Episode 24 — The Brothers’ Pact
Soft morning light slipped through the narrow window and stretched across the floor. Lee stood with his back turned, packing a small travel bag with careful precision. A flask of water, several energy capsules, and a compact sidearm were placed inside one by one. The zipper closed with a sharp sound.
Suddenly, the air shimmered.
A faint distortion rippled across the room like heat above desert sand. In the center of the space, Lara materialized using her transport technique. Her eyes were swollen and wet with tears.
Without a word, she rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
“Lee…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to get married. I don’t even know him… please talk to mom. Help me… please.”
Lee looked down at her and exhaled slowly.
“Tell me something,” he said quietly. “Before today, have you ever questioned the tradition of marrying someone you don’t know? You and mother always defended Xprian traditions. So why is it different now?”
He paused, studying her expression.
“…Is it because of Leon?”
Lara hesitated. Her gaze shifted away.
“It’s not that… I just don’t want to marry someone I don’t know.”
Lee raised an eyebrow.
“Maybe he’s a good person. Tomorrow you’ll find out.”
“No, brother… please…”
“I can only help you if you’re honest,” Lee said firmly. “Do you remember our promise?”
The memory returned instantly.
Years ago, a younger Lara sat surrounded by cables and floating holographic screens. She looked at Lee with frustration.
“Why does mom only trust you? I never do anything important in the organization. I want missions too… I want to train and become stronger!”
Lee studied her carefully.
“You’re better with technology than I am. I’ll give you a secret mission. But first I’ll see if you can keep a secret.”
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Her eyes sparkled.
“Yes! I want to!”
He handed her a small encrypted data drive.
“Your first mission: track information about someone inside the organization.”
Later, alone in her room, Lara accessed surveillance systems and security cameras. She discovered an agent speaking badly about Laura and refusing a dangerous mission. She saved the recording and gave it to Lee.
Lee smiled, proud.
“From today on, you’re my eyes inside the organization. I’ll train you… and I’ll even give you an allowance. But I want to know everything.”
The memory faded.
Back in the present, Lara lowered her head.
“…Okay. I like him,” she admitted softly. “And mom said in front of him that I’m going to marry someone else. I think she did it on purpose.”
Lee fell silent for a moment.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said. “But you will go to lunch with his family. The director sheltered our family when we needed it. Don’t be angry at mom. She made a promise… but I don’t want you married to a Xprian either.”
His expression hardened slightly.
“I’ve never trusted them. They’re not so different from the Krizardians. They just prefer not to dirty their own hands.”
Later, Lee knocked on Leon’s door.
Leon sat on the floor with an open Bible resting on his knees, eyes closed in prayer.
“Come on,” Lee said. “My mother asked me to call you for lunch.”
Leon opened his eyes calmly.
“It’s better if I don’t go. I’m strengthening myself in the Word.”
Lee understood immediately.
“Alright. But tonight we train hard. Your mind needs to be stronger.”
Leon nodded.
“Agreed.”
The dining hall was lavishly prepared. Fruits, meats, and traditional Xprian dishes filled the long table. Despite the luxury, tension hung in the air.
Then the director’s son arrived.
He was tall and elegant, with green hair carefully combed back. Darian Valross.
He bowed slightly, took Lara’s hand, and kissed it.
“Miss Lara… you are even more beautiful than I was told.”
Laura watched with satisfaction while the director encouraged his son to tell stories of his journeys. Darian spoke eloquently about distant systems and battles against interstellar raiders.
Lara barely spoke.
Finally, the moment everyone expected came.
“Lady Laura,” Darian said, looking into her eyes, “with your permission… I would like to ask for Lara’s hand in marriage.”
Lee sensed the tension rise.
Then—
BOOM.
An explosion erupted in the kitchen. Flames burst upward and smoke spread through the hall. The director reacted quickly, forming a protective energy barrier around the guests.
Lara seized the opportunity.
“My dress!” she shouted dramatically. “Lee, you seriously need to learn how to cook! How embarrassing!”
She ran out of the room, pretending anger but secretly understanding the plan.
Lee scratched the back of his head.
“Sorry… an accident. I’ll go call someone to clean it.”
Laura narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“We’ll arrange another occasion, director.”
Darian remained composed.
“No problem. I will be staying for some time… I’ll have many chances to know Lara better. I consider myself fortunate.”
Later that night, Lara appeared again in Lee’s room through her transport ability and hugged him.
“Thank you, brother…”
Lee smirked.
“What do you mean thank you? I just ruined my little sister’s wedding.”
They both laughed.
“You escaped this time,” he said gently. “But next time, don’t just say you don’t want it. Mother won’t understand. There are political games behind this.”
He looked at her seriously.
“Be honest… with him. That’s the best path.”
After Lee left, Lara remained alone, deep in thought, wondering how she would ever find the courage to tell the truth.
Fade out.
End of Episode 24 ??
