Counterattack [Interstellar] - Chapter 9

And then His Majesty will give a speech. Of course, you don’t need to worry too much about that. What truly requires your attention is the interview we’ve arranged afterward. We have already compiled the questions the reporters will ask; please take a look…”

“When will Anthony arrive?” Alan suddenly looked up at Austin’s secretary. “What time, roughly?”

“Apo—Apologies.” The secretary looked down, flipping through the itinerary. He nodded and said, “Seven o’clock. We have also arranged an interview for His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. We hope you can look out for him a little then. After all…”

Seven o’clock… Alan became lost in thought. He turned to his own Etiquette Officer and commanded, “On that day, your people are to personally host the Crown Prince.” Alan turned back to the secretary with a faint smile. “There will be too many reporters present. I imagine you wouldn’t want the Crown Prince to undergo an unexpected, impromptu interview, would you?”

Many guests had been invited to Alan’s birthday banquet. Although they had undergone strict screening, it was possible that some uninvited guests might slip in. Anthony could not afford any more negative press right now. If Alan personally took responsibility for him, he would certainly protect Anthony, if only to avoid suspicion. After a moment’s thought, the secretary nodded and bowed. “Then I shall trouble Your Highness with this task.”

Alan gave a dismissive “Mm” and lowered his head to continue reviewing the interview questions for the day.

On the evening of the birthday banquet, Anthony arrived at the Evoda Summer Palace on schedule. Alan’s Etiquette Officer had been waiting at the entrance for some time. Upon seeing Anthony, the officer bowed slightly. “Your Royal Highness, according to the prior arrangements, you will not make an appearance before the banquet begins. We will notify you immediately regarding any issues. If you have any needs or requests, feel free to command your Imperial Guards, and they will relay them to us.”

Lately, Anthony had been plagued by public outcry and feared being cornered by troublesome people asking endless questions. These words played right into his hands. He nodded hastily. “That works.”

The Etiquette Officer bowed. “Please, follow me.”

The group headed toward Anthony’s lounge. Halfway there, the officer’s communicator suddenly rang. After murmuring an apology, the officer turned away to answer the call. Moments later, he turned back and bowed slightly to Anthony. “I am terribly sorry. The coordination team has added a few segments to the program last minute; we need one of your people to come and familiarize themselves with the workflow.”

Anthony nodded indifferently. The Etiquette Officer looked at the Paladin walking at the back of the group and smiled. “Could I trouble you to make the trip?”

Pei Yao paused for a second, then nodded. “As you command.”

“My dear little Alan…”

In the small garden parlor of the palace, Madam Jenny kissed both of Alan’s cheeks. She shook her head and sighed. “It’s been a few years, and you’re already an adult. Heavens… you’re taller than Adair now. You must be…”

“One hundred and eighty-seven centimeters, Aunt Jenny,” Alan said with a smile. “I probably won’t grow any more.”

“You’re still young; growing a few more centimeters is quite possible.” Madam Jenny looked around, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Where is my dear brother Austin? I was extremely careful when I left the house today, terrified that another accident would happen and prevent me from seeing my dear nephew.”

Austin’s secretary gave an awkward smile and bowed. “Your Highness, His Majesty is currently tied down with affairs. It will likely be a while before he can make it over.”

Hearing this, Madam Jenny elegantly fluttered her decorative fan and smiled at the secretary. “Since His Majesty is so busy, shouldn’t you, as his secretary, be by his side? Don’t be so tense; I only want to chat with Prince Alan about the past and share a few of our little secrets. You don’t need to keep watch here constantly.”

At this point, the secretary found it impossible to stay and was forced to take his leave.

“Austin is still as unpleasant as ever,” Madam Jenny remarked with a smile. “Prince Adair still has matters to handle on Planet Penrose and truly couldn’t get away. He asked me to convey his apologies and insists that you must visit our home when you have the time. He has much to say to you as well.”

Alan smiled and agreed. “Certainly. Please give him my regards when you return. I have missed my uncle-in-law very much.”

“Now then, let’s talk about you.” Madam Jenny sat down, her expression turning more serious. “The Capital Star has been so chaotic lately. What did you come back for?”

Alan couldn’t help but laugh. “I always thought I was welcome at any time.”

“But not right now.” Madam Jenny sighed deeply. “You know Austin’s intentions better than I do. This whole mess was Anthony looking for trouble and digging his own grave. Even without you, Austin could have solved it. But he exploited your desire to return to the Capital Star, using you and the Famiga family as shields. It’s a pity that both you and Bark fell for the bait.”

“And why shouldn’t I?” Alan smiled nonchalantly. “At least I’ve truly returned.”

“But what happens after this incident is settled? Do you think Austin will tolerate you staying here and threatening Anthony?” Madam Jenny smiled mockingly. “Back when Austin was still the Crown Prince, he never allowed me to step foot near the Capital Star.”

Madam Jenny was the youngest daughter of the previous Emperor. Because she was deeply loved by the Emperor, she had once been titled the second heir to the throne. In reality, it was merely an honorary title with a slim chance of succession. Yet, the Crown Prince at the time, Austin, acted like a madman, guarding heavily against the younger sister he once adored. He only relaxed his guard and began to mend their relationship after Madam Jenny married Prince Adair, who was a Commoner. By royal convention, an heir must be a Sentinel, and their partner must be a Guide.

Although Madam Jenny was a Sentinel, by marrying a Commoner, she had effectively forfeited her right to succession. Consequently, she felt a special kinship with Alan, whose circumstances were similar. She advised him in a low voice, “Austin will never allow a Commoner to inherit the throne. Don’t invest too much heart into the affairs here, lest you bring trouble upon yourself.”

Alan did not want to show his hand to Madam Jenny just yet, so he simply said, “I know. But before Anthony ascends… I want to make one last effort.”

“Very well.” Madam Jenny gave a helpless smile. “It’s true, the gap between many Commoners and Sentinels or Guides isn’t that large. Take your uncle-in-law, for example… you have no idea how handsome he looks when operating a mecha. Many Sentinels are no match for him.”

A man who could make Madam Jenny give up her succession rights and a Guide partner to marry him was naturally no ordinary person. Alan smiled, but just as he was about to speak, his Etiquette Officer lightly tapped on the carved doorframe of the parlor. He bowed and said in a low voice, “Deepest apologies, Your Highness, but there are some matters here that require your attention.”

Alan stood up, took Madam Jenny’s hand, leaned down to kiss it, and smiled. “I’ll find a time to spar with my uncle-in-law. See you in a bit.”

Madam Jenny nodded. Watching Alan leave in a hurry, she couldn’t help but add, “Alan… forget what I just said. Sentinels, Guides, and Commoners… none are inherently more noble than the others.”

Alan felt a warmth in his heart and bowed slightly. “I understand.”

In the rooftop garden of the Evoda Summer Palace, Pei Yao looked at the seven-tiered cake and the countless exquisite dishes laid out on the round table with a complicated expression. He whispered, “What exactly is the workflow…”

“Major General, please remain calm.” A young attendant respectfully poured a glass of wine for Pei Yao. “As you saw earlier, our summons for you were approved by the higher-ups. Please, relax.”

The attendant lit the white candles on the silver candelabra one by one and smiled. “If the investigation was correct, these desserts should all be your favorites, Major General. Wouldn’t you like a taste? For your sake, my master ordered us to begin preparing these days ago. The flavor should be acceptable.”

Pei Yao felt restless. No matter how dull he might be, he realized by now that this wasn’t about familiarizing himself with any workflow. Under normal circumstances, he likely would have drawn his photon blade and held it to the attendant’s throat to force a confession. However, not only had he surrendered his blade according to security protocols before entering the palace, but—as the attendant said—the order to wait here had indeed been sanctioned by palace officials. As a soldier, Pei Yao could only suppress the doubts in his heart and wait obediently.

After everything was prepared, the attendant bowed. “My master should be back momentarily. Please wait a moment.”

The attendant withdrew, leaving Pei Yao alone in the garden.

The sky had turned completely dark. The two moons of the Capital Star cast a silent, silvery glow. Standing on the highest level of the palace and looking up at the night sky, one felt as if they were merging into the infinite stars. For no reason at all, Pei Yao’s mood suddenly brightened.

A faint sound came from nearby. Pei Yao looked over… and for a moment, he almost thought he was dreaming.

A pitch-black Oxyuranus (Taipan snake) slithered silently toward him. Pei Yao instinctively moved to retreat, but the snake seemed to sense his hesitation. It paused in place, and then slowly—very slowly—with endless yearning and attachment, it slithered firmly toward his side.

Pei Yao could not understand the sudden surge of familiarity rising from the depths of his heart. He unconsciously reached out his hand. The Taipan snake watched him quietly, retracting its fangs and venom, and gently rubbed the smooth top of its head against Pei Yao’s palm.

Pei Yao looked in disbelief at the person slowly walking toward him, his thin lips trembling. “You… you are…”

“Your Highness, Alan Norman.”

Alan replied with a smile.