Per Cecil Ronin's directive, Baisha joined the Starbreaker fleet, traversing spacetime jumps to return to the Empire.
Upon entering Imperial territory, Boling promptly sent a message to the Emperor, reporting on the diplomatic mission's outcomes.
In the holographic transmission, the Emperor nodded faintly, his gaze shifting to Baisha. "Happy now?"
Baisha couldn't quite say. The pang of parting from her friends lingered. "It's alright."
Cecil Ronin's brow furrowed slightly. He called out Jilun and Boling by name, prompting both ministers to bow respectfully.
The Emperor's tone carried a trace of displeasure. "What kind of work have you two been doing?"
Baisha sighed, interjecting quickly. "Don't scold them, it's not their fault. I'm just feeling a bit lonely because I had to leave my friends."
"Her Highness, having spent years in the Federation, formed deep bonds with a few companions," Boling explained, head lowered, voice measured. "At her age, she needs peers for companionship."
Cecil Ronin's expression softened. "If you truly want them by your side, bringing them to the Empire is no issue."
Baisha's eyes widened. "Could they attend Imperial military academies?"
"They lack mental avatars, so our educational system wouldn't suit them," Cecil dashed her hopes. "But with current Federation-Empire relations, securing two playmates is trivial. The Federation would likely be eager to send them."
Baisha hesitated. "Forget it. They're enrolled at the Federation's Central Military Academy."
Cecil Ronin, familiar with the Academy's prestige, understood. Its students wouldn't abandon their paths to become mere companions in the Empire.
After a moment's thought, he shifted her focus. "Hurry back to Youdu Star with the Starbreaker. I have other arrangements to discuss."
Baisha nodded.
The Empire's capital was Tianxuan Star, a star cluster encompassing multiple planets. Youdu Star, however, was the Emperor's personal sanctuary.
Imperial nobles and royals held fiefs populated by commoners, sustaining vassals—up to a thousand named bureaucrats for a prince, whose fief could span a Federation star sector. Should a prince ascend the throne, these vassals often became the new Emperor's administrative core.
Youdu Star was unique.
Every brick, blade of grass, and tree belonged solely to the Emperor. He was not just ruler but absolute owner, wielding unchecked authority to shape or expel as he pleased.
This time, Jilun sought to escort Baisha to Youdu Star with the Starbreaker, but the Emperor curtly refused, ordering Jilun and Boling back to Tianxuan Star to resume their duties. Baisha, under the fleet's protection, needed no further escort.
At a jump station, Baisha parted ways with Boling and Jilun. They continued to Tianxuan, while she entered the Emperor's private jump conduit to Youdu Star.
The conduit was a shimmering sea of light.
Emerging at the terminus, the fleet burst from silvery stardust into silent space.
In the starship's command chamber, Baisha faced a vast projection—Youdu Star loomed, a majestic orb crashing into her vision.
Against the cosmos's black tapestry, Youdu Star lay solitary, a polished gem. Serene, it glowed—not with the sun's harsh glare nor the moon's soft haze, but a pure blue, wreathed in golden stardust ribbons.
"Welcome to Youdu Star, Your Highness," the Emperor's guard and ship captain spoke, breaking his silence. He bowed, fist to heart, in royal salute.
The entire crew followed suit.
Baisha drew a slow breath. "Let's meet His Majesty."
Youdu Star housed a colossal floating palace.
Its platinum structure gleamed, ornate yet enigmatic, its lines a symphony of perfection, an artwork in itself. Giant crystal orbs, radiant as stars, illuminated the path to the palace.
The fleet docked, and the Emperor received Baisha in the grand hall, a space reserved for state proclamations, royal weddings, or funerals—its opulence almost daunting. Cecil Ronin sat atop a towering throne, Wei Li at his side, both in formal attire. Baisha, initially nervous, grew numb after the three-minute trek from entrance to hall's center.
"Uncle," she said, eyeing the resplendent yet eerily vacant hall, "can we meet somewhere else next time?"
Cecil Ronin raised a brow. "You don't understand. This is royal decorum. Your first visit to Youdu Star warrants this setting."
"Your residence is ready, Your Highness, near His Majesty's quarters," Wei Li said, handing her a tablet displaying a petite palace. Verdant gardens bloomed with yellow and white flowers, lively compared to others. Tiered structures encircled a clear lake, its waters framed by light, where serene waterfowl rested, their white feathers aglow.
"As for travel," Wei Li continued, "His Majesty proposes assigning two Starbreaker squadrons for your protection. Were you satisfied with security en route? If so, their personnel will remain, forming your dedicated guard."
Baisha blinked. "All those starships… are mine?"
"Indeed," Wei Li nodded, his smile warm. "As royal blood, you deserve a personal guard. Your unique circumstances delayed forming one, so His Majesty allocated Starbreaker units."
"I won't reclaim them," Cecil Ronin said, tapping the throne's armrest. "But earning their true loyalty is up to you."
There was a gulf between guarding a noble and serving a master with absolute devotion.
"And your stewards and retinue," Wei Li added. "We've selected reliable candidates, but you may adjust as needed." He gestured, and a man and woman in steward uniforms stepped forward, their demeanor composed and deferential. "These are your head steward and chief attendant, overseeing your palace."
Baisha: "…"
She was still reeling, dreamlike.
A palace, starships, servants—handed over so casually. Was this an Emperor's wealth?
Cecil Ronin studied her dazed expression, chuckling. "Snap out of it. There's more. Anything you want, just ask."
Her palace held a trove of extravagant gifts, but so what? She was his sole heir.
The Federation didn't deserve her lingering sorrow. These gifts should keep her entertained.
Baisha's throat bobbed, her eyes sparkling. "Uncle—are you really rich?"
Cecil Ronin: "…"
Minutes later, Baisha, elated, led her new steward and attendant out. Her uncle had granted her fourteen years' worth of royal stipends and transferred two gem mines to her name. Newly rich, she gleefully set off to inspect her palace.
Wei Li removed his glasses, sighing. "Majesty, all your curated gifts pale next to gifting her those mines."
Cecil Ronin glanced at him. "Who taught her to be such a money-grubber?"
Mines were valuable, but the Starbreaker squadrons were priceless.
Wei Li: "Don't blame her. Her upbringing lacked security without wealth."
The Emperor fell briefly pensive.
"Speaking of," Wei Li said, "her mental avatar's awakening means military academy enrollment. Have you chosen one?"
The Empire had four: Tianquan, Nanmi, Dongluo, and Xizhou. Tianquan, nearest Tianxuan Star, was traditional for royals, though not mandatory. Its noble-heavy student body might challenge Baisha. Another academy could offer a healthier environment.
"We'll see," Cecil said. "No rush. I could train her for two years, and she'd still be young enough."
Imperial lifespans allowed flexible enrollment, from fourteen to sixteen, with most graduating by twenty for military training. The Ronins, founded on martial prowess, also demanded broader education. Post-graduation, Baisha faced a slew of heir courses, unhurried but inevitable.
"For her chief minister, guard captain, and physician, any suggestions?" Cecil asked.
Standard for royal heirs, these roles were critical. The chief minister managed fiefs, advised on politics, and represented her publicly. The guard captain ensured her safety, requiring loyalty and strength. The physician monitored her health, especially her mental avatar, maintaining peak condition.
Cecil, solitary by nature, kept his guard captain and physician at arm's length, their interactions formal. Wei Li, his chief minister, was a true confidant, his right hand. Thus, guards and physicians were replaceable, but the chief minister demanded careful selection, especially for a potential heir.
Baisha's unique case required meticulous choices.
"For physician, I recommend Cen Haiyun from the Royal Medical Institute," Wei Li said. "The Cen family is a medical dynasty, and Haiyun excels in gene repair and avatar monitoring. Royal physicians are confidential, so no risk of leaks about Her Highness's avatar issues."
Cecil nodded. "Chief minister?"
"Forgive my candor, but Her Highness knows little of Imperial affairs, let alone governance. She'll have ample candidates if she becomes heir. For now, she needs a mentor and shield against noble malice—someone of high status to bolster her influence."
Cecil tapped the armrest, his deep blue eyes glinting with intrigue after a brief pause. "I'll choose this one."
Wei Li: "Yes, sir."
One role remained. "Guard captain? What about Xino of House Us?"
Cecil's brow creased, visibly unimpressed. "House Us is docile, but Xino's arrogant and reckless—not guard material. And his mental avatar—"
"Jilun's is feline too," Wei Li teased. "He and Her Highness get along."
Cecil shot him a withering look, prompting a playful mea culpa.
"If need be, recruit from Crystal Sky," Cecil said.
Wei Li hesitated. "Is such caution necessary? The nobles wouldn't—"
"I'm not guarding against nobles," Cecil said, eyes narrowing. "You don't want Sipes's tragedy repeated, do you?"
Wei Li's expression grew grave. "You're right."
He added, "But consider Her Highness's preferences."
"If she dislikes them, we'll replace them," Cecil said, waving dismissively. "They must suit her."
Silence fell.
Cecil mused aloud, "When my parents chose my retinue, did they agonize like this?"
Wei Li paused. "They say it took six months to settle on the Grand Princess's guard."
Sipes Ronin loathed constant escorts, and her prowess deterred volunteers. The prior Emperor hastily appointed a noble to end the debate.
"Raising children is a hassle," Cecil muttered.
Wei Li sighed. "You've skipped the hardest part, Majesty. Her Highness grew up alone, unnoticed until now."
Cecil fell silent.
Baisha explored her palace, buzzing with excitement. Modest compared to others, it was still lavish, complete with a pet garden for exotic animals.
The garden's beastmaster noted royals' fondness for vibrant birds. Baisha wondered if her genes were off—she loved birds but preferred furry textures.
She requested cats for her bedroom, prompting a subtle shift in the steward's expression. His shoulder-perched thrush, sensing his mood, tucked its head under a wing.
"Cats… aren't an issue," the steward said, regaining composure. "How many?"
With her newfound wealth, Baisha felt eight was the minimum.
The steward sighed, handed her a tablet, and tapped it. "Choose your breeds."
The tablet displayed a cat catalog—sweet, elegant, regal, nimble, dashing. Baisha ticked her favorites, honoring her eight-cat limit.
"These," she said solemnly. "More, and I couldn't pet them all."
Steward: "…"
Two hours later, Cecil Ronin arrived at Baisha's palace, greeted by a chorus of meows.
In the guest parlor, eight cats prowled. Baisha, on a cushion, cradled one, pinching another's cheeks, lost in feline bliss.
Cecil, no fan of felines: "…"
Was his niece a genetic outlier?
Noticing him, Baisha lifted a cat, waving its paw. "Uncle, when'd you get here?"
Cat: "Meow~"
"Clean the fur off before you talk to me," Cecil said.
He'd worried she'd struggle adjusting to the Empire, yet here she was, thriving.
Then again, this was good. It meant she didn't favor Jilun's avatar specifically—she was just cat-obsessed.
Baisha reluctantly released the cats, instructing the steward to house them. Masked, he cautiously caged each, sending them to the pet wing.
Baisha changed in her bedroom, her wardrobe brimming with attire and jewelry for every occasion. She chose simple, casual pieces, but their luxurious materials lent effortless elegance, a far cry from her Blanslo Star days.
Standing before Cecil, she asked, "What's up, Uncle?"
Cecil raised a brow, noting her flushed cheeks. "I've selected your physician and chief minister."
He sent her two profiles.
The physician, Cen Haiyun, was a radiant woman, appearing twenty-two but thirty-five, from a Tianxuan medical family. A top graduate, she specialized in gene repair and avatar healing at the Royal Institute, with a litany of awards.
Who could resist a stunning older sister?
Baisha approved instantly.
"Since you've chosen her, visit the royal medical institute tomorrow for a full avatar check," Cecil said.
Baisha nodded.
The chief minister's profile was Han Xiao, a twenty-seven-year-old with a refined, approachable demeanor, pictured speaking at a conference.
Han Xiao aced Imperial elite academies at seventeen, earning degrees in political science, economics, and law. Now a parliamentary secretary, he was poised for a cabinet role, nephew to cabinet leader Han Xi.
"He's a capable politician, young, principled, free of bureaucratic vices—you'll get along," Cecil said. "Crucially, he's Han Xi's nephew, a future cabinet minister. Through him, you can build your cabinet."
Baisha: "…"
Baisha: ???
Cabinet? What?
"What do you mean?" she asked, bewildered.
Cecil wasn't fazed. "What Emperor doesn't need a cabinet? Unless you're ruthless enough to abolish centuries-old tradition—but that's a massive workload."
"Wait," Baisha said. "I'm not the heir yet, am I?"
"Not now," Cecil replied, "but you will be."