The holographic display flickered to life, and suddenly Ako's pale face filled the space before me. Beside him, Chloe Bradford sat with her hands folded, her expression tight with worry.
"Serna," Ako said immediately. "Where are you? You were supposed to arrive on Calpa days ago. We've been—"
"I'm fine," I interrupted, forcing my voice to remain calm and steady. "I apologize for the delay. Something... unexpected came up."
Chloe leaned forward. "Where's my father? Is he with you?"
"He is." I took a breath, preparing myself for the lie. "That's actually why I wanted to speak with you both privately before the Council call scheduled for tomorrow."
I saw the confusion flicker across their faces, the concern deepening.
And then I began.
"Cullen and I have fallen in love."
My right index finger tapped against the tabletop. Short-long-short-short.
H.
"I know this comes as a surprise," I continued, my voice never wavering even as my finger moved again.Short-long-long-long. "But over these past months, something has developed between us. Something I never expected."
O.
Ako's expression shifted from confusion to shock. "Serna, what are you saying?"
Long-short-long-long. Long-short-long-long. Long-short-long-long.
S-T-A.
"I'm saying that I've made a decision." My heart was racing, but I kept my breathing steady, my voice calm. "I'm abdicating my position as Prime."
Short-long-long-long. Short. Long-short-short.
G-E.
The words felt like ash in my mouth, but I forced them out. Each syllable carefully measured while my finger continued its desperate rhythm against the table.
I saw the moment Chloe noticed the tapping. Her eyes widened slightly, her gaze dropping to my hand, then back to my face.
Please,I thought.Please understand.
"Abdicating?" Ako's voice was sharp. "Serna, you can't be serious. The Alliance needs—"
"The Alliance will be fine," I said.Long-short-short. Short. Short-short-short-long."There are other candidates. Capable leaders who can take my place."
R-I-U.
My finger kept moving. Each tap felt like it lasted an eternity. I was hyper-aware of Riuondo behind me, of the weight of his gaze on my shoulders. One wrong move. One moment of hesitation.
Long-short-short-short. Long-short-short. Long-short-long-long.
O-N-D-O.
"I've spent a century serving the Alliance," I continued, and there was truth in these words at least. "A century putting duty before everything else. Before family. Before happiness. Before love. Chavon's death made me realize what's important." I paused, letting emotion bleed into my voice. "I'm tired, Ako. I want a life. A real life. With Cullen."
Short-long. Long-short-short-short. Short. Short-short-short-long. Short.
A-L-I-V-E.
