The old man nodded in turn. “My sources don’t have as much information on you as I would have liked, but my grandson trusts you - it seems he holds you in both high faith and high esteem,” he said. The muscles on his cheeks were solid, eyes staring down at Eliza with an unrelenting fury.
“Senator Tatsuo-Ryzaku… It’s an honour,” Eliza spat out, feeling a sense of dread drip down her spine at each attempt at a sufficient word.
The old man stepped into the room. She hadn’t noticed it when he was standing by the doorway, but a sheathed blade was attached to his waist, on a belt. Eliza could tell without a doubt that it was a Trasian Black blade.
“Idle flattery never earns you favour with us,” said the Senator. “Choose your next words… very… carefully.”
Eliza stopped. She had to make a good first impression! But… how does one go around doing that with this person? He seemed far too out of Eliza’s reaches to even consider speaking to. She cleared her throat. “Senator… I am thank—”
“—Alright… stop that,” said the Senator.
He closed his eyes as he placed one hand on the hilt of his blade. A moment passed as his muscles started to move. Her eyes were fixed on the hilt… A thought of fear struck her mind.
Then, she felt something collide with her face. She was knocked back for a second, stunned as she readjusted her glasses. Looking down at her lap, she saw a Bluee, a fruit native to Lautrasia. Glancing up, the aura of strength the old man had was gone, replaced with a feeling of respite and tranquillity.
“Don’t feel bad for cracking under pressure,” he said. “Nobody lasts long against it, even the greatest diplomats can crack.”
She tried to let off a small chuckle at what he said. “Sorry… just overwhelming, is all.”
“It’s just an initiation test. I don’t deal with the nuances that my daughter in law does… I find that seeing the true resolve of those around me through subterfuge is… rancid. Better to see if they have any ulterior motives directly, don’t you agree?” he asked.
Eliza slowly nodded, not entirely taking in what he said. “Yes… quite…”
“It seems my grandson hasn’t done that to you, then?” he asked.
Huh? Kazuki does what to her? She tilted her head in confusion. The Senator merely waved his hand dismissively.
“Nevermind it, you must mean something then…” Senator Tatsuo-Ryzaku trailed off. “You did well. You got close to my grandson where others could not.”
She looked up at him, as he seemed more like a doting grandfather than the fearless, intimidating senator. His words were like honey, consumed entirely by Eliza’s mind and need for affirmation.
“What do you... mean?” Eliza asked.
Senator Ryzaku smiled. “You passed his examination, which means he trusts you, more than others at least. So... this is the Genius of Sarimba, hmm?”
“I am flattered to hear that you think that,” Eliza humbly stated.
Her words caused the Senator to chuckle loudly. “Flattery! Ha! Please! I have heard much of your accomplishments from many alumni from that damned university, and you seem... special? Perhaps? Some say that you’re the spitting visage and memory of your mother. What say you?”
“My... mother...” Eliza trailed off. Whatever Eliza could remember of her was clouded in fog, it was at times like these that she wished she could have Kazuki’s own memory – yet she knew was a burden alone. “She’s accomplished more than me by my age... So... I don’t think I can really accept those compliments.”
The Senator nodded. “What a shame that you lack her enthusiasm... Still, your presentation has caught the attention of many onlookers. You are not prepared to meet them.”
“Huh?”
“You heard me, you’re not ready,” said the Senator. He sighed, taking in a deep breath and yawning. “I am aware of your... troubles with your father. My own son had troubles with me for many years. However, you must know this: he is still your father... You might not be ready now, but your challenges will only increase.”
Eliza didn’t say a word to that. The mere mention of her dad made her spine prickle with anticipation and frustration, a sense of longing and fear mixed in as well. “I see.”
“You might not see it now, but I know you’ll go far. I will make my intentions clear, I have no ill will against you,” he said. “As you are here, I have elected to declare you a friend of the Imperial family.”
“I hope so...” Eliza said to his first part. “I don’t think I’ll see as much success as she did, however... I can’t even remember much of her.”
“Your worry is unfounded. T’once your family were good friends of the Imperial lineage, trust me on this, Genius of Sarimba, you are doing fine. My grandson will say the same thing I have told you, if you ever need affirmation.” He crackled his knuckles. “Anyways... You are in need of assistance, yes?”
Eliza nodded. “On the topic of your grandson, I… do you know where he is as of now?”
“My grandson? By the Nine Tails! Did he not tell you?!” The Senator clicked his tongue, shaking his head in frustration towards his grandson. “Father like son… He’s at the Junsunia Gardens.”
A Garden? “Oh? The Palace has a garden?” she asked. Kazuki’s grandfather shook his head.
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“Oh, please, the Palace takes up a whole island by itself! Of course we have enough grounds for gardens,” he said.
Eliza slowly stood up, glancing outside the window - seeing the full extend of the Imperial Palace. There were dozens of towers and battlements, with shield generators and hundreds of houses and buildings within it… Her eyes then shot to a large part of green space along one of the edges of the Palace. It was the garden, large, impressive: and built with numerous small hovering bridges and floating lanterns. It was surrounded by tall, intimidating walls, made to last sieges. It felt like an architectural wonder of the galaxy, a garden filled with plants and fluorescent fauna from across the stars.
She glanced back at Kazuki’s grandfather, realising that she had just completely aired the Senator. “Sorry, sir, I was—”
“—Oh! Come on, with the formalities?! Call me grandfather,” Tatsuo-Ryzaku cut her off. He chuckled.
What did he just say?! There was no way by the Eclipse she would ever call him that… Still, she should comply with the recommendation.
“Yes… grandfather?” It felt weird, considering the floodgate of implications that could be taken from the word alone. “Uh… so where are the Junsunia gardens?”
The grandfather nodded towards someone out of view, as a guard walked into view. He was wearing the jet-black armour plates and the red sigil of the Tatsuo-Ryzaku family, placed gently and neatly on top a clean and sleek gold accented black military uniform. It was a famed member of the Trasian Imperial Guard.
She felt a sense of bewilderment and excitement. The stories of these individuals made each one a war-hero in their own rights… And here was one in the flesh, wearing custom made armour in the design of warriors of Old Terra, modernised to a perfection of old and new, she thought.
“Honoured guest, follow me,” they said, as the Senator took a step back. “But… you must never utter to anyone outside these walls what you saw, do you understand?”
“I understand,” Eliza said instantly, she moved towards the door as the guard nodded.
Tatsuo-Ryzaku tapped Eliza on the shoulder as she turned towards the guard. “Elizabeth, you’re Anna and Fred’s daughter, aren’t you?”
Eliza nodded. What was he about to tell her? Judging by his tone, he seemed to have known them… His mother was quite successful, so the idea of the Emperor of Trasia knowing her is not too far-fetched.
“Family is such a fickle thing, you must agree, right?” asked Tatsuo-Ryzaku. “I remember a time where things were much more peaceful… Before the Crisis… My daughter was just born. Everything felt so right in the galaxy.”
Turning around slowly, Eliza found some essense of love and kindness in the old man’s voice. “It’s… a shame what happened to her.” she said.
Eliza only heard of the rumours and stories surrounding Kazuki’s aunt, said to be the brightest flame of the family - to be snuffed out during the crisis’ final crescendo.
The senator nodded. “All in the past now; and justice was dealt for those that took her away from my family,” he said. “I have watched the crisis take away dozens of my family. The Household is merely a shadow of its former self… There’s not many of us left…”
Eliza nodded, feeling some shared sadness around the topic of losing family.
He continued, “And if I hear a single whisper of you manipulating my grandson… Your head wouldn’t be the first I put on a spike.”
With that, he turned and left… Leaving Eliza with a sealed tongue. Her body didn’t even react to his words.
The guard grunted at Eliza, catching her attention, before walking off. She followed them through the halls of the palace. Guards, drones, butlers and staff walked these halls, yet none uttered a single word, only giving slight bows towards Eliza as she passed them.
It… felt really good, surprisingly, being treated as an esteemed guest - despite the daunting words the Senator gave her.
The pristine walls were decorated with paintings, portraits and all matters of ornate ornaments. The two kept walking for what felt like an hour, marching through secure door after secure door. Even after so long, the walls looked magnificent, with dozens of attendants, guards and guests walking by. Eventually, they reached the outer sections of the Palace.
The wall colours were slightly different, and there were less guards. Then… there were none, bar the one escorting Eliza.
Eliza felt her heart rise at the change in environment, as the guard said not even a word to her. And as they turned a corner, she was met face to face with an elevator at the end of a long hallway.
“Umm…” She started, nearly bumping into the guard as they stopped, shifting to the side of the hall. “What floor would it be on?”
“There are only two destinations for that elevator, here and the Imperial Gardens. The Gardens are… off limits to almost everyone, even the likes of myself,” the guard said, with a solemn bow. “Be safe. Take care of yourself.”
Eliza nodded, only to freeze at what they just said - what does lie beyond? Wait… not even the guards know what lies beyond this very point? “What should I expect?”
“I am unaware of what the garden contains exactly. The garden hasn’t been used for growing food since the end of the Crisis” the guard remarked. Their black vest-plate armour and uniform stood out against the pale walls. “Prince Kazuki keeps it to a need-to-know basis. I apologise for being incapable of accommodating your question.”
He gave her another low bow, a polite apology. Eliza shook her head profusely. “No! It’s absolutely fine! I’ll just seek the answers out myself.”
The guard nodded and gave a small grunt of acknowledgement.
Turning, she started walking down the hall. She gave a single glance behind her, only to see the guard was gone. She turned back forward. An everlasting white hue blared down at her. Eliza walked up to it, finding a touch pad at its wall.
Touching it, she heard the elevator come barrelling upwards from within the shaft. And within a matter of seconds, it had arrived. Slowly, it opened its doors. She lingered for a moment outside, sceptical about stepping into the elevator. She glanced back, seeing nothing forcing her.
With a deep breath, she stepped forward. The elevator was just as pristine as the rest of the palace. It was designed for a specific purpose, she thought, and it accomplished it well.
The guard was right, there were only two buttons on the elevator. Here, and the Garden - though of course there were the safety and emergency buttons, but that was to be expected.
She sheepishly pressed down on the button labelled ‘GARDEN’, then feeling the elevator start up - moving. She could feel its speed, as the doors closed. But surprisingly, it didn’t feel as strange as she expected.
She glanced at a panel of sub-systems activated beneath the elevator button, reading it aloud. “Inertial compensators… online…” She said. Oh, she thought, so that’s why.
Before she could look around the elevator, it had started to slow down, and with a bump: came to a complete halt. The doors separated, bright light shining into the elevator. Stepping out, Eliza was met with… a garden?
It wasn’t particularly small, or what she’d expect. It was like an entire ecosystem! Looking up, she saw the edges of the Imperial Palace’s walls off in the distance, with its shield generator projecting a membrane above the whole palace.
The garden was filled with exotic fauna, bright flowers and critters. The possible sciences behind all of this fascinated Eliza, just how many creatures lived here?! Large bushes littered the area, with the aesthetics akin to the renowned fringe paradise gardens.