1800, Queen
Sanya Tagge lay on the floor for a full hour before slowly sitting up. During that time, Adele Ulan came in once more, feeding her some thick soup and helping her recover considerably.
Sanya picked up the sheer gauze from the floor, already soaked in all manner of unknown fluids. Ignoring the filth, she draped it over herself as though it were her last shred of pride.
Then she raised her cold, indifferent eyes and said flatly to Tang Xiao, "May I leave now?"
"Of course. Please, Madam Sanya." Tang Xiao made an inviting gesture, though not toward the door, but toward the bathroom. "A change of clothes has been prepared. Also, your son, Cassio Tagge, has made his choice... He will remain in the Duchy of Dawn and study under Governor Volgograd Kanidi. And as I promised, I will give him opportunities to command fleets in frontline combat without reservation."
As though she had not heard him, Sanya Tagge walked numbly past Tang Xiao, a damp sheet of gauze hanging over her naked body, and headed for the bathroom.
At that moment, someone flew in through the window. It was Alexia Ashford. Two pairs of insect-like cicada wings had grown from her back, vibrating rapidly in the air as they carried her nimbly through the window. She hovered behind Tang Xiao.
Alexia said nothing, merely hovering there as she watched Sanya coldly.
At the sight of her, disbelief and terror finally appeared in Sanya Tagge's numb, beautiful eyes. She quickened her pace and entered the bathroom.
Apparently afraid to remain here for too long, Sanya Tagge took less than ten minutes to clean herself up and emerge wearing the clothes Tang Xiao had prepared for her.
The numbness had faded from her face, but she still did