3.6

***

Lantas froze on the bridge of his ship, staring in confusion into the stellar depths of space. The conversation with the officers was not easy, and he was in despair. Never before had he had such problems with his friends. He refused to bring them the Zarian princess, and they gave him a huge scandal.

"What happened to you, Lantas? Fell in love so much?" Amirel was indignant. "Don't want to share? So she really is that good! So what if she's pregnant? This has never bothered us. We didn't expect this from you! We always let you play with our girls."

Palien witnessed this scene and tried to help out Lantas.

"Why are you upset? Stop it! There's still one more left. Go to the settlement for her and steal, I give you my permission. Leave Lantas with his beloved girl. The first time he fell in love, you cannot forgive your friend for his only weakness."

"Palien, you are so smart too! You brought my pre-loved Arumy here, whom I used to know closely, but only annoyed everyone," Amirel got excited. "Now give me your word - don't interfere with us having fun with the third princess."

"Okay, do what you want with her. Just be careful, don't kill the half- blood."

Lantas himself did not expect that he would become so attached to the young beauty and would not want to share her with anyone. Long-forgotten mental tossings were revived again. He was weighed down by restless thoughts about what to do next, whether he could take her with him when their mission ended. Staying with her on Zaria is impossible.

This planet is somehow strange, what's wrong with it? For the first time in centuries of wandering, Lantas felt strong feelings for a girl he barely knew. Even Palien has become different: the merciless and tough Commander has now softened and avoids conflicts.

This Arumy has such an effect on everyone! She is not as simple as she seems - a magical creature of incredible power that can neutralize certain qualities and strengthen previously dormant feelings. Everyone who comes under her control changes forever in the direction she wants. He crossed paths with her a couple of times and what she did to him. She just took it and melted his frozen soul! Protected the princess from mental trauma? He saw how the Queen was unhappy with his visit. She was ready to incinerate him for seducing Farenia. Sophisticated revenge for broken plans? Now he is punished by her - he is consumed by love for the princess. His satiated thousand-year life now sparkled with new colors, maybe this is exactly what he was looking for - to live next to the Goddess and revel in the kaleidoscope of revived feelings.

Palien tore him from his thoughts.

"Why did this happen to you, Lantas? I do not recognize you."

"By the way, I don't recognize you either," the officer replied. "You've become softer. Your beloved Arumy is so powerful that the entire planet is under its influence."

Palien looked displeasedly at Lantas.

"Your insight has always surprised me! Nothing can be hidden from you at all."

"And what do you intend to do now, Commander? We are powerless in front of her, she somehow changes us as she wants. If she finds out about the kidnapping of the princess, our friends will also become different, she will not spare them."

Palien frowned at his statement.

"Let them change. If the Source wants it that way, so be it. He brought this Goddess to our world for his craft. When I saw her in her fiery form, I was shocked by her essence and her power, and realized that I had found a chance to fulfill my unfulfilled desires."

"Kamily doesn't seem to have realized who she is yet. What will happen when he realizes? Will her power reach Xanthari?" Lantas suggested.

"You scare me with your thoughts, friend."

"What are our plans next? Is it time to leave the colony? Everything seems to have been restored."

"I'm waiting for the twins to be born so I can pick them up and leave this planet, but you know our problem. The dangerous Phoenix and his ally - Lariel."

"Hah, I met this herm in the garden. He's really fabulously handsome, but I'm not interested in guys."

"Herm is better than any woman - Ramies assures me. I'm tired of his whining: he suffers because he badly wants him."

"Poor thing, he always loved guys, but here is such a miracle in feathers! Oh! Colored hair like a bird of paradise! How will Ramies survive the fact that we fly away without such a valuable trophy?"