Tiara- Part One

by Robin Roseau

  “No. But I’m fairly certain that Mr. Semsten would treat you like your father has treated me. I am not at all confident that Mother’s choices would. I find it more likely they would treat you much like I expected to be treated.”

  “Not if they want to live,” Father muttered.

  “I also believe that you would have little trouble keeping Mr. Semsten in line and would be free to continue to pursue your choices rather than having them dictated to you.”

  “Oh,” I said. I sighed. “Mother, what do you want me to do?”

  “I have no idea. I wish your grandmother would just leave me alone.”

  “The day that woman stops meddling will be…” Father trailed off. “Ralifta, I find myself experiencing an uncomfortable feeling.”

  “What is that, Darling?”

  “I don’t have the vaguest clue how to help.”

  “I know, Darling,” Mother said. She turned to me. “Keep Francia on hand.”

  “I think you should invite Mr. Semsten to dinner again.”

  “Why? You clearly aren’t interested.”

  “Because he’s a nice boy, and the night before I go, I’m going to introduce him to a nice girl.”

  She smiled broadly. “I do love you, My Darling.”

  “Good. I don’t have a clue what nice girl to pick.”

  She laughed. “I’m sure we can find someone.”

  “She shouldn’t be some sort of consolation prize,” I added. I smiled. “I have no intention of leading him on, but I rather think he is a nice boy, and if I am honest with him, he won’t mind.”

  “You might be right.”

  “Please don’t surprise me with more boys,” I said. “Fair enough?”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Invite him again,” I said. “And you find a nice girl. Can you do that before I go?”

  “Yes.”

  “All right then. Mother, you don’t need to protect me from Grandmother’s choices. They don’t stand a chance. I promise. But if you tell me Grandmother wanted me to meet someone, that might help.”

  “All right.”

  “But no surprises, because I don’t want to have to practice the things Sergeant Felist is teaching me, but I will, and then Father will need to get involved.”

  “I’ll make sure you have an opportunity to invite Francia.”

  “Thank you.”

  “When I can.”

  “Ralifta,” Father said.

  “I can’t help it if Mother shows up with someone,” Mother said. “She has done that twice to your sister,” she added to me. She paused. “Darling, there’s one thing you shouldn’t do.”

  “What is that?”

  “Ask him to fetch wine for you. Well, more importantly, for Francia.”

  I understood immediately. “No one would dare,” I said coldly.

  “I don’t know if they would dare slip something into your wine, but they would have little compunction giving Francia a little something to help her nap.”

  “Mr. Semsten?”

  “No, probably not, although you don’t know who might start whispering into his ear, and boys that age don’t always make the right choices.”

  “I thought you said he was a nice boy.”

  “He is. But if someone he trusts talks about how the nice little lady will just take a little nap, and then you would be free of her for an hour…” She trailed off.

  I shifted my gaze, and Father said simply, “Your mother is right.”

  I looked back and forth between them then said, “I think I want my innocence back.”

  Father smiled. “Growing up can be hard sometimes.”

  “I bet I don’t need Madam Bessari with Mr. Semsten.”

  “Probably not,” Mother said. “But he may need her with you.”

  “Excuse me?” I replied.

  “This is going to cost more of your innocence,” she said.

  “This should be good. Keep going.”

  “Imagine someone who wants to stir trouble, perhaps someone with a vested interested in driving Mr. Semsten from your list of friends.”

  “Yes?”

  “Someone Mr. Semsten is not smart enough to distrust.”

  “And?”

  “And he fetches a glass of wine.”

  I closed my eyes. “And someone drugs it.”

  “Yes.”

  “And I blame him?”

  “Yes,” Mother said.

  “What is the likelihood?” I asked.

  “In eight days? Slight. When you return, and people have a time to begin truly plotting? Significant. You wouldn’t believe the things Mother did to thin my competition.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” she said.

  “I think I’ve lost enough innocence tonight,” I declared. I turned to Father. “Did you know?”

  “I didn’t at the time.”

  “Tell me she didn’t destroy any lives.”

  Neither of them said a word. I looked back and forth and then stood up. “I think I’m going to leave now.”

  “I think that’s best,” Mother said, also standing. But she opened her arms, and I moved to her. She held me, neither of us speaking until she whispered, “I love you, Darling. Bring Gretchena with you next time.”

  “I tried this time,” I said.

  * * * *

  I saw Mr. Semsten at three more events over the remaining time. He expressed surprise I’d invited him to return, and I told him a portion of the truth. He listened, and then I said, “I could use a friend I can trust, Edrin. Mother says you’re a good boy.”

  “I try to be a good man,” he replied. “I’m not always sure what that means. But I try, at least.” He smiled. “Does this mean I get to dance with you?”

  “It does,” I said. “But it’s only dancing.”

  “I get it. I was rather surprised when Queen Ralifta introduced us in the first place. I was struck stupid.” He shook his head and put on a voice. “What do you do, Mr. Semsten?” Then he said, “Huh? I’m too dazzled to be standing here to understand what you just asked.”

  I laughed. “That’s about how I remember it,” I said.

  He refused to let me lead when we danced. I pouted then laughed.

  Two events later, I introduced him to Elsenia Clayson, the niece of one of mother’s acquaintances. I’d never met her before, but she was lovely. I spent about three minutes with her then led her to Edrin. I introduced them and then said, “Elsenia, Edrin is overcome by your beauty, but if you give his brain a chance to reengage, you’ll find that he’s sweet and charming.”

  Two hours later, she found me and hugged me tightly. I barely knew her and was deeply surprised, but she whispered, “He’s amazing. Please tell me I don’t have any competition. He’s not really yours or something, is he.”

  “All yours, as far as I know,” I said.

  I was pretty sure he wouldn’t be escaping her, and I believe they’re both quite happy.

  Two days later, my entourage of fourteen people headed north.

  Border

  We reached Tebradine. We stopped for an early lunch, but I knew I was stalling. I desperately wanted to head north, and I sat near the window, gazing longingly across the river. But finally, we paid our bill and headed outside. I got us moving across the bridge, but as we reached the center, I pulled all of us to a stop. “You wait here.”

  “I am uncomfortable with that plan, Your Highness,” Sergeant Felist said.

  “Well, you’ll have to trust my judgement,” I said. “While we could all finish crossing, and even travel another two miles, I do not want to presume. You will remain on Flarvorian, well, not land, but on the Flarvorian side of the border unless I signal you.”

  She said nothing, but when I turned my horse across the border, no one tried to follow me.

  By the time I reached the far side, I saw two of the guards beside the gate. I rode up, dismounted, then pushed back the hood of my cloak.

  “Well, well, Fo
dorie,” said one of the guards. “We’ve got a princess.” She raised her voice. “Princess warning. Princess warning.”

  “You are so childish,” said Fodorie. She turned to me. “Ignore her.”

  “I wouldn’t suppose I’m expected?”

  “I don’t know, Trellen,” said Fodorie. “Do you think we were expecting a second princess of Flarvor? I’m pretty sure the older one is in Charth. And now there’s a second one.”

  I sighed. “I’d sent a letter with my sister. I take it you haven’t heard.”

  And then there was motion behind them. Another woman stepped from the guard barracks. I didn’t recognize her until she drew closer, and then I smiled. “Major Bess. Good afternoon. Are you here for me, or is this coincidence?”

  “I’m not here for you,” she said.

  “Oh.” My face fell. “I understand.”

  “I’m here for the people traveling with you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, I suppose I’m here for you, too, but we could have sent a messenger.” She stepped forward and held out an envelope. I took it, broke the seal, and withdrew two sheets of paper. The first said simply, “I’m so glad you’re coming. Olivia.” The second was permission for my troop to traverse Ressaline, with specific dates and a route specified.

  “We can come,” I said.

  “Yes, Darfelsa,” Bess said. “But you’re stuck with an escort.”

  “I’m sorry, Major.”

  “It was a nice ride,” she said. “But now you owe me a practice challenge.”

  I laughed. “So, you’re to be my challenger?”

  “Oh, I just meant sometime in the future. You need a little practice before you’re ready for me.”

  “Any time,” I said. I turned and looked across the bridge then gestured. It took a moment, but then my troop urged their mounts, crossing the border.

  * * * *

  We made an efficient trip to Charth. Ms. Pelonden and I continued our morning sessions with Sergeant Felist, although they were much abbreviated from what they’d been in Barrish. The first morning after our arrival in Ressaline, Major Bess watched, saying nothing, but when we were done, she inserted herself in my path. I sent Ms. Pelonden ahead so she could clean up, and then I smiled to the Ressaline soldier. “What did you think, Major?”

  “I think I’m suddenly worried.”

  I brushed sweaty hair from my face. “Why is that?”

  “Why the sudden interest in learning to fight, Princess Darfelsa?”

  “I’ve had fencing lessons since I was four years old.”

  “That wasn’t a fencing lesson. That was a brawling lesson.”

  “Fencing rules are fine and dandy between gentlemen or a polite competition,” I replied. “But it’s not real fighting, is it?”

  “Your Highness, if you tell me this is none of my business, I will keep my concerns to myself. I think you understand why I might be concerned.”

  “You want to know why I am learning to truly defend myself and wonder whether the timing of a trip to Gandeet is part of my motivation.”

  “Yes, that is exactly what I wonder. You have a significant honor guard. Is there trouble in Gandeet, Your Highness?”

  “I don’t have remotely the guard that surrounded Gionna when she traveled to Barrish. Ten soldiers could hardly keep me safe if the Gandeetians held ill will towards me.”

  “Well, you don’t need ten in Ressaline,” she pointed out. “And you’ve been traveling back and forth with a token force.”

  “Not once I’ve reached Tebradine,” I replied. “This is light.”

  “Yes, which means everything isn’t adding up.”

  “Do you disapprove of my training, Major?”

  “Darfelsa, are we friends?”

  “Not for this conversation,” I said. “Normally, yes.”

  “Can’t your friend wonder if she should be worried for you?”

  “Bess, do you think my overprotective parents would send me into anything dangerous?”

  “Did your parents fight over allowing you to take this mission?”

  “Mother would have preferred I had spent longer at home before leaving again, but if they fought, it wasn’t in front of me, and I didn’t detect any stress.”

  She nodded. “Darfelsa, I know it’s not any official business of mine, but do you blame me for being concerned?”

  “You’re not pleased I’m learning important skills?”

  “It’s not that you’re learning the skills, Darfelsa. It’s the timing.”

  “Bess, it’s fine. As soon as I realized Father was sending me on a foreign mission as something more than a pretty ornament, I realized it was time to begin acting like an adult, and renewing attention to a few skills seemed important. The nature of my training morphed as Sergeant Felist and I discussed it, but have you heard Allium talk about a man with a shovel?”

  “No.”

  “Ask her about it sometime,” I said.

  “Not once have you actually told me there’s no reason I should worry, Darfelsa.”

  “I don’t think you should worry, Bess.”

  “Interesting,” she replied. “That’s not the same thing, is it?”

  “No, Bess. Sergeant Felist isn’t teaching me to start bar fights. She’s teaching me to handle myself if someone else does. That seems like an important skill. What did you think?”

  “She’s good.” She paused. “Probably better than I am. She’s very good, Darfelsa.”

  I shrugged. “You’re an officer.”

  “Soft.”

  “All you need to do is twitch your finger, and one of your soldiers will pick up the nearest chair and bash it over someone’s head for you.”

  “Exactly.”

  We smiled at each other, but then her smile faded. “As good as she is, she’s not as good as some of the trainers in Charth. She fights like a woman trained by a man.”

  “Well, I won’t have time to take advantage of an implied offer, Major,” I said. “And I think at my level of experience, the differences aren’t sufficient to matter to me.”

  “Perhaps not, but perhaps she would appreciate an opportunity.”

  “Perhaps you’ll share the offer with her, but I don’t know how vexed Olivia is going to be with me, and she may want everyone locked up for the duration of our stay in Charth.”

  “Do they know that?”

  “I haven’t mentioned the possibility. As long as she doesn’t interfere with my continued journey, I won’t raise a distinct fuss.”

  “Well, I’m not going to pretend to know Olivia’s mind. But if you truly don’t mind, I think I’ll talk to your sergeant.”

  “I don’t mind at all, Bess. Thank you.”

  She nodded, and then I stepped past her.

  * * * *

  The rest of the journey was without special note. We encountered rain for two days, which wasn’t necessarily pleasant, but we bundled against it and continued. There were a few complaints about the wet, but none of them were directed at me for pushing forward. I appreciated that, and when the next day, we had sun, I thanked everyone.

  And then we reached Charth.

  Mixed

  “Does Olivia expect us at Government House?” I quietly asked Bess. “I’d rather head directly to the embassy and face her once I’ve cleaned up.”

  “She didn’t direct me on that,” Bess said. “And I left before any arrangements were made, so I don’t know where you’re keeping 14 people.”

  I smiled at her. “Any chance my sister is wearing red?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Care to make a guess?”

  “Not that I’d care to share.”

  “Are you vexed with me, Bess?”

  “No, Darfelsa.”

  “Is Olivia going to be vexed my troop is this large?”

  “I couldn’t guess on that, either,” she replied. “I’m not much help today, am I?”

  “You were waiting at the border with permi
ssion to proceed with my plan. I couldn’t possibly be disappointed. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She paused. “Maybe I shouldn’t say that. You’re welcome for meeting you. I’m not sure what Olivia is going to tell you about your request.”

  “She granted it.”

  “She did,” Bess said, and then she clicked to her horse, moving away from me. I stared after her, wondering if she was lying when she said she wasn’t vexed.

  But I put it aside and began offering a verbal tour of Charth, speaking sufficiently loudly everyone could hear me.

  * * * *

  Allium and Ahlianna were standing on the embassy steps. I dismounted, handed my reins to the nearest woman, and then ran. Ahlianna accepted a Ressaline style greeting from me, then Allium. But when I stepped back, I could read hardness in both sets of eyes.

  “Right,” I said. “We can address that in private. Ambassador, I have ten soldiers, one personal secretary, two members of the foreign service, and one Royal Courier.”

  “I recognize the courier. That one is mine.”

  “We’ll talk privately about that,” I replied. “The embassy is not an inn, but I would ask your advice regarding housing.”

  “Do you have a request, Princess Darfelsa?”

  “If possible, I would prefer to keep my secretary with me, and if it would not cause consternation, perhaps the foreign service agents. I presumed I’d be showing the soldiers to an inn.”

  She eyed me. “There are arrangements with The Baby Blanket. They’re happy for the business. But you’re paying them, not the embassy.”

  “I presumed.”

  “Perhaps you can introduce me, and then Major Bess can show them the inn.”

  I handled introductions, and then I quietly told Sergeant Felist, “I don’t know if I’ll be by to see you in the mornings, but if not, we’ll continue my training later.”

  “I am at your disposal, Your Highness.”

  “Thank you, Sergeant.”

  Allium talked to Bess, and then Bess got the soldiers moving. And then Allium invited us into the embassy.

  Inside, Marzara and Penelody took responsibility for my new reduced household. And without a word, Allium led my sister and me to her office. We sat, and Ahlianna folded her arms. “I’m not pleased, Princess Darfelsa,” Ahlianna said. “Allium is not pleased. Olivia is not pleased.”