Tiara- Part One

by Robin Roseau

  * * * *

  We barely made it to the foyer in time, collecting my sister on the way. A minute later, the doors opened, and then Gretchena and I were both squealing.

  She ran to me. We exchanged a Ressaline greeting, then I said, “Forget that,” set my hand on the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. The first was hurried. The second was much, much better, and then we hugged tightly. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too,” she replied. “How long are you here?”

  “A week or thereabouts. I need to talk to you, but not tonight. Lunch tomorrow?”

  “Am I staying the night?” she asked.

  “I hope so.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Ahem.”

  I waved a hand at my sister.

  “Ahem.”

  “You’re so impatient,” I said.

  “Seriously, Darfelsa,” Ahlianna said. “Share the love.”

  “Get your own.” But I laughed and released Gretchena. She greeted Allium and Ahlianna, and I shared a greeting with Holliahta.

  Then Gretchena moved back to my side, wrapping an arm around my waist. I laid my head on her shoulder, and the five of us made small talk for several minutes.

  Then the door opened. Ahlianna pointedly pulled Gretchena from me and whispered something to her, and I turned to see Gionna and Olivia enter. Bee and Dee weren’t with them, which was disappointing. They stepped in and exchanged greetings with Ahlianna and Allium. Then Olivia turned to me. We looked at each other somewhat awkwardly. “Darfelsa,” she said.

  “Thank you for allowing me to continue my mission as I planned it.”

  “I wasn’t telling you that you were wrong.” I set my hand on my hip. “It’s just.”

  “Uh, huh.”

  “Queen Lisdee-”

  “Yes?”

  “Has never met either you or your sister.”

  “I understand Ahlianna hasn’t been as available as I have been, but I’ve been right here for most of the last three years. If Ressaline’s relationship with Flarvor is as important as you’ve suggested, you would think she would have made an opportunity. I haven’t even received an invitation to visit in Ressaline City. Frankly, I don’t think she cares about us at all.”

  “Are we really discussing this now?”

  “I didn’t bring it up. I put on this nice gown. I stood here. And I still haven’t received a warm welcome. I believe my sister overstated the conversation after I left.”

  “I find that unlikely,” Olivia said. But she stepped closer, and when she brushed my cheek, I set my hands on her arms and pressed against her. She did the other side, and then we held each other like that.

  But then she stepped away. She didn’t apologize. She didn’t say anything else. I sighed.

  But then Gionna was there, and from her, I received a far warmer, more enthusiastic welcome. “She’s just embarrassed,” Gionna whispered. “Mother frustrates her, but she can’t actually admit it.” She kissed the other side. “I want your practice challenge with me.”

  “Funny.”

  “I thought you were open to the idea.”

  “Who had my sister?”

  “You should ask her yourself.”

  “Was it you?”

  She stepped away and waved a finger at me. I stomped my foot, being intentionally childish. “I bet everyone in Charth knows. I bet I could walk into any of Claary’s pubs, and it would take me about fifteen seconds to get an answer.”

  “You would lose that bet,” she said.

  I smiled. “Gretchena, did you see who beat Ahlianna for a practice challenge?”

  “No.”

  My smile faltered. Gionna grinned. “I suppose you’re not mine for dinner.”

  “No,” Gretchena said, sliding back to my side. “She’s not. You get the older princess.”

  Gionna sighed. “I suppose she’ll do.”

  “Hey!” Ahlianna complained. Gionna laughed and stepped to her side, and the two leaned together. Allium collected Holliahta’s arm, and Olivia was left to walk alone, which I found interesting.

  We moved to the parlor. Penelody was waiting to see to refreshments, and we took seats. Gretchena and I shifted to holding hands. Allium found herself on a long sofa between Olivia and Holliahta. We collected glasses from Penelody, and before anyone could say anything, I lifted my glass. “I lift this glass in tribute to the glass blower who made it.”

  Gretchena smiled, and we sipped. But then Gionna said, “That was a daring toast.”

  “Not at all,” I said. “The crafts person who made this glass is symbolic for all crafts people, wouldn’t you say, Gionna?”

  “Perhaps so. This is a momentous evening. All three of us are here.”

  “We’ve been together before.”

  “In Flarvor, but not here,” she said.

  “I believe that’s a sign of the trust King Leander has for our northern friends,” Ahlianna suggested. “And faith in Lady Olivia.”

  “Well then, we should drink to Lady Olivia,” I said.

  * * * *

  The conversation didn’t really grow less awkward. Dinner was nearly due, but then Olivia said, “Darfelsa, would you walk with me?”

  I paused before answering, but then nodded and stood. I made it to the door first, then held it for her. Then we walked slowly. I let her choose the direction, and we ended on the balcony over the portico. “Are you angry, Princess?”

  “I was,” I said. “But that wasn’t the prevailing emotion.”

  “I feel like I’ve damaged our relationship.”

  “You could argue I did that when I sent my letters with my sister. I’d have a hard time arguing you were wrong. I believe, Olivia, that we are prisoners to a policy neither of us made. As neither of us can change the policy, perhaps we should put this behind us.”

  “I think you’re still angry with me.”

  “I think I’m embarrassed I became emotional over this. I think I wish I hadn’t brought it up at all. And I think I was wrong to ask permission to travel by this route. I have neither the experience nor the stature to disturb the status quo. Frankly, everything about all of this frustrated me. Father waited until I arrived in Barrish to tell me I wouldn’t be returning here in a timely fashion. He could have warned me ahead of time so I could have left things here differently. In response, a portion of my attention was spent on intentionally making my own plan rather than making the most obvious choices. I was probably testing whether they were serious when they told me how much authority I was being given.”

  “And I’ve never tested my own authority,” she muttered. “I’m sure Ahlianna hasn’t tested hers, either.”

  “I presume that was sarcasm.”

  “Of course, it was,” she said. “Do you care for my opinion?”

  “Yes.”

  “You clearly stated you were speaking for yourself and offering an opinion. You also clearly stated you felt it should be a lengthy conversation, one that would span weeks, not a few minutes. I should not have pressed you for details after you repeatedly stated you weren’t ready for that discussion. Do you want to know why I did it anyway?”

  “Sure,” I said, this time somewhat coldly.

  “Because I agreed with you, but I can’t go to Lisdee with this. It has to come from Flarvor, Princess Darfelsa. I agree with nearly every word you said.”

  “Well, either you’ll work something out with Allium and Ahlianna, or you won’t.”

  “Darfelsa,” she whispered.

  I waited. When she didn’t say anything else, I finally asked, “What?” When she didn’t answer, I squared off and folded my arms. “I don’t know what you want, Duchess. I’ve told you I thought I’d made numerous mistakes, and I wouldn’t have argued if you brought up others. I don’t know what you want.” She stared at me, not answering, so I said, “We're being rude. They’re probably holding dinner for us.”

  At that I simply turned around. I didn’t wait to see if she followed me.
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  * * * *

  She did, but not right away. Allium moved us to the dining hall but sent someone off to find Olivia. I decided to pay attention to Gretchena.

  “What’s going on?” she whispered to me.

  “I’ll tell you later. It’s complicated.” I leaned closer. “I want you so much.”

  “Good. Maybe that could happen.”

  For most of the meal, the two of us talked quietly, and I did my best to ignore everything else going on around me. In that fashion, while I didn’t reduce the stress at the table, I did my best to avoid adding to it.

  And I had a lovely time flirting with Gretchena, which was what I wanted, anyway.

  The meal ended. Allium got us moving back to the parlor. Valsine was waiting, giving us eight for cards, but Oliva stepped over and asked, “Gretchena, may I speak with Darfelsa.”

  “Certainly.” She stepped away, and Olivia drew me to the corner of the room.

  “What can I do for you, Duchess?” I asked.

  “Are you still asking my guidance for a practice challenge?”

  I looked into her eyes. I could read the pain. On the other hand, the stress between us was palpable. I nearly burned a fresh bridge but finally said, “I think, Olivia, that I’m under stress. Furthermore, I am freshly arrived after a long journey from Barrish. I am weary and am concerned I am making poor choices, or at least might be susceptible to making them. I believe you should feel free to ask that question in a day or two. It may be that I will feel better after a little time to recover from my trip.” I shrugged. “Or I might receive an offer and accept, whether it is the right choice or not. I don’t know if I trust my judgement tonight.”

  “I understand. You’re right.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  We drew for partners. Thankfully, I wasn’t partnered with Olivia; instead, I found myself across a table from Valsine. I smiled at her. “Did Ahlianna enjoy dressing in red.”

  “For crying out loud, Darfelsa!” my sister said from the other table. “No one here is going to tell you a thing about it.”

  I jumped to my feet and turned to look at her. “Why not?” I asked. “Why is it such a big secret?”

  “It’s not. I knew you’d would pester me, and I asked them not to answer you about it.”

  “I wouldn’t have done any pestering if you hadn’t made it into such a big secret,” I replied. “Excuse me for caring about you.”

  And then I turned and walked from the room, ignoring the sounds of protest from behind me.

  Covers

  Gretchena found me ten minutes later. I was in my room, just pulling on casual clothes. She slipped into the room and set her back to the door. “Are you angry with me?” she asked.

  “No. Only myself.”

  “Do you want me to leave?”

  “No.” I finished buttoning up and turned to her. “But I think I’m an idiot.”

  “No one thinks you’re an idiot.”

  “I do. I imagine everyone else is convinced I’m a spoiled child.”

  “The reason Ahlianna doesn’t want to tell you is because she’s embarrassed.”

  “And you know this, how? You told me you didn’t know who she challenged.”

  “I didn’t. Apparently, it was here at the embassy, three days after she arrived. Trash talking started.”

  “And she got sucked in.”

  “No. She got suckered in.”

  I stared at her and then began laughing. “By whom?”

  “I think you should let me tell you the story, and then you can decide if you want to ask me, or if you want to pester her until she admits it.”

  “All right. Keep going.”

  “She was thoroughly set up. I would have seen it coming. I imagine you would, too. She didn’t. I didn’t get all the details, but the trash talking happened. The people engaged artfully pulled her into it. And she fell for it.”

  “That’s not much of a story, but it’s still funny.”

  “Well, it was over breakfast, and it happened in front of the entire household,” she said. “Everyone was there. Allium didn’t say a single word. From what I was told, about half the household was involved. Did you want to try to guess?”

  “Renalla and Corale.”

  “Yes.”

  “Not Viella.”

  “Wrong. She was the ringleader.”

  “Seriously? Valsine?”

  “Present but kept her mouth tightly closed.”

  “Was Gionna present?”

  “Apparently only the household. But you don’t have all the names yet.”

  “I don’t think I’m going to guess.”

  “Bridgie and Marga got involved, but I don’t think they realized there was a plot. They just got caught up in the fun.”

  “Okay.”

  “It started with an off-hand comment from Penelody.”

  “An innocent, off-hand comment?”

  “From the way it was told, I believe it was a very carefully plotted offhand comment.”

  “Who, Gretchena?”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to make her tell you?”

  “I think you’re dying to tell me.”

  “Mendari. The chef. And she put her in blue, not red.”

  “Oh,” I said. I grinned. “I really like Mendari.”

  “I do, too. She’s an amazing cook.”

  “She is,” I agreed. “And I’ve learned a ton from her. I could see doing that. But I bet Ahlianna had other ideas for her first real challenge.”

  “That’s what I gathered,” Gretchena said. “She’s not embarrassed it was Mendari. I understand she had a nice time.”

  “Of course.”

  “She’s embarrassed she was suckered. She’s been getting teased for it. Apparently, she didn’t just lose, but she lost rather easily.”

  “Of course, she did. They’ve been practicing, and it was her first time.” I smiled. “Well,” I said. “Are you staying?”

  “Am I invited?”

  “Definitely.”

  “Good. Loan me something to wear.”

  “Sure.”

  I wasn’t sure we wouldn’t have more visitors, so I found a blouse and skirt for her. Then we climbed onto the bed and faced each other. “What’s going on with Olivia?”

  “We had a meeting go poorly,” I said. Gretchena listened as I gave her the basics. “The thing is, I can’t even tell what I did wrong anymore.”

  “Maybe you didn’t do anything wrong. Maybe she did. Maybe no one did. Sometimes it isn’t anyone’s fault.”

  “I don’t feel welcome here anymore,” I replied.

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” I turned and arranged pillows, then lay down on my side.

  “You look tired.”

  “Was that you telling me you’re leaving?”

  “That was me telling you that you look tired and expressing a desire to take care of you. Lie down on your stomach.”

  I didn’t argue with her. I didn’t argue when she began to massage my back for me, and I didn’t argue when she rolled me over, unbuttoned my tunic, slipped it from me, then rolled me back onto my stomach before returning to the massage.

  We talked quietly for a while, with Gretchena doing most of the talking, and I was still on my stomach when there was a fresh knock.

  “I think you should stay right where you are,” Gretchena said. “Enter!”

  The door opened. I didn’t look to see who it was, but whoever it was would have seen Gretchena crouched over me, pampering me.

  “Darfelsa.”

  “Ahlianna.”

  “Gretchena, could you come back in five minutes?” my sister asked.

  “If you’ve come to lecture me,” I said, “Can you wait until tomorrow?”

  “I didn’t come to lecture.”

  “I’ll come back,” Gretchena replied. She gave me my tunic. I sat up, my back to both of them, and pulled it back on. By the time I was done, the door h
ad opened and closed again. I rotated to look at my sister.

  She crossed the room and sat down on the corner of my bed. “Did she tell you?”

  “I wonder how Mendari feels knowing you’re ashamed of taking a challenge from her.”

  She blinked at me several times and finally said, “I’m not ashamed.”

  “Embarrassed, then.”

  “I’m neither ashamed nor embarrassed.”

  “You made an awfully big deal of keeping it from me,” I said. “I get it. When you refused to tell me, I should have dropped it. I don’t know if I’m making poor choices because I’m tired from travels, from stress, or just because I’m an idiot sometimes.”

  “Darfelsa,” she said gently.

  “I’m sorry,” I added. “I’d promise it won’t happen again, but I think I’ll promise only I’ll try not to let it happen again.”

  “Darfelsa,” she said again.

  “Why does everyone keep using my name like some magic word?” I asked. “You were clearly annoyed with me for asking about it. You clearly told everyone not to say anything. You clearly didn’t want to tell me. I should have dropped it. I’m now apologizing for pursuing it. I’m sorry. But I hope you thanked Mendari. I hope you told her it was fun. I hope you’ve offered a little trash talk about next time. I hope you’ve done something to indicate you aren’t upset with her. Because whether they set you up or not, she deserves better than acting like you’re above spending time with the household chef.”

  “I haven’t been acting like I’m better than anyone.”

  “Fine. I haven’t been here. And I didn’t say you did. I said she deserves better. But did you listen to the rest of what I said?”

  She paused then dropped her gaze. “I may need to say something further to her.”

  “Good. I hope you do.”

  She paused. “I take it things didn’t go well with Olivia.”

  “Not particularly. I think I’m making mistakes. See previous comments about weary from travel. I don’t know. I can’t tell. I’m going to see how I feel tomorrow or the next day.”

  “Right.”

  “Gretchena is probably hovering, waiting for you to leave. At least, I hope she is.”

  “I’m sure she is. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We didn’t hug. She slipped from the room, but she left the door ajar, and a minute later, Gretchena stepped in. This time, she locked the door then smiled at me. “I want you naked,” she declared.