The Reluctant Empress

by Teresa Howard

  Hanoree feigned surprise. It had taken these fools long enough to challenge him. He bowed. “I promise you my motive is to find justice for my uncle, the emperor. When I have proof, I will present it to you. My news will shake Bengar and reveal how traitorous the Order is.”

  He kept his composure civil. Varick stood behind him and gave him support. When the Nobles filed from the chamber congratulating Hanoree on his appointment, he threw a glass against the wall in a fit of temper. “Do they think I will be a puppet emperor?”

  “They are fools, my lord, but we must be wary. My Lady has played her hand. Now it is your turn.”

  “I want a Brother or Sister of the Order to confess to being involved in the murder or in covering up for those responsible.”

  “It will be hard to manage, my lord. The Order seems to have fled the Empire.”

  “They have not left the Empire. They are hiding like the vermin they are. Find them. Bring them in. They can be persuaded to confess their sins.”

  Varick retreated as Hanoree began to formulate a fictional scenario: The Order hired a woman to pretend to carry the emperor’s child. They sought to place an imposter on the throne, so they could control the Empire. My Lady was behind the plot to expand the influence of the Order.

  Nineteen

  Lady Sayeri ran her estate far better than her late husband or his father. She amassed a fortune in the wine and beef trade. Earth cattle thrived on the rich grassland found in her area, and she seized the opportunity to buy a herd when they were imported from the League.

  Her husband died in a fever that swept the kingdom ten years after they were wed, leaving her with a young daughter. Years later her daughter ran off, so now she was raising her grandson. Peterno was the joy of her life

  Sayeri looked from the window of her sprawling villa. Her wine and cattle business ran smoothly without her nowadays. This gave her time to spoil her grandson and enjoy her hobbies of botany and painting. Sometimes these overlapped, like the painting she was doing of the rare roses she grew in large hot houses on her estate. She loved mixing the colors to get the exact shade. Every wall in the villa was covered with paintings. She gave many away as gifts, and an art gallery in the Imperial City offered to do an exhibition of her work if her royal status could be advertised, but she declined.

  She reacted to the news of her half-sister’s death with her usual stoicism. She admired Cynthy, but they were not raised together. The emperor was a good man and ruler, but neither supported her when she turned up pregnant as a young woman. She was married to a much older merchant and left her life at court behind. Her marriage had been no love match, but in time, she grew to care for her husband and his homeland even more.

  Peterno came running, carrying a small kitten. “Look Nana, the babies have opened their eyes.”

  “Mama cat will scratch you for picking him up, Peterno. Put him back.”

  He frowned and studied the kitten. Peterno reminded her so much of his grandfather.

  “Don’t you want to paint the kitten, Nana?”

  “Not today. You put the kitten back, and we’ll see if cook has some sweets for us in the kitchen.”

  “Cook has a pie; it’s for supper.” Peterno smiled.

  Her grin matched his. She whispered conspiratorially, “The pie is for supper, but there’s honey cake. I think it even has nuts.”

  Peterno clapped his hands in delight.

  Not much later, the two were settled on the couch in the great room enjoying the honey cake and fresh milk. There was a soft ping, and Sayeri set down her plate to answer her message.

  It was a short text. Sister Tegani, of the Order, was requesting a meeting with the Imperial Lady Sayeri. Sayeri paused, staring at the message. No one referenced her title, not for many years. She received enough information from the Empire to be concerned for her own safety. What could the Order want with her after so many years? She looked at her grandson sprawled across the rug playing games.

  Better to be forewarned of any dangers than to be blindsided. She sent her acceptance and noted the meeting on her calendar.

  A sense of unease invaded her world. Hanoree couldn’t think she harbored any aspirations to the throne. Her life was good, and she would fight to protect it.

  ~ * ~

  Tegani followed the housekeeper into an elegant waiting room. Being kept waiting for forty-five minutes was not an auspicious omen. There was no reason for Sayeri to love the Order and reason enough for her to hate the Empire. That was why Tegani came alone. If Sayeri refused to help them, they would leave the kingdom before the Empire could reach them.

  The years had been kind to Sayeri. She was tall with an ample figure, honey-colored hair, and tawny eyes. Life on a country estate suited her.

  Tegani approached and bowed as was custom when greeting royalty. To cut through a world of explanations and formality she bared her right arm to the elbow, exposing the tattoo of the Order. This was the universal sign of a Sister in need or distress. She was asking Sayeri to pledge to help her before hearing her plea.

  Sayeri frowned and studied the Sister in silence. After what must have seemed like eternity, Sayeri bared her left arm. Her tattoos told Tegani she was loyal to the Order. She cleared her throat then said, “I’ll hear you, Sister, and pledge to do you no harm for now.”

  The beautiful, wild young royal who spent a year in the Temple City when Tegani was a child had matured into a cautions woman. “Spirits bless you Sister, and I thank you for your kindness,” she answered.

  “I think I remember you.” Sayeri indicated for Tegani to sit. The room was formal, the chairs overstuffed and ornate.

  “I was a small child when you were there,” Tegani said, shifting in the chair. Were these things designed to make visitors uncomfortable?

  “Of course, I remember now. You are little bright eyes.” Sayeri’s face relaxed into a genuine smile.

  “Little bright eyes?” Tegani was confused.

  Sayeri laughed. “Arturon gave you the name. You were such a tiny thing when your parents left you at the Temple.”

  Tegani blushed. It was strange to hear Arturon’s nickname for her.

  “How stands Arturon?”

  This was more than a query about his health. It was a request to know his status as a member of the Order. Tegani was surprised that Sayeri, being a Sister, even a lapsed Sister, was ignorant. “Arturon is First Brother and stands beside My Lady.”

  Sayeri nodded. She seemed very pleased at the news. “Would you like some tea?”

  Tegani accepted and steeled herself for more formality.

  “What brings you to this kingdom and to my door for aid?”

  The question was direct, and Tegani was thrown off guard for a few minutes. “I have your word that if you cannot help you will never repeat this?”

  Sayeri lifted a brow then agreed.

  Tegani explained her mission and, over tea and forty minutes, she brought Sayeri up to speed.

  Her face darkened when Tegani talked of the assassination and her belief that Hanoree was responsible.

  “He’s always been a snake in the palace waiting for an opportunity to strike.”

  Tegani told of Hanoree’s threats against the Temple City.

  A flicker of panic crossed Sayeri’s face. “He wouldn’t dare. The City must be evacuated. Arturon and My Lady must hide.”

  “You know they cannot flee. They would not leave the others to die.”

  Sayeri shook her head. “Where is the girl?”

  “Waiting on your word, mistress.” Tegani bowed again.

  Sayeri grasped her arm. She held the tattoos side-by-side. “There is no mistress, only Sisters and Brothers in the Order.”

  Tegani smiled. The training Sayeri received at the Temple had taken root. She offered to send a transport to pick up Ninallia and Houston.

  “I better go myself. Houston might be difficult if he isn’t sure everything is safe.”

  “I have a healer I trust. I’ll contac
t him,” Sayeri offered.

  “A healer?” Tegani turned back to Sayeri.

  “You have a pregnant girl with you. Unless you’re a midwife, we’re going to need the services of a healer.”

  Tegani felt herself blush. Sayeri must think her a fool.

  “Go bring this girl and the soldier. I will call the healer and tell the cook there will be three more for dinner.”

  Tegani’s ride back to the hostel where Houston and Ninallia were waiting gave her a chance to relax. They would be safe for now. They could stay with Sayeri until the baby was born. Later they could petition the Council of Nobles for a paternity test to establish the child as the late emperor’s son.

  Ninallia and Houston rented a game cartridge and were engaged in a realistic space battle. It wasn’t a fair match given his experience. It appeared Ninallia was having a wonderful time being a teenager.

  “She is going to let us stay there?” Ninallia asked, her head tilted.

  “Yes, and she knows a healer who will make sure the baby is okay. When is your due date?”

  “In the spring, I think. After everything, I don’t remember the exact date.”

  “Well, the new healer can tell us. How long has it been since you learned you were with child?”

  “I took pregnancy tests three times. The final test about three months ago was positive.”

  “The birth could the end of March to the middle of April,” Tegani said. “We want the baby to be a few months old before we notify the Council and travel back to the Empire.” She prayed the Spirits they could stay hidden from Hanoree for six or seven more months.

  “Can I dress like a girl again?” Ninallia asked. She rubbed the shaved sides of her head, clearly anxious for it to grow back in.

  “We’ll ask Lady Sayeri. Remember, we are in hiding.”

  Ninallia face fell, and tears filled her eyes. “They won’t come here, will they? Couldn’t we tell them I lost the baby? I could join the League fleet school and go into space.”

  Tegani stared at Ninallia. If life were that simple, they could go home in peace, but Hanoree would be emperor.

  “I don’t want anyone else to die because of this,” Ninallia continued. “Couldn’t I get rid of the baby?”

  This was not the first time they discussed this, but Ninallia’s tone was more serious this time. “Isn’t the welfare of the Empire worth more than your safety? Don’t you want justice for those who have died?”

  “I want my mother and my aunt. I want Madama to be alive. I wish I had never met her, then she would be alive.”

  “You don’t know that; she would have found another dumas. The empress wanted a son, and the emperor needed an heir.”

  Ninallia’s head hung down like a dog bereft of his last bone.

  “This won’t last forever. After the baby comes we’ll return to the Empire, and you will live in a palace.”

  “I will?”

  “Where else would the baby emperor live? He’ll need his mother to take care of him and teach him how be a good man.”

  A smile brightened Ninallia’s face. Her moods shifted quickly, a combination of youth and hormones.

  ~ * ~

  Tegani smiled as she leaned back in the transport. Houston closed his eyes. She did too and whispered a prayer of thanks to the Spirits. Sayeri was a wealthy, powerful woman and a Sister. She was loyal to the Order; her tattoos still showing. Tegani, responsible for Ninallia’s safety, now felt it more of a shared burden.

  Tegani opened her eyes at a squeal of delight from Ninallia.

  “Oh, my Spirits! Are those horses?”

  “They sure are. I believe those are appaloosas,” Houston said admiringly. Having been in space for twenty-five years, he was also relishing the sight of the Earth animals. Not many alien worlds were compatible with Earth’s fauna, Tegani knew.

  “Can I ride one?” Ninallia asked Tegani.

  “Not until after the baby is born.” She watched as the herd of horses disappeared behind them. “It could be dangerous.”

  Ninallia sighed. Probably thinking that carrying a baby was a lot like being in prison. There seemed to be endless rules and restrictions. If it looked like fun, it was forbidden. She turned back to the window.

  ~ * ~

  There was confusion concerning the sleeping arrangements. Sayeri’s housekeeper assumed Tegani would be sleeping with Houston.

  “Mistress Tegani will require her own room,” Sayeri said quickly and, after an embarrassed apology, another room was readied.

  Houston and Ninallia left to explore the estate, leaving Tegani to unpack her personal things. Three robes of the Order, two shifts, and a few underthings did not take up much room in the large dresser. She should not wear the robes, but they were all she had with her, and her only clothes for most of her life. There was a knock at the door.

  “Come in.” She turned as the door opened.

  Sayeri stood there with a package in her hands. “I’m sorry I forgot this earlier. This package came for you, and I put it away. It slipped my mind.”

  “But no one knew we were coming here. We didn’t even know until a few weeks ago.”

  “The letter said I would receive a visit from a Sister, and I was to give you this.” Sayeri handed her the package. At Tegani’s startled expression, she gave it a shake. “It’s not a snake.”

  Tegani laughed and took the package. It was heavy and seemed to be packed securely. When she saw the elegant spidery script on the label she froze—this was from My Lady. She unwrapped the package and inside were the things she had gathered in the Temple City: scented candles, a bottle of sacred oil, a small ceremonial bowl...everything a Sister would need to test and train a young applicant to the Order. There could be no misunderstanding now. My Lady intended for Ninallia to be trained as a Sister.

  “You’re going to train the girl? Is she gifted?”

  The answer to both questions was yes. How gifted remained in question. Tegani had never known a novice to master the basics faster than Ninallia. “I believe My Lady has seen it to be so.”

  “Ninallia will need the skills you can teach her to survive at court, providing we can get her there.”

  “You’ll have to help us both. I know nothing of court etiquette,” Tegani admitted.

  The only thing she knew about life at court was that the Imperial court could be a treacherous place for the unwary. The dangers there were real, and it was the one place she would not be of any help to the girl, having never been to a court of any kind. The social protocols would be as alien to her as they were to Ninallia, maybe more so. Houston would be of no help; he was a soldier.

  “I see,” Sayeri said. “When do you expect to be ready to present the child as the emperor’s heir?”

  “I don’t know. I’d like to have proof of Hanoree’s involvement and an independent paternity test proving our case.”

  “She seems an easy student. I think I can turn her into a court lady by the time we need one,” Sayeri said.

  She had been away from the Imperial court for many years, but likely was familiar with the players, and her sources of information seemed to be good.

  “Spirits bless you. I pray we have not brought trouble your way for nothing.”

  “Trouble can be good, I was getting bored.” Sayeri laughed.

  Ninallia entered the room. Both Tegani and Sayeri stared at her. “What? Do I have something on my face?”

  Laughing, Tegani said, “Sayeri will teach you court etiquette. How to dress and act is very important in those circles. She will be able to tell us who are our friends and who to avoid.”

  “May I stop dressing as a boy and shaving my head?” Ninallia pleaded.

  “Yes, I don’t want the healer to see you like this. Come with me. I have something I think will do for now.”

  ~ * ~

  Excited at the chance to be a girl again, Ninallia took Sayeri’s hand and started from the room.

  “Don’t prance like a colt, child,” Sayeri
scolded. “Hold your head up and walk with pride. You are to be the mother of an emperor.”

  Ninallia slowed and tried to match Sayeri’s walk. Her hips refused to make the correct swishing motion, and she almost stumbled.

  “We’ll work on it.” Sayeri held one of Ninallia’s hands up for inspection. “You’ll need a manicure and false nails too, at least until yours grow.”

  Down the hall, they entered a room. It looked as if it had not been used in years. The burnished wood furniture was quality, but there was dust everywhere and the room smelled musty.

  Sayeri sighed. “I tell the housekeeper to keep things in order in here, but she lets the dust build up.”

  She opened an ornate wardrobe with at least two dozen beautiful gowns hanging inside. Many of them looked as if they were never worn. “I think these will almost fit you. They were my daughter’s things. She won’t be using them; she’s been gone over three years.”

  “I’m sorry.” Ninallia’s soft heart was touched.

  “Oh, she’s not dead, child. She ran off with a trader when Peterno was a baby. We haven’t heard from her in a long time.” Sayeri shook her head. “She always was a wild thing.”

  Ninallia sighed. She felt much better taking over the clothes of someone who ran away than a daughter who died young. The gowns were beautiful, ranging from simple to semi-formal. She slipped into a simple blue gown. It was a few inches too long; they all were. After a few minutes of trying on items, she noticed there was a smaller section of robes and dresses. As she looked at these she realized they were maternity clothes. She looked at Sayeri who smiled and nodded for her to try those on too.

  “You’re such a slender girl; you won’t need those until the last couple of months. My daughter was like me. She filled out like a melon early.”

  Sayeri picked three gowns easy enough for the housekeeper to fix by hemming the bottom. The others she would send to the seamstress for alterations. “There’s nothing suitable for court, but they will be good enough for here in the country.”

  Ninallia could not imagine them being unsuitable for court. They were beautiful.