"His Majesty requires your services, at once!" the man said, his voice echoing in the room.
He tossed a small container into her room. Dust balls flew up as it landed on the cold floor.
Laena rose from her bed with a sigh. While the soldier waited impatiently at the door, she undressed and wiped herself down with wet tissues. She found both lotion and clean, silky underwear in the container, and carefully put it on. The guard kept his gaze straight forward into the cell, not letting his eyes wander to the more interesting places.
"Hurry up, we haven't got all day," he said. "You know the king."
"Do you think His Majesty would prefer me in dirty clothes and unwashed?" Laena countered, and with a defiant tardiness, sat down in front of the mirror. She knew this soldier. He was one of the nicer ones, so she had a bit more leeway.
With the wet tissues she cleaned her face and tried to smile. Her right side was still a bit stiff, but she knew enough concealer would take care of the bruise. Makeup had always been one of her talents, and she swiftly put on her pretty face.
She heard a strong buzz and saw that the guard accepted the incoming call. Laena hurried, seeing that time was running out. She quickly brushed her red hair before slipping into the flimsy black dress with matching high heels.
"There, I'm ready," she said and walked up to the soldier.
"Object retrieved, boss," he said into the hidden mic, and grabbed Laena's arm.
"Ow!" she complained, "You don't have to do that, I can walk myself."
"Sorry," he muttered and released her.
Together they walked down the hall, past the thirty same doors, all carefully, though probably unnecessarily locked. One door for every planet in the independent Tainee kingdom.
"He is angry today," the soldier said, surprisingly.
"Wow, you can talk?" Laena said, mockingly. "I though all you could do was bark out orders."
"We're part of the Empire now," he continued, ignoring the pretty girl's reply. "King Assertos has ordered his fleet to join up with the Fifth Imperial Navy in the war. They say the Emperor sent him a daughter to seal the deal."
"A princess? What about Queen Beegona?"
"She had an accident, I'm afraid," the soldier said, and sent her a knowing look.
"So soon?" she replied. She had enjoyed the company of Beegona, who had sometimes gathered all the tributes for tea and cookies.
"The fourth queen to fall off the Royal castle's balcony since his crowning. You'd think they'd fix that treacherous railing by now..."
"May her soul find rest in the black void," Laena said, and the soldier nodded.
"Forever drifting in the dark night," he replied, as was customary.
They walked up the spiraling stairs in silence. The castle was the largest building in the kingdom, by far. Her great grandmother had told her that it was at least partly repurposed from the ancient generation ship that took them here from Earth. That ship could only travel at twice the speed of light. Imagine that!
"The princess is lost, however," the soldier suddenly continued.
"Lost?"
"Yzikian raid, we think. A few days ago. Last known position was the Orix system. Void knows why they took that detour. It's a real shithole. Nothing there but minerals and convicts."
Laena had never heard of Orix.
"No wonder the king has asked for me," she said, "he must be furious. He always asks for me when he needs to calm down."
The soldier nodded in reply, a sadness passing over his face, as if saying "you don't deserve this."
She'd been here for almost five months now, including the lessons. Eleven left to serve before her year was over. Her family would be safe as long as she cooperated.
"You're doing well here," the soldier said, "that's what Myrah says."
"I am?"
"Yalen-2 received generous rations last month, so you must be."
She thought about her beloved family and friends back home under the harsh red sun. She would endure. For them.
The redhead and the soldier finally stepped up to the big door. Three guards stood in front of it.
"Special delivery from Myrah," the soldier said.
"Late as always, Sarantos," the older guard said and shook his head.
The youngest guard took a step forward and retrieved a scanning device.
"Strip search?" he joked, and gave Laena a creepy smile. She could only smile back. The walls had ears, and she knew he would not dare to touch her, so close to the king's quarters.
Instead, the guard scanned her from head to toe with the device.
"Clean," he said and his boss nodded.
"Thank you, Sarantos," the boss said, "you are dismissed."
The soldier gave her another look, as if to say he was sorry, and left the way he came.
The door closed behind her when she entered. It was a large room, with faux stone walls and carpets in the ancient style. In one end stood a large bed, where currently, King Assertos was half sitting, half lying on his back. Around the bed she saw generous amounts of food and drinks: colorful fruits and vegetables, cooked sausages, bloody steaks and fish fillets. She had to fight the urge to just run over and dig in. All they ever gave her in her room was dry bread and nutrient pills.
Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked over to the bed and started her act.
"Carisha and Roana," she said, "you sluts couldn't wait for me?"
The other tributes with red hair turned and smiled to her. "Laena!" they cheered, and even the king smiled. At least she wasn't alone in this. The tributes from Yalen-3 and Yalen 6-1 were kind to her, but also clever.
