Tiara- Part One

by Robin Roseau

  “Yes, but not for transportation solely within Gandeet.”

  “Gandeet companies will follow the same, identical rules,” I said. “You understand that. And we’ll be addressing inspection fees, Mr. Prime Minister.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  I nodded. “We’ll suspend packing.” I pointed. “Keep that man away from me. I am fairly certain he’s been intentionally undermining these talks from the beginning.”

  “Not at all. He’s just an asshole.”

  Half the people in the room laughed. Minister Silmarion yelled at his prime minister and stormed from the room, flinging the doors open as he did so.

  I waited until things settled before I said, “So, old friends?”

  “He used to bully my little brother,” said Prime Minister Githien. “I believe you have established a workable relationship with Ms. Leyviel.”

  “I have.”

  “Then she will be our go-between for now. She is still a minor functionary, but I think you feel you can work with her.”

  “I can.”

  “Is that because she’s a woman?”

  “Probably in part, but more it’s because she’s treated me with respect from the first moment we met, and, I believe, honesty. You’re aware her mother extended personal friendship.”

  “Castia is very respected,” the man said. “And she was in my home, hmm, two nights ago, screaming at me.”

  “Ah. An unpleasant experience, I imagine.”

  “Made doubly-so when she recruited my wife and daughters to the cause. My wife didn’t surprise me, but my daughters did.” He nodded. “You’ll pause your departure?”

  “Yes, Mr. Prime Minister. Can you work with the silly little girl?”

  “While I agree she’s a small woman, I don’t think that’s an accurate description, Your Highness. Yes, I believe I can work with you.”

  “Keep Minister Silmarion away from me.”

  “Will do. Ms. Leyviel, please see our guests to the door.”

  * * * *

  “Your Highness,” said the guard, mid-morning two days later. “Ms. Leyviel is here.”

  “Send her in.” I stepped around from my desk. Talith hurried to me. We offered greetings. “How are you?” I whispered into her ear before kissing it.

  “I don’t know,” she said, stepping back. “I still want that job.”

  “It could get better here.”

  “Are you backing out of our agreement?”

  “No. I’m only saying…”

  “If you don’t change your mind, when you leave, I’m going with you, but that’s not why I’m here.”

  “Sit,” I offered. “Tea.”

  “Actually, I’m not staying long. Prime Minister Githien sent me. He wishes a personal appointment.”

  “Here or there.”

  “Here.”

  “When?”

  “An hour from now, or you should recommend a time.”

  “Does he expect me in a gown?”

  “Probably,” she said. But she smiled. “If he asks for a hurried appointment, are you really going to change for him?”

  “No.”

  “Then don’t,” she said.

  “An hour.” I nodded. “He sent you for that?”

  “I’m the go-between. Frankly, it’s more important work than anything else I could be doing.” She gestured to the map board. “You haven’t taken it down.”

  “I’m not going to, either. Even if we come to an agreement, I think that represents good work. I think we should see if Ressaline can take some of our citrus.” I paused. “Did you know people in Ressaline City used to starve to death.”

  “Like, long ago?”

  “Like, before they invaded Charthan.”

  She stared at me and finally said, “Starved to death? Seriously?”

  “Seriously. I think scurvy may still be common. In Flarvor, we don’t even know what that is.”

  “That’s terrible!”

  “If we can find a way to send them more of our citrus, I want to do that. Do you blame me?”

  “No. I didn’t know.”

  “Neither did we. Even Father told me once he wasn’t aware of how bad it was. Do you think I should turn that around?”

  “Let him see it. Answer his questions, if he has any.”

  “Is he a good man?”

  “He’s a man,” she said. “A politician. I didn’t know Mother had been to see him. Are we still on, even if you’re staying?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I promise we’ll have enough plates for everyone.”

  She smiled. “The entire place looks like someone packing to leave.”

  “As I said, we weren’t bluffing.”

  She nodded. “So. An hour.”

  “An hour.”

  “I’ll tell him. And I’ll see you Tuesday, if not sooner.”

  “If not sooner,” I agreed.

  * * * *

  Prime Minister Githien wasn’t late. We offered greetings, and then he turned to the map. I didn’t interfere when he walked to it. He studied it for a while. “Tell me the truth, Princess. Is this map real?”

  “Preliminary. Long term, perhaps. But yes. I’ll ask you something I asked Ms. Leyviel. Did you know that starvation was common in Ressaline City?”

  “I didn’t. She told me.” He didn’t look at me but continued to study the map. “How common?”

  “As I understand it, those times have ended, although people north of Ressaline City still have it very difficult.”

  “The mountains are unfriendly.”

  “So, I understand. I haven’t been. I don’t know how common. Common. Scurvy was even more common. I think they still have that.”

  “Their land grab didn’t solve all their problems.”

  “No, not all of them. What can I do for you, Mr. Prime Minister?”

  “I want to get to know you a little better when we don’t have an overwhelming audience.”

  “Tea?”

  “Tea would be lovely.”

  I made the arrangements. We sat, me on a sofa, him in one of the facing chairs. Ms. Pelonden wasn’t long; I think she had it waiting. She entered, pushing the cart, and served us, then asked if I needed her.

  “No, thank you,” I said.

  “Very good, Your Highness.” She slipped away, and I was left with the PM, Sergeant Felist, and three of her guards.

  “Do we need them?”

  “Father’s rule was simple: four guards minimum. I don’t even sleep alone.”

  “Do you distrust me?”

  “They were here when you arrived, and they’ll be here when you have departed. If I distrusted you, there would be more than four, and they would be stationed much closer.”

  He looked at them. “I’ve never had guards.”

  I lifted my voice. “Sergeant, have you ever interrupted an assassination attempt?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “Against Princess Darfelsa?” Prime Minister Githien asked, his voice rising.

  “That is less clear. She was in residence two of the times.”

  “None since we left Barrish?” I asked.

  “No,” she confirmed. “But it is almost a given that is in part due to our presence.”

  “The royal family is that disliked?”

  “I’m a symbol,” I said. “Less than my father or sister. Probably less than Mother. And it’s not like they are massed in the streets chanting for our deaths. There are isolated factions that live on chaos. And let’s be honest, Mr. Prime Minister. I’m fairly certain that, if presented with an opportunity, your Minister of Commerce would run me through without a second thought.”

  “I imagine he would, and you’re not the only one he would do away with.”

  “Is Ms. Leyviel at risk?”

  “Yes, which is why she no longer works for that particular ministry. I took her onto my staff.” He paused. “I don’t want to talk about her right now. I want to get to know what kind of person you are when
away from politics.”

  “Could I ask to what purpose?”

  “I have my reasons, but I don’t care to share at this time.”

  “All right. How much time do you want to spend at this?”

  “How much of your time might I have?”

  I paused. “That depends. Are you here for some sort of official reason, or personal?”

  “It’s complicated, and I told you I don’t want to talk about it.” The words seem harsh, but the tone was gentle.

  “Then I am going to jump to one conclusion and tell you that if I am correct, I am uninterested. I am not looking for any suitors, Mr. Prime Minister.”

  He began to sputter. “I assure you! I am married.”

  I started laughing. “And you have no sons? No nephews?”

  He covered his face. “I never even considered you’d come to that conclusion.” He shook his head. “I assure you, that’s not why I’m here.”

  I scooted forward, grabbed his wrists, and pulled his hands from his face. He was blushing deeply, which I thought was cute. “You wish to get to know me as a person. You’re not here because I am Princess Darfelsa. You are here to get to know Darfelsa.”

  “Yes. I think so. But I’d also like to see you with your staff.”

  “Well then,” I said. “Perhaps we can dispense with titles. I am Darfelsa. You are Belolad. Your wife?”

  “Nautila.”

  “Is she a beauty?”

  “She was,” he said. “Now we’re both old.”

  “Your children?”

  “My eldest daughter is Acacia. I have a son, Blaze, and our third is Flame.”

  “You have a son named Blaze and a daughter named Flame?”

  “Twins.”

  “How many times have they vowed to murder you for those names?”

  He laughed. “It seemed like a good choice at the time, but we never considered the teasing they would receive.” He looked at me carefully. “Blaze and Flame are two years your senior.”

  “You told me you weren’t here offering suitors.”

  “You’ve been living in Ressaline for three years. If I were going to put one forward, which would have better luck?”

  “Seriously? You’re really asking me that?”

  “Did you really go to Bashful?”

  I laughed. “Yes.”

  “What did you think of Alexi Chante?”

  “I found her absolutely enchanting.”

  “In her younger years, she had half the town wrapped around her finger.”

  “You?”

  “I was no one then, and my wife was exceedingly territorial. I am quite distressed I didn’t know to expect you there.”

  “You would have been in attendance?”

  “Not a chance, but I would have placed spies.”

  I laughed. “Ask.”

  “Did she get you onto the stage?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you cooperate?”

  “Yes, but I managed to vex her at the same time.”

  “That is dangerous.”

  “She was exceedingly gracious with me,” I said.

  “Answer my earlier question.”

  I looked into his eyes. “Why?”

  “Satisfy my curiosity.”

  I leaned away from him, sitting up more properly, then collected my tea and sipped at it. “My own countrymen haven’t asked me any questions like that.”

  “They’re afraid of you.”

  “So are you.”

  He smiled. “I’m not afraid of you, Darfelsa. I think I am facing a far, far more reasonable woman than the man you were facing.”

  I inclined my head. “Thank you. My countrymen aren’t afraid of me. On the other hand, I have hardly spent any time in Flarvor since becoming of age. Officially, no one should even be thinking about these things until very recently.”

  “And so they have cause to wonder?”

  “That’s not what I was trying to imply. They shouldn’t be wondering about potential suitors.”

  “I imagine they’ve been wondering for nearly 19 years.”

  I laughed. “You might be right.”

  “How does that work?”

  “How is it that I face a sea of potential suitors?”

  “I’m not sure that’s how I would have put it, but yes.”

  “You know, I’m not entirely sure. My sister has put it off, and I haven’t been home, either. I imagine it could go the normal way. That is, I could bring someone home and say, “Father, I wish to marry this person.”

  “Would he let you?”

  “If I wasn’t being an utter fool, I think he might,” I replied. “On the other hand, I am nearly positive Mother intends me to experience courting, and she undoubtedly has ideas what that means. She may or may not care how I feel about it.”

  “Would she make you marry against your will?”

  “She doesn’t have that authority. Father does, but he’s promised he won’t force a match on either of us. If Mother pushes anyone at me, I probably have to give him some of my attention. If it gets too bad, I’ll beg permission to return to Charth.”

  He smiled. “Which of my children would you prefer to meet?”

  “If you wish to propose a suitor, then you should talk to my mother,” I said. “I’m not going to answer you.”

  “You could have said you wished to meet my son.”

  “I would actually enjoy meeting your entire family, but I’m in your country to resolve some business, and I don’t intend to get distracted from that. Nor are your children advancing to the front of any lists.”

  “Acacia is married, anyway, and far too old for you. There is a significant gap.”

  “Are there grandchildren?”

  “You’re really not going to tell me?”

  “If you explain why it matters, I might. Otherwise, no, I’m not.”

  He sighed. “Fine. No, no grandchildren, but we hope that will change.”

  “Will you be a good grandfather?”

  “I doubt it, but Nautila will make up for it.” He smiled when he said it. “I was an indifferent father.”

  “Why?”

  “I deal well with adults. I don’t know how to deal with children.”

  “And yet, here you are, talking to me.”

  “You’re hardly a child, Darfelsa.”

  * * * *

  We talked for an hour. Eventually, he asked, “Do you ride?”

  “Quite well.”

  “Perhaps you would go riding with me tomorrow. Perhaps you will bring portions of your household.”

  “Perhaps you will bring Ms. Leyviel, or maybe your daughter.”

  He smiled. “Did you finally answer an earlier question?”

  “No. If you bring your son, it looks like an attempt at matchmaking. If you bring your daughter, it looks like an offer of friendship.”

  “Morning,” he offered. “Would you like to meet Nautila?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’ll make lunch arrangements.”

  “It can be casual.”

  “Did you just suggest a picnic?”

  “It’s one choice.”

  “I have a different idea in mind, but it’s not fancy.”

  I stood. “I look forward to it.”

  * * * *

  After he was gone, Sergeant Felist stepped to my shoulder. “What do you think that’s about?”

  “Not a clue. I’m not sure I believe him he’s not thinking about trying to marry me off.”

  “I think he wasn’t until you brought it up, and now he can’t stop thinking about it.”

  “Not interested,” I said. “Do you suppose his daughter is pretty?”

  “Not interested,” she quoted back. “Unless she’s pretty enough.”

  “That’s not what I said. Maybe I’m thinking of her for you.”

  She snorted her laugh. “No, you aren’t. You know, the best way to get over a relationship is to have some really good sex.”

  “With t
he prime minister’s daughter? That is a phenomenally bad idea.”

  “Everyone who meets you falls in love with you, Darfelsa.”

  “Ah, are you offering?”

  “You’re impossible. I think you know what I’m saying.”

  “Since when do we talk around anything?”

  “You could seduce half the staff. Talith would be even easier. Or if you prefer them older, Alexi Chante could be yours.”

  “Oh, now you’re being ridiculous.”

  “Too old?”

  “She’d chew me up and spit me out,” I said. “My ego couldn’t take it.”

  “Renishta seemed to enjoy her time with her.”

  “And that’s another reason that would be a poor idea. Maybe the prime minister’s daughter would like my aide.”

  “I know we’re teasing each other,” she said. “But I’m only half teasing, Darfelsa. You need to get back on that horse.”

  “I have never done anything of that nature while on a horse,” I said.

  “Funny.”

  I turned to fully face her. “Felist, how can I think about that while I’m here? I can’t seduce any of the people you’ve mentioned. It would be some sort of abuse of power. And I can’t let them seduce me, because I can’t understand their motives. If you were prescribing the correct medicine, it needs to be something more anonymous, and when am I going to have that opportunity here?” Then I looked her up and down. “Maybe you’re hoping I’ll throw myself at you.”

  “Your father would kill me.”

  “Like I’d tell him.”

  “Anyone who asks himself the question would know the answer. Lovers give signals, even past lovers. And now you’re teasing.”

  “Yes, well.”

  * * * *

  Belolad brought his group to the embassy. I was actually impressed. Everyone was dressed for a proper ride, looking casually elegant. I thought my staff and I were good matches.

  We were waiting outside as they rode in, Belolad in the lead. He dismounted and then helped a woman I was sure was his wife. But Talith was the first to greet me, and she did so after doffing her hat, and me mine. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” I asked.

  “I’m not really sure,” she said. “But thank you anyway.”

  I laughed. “You’re welcome.”

  We separated, and then Belolad was there, a woman on his arm. “Princess Darfelsa, my wife, Nautila.”

  “My pleasure, Nautila,” I said. We clasped hands. “Belolad, we’re using first names today, or you can all ride right back out that gate.”