The Space Empress He Craved

Chapter 102

POV: Lyra

Annie placed her hydration cylinder back on the charging pad before explaining, "I'm sure you've heard about my past already, especially when it comes to the other High Commander."

The fact that she struggled to say Greg's designation earlier and was avoiding it now didn't go unnoticed. The fear and discomfort was still alive in Annie even after all these cycles.

My face stayed neutral as I said softly, "I have."

Annie smiled weakly before taking a deep breath. "When I slowly started to believe that Christian really loved me, my fear of the beings he works with never really went away. The other High Commander was the worst, but it wasn't just him. Some ministers and random officials we'd encounter at government functions were really condescending as well. They said things that made me feel..." she searched for the right words.

I whispered, "Small? Unworthy? They make you question your very existence?"

Annie's eyes widened, excitement flashing at someone understanding her. "Yes, exactly! I felt like I had no place in Christian's life. Him being the second most powerful being in the Empire, and me being a female from a mining colony who had to depend on aid and scholarships to get through my education. Unlike him and his type of society, I never went to the elite academies. I was just happy to get into any institution that would give me certification to get a job that pays credits. We're so different, Christian and I. I've never told Christian this but, on my worst days, I sometimes ask myself whether... my match made a mistake in choosing me, whether I'm anything of value in his life."

I asked her seriously, "Annie, do you think there's a reason for your existence?"

Annie looked surprised by the question. "I don't know, Lyra. I guess it depends on who you ask. If you asked Christian, then—"

"No, Annie. It doesn't depend on who we ask." I leaned toward her, locking eyes. "There IS a reason for your existence. You ARE worthy. Your life MATTERS. These things don't depend on who we ask. The only being who has a say in these things is yourself. Not Greg. Not the Ministers. Not even Christian. Just you. When you realize that you're here for yourself, to live your life on your own terms regardless of what anyone may think of you, you become truly free. You get to choose who you want to have in your life, and who you want to listen to. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of you, of me and of anyone else, Annie. And we are entitled to NOT care."

Annie couldn't help the grin spreading across her features as she internalized the words. "Everyone is entitled to their opinion of me, and I'm entitled to NOT care." I nodded with a smile while taking a sip from my cylinder. After a short moment of silence, Annie was still smiling. "I like that. There's so much power, and so much truth in it."

I nodded gently with a smile. "There certainly is. Look, Annie. Whatever beings throw at you is just a reflection of themselves. It has nothing to do with you. They see things how they want to see and they react accordingly. I pay heed to the opinions of the ones I care about and who care about me, but beyond that, I honestly couldn't care less. I'm not saying their words never affect me. All I'm saying is that... I won't dwell on it."

Annie nodded as I spoke before uttering with a smile, "You changed your story. You refused to play the weak character in your book."

I returned her smile. "We're the authors of our own lives, Annie. We hold the stylus, and we OWN the data pad. Whatever life throws at us are just corrupted files or system glitches. We can still access a new file and start better and stronger than before."

Annie shook her head with a radiant smile. "Stars above, we're so lucky that you're our Empress. You have no idea how many beings need your strength."

"An Empress isn't the only being who can project strength, Annie." I looked at her gently. "We all can. We just have to choose to do it. It's a choice. It can be the most difficult and uncomfortable choice to make but in the end, it's still a choice. Anyone can make it."

Annie shook her head again with that radiant smile, scoffing lightly. "Your humility reservoir really doesn't run dry, Lyra. But I get what you're saying. Thank you for helping me understand this, to understand that I get to choose."

"Thank you for asking. I didn't think I would get to spend time with you this soon." I admitted happily.

There was a glint in Annie's eye. "I don't know, Lyra. We might get to spend time together again very soon too."

"Really?" I asked curiously.

Annie contemplated as she smiled. "I've always wanted to join Christian when he attends government events. You know, to show support, maybe even to contribute in some way as his match. But I've been hiding all these cycles because of what happened in those few weeks, almost two decades ago. Maybe it's time to stop hiding."

I reached for her hand and squeezed it gently in encouragement. "You'll do great, Annie. You have a good heart. And you won't be alone. We'll be with you even after you've taken off your training modules to assimilate yourself into that part of his world again."

The High Commander's match threw me a grateful smile, and for the first time in a long time, she actually felt hopeful that she could be in the same chamber as the beings who she'd tried to avoid all those cycles.

After Annie and I settled the payment, we walked out of the establishment with Russell holding tightly to my hand. When we were making our way to Annie's transport, my enhanced Kaelari senses detected an unfamiliar signature. It was pungent, and I almost choked when it reached my receptors. I commented in passing, "What is that signature?"

Annie stopped in her tracks, bewildered. "What signature?"