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seat.
    â€˜Accommodation?’ Zeven said hopefully, as they planted their butts on the chairs facing Anselm’s desk.
    â€˜Indeed,’ Anselm advised. ‘My people have found you both apartments in the government sector. My secretary will give you the details on your way out.’
    â€˜Excellent.’ Zeven rubbed his hands together, and Mythric was clearly looking forward to having his own living space for a while too.
    â€˜However, Starman,’ Anselm looked to Zeven, ‘I would like to meet with you midweek at my private residence. The girls are all very annoyed they did not have a chance to say goodbye, you see?’
    Zeven suspected this was not the reason for the meeting at all, but said nothing. ‘I would like to catch up with them too,’ he agreed, hoping to bring the meeting to an end.
    â€˜And you’ve had another invitation to an audience,’ the president advised.
    â€˜From who?’ Zeven couldn’t think of anyone he’d need to be granted an audience to see.
    â€˜From my great great aunt, the Dowager Duchess of Sermetica, Lady Maiara Vidor,’ Anselm announced winningly.
    â€˜Why would she want to see Starman?’ Mythric sounded more shocked than his young partner looked.
    Anselm looked to Mythric quizzically.
    â€˜She is very old, after all,’ Mythric explained his surprise. ‘I rather thought she’d be dead or mad by now.’
    â€˜As the most senior lady of the Sermetic royal family, we are very appreciative that is not the case,’ Anselm replied.
    â€˜Of course.’ Mythric realised he’d spoken out of turn. ‘Sorry.’
    â€˜If this has something to do with my parents …’ Zeven rose from his seat, as his anger mounted.
    â€˜Taboo subject,’ Mythric warned, as Anselm looked back to Zeven.
    â€˜But aren’t you curious to —’
    â€˜No,’ Zeven insisted flatly. ‘ Absolutely , no.’
    â€˜Okay, then.’ Anselm gave up. ‘Do yourself out of an inheritance and family, it’s your call.’
    Zeven hadn’t even considered he might have estates somewhere, or an inheritance. ‘Look.’ He didn’t want to sound ungrateful. ‘I appreciate your concern, but I already have everything I want … I have enough problems in my life without any more complications, thanks.’ What Zeven was actually thinking was that he really didn’t need the kind of hassles that Taren Lennox had been encumbered with, upon finding out her true identity.
    â€˜Well, I see why you might be cautious,’ Anselm conceded, ‘but if you change your mind.’
    â€˜He won’t,’ Mythric said at the same time as Zeven replied, ‘I won’t.’ Zeven looked at Mythric, curious about his support.
    Mythric shrugged. ‘You’ve made no secret of your ill will toward your parents and I can understand that.’
    â€˜See,’ Zeven pointed out to Anselm. ‘ He understands that.’
    â€˜Like I said,’ Anselm got the message, ‘it’s your choice.’
    â€˜Well, I choose my present from Hunzo and my apartment key,’ Zeven concluded.
    â€˜See Doltrice on the way out, she has the details, and book a time for our meeting during the week.’ Anselm rose to dismiss the pair.
    â€˜Will do, Mr President.’ Zeven wasted no time getting out of there. ‘I don’t know about you, but I need a drink,’ he said to his partner, who was just as keen to leave.
    â€˜I’m with you on that,’ Mythric agreed.
    Â 
    When Zanthie returned home in the afternoon, Aurora was gig-ready and perusing the inter-system news on their small home entertainment system. ‘You’re looking more human.’ Zanthie offloaded her bag on a lounge.
    â€˜Mmm … yeah,’ Aurora mumbled to acknowledge her flatmate’s presence as she flicked through news articles at a rapid pace.
    â€˜What are you