The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2)

by Craig Gerttula

  “Of course, Sir Trent. The Mendthil Phenomenon occurs when two people connect in perfect harmony with each other's BC Nodes and, in theory, means they can enter each other's minds!” Yukie's rapid explanation, which oozed with her normal overabundance of exuberance, caused a round of applause to erupt from the assembled guests.

  Trent smiled. “Very good, Yukie. Now, can you explain to me why it is impossible and only hypothetical?” Yukie's expression turned dubious, appearing to search for a hidden meaning in Trent question.

  “But it is possible, Sir Trent. Vin said you and Sasha were involved in one!” she stated, matter-of-factly, as the rest of their guests nodded in agreement.

  “That may be true, but we are special...and due to various circumstances, have something similar to the Mendthil Phenomenon already because of the Emperor's Jewelry,” Trent cleared his throat. “You see, the bond I share with Lady Sasha is unique and does contain many similar characteristics to a BC Node connection. But it is not the same,” Trent explained. Sasha felt the same surprise that appeared on the faces of the rest of the assembled guests, most taking a moment to fully comprehend his words, before gasping in shock. Trent had just basically accused Vin, a Program, of lying, which as every NHA citizen knew, was impossible. He must have noticed her concern, since he squeezed her leg, letting her know it was ok while repressing an impish grin.

  “That is not possible, Trent! Programs don't lie!” Yukie climbed on her seat, standing with her hands on her hips, staring at Trent with a gaze so intense it could bore through gorian.

  “I never said Vin lied, Yukie. I just said what happened to me and Sasha was similar to the Mendthil Phenomenon, but not the same,” the room waited in silent anticipation, ears twitching, hoping for Trent to finish his explanation. “I've only been around Programs for half a year and during that time I have noticed one simple fact, Programs never lie...but they do stretch the truth.” Yukie and Belia, Lady Regalia's mother, gasped in horror. Sasha held her laughter as she took in the bewildered looks covering the rest of the assembled officer’s and noble’s faces.

  “Trent! Programs are tools of the emperor! Everything they say is fact!” Yukie hopped off her seat, rushing around the table towards Trent, as if by coming closer she would be able to force her point across. The room went deathly silent when she stood, thinking Trent would soon lose his head, as Sasha knew would happen if they had been dealing with the average traditionalist noble. Trent glanced at Sasha, eyes twinkling as he tapped her wrist. She looked at him in confusion, then realized what he wanted.

  “Vin, what happened between me and Sasha earlier today?” Sasha asked as she held out the Arm of the Emperor. Vin's bronze sphere appeared just above the glowing purple amethyst set in its surface, ripping slightly.

  “Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia and Grand Duke Trent Alutia experienced the Mendthil Phenomenon,” Vin replied. Trent nodded as Yukie rounded the table and, to the utter astonishment of the assembled diners, sat on Trent's lap, crossing her arms with a pout on her perfectly sculpted face.

  “See,” she gloated, as if Vin's statement proved Trent wrong.

  “Vin, Mendthil Phenomenon requires connection between BC Nodes, correct?” Trent asked plainly.

  “Correct,” Vin responded.

  “Standard BC Node transmission? Using the standard signal and protocol?” Trent continued.

  “Correct,” Vin responded.

  “The bond I have with Sasha uses the standard BC Node transmission?” Trent smiled mischievously at Sasha, winking his delight. What is he up too? She thought, finding her heart racing as she studied his carved features. His pronounced jaw covered in a thin layer of stubble, a modest nose, puffy lips, and curly brown locks falling over his gentle, hazel colored eyes. The features of the man she loved.

  “Incorrect. Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia's and Grand Duke Trent Alutia's bond is based on the restricted science of Programs, altered, expanded, and made permanent for use by the Emperor's Jewelry.” A few surprised gasps escaped from the officers in attendance, who must not have comprehended what Trent had meant earlier by, “their bond”.

  “Then, the event of earlier today...did that occur through my bond with Sasha or through standard BC Node transmission?” Sasha held in a gasp. She knew what he was doing, and it was beyond amazing. It was unbelievable. In his short time in the NHA he had figured out a secret of the Programs, or thought he did.

  “Through your restricted bond with Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia,” Vin's response sounded unsure, as if it suddenly realized its own conundrum.

  “But if the Mendthil Phenomenon requires a standard BC Node transmission, but the event this morning happened through a different median......why would you say it was the Mendthil Phenomenon?” Trent asked, placing his hands on the shoulders of a tensing Yukie. Sasha laid her own hand over the young girls, squeezing her reassurance. Trent may end up turning the young empress's whole world upside down, and Sasha's as well.

  “Mendthil Phenomenon is the only recorded explanation for event that occurred. Hence, this Program deemed it appropriate to use said explanation to explain the unknown occurrence,” Vin explained. Trent smiled and Sasha moved her free hand from Trent's to Yukie's cheek. The young girl staring at the plate before her, eyes empty.

  “Yukie, do you understand my original comment now, about how Programs stretch the truth?” Yukie sat quietly, pondering her response.

  “So you are saying I shouldn't trust the Programs?” Yukie asked, her voice trembling.

  “No...you definitely “should” trust the Programs. But there is something else, Yukie...something much more solid. Vin explained that it was the Mendthil Phenomenon, even though, in actuality, it is only similar to the Mendthil Phenomenon...why would it do that?” Yukie's cheeks flushed, beads of sweat appearing on her brow. Sasha wanted to help her, guide her to the answer, but she couldn't, she knew the girl had to learn this extremely important lesson on her own.

  “To question,” she whispered. Trent smiled and kissed Yukie on the back of the head, causing Sasha's jealousy to rise, then fall as she realized it was inappropriate in this situation.

  “Very good,” Trent whispered into Yukie's ear, then turned to Sasha, leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. Yukie exploded from Trent's lap, causing him to grunt in confusion.

  “To question no matter how trustworthy the source, because you never know if they may interpret something differently then you!” Yukie shouted in understanding as the assembled officers and nobles applauded. Regalia raised her hand, but lowered it quickly as her mother whispered something in her ear.

  “Yes, Regalia?” Sasha asked, eyeing Belia warily, who immediately lowered her eyes.

  “I noticed something else as well. That the Program said it was the Mendthil Phenomenon, then contradicted itself later. Why was that?” Sasha looked at Trent and nodded, seeing how happy he was teaching the young ladies.

  “Good question, Regalia. In actuality...it didn't contradict itself. If I understand the nature of Programs, which I believe I do to some extent,” he winked. Sasha sighed, knowing it doubtful he'd come to fully decipher the hidden science behind Programs. But she'd let him have his fun. “Vin decided that the Mendthil Phenomenon was the most logical explanation for what occurred, and since it fit so closely that it could give it as a definitive answer. So by its own logic, it wasn't a contradiction at all, since it just took the existing study and adapted it to fit a required parameter.” Regalia nodded, seeming to understand Trent's explanation. She smiled up at her mother, who couldn't hide her own pride.

  “Now that ends today's tutoring of Empress Yukie...” Trent announced, taking a sip of water before turning to Sasha, appearing on the edge of laughter.

  “Trent! You tricked me!” Yukie stood again, appearing ready to charge over the table.

  “Yukie...Trent doesn't have a deceptive bone in his body. You know he is responsible for your tutoring and what better time to teach you a very important tenant for any lea
der to know, then when a perfect opportunity presents itself?” Sasha explained, a warm, motherly sensation coursing through her as she spoke to the angry young girl, whose chin fell to her chest as she forced an exaggerated pout. Yukie’s catillian, Ori, hooted and danced on her shoulder as Yukie's head shot up, and to everyone's surprise, she started laughing. Sasha turned to Trent and smiled, leaning in close.

  “Did you know it would stop the questions...or was that just a side effect?” he smiled and kissed her, a wink providing her the only answer she would need.

  Chapter 17

  Tiana gazed steadily at Trent and Sasha, studying their smug exteriors, sensing, quite easily, the shared scheming hidden beneath. Trent's uncharacteristic attempt at deception had been quite obviously a ruse, he grasping at the curiosity of those present in the dining hall to lead them down a false path, away from the juicy gossip. Tiana felt slighted, offended even, at their attempt to mask what had actually befallen when the two had shared a mind, possibly the first time such a thing had occurred in human history, and all the explanation they were provided was a lesson about questioning. This was quite clearly an affront to her lady-in-waiting necessity for all information, both public and private, regarding her chosen lady and her husband.

  “It seems Trent is learning. But he cannot believe we will not notice what he is trying to do,” Vickie whispered from the seat beside her, licking her lips, apparently seeing through this grand charade as well.

  “I think he does. But let's allow the business to finish first...then attack,” Tiana responded, holding her hand before her mouth, Sasha having glanced in their direction for a moment. Vickie smiled with a barely perceptible nod, then suddenly went melancholic.

  Tiana had noticed a change in Vickie's demeanor since she had been rescued from Heclutia. It wasn't overly obvious at first, Vickie spending the vast majority of her free time with Regalia and her mother, Belia, and acting like the same, depraved, but motherly woman who continued to try to corrupt the delightfully innocent young Regalia. But when she was alone, or thought she was alone, she would change. Her always sensual facade would crack, tumbling free to expose the devastated woman who was buried beneath. She missed Sir Georigi, more than anyone had realized.

  Sir Georigi and Vickie had been quite close before they departed on their tour of the Alutia Marks bordering the Hulk'Zif Duchy, so Grand Marquis Georigi could, as he explained; choose the most honorable location from where to protect his new lord and lady. But they were not so close that Tiana would think Vickie devastated at the loss, since she went through men like Sasha went through dresses. Except, this time was different. Something had changed during the journey, and when Tiana tried to dig, pry free the sensitive bits of information, Vickie would gently caress her cheek and tell her; its love, my dear. But there was something else hidden within her passionate eyes, something that screamed this was unlike Vickie's usual love.

  The formal dinner concluded without further incident, those in attendance seeming satisfied with Trent's previous explanation, and turned to mundane conversation. An exquisitely sweet, triple-chocolate cake-like dessert, called a mousse, that Trent had explained was born of Earth, was served as the two hosts presented commendations to the invited ABF officers and guards for their actions during the Epic Battle of Heclutia, both on the planet's surface and in space. Sir Illion, and two members of the King's Service, stayed in their seats after the ceremony had concluded, apparently waiting for a chance to talk with Trent and Sasha in private. But Tiana had other ideas.

  “So...can we hear the real story now? Or are you going to provide us another, oh so important lesson to avoid it, Your Highness?” Tiana felt exhilarated as she once again adorned her teasing tone, finding a tremendous comfort from dancing on terrain she was so very accustomed.

  “What would that be, my dear Tiana? I thought Trent explained the entire matter quite superbly,” Sasha replied with an airy superiority she'd been donning much too frequently as of late.

  “Sasha! My father may have made you my guardian, but I am still the empress! I demand you tell me everything!” Yukie shouted, her chair flying out behind her as she stormed to her feet, Ori joining in with a loud hoot from her shoulder. Sasha turned to Yukie, her playful smile shifting to a frown, then glancing back to Trent, whose eyes were dark, distant, beads of sweat appearing on his brow.

  “Trent...it's ok...I’m here....” Sasha ran her fingers down his cheek as she kissed him lightly.

  The thought of what might lay hidden in Trent's mind suddenly struck her, recalling his dark past, regretting her prodding.

  “Please, Trent! Tell us...don't you trust us?” Yukie, on the other hand, seemed to take Trent's change of emotion as an opening to continue the attack. She wore a trained pout that had probably never failed to provoke the desired response.

  “Sir Illion, may we continue our business shortly? If you would be so kind as to await us in the secondary planning room, the one just outside our inner apartment, we can discuss our preparations in regards to Don'Alutia,” Sasha said, her steady tone masking all emotion.

  “Of course, Your Grace. If you'll excuse me,” Sir Illion stood, bowing, then hurried out of the dining hall with the two members of the King's Service in tow.

  “I will excuse myself as well, Your Graces,” Belia stood and curtsied, kissing her daughter lightly on the forehead, before exiting the dining hall. All that remained were Sasha's ladies, Yukie, Trent, their guards, and an overbearing tension in the air.

  “I beg you one more time, Yukie. Please do not dig further into this,” Sasha pleaded, her voice desperate. But Trent held up a hand, placing the other carefully on Sasha’s shoulder before leaning in to whisper in her ear.

  “Are you certain?” Sasha's surprised question was barely audible, but Trent nodded, his eyes returning to their normal glisten.

  “They are family...and I think this may be part of the healing,” Trent said. Sasha studied him for a moment, hands hidden under the table, before she stood, bringing Trent to his feet along with her.

  “Very well,” she sighed. “This is not the appropriate location for such a discussion. Let us move to a private sitting room,” Sasha said and the ladies nodded.

  Tiana followed slowly behind the small group, her mind running through all the possibilities of what may lay hidden within Trent's mind. She'd realized, back when she first met him that something was missing, broken inside him, which Sasha had confirmed, but adamantly reassured it meant nothing. That Trent was a great man, and she would heal all of his wounds. Tiana had been skeptical at first, but after a time, realized that Sasha may be right.

  A seed of respect for Trent had begun to sprout within her heart as she grew to know him and learn of his kind, honest, and honorable nature. It was hard to admit, but after her birthday, and his marriage of elevation to Sasha, she had become quite fond of Trent, to the point of almost loving him as much as she did Sasha, but not quite. But even though her view of him had changed quite drastically, she could never fully cast off that initial distrust, that his heart still held a certain “darkness” that would appear in his eyes on occasion

  They filed into the large, ornately decorated sitting room within Sasha and Trent's inner apartments, similar to the hundreds found throughout the Alutia Palace. This one was situated just outside Trent and Sasha's grand bedchamber, and she quickly claimed a seat on her favorite couch, with the big fluffy cushions, then repressed a pout as Yukie, Regalia, and Vickie joined her, squishing her against the armrest. Sasha and Trent sat carefully across from them, on a smaller couch made just for them. Sasha, appearing to want to sit on Trent's lap at first, decided to instead sit sideways. She draped her legs over Trent’s, wrapping her arms around him, before glaring at the ladies, her eyes of a beast protecting its young.

  “I will never forgive any of you if this leaves this room...ever!” Sasha sounded nothing like the grand duchess she had become, displaying an over protectiveness Tiana had never recalled witnessing in
the past. Tiana's breathe quickened. Knowing that whatever had occurred to cause such a change within Sasha must have been quite dramatic.

  “Of course, Sasha. I will not even tell Father!” Yukie exclaimed, seeming to be unaffected by the heavy air that hung over the room. Sasha nodded, then turned to Trent, kissing him deeply before resting her head on his shoulder.

  Trent smiled weakly and turned to the ladies. “I consider you all family which...which is why I tell you this today. My mind is a meadow, covered by a barren wasteland of pure white so cold and oppressive that it rules most of my being, even....even since I've met Sasha.” Trent's eyes showed his despair and Tiana knew she may finally come to understand why he still had fits of depression even though he had Sasha. She glanced at Yukie, who'd inched to the edge of the couch, while Regalia had climbed onto Vickie's lap, both staring at Trent without emotion.

  “When Sasha entered my mind, she forced me to face a part of this...the reasons for...this cold...the me that...” Trent trembled, eyes closed, breathing deep.

  Sasha's head popped up. “Ok...for you I will do anything...” Sasha whispered, Trent still clutching his eyes closed. Tiana tilted her head, confused. She must have missed something, since it seemed Sasha responded to an unvoiced question. She knew they could communicate using their BC Nodes, but Trent hadn't shown any signs of using his at all.

  “We met a young boy in this white landscape...naked...covered in blood, cuts, and bruises...a young Trent.” Sasha trembled as she recalled the memory, tears tumbling free, falling like a monsoon, in such a way that Tiana had witnessed only once before; during the time of her greatest sorrow.

  “Oh, it was horrible. They said they were his friends, but they beat and robbed him, then left him for dead. It...it...he was like that, lying naked in the clearing...bound...alone...alone until I found him...” Sasha's sobs made Tiana's heart cry out. She wanted to rush to her ladies side, take some of the despair onto herself. Yukie's skin turned white as ash as she slumped back into the couch, realizing that this was not the happy experience she must have thought them hiding. Regalia stood and moved quietly to Trent and Sasha's side, kissing their foreheads in turn.