"I'm a Judge! I'm Judge Judy!" Ranna kept saying to herself on the return ride to her home galaxy, Orpheus.


She found this new identity both fitting and amusing.


"Highness, we will be beginning our descent to Dreamma soon. Would like me to fasten your seat restraints or would you prefer to do it?" Her personal assistant, Barabas asked.


"That won't be necessary, Barabas. I am Judge Judy! I can handle it." She tugged at the upper harness and easily locked it in place.


"Very well, Highness...erm, Judge Judy." Barabas bowed.


Ranna giggled.


"Oh, how you've always been my favorite, Barabas! Thank you for indulging me." She smiled.


Ranna relaxed and situated herself so she could see her lovely home planet off in the distance.


As much as she was happy to be returning home, she was anxious to get started on her new assignment. She had read up on Earth and honestly, she was a little more nervous than she had expected to be.


There was a lot of crime. Illness. Poverty.


But there were some fantastic sounding things too like Universities and bustling political institutions - such as this place known as The White House.


"Highness," Barabas spoke gently.


"Huh? What?" She had evidently fallen asleep.


"We've arrived. Your shuttle awaits." He extended his hand.


Lyranna took his hand and stood. Her legs felt wobbly; she just wanted to go back to sleep.


There was much work to be done, however.


After a brief freshening-up period, the Queen was to address the planet. Then she was to return to her expansive library where she would continue studying up on Earth and Her various cultures.


Ranna, surrounded by her security detail, disembarked and stepped out into the brightness of Dreamma's twin suns.


The public awaited quietly and politely. Ranna had always insisted on calm and quiet.


She found this very refreshing after spending all that time away, for the first parts of the Queen of The Universe selection process. Many of the other contestants were far too rowdy for her liking.


She waved quietly as she made her way to the shuttle.


Inside, a buffet of fresh Dreamman fruits awaited her. As did the Dreamman version of coffee.


Ranna sipped and ate quietly, appreciating the superior quality of Dreamman food and drink.


"I'm going to miss this the most, I think, Barabas," she said, dabbing her mouth with a fine linen napkin.


"Surely they have fruit on Earth, Highness," Barabas replied, trying to offer comfort.


"Oh, they do. They have one called an orange. Isn't that a silly-sounding word? I've not been able to find another word in any language that I know that sounds even remotely like it!" Ranna looked perplexed.


"That is certainly something!" Barabas chuckled. Ranna couldn't tell if he always responded how he thought she'd like, or if she was actually intriguing to him.


She had previously thought of Barabas as sort of a big brother type, but now, after such a long time away, she noticed how handsome he was.


And how she hoped he found her interesting!


"Highness?" Barabas' voice once more startled her back into the moment. "You seemed to just, zone out just then," he leaned forward, looking concerned.


"Oh, sorry, Barabas. I guess I just have a lot on my mind." She smiled gently.


It was true. Her already active mind was working double time.


"Well, Majesty, please know that if there is anything I can do to help, I will do so with eagerness." Barabas bowed his head in reverence.


"Oh, Barabas," she sighed. "You truly have no idea how much that means to me." She grabbed his hand.


"I am honored," Barabas squeezed her hand right back. "I get to assist the one and only Judge Judy." He winked.


Ranna began laughing like never before and laughed until her midsection ached.


She had no idea why she found that so delightful.