“Song?”

  “Luna asked me to go, o, but now I need to explain it to Lukai. Two years into his rule, he is currently more suspicious than he was before. And someone could overhear there was some struggling. I will need to explain.”

  “This young man is lost, no? Lost in his past.”

  “It is what it is. Song? I can relate. I know his story, not only from Luna. He’s distressed and needs help, and I understand.”

  “Though, Song, what he shouted. I know what he means when he uses those words. Who he judges.”

  “He assumed what I wanted so quickly. I even understand; as I said, I read his files. But to despise someone based on this only? I saw his facial expression. I think when he thought I spent what? A night with him, I used him, drunk? Contempt—this is what I saw. Then he connected me to politics, and imagine, he relaxed. He was angry, but more relaxed.”

  “I know his story, as I said. But his automatic hate is what I have problems understanding. This young man has his reasons, his issues. His situation from the past is quite like what Riley did to me. However, I didn’t despise all around me after that.”

  “Song? It also is something similar to this teacher’s case. Teacher William. O, no, teacher Amber, he used this name in the Sect. As I said, I did not read anything connected to you. But I read about Riley Clar, and then I read about why this teacher was expelled.”

  “So, I know. I won’t read the files about you. I respect your privacy, Song. You didn’t tell me about it. As I told you, you had to have your reasons, no?”

  “This Avery, why to…”

  “It was not the best situation, surely, for both of us. I went there because I thought he was aware I would show up… I need to talk to Luna. It would be a waste. I can see, her friend has a talent.”

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  “… Am I disgusting for loving you, Song?”

  “Mhm—o, I ‘mhm-ed’ again.”

  “Song? I always wanted to have a choice, so I think others should be able to choose too. Why would it bother me? Why would I care who one loves? If there is love, then it is fine. Why care if it is a man or woman if both sides are willing and in love?”

  “Song, it reminded me of your brother.”

  “You expressed your concerns a few times. You said it worried you that your brother didn’t like me. I know. I have a thought—is it possible that Anders simply didn’t like the idea of us together, two men together? Could it be?”

  “In our times, it wasn’t like it is now. Song, you would be surprised.”

  “About your brother, I am not sure. He didn’t like me, correct. It was both before and while we were together. When I was projecting myself, he was not very friendly either. We worked as a team, and then it was better, but whenever I finally thought it was balanced, he said something strange. Why would someone say things like that? Was I truly some garbage from cartels? Anders called me like this once or twice. How strange that was.”

  “I understand your brother was angry at me after all that happened. Song, it was my fault; it should be me, not you. I am angry at myself as well. This I get. But before? Why?”

  “The last thing I wanted was you, two brothers, having an argument over me. How distressing.”

  “I will never know why it was like that.”

  “Song? I think that now it would be quite difficult for us to marry. Imagine that. What times… this reminds me of Lukai. You wouldn’t like him, I am certain. He treats people as his tools. You wouldn’t appreciate it.”

  “This Avery, and his case. I have checked.”

  “I trained two of my algorithms, then checked manually, and after that retrained them—and I have the results. I am better at this, no?”

  “The results, Song. Many cases of unjust imprisonment and unresolved punishments. It could be fairer. Lukai could look at it briefly. Decide to solve some cases and improve the system later. And what?”

  “Lukai, the Leader of the entire Empire, said that he doesn’t have time for this.”

  “For justice he has no time?”

  “I had no words. Then we argued.”

  “Song, I need to work on my patience. I am also too harsh. It needs time. Lukai is busy, and some topics need to wait. I have to give him more credit, wait longer, and not judge easily.”

  “Exactly, not to judge too quickly.”

  “Song, let’s observe then.”