She tapped her cane against the floor again. "Now, unless anyone else has sothing stupid to say, let the girl do her job. You all love calling her your holy maiden; let her act like one."
One by one, the council mbers reluctantly nodded their agreent.
"Of course, Mada Rose."
"As you wish, holy maiden."
"Forgive us for doubting."
Lilla returned to her seat with her composure restored. "Thank you, Mada Rose," she said softly, before turning her attention back to the council. "Then it's settled. I will et with the Angel."
Mada Rose smirked, her holographic image flickering slightly. "Good. And girl," she added, her voice softening slightly as she addressed Lilla directly. "Be careful."
Lilla nodded, her expression serene but resolute. "I will, Mada Rose."
The eting ended soon after, with the council mbers filing out one by one, their footsteps echoing in the chamber. Lilla remained seated for a mont, gathering her composure as she watched the holographic form of Mada Rose remain behind.
"Child, co here for a mont," Mada Rose called out, her voice sharp enough to cut through the remaining noise. "Let these balls of uselessness get out first."
The council mbers didn't dare linger, hurrying out as quickly as possible, so avoiding Mada Rose's piercing gaze as they shuffled toward the exit.
Once the room was empty, Lilla rose from her seat and walked over to Mada Rose, taking the chair closest to her hologram. She let out a small sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing now that the formalities were over.
"Now that those sissies have finally left," Mada Rose began, her tone softening but still carrying her usual gruffness, "you can drop the act too, stinky girl." With a teasing motion, she swung her holographic cane at Lilla's head.
Of course, the cane passed harmlessly through her, but the motion alone made Lilla smile. If it weren't a hologram, Lilla knew her grandmother wouldn't have actually hit her hard, but Mada Rose's gestures were always as dramatic as her words.
"Hehe, but you're the one who told to keep up appearances in front of others," Lilla replied with a mischievous grin, leaning back slightly and letting her golden hair cascade behind her. "You said it would prevent future problems."
"Hmph!" Mada Rose scoffed, crossing her arms and trying not to let Lilla's playful attitude soften her deanor. "So what? Now I'm telling you to stop when we're alone, stinky girl! You're too formal, even with . It makes sick."
Lilla giggled softly and then leaned forward, resting her head on the round table as she gazed up at Mada Rose with wide, kitten-like eyes. "Okay, okay. I'll relax. But where's your favorite stinky brat? I thought you'd be scolding him by now."
Mada Rose's face twitched as she tried to suppress a smile. She quickly swung her cane again, this ti pointing it accusingly at Lilla. "Don't you start calling your brother that! Hmph! Where is that stinky brat, anyway?"
Lilla stretched her arms lazily and replied, "He's busy right now, grandmother. He's commanding the troops and patrolling the new facilities. You know how much he loves bossing people around."
"At least he's doing sothing useful," Mada Rose muttered. She then shifted her posture slightly, as though preparing for sothing far more serious. Her holographic cane rested beside her, and her sharp gaze turned toward Lilla. "Now, the important question."
Lilla sat up straight, noticing the shift in tone while her expression beca curious. "What is it, grandmother?"
Mada Rose leaned forward dramatically, her face as serious as a war general about to deliver orders.
"When," she began, pausing for emphasis, "are you going to get MARRIED?!"
Lilla nearly fell out of her chair, her golden hair flying as she straightened in shock. "W-what?! Marriage? Grandmother, I don't have ti to think about that right now! I'm way too busy!"
"Oh, don't give that nonsense!" Mada Rose shouted, waving her cane dismissively. "You're not too young. You're not too busy. And don't think I don't see through that excuse! Finding a husband while you're young is easier and better, stinky girl!"
"Grandmother!" Lilla protested, her face turning bright red. She glanced toward the door as if worried her guards or maids might overhear. "You can't just drop this on like that!"
Mada Rose smirked, clearly enjoying her granddaughter's reaction. "Don't worry," she said with a casual wave of her hand. "I know you're busy. So I ca prepared."
Lilla blinked, her confusion deepening. "What do you an, 'prepared'?"
With a dramatic flourish, Mada Rose summoned several holo screens into the air. Each one displayed a profile of a different human male, complete with nas, ranks, accomplishnts, and even so personality details.
"I've compiled a list of potential husbands for you," Mada Rose announced proudly, gesturing toward the glowing screens. "All of them are outstanding gentlen with bright futures ahead of them."
Lilla stared in disbelief, her face growing redder by the second. "H-how—?! When did you even—?!"
"Don't interrupt !" Mada Rose scolded her, clicking her cane against the holographic floor. "I spent weeks compiling this list. And before you ask, yes, I made sure to include all the important factors."
"F-factors?" Lilla stamred, unsure if she wanted to know.
Mada Rose gave her a sly grin. "Of course! You may not think about these things now, but as a woman, I know that nightly activities are crucial for a happy marriage. So I've taken that into consideration as well."
Lilla's jaw dropped. "W-what?! Grandmother, no—!"
"Let demonstrate," Mada Rose said cheerfully, ignoring Lilla's protests. She clicked on one of the profiles. The image of a young man in a crisp military uniform filled the screen, his achievents listed beneath his stern but handso face.
"This one's a captain in the fleet," Mada Rose explained. "He's disciplined, well-mannered, and cos from a respectable family. But let's see what else he's got, shall we?"
With another click, the holo screen shifted. The man's uniform disappeared, replaced by a fully nude image, complete with his manhood proudly standing like a monunt.
"GRANDMOTHER, WHY?!" Lilla shouted while covering her eyes with her hands as her face burned bright red. "Why are you showing this?!"
"Why are you being so shy?" Mada Rose countered, grinning mischievously. "You should've already given one or two great-grandsons by now! You're wasting ti!" She swung her cane at Lilla's head again, this ti accompanied by a dramatic sigh.
"Grandmother, stop this madness!" Lilla wailed, peeking through her fingers at the holo screens still glowing in the air.
Mada Rose clicked her tongue and leaned back. "Hmph. You're no fun, stinky girl. You'll thank one day when you're old and lonely. Mark my words!"
Despite her embarrassnt, Lilla couldn't help but laugh softly at her grandmother's antics. "You never change, do you, grandmother?"
"AND I NEVER WILL!" Mada Rose replied with a wink.
After her colorful conversation with Mada Rose, Lilla spent so extra ti in the council room, sitting quietly as she willed her flushed face to return to its normal tone. Even though she loved her grandmother dearly, the older woman's antics always left her both embarrassed and exhausted.
Finally, after about an hour, she stood and exited the room, her usual serene composure restored. Outside, her maids and guards were already waiting for her.
The templars stood stoically, their white-and-red armor gleaming under the artificial lights, while the maids busied themselves organizing Lilla's schedule.
"Prepare the transport ship; we're leaving at once," Lilla ordered as she walked past them.
One of her guards imdiately stepped aside to make the call, her tone crisp and professional as she coordinated with the crew. The others fell into step behind Lilla, their formation as disciplined as ever.
anwhile, aboard the Cleopatra, Rex was already awake and active, using the gym facilities to stretch his recovering body. He wore nothing but a pair of black workout pants as he swam laps in the enormous pool, his movents smooth and powerful. Continue your saga on empire
Despite the luxury of the Cleopatra's gym, Rex wasn't there for relaxation. Every stroke of his swim was calculated, testing the limits of his body as he adjusted to the changes caused by his long recovery and the enhancents he had undergone.
His muscles rippled with each movent, his body a mix of organic strength and golden technological marks etched across his skin with scars of battles fought and experints endured.
As he finished another lap, Rex felt his arm device vibrating softly against his wrist. He stopped, swimming to the edge of the pool to take the call.
Pressing a button on the sleek device, he answered, his deep voice resonating through the room. "Rex here. What's the situation?"
"Sir, the human envoys have arrived," the familiar monotone voice of one of the bot maids replied.
Rex tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes narrowing in thought. "Are they alright?" he asked, his tone shifting slightly, though still calm.
"They're unhard and awaiting instructions," the bot maid confird.
"Good. Bring them to the pool. I'll et them here. After all, we're not strangers," Rex said with a faint smile apearing at the corner of his lips before he ended the call.
Without wasting ti, he pushed off the edge of the pool and resud swimming, the sound of water breaking around him echoing softly in the vast gym.
Back in the transport ship, Lilla and her entourage followed one of the bot maids who had co to escort them. The bot's movents were smooth and precise, its elegant fra a testant to the advanced technology aboard the Cleopatra.
As they walked, one of Lilla's maids leaned in close, whispering nervously. "Saintess, did I hear correctly? They're eting us in... a pool?"
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