Beyond?

“I say what I want to say and do what I want to do. There's no in between. People will either love you for it or hate you for it.”

-One simple truth.

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Stella***

“Are you sure that you don't want to change your hair to silver? Just signal to them that you are really a Gejene?” Azir asks while holding my hand. We are at the back of a stage and waiting for our parents to make the happy announcement. I hear my mother's muffled voice through the separating woodwork. She is holding one of her terrifyingly long speeches.

Azir is wearing a black suit which makes him look two or three years older. I am in a tight white dress with silver embroidery.

I shake my head. “No. I want to go out there and have them take a good look at me. I want them to realize who I am. I want them to remember what they said about me. And then, on stage, I'll change my hair.”

Azir nods. “That'll surely have the maximum effect. You are a cruel person, you know that?”

Squirming a little, I take his hand in mine and look up at him. “You think so? Is it too cruel? Am I in the wrong? I am aware that I was largely left alone in school, but that was only because they feared that I would tell you about their actions.”

He pets my head and smiles. “Shock them as much as you like. I just thought that it might be a little overboard.”

A clapping sound can be heard from the stage, together with my mother's voice. “And finally I can announce the most important point of this evening. My second daughter who studied incognito at the university fell in love and we can happily announce the betrothal of Stella Gejene and Azir Zait. This is a happy hour for both of our clans and I am thrilled to introduce both of them to you.”

“That's our signal!” I pull Azir around the separating woodwork and wave at the crowd of people with a smile on my face. Azir does the same, though he walks a little stiffly. My mother and his parents are waiting for us on the stage.

As we reach my mother's side he bends down a little and whispers. “I think I am not that good with speeches.”

“Just say what comes to your mind and everything is fine.” I whisper while I search the faces down in the crowd. Finally I find the ones I was looking for.

I keep my eyes on Olivia and then on Annice for several moments. The entire festival hall is completely silent and everyone is watching us. Some with interest, some in shock and with open jaws. Then I change my hair colour for the most dramatic effect and a few faces pale.

My mother gives us a signal and I step forward. Azir does the same while holding my hand.

I let my gaze wander over the entire crowd, while taking in the luxurious festival hall. The chandeliers of diamonds, the golden insignias on the walls, the expensive marble floor. There is no material which is too luxurious or too rare when it comes to my family. We can simply transmute dirt into whatever we wish it to be.

My eyes find Louise, Talia and Karsen. I smile and start my little speech. “I thank all of you for being here tonight. Especially because this is the first time we are properly introduced. My name is Stella Gejene. I have to say that I am unbelievably happy that my relationship with the one I love is finally ~official~!” I hug Azir from the side and kiss him on his cheek.

Some girls who were previously going for Azir turn red and others pale even more.

Azir takes a step forward with his face turned into a smiling mask. “Hello, everyone. Some of you know me. I am Azir Zait. Unfortunately I am neither good at speeches, nor with people. So I decided to simply convey my feelings about my betrothal to Stella.” He pauses for the dramatic effect. “There is something which I wanted to do in front of everyone, while not giving a shit who might see it!” He turns around, tilting me backwards and kisses me. I feel my heart skip a beat, it's one of those kisses which have a deep meaning!

Out of the corner of my eyes I see some girls toppling over and others going to their knees in defeat. An uproar of cheers courses through the hall. Finally Azir brings me into an upright position again and grins at the crowd.

My mother steps forward again. “Since both of them are still at the university I decided together with Valda Zait that it would be best to give them some free room. They've got their own house on university grounds and are free to do as they please. They still have five years in front of them and many things can change in five years. It is of benefit to the country to have two such outstanding individuals available to be inserted into a position of power, should the need arise. I am sure everyone understands what this bond between the Gejene and the Zait means.”

Azir bends down to me. “Did I just misunderstand her, or did she indeed threaten everyone?”

I purse my lips. “She didn't exactly threaten them. I would say she ensured that everyone understood some facts.”

Helen claps her hands together. “So. With everything said we can finally start the party.”

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Azir***

The hall is really luxurious. The Gejene didn't hold back when they built it. It just came to me... but Stella is the perfect woman for me! Whenever I need a special material for my machines, I just have to go to Stella and tell her what I want.

There isn't even an issue with money! I just have to bring her a shovel of Ghost's poop and tell her to make some iron for me. Or whatever else it is I need at the moment.

I look out for our parents, but they seem to have an important conversation, not paying attention to anything else.

Stella takes my hand and pulls me off the stage. “Azir, lets dance!” She points at the dance floor in the middle of the hall.

I nod. On our way to the dance floor we are intercepted by Annice and Olivia.

Annice is the first one to speak. “Well played. I have to bow my head, Stella. No wonder that all of my later advances failed. You took the position as the cute, innocent childhood friend. I should have thought about that. On top you hid your identity, so I didn't even realize that you were a threat!”

I smirk at Annice. “So you will finally stop pestering me? I told you that it won't work out when we first met.”

Annice's eyes widen and relax again. “So you remember that. Probably I blew my chances that day already. Looks like I have to search for another target. Have you seen Louise somewhere? She always fed me with interesting targets to distract me from you.”

I point to my left. “I saw her somewhere there when I was on the stage.” I doubt that Annice feels anything more about this than having lost the chance to get her hands on an interesting toy.

“I see.” She turns to Stella. “Make sure to keep a good eye on him. If the chance arises I may worm my way between you two.” Annice walks off and leaves us behind.

Stella mumbles. “I am not into threesomes.”

I turn my attention towards Olivia, who seems like she wants to say something to Stella.

She clenches her fists. “Of course I knew that you would win since you beat me up. That freakish strength of yours is nothing to laugh at. But it still bugs me that you hid your true identity. Since the magical contract you forced on me is finally lifted I can ask you now. Why did you do it?”

Stella scratches her chin. “Because my mom only allowed me to stay at the university as long as I am not found out.”

Oliva curses and walks away. “If I had found a way to tell anyone about her!”

I smile at Stella. “So you were the culprit after all. I suspected it. Which contract did you force onto her.”

Stella tilts her head while trying to remember. “Don't talk to me. Don't talk about my true identity. Don't give any information about my true identity away in any way. Find an excuse if someone thinks your behaviour is strange. Keep your distance from me. Don't point at me. Don't confirm or negate anything about me... and a few more redundant formulations.”

“More? You were very thorough.” We finally reach the dance floor and start dancing.

Stella nods. “I learned that this has to be done right when I found the dents in the contract between my mother and me.”

That's right. Magical contracts can't be set up complicated enough. That's because they are like a programming language. “So what about the strength she mentioned. You already demonstrated outstanding physical power. Next time I'll enhance my strength before I attack you.”

“~Nooo.~ You'll attack me again tomorrow? I was twenty minutes late because of that.” She hugs me a little tighter. “That's just a little trick I found when I played with my ability. Since my ability works by infusing my mana into objects I tried to manipulate the flow of mana within myself to enhance my strength. And it works quite well. If you concentrate your mana in certain areas you achieve a considerable boost in power.”

That's really neat. “Sounds interesting. You have to teach me. When I remembered about Olivia's injuries I already thought that you transmuted her or something like that.”

“Sure. And no. You can't transmute living beings in a combat situation since you would have to infuse your mana into them. The normal reaction of someone who is attacked is to force the enemy's mana out of your own body. Though it would work if the target relaxes and lets it happen.”

She leans closer and whispers into my ear. “We could try to switch roles next time.”

“Hahahaha... No.”

“It was just a suggestion.”

“You already told me how dangerous it is and you want to transform the whole body? Count me out. There are better solutions to achieve something like that.” I shake my head.

“Oh?” She grins. “Which ones?”

“I won't tell. That's forbidden territory.” And not in just one way. I won't step onto that ground.

“Cheapskate! So we do it normally tonight.” She giggles.

“There are still a many positions we haven't tried.” I whisper into her ear.

“Sister!” Our dance is suddenly interrupted by a silver haired beauty in her best years. I find some similarities with Stella, but the new arrival has an even leaner face which doesn't harm her appearance. Her dress is frivolously showing off her bust to the point that I fear that they could burst out and free themselves from their shackles at any moment. Her horns are arching upwards from her forehead and curve then backwards around her head like a crown. They are silver like her hair. I assume that she manipulated them with her ability.

The dress is a tight gold and silver gown with many open segments, showing off her legs and hips while still hiding most of it. Stella's outfit is tight and revealing too, but compared to this woman Stella is moderate and restrained.

Stella sighs and we stop dancing. “May I introduce you. That's Sola Gejene, my older sister by four years and nine months. Sola, that's Azir, he belongs to me! So stay away.”

“~Ahn!~ How cold. What did I ever do to my little sister to deserve this. Imagine my surprise when Mother told me that the black duck of our family turned into a white swan and got herself a guy. All that practically overnight.” She looks at me and pulls at her lip. “He is still a little young, but would you mind lending him to me? I would need just ~one~ night.”

This woman is a Bitch! A real Bitch in a matriarchal country! And she is the successor of the country's leader! “Nice to meet you, I am Azir.”

“Oh, wow. I am Sola, nice to meet you.” She looks at Stella. “He is looking into my eyes. Not many men do that. What do you say, Sis? You can have him back afterwards. Originally I thought about getting him for myself once his clan is ready to negotiate, but you beat me to it. Sneaking in like that was a little underhanded of you. I could offer you a favour in return.”

Stella's face turned into a smiling mask. “What about 'He is mine.' and 'Stay away!' was hard to understand?'”

“Aw. Fine. The offer still stands if you need something.” She looks past us and sees something which draws her attention. “Katarina! Long time no see.” Without bothering with us any further she strolls off.

I follow her departure in silence, those swaying hips, the rolling gait! She is the personification of a B...

Stella pulls at my cheek. “Don't look like that, your eyes will fall out!”

“No... I just thought...” For a moment I consider if I should convey my thoughts, but it shouldn't be a problem since Stella doesn't seem to like her sister. “... what a Bitch! Is she really going to be the next clan head?”

Stella lets go of my cheek. “You think so? Well it fits her. For a moment I thought you were smitten by her.”

“No. Your clan is in trouble. I hope you realize that.” I shrug my shoulders.

Stella snickers. “Unfortunately it's not that bad. She may not seem like it, but she has a brain between her ears. Otherwise my mother would've used all possible means to return me to the palace as an insurance.”

“So... since I got to know your sister, how about introducing me to your father?” I ask a little frightened. “Are there more surprises for me?”

“Unfortunately my father is on a diplomatic mission through the southern borderlands. He won't come back before next month. Fortunately my sister is the only strange one in the family.”

“So... how about sneaking away before your sister returns?” I pause meaningfully. “Preferably a place where we are alone.”

Stella tilts her head. “That might be a good idea.”

.