When they finally reach their room Konrad wanted to say something but he couldn't find any word.

"Now I know you want to ask about something." she grinned.

"Yeah... But I don't have any idea how to even start. I'm worried about Robert." He carefully started. Shanti sat on the sofa and took off her high heel shoes.

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe it's just me. But I have a feeling that someone at Neptune is pushing him hard. And I don't know what's going on. If I'm right someone wants to recall 230th back to the reserve. So far I told him if he doesn't want to tell me what's going on at least then he can wave around with my authority so whoever is pushing can fuck off."

"Do you think that would be enough?"

"In the short term... maybe? But in long? Are you kidding Honey? No way. That will work for a while since no one wants to upset you. But if Fleet Admiral Makosso orders the 230th return they will go no matter what Robert wants. But the problem will start since AI will not follow such an order. It's illegal."

"What? I thought Admiralition have total authority."

"Yes and no. In normal circumstances, you would be right. But since this sector is a Commonwealth confederate Nation, orders for deployment of the 515th and 230th came directly from the Commonwealth President's office and not from the army or navy. The same orders make me and Robert responsible for this sector. That means any order of this magnitude must go through you or me and we have to agree. That's the first reason why Robert can shred any paper from Terra he doesn't like. Secondly, orders from the president's office are clear and override most stupid ideas from admiralition. 515th Army and 230th Fleet are permanently attached as guardians and instructors of Fa'enni. So no one should be able to move us. Only state of war is canceling such orders."

"Konrad, what does it mean then?"

"Guardian? Tell us about the investigation I ordered and everything else you know about so we could help. Please."

"I used all my connections and authority as Royal Guardian during the investigation. Grand Admiral is not involved. I traced back an entire chain of correspondences back to Neptune. It's sent from Navy Headquarters by Baronett Gregory Flynn. And if I can be honest it's rather toxic. He is trying to provoke admiral MacArthur."

"Should I take charge over that petty looser and send him as an aid for Dagger? He will be prison warden for all eternity."

"He unfortunately is protected by one of the more prominent Senators, Sir. Besides that, he is protected by some very influential Avalon noble."

Konrad feel an incoming headache. "How I hate little clowns like him. What does he even want?"

"From my point of view, he generally is envious of anything involved with admiral MacArthur. From the early academy, days to the present day. And when your Father picked Robert MacArthur as his Navy Commander during events preceding the War of Salvation, Flynn was assigned to not important administration role at Headquarters. And looking by their career cards no wonder why."

"So why the fuck Robert is so reeled by that looser?"

"Gregoray received the noble title of baronett after the incident in the Novar system."

"No!" Konrad yelled and startled Shanti. "How trash like that got a noble promotion? For what reason?"

"I'm sorry but it's classified, my Lord. I wasn't able to get any data besides official garbage."

"So that's what's going on..." Konrad was angry on behalf of his friend. "What I can do to spit in his eyes...?"

Guardian hummed "He seems to boast about his noble title and his incoming wedding with tv star Sara Lovish"

"Pfff she is... Waaaait... Isn't she the sister of Robert's late wife?"

"You are correct General. Her family cut off any ties with Robert after the death of Marry MacArthur during the Novar incident. From the recovered data I found out Marry's family put all blame on Robert. That's not only illogical but also unjust."

Shanti looked at Konrad surprised. "Robert's wife is dead? How it happened?"

Guardian was silent so it was all up to Konrad then. "All that we know is the fact she died during the Novar incident. All data about everyone in the Navy and Army are classified no matter if they were sitting and doing nothing or were actually involved. Outside of the Military imagine a day lost to all of humanity. Like it never existed. At this point most probably it's all expunged anyway. One day simply crossed out from chronicles. No one knew anything. Anyone with any knowledge stays put. Novar was a colony world about 127 light years from Earth. One day entire planet was destroyed. It wasn't any type of our weapon. It wasn't any enemy weapon we can identify. No one has the palest idea the fuck happened. 200 million Humans and 572 AI died back then. And one of the killed back then was Marry. She was about to join Robert and Johan here."

Shanti was shaken "That's terrible! But I don't see how Robert could be involved or blamed!"

Guardian opened a 3d projection and showed Robert on board of Navy ship with infant Johan in his hands. Admiral was one of the first organic Guardian friends, so he took this matter very personally and it was the reason why Konrad asked for his help.

"Robert is innocent whatever they claim. He was on my board with small Johan when that all happened! I testimoned at court when Sara Lovish wanted to take Johan away from his father. She claimed he was unfit to be a father and guilty of the death of his wife. Robert won the process but now everything is returning. I'm afraid Robert is not the only one blaming himself for the death of his wife, Sara turned his wife's entire family against him. He may be living in made-up guilt. Recently I spoke with Johan. He is very concerned about his father and the fact they never speak about his Mother. He knows the truth since we spoke a lot when Johan was younger and I didn't know I shouldn't. However, Robert is afraid he will lose Johan and avoid all topics concerning Marry. On some days only the presence of Ensign Naella and her stubbornness is keeping the admiral in any shape for work. I know you appointed her my Queen as a temporary aid to the admiral to ease up relations with Fa'enni 20 years ago but it's not a big secret she developped feelings for the admiral."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Robert is a friend. The same friend as Khrisa. I will not allow some little nob... She smiled. "I have an idea. Baronett yes? This is the lowest Noble rank?"

"Yes, Queen."

Konrad was furious and she saw thunders in his eyes. But he watched her intrigued.

"I think I know what's going on Konrad. This little bastard is blackmailing Robert using the authority of a gathering of nobles and Robert's own guilt syndrome. He wants to destroy Robert as a 'gift' for this whole Sara and for his own inferiority complex. Meanwhile, Robert can't do anything since nobles have a huge impact on politics and provide not only funding but in some cases, they pay for Navy ships."

Konrad nodded. It was not a big secret. But how he can help Robert? Shanti started laughing. "I didn't expect you to start laughing Shanti. It's a serious matter. Nobles will act as one even if they don't like that guy."

"Honey you are not this old to forget basics."

"What basics?"

"First of all your father is Duke. He is high-tier nobility and just because of that you are Noble as well."

Konrad brightened. Technicly he was not the inheritor of the title. His oldest sister should inherit it but she and his older brother were on verge of being disowned. Konrad never considered himself an inheritor of the family. "You are right. I can ask father..."

She interrupted him. "What for? You are one of top tier nobility this sorry gathering of nobles saw. What's more, you are full Noble and not Noble of robe only like most all of them."

Konrad's jaw dropped "Shanti what are you talking about?"

She was laughing so hard she almost fell down from the sofa. Instead, Guardian timidly started: "Ummm... Queen Shanti is right. You are the highest rank of Nobility as head of the Fa'enni Royal Family sir. You are King. You are not only Noble of robe with little to no real power but a true King governing 100 worlds. Your edicts are not mere wishes but real laws. What's more, your voice is important in Commonwealth Senat as head of state and your will is carried by every Fa'enni senator representing every Fa'enni planet."

Shanti stopped laughing and rose her hand: "I have a better idea. Let Robert finish off that Baronett sucker himself. Next week we will hold an official party and Admiralition from Neptune will be present. I just checked and Gregoray and Sara will be there. Inform Robert that his presence is required so he can't make up any excuse."

"What are you planning Shanti?" Konrad was puzzled.

"Dear... You are too attached to democracy. I'm Queen. You are King so act like one sometimes. We are going to ennoblement Robert. He is the defender of Fa'enni space and a teacher of the future pride of the Commonwealth Navy. He deserved to wear the Noble title of Duke with pride. No shitty baronett will dare to pick a fight with Lord Admiral Robert MacArthur protector of Fa'enni skies!"

Guardian started laughing and Konrad grinned. That will be good.

Suddenly the doorbell rang. They looked at themselves surprised and Guardian told them.

"It's Admiral!"

"Come in Robert." said Konrad and Robert MacArthur entered their room. He looked miserable, on verge of a total nervous breakdown. Konrad showed him a chair and allowed him to sit down.

Shanti was very concerned. It wasn't a good sign at all. He looked at them and smiled but only with a face.

"Wrath told me your trio is plotting something. Guardian was tracking down my emails to some rat I wish I never knew or met. While Guardian was very careful he couldn't fly under the radar of Overseer and she finally told me, very reluctantly and only because I questioned her. You have found out all truth. So now you know. You know it was my fault Marry died back then."

He put his face in his hands and calmed himself a bit. Shanti couldn't understand how Navy medical personnel didn't notice the bad shape of admiral. But Robert was a good actor.

"It was my fault she was there. If only I brought her here earlier she would be away from Novar. It was already over here- we won the war. No one could even remotely threaten us but I still wanted to keep her safe so she stayed back then in our home at Novar with newborn Johan. I decided to finally take them here when I used obtaining of modified Guardian for your use Queen from shipyards at New Amsterdam as an excuse to go there myself. New Amsterdam was just a few light years away from Novar. But I took only Joahn with me and allowed Marry to stay and finish her work. She wanted that so badly. In a few weeks, she would join me on Wrath. It's my fault! I should took her! Guardian was already in transit to Wrath who was waiting in deep space somewhere between New Amsterdam and Novar. We heard what happened while docking. I... I moved Wrath and prepared a relief mission... I didn't believed the initial reports. But everything was gone..."

He covered his face in his hands once again. Broken and defeated. Shanti saw the problem first. It will not heal just like that.... Or will it?

She focused the way Khrisa told her. She practiced a bit and was fairly sure she can use it now. She didn't mind her shoes she took off earlier and came barefooted to sitting Robert. She flickered her fingers and there it was: blue orb- the second spell of Fa'enni.

While the orb of healing light has a cream-white color and could heal the body the light of blue sky orb could heal the soul. In its subtle blue light, Konrad saw dark clouds swirling near Robert like some darkness that was trying to devour his friend. When she touched his head a black fog was pushed away from him in instant and disappeared.

Konrad's jaw dropped. "That was magic? I swear I saw a blue light in your hand!"

"Yes, it was magic... No! Mana." she rolled her eyes. "Promise me you both to keep it secret until I officially show it at Senat."

Robert started changing. His eyes struck with grief cleared as life returned to them. His mind for the first time since the death of his wife started working properly. All poisonous thoughts were instantly banished. He was finally calm and maybe now he will find some solution.

"Thank you, Lady Shanti. I..."

She interrupted him. "You are our Friend. I can say you are one of the architects or even only you are responsible for current safety in the entire sector. Robert, you are a Friend of Fa'enni, you are my friend. In the darkest days of our history when my race was doomed it was your fleet that first to brought armies of Humanity. It was your face that millions of surviving Fa'enni saw when you opened planetary-wide transmission. It was Your words that every Fa'enni will remember forever. Every child in our space is learning them at school. All of us know them!"

She closed her eyes and tried to mock his voice: "We have arrived and it is time we perform our duty. By Terran law and according to our vow we came as defenders of Noble Fa'enni. To all ships besieging Fa'enni planets withdraw or face the wrath of Humanity. Forgot about your ground forces. Herby, I sign the death warrant and consign all your warriors to oblivion. Admiral MacArthur. Out."

She exhaled and added in her normal voice "Drop ships with ground troops were already deployed to every single corner of our worlds. Not long after Xhrestla in their folly choose to fight and your ships opened fire. The battle was visible from the surface! Lines of high-density plasma fire and ionized trails of railguns traversed space, your ships were like harbingers of doom. That day your face was imprinted in every Fa'enni soul. You are one of the most important heroes Fa'enni have Robert!"

He sat in a chair motionless. "I'm sorry I worried you over all your own problems you already have. Thank you Queen for whatever you did. I should go."

She put a hand on his shoulder and said: "No Robert. I am sorry. I should did this a long time ago. Before you go, you must know that Gregoray and Sara will be present at the party next week. But don't worry and ignore them. We are going to give you a weapon to fight all your enemies. Robert leave your dark past behind and live. You are surrounded by people who care about you the same way you care about us."

He didn't know Flynn and his devilish fiancee will be present at that party and clenched his teeth.

He also didn't understand what Queen meant by giving him a weapon.