Jérémy Chapi :
At last, I could finally begin to envision the future.
The leaders of the various nations had approved the creation of my principality, Riveria, after a long, seemingly endless meeting.
By my side, Natali had quietly returned toward the end of the debate.
"It seems your efforts have paid off. Congratulations," she said with a faint smile, clapping her hands delicately.
"I didn't do this alone—and thank you as well, for all the effort you put into training me," I answered, blushing slightly.
"You're welcome. It is part of my job, after all."
That word again: job.
I sighed inwardly. "I see."
All the tension I had accumulated for hours finally evaporated, as though a colossal weight had just been lifted off me, while the people in the room applauded as one.
On the tablet screen, my daughter Iris was celebrating loudly in her own way. Virtual confetti exploded in every direction, accompanied by her joyful laughter. She was visibly proud, and seeing her like that warmed my heart.
"I'll let you tell Daniel and Séraphina."
"Already done!" she answered with a huge smile.
After the vote, everything unfolded quickly.
Some leaders left the UN hall irritated or frustrated. Others came to greet me and show their support.
Natali remained at my side, translating their comments and ensuring I maintained the diplomatic tone she had worked so hard to teach me. More than once, she discreetly pinched my arm whenever my answers drifted too far from the formal posture she expected of me.
Several leaders offered to support my project, financially or materially—naturally, in exchange for priority access to the energy produced by the Celestial Rings. I explained that certain official matters needed to be settled before anything could begin.
Others, bolder still, tried to persuade me to sell them the patents or relocate to their country.
My answers remained a firm no, though I thanked them warmly for their proposals.
Despite their motivations, these improvised negotiations gave me a strange sense of relief. It felt good to see so many nations willing to cooperate—even if their intentions were mostly self-serving.
I couldn't help thinking about Atlas. He had been there from the very beginning. I had watched him turn the situation around in that political arena with disconcerting ease, reminding me just how much of a fledgling I was compared to the lion he was. Without him, I never would have come this far. I was beginning to understand just how much I owed him.
But that thought faded as I crossed paths with the gaze of some departing leaders.
Their eyes were filled with thinly veiled hostility.
It made my stomach tighten, though I couldn't identify the exact reason.
"Pay no attention to them," Natali warned. "Even when you do everything right, you can't please everyone."
"Do you think this might become a problem later on?" I asked quietly, glancing away from those who had glared at me.
"Unfortunately, only the future can answer that. For now, you are safe—that is all you need to know."
"That is not reassuring… the way you phrased it," I muttered.
She looked at me, surprised—as if it were obvious that I had been in danger from the very beginning.
She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it.
When the room was nearly empty, Atlas finally approached. His imposing stature contrasted with the wide smile on his face.
"Congratulations," he said as he arrived, accompanied by a woman with short black hair.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Amarante. Congratulations on your new title," she said, extending her hand.
"Thank you, Amarante," I replied, gently shaking her hand and performing a small bow just as Natali had taught me.
She raised an eyebrow at the formality.
Atlas crossed his arms.
"So, how does it feel to have responsibilities now?" he asked, mocking yet warm.
I gave him a tired smile. "For now, I'd say… I'll manage."
Atlas laughed—a deep, genuine laugh. "We'll talk again in two months.
Anyway, I spoke with the leaders of China and Russia. They'd like to meet you in a… more private atmosphere, if you know what I mean."
I nodded. "I won't hesitate. But first, I need to meet with the French leaders to negotiate the territorial terms. Tensions must be eased quickly, and we have to start making this project real."
Atlas grew serious.
"I understand your urgency. But remember—you're safe here. Prepare your cards with other nations before meeting them. You can't rely solely on the hand you currently hold."
My tablet vibrated. Iris appeared, eager to join the discussion.
"You should listen to Atlas, Father. My first encounter with politicians was bitter. Prepare yourself and gather what you need for the negotiations."
Her words brought back the bitter taste of what Séraphina had told me about what had happened on Earth during my absence.
Atlas nodded, impressed.
"She's right. You're fortunate to have such support by your side… and perhaps more in the future," he added with a wink I didn't fully understand.
We left the UN.
Journalists were still waiting, despite the long hours of debate.
They already seemed aware of the outcome, bombarding me with questions about Riveria, its location, its future. I didn't know what to say.
"For now, remain silent. Just wave," Natali whispered before offering them one final diplomatic smile.
As we headed back to Atlantis, my thoughts were already drifting toward the challenges ahead. I still had so many projects to develop.
But one thing was certain: I was going to change this world.
"Again with the airplane!?" I exclaimed when I saw it, while Atlas walked up the steps laughing.
"Come now, surely you're used to it by now," he teased as my legs trembled—from fatigue, stress, and trauma.
Natali, as always, scolded me to make me move.
Once aboard the private cabin—with Natali, Amarante, Iris, Atlas, and myself—Atlas insisted on opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate Riveria's creation. I couldn't refuse.
"Go on, the toast is yours," Atlas said.
I took a deep breath.
"Very well. First, I want to thank Atlantis for its support," I said, glancing at Natali and then Atlas. "And especially the two of you—without you, I would never have made it this far."
They raised their glasses in acknowledgment.
I paused.
"But none of this would have been possible without my beloved daughter, whom I love more than anything in the world."
I pointed to the screen where Iris was blushing, trying to hide behind her virtual champagne glass.
"And finally, I want to express my deep affection for Séléné—the one I love, and whom I hope to make proud.
A toast to Riveria."