It was humid but not unpleasant.

The second thing she noticed was the distinct lack of any human sounds or smells. The dome completely cut off anything from the outside. Which meant, They were free to enjoy the rainforest as they strolled.

If only there weren't any other people or families with their kids also wandering about. At least, they were few and far between.

Singing birds, the rustling and scents of trees, the sound of boars, streams and so many more. Even though it was all controlled and treated more like a zoo than an actual nature reserve, she actually enjoyed it.

So much that she completely forgot the emptiness weighing down on her.

‘He must’ve known that this would help calm me down. It’s only too bad he didn’t think of actually stopping all of this beforehand. But that’s just how he is. So careless and yet, so attentive…’

The toy didn’t say a thing while they walked.

However, she could swear that it seemed ready to pounce whenever there was a squirrel or small bird nearby. Just now, it stopped to stare at the capybaras next to the stream.

"Tsk. What are you doing? We're already late because we had to head for the clinic. Do I have to pull you by the hair again?"

"Please forgive me, Mistress!" It quickly grabbed the hem of its skirt and lowered its head. "I promise not to get distracted anymore!"

"I thought I told you I don’t like your voice? Keep your words to the bare minimum unless I tell you otherwise, got it?"

"...yes."

At this point, even she knew she was just being childish. But she couldn't stop herself. Nor did she want to.

But soon enough, they arrived and the map disappeared from view.

The Apiary.

It was a not-so-busy one floor, open air restaurant, made primarily out of wood, surrounded by a blooming sea of many different flowers.

It was like an entirely separate ecosystem superimposed onto the rainforest, and the closer they got, the more prominent the sound of bees became.

‘He always had a good eye for aesthetics.’

She couldn't help but smile. Because these brief but ever sweet moments where she could forget about her problems, were a blessing.

Unfortunately, that was all the reprieve, she was to be afforded.

"That's Count Dahl's estranged wife, is it not?" It was the same woman from before. Still blatantly gossiping. Guila recognized her now to be a Baroness. One of the louder voices in Imperial Society who ridiculed her constantly.

"I heard that before being wed, she was constantly sneaking into factories to sleep with the working men."

"Oh my! Typical Federation tramp, no sense of restraint nor chastity!"

"I feel so sorry for the great Count, being forced to take in such a shameful thing for a wife. Isn't that why she is yet to sire him a child? Oh my, now that I think about it, isn’t that also the reason the doll was finally made?"

"Because not even our machines can rid her of all the congenital diseases, right?"

"I thought that was just a rumor! But if my Lady is saying it, then it must be true!"

Five women, seated around a table in an outdoor cafe, with five more men around them, watching them.

Fifteen minutes was all she got. After a decade of constant emotional suffering. But she was okay with it. Because that was more than enough time to make what she was about to do, completely worth it.

She walked up to the laughing Baroness and raised her hand.

Suddenly, they all went quiet and their butlers raised their brows.

A second of strained silence formed between everyone before she threw a backhand with all her strength.

The five rings she wore on her right, were rubies and pink diamonds embedded in platinum and gold. Each one was worth exponentially more than the last. So the feel of her flesh resisting as Guila dragged her hand across her face, was intensely euphoric.

Or at least, it would've been.

No matter how much rage she harbored for this gossiping whore, she couldn't bring shame to her husband. If she lashed out here, she’d be quickly apprehended and he would become a laughingstock - an impotent man that couldn't control his wife.

But she wasn't going to just keep accepting either.

This so-called noble who's never worked for anything and who's only value came from who she slept with, had been a pain in her side for far too long.

She just needed a second to think it over.

"Excuse me, Barone-"

"Guila." But just then, a man called out her name.

Even though it was just her name, every word that he ever spoke was also a command; to turn around and lower her head. To acknowledge his presence and act accordingly. And so, she did. With her hands on over her womb.

"Lord Count!"

"Count Dahl!"

"Your excellence, please pardon us!"

The synchronized sound of the men's salutes, preceded the women's panicked attempts to get up and show respect. To the point that they spoke over each other.

"I was wondering what took so long. Catching up with old friends, I see?"

"... yes, dear." I answered. "I'm sorry for taking so long."

"I don't blame you, Guila. But there is a lot we have to talk about. None of you mind, do you?"

"Of course not, Lord Count! We'd dare not keep you waiting any longer!"

She was only able to see his black suit pants and leather shoes when he approached, but she didn't dare to raise my head any further. Nor did anyone else here.

No. There was one. Of course, only the owner of the sickeningly familiar pair of magenta pumps and tanned legs diagonally behind him, wouldn't bow.

"You heard them." He offered his left hand, adorned only by a solitary ring on his fourth finger. "Let us be off. A cold dinner is no dinner at all."

"Yes…" Guila reached for his wide outstretched palm with trembling hands.

What exactly had that doll told him?! If she hadn't told him yet, then what if she took this chance to do so?! All of a sudden, realized how soft she had been to it.

"Guila." He turned around just as they were about to enter the restaurant. "What are you-"

His voice was cut off by a deafening explosion which flickered all the lights. Then came tumbling trees, running soil, bleating animals, shattering glass and shrill screams. Everything around them trembled and shook.

In her panic, she pulled her hand back to cover her head.

But then, everything around her flew up in a rapid blur. Her husband's hand was getting farther away.

‘Ah.

So you can make that kind of face for me…

'It's okay.

I only hope your eyes are worse than mine. So that you didn't have to worry about looking for me.

Disappearing into an abyss, is exactly what a tramp like me deserves.'

It wasn't long until all the light around her, was consumed by the darkness.

'… you'd better not die, doll. What's the point of being a replacement, if you can't even outlast me?

Serve him as best as you can. He deserves nothing less.’

*** *** ***

[Attention all passengers. Due to experiencing technical difficulties, we will weaken the artificial gravity to allow for faster rescues and recovery. Please do not be alarmed. It will be over very soon.]

With the noise canceling glass now out of the way, the flurry of blaring announcements could finally be heard. But even that felt quiet amidst the creaking and snapping of the vessel.

"... Guila…"

However, despite all the chaos, one large, black-haired man remained still, staring into the lightless abyss of mangled steel and earth which his wife disappeared into.

He glanced to his right and also found no trace of the magenta-haired Vulpina. Instead, there was just another part of the massive gap that led straight down.

The Nature Reserve had crumbled down in a rough shape around him. Nor did any glass fall upon him. But when he finally felt himself float off the floor, he knew neither his wife nor his Vulpina were blessed with the same luck he was.

"... I lost both of them…" Count Dahl muttered as he slowly rose to his feet - straightened his suit and patted down his legs. Then he turned around to see a large group approaching quickly from beyond the ruined Apiary.

It was two-dozen other men in uniform attire, led by a mirror image of him.

The same exact outfit, the same sized gut that spilled over their belts, the same round, yet shapely face, but different hairstyles. The Count's was slicked back, while the other man's hair was combed upwards.

"Hiiro, why did this happen?"

"Forgive me, brother. I do not know." The other man said, before catching a glance of the still-sealed viewing decks. "But Serenity has been in warp drive for the past twenty minutes. My guess is that the ship can't handle the stress."

"So it's the pilot's fault. Is this supposed to be some last hurrah for them, or a call to action?" The Count spoke coldly, with a glare that seared right through his brother. "Whatever it is, I want them dead and this vessel stopped, Hiiro."

"We'll all be dead anyway if this keeps going! But how do you intend to do it? Even if we retrieve our shipments, we can't arm our men. The release key went down with-."

"I have it." He clenched his fists before walking away from where Guila disappeared into. In his fist was an ornate, golden ring adorned with expensive pink diamonds.

Guila's wedding ring, in the same hand which held her just moments ago.

"... you do...?" The older brother paused agape, but soon gave a resolute nod. "Alright, then. Men, move out! For now, arm yourselves with anything that you can!"