"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Chapter 1 - Krypton & Daxam's Astralyne

It was a festive night as the Daxamite Royal Family welcomed the Kryptonian envoys after years of negotiations. Queen Rhea and King Lar Gand hosted a banquet to express their gratitude, signaling the nearing conclusion of talks that would bring significant changes to the planet Daxam. Music filled the air, blending with the laughter of guests enjoying the feast. Queen Rhea and King Lar Gand moved gracefully among their visitors, their warm hospitality evident in every gesture.

Rhea observed Prince Mon-El as he flirted with a tall girl from the forests of Larn, her long wavy chestnut hair moving around with every gesture she gave. Queen Rhea checked her arms with markings denoting her skill as an archer. The green and back drawings tattooed along her arms caught her attention. At least he was enjoying the company of a woman of prestige. Meanwhile, Lar Gand passed Rhea a purple cup, a caring smile on his face. She drank from it without hesitation, savoring the sour taste of the alcohol as it touched her lips, anticipating the inebriating sensation that would soon follow in the next few minutes.

The King laughed in satisfaction, exchanging waves with the Kryptonians who also participated in the beer being passed around. As the hours would pass, the festivities threatened to spiral out of control. Lar Gand knew he needed to acknowledge the presence of their guests, express gratitude for the collaboration from their sister planet, and respectfully excuse himself before matters escalated further. He trusted that Mon-El would remain to oversee the guests for the remainder of the night, making sure that at least one royal representative would attend to their needs.

Mon-El made the tall brown-haired girl named Lanvia sit in his lap. Despite her being taller than him, he welcomed the novelty. He enjoyed the idea of something different, finding intrigue in a woman with military training. Lanvia's mesmerizing green eyes held his attention, and he found himself drawn to her as she shared stories of her archery prowess, attributing her long nose to aiding her accuracy with each shot. Mon-El, being a skilled athlete himself, appreciated her dedication to her craft. As they talked, Lanvia offered him wine while she herself indulged in the beer.

The music pulsed through the ballroom and Mon-El felt its lively rhythm. He stole a glance at his parents, both displaying genuine smiles as they mingled with the guests. It was a rare sight to see his mother so carefree, her usual royal attitude put aside for a moment. His father, ever the king of composure, greeted each person with a polite nod. The queen's mischievous look caught Mon-El off guard, their brief exchange of glances accompanied by a subtle yet authoritative look that made him blush.

Despite the implications, he found solace in the fact that Lanvia was from an esteemed and rich family. As he embraced the festivities, a thought crossed his mind – he was sure his parents had entertained the idea of Lanvia as his future bride. Yet, as he looked at her and felt the warmth of her presence, he couldn't help but smile. At least she was an attractive woman. With a decisive nod, Mon-El shrugged his shoulders and welcomed the impending end to his days as a single man.

"My prince, oh my prince." Lanvia sang. "Your mother seems happy with our junction."

"Lanvia," Mon-El acknowledged with a nod, "your observation does not escape me. It appears my mother finds joy in our encounter."

"Indeed, my prince," Lanvia responded with a smile, "her demeanor suggests contentment in our convergence. A rare thing to witness."

"Your humor is appreciated, Lanvia," Mon-El replied, offering her a smile. "As for my mother's gaze, worry not. Her approval of your presence here is unquestionable."

"Thank you, my lord. I am honored to accompany you. And when this soirée concludes, I would be delighted to share a moment alone with you."

"And so it shall be. I've long admired the renowned beauty of the 'Breathing Sun'. Your homeland's botanical wonders are legendary."

"The Breathing Sun" was the name of the forests of Larn, famous for its tall trees and dangerous rivers. It served as a rigorous training ground for aspiring members of Daxam's military, where many Daxamites chose to send their children to test their will against Nature.

"Tomorrow, we can leave on our journey. Allow me to serve as your trusted guide. I will lead you through the wilderness, teaching you the art of hunting and the skillful use of bow and arrow."

Mon-El felt a sense of relief knowing he would leave the palace the following day. Finally, he would have the chance to acquaint himself with the enchanting archer away from the influence of his family. Understanding she would be his future bride, this escapade seemed right. As the melodies of lutes, bagpipes, and drums quickened in tempo, Mon-El sensed the end of the music and the imminent start of political speech regarding the union between Daxam and Krypton. It marked a historic moment, one ready to bring an end to the animosity between the two planets.

"You can call me Lar. If we're going to become close, let's address each other by our first names," he suggested.

"By the will of Daxam!" Lanvia chuckled, then leaned in to kiss Mon-El on the lips.

As the music faded into silence, all eyes converged on the King and the Queen. Holding hands, they made their way to the center of the room. The King stood tall, his presence filling the space as he raised his hand, signaling for the guests to quiet down. In a few seconds, the room fell into silent anticipation.

"Thank you, my fellow Daxamites," the King addressed the gathered crowd. "Today marks a historic occasion. After years of negotiations, we have reached an agreement with Krypton. The hostilities between our realms will come to an end, ushering in a new era of unity and cooperation."

The room erupted in applause and cheers.

The Queen stepped forward, gracefully. "Henceforth, Krypton is our sister planet. Over the coming months, we shall undergo a period of transition, culminating in the merging of our economies within the next few years. Cultural exchanges, technology sharing, and unhindered travel for citizens—be they Daxamite or Kryptonian—shall become the norm. Even now, a team of Daxamite scientists will collaborate with Zor-El's, working together to construct a new Omegahedron. This vital structure will stabilize our planet's core and forge an Astralyne that shall unite our worlds."

"A new future dawns upon us," Lar Gand declared.

The crowd cheered as the King and Queen made their rounds, exchanging handshakes with the Kryptonian diplomats. With the music resuming, guests started to celebrate once more, indulging in drinks and dancing. Queen Rhea approached Mon-El and Lanvia, prompting them to rise and bow in acknowledgment of her presence.

"Please, there's no need for such formalities, young ones," Rhea gestured graciously.

"My Queen," Lanvia rose from her seat, "these are wonderful tidings indeed."

"They certainly are, my dear. And look at you, radiating both grace and beauty. I've made a wise choice, wouldn't you say, Lar?"

"Absolutely, Mother," Mon-El affirmed.

"You're both fortunate," Rhea remarked casually. "If Alura's daughter, Kara, weren't merely a child, she might very well be competing for your attention, my prince. I've heard she's quite the little princess."

"But fret not," Rhea continued with a warm smile, "I won't meddle in your courtship. Welcome to the family, Lanvia." With that, Rhea embraced the tall girl and left. "Soon we shall make it official and start all the wedding procedures."

Lanvia and Mon-El remained silent. One lesson he had learned over the years was not to provoke his mother, a lesson Lanvia seemed to understand quickly.

"Kara Zor-El, quite the little princess," Lanvia teased Mon-El.

"Seriously? You're jealous of a child from another planet?"

They both stared at each other and started laughing.

"Let's dance, Lar. We have your mother's blessing. That's all that matters," Lanvia said, taking his hand.

With a kiss, they joined the other dancing couples.