My mind was now clear. The storm of emotions had calmed down and I was able to think rationally. After a few hours of training with my team I had made my way to General Zori's office. I had told one of his secretaries to inform the general of my plan to meet him, but it had seemed that my message never reached him.

"Captain, is there something I can do for you?" He asked as he looked up from his desk. His face then grew pale as his eyes widened, "Has something happened to Tessa?  When I left her she was about to take a call on that communication device we altered for her."

I held out my hand  as I shook my head and then replied, "No, no. Tess is doing well. She did happen to talk to me about the Alex from Earth, but aside from a few tears she is doing well."

He sat back in his seat and relaxed a bit, a sigh of relief escaped his throat,
"It's good to hear that you two are able to get along. Did she happen to regain anymore of her memories as the two of you spoke?"

I made my way closer to his desk and shook my head again, “No, she told me the good news about regaining memories of you, general, but no memories of anything else."

The general smiled, "Yes, it was a very good feeling to have her call me father like she used to. So, what brings you here when you could be there with Tessa. Have you something to report?"

I stiffened up and thought of how to tell him. The fact that we had someone willing to betray such a generous person was baffling to me, but greed can make you do the most despicable things.

I sighed heavily then answered,

"General Brenten was here. They know of Contessa's return."

General Zori shot up from his chair, "Is Tessa alright? You didn't let that fowl creature next to her did you? I'll slice him from belly to throat if he tries to lay one finger on her."

The stack of papers he had piled in front of him flew forward and almost scattered onto the floor. I raised my hand slightly as I jerked closer to his desk to catch them.

"No general, I was able to intercept him before he could lay eyes on her. He wasn't too happy with my reply, but the fact that he has arrived so soon means that there is someone feeding the Elders information."

Zori looked down at his desk and scoffed,

"This operation was a tightly kept secret for years. Those boney bastards will stop at nothing to get Contessa back into there skinny little clutches."

I fixed the stack of documents neatly on his desk as I remembered Brenten's shocked face when I refused to let him meet with Contessa.

"I made it clear that he would have no way of seeing her unless you or I approved of such a meeting. When I leave here I will see that security is doubled around her room and that no one is allowed entry to her room if we are not present." I replied.

"We will have to come up with a plan to weed out the ones that have turned against me. To think I have a pest infestation in my own house.", Zori sat back down in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. Balling his hand into a fist he caught one of his documents and crumpled it, "When you find them waste no time on interrogation. The best way to stop an infection is to kill it."

I stood up straight and saluted him as he gave his order,

"Yes, general. I will carry out the task myself."

Zori released his grip on the paper and sighed, 

"No, you stay close to my daughter. As her intended you should be trying to find ways to help her regain her memories of you. There's also the option of just reacquainting yourselves. Find someone trustworthy and assign the task to them."

The idea of having a stroll through the market jump into mind and I smiled,

"Of course, general. I can setup a few activities outside the mansion if you give me permission to take her off property."

His eyes looked down at a piece of paper in front of him and shook his head,

"No. She hasn't had time to get used to much except for what's inside her room. For now a trip to the garden should suffice. We mustn't over stimulate her and we mustn't give those bastards any chances to lay eyes on her."

"I apologize, general. I became excited at the thought of reintroducing Jusye to Tess. The fact that she has lost her memories of her birth place saddens me", I sighed as I wiped my hand over my face to hide my disappointment, "Strolls within the perimeter of the grounds should do wonders until she familiarizes herself with everything again."

"Oh and we mustn't forget", He tapped his finger on his desk twice as if something had just come to mind, "She is not to step foot near the practicum. I have no intentions of sending her back out into the field. If her skills never returned that would also be a blessing."

I raised an eyebrow as I thought of how talented she was with an ensis. The way she could make the blade dance with her so beautifully that it brought one to tears.

"What should we do in the case she does regain her memories on her various trainings?"

"My mind is set on keeping her away from the war, Captain," Zori glared at me as if to warn me not to test him on the matter, "Should she regain any of her training it won't change my mind."

"Understood, general." I replied.

His face softened a bit and quickly changed the subject,

"Oh, while I have you here. I am to have dinner tonight with Tessa. You should join us. It will be nice to have my future son join us."

Images from my last encounter with Contessa flooded back to me. It was too soon for us to see each other after that confusing ordeal. I could feel my face turn hot.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer this time, general. Contessa and I parted on confused and awkward terms earlier. I think it best I give her more time to process her thoughts and feelings towards me."

He looked up at me and I could feel the air get thick.

"Awkward terms. Did you say something embarrassing?" He replied.

Sweat started to pool over my brow and my thoughts were racing with the many ways General Zori could kill me if I said too much about what actually took place.

"Nothing of sort, general."

He narrowed his eyes as he studied my face. Our eyes locked on to each other.

"Then what happened."

I quickly rushed through the encounter in my head and I picked parts that seemed safe enough to share,

"As I mentioned before, General, she spoke about her Alex. It seems they have parted ways. But then she began speaking strangely about me abandoning her. I assured her that nothing like that would ever happen. It was refreshing yet confusing as well."

"It seems she is afraid of being left behind. Most likely a trauma due to the accident." He sat back in his chair as he stared at my face, "Zen, what else happened while you were in my daughter's room?"

I cleared my throat,

"Nothing of importance, general. We just talked."

"Really. Just talked. Okay. You are dismissed," He reached for a document and began scanning it as I took a step towards the door, "Oh and you will be joining us for dinner tonight, that's an order, Captain."

"Yes, general. I will see you then."

I walked out of his office and turned a corner towards the elevator. My reflection in the windows followed beside me and I turned to look at it.

"You're a fool. He knows that you were physically involved with his daughter earlier. I'm dead if Contessa refuses our union."

I sighed and then continued walking towards the elevator. Dinner that night would be the longest dinner I ever sat down to.