“Later ham sandwiches,” Prime called out as he left for his meeting with the head priest of the temple.

“What’s a ham sandwich?” my attendant, Priss, asked.

“I have no idea...” I answered absently.

Prime was cute in a small animal sort of way, and certainly intelligent given the amazing concepts that he comes up with, but more often than not I could not begin to fathom what went on in his mind. He will say the strangest of things on occasion. I can only assume that the phrases that he uses are from his former world.

I had been perusing the various martial manuscripts that Prime had collected and passed on to me while he worked on whatever project it was that had ensnared his attention this time, but I had my own schedule to keep. There would be time enough for study later.

“Priss, are you ready for me? I am ready to change from my night clothes now,” I informed my maid.

I knew that since I no longer required sleep that there was little point to changing into night clothes but the ritual of it afforded me a mental respite that allowed me to relax in the evening. My dear Prime never showed any interest in fashion or in clothes at all. Granted, his body type looks more like a set of halfling armor than mine but perhaps the people of his former world did not wear clothing and it all feels strange to him. There are certainly various species within the Empire that have no interest in clothing so it would not be unheard of.

As I thought of these things, I allowed Priss to disrobe me. I had selected today’s dress from the wardrobe last evening and it was already laid out upon the bed. It was a fuller dress than I preferred, but it couldn’t be helped given the importance of the day’s events. While I did miss the feeling of resting in a comfortable bed, sleepy and cozy beneath the comforter, I most certainly did not miss the binding feeling of my corset restricting my breath or the weight of entirely too many layers of petticoat, underskirts, and over skirts. While my conversion to an Automata came at a terrible cost, there were also benefits.

As if to deliver the point true, Priss pulled hard on the corset laces to cinch me in while I felt no discomfort in any way. One would wonder how I ever withstood such torture a scant six months ago. Still, it would be nice to be soft and huggable from time to time again. I would have Prime work on developing the technology for it. Knowing him, he has likely already considered such things and is already working on the problem for my sake.

The dress I chose for the occasion was black, of course, with pink underskirts that would allow for brief flashes of color as I walked. It couldn’t be too opulent but then neither could it be too simple. I was present as a representative of both the Empire and of my brother. The bodice was tight fitting with overlapping layers that mimicked the scales of dragons, converging to a point that joined a high collar and exposed my shoulders. The back was left open and exposed by the dress but would be covered by my hair.

A small breast plate of gold and silver in the style of a flying dragon with wings spread and inlaid pink gem eyes fit over the bodice. The theme was extended to a matching set of bracers that sat atop full arm length gloves. My day-to-day crown, with its dainty horns, was set aside and locked in Priss’s [storage] in favor of my formal crown. The horns of my formal crown were probably a bit larger than my station should allow but my dear brother insisted and had the crown commissioned for my 16th birthday.

With a thought, my hair adjusted itself from my evening single plait to bouncy curls that cascaded down my back with three plaits resting gently atop. My hair no longer needed adornment to keep it in place but Priss affixed a hair band that, again, resembled a small golden dragon onto the crown of my head. Its wings spread majestically, sweeping forward along either side of my head giving me an almost four horned look. It was cute and a shame that my Prime was not there to appreciate it.

He had yet to fawn over me but I was certain that it would only be a matter of time. He expressed his love for me in other ways that may not seem to be obvious at first blush but I was learning to recognize them for what they were. Only I was able to see just the depths of his love and in a way it became a secret for just us to share, but I digress.

I brought my attending maid Priss along with my guard captain, Wendy, with me for the first day of the Peace Conference. For the subsequent days, I would see to it that I would be permitted to bring Prime with me. I was grateful that Milli would be there with me, if remotely, and would handle the actual dialogue. I would still be required to conduct myself as a proper representative, nonetheless.

As we passed the grand pavilion to the conference hall, I found myself walking alongside my childhood friend, Princess Charitomeni Savra Jalagros, First Princess of Jalagrorun, Heir to the Crown, and delegate of the Capital city of Irrathera. She was accompanied by the Captain of her guard and her attendant, like me.

“Good morning, your Highness,” I sang in a teasingly sweet tone.

Char looked up at me and gently put a finger to her lips in thought.

“My dear Relena, where is your young man?” she asked in an equally teasing tone.

“I fear that he has caught the interest of our hosts and been summoned away. I do not know the nature of the interview though I am certain that he shall be found to be most worthwhile,” I answered.

“Hmm, perhaps I shall have to interview him myself. If he is as worthwhile as you should have me believe,” she challenged.

“I dare say that when it comes to my Prime, there is more than meets the eye,” I countered.

“Wait, More Than Meets The Eye?” I asked, looking at Lena skeptically.

“Yes, is there something the matter?” she asked, looking confused.

“Uh, no. Please continue,” I prompted.

Char and I exchanged light hearted jabs as we headed into the conference hall. The plot from the human kingdom of Jamnasia may have manipulated our Empire into war but we sustained a great many losses from it as well. I was hopeful that the peace talks would move along smoothly. We had clearly been on the suffering end of things and there was no reason for the other countries to pursue this farcical war.

I found my seat at a long table in the center of the hall. Captain Wendy and Priss found places to stand some distance behind me while the representatives from the other countries found seats opposite me. I felt rather lonely on my side of the table, I must admit.

I was given a seat in the center of the large table. Directly across from me sat Minister Bail, a sunurian from the country of Yliasi, known for their arid climate and rolling plains. Their people were largely nomadic as they guided herds of shornreck to various pastures throughout the year. He wore the loose fitting clothes and turban of his culture, though the choice of fabrics told me that he spent little, if any, time shepherding shornreck. Beyond him stood two attendants. They looked young, possibly kin. He did not have a guard with him though. Ylaisi was governed by council rather than monarch and its members chosen via some sort of trial-- the details I was not privy to. Most sunurians were largely expected to be able to protect themselves rather than rely on others for protection, I believed.

To his left, sat my friend Char with her guard Captain and her lady in waiting standing beyond her. Today she had chosen a cute pink dress with white trim that overlapped in the front. A faint pattern of flowers could be seen playing across the fabric of her dress that complimented the floral like patterns across her back and shoulders. She did not wear a crown, like I did, to denote her station, but instead had an exquisite golden collar inlaid with different patterns and symbols of her lineage.

To the right sat Regent Pahuka, governor of Kaimai, a large hunting post in the Principality of Kokoli. A simian, like his aid Ihu Pua’a, both dressed in clothing that mimicked overlapping leaves. Both wearing smug expressions like they thought they were the smartest people in the room. Just looking at them made me want to preload several offensive spells to have at the ready.

On the table in front of each dignitary were set an illusory font. The fonts were very expensive and only used for important events but they would allow Milli to have a presence at the table. One of the temple staff came around and activated the fonts, starting with the opposing side of the table. As the fonts activated, light burst upwards like a spray of mist taking on the shape and color of that country’s leadership.

Prince Hekili of Kokoli, a silver-backed aperion in his late middle years with broad stature that betrayed a lifetime of strength and command; Prime Minister Beelii of Yliasi, a rotund sunurian with beady eyes and a swarmy face; and King Poniri Savra Jalagros of Jalagrorun, a thin but fit gekkonidae of middle age with kind eyes and a face that was pleasant to look at.

The attendant attempted to activate the font before me that would connect us to Milli, but it failed to work. He looked embarrassed and apologized as he tried again. I raised an eyebrow at him.

“My apologies, your Highness. I will change this font out for another one. Just a moment,” he blurted out, attempting to bow and gather the font at the same time while scurrying off.

“Well now, Princess Relena. It has been some time, has it not?” King Jalagros said, addressing me directly.

“Your Majesty. You are looking well. Yes, I believe it has been a year since Her Highness’s coming of age ball,” I replied, standing to give a proper curtsy.

“Ah yes! We should have another one of those. What fun it was,” he laughed.

“Your Majesty,” Char chimed in, sounding a combination of embarrassed and annoyed. “I regret to inform you that we will never again have another coming of age ball for I can only come of age once per lifetime.”

“Oh pish posh my little Chari, you can come of age as many times as you like,” he joked.

Char rolled her eyes. I liked the King. I liked Char. The Empire had always been friendly with their Kingdom, but we did not actually have any political ties. Jalagrorun did have a political alliance with their neighbor to the north, Yliasi, though. I suspected that they got dragged into this whole mess thanks to that.

As King Jalagros chuckled, the Prime Minister and the Prince exchanged the briefest of glances.

“This is a waste of time. The Empire has no intention of coming to a peaceful agreement,” Prince Hekili spat, his jowls shaking from the effort.

“Oh? Why do you say that, Prince Hekili?” Prime Minister Beelii asked in a comically innocent tone.

“One does not send an assassin to broker peace, much less this... thing... pretending to be the Empire’s Princess.” the Prince barked.

“Thing? Whatever do you mean?” Beelii wondered, a sinister look crawling across his features.

“Just last night, our royal guard were out seeing the sights of Venritk when they were ambushed by this Automata fake and its handlers!”

“What are you on about?” King Jalagros asked, confused.

“You didn’t know? That’s not the real Princess Relena. It’s an Automata fake,” Hekili said, scrunching his nose in derision.

“A fake... Lena?” Char said quietly looking both hurt and confused.

“I assure you that I am very much the real Princess Relena Peacecraft DuFangwell and it was I that was attacked this evening last by a gang of simian nerdowells,” I asserted.

“Unfortunately for you, some witnesses survived your assassination attempt!” Regent Pahuka yelled maniacally, jumping to his feet.

“Why would the Empire wish to assassinate a squad of guards? Do they possess some political value that I am unaware of?” I asked, innocently.

Pahuka ignored my question and brandished a scroll taken from a hidden pocket that he passed back to his aid. Ihu Pua’a took the scroll and unfurled it, casting the embedded spell. A teleportation circle flared to life behind them, opening a portal to whatever point the spell had been bound to.

“A teleportation scroll?” I said incredulously. “Those have been banned across the nations. Only that detestable human country uses them! Just how many people did you have to sacrifice to power such a thing?” I snarled.

“Is that really something you should be worried about, fake Princess?” Pahuka laughed.

Pahuka and Ihu Pua’a stood looking smug as the simian and aperion women from last evening’s attack stepped through the portal along with several of their covert soldiers. I sprang to my feet with such speed that my chair flung backwards. The simian woman unleashed a spell with a broad spread, crystalizing everything in its path.

I cast several layers of [AuraShield], enough to protect myself as well as those behind me, but the spell never reached me. Rather than me, the Regent and his aid were caught in the blast and froze solid within a moment. I was forced to admit that this mage was rather talented with both the speed and breadth of her spell. A feat would have rivaled my ability a year ago.

“What have you done?!” Minister Bail called out. “The Empire has just killed the Kokoli representatives!”

Before I could refute anything, Bail cast a fire spell at me, obliterating a portion of the table and both of the illusory fonts.

“Have you taken leave of your senses you hangin chain shabbaroon?!” Char demanded.

“Your Highness! Quickly! To the exit!” Char’s Captain shouted at her as he attempted to wrestle a sword from one of the simian soldiers.

The Captain was already badly wounded but was still doing his best to provide an opening for his Princess.

“Captain Wendy! I would have your assistance!” I ordered.

Wendy flung herself forward into the fray, tearing off a table leg as she went.

“Ah! Thysia!” Char screamed as her lady in waiting was cut down.

“Char! Make haste! You must get to safety!” I ordered.

I was suddenly gripped by an unseen force that lifted and held me in the air, attempting to squeeze the life from me. I loosed a [FireBolt] for Bail’s feet. The explosion shattered the far half of the table and sent him flinging. The force around me instantly stopped and I dropped to the ground, angered that my spells were only a third as powerful as a proper mage.

I switched to Force Crystals and cast [UnseenHand] to grab Char and pull her away from her fallen maid. She screamed as I threw her towards the exit and out of the reach of the blademan that completed the task of cutting down her Captain.

“Charitomeni, be vigilant! You must survive!” I shouted at her.

She looked relieved then terrified as one of her soldiers burst through the door then flung an ice spell at her. I watched as she clutched at her choker and squeezed her eyes shut before the spell collided with her. As enraged as I was, I was momentarily distracted from my own predicament; which presented Bail the opportunity to strike me with a [force blast].

The attack sent me flying, only to collide with a pillar on the periphery of the room. Before I could even hit the ground, Bail sent a [flaming missile] at me. I switched my crystals back for [AuraShield] and threw my hands forward only to have my maid, Priss, jump in front of me and take the attack on my behalf.

Priss did not fare as well as I might have, unfortunately. The spell exploded on contact and sent parts of Priss flying in all directions. I hoped that my dear Prime would be able to save her later. I hadn’t forgiven her for her role in poisoning my father nor cursing my beloved, and fully intended to have her repay that debt for several more years to come.

I threw myself from the floor at Bail, deflecting his fire attacks and countering his force attacks. With my own force spell, I pulled him off his feet, yanking him into my waiting hand. An ice spell deflected off my shoulder and I staggered slightly. I switched to Ice Crystals and charged just enough cold energy into my palm to catch the follow up spell bolt. Was this what Prime felt like when he caught my [FireBolt]?

Bail’s eyes widened and he scratched futility against my arm, tearing at my gloves. I looked in the direction of the spell caster to see the simian mage give me a wink and disappear through another teleportation portal. Wendy was laying in a heap, covered in wounds, and the simians were all retreating.

Temple guards rushed through the room entrance, accompanied by my own Lieutenant Toadwart and Corporal Baika, as well as several of Char’s guards.

“Help me!” Bail squealed. “The Ice Princess murdered the Kokolians and Princess Charitomeni!”

I glanced down at the still active Ice Bolt in my hand and squeezed it until it burst into a shower of failed spell particles and mana. Toadwart and the Corporal rushed to my side and drew their weapons, pointing them at the temple guards.

“Your orders, your Highness,” Toadwart requested, ready to take whatever action I chose.

I released Bail and he flopped on the ground before scrambling away and escaping through the crowd.

“Stand down,” I ordered. “I shall be fine for the moment. Go and find Prime and inform His Majesty Milliardo of the situation.”

“Your Highness, I’ll have to trouble you to come with us,” a temple guard ordered.

My eyes lingered on the frozen form of my dear, sweet, friend, Charitomeni as they led me away.