Quintus lifted his head high. "And you, Highness, have given the same gift to me." Quintus broke his grip with the Prince. "By the way, on a totally different subject, your decision to funnel the liquor and foodstuffs that arrived from the Lyran Commonwealth into a random distribution network has done wonders for morale here on New Avalon. People are already referring to it as the Lyran Lottery, and voter registration has climbed sharply over the last two days so more people will be eligible for the drawings."
The Prince clapped his hands. "Excellent! I'd hoped for good results from that move. Two things I do not want on New Avalon are charges of elitism among the nobility, and a thriving black market in consumer goods. That's why I was so glad to hear of your daughter and Morgan organizing an impromptu party for the folks at the hospital."
Quintus smiled proudly. "Riva was pleased that all the media attention for the party has resulted in an upturn in volunteers at the hospital. I guess it takes some exposure to let people know others have suffered far worse in the war than they have." Quintus ran his fingers through his white hair. "The newsvid coverage of the event made many people realize how many wounded warriors at the NAIS are far from their homes and that their loneliness is sometimes worse than their wounds."
Hanse tapped his left index finger against his chin as he thought. "Good point. I think we should encourage more contact between the citizenry and the warriors at the NAIS Medical Center. We need to show that the people on New Avalon are concerned for the sons and daughters of people from the frontiers." He fixed Quintus with his gaze. "Even though Michael is gone, those who backed him still might be encouraged to stir up trouble now that the war has become more difficult and costly."
The Minister of Intelligence, Information, and Operations bowed his head. "Consider it done, sire. We've struck the head from the snake. Now we'll make sure its thrashing does no harm."
26
New Avalon
Crucis March, Federated Suns
20 July 3029
Blue-white moonlight fell across Melissa's face as she slept. Standing in the shadowed doorway to their bedroom, Hanse watched the slow, rhythmic rise and fall of her chest and smiled. Sleep well, Melissa, for tomorrow a DropShip will carry you away from me again.
With that thought, a sadness bubbled up inside of him. He recognized it instantly and grappled with it like a physical foe that he could break and conquer. The emotion evaded the logical traps he set for it, then spread like a fog throughout his body, bringing with it fatigue.
Hanse stepped into the room, and turning away from the bed, slowly unbuttoned his uniform jacket. He was sad that she had to leave, yet felt guilty over the deception that had kept her here— a virtual prisoner on a world he hoped she would come to know and love as he did.
"Hanse, what's wrong?" she whispered.
He composed his face in a smile and turned slowly to face her. "Nothing, dearest."
Sitting up in bed, with the moonlight glinting in gold highlights from her hair and electric blue from her silken nightgown, Melissa looked like a goddess. She draped her arms casually around her knees, but the look in her gray eyes pierced his soul. "Please, tell me. I know it's no catastrophe because you're here, and not in your 'den' dealing with it. That means it's something inside you ... something you cannot share with your advisors." She held out a hand to him. "That means it is something you mustshare with me."
Hanse walked around the end of the bed and sat on its edge facing her. He took her hands in his, then swallowed hard. "I'm sorry for how you've been treated here, and I'm incredibly reluctant to see you go."
Melissa gave his fingers a squeeze. "What are you talking about, Hanse? I'm very happy here ..."
The Prince touched the fingertips of his right hand to her lips. "Don't say that to make me happy, because I know it's not true." He stood up and looked out through the gauzy curtain over the window. "I saw your face light up when Misha stepped off the Caracol.In that instant, you were the happiest you've been since we married."
Her denial came quickly, but lacked just enough emphasis to convince the Prince it was the complete truth. "That's not true, Hanse."
The Prince smiled, clasping his hands behind his back. "Ah, but it is, Melissa. You're a social creature. I've watched you charm all those who have met you, and I've watched you deftly deflect Morgan Hasek-Davion's thoughts away from his desire for a command time and time again." He turned toward her. "I've kept you in a gilded cage and denied you the freedom to be yourself. We did not even travel here together, you and I, from the wedding. Had I the chance to do it again, it would be different."
Melissa stared toward the darkness at the end of the bed. "Who is to say I would want it any different?"
Hanse frowned sharply. "What?"
Melissa glanced at the place where he had been sitting and waited until he seated himself again before continuing. "Yes, my husband, I cannot deny the times when I wished we could have traveled together to New Avalon, or that I ache to appear at your side at some important function here in Avalon City, but the lack of ail that does not really make me unhappy."
She gathered up his hands in hers. "Being here, being with you is important to me. The elaborate dramas we've had to create so that we could be together reflect the depth of our feelings for one another. Were I nothing more than the means to securing an alliance, I would still be in the Commonwealth now—possibly shot dead in Jeana's place—and a mistress would be here with you instead."
The Prince slowly shook his head. "At least a mistress would have free passage within my palace and my world. You've only been permitted visits by people who can meet the highly restrictive requirements of security."
"Hanse, I cannot say that it hasn't been difficult, but you grossly overestimate the problem." When she smiled, joy woke somewhere in Hanse's heavy heart. "The people I've been allowed to meet have given me an insight into you and the realm I'm now part of. Riva Allard, for example, is a brilliant young woman full of life and the desire to make things better. Though I don't understand half the things she talks about in connection with the New Avalon Institute of Science and her doctoral work there, I do sense her buoyant optimism. The conformity demanded of those in the Draconis Combine, or the rampant paranoia of the Capellan Confederation would probably have broken her spirit by now. Even in my own Lyran Commonwealth, her work would be scrapped if her studies did not show a profit potential."
Melissa laughed lightly. "And it meant a great deal to me that you brought your old friend Kincaid Fessul here to meet me. I felt as though his approval of me meant more to you than all the advisors who ever said our marriage was the politically brilliant move. I was so nervous, then he cracked a grin and we started talking as if we'd known each other forever."
Hanse nodded as a smile spread across his face. "Kin may be only a fisherman, but he's uncommonly wise. I was overjoyed when you two hit it off so famously."
Melissa drew Hanse's right hand forward and kissed its palm. "Through him, through Riva and Morgan and Kym, I have seen your realm. I see why they love you and why they are willing to serve you despite personal disappointments. Morgan Hasek-Davion may want a 'Mech command in the field with every cell in his body, but he'd never dream of disobeying your orders that keep him here. That sort of loyalty can only be earned, never bought or coerced or compelled. Your ability to inspire it is your greatest gift and the secret heart of the Federated Suns."