Beyond?

“The Zait's main mansion is a very demanding workplace. I would never send a trainee there. First are the stables. You have to deal with the nightmares there. If you aren't careful you'll be their next meal. The other issue is the extensive garden area around the main mansion with the training hall. You have to be a very fast runner, or their pet will take a bite from you.

It's not an easy task to do all the work while running at full speed from an oversized cat.”

-Gardener.

***Free City States of Nict, Tri***

***Valeria***

It has been over a year since that vixen dug her claws into my brother. My kind big brother! I can't let him fall prey to someone like her. On top she doesn't even belong to one of the great clans.

She must've enchanted him somehow. Brother would never do something which could fall back on the family. The problem I face is that both of them got really good at hiding from me.

And he doesn't talk to me about her. He never had any secrets from me before. And he is spending less time with me! How can he value that vixen more than me! I am his sister and the future head of the clan.

Someone knocks on the door to my room and I am awoken from my worries. “Yes?”

My father opens the door. He looks a little disturbed whenever he sees my room. I wonder why. There is just a bed, chests, wardrobe, mirrors, working table and few paintings of my family here. Nothing to be disturbed about.

Sorry, but painting is my hobby. I don't want to throw my creations away and mother doesn't allow me to put them on display throughout the house.

His gaze turns from the pictures towards me and he smiles. “Valda announced a family meeting. There is something which she wants to discuss with everyone.”

I put my pencil down onto the table and exit my room to follow my father. “It's unusual that she wishes for us to meet like this. Did something important come up? Something that affects the clan?”

Father shrugs his shoulders. “She didn't tell me. I suppose she has an important announcement to make. Otherwise she wouldn't manage the situation in this manner.”

So I follow my father in silence until we reach the big living room. My mother is already there with my brother sitting on the couch. Valda gestures for us to take a seat beside my brother and we sit down.

I survey the room while my mother seems to collect her thoughts. We are sitting on the big couch in the middle of the room. On the floor is the expensive carpet which my mother cherishes so much. A low table separates us from my mother, who is standing in front of us. There are no pictures on the walls, but an impressive big clock is hanging at the wall behind my mother. My brother built it, he is good with things like that.

The wall to our left is taken up by a single big window. You can take a look at our riding range and the stable from there. Father's nightmares are housed there. He loves to take care of them in his free time. Though I find it creepy that someone would ride on an animal which is able to take off one's head with a single bite.

The sabretooth which guards the gardens around the main mansion is much friendlier than them. And she even comes to get stroked when she is in the right mood.

“Okay. Then I'll get directly to the point.” Valda focuses Azir with her eyes. “Azir, you are about to turn twenty and I am running out of excuses.”

“Excuses?” Azir asks baffled.

“The other great clans are annoying me with with their attempts to pair you up with their offspring. And since you are still without a proper relationship in that regard I can't even say 'No!' to them.” Valda crosses her arms in front of her chest. “What I want to tell you is this. Find a girlfriend or I'll choose one for you.”

Azir looks perplexed at Valda. “That isn't so easy. There isn't someone whom I like that much.” He scratches his chest, something he always does when he lies. Liar! He is surely thinking about that Stella!

“Then what about Talia? She is a nice girl and a clan member on top.” Valda asks with raised eyebrows.

Azir calls out in shock. “No! She is in a relationship with Karsen! That would be creepy as hell.”

“I am the clan head. If I say that she takes you, she takes you. But if you don't want to then who else? Who was that other girl who visits from time to time? Lulu? No, Louise. She is a Siorda. That would be fine with me.” Valda tilts her head questioningly.

I call out before I know it. “No, Mom!” I don't want my brother to be taken away from home! I would see him even less and he would have to move if he marries someone from outside. “There is an issue with Louise. She is... erm. She likes girls.” I nod vehemently.

Mother is unfazed by this revelation. “Something like that can be hushed up. Nobody will say a word once there is some young blood incoming.”

Azir tries to smile. “Can I have at least some time to think about the options?”

“Sure, sure. In the meantime I'll start official negotiations with the other clans and search for the best deal for you. If you don't bring me someone by the time you turn twenty I'll take that decision from you. Everything is fine as long as you don't fall for a Tinn! The Veit are becoming really annoying too.” She nods and strolls out of the room. “It'll be wonderful once Ingrid's and Annice's advances stop!”

Brother purses his lips and whispers. “You mean that you'll search for the best deal for the clan.”

My father places his hand on my brother's shoulder. “It's only half as bad. There are still a few months before you turn twenty. I am sure that you'll find a nice girl by then. I courted your mother when I was eighteen. You are a late bloomer compared to me. Hahahaha.” He stands up and leaves the room.

I grab Brother's hand. “Don't worry! I'll protect you. There are two nice girls from my class if you aren't able to find someone your age.” And they are Zait. So you could stay with us. “And if you are into older ones I can introduce you to a nice one. She is just four years older and about to become a teacher. I know you like the intellectual type.” Of course she is also a Zait.

Azir pats my head and smiles. “Thanks, but I think I'll manage to find a solution.”

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Stella***

“Let's run away! We can settle down in some far away country.” Azir is holding my hand and smiles at me.

“Hah?” What's going on? We just met up in the university park's maze and he hits me with such a line right off the bat!

“My mother told me that I have to find a girlfriend by the time I turn twenty, or she'll pair me up with someone. Annice and Olivia were on my heels since I came to school. Looks like they somehow got wind that my mother is negotiating with the other clans! If I hadn't managed to play them against each other I wouldn't have been able to meet you.” He drops his head.

I try to smile, even though I don't like what I just heard. She is already negotiating with the other clans? What if she gets an offer that can't be refused? Azir is a well known asset. I am sure that someone will offer more than she can refuse sooner or later. “Why don't we try to calm down first. This doesn't sound like you Azir. Normally you are very cool and logical. Running away isn't a solution. And there should be some time left.” But my plan to become famous and enter Azir's clan on my own terms is busted. That's for sure.

“You are right. I may have lost my head when my mother suggested to take Talia.” He fiddles with his fingers.

“T... Talia? But she is with Karsen!” I call out.

“Yeah. That would be one awkward situation.” He nods. “Okay. You are right. And I actually don't want to leave my family. So I have to do something about the system which is forcing my mother to consider this. I simply have to take over the fucking country.” He looks at me. “Do you think they would listen to my demands if I shut down the Gates?”

I gasp. “Huh? You can't shut them down! They are essential for the whole country! And they are indestructible, so it wouldn't work out anyway. There is a reason why they survived the war.”

“Actually it's not so hard. I just have link up to them with the proper controls and shut them down. It's all explained in the library's books. But you are right. Everyone would try to hunt me down. They need a demonstration of power. I could build something to blow up the capital! Do you think they would listen then?” He smiles at me.

“No! You can't blow up the capital!” The worst thing is that I believe that he isn't joking! “Look. I have been selfish up until now. Your girlfriend will solve this situation. We love each other right?”

He nods. “Of course I love you. Why do you think I am even considering this? Why do you think I am shaken up? And how do you want to solve this. Wouldn't you break your bargain?”

I grab his head at his cheeks and kiss him. After several seconds we separate again. “I'll try to misuse my power. Just don't do anything rash until I am back.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Ah, no problem. Constructing a nuke will take some time. Actually...”

I grab his left horn and pull him down to my level in order to look into his eyes. “No violence. No bombs. No shutting down the Gates! Wait for me.”

Azir nods and I hug him. “I'll be back as fast as possible.”

So I untangle myself from him and stand up. After one last smile I leave to exit the maze. It's an annoying set of bushes which defy every logic. So I change the density of my body and walk out of the maze in a straight line.

Only the highest members of my clan can transmute their own bodies in a way like this. Then I run towards the open area which is used by the public carriage drivers. Without asking I hop onto one of the free carriages and drop a few copper coins into the waiting hands of the driver. “To the palace.”

The driver raises an eyebrow, but he doesn't ask any further questions. I don't look like a person who would have any business at the palace.

I start gnawing on my fingernail while the monotone streets of Nict pass by. I don't have many negotiation tokens with my mother. To be honest I have just one. And she doesn't even really need me in that regard. She could still say no if she deems my request as unnecessary.

After all I am just the useless second princess who is selfish enough to value her own interests higher than the family. My big sister is the one who'll become the clan leader. That's the only reason why I was allowed so much freedom.

As a child I struck a deal with my mother. I hated the strict private tutors and teachers which were forced upon me. So I pestered and annoyed my mother until she allowed me to go to school. Normally the Gejene don't send their children to any school and give them the best possible private teachers and tutors instead. All you have to do is to go to the tests at the university.

My mother gave in after a while, but she had conditions. I would gain no help from her and would have to deal with everything on my own. And if my identity would ever be uncovered I would have to return to the palace. If I manage to get through my education by using just my own power, she promised that I wouldn't have to fulfil my responsibilities as the second princess.

That would've meant a political marriage for sure and that I would have to go on diplomatic missions and such.

But my priorities changed from doing my own thing to being with Azir. I awake from my thoughts when the carriage stops and the driver grunts to wake me up. I get out of the carriage fast and look at the big looming palace in front of me. The palace is very close to the university, so it didn't take long to get here. The twin towers which are the most impressive feature of the palace spike high up into the air, piercing the clouds.

I look towards the guarded entrance. Ten guards in silver armour are blocking my way. But I don't intend to bother myself with them. Instead I take one of the small alleyways and walk along the walls of the palace, constantly looking out for people.

In an opportune moment I transmute a hole into the palace's wall and step through, closing the hole behind me. I find myself in a tight secret passage. The whole palace is criss crossed with many such passages and I doubt that even the Gejene know all of them.

I walk the network of passages until I reach my family's private quarters. There I shift through another wall and stand directly in front of my mother's working room. Raising my hand to knock on the door, I stop.

Retreating my hand I start massaging my face instead. This has to be played right. My mother isn't exactly evil, but she can be a bitch at times. She is living for the purpose of keeping the country together and she doesn't let any chance slip to educate her children in negotiation tactics. Actually, my big sister already got several blue eyes by not talking properly to her or missing out some details. If one thing is sure then it's that my mother will see to it that my mistakes will fall back on me.

Finally I gather all my courage and knock onto the door.

“Enter.”

I step inside and find my mother in her small, spartan working room. There's just one window across from the entrance. She is sitting with her back towards it at her writing table, facing me and the entrance. The light of the window is making it hard to look at her, but that's intended. All the free space on the walls is taken up by shelves, which are filled with scrolls, documents and books.

Helen Gejene moves her eyes towards me, looking up from the document in front of her. She points at the chair for visitors across from her.

Her hair is silver, like all members of the main clan wear it. Though it's no problem for us to change the colour at will. It comes with our ability. Her face is slender with sharp eyes and she insists on adding a few slight wrinkles to show her age.

I hurry forward and sit down in front of her. “Hi, Mom!”

Helen sighs and continues to write her document. “What's up, my little, black sheep.” She asks with an affectionate voice.

I place my hands onto my knees to keep myself from giving away my nervousness. “Actually I wanted to talk about our little bet. You know. The one where I get to do what I want if I get through the university without help.”

She grumbles and nods, still not giving me her full attention. “Do you give up?”

“Actually no. I just wanted to know what you think. I am about to win. Just a little more than five years left. I bet you thought that I'd give up within the first week. After all you made the bargain with a little child.” I smile at her.

Helen doesn't look up. “I'll admit that I thought you would give up in no time. I was wrong about that.”

“I want to make you another offer.” Now it'll get interesting.

Helen shakes her head, her attention is still at the document. “It seems like the last deal I struck with you will cost me dearly. I think it's better to pass on that one. Otherwise you'll take the nation away from me.”

I nod. “Not even if I promise to fulfil my duties as the second daughter of the clan head?”

My mother doesn't look up, but her writing became a little slower. “My dear daughter, who fought with all her might to avoid her duties. Who wanted to be free and live a normal life. Is there an impostor sitting in front of me? What could you possibly want? You already invested over ten years to achieve your wish.”

“~A guy.~”

*SNAP*

Helen starts coughing and puts down her broken pencil. Then she sits up and looks properly into my eyes for the first time since we started this discussion. “I am listening?”

Now I have her attention. “I love someone. His name is Azir Zait and he is my friend. Boyfriend, to make this clear. His mother gave in to the pressure of the other clans and gave him a time limit to find a good match. If you can shoo away the vultures and strike a deal with the Zait in my favour our previous deal about my freedom is void. I can't face his mother in my current identity.”

Helen looks at me for several long moments. Then she pulls a file from a pile of documents and looks at it. I strain my neck to find out what she is reading, but all I see is Azir's name in the first line of the report.

After a while she snickers. “My daughter wants a guy.”

***Free City States of Nict, Tri***

***Azir***

I sigh another time as I open the door to our mansion. Stella didn't show up after she pulled off her vanishing trick once again. I hope that she'll stop doing that at some point.

This was a hard day. Annice and Olivia made me almost mad. And my sister brought me to the verge of hitting her with her attempts to match me with various girls she deemed worthy. Of course all of them belonged to a branch family of ours. So I soon realized what she was trying to do.

As I open the door my father flies into my face. “SON! What did you do?” He grabs my robe at my chest and starts shaking me.

“I don't know what you are talking about. I did nothing.” I try to get his hands off, but he pulls me closer.

“The Gejene are here! You did something! And not just any Gejene! It's their clan head! The fucking leader of the country! And we hadn't time to make any preparations! They just waltzed in! And they want to see you.” He seems a little shaken.

“Brother! This is bad. Does this mean that they are here to...” She grabs my hand. “You have to run away! I'll... OW!” Valeria cowers down while holding her head.

My father gave her a clout faster than I could see. “Don't speak nonsense! They are the leaders of the country. If they say so the whole country turns against us.” He looks at me. “They are in the living room.”

This day is getting worse and worse! That's the first time my father hit my sister. “I'll go and take a look.” And I have to find out how to solve this disaster. Maybe I should take the Gejene hostage while they are away from their guards.

I make my way to the indicated location and open the door. But what I find there baffles me. My mother is sitting there with her legs crossed, a cup of tea in her hands.

Facing her are two silver haired women. The older one is wearing a formal dress without many decorations, but her aura clearly tells that crossing her won't be accepted. The younger woman at her side is definitely related to her and wearing a beautiful white and silver dress which emphasizes her hair colour.

“~Azir!~” The young woman jumps up and runs towards me, jumping into my arms.

I have no choice but to catch her in a princess carry. Next she presses her cheek against mine and almost strangles me by putting her arms around me.

“St... Stella! Forgive me, but what's going on here?” My head feels a little strange at the moment. Stella is a Gejene? “What happened to your hair?”

“Jeez. Is that all you are concerned about, fiancé?” Her hair changes back to black and white. “I could also wear some other colours if you like that better.” She puts her mouth to my ear and whispers.

“~I could also change some other things, like my three sizes.~” Her tail wriggles possessively around my left leg.

I feel the blood draining from my head. “F... fiancé?” I feel really stupid right now.

.