by Robin Roseau
“I’m not asking you to come back for him,” she said. “I’m asking you for myself.”
“This is a power play on his part,” I replied.
“Probably,” she agreed. “What is it you’re doing?”
“If they don’t take me seriously, then nothing I do should matter. If they do take me seriously, then perhaps they should act like it.”
“I think you’ve been in Ressaline too long.”
“You might be right, but do you care to explain that?”
“This isn’t Ressaline, or Flarvor, for that matter.”
“Yes, and let us pretend I only arrived yesterday and don’t understand what you’re suggesting.”
“They’re men.”
“Yes. I noticed.”
“You and I are women.” She looked around. “Most of you are women.”
“So we are. And your point?”
“Are you really going to make me explain it, Princess?”
“Are you suggesting that I was being disrespected because I am a woman?”
“I’m sure it didn’t help. Please, Princess Darfelsa. Even if all you do is go back and say something cutting, at least it won’t be my fault.”
I waved a finger at her. “You don’t play fair.”
“It could mean my job,” she said. “It could certainly mean whatever opportunities might possibly be open to me in the future would close.”
“You really don’t play fair. Fine.” I took her hand and smiled, then pulled her beside me as I turned around. “It’s a pity you didn't remain in Charth longer. We might have gotten to know each other.” I leaned and whispered to her, “I’ll stop this if it will hurt you, but if you wish to act like lifelong friends, we can.”
Then I prattled at her for the walk back.
As we passed the inner office doors, wide open for us, I told her, “It’s so good to see you again. I wish we’d had more time in Charth, but maybe you’ll finally accept my invitation to Barrish sometime.” Then I leaned over and kissed her cheek. I released her and turned to the waiting men, now standing.
“Minister Silmarion,” I said. “I can’t negotiate with you until I have officially presented my credentials and been accepted by your entire council. Apparently, no one in your government is interested in meeting with my father’s envoy, so I am entirely unsure why you sent Ms. Leyviel to bring me back.”
“You can’t enact these laws,” he said, waving my piece of paper at me.
“Of course, I can’t,” I replied. “I can, however, tell Father that no one from your government had time to see me, and then make my recommendation.” I waved. “That will be my recommendation. Now, really, this is most inappropriate. I will vacate your town by late afternoon, and you needn’t ever see me again.”
I turned to head for the door, but I let his words stop me. “Princess Darfelsa! Please be reasonable.”
I spun back. “Be reasonable?” I asked. “Be reasonable?” My voice rose, which bothered me, but I let it. “Two weeks? I was supposed to cool my heels for two weeks because you and your fellow ministers couldn’t give me five minutes to present my credentials? I was supposed to wait until next week to meet with you because your schedule is too full for me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Mr. Epseen, whose secretary sent you packing yesterday afternoon?”
“Prime Minister Githien’s,” said Mr. Epseen.
“Well, there you have it, Minister. You may speak to your own prime minister on one topic, and your secretary on the other. I didn’t want to come here, Minister. Frankly, my father holds me in higher regard than I do myself. I’m quite happy to return to Barrish before returning to Charth, happily making friends and helping to establish a deeper trading relationship with the women of Ressaline. So I don’t personally care what you do at this point, but if you do not wish that paper to be my final word to Father, I recommend you arrange a proper opportunity to present my credentials. I recommend you make the arrangements by the noon meal, and I am fond of mid-afternoon today.”
I turned and smiled. “A pleasure to see you again, Ms. Leyviel.” And then I strode from the room.
* * * *
He waited until we were safely inside the embassy before Mr. Epseen said, “Princess, are you operating on bluster?”
“Not at all,” I replied. “Frankly, I think it’s long past time we treat the Gandeetians in a fashion consistent with how they treat us, don’t you?”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. Could I speak with you privately?”
I considered. “My office.” I led the way. Mr. Epseen didn’t seem pleased the sergeant remained with three more of my guards, spread around the room. But I turned to Mr. Epseen. “We can speak plainly. They are royal guards and would never gossip.”
“If I tell you something, will you repeat it anywhere?”
“Are you asking me to keep secrets from Father?”
“I wouldn’t say this to him directly, but if he learns this is how I feel, then so be it.”
“And my sister?”
“And your sister,” he said. “Please, Princess.”
“No one else,” I said. “At least not from anyone in this room.”
“Lord Marlish was once quite a forceful man.”
“But he mellowed with age?”
“Yes,” he said.
“No one has said what I’m about to say,” I said. “Certainly not my father. Was it time for him to retire?”
“In my opinion, perhaps it was.”
I nodded. “Do you want to know why that was so easy for me, Mr. Epseen?”
“I would love to know that.”
“I don’t need one thing from that man. Not one thing. Would I prefer a pleasant negotiation? Of course. But if the Gandeetians aren’t interested in one, I’m not going to beg.”
“Your position gives you certain freedom.”
“No matter what, I’ll have a roof over my head,” I said.
“Exactly. Princess, are you sure you aren’t here permanently?”
I laughed. “I will be quite vexed with Father if he dilly-dallies in finding a proper ambassador. No, I think I’ll ensure the Gandeetians are happy to see my backside and will give the ambassador little reason to invite my return.”
“This isn’t exactly your reputation.”
“No, it’s not,” I said. “I’ve done a lot of growing up lately. Do you care to make a prediction regarding their reaction?”
“They’ll make you wait,” he said. “An invitation to meet with them will arrive once they see you in a carriage, headed from the city, and they’ll make it for three days hence.”
“Interesting,” I said. “Sergeant, do you wish to offer your prediction?”
“We’ll be halfway out of the city before Ms. Leyviel catches up to us.”
“Oh, interesting,” I replied. “I think I’ll go the other way. Ms. Leyviel will deliver an invitation shortly after the noon meal, but it will arrive with entirely inappropriate notice.” I gave a bark of a laugh. “That would disturb mother, but it’s a petty game. I believe I’ll dress for lunch today.”
And I did, in traveling clothing.
* * * *
Ms. Leyviel actually arrived midway through the meal. She received an escort to our dining hall, and when I saw her, I greeted her like an old friend while flashing Mariya a grin.
“You were right so far, Princess,” she whispered to me.
“Please, Ms. Leyviel,” I said. “Sit. Join us.”
“I couldn’t,” she protested. “Princess Darfelsa, I have an invitation for you.”
“Excellent,” I said. “Give it to Ms. Pelonden, please. Sit, sit. We can make room. Have you eaten?”
“Princess…”
“We must be civil,” I added. “Sit, there, across from me. We’ll make room.” The staff got her settled, and then I picked up my fork. “To what have I been invited, Ms. Pelonden?”
“The council wishes
to offer an opportunity to present your credentials,” she said. “Immediately.”
I held out my hand for the invitation. They offered an immediate appointment or the original in two weeks. I looked at Ms. Leyviel. “Do you know what this says?”
“Yes.” She looked uncomfortable.
“Relax,” I told her. “I’m fairly sure this wasn’t your idea. Please, you should eat.”
“Your Highness,” she said. I waited to see if she would add to it.
When she didn’t, I waved the note. “What do you think of these power games?”
“I’m sure I couldn’t say.”
“No,” I said. “I suppose you couldn’t.” I offered a gesture. “Please, eat something.”
She stared at me. I smiled and returned my attention to my meal, eating slowly. From glancing at her, I could tell that I was frustrating Ms. Leyviel, but she was wise enough not to rush me.
Finally I set my knife and fork down, drank a little more of the cider, and then looked at her. “Ms. Leyviel,” I said sadly. “You didn’t eat a thing, and I imagine you haven’t had lunch.”
“I’m fine, Your Highness.”
“Very well. I only need a moment.”
“Your Highness?”
“Perhaps you didn’t intend to wait,” I said. “Truly, I’ll only be a minute. We can head over to the capitol together.” I didn’t wait but stood.
* * * *
Ms. Leyviel stared at me as I walked towards her in the embassy foyer. I was still wearing the traveling clothes I’d changed into earlier.
“We mustn’t keep them waiting,” I declared.
“You’re not going to change clothes?”
“The invitation said ‘immediately’,” I offered in explanation. “I presume they are fitting me in, and I wouldn’t want to keep them unduly waiting.” I gestured, and together, we stepped outside.
The embassy carriage was waiting. I wasn’t sure how Ms. Leyviel had arrived, but I took her arm and led her to the carriage. We climbed in, and then a portion of my entourage. The rest would be mounting, and this time, I would arrive with my full honor guard, as small as it was.
For the ride, I looked at Ms. Leyviel. She stared at her hands. So I shifted my attention. “Sergeant Felist, I imagine you’re pleased I didn’t ask for a financial wager.”
“Quite, Your Highness,” she said with a smile. “You predicted events exactly.”
“What events?” Ms. Leyviel asked.
“Earlier today, she asked several of us to make an estimate whether we would be hearing from your government,” said the sergeant. “Everyone asked expected a notice to arrive as we were leaving. She predicted it would arrive, delivered by you, with insufficient warning to prepare properly.”
“You must not have had much faith in your guess,” she told me.
“On the contrary,” I replied.
“If you believed you were right-”
“Why am I not wearing a gown?”
“Yes, I guess.”
“Would you ask that question if I were a man? Well, would you have expected him to dress in his finery, awaiting an invitation that might not come?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“Well, there you go,” I said. “Were you hoping to see me in a gown, Ms. Leyviel?”
“I don’t know what you’re asking.”
“Just that,” I said. “I believe I was dressed somewhat formally the first time we met.”
“You were.”
I waited to see if she’d speak. She didn’t, and so I didn’t worry about it. I had more important fish to fry, so to speak. We reached the capitol, and I stepped out immediately after Sergeant Felist, then turned to offer a hand to Ms. Leyviel. “You have a choice.”
“I do?”
I hooked her arm in mine. “I presume you know where we’re going, but if you wish to distance yourself from me, I won’t be offended.”
She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t pull away from me, either.
* * * *
The council was milling about their council room, engaged in individual conversations, when we stepped in. Ms. Leyviel announced me, and I strode forward, waiting.
Slowly, people turned to me. A few stared. Others took their seats. I gave them a minute, but that was all. “I am Princess Darfelsa Cinnabar,” I said. “My father, King Leander of Flarvor, has appointed me his personal envoy to Gandeet. Which of you is Minister Githien?”
“I am,” said a man near Father’s age.
“Very good.” I strode forward and set the parchment on the table in front of him. “My credentials from Father. I speak with his voice.”
Then I turned and headed for the doorway, but then paused and turned around. “The people in this room do not know me. Perhaps you have heard a few things about me. I imagine you expected a spoiled princess. Perhaps you know where I’ve spent the last three years.” I stepped forward. “Our ambassador to Ressaline is a woman named Allium Cuprite. She is formerly a crew chief from the Ministry of Transportation, about as far from a career diplomat as I can imagine.”
I came to a stop. “I imagine that is the sort of decision no one in this room would have made, but absolutely everyone is quite pleased with Ambassador Cuprite. The Ressalines love her, and my father couldn’t be more pleased with what she has accomplished. My admiration for her is boundless, and she has been a primary influence upon me, behind only my parents and older sister.”
I looked around. “Imagine. A builder of roads, a woman who led crews of rough men. Imagine. But not only have I learned from Ambassador Cuprite. Our embassy interacts quite heavily with Lady Olivia, Duchess Charthan. She has become a close personal friend and another mentor.” I smiled. “You may know her as the Conqueror of All Charthan.”
I turned and headed for the door. “Read that document carefully. How could my father give a woman of so few years that much authority? Think about whom you’re dealing with.” I turned once more. “Go ahead. Continue to play these petty games. I’m not impressed.” I lowered my voice. “The lot of you are amateurs. I’m not remotely impressed. You can either treat with me honestly, and we can forge a mutually satisfying relationship, or you can play games. I’ll return to Barrish and recommend to father we implement The Golden Exchange. You’ve all received a copy by now.”
I took two steps when Minister Githien called out, “Princess Darfelsa, why did you call it The Golden Exchange?”
I didn’t bother turning around. “It is named after The Golden Rule. I propose we simply treat you the way you’ve been treating us. Good day, gentlemen.”
Decisions
We settled in. I treated the evenings like slumber parties, encouraging the other women in my room to treat each other – as well as myself – as friends. At first it was hard for the others, but there’s something about having your feet massaged by a princess that breaks down barriers.
And so Mariya, Renishta, Terla, Selzen, and I become friends, at least for now. That would be respectively, Sergeant Felist, Ms. Pelonden, Ms. Blendost, and Ms. Sarlenda.
None of us snored. Well, I may have, but they didn’t accuse me of it, and Ahlianna had never complained. So, none of us snored, and that helped.
Renishta and I shared one bed, Terla and Selzen the other. Mariya kept the one near the door, and I felt safe knowing she was near at hand.
It was the third night before one of them finally asked me, “So. What was it like?” I pretended not to know what Renishta was asking, and I feigned confusion. “In Ressaline,” she said. “Your, um. Your…”
“First Time?” I asked.
“Is that what they call it.”
“That, or First Enslavement. But usually just First Time,” I said. “Everyone knows what you’re talking about.”
“What was it like?” she asked. I noticed the other three were listening carefully.
“I’m not sure how to describe it,” I said. “I was deeply frustrated to be called back to Barrish before I could do it
again.”
“But you were someone’s slave,” Terla pointed out.
“Yes,” I agreed. “I was. She treated me amazingly well.” Thinking about it, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Was it with that woman, the one who didn’t want to come with you?”
“Gretchena?” I supplied. “No. She has to be a citizen.” I explained that then said, “First time is nearly always with someone older who can be a good guide. Mine was with one of Olivia’s friends, a woman named Lisolte. She was Allium’s first, too. I was going to pick someone else just because I know how Allium feels about her, but the three of them talked, and then they approached me about it.”
“It was good?” Terla asked. “I mean. You were a slave.”
“I was a sex slave,” I clarified. “They say pleasure slave, and to some extent, that’s probably more accurate, but I like to call it what it was.” I paused. “This is why Queen Lisdee made it a law that any foreigners in their country have to go through the tradition. It’s impossible not to judge. But it was basically the most amazingly intense, wonderful month of my life.”
“But you were a slave,” Terla said for the third time. “A sex slave. I could never do that.”
“You’re thinking in Flarvorian terms,” I said. “And in your mind, you probably think sex always involves a man. Did you see any men?”
She snorted a laugh, but then they all grew quiet. I let them consider the implications for a minute.
“Look. I’m sort of out of sorts with the Ressalines right now. Things were tense between Olivia and me. I shouldn’t have asked to bring all of you to Charth. That was too big a favor, and I knew it when I did it. I was being selfish.”
“She could have said ‘no’. She gave you permission.”
“But I put her in a spot. She has to tell Queen Lisdee about it, and the queen may be quite unhappy with her for it. So, things were tense between Olivia and me, and you all know about Gretchena. I’m not a good ambassador for the Ressaline way of life right now.” I paused. “I’m trying to set aside my current mood. If I go back to Charth, and that’s really up in the air right now, I’ll see if you want to come with me.”
“Are you recommending it, Darfelsa?”