by Robin Roseau
“That is correct,” said Minister Roddish.
“If the embassy has a staff, why am I bringing more staff?”
No one answered. I looked around, then sighed. “No one trusts the existing staff.”
“I wouldn’t put it that way,” replied the minister. “I might suggest the king felt it was important that you brought people you personally trusted.”
I looked around again then set my gaze on him. “Minister Roddish, if I were to suggest I wish to speak quite bluntly, would you ask these other people to leave first.”
“Are you about to question my lineage?”
I laughed. “No.”
“Then no, I wouldn’t ask anyone to leave first.”
“Yes or no. Do you trust the existing embassy staff?”
“It’s not that I distrust them,” he replied. “I don’t know any of them. Ambassador Marlish picked them, and I believe that really means his chief of staff picked them.”
I folded my arms on the table, thought about it, and then leaned forward. “Minister, if I suggested I wished my entire team to consist entirely of women, would you have a problem with that?”
“You six,” he said, not taking his eyes from me. “Step outside. Don’t go too far. Ms. Blendost, ensure we have privacy.”
“Yes, Minister,” she said.
The six of them rose, and Ms. Blendost ushered them from the conference room, closing the door. We waited a moment, and then the minister asked, “Why?”
“The simplest reason: I have unfinished business in Charth. I intend to travel through Ressaline on the way to Gandeet.”
“Your staff could meet you in Gandeet.”
“They could.”
We eyed each other. I had no idea what he was thinking. “How large a staff do you think you need?”
“I need someone I can rely on to advise me on this issue, although it seems fairly simple.”
“It’s fairly stupid, is what it is,” he said.
“You would rather send someone with more seniority than I have.”
“Oh, no, Princess,” he said. “I am ecstatic the king is sending you.”
“Was that sarcasm?”
“Absolutely not. If he wasn’t sending you or your sister, I’d have to go.”
I laughed. “Why?”
“Because he can’t give anyone below ministerial level the amount of authority you’re going to carry.”
“I’m a child.”
“You’re legally an adult. You’re right. The issue is not complicated. It’s stupid.” He was repeating himself.
“Is this a made-up issue to give my father an excuse to place someone into the embassy while he finds a permanent ambassador.”
“No. It’s a real issue that conveniently exists so your father can place you in charge of the embassy pending a permanent ambassador.”
I looked into his eyes, then reached over for the pad that Ms. Pelonden was using. I took the pencil from her and wrote, “Increase size of honor guard.” I pushed it back to her. I nodded. “Were you expecting me to take the six?”
“I was giving you choices.”
“How many?”
“Two? Maybe four?”
“Is Ms. Blendost qualified?”
“Deeply.”
“Got another like her willing to go?”
He smiled but didn’t answer. Instead he stood, walked to the door, and spoke briefly. And then he held the door as Ms. Blendost and another woman stepped in. He closed the door and introduced me to Ms. Sarlenda. We took seats, and I said, “Did you have her waiting?”
“No. I told you, Ms. Blendost is deeply qualified.”
“You retrieved her?” I asked the woman.
“I did.”
“Ms. Sarlenda, do you know what’s going on?”
“An overview is all,” she replied.
“All right. I’m leaving in two or three weeks. My intention is to take the Ressaline route. Are you both coming?”
“The Ressaline route?”
“Charth is a major crossroads, and the Ressalines keep very good roads,” I said. “We’ll travel through high flatland separating Ressaline from Gandeet and avoid the marshy wetlands along our mutual border.”
“We’re not authorized to travel through Ressaline,” Ms. Blendost said.
“I’m working on that. I need the two of you to learn everything relevant about each country by tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” they said.
“Good. Ms. Pelonden will arrange meetings. They will be at the palace after this. Will there be anything else?”
“Your reports are waiting outside,” said Ms. Blendost. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
I turned to the minister. “If I require additional staff, I presume I can trust your judgement to send people who won’t anger me. They can take whatever route they please.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” he said with a smile.
“Very good.”
* * * *
“So.” I looked up at my sister, just settling into the chair opposite me. “You’ve been busy.”
“I think I have.”
“Good. Madam Bessari is outside. I thought we could go for a walk.”
“Sure.”
We stood. A woman of perhaps sixty years old was talking quietly with Ms. Pelonden. Ahlianna provided introductions, although we’d met previously. And then she gestured. I offered my arm, and Madam Bessari accepted. “Very kind, Darfelsa.”
“I’ll cut to the chase. Mother has plans for my social schedule.”
“So I am told,” she replied. “And no one offers a disapproving look better than I do, but I am forbidden from traveling to Gandeet with you.”
“Don’t worry about Gandeet. Get me through the next three weeks unmolested and I’ll be happy.”
“Consider it done, Princess. Perhaps we can walk about the gardens for a few minutes.”
“If the two of you are good, I’m going to pack,” Ahlianna said.
“We’re fine,” Madam Bessari said. And so Ahlianna went one way, we went another. We made small talk until Madam Bessari led us to a bench. We sat, looking at each other. She smiled. “You have grown into a lovely woman, Darfelsa.”
“Thank you,” I said. I lifted my fingers to my cheek. “Do you like the bruise?”
“Is that why you suddenly wish my presence?”
“This is a mark of honor earned upon the Royal Guard training ground this morning,” I replied.
“I see,” she said. She leaned closer. “Does it hurt?”
“It’s fine,” I said. “It will teach me to duck faster.”
She nodded. “You aren’t what I expected.”
“Disappointed?”
“No. Why do you want my disapproving looks?”
I considered then said, “I’m in love.”
“And your parents don’t approve?”
“I’m not ready to tell them, but I’m really not ready to fight with them over marrying someone.”
“Would it be a fight?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do I know the young man?”
“She lives in Charth.”
I waited to see if she would be shocked. “Do I know the young woman?”
“I find it unlikely. She is the daughter of a glassmaker. Are you going to report that to my mother?”
“Of course not. If you want your mother to catch you, I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to engineer.”
“Maybe eventually,” I said. “So how does this work? Do I pay you?”
“That isn’t necessary,” she said. “I am paid with an active social calendar, and you send one of the palace carriages to collect me. You treat me like your kindly grandmother, and your sister has taken to inviting me onto the dance floor for a song or two. If your sister requires me with less than two full days of notice, a little gift seems to appear in my home shortly after, as compensation for the short notice.”
“I’ll talk to her about that, then,
” I said.
“I believe your mother has figured that out, as lately, she has been planning events on notice that is unexpectedly short.”
I laughed. “That’s… an interesting reaction.” I paused. “I was always afraid of you.”
“I cultivate my reputation, Darfelsa,” she said.
“And now I get to see the real you?”
“Oh, no. The me that you’re afraid of is the real me, too.”
“People are complicated.”
“Just so,” she agreed. “You do realize that I won’t let you change your mind. If you invite me to an event, and then decide you wish to disappear into an alcove, I’m not about to let you.”
“Good.”
“Then we are in agreement.”
“I believe we are.”
“Very good. Do you know when you will first require my services?”
“No. I’ve been warned to expect events, but no schedule has been offered. I’ll look into that.”
We stood, and I walked her to the front gate, then watched as she climbed into the waiting carriage.
Suitable
Ahlianna left. I was heart-stricken, a reaction that surprised me, but I hid it from her as we hugged. “You have the letters?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Are you going to open them?”
“I already did.”
“You did not.”
She laughed. “Maybe I’ll challenge Gretchena.”
“If you do…” I paused, trying to think up a good threat. I smiled. “She’ll win.”
Ahlianna laughed. “You’d like that?”
“Yeah. It’d be really funny, imagining you and the things she’d make you do. Go for it. It’s fine.”
“It’s not really fine.”
“No,” I said. “It’s not. But you were teasing.”
“I was. How about her mother?”
I laughed. “That’s fine.”
She smiled. “I’m sorry, Darfelsa.”
“It’s fine. Have a good trip. Wear a lot of red.”
She laughed. Ten minutes later, she rode out the gates, and I choked back my tears.
* * * *
Sergeant Felist said, “I’ll take care of it,” when I told her to increase the size of our troop. “Why?”
“Because we may not be welcome in the embassy.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah. Sergeant, I will not second-guess you regarding security measures once we enter Gandeet.”
“Did you just suggest you may second guess me prior to that event?”
“It is possible.”
She nodded, and that was that. But then she beat the crap out of me on the practice ground. Okay, not really, but it felt like it.
* * * *
Ms. Pelonden sat down across from me. She set down the report I’d written about Ressaline customs. “I’m going with you,” she said.
“You’re not asking questions?”
“You were thorough,” she said.
“You realize the implications.”
“Yes.”
“Convince me.”
“I’d have to have my First. I’d be someone’s…” she lowered her voice to conspiratorial levels. “Pleasure slave.”
“Probably for two months,” I confirmed. “Plus a period of adjustment. Mine was last winter.”
“You’ve done this.”
“And my sister as well,” I said. “No exceptions.”
She nodded. “Fine. I’m going with you.”
“All right.” I shoved a small stack of papers to her. “This is my immediate plan. I want you to review it.”
“All right.”
“What else is on my schedule?”
“Ms. Blendost and Ms. Sarlenda are due shortly.”
“You will be in that meeting. For that matter, unless I say otherwise, assume you’ll be in all my meetings.”
“Very good, Your Highness.” She cocked her head, looking at me. “Your Highness?”
I touched my cheek. “Yes?”
“I thought that was on the other side.”
“This one is from this morning.”
“Someone is beating you?”
“Yes. Sergeant Felist of the Royal Guard?”
“Why?” she gasped.
“Because I didn’t duck fast enough during self-defense training.”
“Oh,” she said. “When do you do that?”
“Early each morning, whenever I rise.”
“All right. And is there some reason I shouldn’t attend that meeting with you?”
I considered. “You said you wouldn’t stay with me if I beat you.” I touched my cheek.
“How do I know what time?”
“It varies based on when I get up,” I said. “I’ll send a page, and you can decide if you’re joining us. But it’s been for two hours prior to breakfast, or thereabouts, so you could simply plan.”
She nodded. “I’ll do that and we’ll see how it goes. Is that all right, Darfelsa?”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I’ll read these reports.”
* * * *
I met with Ms. Blendost and Ms. Sarlenda. The first thing Ms. Blendost asked was, “Will we have our First Time when we travel through Ressaline?”
“We don’t have time. If we don’t have permission, we’ll remain in Flarvor. Otherwise, if we travel there in the future, yes, you would.”
They nodded, and that was that. Instead, we talked about transportation wagons and the licensing thereof.
* * * *
“Did I know you were on my schedule?”
“You’ll have to ask Bellard,” I said. “I have a team. I have a plan. And I want to see the letter of authority you’re sending with me.”
He leaned back in his chair. “That was brusque.”
“Bellard told me I had ten minutes, and I’m trying to be efficient, not disrespectful.”
He nodded. “Let’s see what you have.” I handed everything over. The list of my team was on top. He looked though it then looked up. “You increased the size of your honor guard. We’re not at war with Gandeet.”
“Were you really going to let me go with six?”
“Of course not.”
“When would I have discovered that?”
“When a troop of ten rode out of the gates with you.” He looked back at the list then looked up. “Every name on here is of a woman.”
“Correct.”
“Why?”
“Perhaps you should read my travel plans. It’s the next page.”
He reviewed my list once more then switched to the next sheet. “Oh, your mother isn’t going to be very happy with you.” He paused, and I could see he wasn’t just skimming it, but was reading the entire thing and even calculating the likelihood my plans were accurate. Finally, he set it aside. “Why are you going to Charth?”
“I have unfinished personal business.”
“You can’t go to Charth alone, and no one on this list can go with you.”
“They can if Lady Olivia gives approval,” I said. “The next page is the itinerary if she declines the request I sent with Ahlianna.”
Father picked it up, laughed, and then nodded. He set it down, then looked through the rest of my presentation. Then he carefully stacked it all back up and set it at the corner of his desk. He folded his hands and looked into my eyes. “Does your unfinished personal business carry the name Gretchena?”
I thought about lying. Maybe he figured that out. Maybe he didn’t, but he leaned forward and said, “Don’t you dare lie to me, Darfelsa.”
“I actually have several pieces of unfinished business, plus I think I prefer the route.”
“Name this unfinished business.”
“Gretchena is one. A practice challenge is two. Possibly seeing my sister in red is three. And collecting a version of Madam Bessari who can travel is four.”
He offered a brief smile. “All right then. You’re the one who is tel
ling your mother your departure date, not me. Do it over dinner tonight.”
“We have guests.”
“So we do. Will Madam Bessari be in attendance?”
“I’ve invited her for every event that is to contain guests,” I said. “Mother had That Look. Why is she playing games with me suddenly?”
“Your mother is bored,” he replied. “Frankly, I don’t think she presented a single suitable, well, a suitable suitor for your sister, but she began getting creative when she discovered Madam Bessari was present every time a young man sat to table with us.”
“Why? I can’t imagine she wants secret assignations.”
“Because your sister isn’t half as subtle as she thinks she is,” Father said. “And so I told Ralifta she had to make it look like we were trying. Really, Darfelsa, this is the one time your sister’s advice may have been a mistake for you. Your mother has had practice.”
“I was just supposed to go along?”
“You could trust your parents.”
“I do trust my parents,” I said. “You know, I didn’t believe Ahlianna when she first told me about Madam Bessari. Now I’m even more confused.”
“Well, have that discussion with your mother,” he said.
“Father, do you intend to marry me off?”
“What would happen if I said ‘yes’?”
“I imagine I’d get married off, and I’d see to it you never meet your grandchildren.”
He laughed. “Darfelsa, my parents were miserable. Father and Mother both had side arrangements, and they hated each other.”
“I don’t remember them fighting.”
“You were young, but no, they didn’t fight. They didn’t talk, either. I didn’t love Ralifta when we were married, and I don’t believe she loved me. But we grew to love each other, and when we realized that, we made certain promises to each other, new promises. One of those promises were that our children were not political pawns. My agents, and hers, yes, absolutely. But you aren’t tokens to be married off to appease some treaty obligation or cement an alliance. That being said, you have certain duties.”
“Do you think we understand that the same way?”
“You do need to marry, Darfelsa, and produce offspring. That is more important for your sister. And you need to marry sufficiently well that your spouses can sit to table with us and not be an embarrassment. You can’t teach the rules of society in a few days, you know. In private, I couldn’t care less which fork someone uses, but in public, people with too little to do pay attention to these things, and those people sometimes own newspapers. And for myself, I don’t care about that, either, but someone your age who is belittled in front of the entire country?”