Chapter Thirteen
The Eros dignitary Soty rolled his eyes at his son. “Suck in your stomach, Poochy, or we will never get you into this uniform. You must look your best for your presentation to Queen Saturna. She’ll most certainly choose you. I’ve seen the others and they are nothing to look at.”
Two Eros servants pulled and pushed at Poochy, cramming his limbs into the too small, green and orange suit, the flag colors of the planet Eros. After much grunting and groaning the task was completed and when the servants stood aside, there was Poochy looking utterly ridiculous. He was unable to move his arms because the jacket was too tight, so they hung straight at his sides in an uncomfortable manner, making his body look even larger. And when he took a step, the servants had to grab on to him as he almost tipped over in pants that seemed as if they were painted on.
“I can’t breathe, Father,” said Poochy, wheezing somewhat.
“Don’t be silly, you look very smart. Your uniform is meant to fit snugly. Besides, Queen Saturna will appreciate the slimming look it gives you. Now remember don’t be nervous. She has to understand that you’re not afraid to take charge. After all, you’ll be running the kingdom following your marriage with a little help from me.”
“But, I can’t breathe. I feel faint,” whined Poochy, his face reddening.
“Just nerves, just nerves. I hear your name being called for the waiting room. Off you go son.”
Needing assistance, Poochy leaned on the two Eros servants while they dragged him into the waiting chamber. Because he was unable to sit down, in fear of ripping his pants, the servants leaned Poochy against the wall to wait for his audience with the Queen.
Poochy scanned the other bachelors in the room and started to sweat, they were either more attractive than he was or they were holding an amazing gift for the Queen. What had his father been thinking when he had chosen to present Saturna with a Farilight? Especially one that was defective! Beads of perspiration first appeared on his forehead and palms, and then he began to feel a slow trickle down his back, which was quickly becoming itchy. If he could run or even walk, he would have left the room instantly. She would never choose him. The whole situation was incredibly embarrassing. What had his father talked him into? And then it happened. He heard his name being called for his audience with the Queen.
The audience room was bright and cheerful with nine extremely large windows that began at the floor and rose almost to the ceiling forming an arched peak. The floor made of highly polished blue yuucup wood sparkled elegantly, emphasizing the wealth of the ruling planet. Saturna sat upon a strategically positioned throne, placed where sun beams from the windows would shine spectacularly on the ruler. It was a created effect to intimidate.
The throne of platinum and gold with inlayed jewels added to the result making it seem as though Saturna was emitting light. It was difficult for the observer to look at her without blinking. She looked radiant as the sunlight danced and bounced about her and when some of the bachelors approached her with thoughts to ask for her hand, most had been left speechless. This was precisely what Saturna had hoped for, to unnerve the bachelors so they wouldn’t have the courage to ask that dreaded question.
On both sides of the royal seat at approximately shoulder height was a carved indentation with a long scrolled lip. This served as a perfect place for Peep, who almost invisible to the observer, could translate and whisper to Saturna at will. Although Saturna was fluent in the nine languages of the Solar System, because she didn’t use all of the languages on a regular basis, there were many words she had trouble understanding. Peep instrumental in translating not only words, but guttural sounds and intentions, was most helpful.
“Your Majesty, may I present Poochy of Eros, the son of Duke Soty,” said Oron, indicating for him to come forward. “His gift to the crown was the rare Farilight.”
Poochy shuffled forward and bowed his head, “My Queen, it is an honor.”
Saturna stifled a giggle and managed to smile. She had never seen such an absurd uniform and why was it so small? Orange and green were definitely not his colors.
“Maybe this is the new fashion on Eros,” she whispered to Peep.
“No Your Majesty, I have just come from the planet Eros and that is not the fashion. I believe he has been placed in a slimming uniform to impress you because you’re so thin. His father wishes desperately for you to choose him as your mate. I overheard many conversations regarding this when I was owned by Soty,” Peep replied.
Feeling a bit sorry for Poochy, Saturna held out her hand in a gesture of welcome. “Welcome Poochy, please come forward and make yourself comfortable. Thank you for your wonderful gift. I would like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind?”
Inching forward, Poochy was offered a chair, which he declined. He said he preferred to lean against it. The Urite servants, not completely understanding what he said in Erosian, thought Poochy was unsure of what to do, and so they grabbed him under the arms and plunked him precariously upon the seat. A large ripping sound was heard. Poochy felt instant relief as his lower limbs pushed their way through the hole in his pants. Finally he could breathe, but how would he ever get out of the room now? He began to sweat even more and water droplets dotting his forehead ran quickly down into his eyes.
Having trouble ignoring the incredibly loud sound of Poochy’s outfit tearing, Saturna bit the inside of her lip. She was close to laughing and knew if she looked at Gondee or Peep, she wouldn’t be able to contain herself. The morning had been one of great entertainment and it wasn’t over yet. She had seen five other bachelors from the very large bush inhabitants, who looked somewhat like apes with extra arms, to the very small elf-like creatures who came up to her knees. Poochy was actually closer in looks to her race than most of the other bachelors, but she still wasn’t interested in him as a husband.
“Poochy of Eros, if you are the successful bachelor and become my husband, how do you plan to serve the inhabitants of our Solar System?"
That’s a simple question, thought Poochy, maybe she is considering me. But it’s a trick question he reasoned. Grinning from ear to ear, he took only a moment to think. “I would not have to serve the inhabitants of our Solar System. As the King, they would serve me,” he said with confidence, very proud of the fact that he figured out the answer so easily.
“Really, an interesting reply, said Saturna. “You said ‘as the King’. Do you believe if I choose you as my husband I will make you the King of Zard?”
Another trick question, thought Poochy, placing his finger in his mouth and sucking it for a moment. He glanced quickly at his smiling father who mouthed the words ‘good answer’. Finding it difficult to come up with another witty reply, he continued to grin and sit there. He thought about how beautiful Saturna was and how lovely their off-spring would be.
“Is he going to answer the question Peep? Did I ask it correctly in Erosian?” whispered Saturna, politely waiting for his response.
“Yes you did ask it correctly. I don’t think he’s very bright, Your Majesty,” said Peep with a hearty chuckle. “Maybe that’s the reason his uniform is so tight, to push the blood to his brain.”
“Don’t start me laughing, Peep. I’m having a hard enough time keeping a straight face. I’m not sure how he is going to stand up and leave the room with the rip in his pants. You can see the ragged edges falling off the chair.”
“Poochy of Eros, did you understand the last question?” asked Saturna smiling sweetly.
“Oh yes My Queen, you see if I was your husband, you’d have to make me King because the male is in charge of the female. I’d run the kingdom and your only job would be to have children.”
Incredibly proud of his answer, Poochy beamed. If it hadn’t been for the rip in his pants, he would have fallen to his knees right there to ask for Saturna’s hand in marriage. He had a strong feeling she was going to choose him. I’m goi
ng to be King, he thought, turning to grin at his father.
“Thank you, Poochy of Eros. That will be all, you are dismissed,” said Saturna, now straight faced.
Poochy didn’t rise from the chair, but carried it on his bottom, taking very small steps as he walked backwards towards the exit, trying to look regal. Many in the crowd snickered and it was extremely hard for Saturna and Peep not to laugh.
“A comedic entrance and exit,” said Peep, plopping down on an outcropping of the throne’s scroll work.
Saturna had to avoid looking at Poochy so she wouldn’t laugh with the others. He grinned stupidly at her as he continued to slowly fumble his way backwards, holding the wooden chair over the rip in his pants. Turning Saturna saw Anton smiling encouragingly. When their eyes met, she read his thoughts. “That was fast thinking on Poochy’s part. A potential King caught with a hole in his pants.”
Saturna frowned and said with her mind link. “Anton really, it was a terrible occurrence. And he definitely is not a potential King, or even close to one.” She was quickly jarred back to reality with the next announcement.
“Your Majesty, I would like to present Prince Byl of Mevot, son of King Lik. Mevot’s gift to the crown is a cape of woven xabon, the warmest and rarest material in the Solar System,” said Oron.
Into the audience room lumbered an extremely large inhabitant, at least twice the height of Saturna, with fine blond fur covering all exposed body parts, except his face. He was dressed in an impressive navy suit of woven xabon with a simple ten carat diamond hanging around his neck. When he approached the throne he made a sweeping, elegant bow.
“Queen Saturna, I have waited for this moment my whole life. You are most beautiful,” he said, full of confidence as he graciously accepted the chair provided.
“Thank you Prince Byl.”
Going into her auri, Saturna quickly contacted Gondee. “Gondee, please remind me of why he is a prince. I know there is a kingdom on Mevot, but I was unaware of another royal family.”
“He is prince in name only, My Queen. The kingdom on Mevot is thousands of years old. It was created long before they were part of the Zardian Solar System,” replied Gondee.
Taking a moment to consider this, Saturna shifted in her seat. Another royal family with a King, she would have to uncover more about the history of the remote planet Mevot.
“Prince Byl, if you were to become my husband, how would you adapt to living on the planet Zard as you come from a planet that is the farthest from our sun?”
Smiling, the Prince looked directly into Saturna’s eyes. “It would be most difficult for me as I already find your planet extremely warm. I propose we rule on Zard for one half of the year and rule from Mevot for the second half.”
“Don’t you feel the kingdom should be more centrally located to deal with immediate issues and problems?” asked Saturna in reply.
“No I do not! Our kingdom on Mevot is much older than the one on Zard and although our castle is imbedded inside the rock of a mountain, it’s just as nice as this,” said Byl, critically waving his arm in front of him.
“I don’t challenge you on how your kingdom on Mevot looks, Prince Byl, as I’m sure it is very lovely. I ask about ruling the Solar System for half the year from a planet that is at the edge of the galaxy,” replied Saturna sternly, narrowing her eyes at his rudeness.
“It wouldn’t be a problem. But unless you visit Mevot you can’t possibly understand, My Queen!” he said in a loud and arrogant tone.
“Peep,” called Saturna, “is Byl being rude to me?”
“He’s not intentionally being rude, he’s feeling threatened,” said Peep quietly.
“It has been a pleasure to meet you, Prince Byl. Thank you for your gift. You are now dismissed,” said Saturna, waving her hand in exactly the same way Byl had done.
Saturna waited until the Prince left the room and then took a deep breath. These last interviews were grueling to say the least. None of the so called ‘royal bachelors’ had anything in common with her. She didn’t see many likable qualities and couldn’t imagine marrying any of them. There was only one more bachelor left to see and then she could retire to her chambers. It had been a horrid afternoon.
“Your Majesty, may I present Ari of Zard, son of Earl Nilis,” said Oron, “His gift is a snow white heppal, born yesterday, the only one of this color on the planet Zard.”
Standing in front of her was a very young, but attractive male, with hair the color of hers and terrified dark green eyes. He appeared nervous when he bowed and said in a quivering voice, “I come to pay my respect to you and your late father, My Queen.”
“Please be seated, Ari of Zard,” replied Saturna gently, sensing his fear.
Not understanding why such a young Zardite had been chosen from her birth planet, she again consulted Gondee about this through her auri.
“He is three years younger than you, My Queen, and the only eligible royal male coming of marriageable age on Zard,” said Gondee.
Saturna was unsure of what to ask the child and felt badly watching him fidget in the chair anxiously eyeing the large crowd of observers. His parents stood across from him and his mother wrung her hands as she stared nervously from Saturna to her son. Ari had obviously been told what to say and the pressure to please Saturna was a heavy burden upon his shoulders.
Not wanting to be seen to favor the planet Zard, Saturna was forced to leave him sitting in the chair below her, although she longed to ask him to come closer to the throne, as she would have done with any child of her kingdom. She wondered what to ask him because questions about the Solar System or about being a possible candidate for her husband were absurd.
“Ari tell me, have you seen your gift to me, this snow white heppal?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I have,” replied Ari, looking shyly up from the floor towards the throne.
“Well then, what does it look like? I have a dark brown and red heppal, named Fire and have never seen a white one.”
Ari broke into a beautiful smile and answered softly. “She is very small and beautiful and stood up for the first time, when I called to her. Her coat is pure white, which is unusual because her father is dark grey and her mother beige.”
“How wonderful. When you called to her, did you call her by name?” asked Saturna, returning his smile.
“Yes,” said Ari, becoming animated. “I called her Snowlace because she looked so delicate standing beside her mother.” He beamed as he explained the encounter at the stables that morning.
“Then her name will be Snowlace, and tomorrow I would be honored if you’d take me to see her.”
“I would like that very much, My Queen.”
“Ari of Zard, you are dismissed.”
The audience room began to empty and the eligible bachelors and their families returned to the waiting room for instructions. They were told Saturna would make her decision within the month and that each and every one of them would be informed of her choice.
Detis stood leaning against the doorframe of the waiting room, scrutinizing the bachelors and listening to Oron banter on. She had been late in arriving to the audience room and had missed the interviews, which was too bad! She had been looking forward to analyzing the most eligible males in the kingdom. Who would Saturna choose? They were all unattractive losers, as far as she was concerned, except maybe the Prince from Mevot. But whatever the results, nothing would matter after tonight! Detis opened the piece of paper in her hand and read it once more. The pod is ready and in place. Ripping the note into shreds, she smiled smugly and dropped the pieces onto the floor, exiting the room with a swish of her skirt.