Tiara- Part Two

by Robin Roseau

  “Not yet.”

  “But she also told me about the lovely garden. Could we take a stroll?”

  “I think that would be lovely.” I stood and offered my arm. Renishta was outside, and I told her, “We’re moving to the gardens, if you could let my sister know.”

  “Of course, Princess.”

  We stepped away, and Siora asked, “Will you tell me what you’re thinking?”

  “I’m thinking that you’re very lovely, and I am enjoying your company.”

  She smiled at me, and neither of us spoke until we reached the garden. There, she stepped away from me and turned a slow circle, her arms wide, before returning to my side. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I don’t come here as often as I once did,” I replied.

  “You should.”

  “You’re right.”

  “If I asked you to walk with me here, every day, would you?”

  “Maybe not in the rain.”

  “Yes, in the rain. In the summer, we can get wet, and in colder weather, we can carry umbrellas.”

  “If that’s what you want,” I found myself saying. I was finding her enchanting, absolutely enchanting. She smiled, and we walked.

  Like last night, we reached the pond and sat down on the bench. “This is so much better,” Siora declared. “I feel like I’ve been talking forever. What were you like as a little girl?”

  We talked. And then she surprised me again. A small ground animal approached. Siora set fingers to my lips, silencing me, then she slid from the bench, moved a distance away from me, and then began crooning softly to the little animal.

  “I think those bite,” I warned her. She flashed me a grin and went back to crooning to the animal.

  It hopped a little closer, and a little closer still.

  And then it hopped up onto her leg and partially climbed her arm, chittering at her for a minute. Siora crooned; the animal chittered. And then it hopped back down and disappeared into the flowers.

  Siora waited a moment then stood, smiling. And I decided right then that the Ressalines weren’t the only ones with magic. “They only bite if you scare them,” she said. Then she moved back to sit beside me, but she leaned against me.

  We talked quietly, growing increasingly comfortable, and by the time Ahlianna found us, Siora was sitting sideways on the bench, her feet up, cradled in my arms. I was playing with a lock of her hair as she told a story.

  “There you are,” Ahlianna said.

  Siora started to get up, but I pressed her back and said, “Please stay. Ahlianna won’t mind.”

  “You look quite comfortable,” Ahlianna said. “Stay.” She gestured, and one of the palace staff brought a chair forward and set it down, facing us. I didn’t ask how Ahlianna had known to arrange that, but I thought it likely she’d seen us sitting here.

  “Ahlianna,” I said. “Siora Haloran. You met her cousin yesterday.”

  “So I did,” Ahlianna replied. “My pleasure, Siora. Sister, you appear quite enchanted.” I didn’t respond, and so she shifted her gaze slightly, looking at Siora. “I’ve been making a point of meeting the women our grandmother brought to woo my sister. Darfelsa, how many have I scared away?”

  “None. You left that for me.”

  “Are you here to scare me away, Princess?” Siora asked. She shifted her gaze. “I think perhaps I should sit up.”

  “I suppose,” I said, helping her upright. She shifted around and sat far more primly. I was immediately cold, but I didn’t follow her to the other end of the bench.

  Ahlianna asked her if she knew what she was getting herself in for. “I imagine my expectations are flawed.”

  Ahlianna explained her intentions, and her requirements for me. Siora sat quietly, listening to all of it. Once Ahlianna was done, Siora gave me a puzzled look. “That was supposed to scare me away? I think I knew all of that.”

  “There are implications,” I said.

  “You’ll have to travel, perhaps a lot, and perhaps on short notice. If you are going to leave me here, I’m not interested. Is that why Ahlianna explained all that.”

  “No,” Ahlianna replied for me. “The opposite, actually. You would be expected to go with her.”

  “That’s fine, then,” Siora said, her features smoothing. “We saw your training this morning, Darfelsa.”

  “You didn’t stay.”

  “That was my fault,” she said. “Someone left a gate open, and several horses got loose. I ran to help. By the time we got them back, you were gone. But I want to ask something. You made a point of inviting my cousin. You made it seem important. And I have to wonder: would I have to undergo that sort of training?”

  “No, Siora.”

  “Good. I don’t think I can do that. Darfelsa, I will not allow you to neglect me, and I will not allow you to abuse me.”

  “Darfelsa won’t do either of those,” Ahlianna said.

  She asked about children. I told her they’d go with us or foster with Ahlianna, but that my strong preference was for Siora to travel with me.

  “Why wouldn’t they go with us?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “Things could come up at times you can’t travel, or they can’t. We’ll make the right choices, but we start with the assumption we’re all going, then work backwards from there.”

  “Good,” she said.

  “Well, then,” Ahlianna said. “I’ll leave Darfelsa for the rest.”

  Like her cousin, Siora listened. She didn’t bat an eyelash. At the end, she smiled and said, “It will be an adventure.”

  “I’m not sure that’s the reaction I expected.”

  “You expected me to be shocked.”

  “Yes, frankly.”

  “Well, I already knew about both Karishten and Ressaline. When you said I’d travel with you, I figured out the rest.” She smiled. “Darfelsa, I am not a man.”

  “I’m aware. I’m quite aware.”

  “Good. And a man is not a woman.”

  “No, he is not.”

  “Do we judge a man because he has a rough face, or a woman because she has a slight stature? Oh, I know, some do. But do you? Do you believe I do?”

  “No.”

  “We cannot judge another culture by the standards of our own, and of course when you go, you must respect their traditions, as must I. I find it fascinating, don’t you?”

  I opened my arms. “Would you come back here?”

  “I’d love to.” We snuggled, her legs back up on the bench. I held her and realized this wasn’t going to be as easy as I had hoped.

  “What are you thinking about?” I told her. She laughed. “You realize I’m not going to apologize for that.” She laughed again. “You poor baby. Three women fighting over you, and you still need to meet two more. Your life is truly miserable.” Then she sobered. “I do not feel badly for any of the six of us who fail to capture your attention, but I do feel for your existing suitor. I imagine she felt she must have won, and now there are more. Will it end?”

  “Yes.” I kissed her hair. She made a little purr of pleasure and snuggled in just a little more.

  “Have you whispered sweet promises to this other woman, the one who traveled to Ressaline with you?”

  “Only promises of the moment, and to treat her honestly. Oh, and the sort of ‘if’ promises that you’ve also asked for. I promised my grandmother I would give her choices all fair opportunity.”

  “If these arms of yours are not whispering lies to me, I feel you have done so.”

  “I whisper no lies.”

  “I know little about this other woman. I know something about the six who traveled here. Your words of Ressaline scared away Tynnelia, and if you liked Isilynor, I’d be shocked.”

  “Did they tell you?”

  She shook her head. “We’re not close friends, but we know each other well enough.”

  “Do you have predictions for the other two?”

  “Hmm. Arasnye and Sylia. You’ll like Sylia. Everyone does.
She is much like me, so of course you’ll like her.” I laughed. “However, I am fairly certain she will withdraw. I could be wrong. And Arasnye… I do not believe I wish to share my thoughts about her.”

  “Oh, do tell.”

  “Hmm. I will make a prediction, but share it with you in a fashion that will only make sense later.” She shifted around, then removed a small purse she wore, withdrew a five-crown coin, and pressed it into my hand.”

  “This is your prediction?”

  “Yes. Do you know what I should expect?”

  “No, not really,” I replied. “Only in generalities. Mother will invite you to events. I will also find opportunities to spend time with you.”

  “Am I allowed to offer such opportunities? After all, I am the one courting you.”

  “Yes, but I imagine my schedule is more complicated than yours right now.”

  “That’s probably true. I would like us to go riding.”

  “I’d like that. Arrange it with my staff.”

  “Then I will, the soonest they will allow.” She tilted her head up. “You kissed my cousin. Are you going to kiss me?”

  “Yes.”

  It was truly lovely.

  * * * *

  Like the other four had been, Sylia was absolutely lovely and gracious. I enjoyed our conversation, and I was beginning to wonder how I would sort through so many suitors. Then Ahlianna introduced herself. She explained my duties and talked about travel. Sylia said little, but as soon as Ahlianna was gone, she bowed her head.

  “Just tell me,” I said gently.

  “I’m sorry, Princess Darfelsa,” she said. “I didn’t realize…”

  “Which part?”

  She looked up. “What do you mean, which part?”

  “That Ahlianna would be queen?”

  “Oh, no. I thought I would stay here, to see to our home and to raise our children. I do not believe such adventures as you offer are for me. I would be a good wife and mother to you, but I cannot be the partner your sister expects.”

  I thought she was going to flee from me, but I captured her hand. She froze, and then I shifted to the edge of my seat and touched fingers to her check. She held still for me. “I have had a lovely time getting to know you, Sylia. You’ll make a fine wife and mother for someone, I’m sure of it.”

  A tear escaped one eye. “I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

  “Did you want to talk about that?”

  She nodded. “I was sure I would have to marry a boy. And then Malthria approached my family. I don’t even know how she knew I might be open to such a relationship, but she did. And that was when I began to have hope. But I can’t be what you need, Princess.”

  “It’s not an easy life, Sylia,” I said. “We’re telling each of you now so that you don’t waste more time than you have on this, if it is a poor choice for you.”

  “I don’t consider this wasted time. I got to come to Barrish. And I got to meet you, and I’ll cherish that. Not very many people get to say that.”

  “There’s something else people don’t get to say. They don’t get to say they went for a stroll through the gardens here. Would you like that? I understand if you just want to return to your inn.”

  “I’d like that,” she said.

  I stood and offered my arm. She took it, and I led us through the palace. I waited until we were well alone before I said, “My sister calls me her problem solver. And you have brought a problem to me. Would you like to talk about it further?”

  “Princess, we don’t have to.”

  “Would you like to? I don’t know if I can help, but I can listen, and then perhaps I will have ideas to consider.”

  “If you can help me, Darfelsa, I would be forever grateful.”

  “All right. I wish to summarize. You wish to be wife and mother for a woman. You wish to raise children and attend to the house. You have been trained for this role, but the expectation is you will marry a man.”

  “Yes.”

  “However, your family let you come here. Am I the only woman they would consider for you? And is it their decision?”

  “It is my decision, but… I don’t even know how I would otherwise find someone. Do you see?”

  “I do. Sylia, that is the easiest problem in the world.”

  “It is?”

  “Well, for starters, there are five other women who came with my grandmother. All, presumably, are open to a relationship with a woman. Perhaps some of them are only here because of who I am. But I can only marry, at most, one, and there is one other as well. It seems like you have a choice of four others, at least, right there. Are there any you like?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “I might also suggest that if my grandmother found six of you, that she might be able to find others. Perhaps you should express your desires to her. Favors from my grandmother may come with a price, but it may be a price you are willing to pay. I can’t promise she would help you, but it is possible.”

  “I hadn’t even considered that, either. You’re right!”

  “Now, do I think you will live the life of a lord’s lady this way? No. Your life wouldn’t be in a palace.”

  “I don’t need a palace,” she said.

  “I can say this as well. Lady Ambassador Allium has a clear preference for women, and there are others here in Barrish who do. You could stay here for a while and see what opportunities are available. If you think you could stand a little adventure, you could ask Allium for a position at the embassy in Charth, in Ressaline, and then you have an entire country of women to meet.”

  She giggled nervously, then pulled me to a stop, facing her. “I have heard things about Ressaline.”

  “Have you?”

  “You lived there for a long time.”

  “I did.”

  “Would you talk about it with me?”

  “Of course. However, in this house we can find Ambassador Cuprite and Princess Gionna. Do you wish to discuss this only with me, or should we assemble more?”

  “You would introduce me?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Well then. Let us see who we can find.”

  It took a few minutes, but we found Allium and Gionna with Mother. I introduced Sylia and then said, “Sylia does not believe the life of my consort would suit her, but she is curious about Ressaline. I have told her nothing, but I thought she should meet the two of you. Unfortunately, my time is growing short. Would the two of you have time to speak with her in the next day or two?”

  “Nonsense,” Mother said. “She may join us here, if she doesn’t mind that I listen.”

  “I would welcome your wisdom, Queen Ralifta.”

  I turned Sylia to me and offered cheek kisses. “If you want to talk further with me, I’ll make sure my staff knows to accept you.”

  “Thank you, Darfelsa.”

  “You’re welcome, Sylia.”

  What would become of Sylia? She would accept an invitation to Charth, and the next time I will encounter her, she will have joined Allium’s staff. If she has more story to tell than that, I will leave it for her to do so.

  * * * *

  It took me ten minutes to realize why Siora had given me the coin, the largest from her purse. It took another ten minutes to figure out how to get rid of Arasnye. In the end, I simply explained about my allowance, how I had no lands of my own, and was never allowed to. Three minutes later, she suddenly remembered another engagement, which wasn’t even a gracious departure.

  For that, I found Mother and said simply, “I want her banned from the palace.”

  “Oh, dear,” Mother said. “Why?”

  I told her.

  She shook her head.

  * * * *

  Siora and I went riding the next morning, after my training session. When I saw her, I pressed her coin back into her hand. “I have never before asked that someone be banned from the palace.”

  “I didn’t want to
say anything bad,” she replied.

  I looked over at her mount. And then I looked again. And then I walked around her horse. She watched me and then said, “That’s a restrained reaction. I know she’s not much to look at. Are you embarrassed to be seen with us?”

  “Not hardly,” I replied. I collected my own mount, and we both saddled up. I gestured, and we headed for the gate, my security squad with us. “I think there’s a story.”

  “It’s not much of a story,” she said. “She should just be a work animal. When she was foaled, I was the only one there. Her mare knew me and let me help.” Siora gave a little laugh. “The mare did most of the work. But I helped clean her up. After that, I just… I helped raise her, I guess. Maybe it was silly, but I liked bringing her treats, and we bonded. I’ve been around horses my entire life, but I’d never really focused on one the way I did Sessy here.”

  “Well,” I said. “She may not have traditional lines, but the two of you are friends.”

  She leaned forward and gave Sessy’s neck a nice rub. “That we are.”

  * * * *

  I spent time with all three of my suitors, Shalendra, Tisha, and Siora. Shalendra didn’t complain, and she was always quite cheerful whenever we were able to get together. But I stopped inviting her to my bed, telling her, “I made a promise to give the others a real opportunity, and if I take you to bed, I have to take them, as well.” But I shared other, simpler touches and no end of kisses with all three.

  Ahlianna and Mother also spent time with each, and ultimately they each told me, “We will support your final choice, from one of these three.”

  And I didn’t know what to do.

  What To Do

  My 21st birthday was rapidly approaching. I had three women courting me, and I liked all of them. I knew I was young, and probably impatient, but I was older than Mother had been when she married Father. I was anxious.

  I didn’t know what to do, and I hated not knowing what to do. So I asked the woman who had spent my entire life advising me.

  Ahlianna and I lay on our sides in her bed. She smiled at me. I didn’t return the smile. “Ah,” she said. “Not a friendly visit.”

  “A friendly visit,” I said. But I rolled onto my back. She moved closer, just lightly touching. “Ahlianna, I don’t know what to do. Maybe I could let time take its course. One or two will decide I’m never deciding, and withdraw herself.”