Chapter 256: Aurelian’s Stroll Around The Family Market With Astra And Rhoswen
Aurelian did not stay for the entire restricted council.
Orvain clearly wanted him seen by the branch, and that had already been done.
The rest was not something Aurelian needed to manage in person, because most of it belonged to Orvain’s people and not something he wanted to meddle with either.
They had to decide who would be placed on the first list, which families would be prepared for later relocation, which companies could be separated from existing branch industries without creating obvious gaps, and which commanders could be removed from current duties without prompting the rest of the Arcturus family to ask questions too early.
Those were branch matters.
Aurelian had had enough of his own.
Before he left, Orvain confirmed the most important decisions in a low voice. The first wave would be small and useful, no more than a few thousand people, with engineers, survey crews, logistics officers, medical staff, security teams, and the three young commanders he had mentioned earlier.
Families would not move in bulk yet. A larger relocation would come only after Larkspur Haven and Helion Bastion Twelve were ready to properly support them.
That was sensible.
It also meant Astercourt would be able to process all of these new arrivals instead of being bogged down all at once, which he is happy to see.
As Aurelian prepared to leave the branch compound, Maeron caught up to him near the outer hall with the look of a man who had been told not to speak and had barely survived the experience.
"So," Maeron said, folding his arms, "if I am not leading the first group, when do I get to go?"
Aurelian looked at him calmly. "I am not sure, as this is something that Orvain gets to decide as he is the leader of the branch and someone who is much more knowledgeable than I am."
Maeron, who heard this, was surprised, as he didn’t expect Aurelian to be so level-headed about the situation, but then he smiled and nodded, agreeing with what he said.
"I see, that makes sense."
Astra stood at Aurelian’s side, composed as ever, while Rhoswen, who had arrived just then, looked at Maeron with the expression of someone who had discovered a senior relative with similar instincts.
Maeron noticed her too.
"Hello there," he said.
Rhoswen nodded seriously. "Hello."
Although that was all that was said, both of them could tell that their personalities are very similar.
Astra looked at both of them and said, "That is concerning."
Maeron laughed loudly, apparently delighted, while Rhoswen looked proud rather than offended.
Aurelian decided then and there that if Maeron ever came to the March, he would not be placed anywhere near Rhoswen without adult supervision.
Unfortunately, he was not sure who in the fleet still counted as adult supervision.
After leaving the branch headquarters, Aurelian sent a quick update to Cassian and Astercourt.
Eirenne received a copy as well and almost immediately replied that she would begin reviewing possible security layers for the branch personnel transfer.
Astercourt’s reply came a minute later and contained only one sentence.
I knew today was going too smoothly.
Aurelian stared at the message for a few seconds before closing it.
Rhoswen leaned closer. "What did she say?"
"Nothing major."
"Oh? You saying that makes me curious about what her face will be like right now."
"Nothing you should be thinking about."
Cassian had not called him yet, Orvain’s people were busy with internal work, and the wider family would need time before presenting anything final.
Aurelian had been pushed from inspection to briefing to branch politics in less than two days, and even he knew that if he did not step away now, he would be buried again before evening.
So he did something simple.
He went back to the starport district.
Astra came with him, of course. Rhoswen followed as well, claiming that since she had behaved during the branch meeting, she deserved a reward.
Aurelian did not remember promising rewards for basic restraint, but arguing with her over that would only make the trip longer.
The Arcturus family starport was busier than the branch compound, but in a more comfortable way.
The movement there had rhythm. People came and went, transports crossed between the commercial decks and orbital towers, and the broad walkways were filled with officers on leave, family staff, travelers, merchants, and shipgirls moving through the crowds with varying levels of interest.
Astra drew attention without trying.
Rhoswen drew attention because she absolutely did try.
She walked with her chin lifted, clearly enjoying the way people glanced at her crimson hair, her confident stride, and the commander beside her.
Astra looked like a blade in human form, calm and unreachable, while Rhoswen looked like she might challenge the nearest combat simulator to a duel if it looked at her wrong.
Aurelian, unfortunately, stood between them.
Several people recognized the Arcturus family crest on his coat and gave respectful nods.
Others looked curious but did not approach. That was one advantage of family territory. People were curious, but they had enough manners to survive.
After a while, Rhoswen looked down at her own outfit, then at Astra’s, then at the shops lining the district.
"We should buy clothes."
Aurelian turned his head slightly. "That came out of nowhere."
"No, it didn’t. I’ve been thinking about it for six minutes."
"That is not the defense you think it is."
Astra looked toward the clothing stores. "She has a point."
Aurelian blinked. "You too?"
"Most of the fleet owns uniforms, combat wear, and a limited number of casual items. Since we are in a secure family district, this is a practical time to purchase more."
Rhoswen pointed at Astra. "See? Practical."
Aurelian studied both of them and gave up faster than he probably should have. "Fine. But please make sure that they are normal clothes because although you can buy them, I don’t want to be nearby when you do."
Rhoswen looked thoughtful. "Oh?"
"Why not?"
"Do you need to explain?"
