Page 11 of Nanny for the Alien Prince (Alien Recruitment Agency #4)

10

NATH

I sat on one side of a large table known as the Ergaykhos.

It was carved from the pubic bone of a long-extinct species from the Ordres’ homeworld.

In school, we were taught it was roughly translated as ‘negotiation’ but in reality, if you understood the subtle nuances of the Ordres language, its real meaning was ‘victory.’

I sat alone on my side while five high-ranking Ordres sat on the other.

In their culture, it was seen as a sign of disrespect to have so few negotiators to compete with.

But they should have understood that I had nothing but contempt for them.

As they trotted out their demands, I merely sat and listened.

I put up a slow, drawn-out response to each of their requirements, knowing I had zero intention of keeping any of them.

I was there to buy time and I was going to drag the process out every chance I got .

“We request access to your colonies,” the Chief Ulsen negotiator said, “to establish effective trade.”

Translation: They wanted to continue to pillage and pilfer from our colonists and murder them without consequences.

I felt my blood boil but I maintained my calm.

“Each of our colonies can trade with you or anyone else as they wish or do not wish. Power is not centralized for this very reason.”

“Then perhaps it should be centralized.”

I ground my teeth and bit down on my rage.

These negotiations were going to be tougher than I thought!

I went on to discuss the long history of the Ulsen, going into so much detail that even Elijax would have been bored.

Once again, I was aiming for time.

I let my mouth speak, regurgitating textbooks I had been forced to memorize in my youth.

Who would have thought it would actually turn out to be of use?

I let my mind drift off to the previous night, so different from this one that it was barely believable.

The feel of Amelia’s skin on mine, the hitch of her breath with every touch…

My body quivering, my scales shivering with every stroke of her hand on my arms…

I had everything I’d ever wanted, and now, because of these disgusting creatures sat opposite me, I stood to lose it all.

If I had been Emperor, we would already be at war, and many of their colonies would now be smoldering ruins.

They would have retaliated and killed our people, but they were doing that anyway .

At least this way, we could absorb the losses quickly.

I never realized how dangerous our position had been before.

Only now could I see the divergence of interests so clearly.

The merchants, the lords, and the ‘elites’ of our society had sold the people out.

I didn’t know what role the royal family had played in the deception but I couldn’t believe we were entirely innocent.

If I had been Emperor, I would have stopped it immediately.

But I wasn’t Emperor.

I didn’t have those powers yet, and the ones I did have were bestowed upon me by my father.

I was sure my ultimatum to him would hit a nerve, surely even he would be able to step back and see the mistakes we had made over the past few decades with the Ordres?

Surely he would not allow it to continue?

If he really was so weak, then there was no hope for the Ulsen.

We would be at the Ordres’ mercy and in a position where we might not be able to fight back.

I couldn’t believe I had been so blind to the obvious divergence.

The pride and honor and respectability of the people versus the corruption of their officials and leaders.

How could I have been so naive?

The answer was simple.

They controlled the information that I received.

They told me what I could and could not know, and I had, like a fool, accepted it .

I had eaten their junk and came out with junk opinions, junk views, and junk decisions.

Well, no more.

I was awake now and privy to the truth.

I would not allow their corruption to go unpunished.

I had needed to see my father’s face when I told him my ultimatum.

I had needed to look into his eyes when I said it, needed him to know I was serious, that I would carry through with it, that this was his one chance to keep his last remaining heir to the throne in the line of succession.

The advisers would side with him.

If he decided to betray his one remaining son, then so be it.

But he would do it knowingly.

I would never ordinarily turn the military on our own people, would never force them to choose sides, but these were extraordinary circumstances, and extraordinary circumstances required extraordinary measures.

The kidnapping of Elijax was but a starting bell, a trigger for the change that had been needed for far too long.

Finally, it was here, and it would be a sour pill for those who had disgraced for themselves to swallow.

Now, they stood to prove themselves and others that they were worthy of the status and position and wealth they had accumulated.

They could either side with the Ordres and their corruption or they could side with our people.

No longer could they ride both Shriim.

They must make a choice, and the choice would be simple.

But right now, I needed to focus .

Keep talking.

Buy time.

Give the Death Squad the time they needed to find Elijax and get out of here.