Tiara- Part One

by Robin Roseau

  “Fine. Let’s start with you,” I said.

  “Why didn’t you share your plans before I left?”

  “Before I answer that, are you vexed with the plans themselves, or only that I didn’t talk to you about it.”

  “I would have preferred to have had time to consider how to discuss it with Olivia. Instead, I found out from Allium, and she didn’t know half of what you intended, so we both looked like idiots when facing Olivia.”

  “I find that unlikely, as my note to her told her I hadn’t talked to you. Anything else?”

  “I think that covers it.”

  “I didn’t talk to you because by the time you left, my plan was only half-baked. If you recall, I barely had any time, and then you were gone. I had enough to know what I wanted to do, but I hadn’t yet explored whether you and father were actually serious when you said I had authority. If you recall, I had just been given a secretary in a fashion that suggested that no, I didn’t really have the authority you and Father suggested I had.”

  “You are displeased with Ms. Pelonden.”

  “Not remotely, but I didn’t know that yet. I didn’t want you to ask a few questions before I’d had time to run conversations through my head, and I didn’t have time, Ahlianna. If you’d been at all opposed, I wasn’t prepared for a conversation, and then you would have come to your own decisions, and you would have shared your opinion with Father. Or at least that was my concern.”

  She paused then said, “All right. That’s fair.”

  I shifted my gaze to Allium. “Right now, I am Princess Darfelsa, passing through Ressaline en route to Gandeet. I am not currently a member of your staff.”

  “I recognize that. You put Olivia in a difficult position. She should have denied your request. She made a poor professional decision due entirely to personal reasons. Putting her in that position was unprofessional of you, and it was unprofessional to put Ahlianna and me in the position of carrying your request to her.”

  “Then the three of you should have decided I was being a spoiled brat and turned me away at the border.”

  Her lips tightened. “I didn’t call you a spoiled brat.”

  “You implied I was being selfish. And you know what? You would be right. I’m being selfish. Professionally, I don’t need to talk to you about Gandeet, but I am having major confidence problems, and I would really like to be able to. Father hasn’t really been any help, because he’s been using this as an opportunity to see how much I figure out without anyone bluntly telling me things I think everyone else knows but me.”

  Ahlianna shifted in her seat. If she’d been prepared for me to say that, she might not have given anything away. But I thought Allium noticed it, and I certainly did. I didn’t point out I’d just had my suspicions confirmed.

  “I’d have talked to the crown princess, but she wasn’t there, either.” I turned to her. “Which is kind of shitty of you. I’m going to a foreign government with the power Father granted me, Ahlianna.”

  “You’re ready.”

  “Yes, well, ask Allium whether she has had confidence problems here, then consider how much more experienced she was on arrival, and whether she carried the sort of papers I’m carrying.”

  I turned my gaze back to Allium. “Are you vexed with me for yourself, or only for Olivia?”

  “For Olivia.”

  “Is she going to yell at me?”

  “Frankly, I don’t know,” Allium said. “As you are Princess Darfelsa, I find it unlikely.”

  I nodded. “I will apologize to her.”

  “Thank you,” she replied.

  “If the two of you want to yell or something, can we get that over with?”

  “Anxious to see your lover?” Ahlianna asked.

  “Yes, but I need to clean up. I need to request a conversation with the duchess. I’d appreciate if both of you were there. I need to ensure everyone is settled. I need to find out from the duchess what restrictions there are for my troop, and then ensure they understand those restrictions.” I paused. “I have a note for Gretchena, but I didn’t think I’d see her tonight. I hoped for tomorrow.”

  “She and Holliahta are coming to dinner,” Allium said.

  “Oh,” I said, beginning to grin. “Really? Who else?”

  “Olivia and Gionna,” Ahlianna said. “The seven of us. We’ll add one more after dinner for cards.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered. “You must not be that angry with me.”

  “Frankly, we thought your reasons were entirely selfish,” my sister said. “You still put Olivia in a difficult position, but she and Gionna both believe Lisdee would rather she said ‘yes’.”

  “All right. Ambassador, what do you recommend for the remainder of the afternoon?”

  “I believe you should bathe, dress, and then you have an appointment with the duchess,” she said. “We’ll come back here after.”

  “Will the two of you come to Government House with me?”

  “We’d planned to.”

  “Thank you.” I turned to my sister. “Would you mind helping me dress?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Allium, is my room still mine?”

  “Yes. And we’ll keep it for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  * * * *

  I bathed quickly. Ahlianna was waiting in my room when I arrived. She’d picked out one of my evening gowns, but I said, “I’ll change for dinner when I get back. I don’t actually need help dressing for this, but I wouldn’t mind help when we get back.” Then I bustled about. When Ahlianna saw I intended to wear my travel boots, she complained.

  “I’ll wash them. Give me some credit. So. I half thought you’d be wearing red.”

  “When you arrived? Not hardly.”

  I turned to her as I pulled on a tunic. I looked at her. “Have you?”

  “None of your business.”

  “Don’t be like that. Are you still angry?” I added leggings, a vest, and then a jacket. She hadn’t answered, so I turned back.

  “You’re wearing that?”

  “She’s going to be in leather,” I said. “I’m not wearing a gown to an afternoon meeting. This is the closest I have to their leather.” I stepped over to her. “Ahlianna, maybe I’m making a huge mistake, but I’m fairly certain I should be addressing her as Princess Darfelsa. I can be just Darfelsa at dinner. But I mean the princess that’s your future right hand, not some pretty thing being prepared to marry well.”

  She eyed me. “This is the wrong look.”

  “Yes, well, I’m not going even more casually. I think I look commanding.” I smoothed my appearance. “You had ample opportunity to review my wardrobe. Do you think there’s a better choice in there?”

  “I suppose not. I think we both need to think about this for the future.”

  “I think you’re right,” I agreed. “Tell me to wear a gown, and I will.”

  She glanced over at the gown, still lying across the bed, then back at me. “This is fine. You’re right. The gown is the wrong message. I wasn’t satisfied with it when I pulled it out, but it’s the right choice for dinner, and I wasn’t thinking you’d change.” She nodded. “This is fine.”

  “If you’re still mad at me, tell me.”

  “I was never mad. I was a little taken aback, but your explanation is fair.”

  “Then be my sister now. Did you wear red? Come on. Unless Olivia disappoints me, you’re going to get to see me in red.” I paused. “Or maybe she didn’t share that part of her letter with you.”

  “She shared it,” Ahlianna said. “And no one came to conclusions.”

  “Come on, Sister.”

  “How about if we discuss it later?”

  “Why are you putting me off?”

  “Because we’re about to go visit with the duchess, and I think we should both be prepared for a serious conversation.”

  “You’re not just putting me off while you think of more ways to put me off?”

  “No.
But I think our window to talk is going to be small.”

  “Did you wear red?”

  “You don’t think I won, do you?”

  I grinned broadly then hugged her spontaneously. “With whom?”

  “We’ll talk after.”

  “All right. Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  “Tell me this much: are you glad you did it?”

  “Definitely.”

  I squealed, then realized I was squealing and stopped. “Well. Good then.”

  She smiled, then frowned. She looked down at my feet, then back up at me. Her frown deepened.

  “What?” I asked. “I have to wash them. They’re dirty.”

  “You’re my height.”

  “So?”

  “In bare feet.”

  “Yes?” Then I looked down at her feet. She was wearing shoes. They were only flats, but when I looked back up, she intentionally straightened. I was looking directly into her eyes. “Someone’s little sister is taller than she is, and someone has a complex about it?”

  “I don’t have a complex.”

  I grinned. “You’ll be taller in your crown. If you start wearing taller shoes all the time, I’ll know why.”

  “You’re a brat.”

  “I know.”

  * * * *

  Olivia and Gionna met us in Olivia’s office. I didn’t think that was a good sign, and greetings were somewhat perfunctory besides. But we sat, and I said, “Lady Olivia, if my request has caused you difficulty, I truly am sorry.”

  The room was silent for several seconds until Olivia said, “I appreciate that, Your Highness.”

  “I couldn’t judge all the politics,” I added. “I tried putting myself into your shoes, and into Queen Lisdee’s. I don’t know how badly I failed.”

  “Neither do either of us,” Gionna said. “Unfortunately, I don’t carry much authority, only an opinion.”

  “Do I owe a greater apology? Compensation? Anything?”

  “No,” Olivia said. “We’re happy to see you.”

  “Frankly, no one looks happy.” I looked around, my gaze settling on Ahlianna. She wasn’t giving anything away. I turned back to Olivia. “I can apologize again. I can turn around and head for the nearest border. What do you want me to do?”

  “You’re not heading for the border,” Olivia said. “I spoke to Major Bess.”

  “Ah.”

  She shifted her gaze. “Princess Ahlianna, if there is trouble in Gandeet, do you think we should know?”

  Ahlianna blinked a few times. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. We have a minor trade dispute.”

  “That’s not what she’s talking about,” I said. “Major Bess became concerned when she saw the nature of my training with Sergeant Felist.”

  “Lady Olivia,” Ahlianna said. “Darfelsa and I have both received fencing training since we were barely old enough to walk. This suddenly concerns you?”

  “Ahlianna, you know I’m not studying fencing.”

  She eyed me. “I don’t see any fresh bruises.”

  “You probably noticed a few while I was dressing,” I replied. “I tried to assure Major Bess she needn’t worry, but apparently, she is still worried, and now it seems to be spreading.”

  “And this is the first I’ve heard of new training,” Allium said.

  “And so it’s spreading further,” I observed. “Olivia, do you think Mother would let my father send her baby girl into a dangerous situation?”

  She eyed me, and it took a long time before she answered, “No.” But then her gaze hardened. “But he might not tell her everything she would need to know to come to conclusions.”

  I glanced at Ahlianna. She was watching me. I really would have happily told everyone everything, but I considered it an internal dispute, and on this, I hadn’t asked Father or Ahlianna whether I could talk about my concerns. I paused then turned back to Olivia. “I believe Mother had a full picture of my mission. I am to arrive in Gandeet and browbeat them for a while. Father is sending me because I have my experience here, and because he can give me authority he can’t give to someone else. That’s all.”

  “You’re a horrible liar,” Gionna said.

  “That might be true,” I replied. “And your point?”

  She studied me. They all did. Allium’s expression was especially hard, and Gionna noticed. But it was Olivia who asked, “What’s going on at your Gandeet embassy.”

  Ahlianna didn’t shift in her seat. I was expecting a question like that, and I don’t think I gave anything away, either. I shrugged. “The previous ambassador has retired to a life of raising grandchildren. It is unclear how long retirement will last. The replacement ambassador suffered a tragic health emergency. Father hasn’t identified a replacement to the replacement, and I think this is nothing but an opportunity to give me experience.”

  Olivia and Gionna both leaned back in their chairs. No one spoke for a good minute, and then Olivia did, her words slow and measured. “Princess Ahlianna, if you were to request an enhanced honor guard for your sister, Ressaline would be happy to supplement her current force.”

  “That is very kind, Lady Olivia,” Ahlianna said. Then she pursed her lips and shifted her gaze to me.

  “I’m sure that’s unnecessary,” I said.

  “Answer this question, Princess,” Olivia said. “If you hadn’t come via Charth, would your troop be larger?”

  “Yes. I probably would have had a couple of men to supplement the embassy staff. There have been some changes with the departure of the previous ambassador, and it isn’t clear yet whether things are settled. However, I believe ten soldiers are sufficient.”

  “Princess Ahlianna, do you agree with your sister’s assessment?”

  “Twelve was the number Father and I discussed,” Ahlianna replied. “But I understand she didn’t appear terribly royal while traveling through Flarvor.”

  “We left with no particular fanfare,” I said. “I’ve been in traveling clothing, and my secretary has been our public face. I’ve kept my hair obscured, and I don’t believe anyone had any reason to expect me to take this route. That being said, I feel far more secure in this route than a more southerly choice.”

  “Well, it is a standing offer,” Olivia said.

  “I appreciate that,” I replied. “I am satisfied with my security.”

  “All right,” she said. “If you change your mind.” I nodded understanding. She smiled. “I’m glad to see you.”

  “I’m glad to be here,” I said. “I have three issues I’d like to discuss. I know we have little time, but can I bring them up?”

  “Of course.”

  “First, I arrived with thirteen people who have not had their First, and we aren’t remaining sufficiently long to remedy that. I would like to know if they have any particular restrictions before we leave again.”

  “Colonel Melstie is seeing to that,” Olivia said. “When not at the embassy, we would prefer they be accompanied.” We talked about it for a minute, but it wasn’t anything unexpected.

  “Next,” I said. “I would like a three-day practice challenge. Do you support me, Olivia?”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “I believe it would undermine my authority if I were to be seen by my staff. If we can avoid that, I would appreciate it. And yes, I know, that is part of the reason for Queen Lisdee’s policy.”

  “This isn’t a problem.”

  “Do you have someone picked for me?”

  “You don’t want to choose yourself?”

  “I was going to challenge Allium.” The woman in question began sputtering. I held it for a moment before I began laughing. The others smiled. “Seriously, if you leave it to me, I’d probably challenge Gretchena, but I’m fairly sure that’s a mistake. Olivia, if you want to make this decision, I’d let you. If you leave it to me, you know what I’ll do.”

  “Are you making a more specific request? Do you have someone el
se in mind?”

  “I’m sure anyone you recommend would be a good choice.”

  “Well, I was going to suggest Claary, but your request to avoid your staff is reasonable, so having you dressed in red at the Baby Blanket might not be best.”

  “I’d rather not.”

  “Do you want fun or sweet?” Then she turned and gazed at Gionna. “Or daring?”

  Gionna was watching me and didn’t even glance at Olivia, but she grinned at me.

  “I think for now, belonging to Gionna would be too confusing. I’ve thought about this for years.”

  “Do you want me to choose, or do you want to talk about it?”

  “How about if I tell you what I’ve thought about, but then I want you to ignore everything I’m about to say and choose for me. Is that unreasonable?”

  They all chuckled, and Olivia assured me it was entirely reasonable.

  “All right,” I said. “There are obvious choices. Some eliminate themselves, such as Allium.” I turned to her. “But I would.”

  “Darfelsa, that’s a poor idea.”

  “I would,” I said again. “But it also is the wrong time, as a portion of my staff is residing at the embassy. And she isn’t interested. Gionna is also an obvious choice, and that’s another I’d accept, but I think there are reasons it may not be the right choice, at least right now.” I paused then turned to Olivia. “My most serious thoughts have been you or Bee and Dee. I think that’s something I might want to do at some point, if you’re interested, but I think that’s a little too much for my First Challenge. Maybe just one of them would be perfect, but it wouldn’t be just one.”

  “No, it wouldn’t,” she said.

  “If you decided one of these choices, I’m fine.” She nodded at that. “I’ve tried others on for size, but there isn’t really a clear front runner.”

  “Do you have specific requests?”

  “Only the one I’ve already made.”

  “All right. Sweet or playful?”

  “Either would be fine, but I could handle playful. Did that make your decision for you?”

  “How do you feel about Mellta?”

  “I like Mellta. She’s fun. Not tonight though.”

  “Tomorrow evening after dinner,” Olivia said. “My home.”