He flinched back
"P-Prince Kai I-"
The screen behind them pinged, followed by a sweetly feminine voice: "Incoming communication for Crown Prince Kaito of the Eastern Commonwealth from Queen Levana of Luna"
Torin murmured
"How could she know...so soon..."
He raised his voice
"Screen, accept comm."
The screen brightened, revealing the Lunar Queen. Her head and shoulders were draped in an ornate cream colored veil, like a perpetual bride. The explanation told by the Lunars was that their Queen's beauty was not a gift to be shared with undeserving Earthens, but Kai had heard that in reality the queen's glamour-her ability to make people see her as divinely beautiful by manipulating their brainwaves-could not transfer over screens, therefore she never allowed herself to be seen over them.
"Though the occasion is tragic, I do look forward to continuing the talk of an alliance with you, as the new leader of Earth's Eastern Commonwealth. As I see no reason to defer these conversations until your coronation, whensoever that shall be, I do think it appropriate to plan a meeting as soon as it is convenient in your time of mourning. My shuttle is prepared. I can depart as soon as your next sunrise and come and offer both my sympathies and my congratulations in the flesh. I will alert my thaumaturge to expect my arrival. She can ensure that my accommodations are adequately prepared. I ask that you do not concern yourself with my comfort. I am sure you will have other concerns during this tragic time. My sympathies are with you and the Commonwealth."
She finished her message with a tilt of her head and the screen went black.