Breakfast Discourses

[Dayastra]

Silence filled the hall as the Empress and the Prince took their seats. Everyone knew what had happened, and the air was heavy with tension.

"Now's not a good time, I suppose," Sandra paused, pointing at a chair behind me, "Sit here for now."

Looking back at the chair, I sat down, but my knees hit the table. Any sense of comfort I entered the hall with now dissipated as the mood dampened.

"How is life on Cragholven?" She asked.

"Oh, well, we were fortunate enough to live near the upper levels of the planet. So, crime and pollution weren't a problem," I answered.

"How fortunate. But have you been to the lower levels of the planet before?"

"I have, yes, although very briefly. It was only recently that I had roamed around the lower levels,"

"Ah, I see. What was it like during the brief visit?" She asked.

"Well, I didn't pay much attention to the surroundings. Also, why are you so curious about Cragholven's undercity?" I questioned.

"I apologize if I seem too assertive. I'm just curious about how other worlds handle and manage their undercities," Sandra answered.

"Hm. I understand, but is it, like, personal?"

"Sort of," Sandra paused, with a sheepish grin plastered on her face, " I've always been amazed and curious with how urban centers are planned and managed. Considering that city worlds, or ecumenopoleis, have countless levels, it would be difficult to manage and control every one of those levels."

"Well, if you put it that way, then Cragholven's undercity is even more polluted than the undercities here in Luminaris," I remarked.

"It does seem that way," She chuckled, with a smile on her face, "But Luminaris' undercities are quite troublesome to manage as well."

My eyes looked in the opposite direction, trying to understand what she really meant by that statement.

"I didn't expect that," I said, still confused by what she just stated.

"Well-"

Cling!

Sandra stopped midway as the whole room was silenced as the sound of a single glass echoed through the room. It was the Empress' glass.

The Empress rose and lifted her cup, announcing that it was time.

A senior courtier rose and announced, "With our majesty's greatest honor and pleasure, breakfast has arrived. Please enjoy your meals."

A hundred servants carrying silver dishes surrounded us on both sides. The dishes were uncovered to show an assortment of fruits and pastries shaped like a building.

"What is this?" I asked in awe.

"It's a 'gorubonem,' a breakfast dish made in the shape of a landmark. This dish is modeled after the Palais de Gombuv, once a noble residence but now an opera house." Sandra gestured towards my plate.*

"I recall a similar dish in Crusavia, although the food is shaped into a traditional type of house instead of a landmark," I pondered on experiences I had with similar foods.

"Is it the 'gorbon'?" The princess asked.**

"Yes, it is," Excitement filled my voice.

"I've had a chance to try the delicacy here, but I would rather try it in its homeland. Speaking of foods in the shape of buildings, let's return to our previous conversation: undercity management."

"Crime has only increased since the war's conclusion, and since certain portions of the planet are still in ruins there's little that can be done with scavengers," The princess explained, "Not to mention, law enforcement has been difficult since many of the apparatuses used before the war are either in need of repair or completely useless.

I gradually came to a slight understanding of her previous statement.

"I see, but has this always been the case?"

"Yes and no," Sandra took a bite out of her dish before continuing, "Crime has always been a crime with Luminaris' undercities but the war only exacerbated the issue further. It's become most evident in Puritia since the gap dividing the surface and the under-regions has only widened (?)

"In what way?"

"Puritia's surface has been completely rebuilt, and other cities in Luminaris are on their way to complete restoration as well. However, we had to allocate numerous resources from the undercity's reconstruction to restore many landmarks on the surface. This has led to discontent on the part of the residents of the undercity," Sandra elaborated.

"Ah, in that case, Luminaris and Cragholven seem to be on the same boat then."

"I don't recall the war ever reaching Cragholven?"

I took a bite of the dish before answering, "The war never reached the planet but definitely affected the population. There were widespread riots and demonstrations, many of which turned violent. So much of the lower levels have been abandoned and in ruins."

"Interesting… I had researched the topic many times after returning to Luminaris. Even while Paloffia was under siege, I still had records, biographies, research papers, articles, and so on, brought to me in the bunker. That may have caused others to see me as uncaring and selfish, but I wanted to understand and apply what I have learned to help my people."

"Hm, I suggest you conduct a survey or interview the residents of an ecumenopolis that was occupied or bombarded during the war."

"That seems feasible since I'll be accompanying the Empress to Cragholven a few days from now."

"Then it's set!" I paused to think momentarily, "Although, you may need to prepare a survey form and an interview questionnaire."

"That can easily be done in two days."

"If you need help, I can provide some assistance, like, coming up with questions and stuff."

"That would be… greatly appreciated. Yes, I would like that," Excitement escaped her lips.

"Then it's settled, I'll help you come up with the questions!"

"Alright, let's finish this first course, the next dish will be served soon."

"Ah, yes, of course."

We continued to chat while feasting on the sumptuous arrangement of fruits and pastries.

~o0o~

After stuffing myself with even fruits and pastries (and some meat) I was full. I had no idea the meals here were this filling. But the dishes served were delicious, balanced, and a sight to behold. I slumped back onto the ornate chair and felt satisfied.

"I advise you to sit up straight when in the presence of the Empress," A familiar voice whispered.

A shiver went down my spine, and I jolted from the sudden intrusion of a voice. I turned to see whose it belonged to, and it was none other than Thomas.

I composed myself and said, "You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to see your reaction," Thomas smirked.

He looked at Sandra with a grin on his face and bowed. His ears were red from possible embarrassment, and I grinned at the scene before me.

"Your Imperial Highness," He greeted.

I glanced at Sandra and noted a disappointed grin form at the edges of her lips before smiling candidly.

"Thomas, it's reassuring to see you back in one piece. I'm glad my brother didn't tear you to shreds when he had the chance," Sandra mused.

"That would be detrimental for the Prince if he did do that," Thomas scoffed.

"If anything, he'd have the Bordrois cover up anything he's done."

I stared at Sandra, shocked by her statement, "I-is that possible?"

"If you're the leader of an elite force, anything is possible," The princess waved her hand in disregard.

"Even failure it seems," said a man who appeared out of nowhere behind Alexandra.

"That's enough Yon," Sandra ordered, "Give it a rest."

"Oh, I will, but it's amusing how an elite soldier from a distinguished military force could fail a mission spectacularly," Yon sneered.

I glanced around, looking to see Dayos' reaction, and I was rewarded by a storm of glares from the prince.

"Yonatan!" Sandra exclaimed, "This is no place to demonstrate such behavior, especially in the presence of guests."

"Well, these guests have already dubbed me 'Prince loose lips,' so I see no reason to behave so carelessly," The prince paused, "Besides, this girl ought to know how her 'siblings' act towards one another."

Immediately after the last syllable rolled out of his venomous tongue, he left and a disconcerting silence filled the space.

"I don't know what's going on with my family today. I sincerely apologize for the behavior they have displayed," Sandra said sorrowfully.

"Well, Yonatan hasn't been the most pleasant member of your family to deal with anyway, so it's fine. Nothing to apologize for," Thomas reassured.

"Yeah, if it's possible to ignore him, fine by me," I added.

Alexandra smiled and said, "Thank you, both of you. Everything hasn't been the same since the war."

"Hey, not everything changed!" A voice exclaimed.

I turned my attention behind me as a woman around the same age as Sandra walked up to us.

"Thomas, you remember my sister?" Sandra gestured to the woman.

"Yes, Princess Amelia. It's been some time since we met," Thomas said as he bowed.

"Thomas of House Leventilf. It has been some time," Amelia greeted.

"And this is-"

"Miss Diana, well, and as the councilors now call her, Dayastra," Amelia greeted.

I got up from my seat, did a little curtsy, and greeted, "Your Imperial Highness."

She chuckled and performed a small curtsy as well, "No need to be so formal around me. You can call me Amelia, without any of the titles associated with me."

"Understood."

"You don't have to worry about Dayos and Yon as long as the two of us are here," Amelia said as she gestured towards herself and Sandra, "We keep those two in check most of the time."

"That's an understatement. We essentially raised them," Sandra scoffed lightly.

"That's surprising... I'd thought the Empress raised all of you herself," I remarked.

"Well-" Amelia was cut off by the blare of a horn.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Empress requests that all guests move to the Garden of Seasons beneath the Great Kreytoscha Tree," the courtier announced.

"Let's continue this conversation outside, shall we?" Thomas gestured to the door.

*Gorubonem = A traditional Levelian dish made of fruits and pastries typically formed by chefs to resemble a landmark or wonder on the planet.

**Gorbon = A dish brought by Levelian colonizers to the Cru. Unlike its Levelian counterpart, the gorbon is styled by chefs into traditional houses native to their homeworld.