"Congress today passed what is considered an Emergency Defense Industry Fund Bill, with the President expecting to sign it first thing in the morning. The core elements of the new law provide additional funding to accelerate acquisition, mainly focusing on the Army - to many surprise. The Air Force was given extra funding, mainly for logistical aircraft and escort drones. The strangest element of the Bill was the little attention the Navy received, going against last year's White Paper regarding the United States investing in a stronger Navy.

These new appropriations primarily focus on long-range missiles, infantry-related systems, and drones. Armor did receive an infusion; however, not as much as people expected. A major surprise is the expansion of the Anti-Air munitions, with the justification that the Army cannot expect the Air Force to maintain air dominance in a contested battlespace - when pressed, the public official said it was regarding mindset over reality on Earth. The other surprising investment was expanding Fort Carson and Space Base Raymond to allow additional military personnel for large-scale operations.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Knox stated that after an Internal Review of the US Armed Forces ' structure, there were critical weaknesses within the US Army that needed addressing, mainly with rapidly replacing lost equipment. A peculiar detail hidden on page 66 was the construction of modular factories that could be deployed for off-world operations. When pressed, the Senator responded that if a war ever happens on Luna or Mars, US forces could be cut off, and resupply would need to be local.

This realignment has sent mixed messages to the Defense industry, as it seems the military is again radically reorganizing itself for a major land war." - The Hudson Show

April 9th, 2068 (Military Calendar)

Palace, Salva, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Staring through the lonely small window, Assiaya could only see the night sky. Bright stars filled the darkness, with cosmic clouds flowing vertically at an angle. However, Tekali and her children were not in view because the makeshift closet bedroom was so small.

Usually, this would upset her, but this time, it didn't. For once, she was enjoying the view for what it was. That was until her head pulled back from her Head Maid comb, feeling a strong tug on her light brown shoulder-length hair.

"That hurt," Assiaya said.

"I am sorry," Ceka said. "You gained a few knots from your journey to the fishing village."

"I was not there for a day," Assiaya said. "Girl hair can be annoying."

"That is the curse of being female," Ceka replied. "The art of beauty. At least we were able to remove the fish smell."

Feeling the comb moving through her hair again, Assiaya recalled the intense fish smell. Being a slave in a vampire-led nation, she rarely saw fish food or any food that lacked the necessary blood to consume.

"I see why boys are always smelly," Assiaya said.

"That is correct," Ceka said.

Taking another breath, the dual-eyed girl stared at the night sky again, attempting to resist the comb cleaning her hair.

"I see something is weighing heavily on your mind," Ceka said.

"Do you think Father is furious with me?" Assiaya asked.

The Neko Head Maid stopped combing the young Princess's hair and sat beside her on the bed. The Cat Woman had a natural beauty for an older female. There was a light brown fur patch on Ceka's shoulder with many black spots mixed in. Her tanned body was white under her small cat-like snout and yellow eyes.

The feline then grabbed a wet cloth and wiped the leftover dirt on the slave girl's face.

"He might be frustrated but not mad. Politics can be messy, and there is a lot on his plate. But I am certain your Father is happy you are okay."

Taking a deep breath, Assiaya wondered if she had made the correct choice. When she went to the Nagal fishing village, she wanted to prove she could do this job. Her allies and people knew they could count on her, especially showing the American Ambassador that she couldn't be bullied.

Pushing aside the cloth, Assiaya said, "I hope you are right. Everyone was angry but also happy. I did not know how to feel."

As they two spoke, Assiaya saw her Head Maid ears perk. "What is it?"

"Master Ryder is about to arrive," Ceka said. "I recognize his boot steps pattern."

Impressed by the feline's ability to hear that accurately, Assiaya listened to the closet door open, making her turn. Deciding not to wait, she burst out of her seat, and when the door opened, she tackled him in the hallway, so he was on the floor.

"Father!" Assiaya said.

Ryder leaned up, stunned by the surprise attack. "I have been in a few brawls in my life. Never had a tackle like that."

Assiaya leaned on his legs, staring at her father with excitement. Both laughed before she noticed other staff in the hallway staring at them. This made her turn red as she realized how immature she was acting. The dual-eyed girl stood, and they bowed in shame to the staff. "I apologize."

She then turned to her father and began apologizing that this was not the proper mannerism of a Princess. However, to her surprise, he stopped her.

"None of that crap. You're a kid; when we are alone, you should act like it."

Watching him stand, she could only smile, feeling the familial love. The two went inside the small room, shutting the door.

Assiaya saw him put his cell phone on the bed and set it to the translation application. She closed her eyes to refocus her mind in preparation for speaking a new language. While the app was there to smooth their conversation, she understood that she needed to learn the American language to have a closer relationship with her father.

The Head Maid kneeled again and said, "Come, your Highness. Let's finish preparing for bed."

The Princess jolted with excitement and ran over to Ceka. However, she grabbed the silver comb from the neko hand and attempted to hand it to her father.

Ryder sat on the bed, grabbing the comb from his daughter's hand. "Maybe Ceka should. She is better trained in it."

"Please? Ceka is not good at it."

"Assiaya!"

"It is all right, My Lord," Ceka said. "Her intention was to spend time with you."

Ryder nodded, realizing what was happening. "All right, turn around."

The Princess turned around excitedly, letting her father finish combing her shoulder-length, light brown hair. It became apparent that he wasn't as gentle as Ceka, but he didn't care. This was about quality time, something they rarely got in this war.

"My Lord," Ceka said. "Do you wish any service?"

"You don't have to call me Lord in private," Ryder stated. "But no, I think we are good."

"With respect," Ceka said. "It is my place to do so. Regardless of whether you wish or not. It is important to maintain boundaries."

Assiaya couldn't help but giggle at the insecurity of her new father. "This is normal, Father. You do not have to be afraid. I had to address my master in such a manner. All us servants did."

"I am not afraid," Ryder said. "It... is complicated. I don't want people to think I am a tyrant or abuser."

"My Lord," Ceka said. "Are there no servants in your country?"

Ryder rubbed the back of his head. "That is typically left for the rich and political class," he said.

"Which you have become," Ceka said. "If you allow me some advice. I appreciate that you wish not to become a tyrant, but you are speaking to me as if I were a mere slave. I know you are not used to this level of elevation. Still, blind opposition to your role and duties will not breed positive results. Respecting each other's place is what breeds positive and respectable results. Not ego or shame."

"You...," Ryder said. "Are correct. I am glad you are a wise woman."

"I could be a failure of a Head Maid of your House if I was not." Ceka bowed. "Now, I will take my leave."

The Neko then headed toward the door, thanking her master before exiting for the night.

"Father...," Assiaya said. "You should be careful not to imply people are slaves."

"I was not trying to," Ryder said. "I can see why she felt offended. Now..., what do you think of Ceka?"

"I do like her more than Routh," Assiaya said. "Routh was always harsh, but Ceka has been gentle and caring. I had no idea a Head Maid could be nice. Also, it feels strange being taken care of. I was always the one serving, not being served. She is kind and cares about her work."

"I guess we are both getting used to this new life," Ryder said.

The dual-eyed girl got excited. She sat in front of her father, facing away, and allowed him to continue cleaning her hair. As before, he was not gentle, probably his first time.

"He is not good at this," the voice said.

"Shut up," Assiaya thought. "I want to spend time with Father. Our other one never comb our hair."

"I was not attacking, only stating. I do wonder why, though. For his age, I assumed he would have children to practice with."

Assiaya struggled with the response. She knew that Ryder was married before and died, feel tremendous guilt that he couldn't protect her. His wife died in a car crash from a drunk driver – something she didn't understand but assumed it was a domestic issue and not from war or revenge.

This, however, made her wonder: "If I am not rude, do you have children on Earth?"

"It is not rude," Ryder said. "And the answer is no."

"How come? You had a wife."

"I..., I did."

Feeling that he had stopped combing her hair, she turned around and saw her father staring down with a sad face.

"Carol and I wanted to have many kids. But, with the war with the Cartels and multiple deployments. By the time we were having our first kid, she was taken."

"I am sorry."

"It is okay. It was a long time ago. But I have you, and I know Carol would have loved you as a daughter."

Assiaya couldn't help but smile, feeling loved.

"All right. Enough with that. I think I am done with your hair."

"Thank you, Father." Assiaya stood. She stopped and turned to her father, "Is everyone angry with me?"

"I saw that question coming," Ryder said. He took a deep breath and responded, "Not really. Don't get me wrong, you shouldn't have gone out there like that, but no one hates you."

Assiaya said, "But..., Colonel Hackett given me this quest. And I was not alone! I knew you would have been angry if I did. And the Ambassador was being rude and sabotaging me. And! The village was within your people's territory, so I was still safe."

"I know," Ryder said. He then adjusted himself to allow his daughter to sit next to him. "I think we all understand how you felt. The Ambassador was being unprofessional, and trust me, they were far more pissed at her."

"Good," the voice said. "I hate that scroafă."

"I will admit," Assaiya thought. "It was good for her get yelled at by the Colonel and General."

"That woman would never survive Routh's rule. Ask Father if Varitan is in trouble. He recommended going around the Ambassador to us and hope he is not in trouble."

During the journey to the fishing village, the subject of how Ryder would react to their stunt, so the sudden concern from the voice made sense. Their motuia political advisor confessed that the House pater familias might get angry; however, the Captain was in battle. While going to the Colonel would have been the logical step, the rudeness of the Ambassador created a growing problem that needed to be resolved immediately. The Princess is the symbolic leader for the Americans, the reputation of the House of Ryder, and its credibility as a political entity, which the Ambassador attempted to ruin, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

"Father," Assiaya said. "Did you yell at Varitan?"

"No," Ryder asked. "I would be lying if it was not my first reaction, but I needed to show trust. After we talked briefly, I saw his perspective."

"He was only looking out for our House."

"I know. We had that conversation. I would have preferred you two to have gone to Colonel Hackett; that would have avoided this incident, but I get it. The elf said an insult to our House, especially this early in its creation, going unanswered, would have undermined us, the Colonel, and the General plan."

"That is what he told me."

"I know. Being a leader means you stand by your decisions, and you guys did. You acted and earned the Colonel and General respect. However, be careful around the Ambassador now. I get the feeling that the State Department was not thrilled by Sherman's decision to prop up your royal status, and now that you upstaged West, she will not forget."

As she listened to her father, the slave princess was initially happy with a mission accomplished. But seeing all the drama that resulted from it, she worried that it was a mistake. She wanted to be friends with the Americans and unite, not create a similar situation between the Vampire Lord and the Unity Priestess, who were constantly at odds. The dual-eyed girl had no idea how easy it was to create political enemies.

"Was it a mistake to go?" Assiaya asked.

Ryder withheld his answer momentarily before responding, "The correct answer is it was a mistake. However, Hackett always told me that sometimes, you must trust your gut to get the job done. Damn, the rules and consequences. So, I will let you decide if it was a mistake."

"I think I did the right thing."

"Good. Remember, though, that you must truly believe that you did the right thing to do and own up if it doesn't go your way. But next time, go to Hackett if I am not around."

"I promise."

Ryder lightly laughed and rubbed her head, to the Princess's annoyance, as she just got her light-brown hair groomed. He then pulled out his phone. "Now, being a Pater familias is over, and it's time to be a dad. I want to show you our versions of moving ink called films. An anime."

"What is that?" Assiaya asked.

April 10th, 2068 (Military Calendar)

Vagahm, Verliance Aristocracy

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Girnick Elkkur, the Lord of Vagahm, stood by a ballottement on the exterior of their hill, staring toward the north. The dwarf noble could feel the chilling arctic air flowing down, funneled by the Twin Mountain Ranges, Torness to the east, and Koralius mountain ranges to the west before colliding with the Yuplenia Mountain Range.

It was pitch black as Tekali was on the opposite side of the moon, leaving only the night sky and all the stars shining brightly.

"Having another midnight stroll?"

Elkkur saw his motuia political advisor, Eriznaec, walking onto the defensive wall. "I will be in shortly. I am just getting a little exercise before bed."

"You have made that excuse since your encounter with the Altaerrie. And since when do you exercise?"

Elkkur chuckled. "Do not worry. I have my T-bone being prepared afterward."

The advisor approached his master and stared out into the wilderness. "I see it is another dark night. You should have additional patrols, just in case."

The Dwarf Lord placed his hands on the battlement, staring out. Below were wooden buildings with guards on patrols. Outposts along the long road headed towards Salva and the Great Kasin Lake to the west. But that was not what the Lord was staring at. The impressive echoes of artillery and the bright flashes in the distance from the war between the Altaerrie versus the Verliance Aristocracy and Unity of Cordinlane.

"I see what is on your mind," Eriznaec said. "As your advisor, do not feel ill about what is happening outside our borders. You achieved what you wished. Keeping us out of war."

Girnick Elkkur knew that was the truth; however, he felt that victory was not what he had hoped for. Since the Salva Princess left with the hostages, the dwarf believed he would have regained his sense of mind, but that was not the case. The current crisis has only daunted his dreams.

"You are correct," Elkkur said. "I got everything I wanted. Those elves out from my chambers and no crying mothers and wives at our gates."

"Then set your mind to rest," Eriznaec said. "There is nothing more you can do except maintain neutrality. And when Unity wins, we can expand our trade network throughout the region."

"That assumes we will be allowed."

"Your meaning, my Lord?"

The Lord continued to stare at the bright flashes coming from Salva. This had been a familiar sight over the weeks: both sides battling for their respective interests. The Altaerrie wished to claim Alagore, while the Unity sought total conquest.

"I do not know. The girl and her father left an impression on me."

"A Balan?"

"Is she one?"

"Yes, she is," Eriznaec said. "You should have handed the fake Princess over to Kallem. It could have guaranteed a position on his council forever."

He knew his advisor was correct, and the Dwarf Lord almost decided to go down that path. The moment the girl introduced herself, she was the last blood of the House of Balan, an ill-viewed name within this borrian. Capturing her would have been easy, and the Vampire Lord would have agreed to any terms at that point, even if it had sparked a war with the Altaerrie. A short-term crisis for long-term prosperity.

When Assiaya declared her lineage, Girnick Elkkur decided to do the same. At the same time, though, her defiance regarding him canceling their meeting left an unexpected impression. There was something different.

The two were convincing during their second meeting with her newly claimed father, an Altaerrie man named Captain Mathew Ryder. It was clear to him that the two humans loved each other, and that relationship shaped Assiaya's worldview with her experience as a slave.

"Let me ask," Elkkur said. "What do you think of this fake House game the Americans are playing?"

Eriznaec tilted his head in confusion. He then rubbed his long beard before taking a breath. "I see. Alright, my Lord. We met this Ryder fellow, and he is no nobleman. Assiaya is a Balan, yes. Some might join because of that name, but no one can trust a Balan."

"As I asked before, is she one?"

"By blood, yes."

"But in action?"

"Regardless. They could have the best of intentions. The question is, do you wish to align your House with a false noble? The reputation alone will discredit your name."

Feeling frustrated, Elkkur grabbed the stone wall and looked out. "I might be speaking nonsense, but I am not convinced. The Verliance emissary spoke with strength and wisdom, but the two were authentic and genuine."

"The heart does not sway geopolitics," Eriznaec stated. He saw that his points did not sway his master, causing him to sigh. "What is on your mind."

"What if they are not as corrupted?" Elkkur said, turning toward his motuia advisor. "Do not get me wrong, all who engage in politics are untrustworthy. And as you stated, they are a fake House. If Altaerrie believed declaring a house from nothing would change the minds of these lands, they would have an uphill battle. But, it is what she said."

"That she has the blood of Balan but the name of Ryder," Eriznaec said. "And that has been haunting your mind?"

"Should it not?" Elkkur responded.

"I understand," Eriznaec said. "Do not lose sight of what is important."

"And what is that?"

"Maintain our neutrality. Preventing the destruction of our borrian."

The Dwarf Lord predicted the response as their objective, but that didn't stop him from feeling frustrated. "Why, though? Is it because we are afraid?"

"Of course!" Eriznaec replied. "If we side with the Altaerrie, the Unity will come here and kill us all. We know what they will do. They brought Kallem to his knees. What chance do we have?"

Elkkur took a deep breath and stared out into the darkness. "Are we just putting off the inventible? As you said, even Kallem bent the knee."

"But, if we follow the Verliance Lord," Eriznaec said. "He will deal with them."

"..., unless the Altaerrie wins. Unless the Princess wins."

"And you think that is wise? She's barely adult age. A formal slave. Adapted by people from another world and a Balan. Do you think she could reunite the Confederacy to oppose the Unity? That is crazy."

"It is crazy. I would never place my people above a human, and getting involved in great power wars is not my interest. But I must admit, I respected her determination to free her people. She had to know that maybe we could capture and return her to her formal master, yet. she remained."

"My Lord," Eriznaec said. "You want to follow the Altaerrie?"

"Of course not," Elkkur stated. He stared out into the darkness, seeing the flashes fading away as the current battle ended. He knew that the Altaerrie were struggling, which was expected. However, the Unity and Aristocracy have yet to achieve victory.

The image of Assiaya and Ryder together, working together to free "their" people. The Princess didn't need to do this, and this new House seemed genuine. At least enough to challenge the Unity power.

"I am willing to follow the House of Ryder," Elkkur said, turning toward his motuia. "And you knew I was going to say that."

"It is my responsibility to predict your interests and attempt to provide a well-out argument for or against your wishes," Eriznaec said. "However, Vagahm has already signed an agreement. Breaking it now would only bring an invasion from the Unity."

"And the Altaerrie have their hands full," Elkkur said.

And that was what frustrated the Vagahm Lord. He knew the right path but couldn't find a road to follow. Even if he believed in Princess Assiaya Ryder as a favorable successor to the Balan royalty family, he couldn't thrust his City-State borrian into war. Especially if he was not sure the Altaerrie could win this siege.

So far, Vagahm has been following the tug-of-war carefully, knowing the future of Alagore could be settled here. The Americans and Salva have bunkered into their city like dwarves, repelling every attack. However, they have yet to find a way to break through the Aristocracy blockade. While the siege was at a stalemate, it was only a matter of time before a Unity victory.

But the Altaerrie were different. His short time with them emphasized that point. The Dwarf Lord didn't understand to what extent the new humans' technological abilities were; he knew they were not weak, and if they could bring their full force to bear, even the Unity would struggle. There was only one option to break the siege.

"Eriznaec," Elkkur said. "Send a diplomatic request to the Princess."

***** Author Notes *****

Hello everyone, few notes. I am trying different editing software to help catch some mistakes. Also, Wattpad didn't notify anyone about a new art commission of Fraeya. Please go check it out! Those arts are helped funded by my Patreon, so thank you to all members. If you wish to support the story, I appreciate any support.