Wake me up in 2395

Chapter 15: A Dinner with the Most Powerful People of 2395

Chapter 15: A Dinner with the Most Powerful People of 2395

While we walked the interior of the Imperium Stronghold, I cannot help but be mesmerized and amazed by the architecture of the place. It looked like a mixture of royalty, gothic, classic, and modern style—the modern, which is not the old modern of my old world, but the new modern of the modern world. The ceiling was high, it seemed almost like a cathedral. The place was solemn, and the glass floor glowed as well with each step, as if sensing something walking upon it.

Sinundan lang namin ang robot. We passed by several statues—and there were glowing names at their feet. They were the Emperors and the Empresses of the Union, starting from Emperor Warez Astarria who was still alive, then Emperor Warrington Astarria, the second emperor, then Empress Wuxia Astarria, the first empress, then Emperor Wraffaelle Astarria, Empress Wynonah Astarria, and then the current empress, Wynzelle Astarria. So far, in 200 years that has gone since the foundation of the Imperium Union, there were already five rulers who sat on the throne.

“Lag, quick question.” I said as we walked past the statues. “Since the founder of the union, the late Emperor Warez Astarria is still alive even after 200 years and we all know that the general lifespan of a human is only around 100 years, does that mean that the rulers before him are also still alive?” Takang tanong ko.

Umiling naman si Lag, “no, they are all gone. They all died of old age. It is only Emperor Warez who is alive, on the other hand, the empress before the current empress, the late empress Wynonah, is still alive. She is already 105 years old, and she has passed the throne five years ago to Empress Wynzelle, when she turned 100 years old. Though she is not much seen anymore, as it’s known that she is currently ill.”

“Why is it that the other emperors and empresses did not do what Emperor Warez did? I mean, to extend their life... To become what it seems like immortal like the founder of the Union.”

“The technology used was lost in a crossfire, and the inventor of the technology also died in it, along with the blueprints of the technology used which were burned away—also, I guess if the technology was still here, it will put a stain to the population control, as the elites will surely aim to use it to immortalize themselves, which is why I guess it is also beneficial that the technology was lost as it will help control population. It was a very complicated mechanism too which is why countless times of recreation and copy were not successful, since the technology is a means where one’s own consciousness is copied and transferred towards a mechanical body and there is no concrete system or algorithm that can do that so... And the consciousness is transferred to a real brain as well, which makes it more complicated.”

“A real brain?”

“Yes, it is known that the brain is cleared off from memories and is examined accordingly to ensure its compatibility with the host. The brain is the only living matter in the machine’s body... It is not really my field, so I am not good at explaining stuff like this. But that is the gist of it all.”

Somehow, I understand it. So, if the technology was not lost, I am sure the previous emperors and empresses will still be alive like the founder, Warez Astarria. Knowing how long he has lived, I guess he is the wisest as well, with all those accumulated experiences. He must be a war veteran as well, a specialist, and an expert. But if it is just his consciousness, does that mean he is just a copy of what he used to me? Is he really alive? Or he is just a remnant of his living self? That somehow confused me, and all ideas from previous psychologists and experts in the past made it all not make sense at all. I guess the line between nature and Science has been blurred already.

We continued to walk. Sinundan lang namin ang robot hangga’t sa tumigil kami sa harap ng isang matayog na pinto. It was transparent, and we can see our reflection as if it was a mirror. The robot touched the mirror door, and it automatically opened. Lumingon ito sa amin matapos ang ilang sandali, “you have reached your destination, the Astarria Family awaits.” Deklara nito, pagkatapos ang ilang sandali ay tumabi ito upang bigyan kami ng espasyo upang pumasok.

We did it. Now that we are close to the most powerful people of 2395, hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang mararamdaman ko. There is one thing for sure though—a mixture of excitement and nervous. What if they find out that I am not from this world? I also have to be very careful with the things I say. Hindi namin in-expect ni Lag din na mangyayari ito, that is why we were unable to rehearse. I guess I will just follow the command of Lag, that I should speak less because that means less mistake on my part.

I hope nothing wrong happens...

We crossed the door already and entered the dining hall. We were greeted by the Astarria Family—all had platinum-blonde hair that seems to ever-shifting in hue, from dark gray to silver, and to snow white. Their golden eyes were extraordinary as well, and the pale complexion of their porcelain skin, and this elegance that they carry as well seems too out of the world. I cannot help but be mesmerized by their beauty and power.

At the center of the long white table was Warez Astarria, and beside him was the empress, Wynzelle, then at the sides were a young kid who seems to be around four years old, and a man who seems to be around the age of Lag. They were the ones I saw at the welcoming ceremony of the bicentennial Foundation Week of the Imperium Union. May isa ring matandang babae na nasa tabi, and I guess that is the old empress before the current one, Wynonah Astarria, she looked too pale and white, and old, kulubot na ang balat nito, at tila nanghihina siyang gumalaw kaya may robot na siyang sumusuporta sa kaniya. Agaw-pansin din ang masasarap na mga pagkaing nakahain ngayon sa pahabang mesa, as if there was a feast, when it was just a few of us who will eat.

They were a beautiful sight, but I know this family hides a lot of deep secrets that if exposed, will surely change everything. I wonder what their secret is?

“You are in the presence of the Astarria Family. Show your respect and allegiance.” It was another robot who greeted us, and the robot’s voice was also enough for the entire Astarria Family to notice us, as they all tilted their head down our way.

Yumuko si Lag, and as if on cue, I also followed.

“Your Excellency, you have summoned us. And as your obedient subjects, we have come. It is our great honor to be in your great presence.” It was Lag who spoke, and he sounded more formal than usual as he addressed Empress Wynonah.

Humalakhak si Warez bago pa man makapagsalita ang Empress, “Lucius! My dear son,” tumayo si Warez at saka siya lumapit sa amin. Tinapik niya ang braso ni Lag, halatang malapit ang loob nito kay Lag din. “Too formal, dear son!” Umiling pa ito, “you are like family here already! Too much formalities is stressful,” aniya, matapos ang ilang sandali ay tumingin siya sa akin, his golden eyes glimmered in delight, “ah, the genius who made quantum teleportation possible. You must be Primrose Ghani.” He held out his hand, as if telling me to accept it, and I did it. He then pulled my hand towards his lips and kissed it. While his body was truly artificial, it still looked real, and his mechanical body seems to have a skin made of silicone too, and judging by his looks at the statue, this mechanical body of his has perfectly copied his real looks. He looked too real and alive.

I smiled and nodded at Warez.

“I am happy, Lucius, that you have found an asset to the union!” Warez stated. Hindi ko inakala na ganito pala ang personalidad ng founder ng Union, he seems too nice and too good. Pero hindi ako magpapalinlang at magpapaloko sa kaniyang pinapakitang kabutihan sa mga sandaling ito. I know he has hidden agenda behind it all. While before during the ceremony, he looked so intimidating, now, he seems normal.

“Anyway, come on and sit with us, join us for dinner...” utos niya at sumunod naman kami ni Lag. Habang naglalakad ako ay naramdaman ko agad ang titig ni Empress Wynzelle sa akin, as if she was already scrutinizing me, parang sinusukat ako ng mga tingin niya. Umupo si Lag sa tabi ng bata, at ako naman ay umupo sa tabi ni Lag.

“Lucius!” The kid greeted Lag.

“Hello, Prince Warrior.” He greeted the child, then he looked at the empress and smiled at her, “Your Excellency.”

“I told you many times to call me Wynzelle if we are not in public.” There was a demand and command in her tone and voice, and I could not help but flinch a little bit.

“But you are the most powerful figure—”

“Are you defying my command, Lucius?” The empress cut him short.

Bahagya namang natigil si Lag, at saka ito ngumiti nang pilit. “I apologize for my rudeness, Wynzelle.” He conceded, the empress smiled, and it somehow reached her eyes. She must be truly in love with Lag to have this reaction with something so simple as being called by her name.

Empress Wynzelle then looked at me, then back at Lag, “where did you find her?” She asked, pertaining to me.

“Primrose is the child of an old friend who died due to an unfortunate and unforeseen illness, as that friend is the only family left of Primrose, she has none left. Which is why I made arrangements to make her my adopted sister.”

“Without the awareness and authority of your parents? It does not make it official.” Saad ng Empress, and somehow, that made me nervous.

But Lag seems to be calm and collected, and he smiled at the empress. “My parents have transferred their authority in me when they went out beyond the walls for an expedition that your family have mandated in order to do research on the outside world, which means that I can also act on their behalf and make decisions for them while they are away, Wynzelle.”

Hindi nakaimik ang Empress, matapos ang ilang sandali ay humalakhak naman si Warez, as if he found the conversation amusing. “It seems like Wynzelle is jealous of Primrose.”

“I am not.” The tone in her voice was now deadly and sharp.

Hindi naman pinansin iyon ni Warez, at saka siya tumingin sa akin. I awkwardly ate the food, and they also did that. The food tasted delicious, I can tell that for sure, however, I cannot enjoy the meal knowing the building up of a tension in the dining hall. I just wanted to be out of here. I felt uncomfortable knowing that I was being scrutinized.

“Anyway, Primrose, as I have offered, I want you to marry Wrath.” Tinuro niya si Wrath na tahimik lang na kumakain sa tabi ni Warrior. Bahagyang tumigil ang binata sa pagkain at saka ito tumingin sa akin. Hindi ko pa siya naririnig na umimik.

Tumawa nang bahagya si Lag, “Founder Warez, I must insist and indulge in your kindness and consideration that you give my sister more time to think for herself.”

Tumaas naman ang isang kilay ni Warez, “what is there to think about? Is it not honor in itself, and a great privilege, to become a royal? By becoming an Astarria.”

Mula sa ilalim ng mesa ay hinawakan ko na ang kamay ni Lag, doon ko lang napansin na siya ay tensed na. Pinisil ko nang bahagya ang kaniyang palad, as if cheering him up and telling him to calm down. He looked at me after and I met his gaze, as if telling me that he should let me handle it this time.

“What does Prince Wrath have to say regarding this?” I asked, and the entire attention centered to the prince in question.

Tumigil ito sa pagkain, at saka siya tumingin sa akin. “I think you have the traits of the woman I am looking for—beautiful, sensible, knowledgeable, full of wisdom, and wise. Though this is our first time to meet, I think I will no longer find any girl like you.”

Ngumisi si Warez dahil sa sagot ni Wrath at ako naman ay natikom na lang ang labi. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako magre-react, hindi ko naman inakala na ganito ang sasabihin ni Wrath.

“I’m sorry...” I said after a few seconds of cold silence. I looked at Warez, and then at Wrath. “It is not really in my plan to get married and so, I must decline the generous offer to become an Astarria, however, I will make sure to use my knowledge wisely in order to contribute for the betterment of the Union.”

Biglang nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin dahil sa aking deklarasyon. I can see Lag too, who has been quiet for a few minutes already, bahagyang namuo ng pawis sa kaniyang noo.

“Are you saying no, Primrose?” There was a command now to the voice of the Empress, as if she refuses to believe. But I guess if I am to agree to be wedded by her brother, Wrath, that will finally put her at ease to the fact that I will not be with Lag. She was being territorial, and I guess I cannot blame her as she is madly in love with my ‘brother’.

“No one has ever said no to the Astarria family and got away with it.” She added.

“Wynzelle, stop. It was an offer, and not a command.” This time, it was Wrath who spoke, defending me. “And if no one has ever really said no to us, to this family, then why is it that until now, you still cannot make Lucius yours despite all of your efforts?” He remarked, which made Warez chuckle.

“This is a completely different case.” Wynzelle responded.

“How so?” Wrath challenged. Hindi nakaimik agad si Wynzelle. She simply sighed and decided to take another bite of her food, as if dodging the question.

So, now both Lag and me are stuck at a very uncomfortable position.

“Since Primrose seems to be a smart woman,” Wynzelle said out of the blue—I am starting to forget to add title on her name, well, it is just in my head so I guess she won’t know. Plus, she was acting like a brat so I see that there is no need to call her by her title, just in my head though, otherwise, if I say it out loud, they might literally take my head off, “how about let us ask her what her opinion is in regards to those who are against the Union, but are actually benefitting from the Union in itself.”

“Well, I do not know where these rebels of the Union are coming from, but all I can say is that a competent leader should also try to listen out to her people, rather than silencing them.”

“Are you questioning the way I am leading things?” Kumunot ang noo ni Empress Wynzelle, her voice was now brimming with fury as well.

I calmly looked at her, I do not know why but I had enough of this farce. Si Lag na ngayon ang humawak sa aking kamay sa ilalim ng mesa, as if telling me to stop, but I simply looked at him, and my eyes were also filled with this intensity. I will not back down or stand down.

“I am not questioning how you lead, Empress Wynzelle. I am only answering your question, as you have inquired my thoughts, and I must be very honest and transparent with it, as I do not want to lie to you or your family. My intentions are pure, and it is only to be truthful about my views. I have nothing against you.”

Warez seems to be more intrigued at me, and the same was with Wrath, because of how I stood to my own principles despite being questioned by the most powerful figure in the world at this era.

“She has a point, Wynzelle,” Wrath chuckled darkly, as if teasing his sister who was now looking at me as if she wanted me to just die.

“We just have no use of rebels who are causing chaos and conflict. Palamunin lang sila ng lipunan, and they waste space. The system of the world right now is perfect, and the Union that I rule is the one thing that is making sure that the system stays the same. No one is allowed to question it, or go against it. Otherwise, those who shall do so shall be deemed as traitors... So, watch your words carefully, Primrose, if you were not associated with Lucius, I would have considered you as a rebel as well already.” Wynzelle declared.

“Empress Wynzelle, if you didn’t want to know my thoughts, you should have not asked me in the first place.” Hindi ko na napigilan at sinagot ko na siya.

“Enough,” Warez meddled already as things were already going out of hand. He then looked at me, his eyes were already warning as well, “while I am fond of you, Primrose, you should truly be careful about your words. I am in a good mood as you have helped in the research for quantum teleportation, which is why I will let this attitude slide. Let’s focus on dinner.”