"Hooo, you know about that, do you? I can't say I'm surprised that you, of all people, figured it out. Did you see it in one of your visions or something?" Rowena asked with interest.
"I did. How did you learn of it?"
"From her blood. I had the pleasure of meeting both Princess Tessa and Lieutenant Tessa when I recently visited Terrana Five
The two of them have the same scent coming from their blood, as I'm sure you know, no two beings can have the same blood scent."
"I thought it would be because of that," Andromeda nodded in understanding before asking again, "Then can you tell me why she is pretending to be someone else while serving in the TISF?"
"I'm afraid I don't know, but I can make an educated guess after meeting her. I don't know the exact reason as to why she is doing that."
"That's not what I was told. I was told that you would be able to answer my question," Andromeda muttered in surprise.
"Told by who? I would very much like to know who could have possibly informed you that I am aware of Tessa's real identity when I have never mentioned it before." Rowena asked with curiosity and slight concern.
"Romy learnt it from one of her visions, that's all we can say for now," Raphilia replied.
"Hmmm, I see, well, I'm not going to doubt the words of the oracle after she has helped my race numerous times in the past.
However, I honestly don't know why Princess Tessa Terrana decided to enlist in the TISF under an alias. I assume it's because she desires freedom."
"Freedom?"
"What I mean is the freedom to choose her own path in life, though even that is restricted to a great degree.
As I'm sure you're aware, there are many royal and imperial families throughout the known universe, and all of them expect their family members to fulfil certain duties for being part of the royal or imperial families. However, the amount expected varies from family to family.
Let's use the Solarian royal family as an example of a family that doesn't require its members to participate in royal or imperial affairs or duties too often, should they wish to pursue a career outside of leading their race.
First of all, the first Princess Liluth Solar, who is well known throughout the universe for hardly ever making public appearances except at the Solarian races' most important events. Princess Liluth Solar has fully committed herself to scientific research and has indeed, on several occasions, advanced the universe's scientific knowledge through her discoveries.
Then there is the third Princess Ulesse Solar, who is married to Malgath Morthil Mirawenys. Many royal and imperial families do not allow their descendants to marry whom they wish and instead arrange marriages for them to the benefit of the kingdom or empire. Princess Ulesse Solar, however, was allowed to choose her own husband, though I do sometimes wonder how and why she fell in love with Malgath." Rowena stated, making both Andromeda and Raphilia chuckle before she continued.
"My point is that the Solarian royal family does not force their descendants to perform more than the most basic royal duties if they don't want to. The only real exception is the oldest child of the current king, who has to perform like a crown prince or princess and perform their duties if they want to inherit the throne; otherwise, the title gets passed to the next oldest child, who will do their duties.
Now, let's look at the Terran Imperial Family, or what's left of it, I'm sorry to say. In general, those of the Terran Imperial Family are required to perform their royal duties even though they can have side businesses, such as the second Prince Francis Terrana, who owned and operated Royal Entertainment. Even Princess Tessa Terrana often appeared at royal engagements, though not as many as her siblings, which now makes sense.
What I'm trying to say is that the family members of the Terran Imperial Family are required to perform imperial duties for being part of the imperial family, and I'm sure to some who don't care about the throne that must feel like a prison of sorts.
This is purely my speculation, but I'm guessing that Tessa somehow managed to persuade her father to let her live a 'normal' life away from Imperial affairs. I expect that her being part of the Ororis family allowed her some power of negotiation with her father, Emperor Daniel, but only to the extent that her 'normal life' meant joining the TISF."
"Why the TISF, though?" Andromeda asked before adding, "Surely joining the military would put her in more danger?"
"Most likely so that Emperor Daniel could keep tabs on her and always know her well-being, since the TISF reported directly to his eldest son Andrew, who himself reported to Daniel," Raphilia replied.
"It's a shame that with most of the imperial family dead and the Terran reputation with the other races so damaged, she is most likely going to have to give up her career in the TISF and focus on her imperial duties as Princess," Rowena replied with a sigh.
"Not necessarily, Romy plans to help with that after all," Raphilia replied.
"Only if they're honest when they make a public announcement about what happened," Andromeda stated.
"Excuse me?" Rowena asked in confusion.
"I am aware of the real reason why the recent events took place on Terrana Five, as well as the assassination attempts conducted on Emperor Daniel, Empress Victoria, Crown Prince Steven and Princess Tessa, as I saw visions of them," Andromeda explained.
"Really? Tessa was also targeted? But isn't she on the Imperial Down? Also, is what the Newscast is saying about Emperor Daniel being assassinated true? How are Victoria and her son Steven? And what do you mean by real reason?" Rowena asked as she fired off questions one after another.
"Whoa, whoa, Rowena, calm down. If you keep firing off questions like that, Romy will never get a chance to answer them." Raphilia said with a chuckle.
"Ah, my apologies, Andromeda," Rowena said apologetically.
"It's quite all right, Rowena. Your concern is understandable since you spent some time staying with them when you were on Terrana Five." Andromeda replied before she started answering her questions.
"Emperor Daniel is indeed dead, and he died most unhonorably. As for Princess Tessa, it seems that the organisation that orchestrated this had a spy placed on the ship she is stationed on, and the planet-wide power cut was a signal because as soon as the assassin learned of it, he tried to assassinate her.
As for Empress Victoria and Prince Steven, they are both fine. Empress Victoria was… busy when the power cut happened, but she still managed to kill her assassin."
"Busy, that's one way to put it, hehe," Raphilia interrupted before chuckling.
Andromeda, however, ignored her and carried on, "Crown Prince Steven was protected by a member of the Ororis family who was sent to guard him.
As for the real reason behind all of this, it seems this organisation was working with Prince Andrew, and they were working to put him on the throne; however, their real motive seems to have been to steal something, though I don't know what that thing is."
"Prince Andrew? You mean to say he orchestrated the assassination of his entire family?" Rowena asked in shock.
"Apart from his own mother, I believe so, yes. I guess he had a deal with this organisation and agreed to do something for them or help them with something once he became emperor."
"So you plan to publicly speak out and corroborate their version of events as long as it's the truth?" Rowena asked.
"That is correct."
"That will go a long way in assisting the Terrans if they have your backing. Might I make a request regarding this?"
"That depends on what the request is," Andromeda replied with a smile as she had a feeling she knew what Rowena was going to request based on her attitude so far.
"I request that you allow me to inform them about your corroborating their version of events before they make a public announcement."
"Are you concerned that they will lie to try and save face?" Andromeda asked with the same smile.
"Honestly, not really, after all, they don't have much face left to save right now."
"Hehe, harsh," Raphilia said with a chuckle.
"But true." Andromeda added before thinking for a moment and nodding as she said, "That's fine, as long as you don't tell them exactly what I saw and only mention who I saw and that I learned the true reason for the attacks."
"As you wish, Andromeda. Thank you."
"It's fine, I would rather they be honest and allow me to help them than not. Now, about the second important thing I wished to discuss with you."
"I'm not sure there is much that can match the importance of helping an entire race, but please go ahead."
"Well, this is important to you as it pertains to your future."
"My future? Wait… did you have a prophecy regarding me?" Rowena asked in shock.