Chapter 67

　　One year later

　　Miranda Atkinson sat at the head of a long table. A datapad rested on the flat surface displaying figures and projections of Caledon`s economic growth. Over a dozen people were sat around the table, sharply dressed in business attire.

　　Over the past few months, off-world investors and corporations have become interested in the resurgent Barony. The peace and stability found in their system made it an ideal location, especially when combined with free education for their workforce and families.

　　"I will bring your proposals to the Regent for consideration, but I anticipate no problems on our end. That will be all." The professional and intelligent businesswoman dismissed the gathered group, picking up her datapad and exiting the conference room in the large administration complex on the estate.

　　As she walked through the halls, her heels clicking on the marbled stone, she admired the newly displayed works of art. Paintings, statues and busts of Caledon`s most famous artists adorned the walls and rooms of the estate, the more valuable of which were prominently displayed in the Palace hall.

　　Heading toward the Baron`s quarters, she politely nodded to the staff that crossed her path. More prosperity came with increased responsibilities and burdens on the Baron`s household and Governor Sylla.

　　Wealth brought additional staff, numerous administrators and better-equipped and expanded armed forces. Over the past year, things on Caledon have grown tremendously.

　　Turning a corner, Miranda left the Administration complex and reached the main palace. The vast halls were packed with courtiers and staff, business representatives and petitioners. Each greeted her with respect, and some called out in friendly greetings.

　　Compared to when she first started here, the atmosphere was completely different. The air of subtle desolation and silence had evaporated, replaced with jovialness and hope. Inside the throne room, she met with Sylla. The governor had a frown on her face as she tapped her foot impatiently at the empty Throne.

　　Wearing a black dress with the red stag of Caledon embroidered on the collar, Sylla looked to have reversed her aging by decades. The fine wrinkles around her eyes had faded, and even her hair looked less grey.

　　Miranda had asked if she had received rejuvenation treatments, but the older woman replied that the reduced stress from her additional staff had worked wonders for her health.

　　"He`s in the back room, hiding away from his duties again," Sylla answered her unspoken question before the businesswoman could even voice it. Miranda let out a sigh, shaking her head at the response.

　　"It`s been quite an adjustment for him, but he`s had enough time to adapt. I`ll speak with him." Miranda replied, a small smile appearing as she walked past the governor toward the private quarters at the rear of the building.

　　The tall wooden doors were closed, with fanciful reliefs engraved on the wood. Standing before the doors were two of the Baron`s House Guards, their Exosuits shining black with red highlights, Lasguns held in their hands. Only the most trusted House Guard members would be allowed to protect the Palace, their trustworthiness beyond all doubt.

　　Nodding to the Minister, the guard immediately opened the door.

　　"Careful, madam, he`s been in a bit of a mood." The guard warned, his voice slightly tinny through the suit`s external speaker as she stepped through the opening. Nodding at the warning, she turned her attention to the Baron`s quarters.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

　　The room was lavishly furnished, with thick rugs covering the cold marble floors. Priceless works of art from the Baron`s personal collection covered the walls, several depicting his more famous ancestors, while a new piece adorned the sitting area. A painting of the Baron started only a few months after his return from Stasis, dominated a wall by a lounge chair.

　　A tall, broad-shouldered man stood in front of the large windows, staring out over the rear gardens of the palace. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his head was lowered slightly. Wearing a crisp uniform in the Caledonian colours, the man had added a golden imperial eagle broach to the outfit, signifying his continued allegiance to the Emperor.

　　"My love, the guards tell me your in a temper again today?" Miranda called out after the door was closed. Her heart still fluttered at the sight of him. Their romance had been a whirlwind over the past year, love at first sight.

　　Samuel turned away from the window, the frown on his face softening into a slight smile at the sight of her. He had never been one for love. The feeling of passion he felt for a woman had been absent most of his life. He lived for the Empire and duty, from his time in the Guard to his role as Imperial Herald.

　　The past year, he acted as Regent of Caledon to cover Kal`s absence. The distinction of having the Imperial Herald himself act in the stead of their Baron had obscured the missing Kal from the public eye, who quickly bought the excuse that he was training on Terra.

　　In his time here, Samuel had undergone a different, slower and less stressful life, allowing him time to experience something he thought would never come to him. It was only a few short weeks after the battle against the Corsairs that Miranda had come into his life, and he cherished every moment.

　　"Still no news?" Miranda continued, knowing that one of the only things that concerned Samuel was Kal`s fate.

　　"None," Samuel replied, stepping away from the window and wrapping his arms around her. Resting her head against his chest, she accepted the rare moment of intimacy before looking up at him.

　　"He will be fine. We need to have faith that he`ll return," Miranda assured him. Nodding at her words, Samuel kissed her on the forehead. Stepping away from him, she began to discuss the results of her meeting.

　　Samuel proved himself to be more than competent as a Regent, directing the government of Caledon with a steady hand to the point where Kal`s absence mainly went unnoticed by the greater populace. But to his friends, every day he wasn`t there was distressing.

　　Pushing the thought of the Baron out of his mind, Samuel focused on the task at hand.

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　　Empress Amelia walked through the corridor of the medical facility on Terra. The white walls and matching floors gave the whole place a sterilized feel. The air smelled of cleaners and chemicals, and the hallways were empty, leaving nothing but a series of closed doors to greet her.

　　Behind, an entourage of aides, guards and staff followed closely, awaiting her needs. Turning at the end of the hall, she faced the closed door of the private room, waiting patiently for the staff member to open it with a press of their palm on the reader.

　　It had been her daily habit to visit this particular patient, and over the past year, the staff had grown accustomed to accommodating her.

　　Inside the room was a single chair facing a large, cylindrical tank with glass walls. Filled with a bluish-green liquid, the murky depths held a shadowy figure floating gently.

　　Entering the room, Amelia closed the door, shutting out the rest of her staff as she walked forward and placed a hand gently on the tank, feeling the warmth of the liquid through her skin.

　　"Good morning, Kalen." Amelia said, smiling as the figure within the tank twitched slightly at her words.

　　Kal had been brought to them nearly a year ago, pried from the clutches of the Titan, Atlas, its protective figure sealing the almost dead young man within its frame. The Imperial Guard had brought both to Terra, where only the presence of the Emperor could force Atlas to allow the retrieval of Kal from its cockpit.

　　She could still remember how fragile he looked when she first saw him, bloody and battered, his heartbeat faint. His mind was as abused as his body, and even the most advanced medical procedures could not guarantee his resuscitation.

　　They had brought him here, sealing him within a tank of rejuvenation liquids, rare and expensive components and technology that most in the galaxy would not have an opportunity to use. Even then, it had been a slow process, removing him from the tank at times for surgeries and reconstruction.

　　But after a year, he was nearly restored, although the doctors could not definitively say whether the young man within would ever awaken.

　　Recalling her promise to Aurora to always guard her grandson, her heart ached to see him this way. But Aurelius had assured her that it was necessary to ensure his and the galaxy`s future.

　　Settling into the lone chair, Amelia waited for Kal to awaken.