I had a job on the ship now. The one task that I could complete to pass the time until we arrived at our final destination. Taking a deep breath, I tried to center myself from the fear that had taken root. You see, I may be the princess of Caesar Seven, but there were still things I did not know. It was this fact that bothered me far more than anything else.

My parents are dead. My mother, who appears not to be who I thought she was, was not a native of Caesar Seven. She had arrived on our planet at the age of twenty-four. She never talked about her life before becoming the queen. Now that she was dead, I could not find out anything from her directly. Instead, I was getting these bits and pieces from these people that claimed to be related in some way.

My father, while he was not abusive or angry; he had his beliefs that there were certain things a young girl should know. I knew the names of the opposing family that supposed to be the main problem for my family. That was all I knew. I knew names and nothing else. My father felt that for me to know any more would give me more power than a woman should have.

So here I was, on this Viking space ship, being tasked with hacking into records and finding out information that would aide this side of the fight against my brother.  I would do this, if only for answers. It has been far too long since I felt safe, and though I had a small feeling of safety earlier, I doubted I would ever feel safe again. At least not while Nathaniel and Mathias are alive.

Blinking a moment, I studied Erik. I was trying to understand what he was telling me. What my job would be on this ship and why he would help me. Why were any of them helping me?

“I don’t understand, and I am getting sick of it! I know that my brother is a horrible person. I was there; you do not have to remind me. What I do not know is who all these people are and why? I know nothing about my mother, and that terrifies me. Who am I?”

I could feel the words slip from my mouth before my brain processed what I was saying. Embarrassed, I bit my lip before turning on my heel and running from the room. I knew better than talking to a Viking the way I had, especially the captain of the ship. Being thrown off the ship and dying in space ran through my mind, and I silently prayed that was not an option.

Slipping into my room, I shut the door behind me and threw myself on the bed before the tears fell. I was worn out, worn down, and so confused. Allowing the tears to soak through to the pillow below me, I felt myself drift into numbness as my brain shut down from trying to understand everything going on. One day, I might have answers, but that day was not today.