Eidolon?What if the connection I imagined, the certainty I’d preached about during my speech, had only been projection?I’d spent my life trusting systems, trusting process.But no survey or rendering could prepare me for the moment he looked at me from just a few inches away and I had to decide—Is this him?Is this truly what I’ve been waiting for?
Thinking back on Lourdes’s description of Leopold gave me hope.But if that wasn’t my experience?The world would expect me to smile, to step forward, to accept what had been crafted for me with open arms.But deep inside, a quieter voice asked the question I didn’t dare speak aloud:What if perfection wasn’t enough?
Chapter Nine
A gentle melody filtered through the air, gradually pulling me from the depths of sleep.As my awareness sharpened, the room responded.Calyx adjusted the room to a soft golden hue, simulating the natural progression of dawn.The temperature subtly adjusted to my preferred morning warmth, while the shades retracted, unveiling the skyline and the Auriel Span, bridging the western residential districts to the Core Sector.The Auriel Span’s frame bathed in the first light of day, proudly stretching over the sparkling waters of Iveris Sound.I’d purchased my Sablestone five years prior based on that breathtaking view alone.
A delicate whir filled the air as my steamed vinterra blend with a hint of spice was brewed in the galley, the aroma drifting toward me.
“Good morning, Isara,”Calyx’s smooth voice greeted me.“The current time is 07:30, Saturday, March 21, 2225.The weather is temperate, with a high of twelve Celsius and mild winds.You have two missed messages, one from Bellam Erell and another from Lourdes Vasthane.Your Hydrabay sequence will activate once your wellness cycle is completed.Maxim is expected to arrive at precisely 18:00 to initiate your Vesture, ensuring all preparations remain in alignment with the evening’s itinerary.Your attire selection has been pre-processed, and your recommended schedule remains on track for the day.Shall I proceed with your messages?”
I stretched, pushing off the haze as I sat up.“Yes, Calyx.”
As I moved toward my kinetic suite, Bellam’s voice filled the room, bright and full of energy.“Isara!Tonight is the night!Your Court Date with Maxim!You’re going to be stunning, obviously, but more importantly, you’re going to experience that feeling in real life, the one you’ve been waiting for.I’m dying to hear every detail in the morning.Don’t keep me waiting!”
I smiled.Bellam’s enthusiasm was positively infectious.
Calyx continued with the next message.Lourdes’s voice was smoother, laced with amusement.“A thousand apologies, I was detained when you called.I have a feeling I know what it was about.Roan?He’s been an absolute disaster, by the way.Completely beside himself, racking his brain over how to win Bellam over.Honestly, I don’t blame her.It’s absurd.What exactly does he think will come of it?Anyway, I know your Court Date is tonight, so call me when you can.No rush… it’s Roan, after all.”
Calyx transitioned as I stepped into the kinetic suite, a spacious chamber designed for optimal movement and resistance training.The walls adjusted in response to my settings, displaying a serene, panoramic landscape—today, a mist-covered mountain range.The floor beneath me modified, fine-tuning the resistance based on my selected regimen.
I began with dynamic stretches, my muscles warming as the suite’s AI subtly corrected my posture where needed.Then, Calyx initiated a low-gravity sequence, allowing me to move through a simulated resistance field, engaging muscles more efficiently than traditional weight training.My pulse quickened as I transitioned into kinetic combat drills.Fluid, precise movements designed to enhance reflexes and strength.
As I completed the session, the air in the suite cooled marginally, encouraging a gradual return to resting heart rate.A chime signaled completion.“Wellness session concluded.Optimal performance levels achieved,”Calyx affirmed.
Breathless but invigorated, I made my way toward the acquell, ready for the Hydrabay that awaited me.Steam curled through the air, the water already adjusted to my preferred temperature.The moment my feet touched the heated floor, a subtle wave of warmth traveled up my legs, an automatic response from the system to prevent the early-morning chill from shocking my body.
I exhaled deeply.Tonight.I’d waited for this moment for what felt like forever.My fingers curled into my palms as I let the hot water soothe away the nerves tightening in my chest.
By the time I stepped out, my focus had sharpened.
“Calyx, pull up my top five dress selections and begin preparation for breakfast.Something light,” I instructed, wrapping myself in a plush robe.
The interface blinked to life before me, following as I descended the stairs.A translucent panel displayed the five elegant options I’d settled on days before, and after a few moments of decision, I gestured to the one I kept returning to: a black dress with structured lines, the fabric firm yet supple beneath my fingers.The steep V-neck plunged just enough to hint at softness without surrendering to it, a contrast to the high collar framing my throat.The bodice featured lythera detail, sculpted and precise, and molded to my waist before falling into a sleek mid-calf—modern, but not ostentatious.The shoulders were sharply defined, lifting subtly at the seams, giving the illusion of quiet power, control held in check.Three-quarter length sleeves hugged my arms, fitted but not restrictive, emphasizing movement with intention.The balance of structure and fluidity made the dress feel like an extension of me, elegant and composed in every line.It was a dress meant to be noticed but not questioned, a careful balance of confidence and decorum.The pointed, closed-toed heels added a final touch, their silhouette elongating the line of my legs without veering into extravagance.
A rendering of myself, poised yet neutral, appeared in the center of the interface, slowly rotating in a perfect three-sixty, showcasing the ensemble from all angles.It was stunning, and undeniably me.
“Confirm selection,” I said, allowing Calyx a microsecond to process the request.“Now, hair options.”
The savory aroma of warmed herbs and delicate spices filled the air just before a tone notified me that my truffle-infused soufflé was ready.I retrieved the dish and dainware, carrying them to the galley island.I took small bites, my focus still on the interface as the display shifted to present several hairstyles tailored to complement the dress.
I studied them, narrowing my eyes.“Loose, textured curls.”
