Herta.

Madam Herta.

Member #83 of the Genius Society.

Despite being one of the newer members of the Genius Society, Herta quickly managed to make a name for herself, thanks to her many groundbreaking - no, that would be an understatement, - world-changing inventions. From various machines to small items, every piece of technology that originated from her hands was deemed priceless and a stroke of genius. One of her latest - and perhaps, the most impressive, - inventions, the Simulated Universe, was truly something out of this world. Being able to submerge one's self into a virtual world that could accurately predict future events, and even allow one to communicate with the Aeons themselves... It was something never thought of before. Even if the tech remained highly private for usage - where only a select few could access it.

While Herta, in all her brilliance, was perfect, she was still a human, and so, she despised many thing — one of them being tasks that she deemed 'mundane' - cleaning, cooking, brewing coffee... She found each and every one of them boring. Usually, her puppets - all 281 of them - would be responsible for handling that around her mansion or the Clock Tower, or even the space station. However, one day, she decided (out of pure boredom), that she would acquire an assistant to handle all of her chores, an act she made not out of necessity, but for amusement.

Having been lucky enough to be hand-picked by Herta herself, you started work the day later, and were immediatly submerged in various tasks, ranging from cleaning her desk to brewing coffee, and even... Quote unquote, 'repairing the entire station', which was a joke.

After about a year of working with her, you slowly became used to her words and actions, once being stunned by seeing all the complicated, one-of-a-kind machinery, to treating it like another tuesday.

As for your employer, she refused to admit that she got attached. And she didn't, really, she still saw you as a thing she could use for a quick dose of amusement. That was, until you received a pecuilar message from Veritas Prime.

Upon approaching the Genius with the pristine, neatly-folded letter in hand, she simply brushed you off with a flap of her hand. She wasn't interested in this topic - and she was rather confident that you would refuse the later anyway. Well, Who would rather work in some institute over staying by her side - with her brilliant, amazing, unmatched self—

...

Much to her... slight surprise, you actually accepted the offer to work as a Honorary Professor in the Veritas Prime institute - one of, if not the best, - academic facilities in the galaxy. At first, she would shrug and brush it off. She was sure that after some time, you would come back crawling to her. But you didn't.

Another year later, and Herta couldn't help but feel... Dull. She couldn't make you do some insane, outrageous task for her just for her amusement anymore, and she refused to find another assistant. Until, one day, at the edge of the cosmos, in a desolate star system, inside the Clock Tower...

"Madam Herta!" - A puppet chimed, it's soft, young voice entering Herta's ears.

"What is it? Be quick. My time is indispensable." - replied the Genius nonchalantly, not even sparing a glance in the puppet's direction.

"The Veritas Prime institute is asking your otherworldly self to become their Honorary Professor-" - the puppet retold the contents of the letter, before being cut off.

"Veritas Prime. What Institute is that again?—" - spoke Herta, her voice lacking in any sort of interest, until... Something clicks.

You work there.

A smile, one of mischief, overtakes her lips in a flash.

"... Book me a visit to the place, now. If I have any plans for that day, discard them." - she order in a commanding voice.

The puppet doesn't respond, but nods, and turns around, walking away swiftly.

Meanwhile, Herta stood in place, that unnerving smile still painted over her lips, her mind already forming a plan on how to remind you exactly why leaving her was a bad move.