Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 291: The Rude Prince

Chapter 291: The Rude Prince

"What a few matters?"

Robin and the other adjutants assumed Lyra’s next orders would be focused on standard military operations. Instead, her next words left them stunned:

"Be pirates."

"...What?"

Lyra tapped a stack of documents on the table, her calm demeanor belying the shock in the room. The reports detailed the countless failures of forces attempting to garrison Voidstar No. 1 over the years.

"In this sector," she explained, "only pirates can land safely."

Realization dawned, and sly smiles spread across her team’s faces.

Lyra’s plan was unconventional, but it was as bold as it was brilliant.

She instructed the adjutants to select a scouting team and finalize their strategy.

Once the plan was set, she stood and dismissed the meeting, leaving her team buzzing with anticipation.

As the others filed out of the room, Aurelius lingered, standing in the shadows. His thoughts churned as he stared blankly at the empty table.

He didn’t notice Lyra approach until she stood directly in front of him. Her steady gaze pierced through his haze.

"Feeling down?" she asked, her voice calm.

Aurelius hesitated, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. "A little," he admitted.

Before the Legion of Everglow had formed, Aurelius had served as Lyra’s adjutant for three years.

He had patiently waited for her rise to independence, hoping to earn a key position in her new legion. But when the time came, three newcomers outperformed him, claiming the coveted adjutant spots.

Worse, there was no excuse to cling to. The selections had been based on merit, not politics.

"Aurelius," Lyra said, her tone measured, "you, more than anyone, understand the importance of strength."

Her words hit home. Aurelius straightened, squaring his shoulders as he saluted her.

"Yes," he said firmly, "and I won’t let you down."

As he stepped outside, the sunlight made him squint, but it didn’t dim the renewed determination in his chest.

He had endured far worse than this. A setback was nothing. He would train harder, grow stronger, and prove himself worthy. His time would come.

As Aurelius exited the military district, his path was blocked by a group of soldiers. At their head was a man wearing the insignia of the royal crest.

"His Royal Highness Lucien requests your presence," the man announced, his tone formal but firm.

Aurelius’ expression darkened as he glanced at the Lev, its royal markings unmistakable.

The next morning, Aurelius returned to the base unconscious, carried in by Thierry.

"My uncle happened to see him being cornered by the Prince Lucien’s guards at the palace," Thierry explained as they laid Aurelius onto a bed. "He brought him out on his way back."

Thierry continued grimly, "The external injuries are treated, but the internal ones... those will need time."

Helion’s temper flared as he paced the room. "What a fool!" he fumed. "If the Lucien’s guards beat him up, why didn’t he just return the favor and punch Lucien in the face?"

Elsie shook her head, her voice softer. "He probably didn’t want to drag the rest of us into trouble."

At that moment, Lyra entered the room with Mandy. She approached Aurelius silently, assessing his condition before using a healing ability to stabilize him.

Then, without a word, she turned and left.

Helion cracked his knuckles, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "That’s it? No retaliation? If you want, I can pay the palace a little visit..."

Lyra didn’t respond. Her gaze shifted instead to the entrance of the dormitory, her expression sharpening.

"There’s no need," she said coolly. "They’re already here."

Lucien, now officially the Crown Prince, stormed into the base with the audacity only royalty could summon.

Flanked by a contingent of royal guards, including two level eight bodyguards, he strode through the halls as if he owned the place.

"Where’s that mutt?" Lucien barked, his voice echoing. "Tell Lyra to hand him over!"

His arrogance filled the air like a noxious fog, his every step oozing entitlement. He ignored the soldiers’ glares, too blinded by his status to sense the danger lurking beneath their restraint.

Lucien assumed his royal authority would shield him. Surely, not even Lyra would dare defy him outright.

When Lyra finally appeared, her expression was calm but glacial, her measured steps radiating quiet power.

"Welcome, Your Highness," she said, her voice laced with icy politeness. "Forgive us for failing to greet you properly."

Lucien didn’t even glance at her. "Hand over that bastard," he demanded, his tone dripping with contempt.

Lyra’s gaze flicked upward to the patrol drones circling above, their mechanical eyes recording the scene.

With a subtle signal, she directed Mandy to disable them.

Moments later, Koros remotely sent the drones away.

Lucien didn’t notice.

Despite the creeping unease gnawing at his confidence, his arrogance kept him steady. Lyra wouldn’t dare touch him, he assured himself. After all, he was the Crown Prince.

Raising his chin, Lucien repeated his demand, his voice sharper now. "Bring the damn bastard out. Now."

As Lucien’s tirade echoed through the hall, the group behind Lyra exchanged knowing looks.

The Crown Prince’s crude language was not only unbecoming but downright laughable—a glaring blemish on the reputation of the Alliance.

Noticing their expressions, Lucien scowled. "What’s with those faces?"

Helion smirked, leaning casually against the wall. "Oh, don’t mind us, Your Highness. This is just how we look when welcoming royalty."

Lucien bristled. "Do you take me for a fool?" Crossing his arms, he added arrogantly, "None of you have even bowed to me yet! Show me the respect I’m due!"

He waved his hand impatiently, waiting for them to obey.

Helion raised an eyebrow and glanced at the others.

"Ah, I’ve got training to catch up on," Helion said with exaggerated nonchalance, turning to leave.

"Yeah, same here," another chimed in.

"I’ll check on Aurelius," added a third.

Before Lucien could blink, the group had scattered, leaving him alone in the corridor.

Lucien stood rooted in disbelief, his face twisting in anger. "Stop right there!" he shouted after them, his voice bouncing off empty walls.

Beside Lyra, Mandy tilted her head, studying the prince as though he were an unusual and particularly slow specimen.

Lucien’s frustration boiled over. He whirled on his guards, pointing at Lyra and the others. "Arrest them all!"

But his guards hesitated, paralyzed by the unyielding pressure radiating from Lyra. The oppressive energy made their knees weak and their palms slick with sweat.

"Lyra," Lucien hissed through clenched teeth, "they disrespected me first!"

Lyra’s response was cool and dismissive. "And?"

The single word hit Lucien harder than any insult, leaving him sputtering in fury.

"You’re outrageous!" he spat.

Lyra gave a faint shrug. "Perhaps."

Lucien’s rage peaked. "Guards, arrest her! Now!"

The guards exchanged nervous glances, their fear evident. One finally spoke, his voice shaky. "Your Highness... she’s a Rear Admiral. We don’t have the authority to detain her."

The second guard whispered under his breath, "And... we can’t win against her."

Lucien’s bravado cracked. His face paled as the realization sank in, leaving him momentarily speechless.

With no recourse, Lucien lashed out bitterly. "Lyra, are you really siding with that mangy mutt over me? I am the Crown Prince!"

Lyra didn’t bother arguing. Instead, she gestured toward the perimeter. "This is a restricted military zone, Your Highness. You’re trespassing. I suggest you leave."

Before Lucien could retort, Lyra’s patience wore thin. With a flick of her wrist, green bands of energy materialized, encasing the prince and his entourage.

In one smooth motion, they were launched from the base.

A collective THUD followed as the group landed unceremoniously outside the gates, dazed and disoriented.

Soldiers stationed nearby struggled to contain their laughter, some failing outright.

One officer shook his head, grinning. "Did he really think he could intimidate HER of all people?"

Another chuckled. "That kid needs to learn some manners before throwing his weight around."

*****

Back at the palace, Lucien fumed as he recounted the events to his father.

"Father, you must punish that insubordinate woman! Arrest her for this humiliation!" he demanded, his fists clenched.

King Edmund’s patience, already worn thin, finally snapped. With a thunderous clang, he slammed his goblet against the table, silencing his son.

"Are you a complete idiot?" the king roared. "You want me to march into the military and arrest a Rear Admiral? Do you have ANY idea what that would provoke?"

"But she insulted me!" Lucien whined, his tone edging toward petulant.

Before he could continue, Edmund hurled the goblet at his son, narrowly missing his head.

"You insolent fool!" the king bellowed, his fury shaking the chamber. "The Empire is at our doorstep, and you’re picking fights with the very people keeping us from annihilation? Keep this up, and I’ll strip your title myself!"

Lucien recoiled, his face a mix of shock and indignation. He slunk behind the queen for cover, seething silently.

But deep within, his resentment toward Lyra burned brighter than ever.

*****

Unbothered by royal drama, Lyra turned her attention to the mission ahead. The deployment to Voidstar No. 1 was fast approaching, and every detail needed to be in place.

On the eve of their departure, Aurelius left the base early and didn’t return until well past curfew.

"Where were you?" Lyra asked when she spotted him during a final inspection.

Aurelius snapped to attention, saluting crisply. "Reporting in, Rear Admiral. I come to thank you for your assistance."

Lyra regarded him briefly, her sharp eyes searching for any sign of lingering weakness. Satisfied, she nodded and turned her focus back to the formation.

With the final preparations complete, Lyra dismissed the troops.

The Legion of Everglow was ready to embark on its first mission—and carve its name into history.