To deny the Wish is unheard of. When an Imbrian comes of age, they get their Wish. It’s a symbol of the Unity: the needs of one are the needs of all, and the Unity will provide. A Wish cannot have material value, it cannot not harm anyone, but outside of the grossest punishment, no family can refuse to grant it.

The Archregent’s daughter has been saving her Wish.

She wants him.

The fleet admiral can’t let this happen, but his former cadet is reckless, fearless, and won’t listen to anybody.

Maybe he’ll put the fear into her.

She doesn’t understand what she asks for, but he can show her. She won’t be able to handle it, and they’ll stop this whole Wish thing before it gets started.

Before he does the bad thing.

Before she lets him.

So Much Trouble is a gratuitous short story set in the Last Dominant universe. I wrote it with every intent to make readers uncomfortable. If it ends up being the good kind of uncomfortable for you, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.