It was humid but not unpleasant.

That was the first thing Guila noticed. Second was the distinct lack of any loud human sounds or artificial smells. The dome completely cut off anything from the outside. Which meant, she was free to enjoy strolling through the rainforest. If only there weren't any other people or families with their kids also wandering about. At least, they were few and far between.

Singing birds, the rustling and scents of trees, the sound of boars, streams and so many more. Even though it was all controlled and treated more like a zoo than an actual nature reserve, Guila actually enjoyed it. So much that she forgot the emptiness weighing her down. He knew that this would help her calm down. It’s only too bad he didn’t think of actually stopping all of this beforehand. But that’s just how he was. So careless and yet, so attentive…

The toy didn’t say a thing while they walked. However, she could swear that it seemed ready to pounce whenever there was a squirrel or small bird nearby. In fact, just now, it stopped to stare at the capybaras next to the stream. Of course, it still looked sad and disheartened from Guila's perspective. But it's ears and tail were constantly twitching.

"Tsk. What are you doing? We're already late because we had to head for the clinic. Do I have to pull you by the hair again?"

"Please forgive me, Mistress!" It quickly grabbed the hem of its skirt and lowered its head. "... I promise not to get distracted anymore!"

"Your voice offends my ears. Speak less."

"... yes."

Clearly, that nurse and the thing's affinity with this place had somehow given it the necessary strength of will to speak as much as it has. Was it truly such a simple creature? Either way, she couldn’t let that go on. There was no doubt now that this thing was more than capable of jumping back up from one or two of her attempts to stomp on it. However, that just meant she needed to do it constantly. Until the spring of its heart could no longer return to its original shape.

But aggravatingly enough, the time needed for such an endeavor was much, much longer than what it took to arrive at the Apiary - which was now visible through the trees. It was a not-so-busy one floor, open air restaurant, made primarily out of wood, surrounded by a blooming sea of many different flowers. It was like an entirely separate ecosystem isolated from the forest around it, and the closer they got, the more prominent the sound of bees became.

He always had a good eye for aesthetics and Guila couldn't help but smile as the beautiful sight seemed to sweep away all her negative thoughts. She didn’t even mind it as a curious buzzer approached and landed on her hair, since she knew these creatures were docile and possessed no stingers. The thing on the other hand, didn’t like their approach though, since it folded its ears down again. Guila was about to comment on it, but unfortunately, that was all the reprieve, she was to be afforded.

"That's Count Dahl's estranged wife, is it not?" It was the same woman from before. Still blatantly gossiping and signaling for the other’s to start. She was a Baroness. One of the louder voices in Imperial Society who ridiculed Guila constantly.

"I heard that before being wed, she was constantly sneaking into factories to sleep with the working men."

"Oh my! Typical Federation tramp, no sense of restraint nor chastity!"

"I feel so sorry for the great Count, being forced to take in such a shameful thing for a wife. Isn't that why she is yet to sire him a child? Now that I think about it, isn’t that also the reason the doll was made?"

"Because not even our machines can rid her of all the diseases, right?"

"I thought that was just a rumor! But if my Lady is saying it, then it must be true!"

Fifteen minutes was all Guila got before they just had to open their mouths. Five women, the Baroness and 4 Praetor-wives seated around a table in an outdoor café, with five more men around them, watching them. Attendants, or more accurately, wardens.

But no matter how much rage she harbored for these gossiping whores, she couldn't bring shame to her husband. If Guila lashed out here, she’d be quickly apprehended and he would become a laughingstock behind closed drapes - an impotent man that couldn't control his wife. However, she wasn't going to keep taking it either. Her outbursts against the toy had sufficiently chipped away at her emotional restraints. These so-called noblewomen who'd never worked for anything and who's only value came from who they’d married, had been a pain in her side for far too long. 'At least I earned my position!'

She just needed a second to think over her words. "Excuse me, Baroness." She walked over, exuding her learned grace which only elicited glares from the other noblewomen who were of similar age to her. 'You whores that were forced to settle for less when my-'

"Guila."

Even though it was just her name, just uttering it was an irrefutable command to turn around and lower her head. To acknowledge his presence and act accordingly. And so, she did. With her right hand on top of the other and placed upon her abdomen.

“””””Praise be to the Lord Count!”””””

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Count Dahl!"

"Your excellence, please pardon us!"

The synchronized sound of the men's salutes, preceded the women's panicked attempts to get up and show respect. To the point that they spoke over each other.

"I was wondering what took so long. Catching up with old friends, I see?" He asked, his voice deep and commanding, like a roar, despite his tone being so calm and almost inviting.

"... yes, dear." She answered. "I'm sorry for taking so long."

"I don't blame you, Guila. But there is a lot we have to talk about. None of you mind, do you?"

"Of course not, Lord Count! We'd dare not keep you waiting any longer!"

Given their height difference - him being two feet taller - Guila was only able to see his black suit pants, starting from his knees, and his leather shoes when he approached. But she didn't dare to raise her head any further. Nor did any other women here. Such was expected of them. But... of course, there was one aberrant; the owner of those sickeningly familiar pair of magenta pumps and tanned legs diagonally behind him. Only it didn't have to bow.

"You heard them." He offered Guila his left hand, far larger than her own and adorned only by a solitary ring on his fourth finger. "Let us be off. A cold dinner is no dinner at all."

"Yes…" She reached for his outstretched palm with almost trembling hands. What exactly had that doll told him while she was lost in her own thoughts?! If it hadn't told him yet, then what if it took this chance to do so?! Much to her chagrin, Guila had just realized how soft she’d actually been to it.

"Guila?" He turned around just as they were about to enter the restaurant. "Why are you so-"

His voice was cut off by a gut-trembling explosion which flickered all the lights. Then everything went black, followed by a cacophony of tumbling trees, sliding earth, bleating animals, shattering glass and shrill screams. The ship trembled and shook, like a massive earthquake was underway. In her panic, Guila pulled her hands back to cover her head from the falling glass. But then, her footing gave way and the wind rushed at her from below.

She knew that she was falling. Yet in spite of that, she smiled as orange flashes came from below, granting her one last look at the man she loved, before he disappeared into the distance.‘ Ah. So you can make that kind of face for me… It's okay. I only hope your eyes are worse than mine. So you don't have to worry about looking for me. Because disappearing into an abyss is exactly what I deserve.' It wasn't long until all the light around her was permanently consumed by darkness.

'… you'd better not die, doll. What's the point of being a replacement, if you can't even outlast me? Serve him as best as you can. He deserves nothing less.’

----------------------------------------

[Attention all passengers. Due to experiencing technical difficulties, we will weaken the artificial gravity to allow for faster rescues and recovery. Please do not be alarmed. It will be over very soon.]

With the initial chaos now over, the flurry of blaring announcements could finally be heard. But even that felt quiet amidst the creaking and snapping of the vessel. However, in the middle of all that chaos, there was one black-haired man - more than seven feet tall - hunched over and staring into the lightless abyss of mangled steel and earth which his wife disappeared into.

"... Guila." He whispered her name, then glanced to his right and also found no trace of the magenta-haired Vulpina. Instead, there was just another part of the massive gap that led straight down. The Nature Reserve had crumbled down in a rough shape around him. None of the glass fell upon him either. But when he finally felt himself float off the floor, he knew neither his wife nor his Vulpina were blessed with the same luck he was.

"... I lost both of them." Count Dahl muttered as he calmly straightened his suit and patted down his legs.

Once done, he turned around to see a large group approaching quickly from beyond the ruined Apiary, now filled with injured guests and staff that also managed to avoid falling in. It was comprised of two-dozen other men dressed either in three-piece suits or military attire, all led by a mirror image of himself. The same exact outfit, the same sized gut that spilled over their belts, the same round, yet shapely face. They also had the same red irises and orange pupils, but different hairstyles. The Count's was slicked back, while the other man's hair was styled to stand.

"Hiiro, report.” The Count commanded coldly as he further scanned their surroundings. “You were headed here for a reason, no?”

“Yes...” In contrast, his twin, Hiiro, responded with a conflicted look. He clearly wanted to talk about something else, something that he viewed to be of much higher importance. However, their statuses did not allow that, so he straightened his back and reported. “Serenity has been in hyperspeed for the past 30 minutes. Which is six times longer than what it should’ve been. More than likely, that’s the reason behind the structural degradation.” But rather than focused on the Count, Hiiro's1eyes kept searching the surrounding area.

“We could be anywhere in the Orion-Cygnus arm, right now and we were unable to confirm the rest of the fleet’s presence."

The Count made no apparent reaction, still staring at him with his glowing orange-red eyes, but Hiiro knew that his younger brother was busy planning.

“We’ll split up.” He then ordered. “Six of you will accompany me to the bridge and secure it. We’ll stop this ship as soon as we can.” Next, he glanced at something in his periphery. “Zhang, Suoh, you are to meet up with the Duke and Stellarch, they should still be at the Aegiale Theater. Tell them that I require ‘Executive Military Command’ as soon as possible and to prepare for a possible evacuation. If the ship stops before you return and we regain wireless comms, then expect further orders.”

“Another six led by Hiiro will secure our shipment at C Deck 644, guard it until further orders. The rest will scatter and help as many as you can in the area, starting with the restaurant, then await further orders from me or the Major, protecting any Imperial citizens you encounter.”

“Aren’t y-?”

“They’re dead, Major.” The Count cut him off, just as he was about to speak out. He then opened his palm, which had been tightly clenched until then, revealing a familiar ring. Her wedding ring. “You’ll need this to lift the safeties. The suits might prove necessary.”

“You could save the ring but not the wearer?!” Hiiro roared, overcome by rage. He clenched his fists tight, barely held back by loyalty and the love he still held for his younger brother. But, one more word- if he just said one more word out of line, then-

“If I had grabbed her, she’d have been swung against the ship and the jagged edges would’ve torn her apart.” The Count’s expression still hadn’t changed, nor did his voice or tone. “I didn’t want her to suffer during her last moments, Hiiro. Now do you have any other questions?”

“...” The older brother paused then stared at the ring forlorn, but as the screams around them built up, he shook his head and took it. “Lieutenant, you’re with me.”