This journalist was direct. Something the King would appreciate, but he wasn't in the mood for it. He went for the Rose Garden escorted by a guardsman from each nation. Followed by the journalists scrabbling his equipment to gather notes.

"Let me give you a little context young man. Xenophobia is defined as fear of the unknown. We don't fear such things. But throughout our history we have come to learn the harsh truth, only the fittest survive. Twice we were faced with extinction by xeno races, first by the Mardakii when we had just barely colonised our capital world and the second time when the Velutarians killed my father and engaged in a 16 year long conflict. In such circumstances being wary and distrust xenos is only a natural result. What your Empire knows about us is only strict military protocol, the images we sent are used as intimidation tactics to send a clear message to not mess with us. Especially when someone commits an act of war. Also most high ranking officers are veterans from the Velutarian War and aren't keen on xenos, as xenos have killed their King and over 8.7 trillion of our kind. I am sure you can understand where our stance comes from. Do you understand this?"

The King looked at the journalist for a moment, but then continued.

"We aren't barbarians as some of your people proclaim. If we were such barbarians we would go on a rampage and kill every non-Terran official. Clearly we aren't like that and on the contrary, the Treecuu have even called us pragmatic. And one thing I have learned from the Treecuu is that such a compliment should be held in high regard."

Now the part of the right would become tricky, as some - even in the Star Kingdom - would consider the Mardakii in the hunting reserves as sapient. Though studies have shown otherwise, but the Ryccian public wouldn't have any of it if they heard of it. The King was treading in dangerous territory now, he would need to be careful if he wasn't to create a storm of rage about the Great Hunt. Shining the light on the Cheunh should do the trick though.

"As for basic civil right. We currently have only two sapient species in our Empire: us Terrans and the Cheunh. Which are nearly identical to us except for their blue skin, glowing red eyes and accelerated growth. These Cheunh have been granted the same rights ever since they willingly joined our Star Kingdom."

The King however wasn't interested to be bombarded with questions all evening long. Instead he wanted a conversation.

"Now Mr. Argenworth. I have neither the interest nor time for just blatant answering for your questions. What I am interested in is a conversation. I can sure imagine this would give you far more insight and exclusive knowledge about myself and my people. Besides, what are our peoples need is a conversation where we can both understand each other clearly"

The King headed for an elegant wooden gazebo canopy with a table and benches. The King and Queen sat on one side of the table and the journalist on the other. The King then took out a barisium cigar and started to smoke it. He made sure that no smoke was directed towards the journalist. Smoking barisium cigar was a common practice within the Kingdom as it helped relax people without any repercussions to health.

"Mr. Argenworth, would you please tell me a bit more about yourself. How old are you? Are you native to this planet? I presume you are to be of a middle class upbringing or would I be wrong? And what position do you hold at the Constantinople Herald? How about a family or children? You see, we can learn a lot from one another here."

As he asked this questions he took out a small portable ashtray to take the ashes of the cigar. The Queen however didn't smoke out of principle, but said nothing about it to her husband.