A New Chapter...

Posted on Wed Jan 19th, 2022 @ 8:14am by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Tales from the other side of the Mirror
Location: Drydock One, in geostationary orbit over the capitol of Erisia
Timeline: Seven months after wedding
3621 words - 7.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Mattias moved through the facility, signing off on reports and issuing orders. Today was a day to celebrate. Home Fleet was finally receiving its first super dreadnought, the ENV Dragonheart. It would become his new flagship, and signified the absolute pinnacle of starship design and construction in the entirety of known space. I possessed enough firepower to destroy an entire star system. It's multiple layered defenses would ensure that it outlasted any opponent foolish enough to attack it.

Aboard, her crew would number nearly five thousand. An additional two thousand ground troops were billeted aboard her decks, as were three hundred, brand new, freshly designed, Dragon Rider Space Superiority Multi Task Starfighters, along with an additional twenty-one hundred personnel needed to fly and maintain each spacecraft.

Pausing to look over her gorgeous hull lines, Mattias smiled a predatory grin. In two years, three more sister ships would be completed and crewed. At that point, he had no doubt that they could begin moving their borders outward again.

An aide walked up and saluted. "Admiral," he said. "The Empress has sent a message. She requests your presence as a matter of urgency." He held out a PADD with the message.

Mattias took the PADD, and read the message, his expression Changing to one of excitement. "It's time!!" He handed the PADD back. "Donaldson! You are in charge until I return! Continue with the load out procedures!" He moved over to a clear space and ordered a site-to-site transportto the Imperial apartments. In a flash, he was gone.

---Imperial Palace---

Mattias materialized outside the Imperial apartments. He had ensured that there was shielding over them to pre ent direct beaming. After his guards allowed him to pass, he hurried I side, making his way to where the staff was directing him. Finally, he entered the Imperial Master Bedroom, and there, he saw the sight that made his heart soar. His lovely wife, getting ready to bring their first born into the world. "My Queen!" He said as he moved over to her bedside, kneeling down and taking her hand in his.

Pene was sweaty, and surrounded by midwives. "Your Grace!" One called out. "Males are not allowed!!!"

Mattias gave her a look that spoke volumes of how he would not be removed from his wife's side.

Pene groaned and gasped as another contraction rippled through her.

The head midwife moved and checked. "Your Grace," she instructed Penelope " you need to breathe and when i say, push."

Pene nodded and her hand clutched at Mattias's.

Mattias moved to sit behind Penelope, giving her all the support he could. "You can do it, my love," he whimpered into her ear. "I am so very proud of you!"

The Empress's labour went on for another hour and a half before she was delivered of a baby girl. The Midwives worked hard to deliver the child from her mother.

Penelope sagged back against Mattias as the midwives, two barely hiding their contempt at the fact that the child was a girl, checked the infant over and helped clean up Penelope.

Mattias saw the looks from the midwives. He would ensure they were removed as soon as possible. He would allow no threat to his wife or daughter. "Is there a problem with your mindset, ladies?" He was speaking to the two that had made faces of contempt. "You are dismissed. You will show only respect to the Royal Princess and heir to the Throne. Leave now, before I really get angry." His tone made it clear that if that they offered even a hint of resistance, they would not be returning to their homes, ever.

The two women bowed and left, leaving three others and the head midwife in the room with the Royal Couple.

the head Midwife laid the newborn in her mothers arms.

Penelope looked up at him as she held their daughter. "Emperor, I present your daughter" she said softly.

Mattias was smiling softly, looking down at the precious bundle in her arms. "She looks beautiful, my love!" He kissed Penelope softly, then gently moved a few stray strands of matted hair off of her forehead. "Thank you, my Queen! You are even more beautiful today than you were yesterday." He looked back down at their daughter, reaching out and gently touched her soft face. "What shall we call her?"

Pene looked down at the babe and smiled. "Niamh" She said softly. "Means Star Bright in Erisian"

Mattias smiled warmly. "Niamh, our beautiful little star!" He looked at Penelope, "May I hold her?"

Pene nodded and handed their daughter to him.

"Your Excellency, If you would stand aside we will get Her Excellency cleaned up and change these sheets." the head midwife said softly.

After taking their daughter into his arms, Mattias was no longer even in the room. All he saw was that precious little face. He nodded, absentmidedly, then moved off to the side of the large room, slowly swaying and lightly bouncing as he soft cooed to his new daughter.

Niamh slowly opened her eyes and gazed up at him, a soft smile crossing her face as she recognized his voice.

"Hello, Little One," Mattias's heart soared when their eyes locked. He saw that she didn't have eyes exactly like Penelope's. Instead, they were a mix of both of their eyes, mostly white, with silver irises and blue pupils.

While he spent time adoring their child, Pene was helped to bathe while the bed was thoroughly cleaned and remade. A bassinet was brought in and placed beside the bed as Pene was helped back to bed, her hair wet from the shower now instead of from her exertions. The head midwife helped her settled back against the cushions then herded the others from the room..she paused by the door. "Your Excellencies, congratulations on the birth of your daughter. Shall I send in your aides to draft the birth statement?"

Mattias didn't hear the woman, he was so lost in 'conversation' with their daughter.

Pene merely nodded. "Please" she said to the midwife who bowed and left the room.

"My Love?" Pene called out.

Penelope's sweet voice finally broke through Mattias's distraction. "Hmm?" He looked over at the woman he loved more than life itself and grinned. "I'm sorry, my love, I was so engrossed here...did you ask ?me something?"

"Share" Pene said with a smile. "She is my daughter too," she reminded him. "And the Aides are coming in to help us draft the announcement."

Mattias blushed and chuckled softly, which elicited a soft giggle from Niamh. This caused Mattias to look back down at her and beam. "Now see here, young lady," he spoke softly as he made his way back to Penelope's side, sitting carefully on the bed. "You are not allowed to team up against me." He grinned as he spoke, knowing full well already that he was already wrapped around Niamh's little finger.

Carefully, he handed her back over to Penelope. "She's absolutely perfect Pene!"

Pene smiled and turned her gaze to the babe in her arms. "She is indeed" she said softly. She trailed a finger across the child's cheek. Niamh's eyes fluttered and she closed them.

There was a knock at the door.

Mattias looked over to the closed double doors and called out, "Come!"

Their head aide entered and bowed.

"Ah Lord Morti" Pene said with a small smile.

"Your excellencies" The man said, he was extremely loyal to them both. "Congratulations on the birth of your Heir."

Mattias smiled warmly. "Thank you, Morti!" Mattias was always a bit more casual with their closest aide. "Would you like to see her?"

The man oded, and moved to see. "Very beautiful, Sir." He said. "Now, wording for the announcement?"

Mattias looked to Penelope. He left the ways of the Royal Court to her. That was definitely her arena of combat.

Pene took a breath and said "The Royal family are pleased to announce that her Excellency, Empress Penelope was delivered safely of a daughter at, insert the time there. Both Mother and Child are well. A name will be announced in Court within the next few days."

Morti nodded and made the notes. "Very good Your Excellency."

"And the Court Morti?" Pene asked. "What news do you have?"

"Nothing urgent Your Excellency. They know you were birthing your heir today."

Mattias smiled and glanced over to Niamh when Morti mentioned her. "Morti," he said looking back to their most trusted aide. "Two of the women who were helping Her Excellency bring our daughter into this world looked down on our Heir, just because she is a girl. I want them, and any other member of the household staff who think along the same lines, gone before the end of the day today. I will not allow anyone, who believes our daughter is less than to live or work here. Do I make myself clear?" He was getting heated just talking about the situation.

Morti nodded "Of course Excellency. I will have it fully investigated. With Permission, I will inform your family first before I make the announcement."

Mattias nodded and smiled. "I'm sure they're both chomping at the bit right now." He chuckled softly, thinking of how close he and Kyian had become. There was still a distance between himself and Miran, though. Sometimes, he wondered if she feared him.

"I am sure, I believe Prince Kyian had a bet going with Jhoraelal Belos Montgomery" Morti said with a small smile.

Pene smiled at that. "I do not want to know who won. But keep an eye on the gambling please."

Morti nodded, bowed and headed for the door.

After they were alone again, Mattias moved to climb into bed behind Penelope, replacing her pillows with his body. He want to hold his whole family in his arms. "You did very great work there, my love," he softly cooed in her ear, as his eyes were locked on their sleeping daughter. "She definitely has your looks, thank goodness," he chuckled.

Pene rested her head on his shoulder "I am tired" she said softly "Can you put her in her basinet?"

Nodding gently, Mattias extricated himself with the same care as he inserted himself, replacing the pillows as he did so. Once Penelope seemed comfortable, he gladly took Niamh back into his arms, safely cradling her against his chest. "You will always be loved, my sweet little princess." He softly kissed her tiny forehead, then gently lowered her down into her bassinet. Once she was in, he stood back up, awe in his eyes. "We made that, Pene!"

"hmm" She mumbled in reply almost fully asleep. Labour had worn her out.

Slowly, carefully, Mattias climbed into bed with his wife, lifting his arm, he opened his side to Penelope. "Come here, Baby."

She sleepily snuggled into his arms and drifted off to sleep.

Mattias held Penelope securely and warmly against his chest. He closed his eyes, a content smile on his face. He had never felt this happy in his life ever before.

==

Two days later, Penelope attended Court for the first time since her confinement and together with Mattias presented their daughter to the court. After court was finished, the family retreated to a small sitting room to discuss affairs with Morti, who had some news.

Once the princess was settled in her basinett and The Emperor and Empress were seated, Morti gave the news.

"I know your Excellencies had been looking at the Match between your brother and the princess Ciretha." he began

"It seems like a logical match. The only other Princess near to his age is Jenaya, and she would chew him up in minutes" Penelope said as she rocked the crib.

"Indeed, and my investigations have shown that Ciretha is a perfect match, her uncle however, less so."

Pene nodded. "He keeps pushing for the match between himself and Miran. Not going to ever happen." She said firmly.

"Indeed not" Morti replied. "Not a perfect match for her Royal Highness at all. But he is up to something."

"What he is up to," Mattias spoke softly, keeping his anger in check, so as not to wake Niamh. "Is getting dangerously close to angering his Emperor. Please send him a message, in all the niceties that you feel appropriate, but, with the message clear, there will NEVER be a marriage between himself and my sister-in-law. Miran is already matched to another of our, and her, choosing." Mattias took a breath, then added, "That last part does not leave this room, Morti."

Morti smiled and nodded. "He is building up his Nephews's army again."

"We limited that." Pene replied calmly as possible.

"Indeed. He thinks he is being clever"

"Well then," Mattias set his jaw. "I suppose Erisia's High Lord Admiral should make an impromptu visit to see the troops. Afterall, though he and his nephew rule them, in military matters, I am their overall Commander-in-Chief." He paused to took a breath. He would need to go to the gym later to burn off the rage that he was keeping quiet. "When does my public schedule show that I would be available to go around and inspect the armed forces? I ask for the public one, so I can tell you when to set the date privately. Give him as much rope to hang himself with."

"The Baron's regency is tenuous at best" Morti reminded them. "And according to your schedule, 3 weeks"

Mattias took a breath. After thinking about it, he said, "Then I shall drop in on him, his nephew, and see this army for myself in....ten days. I'll go with only one bodyguard. Any more and it'll raise too many alarms. I seriously doubt he is that stupid as to try anything against me?"

Morti considered it. "He might." he said calmly. "And the nephew is an infant... if we could overturn the Regency..."

"Maybe Kyian could be persuaded to marry Ciretha sooner rather than later." Pene mused.

"How would that help Miran?" Mattias asked, feeling that, in his growing anger, he had missed something.

"As Regent, he is of a higher rank than a mere Baron." Morti explained. "Holding that Regency, means he can put forth claims that would normally be made by the head of house."

Mattias had a look of understanding, though he felt he was still not as on the same page. His temper, however, was slightly calming. He looked over at Penelope, to get her take on it. She was so much more natural with the ways of Court and Royalty behaviors than he would ever have.

"Which means that if we overturn the Regency in favour of say Kyian, a mere Baron cannot put forth a match to a princess of the royal house, no matter how" and here she paused "disgraced, she is seen to be"

Finally thinking that he understood, Mattias nodded and smiled, reaching over to gently squeeze her hand. Turning to look back at Morti, he asked, "You said earlier that he might, in fact, try to harm me, if I popped in to check on him?"

"Political assassinations are part of the Game, Excellency. And without you, Her Excellency would be seen as alone."

Mattias felt steel stiffen his spine. "I will never allow that, Morti. My wife will always be safe and protected, as well as our daughter, with my last breath. The Baron isn't warrior enough to ever get the jump on me. He may know of my military experience during the Civil War, however, he has never known me as the true warrior that I was while in the Terran Marines."

"While that is true, Excellency, it would be wise to take more than a couple of guards" Morti said with a smile.

Pene nodded "Please do that Mattias"

Taking in a breath, Mattias held it for a moment. Then, realizing that he was outnumbered, slowly released the breath and nodded. "Very well, from this point forward, even if I leave the Palace on a private mission, I will take a squad of my boat warriors along. Does that meet both of your approvals?"

Pene and Morti exchanged looks but both nodded. "yes." His wife said.

"Good," Mattias stated finally. "So, what is our next business?"

Morti sighed. "Princess Miran" He stated firmly.

Pene raised an eyebrow

"You will need to discuss her eventually. She has become more and more reclusive. Even Triston cannot get her to spend more than an hour outside her room these days. And yes it has been months since her return, it is hard for people to see her if she is never around."

Pene sighed "Which is why the Baron feels he has a claim."

"Yes. I suggest, sending her to the Summer Palace." Morti said.

Mattias nodded in agreement. "What she went through was horrific. She needs time to come to terms with it, perhaps talk to someone. Whatever it takes for her to feel safe in her home again."

"I will organise it" Penelope said softly. "Had Pallas not killed our mother... He never would have tried it with Mother alive" she muttered.

Mattias put a supportive arm around his wife's shoulders, pulling her to him. He gently touched his forehead to her head, wishing desperately that he could take this pain from her.

After a moment Pene took a breath, and looked at Morti. "And Triston?"

"He is unsure of what to do."

"Send him with her" Pene said. "His security expertise is required."

Mattias nodded. "And assign the Third Dragoons Squadron to be her personal guard detail."

Morti nodded. "I will do so. Do you have any other concerns or orders?"

Mattias thought for a few seconds, then asked, "How is the Royal Council coming together?" Penelope had abolished the Council of Kings shortly after their anointment, and in its place, she elevated several Queens and moved in a few loyal kings. So now, their ruling council was made up of an even mix of men and women, a sure sign that Erisia was moving past the old ways, where woman were merely things to be won, for their titles and properties.

"Seems to be going well. And the School project I started has seen some traction."

This made Mattias grin. "My love, that's great!" The school project had been one of the things that she had been wanting the establish from the beginning of their reign. "And there has been no pushback that all children, regardless of their station and gender, will be allowed entrance into the School?"

"just those resistant to Change." Pene replied. "I have guards stationed to stop attacks on female children."

"Any fool who harms any children will be executed publicly and painfully." Mattias growled dangerously.

"change is slow on Erisia Mattias, but it comes." She shifted as Niamh woke and sent up a cry of hunger. "Speaking of change," She said looking at Morti who bowed and left. she stood, picked up their child in her arms. "I best see to her."

Hearing their daughter cry out, caused Mattias's growing anger to ebb away. "I'll help, sweetheart. I'll change her, then you can feed her."

Pene smiled. "Our nursery staff are horrifed by you, my love"

Mattias grinned at his wife as he asked, "Why is that?"

"Because it is not a Mans job" she kissed him and handed their daughter to him. "To change nappies"

He smiled warmly as he looked down into the face of Niamh. "Well now," he replied softly as he looked down into Niamh's gorgeous eyes and happy face. "It will just be another thing that will change on Erisia. On Terra, men have been helping their wives care for their children for well over a thousand years now."

Pene nodded. "Go change her, I will go into our suite's living room."

Nodding, he moved over to the changing table and in a few moments, had the princess cleaned and dressed in a clean outfit. He then carefully carried her into their living room and brought her over to Penelope. "She's all ready for you, my love."

Pene took their daughter and settled her at her breast to feed. "You should check in with your people darling"

He shook his head. "My Second has things in hand right now. This is the only place that I wish to be, with the two women of my life."

Pene smiled up at him and sat back to nurse their daughter. "Hmm I wonder how you will be in 17 years or so with her."

Sitting down next to them both, Mattias gently rubbed Niamh's tiny head as she fed. "So long as she is healthy, I don't care what else happens."

"And when Princes and Lords line up around the city for her hand?"

"She will be allowed to choose her suitor. Any who try to force the issue will disappear quickly and quietly."

"Hm that's the man i know" Pene murmured as she focused on their child. "Well we have many years before that becomes an issue"

"Agreed," he said with a loving grin. As Niamh continued to feed, Mattias leaned in and kissed Penelope on her left cheek. "You are truly perfect, my Queen. Thank you for giving us this beautiful child. May there be many more to come."

"We made her together" She whispered. "And I am sure we will have many more children."

Smiling, he kissed her again, then put his arm up and around her shoulders, holding his family in his arms, content with the universe for once.



Arenon= Starblessed

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