The ship arrived at the Imperial Capital Planet and after escorting Princess Sophie to the Imperial Palace and doing his best to refuse her request to stay for tea, Lucas went into Imperial Guard Headquarters. He went there to receive a new order from Vice-Admiral Jormon, Commander of the Imperial Recon Guard. He knocked at the commander’s door and a voice told him to go inside.

“How was your vacation, Commodore?” asked Vice-Admiral Jormon.

“It was fine. Was it really okay to let me go on vacation like that? We are busy, right?” said Lucas.

“That’s fine. Her Highness begged me to let you go on vacation with her and you delegated your duty to your other subordinate as well,” answered Vice-Admiral Jormon

“Huh, she begged you? Goodness me, I apologise for her childishness.”

“Hahaha. That’s fine Commodore. You ought to enjoy your youth, you have a beautiful girl as your bride, cherish her as much as you can. You can’t go back in time, enjoy your moment with her. ” said Vice Admiral Jormon with a laugh.

“Thank you, Vice Admiral. So what’s my mission?” Asked Lucas.

“Ah, here you go.” Vice Admiral Jormon gave Lucas documents. “there is a report of piracy in the Kombi system, I want you to investigate it, report back and if possible destroy them with your squadron. But. if you can't request a backup.”

“Okay, I think we will call for backup. All ships in my squadron except mine are unavailable.”

“Oh, be careful then. I don’t want to get nagged by the Princess if you were hurt,” said Vice-Admiral Jormon jokingly.

“Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself. I will take my leave then.” Lucas saluted the Vice-Admiral and left the room.

When he left the room, Lieutenant Ariana was waiting for him in the hallway.

“What is our mission, Commodore?” asked Ariana.

“Investigation of piracy in the Kombi system. We will go there by ourselves since the other ships in our squadron are busy. Call a backup then we will support the subjugation fleet.”

“Yes, Commodore. When will we depart?”

“In 24 hours, tell the crews to be ready on the ship at that time.”

“Yes, Commodore.”

“Hmmm, let’s go somewhere we can eat.”

“Ah, okay, Commodore,” said Lieutenant Ariana, surprised.

They went inside a high-end restaurant, the restaurant had Victorian-Era decorations. It was called, Victoria’s Memory. When they went inside, Lieutenant Ariana was shocked at how luxurious the place was. She wondered whether she had enough money to buy something in the restaurant. Then as if he can read her mind, Lucas told her he would pay for both of them, after all a leader should treat their subordinate once in a while.

They sat at one of the tables near the window and ordered their meals. Even though she never went to a high-end restaurant, she knew the table manners on such occasions. Because the Imperial Guard Academy gave lessons on table manners and related subjects alongside its military subjects.

“How did it feel working with my squadron?” asked Lucas.

“It feels great. I’m still getting to know the crews and the officers, I haven't met with anyone from the 4th squad.”

“Ah, they have been on a mission near the border of Roktarian since last year. They will be back within 3 months if everything goes well.”

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“No wonder we haven’t met each other, they were gone before I joined.”

“You can always contact them, you are my aide and second-in-command,” said Lucas. Lieutenant Ariana looked dejected, she wasn’t sure if she was capable of handling the responsibilities of being second-in-command and leading the squadron.

“I’ll try my best to meet your expectations,” said Lieutenant Ariana confidently.

“You should, I expect so much from you Lieutenant. You were able to reach this high, you should go even higher.” encouraged Lucas. Looking at Ariana's background, she was raised in a middle-class family. However, her family was brandished as “traitors” because her grandfather once led a squadron of ships and was tasked to hold an advance of a pirate's fleet from attacking civilian ships until reinforcement came.

Her grandfather disobeyed the order and decided to retreat after he saw a bigger enemy’s fleet. This caused the pirates to ransack the civilian ships that were trying to flee from them. He was dishonourably discharged from the Navy.

Since then, the name of Parmis was shunned, especially among the military. When she attended the Imperial Guard Academy many of her peers shunned her for being the descendant of a traitor. However, she proved that even if she is the descendant of a traitor she can outperform her peers.

Lucas thought that it was funny that the headquarters would pair the descendants of a hero and the descendants of a traitor together. Truly a poetic situation. But, Lucas felt relieved when he discovered that she had an excellent record at the academy.

"It must be hard, right? Having a name like yours," Lucas told Ariana.

Ariana looked embarrassed. "I-I promise I won't be like him," stated Ariana with confidence.

"There is no need. Every decision made by an officer has meaning and purpose. If I had to choose whether I should sacrifice myself or not, I'm taught to consider the bigger picture. The loss of few civilian lives is not comparable to the loss of a squadron of ships."

"What? aren't we supposed to protect them?"

"Ariana, have you ever considered that it was strange, a civilian cargo convoy would pass a known pirate territory?"

"I... No,"

Lucas leaned forward, "Exactly. I'm not going to spew conspiracy theories, but it was strange."

"Could it be that someone was after my grandfather?"

"Rear Admiral Parmis was a candidate for a position in the Imperial Navy High Command. A well-sought position."

Ariana went silent for a while. "But, still. I think he should at least protect them, even if he lost most of his squadron or his life."

"You will understand his decision when you are in charge of soldiers." Lucas leaned back in the chair. "Ariana, if someone dares to mock you, just tell me. I'll deal with it. No one is allowed to mock my people, understand?"

Ariana was dumbfounded, "wha-- Even if it was the Emperor?"

"Especially the Emperor. I will give him the hardest beating, courtesy of Lorien."

"Eh?! The--"

"I was just joking. Of course, I won't mess with him. Still, if there are people who mock you. It's an insult to me. To Lorien. Understand?"

Ariana sighed. "Fine. I guess, I will join the Lorien Navy when I leave the Imperial Guard," Ariana joked.

"I'll give a recommendation then."

"Then, I want a recommendation to be the Guard of Lilies."

"Only if you be my guard and willing to serve me at night."

"EH?" Ariana was shocked. "Y-you want me? Am I that good? As good as Her Highness?"

"I-I was just joking, Ariana."

"Ah."

"And to answer your question. Yes, you are as good as her."

Ariana blushed, "Is that another joke?" Ariana with an irritated tone.

"I can't lie when asked about a woman's appearance."

"In other words, you flirt with women behind Her Highness's back?"

"What? Ariana, what makes you say that?"

"Hmmm, I wonder what will happen if this reaches Her Highness's ears?"

"Ariana, your joke is too much," Lucas looked nervous.

"There is this bakery in Langdon Street that I like. And. I'm craving to eat the special mint cake."

"Fine, we'll go there."

Ariana smiled broadly, "Thank you, Commodore."

Ariana felt warm inside her chest, she never had a conversation like this. When she was at the Academy, everyone looked at her with disgust and disappointment. People would only talk to her if they have to or need anything from her. If only he wasn't taken by another woman, she would kiss him right there, in front of the patrons of the restaurant.

Soon, their meals came and they ate, and when they were about to finish a waiter came and gave Lucas an ice cream and a piece of paper. When he opened the paper there are words written on it,

I am telling Sophie that you went out with a girl unless you pay for my meals. My table is number 16, thanks!

-your lil sis

Lucas' eyes widened and he turned his gaze around the restaurant to look for the sender of the letter and finally, he saw a familiar figure he knew very well, Anita, his little sister. She was dining with her friends in the same restaurants he was at and when their eyes met, she smiled at him and waved. He decided to pay for her meals as well since he felt Princess Sophie was jealous of his new aide and didn’t want to deal with her tantrum when Anita told her about this situation.