Valentin was just as tall but not as big as Jei. However, he was a lot younger so he would probably win in a duel. “Goddess of humanity, please let me introduce myself, my name is Valentin, Commander of the Nage Horde from Reima Two. I hold the position of One. My father is human and my mother formerly of the Empire. I have been raised as an Outcast to the Empire but as a member of the larger galactic realm. Your daughter Elloisa invoked the right of husband stealing the night you returned to the mortal world. Not only was it an auspicious day for your reanimation but for our union too. I’d like to think that the gods have smiled on all of us here in this room, wouldn’t you agree Admiral?”
“I’ll give you one thing Val, you certainly have a way of charming human women.”
Jane turned and gave Jei a dirty look, but he didn’t change his hard expression.
“You mean by speaking the truth I’m charming to human women. It’s a wonder any of them stay in the Empire at all then,” Valentin replied.
“Say the word and we can have the duel now,” threatened Jei.
“Sorry Admiral, but you’ll have to forgo the pleasure of killing me today. As you said, we did everything within the law of husband stealing and if you would’ve read the gossip columns then you would know I publicly bought that dress that Elloisa is wearing right now on Opportunity space port. She wants to marry me. And as according to custom, we are here to discuss her departure from House Rega, not duel. She and I have already arranged some financial terms on Reima Two and now we must settle her Imperial situation.”
“Surely she doesn’t need your counsel,” Jei protested.
“I would like it, nonetheless. I trust Valentin to know what’s in my best interest,” Ellie said.
Jei’s heart was breaking, but he didn’t let it show, “Ellie, I will also do what is in your best interest.”
“You didn’t think Valentin was worthy of being my husband before, how can I trust you now?”
“I didn’t want you to leave the Empire and live as an Outcast. Life on Reima Two is unstable. Statuses change frequently. Val is One now but for how many years will he be able to maintain his position? You are giving up stability here, in one of the best Houses in the Empire.”
Ellie crossed her arms over her chest, “I’ve already agreed to marry Valentin. He is my true other half. You either negotiate now with both of us or I turn around and leave with him with nothing, which would be a disgrace for me and House Rega.”
Jane said, “Of course we will discuss your departure from House Rega. Sit. Both of you. And someone get a slave to bring some wine. This should be a celebration. We ought to be opening a bottle of wine from Earth.”
Everyone looked at Jane as if she had lost her mind.
Jane ignored them all and had a slave bring some wine from and after it was poured into ceramic cups, she proposed a toast, “To the best comprises that can be made in these very strange times and even stranger arrangements. To Ellie and Valentin, may your future together be peaceful and plentiful.”
Jane drank and then slowly Ellie, Jei and at the last Val, he was still half worried about being poisoned.
Then Ellie began the negotiation, sitting down and bringing up a document she had made on the 3D computer. “Jei, you have been more than kind to me, and I don’t want to ask too much of you or House Rega now. If you would like to make me a full Outcast, I will put away my list now.”
Jei sat down with a dirty look to Val and then answered Ellie gently, “I will not make you a full Outcast, it doesn’t make sense as we share guardianship of Magnolia together. Even with your mother returned, that is still unchanged, unless you would like to sever all ties with the Empire?”
Ellie looked directly at Jei, momentarily finding it strange to see him in the flesh rather than through a holographic image on the computer, “I don’t want to give up my joint guardianship. But because of that, I want Magnolia to have visiting rights to Reima Two.”
“Out of the question,” Jei said firmly. “Magnolia is a maximum class girl. I wouldn’t want her going to Reima Two for holidays.”
“She won’t be a baby forever and it’s part of her right and her human heritage that she be able to leave to visit other places. And I would like her to visit me,” Ellie retorted.
“She will favor her Alliance side,” Jei countered.
Ellie replied, “She should know her other half-brother and half-sister who will be joining me on Reima Two. I assume they would not be welcome in House Rega or have things changed now that my mother has returned?”
Jane looked at Jei and then Ellie. It was apparent that they had had many discussions in the past as neither one carried any pretense of civilized behavior now. Jane couldn’t believe that Jei would bar her other children from visiting without good reason, “What’s this about?”
Ellie began to answer but Jane said, “Sorry honey, I want to hear Jei’s answer first.”
“I was only trying to keep your children safe. I knew you hadn’t wanted Ellie to come to the Empire so I assumed that you would not have wanted your other children to come either.”
Ellie couldn’t help but interrupt, “He is talking back and forth with Dad.”
Jane looked at Jei in disbelief, “You are talking to Jim?”
Jei gave Ellie a disdainful look, “Excuse me, my ward who I have looked after to the best of my ability since your death is using her human skills of twisting the truth to make me out to be someone I am not in this situation. I have been speaking to Jim as it is required by the law that I report to the birth parent of the progress of a ward in my care. I have done no more and no less. My RVMs and messages with your children’s father are readily available for you to view so that you can be sure nothing is out of place. Without a doubt, Jim misses Ellie and feels guilty about the way she left, your death, and everything else. In the future, maybe it would be good for all of you to get around a table and talk about this together. But and let me be unequivocally clear, as far as I am concerned, I am not interested in anything but Ellie’s well-being on this side of the galaxy and in House Rega and of course, your well-being Jane.”
Jane was content with this answer as it matched what she had always admired about him before, his ability to stand back when something did not concern him. “I think Magnolia should have the choice if she wants to visit Ellie. However, what do you mean about your brother and sister coming over?”
Valentin spoke then, “As part of our Reima Two marriage agreement I have pledged to pay for their Reima Two visas, jobs, and provide them with a place to live if they would like to move from Earth at any point in their lives.”
“Of course, you would,” Jei spat.
“Why do you say it like that?” Jane asked Jei annoyed. “He is being more than generous.”
Jei waved his hand, “All part of the wooing process, I guess. I notice you also bought her some jewelry,” he pointed to the bird necklace. “Ellie was never a prisoner here, Val. Don’t make me out to be the villain in this situation.”
“No?” Valentine asked. “She couldn’t leave the planet and for how long was she the only human here?”
“Stop,” Ellie said. “I want to marry Valentin. It’s done. I will move to Reima Two. Will Magnolia be able to visit?”