It is nice to be on top.

It's where Isabelle knows she should be; on the podium, on the precipice, on the peak. When she's standing here, with the world at her feet, things feel [i]right[/i].

It feels nice. Very nice. It feels satisfying and natural and correct, like this is how it's meant to go. How the story is meant to be played. Every piece of the puzzle is in place, all the joints connect and every readout is green.

But ...

But that's where it stops.

Don't get her wrong, being the heir ascendant is what she wants. She will take over Terenius, she [i]will [/i]cement Adriana's favour and, through that, help her family and shape the galaxy for the better. 

But shouldn't all that feel a bit more ... I don't know ... [i]more[/i]?

Maybe that's the problem with success. After a while, even a victory like today stops feeling special. I mean, take the other half of your question for example: would she spare a thought for Jacinta Six and her 'ministrations'? 

The short answer is no.

The cat she's caught, whether it's the real Jacinta or not, is just one more step along the path she must take. And not even a memorable one at that. The invective that her opponent spews? She's heard it a million times before, and worse. Another angry little person in a big galaxy just lashing out because they've lost. It all blurs together into grey static after a while.

Just like the post victory fashion show will too, she bets.

Still, appearances must be maintained. She works a smile for the cameras, and hauls her prize to its feet. Tomorrow will be another busy day on the job.