Aeria just averts Jason's gaze when he said he imagined her people were just as angry. She said nothing but she had a slight red mark on her right cheek. 

"Just the one..." She thought back to the Free World State meeting before the peace talks.

----

Outside the conference room.

Vik'nul approached the Princess and slaps her across the right cheek. "Surrender to the Empire?! ARE YOU MAD! You would let them have whatever they want?!"

Aeri held her face, it didn't much hurt her as she had higher endurance as an elf. "You were outvoted 9 to 1. And so, you will do what is agreed." 

----

Shrugging the painful flashback off, she looked up at Jason with a sad smile. "I'm sure they'll come around eventually." She was trying to force her smile. All she felt was worry for her mother, for Vik'nul's attitude and the future of the Empire with the Free Worlds within it.