Halu chuckled. “That armour is...”
“I know. My father wanted to be sure I was visible in all circumstances, and my mother made sure that it was reinforced all the way.”
Lord Thel blinked and chuckled. “Right. Next ones on the list.”
Negotiator Tyrell plowed through the next three happy couples, and one mining consortium and a farmer. The land they wanted wasn’t usable, but the environmental impact was a concern. Their negotiations were far easier than that of the happy couples.
She was about to request someone else when Lord Thel inclined his head. “I am sorry, Negotiator, but I have been called away.”
“Duty calls.” She shooed him away and looked at Halu when he was gone. “So, how does he compare to his portrait?”
Halu’s cheeks pinked. “He’s very good at passive intimidation. I am more on the active side, as you know.”
Negotiator Tyrell patted her friend on the shoulder. “I know. When you contacted me, I couldn’t believe my luck, and then, you showed me that portrait, and I couldn’t believe yours. I wonder if Rhoda has done portraits for them here?”
Halu smirked. “I hope that I hid my copy well enough that customs didn’t get a look. I am sure that they wouldn’t have looked at Winter the same way.”
Negotiator Tyrell chuckled, and they left the office and turned to her guards. They led her through the palace and the empty audience chamber. She apologized. “I am sorry it went on for so long. My timing isn’t quite up to Hredu standards yet.”
There was a guardsman who decided to be the spokesperson. “We had a shift change while you were inside and will be on duty until you rise.”
“Okay. Is there any possibility of me getting something to eat before I crash tonight?”
One of the guards nodded. “I will get on it. How much will you require?”
“I believe I missed two meals, so two meals’ worth, please. And a lot of water or herbal tea. I didn’t have a chance to stock my suit.”
“So, you have been without food or water this entire time?” the guard muttered in a strangled tone.
“Yeah. It’s fine. Today you learned my schedule, so in the morning, I need water and a high-protein meal, and then, I need two meals when I finish working as well as about two litres of water or herbal tea.”
“Yes, Negotiator. I just hope that the emperor or his son does not look too carefully at your meal plan. It will not be received well.”
“They are going to be busy for a few days. We have time to get into a rhythm. I will intercede if necessary.” She nodded.
“Thank you, Negotiator, but when they lock onto you, providing an alibi is the last thing on your mind.”
“I have been in one of their clutches, and I understand completely.” She nodded and walked the rest of the way to her quarters silently.
Halu verified that the rooms were empty and let her in.
The guard said, “We will get your food going.”
“Good. I will get myself out of the suit and take a shower. It should take close to thirty minutes. Is that enough time?”
He nodded. “Plenty, as long as you just want it hot and fast.”
She paused and nodded. “As long as you are talking about food, it’s fine.”
He paused, grinned, and left. Two guards were still visible, and they were in place when Halu closed the door. “Do you need a hand?”
“No. I have this. See you in a few minutes.”
She released the helmet closure and removed her gloves, using her biological key to open the rest of the suit. Her skin was sensitive today, but that wouldn’t last long. Soon, it would turn red and raw. Being in the suit wasn’t difficult; it was a marathon. If she could have a few days off now and then, she would have a better chance of living through her six months, but who knew what would happen.
Right now, she just wanted a shower and a meal. One thing on her agenda at a time.
Chapter Five
Padana slumped on the couch in her quarters. She rubbed her forehead and then stared at her hand. “Gloves. It is going to have to be gloves.”
Empress Ariadne was sending her a makeup artist so that they could have dinner together, but Padana had been on Hredu for two weeks, and two weeks as the negotiator in the armour had caused a predictable reaction. Her skin was peeling, and she was exhausted. The artist was going to have to be a miracle worker to disguise that little fact.
Halu made a tutting sound. “You are a wreck. You have to mention it to them. You need some time in medical if nothing else.”
“It usually takes a few days in a tank to get over this quickly.” She made a face at her red, raw skin.
“Well, the makeup artist is on the way, so if you are going to dress up, you might want to do it now.”
Padana got to her feet and nodded. “Right. Let me just get my...” The floor rushed up to greet her.
The empress was at her side, and she was writing with her tattooed fingers. Her hand moved gracefully over the document in the elegant lines of formal Hredu.
“So, the negotiator suit makes you ill?” The empress looked over at her and gave her a wry smile.
“It just irritates my skin.”
“To the point where you got an infection that spread throughout your system and destroyed your immunity to many daily irritants.” Ariadne shook her head. “Stupid.”
“I just wanted to get settled and then ask for a day or two off, but there were so many petitioners that I felt guilty for thinking about taking the time.”
“And put yourself at risk.” Ariadne tutted.
“Wait. You aren’t wearing makeup.”
“We are in the emperor’s wing of the palace. No need.”
Padana pushed herself up against the headboard, and she asked, “Where is Halu?”
“Outside the door. She is good at guarding you but not against yourself.”
She winced. “I kept reassuring her, but she was getting worried.”
“So, when were you going to mention it to us? We could have given you whatever time you needed.”
“I was just trying to spend a bit more time in the suit.”
Ariadne blinked and lifted her pen from the parchment. She looked at Padana with dawning understanding. “You were dodging Yomin.” Ariadne chuckled. “Now that makes sense.”
The hot blush matched the colour in her hands. “You sound like my mother.”
“Well, we were born on the same world. She is very worried and extremely frustrated that you didn’t mention your issue with the suit. She recommended time in the tank, but we don’t have one available.”
Padana nodded. “I will recover in about twelve days without one.”
“Well then, in that case, you are going to be reassigned to our country house until you recover.”
“What?” She closed her eyes and groaned.
“When you return, you will be given a mask and a uniform of the imperial household. You will also have two guardian cadets with you while you meet with families and negotiating parties. It is important for them to learn how to deal with irate people.”