Diplomat

by Robin Roseau

  “You didn’t get any dispatches?”

  “Well, yes. Don’t worry. You will have ample room. Are you truly angry with me?”

  “I consider you a friend, Olivia. That has not changed for me.”

  “Nor for me. Could we say close friends?”

  I smiled. “I hope so, but I am also ambassador, and until certain things are resolved, I am torn in different directions.”

  “Then we are both motivated,” she said. Then she stepped even closer and wrapped me in a hug.

  I hugged her back. “Thank you for Bee and Dee. What a lovely present. I will cherish them.”

  She laughed, and rather loudly. “They are a loan, and I am fairly certain you know that.”

  “They helped calm nerves,” I said. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Then the two slaves were there, having stopped partway up the stairs. They threw themselves on Olivia, and she turned to them, kissing them both deeply. I stepped back and smiled. She spoke briefly. Then she stepped down, hugged and kissed me, and moved to the side.

  “Well,” Olivia said, once the crowd settled. “Ambassador, please introduce these people, and then we will discuss what happens next.”

  * * * *

  I provided introductions. Olivia offered proper greetings. And then she turned to me. “We must get them settled.”

  “Yes,” I agreed.

  “Is there any reason to believe you will not be remaining in Charth?”

  “No, Lady Olivia.”

  “Then any other business can wait an hour or three.”

  I thought about it and said, “Yes, Duchess.”

  “Very good. Unless you have a surprise for me, you actually have no idea what I’m about to do with you.”

  I laughed. “Correct.”

  “You have two choices,” she said. “If you do not like either of them, we can discuss other options. Flarvor used to have an embassy here.”

  I laughed. “I didn’t even consider that.”

  “It is available, if you wish to resume occupancy. However, we also have something else to consider, a rather nice home near mine. It is somewhat smaller than the old embassy, but quite nice, and superior in many ways. Unless you already have a clear preference to take the old embassy grounds, perhaps you would like to see both properties.”

  “An excellent plan, Duchess.”

  “Very good,” she said. She gestured. “My carriage is more convenient for these streets. I do not believe we need to bring your entire household, but we have room for one or two.”

  “Viella,” I called out. “And either Wesla or Ressie, please.”

  The latter two glanced at each other, and it was Wesla that stepped forward. Olivia led the way to her carriage. We climbed in with Olivia and me in the forward-facing seats. She took my hand. I let her. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “All of Charth has been quite abuzz with the news.”

  “Of an ambassador, or of the specific ambassador.”

  “Both, I suppose. Ambassador, there are so many things we wish to discuss. We wish to continue our cultural exchanges.”

  “That conversation is not the first we will have, Duchess.”

  She paused and then said, “I know.”

  “Alone,” I added.

  “Of course, Ambassador.”

  “Very good. Where are we going first?”

  “The old embassy,” she said.

  “Has it been dormant all these years?”

  “No,” she said. “We’ve kept all the houses in Charth safe. According to the old records, Flarvor does not own the embassy; they held a lease. Most of the staff were male, and so we evicted them with the men of Charthan, although in their case, of course, we allowed them to depart with their belongings.”

  “So I was told,” I said. “Is it far?”

  “What is far?” she asked. She smiled at me then looked across at Wesla and Viella. “Does this bother you?” She lifted our joined hands.

  “No, Duchess,” Viella said. “We already understood you and Ms. Cuprite held a friendship.”

  “I am deeply curious to know how you convinced so many of your countrywomen to join you, Allium. I am given to understand you told them things you knew I’d rather tell them myself.”

  “That was one request last year, and I honored it. But when I had new responsibilities thrust upon me, my loyalty and integrity made requirements.”

  “Oh, I don’t fault you,” she said. “I only mean to say I am surprised you found half this many to come.”

  “I am surprised I didn’t lose half at the foot of the Verlies Bridge.”

  She laughed. “As am I.” She looked back and forth between Wesla and Viella, her gaze settling on Wesla. “I do not believe you are a member of the foreign service.”

  “I am now, Duchess.”

  Olivia laughed. “And how long have you been such a member?”

  “Three days.”

  Olivia turned sharply to me. “That would have been the day you crossed the river!”

  “I rounded up a few in Tebradine,” I explained. “Wesla is one of my engineers.”

  “Oh, ho!” Olivia said. She dropped my hand and clapped. “Most excellent. So you have history with Ms. Cuprite.”

  “Not as much as I’d like,” I said. “I rebuilt the team over the winter. But yes, a half year.”

  She nodded her understanding. “Well, be welcome, Ms. Kunzite.”

  “Thank you, Duchess.”

  “It may be that, even after experiencing the next few months, not all my staff will remain,” I said. “I may not have sufficient work, and we may reduce to little more than a household and Ms. Halite.”

  “And at least one secretary,” Viella added.

  “You are quite young to be the notable name, Ms. Halite,” Olivia pointed out.

  “She is the only person I brought who has been in the foreign service longer than I have.”

  “Ah.”

  “We’re a young delegation, Lady Olivia.”

  “You’ll be fine, Ambassador.”

  * * * *

  We came to a stop and climbed from the carriage. “Are we still in Charth?” I asked.

  Olivia laughed. “The wall is there.” She gestured, and we turned.

  “Why is this so isolated?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “And it didn’t occur me to wonder until we began to consider where you would set up residence. Anyone who might know is gone, and it’s not in the records we have.”

  I was already pretty sure what choice I would make, but she gave me a tour. The embassy building and surrounding grounds were absolutely stunning, and I was somewhat overwhelmed by it. Olivia gave us the complete tour, and then we found ourselves standing on a balcony over the top of the portico, Viella and Wesla just out of listening direction.

  “I have a budget,” I said.

  “We’re not going to let money make this decision,” Olivia said. “We will offer identical terms for either property, including two years’ free lease, but you are responsible for your expenses.” She looked at me. “How nervous are you?”

  “I don’t even know how to answer that,” I said. “This is an absolutely beautiful property. I bet you have a preference for which one we take.”

  “Of course I do, but I’m not going to tell you.”

  “Did you just tell your friend, Allium, that if she asked your advice, you won’t offer it?”

  She turned to fully face me and set her hands on my shoulders. “Allium, if you ask my advice, I will provide it. I am going to start with this. Trust yourself.”

  “You are offering both properties without prejudice?” I asked. “I may freely choose between them and will not vex you.”

  “Absolutely,” she said.

  “This is beautiful. I’d like to see the other choice.”

  “Very good.”

  That involved descending and returning to the carriage. It was another twenty minute ride. Partway back I
asked Olivia, “I would like us to travel within sight of the Government House so I can judge the distance.”

  “We’ll travel directly past,” she said.

  “Thank you.”

  We spoke easily during the ride, Olivia making small talk with us, and then she said, “There is the green. It appears some people are choosing to speak with your staff, but most are returning to their duties.”

  “You turned out the entire town.”

  “I did,” she said. “You deserve proper honor, and you are the first ambassador to take residence. This is a momentous day, Allium.”

  “And all they get is me rather than someone with real stature.”

  “No one is disappointed.”

  It was only a short ride further, perhaps five minutes, and then we were climbing out again.

  The grounds were smaller, but it was gated. I wasn’t sure whether I felt that was necessary or not. But Olivia was offering a good second choice.

  This home also had a portico. We parked under it. Climbing out, I looked around. “This is lovely. Where is your home?”

  She gestured. “Four houses that way.” She let me look around for a moment before gesturing.

  The home was stunning. She showed us the entire property, and again, we collected on the balcony over the portico. “Mine is there,” she said. “You can see it.” She gestured the other direction. “Lisolte is two blocks that way. Jessla is across the street from Lisolte.”

  “Where is the Baby Blanket?”

  “You can’t see it, but it is about a half mile in that direction.” She gestured.

  “That is west.”

  “Yes. The old embassy is near the east wall. How much authority did the king give you?”

  “On things like this? As much as I feel I require. He said, ‘It’s not like I’m ever going to visit.’”

  She laughed. “No, he will not.”

  “Olivia, is there any reason you would recommend the old embassy ahead of this location?”

  “Symbolism.”

  “Do you think I care about symbolism ahead of function?”

  She laughed. “No.”

  “Should I?” I asked her.

  She thought for a minute then finally said, “Do you remember the advice I gave you a half hour ago?”

  “I do,” I said.

  “King Leander knew he was sending an engineer. We knew we were receiving an engineer.”

  “We’ll be talking about that later,” I said.

  “I look forward to it.”

  “I wouldn’t be,” I told her.

  “You are angry with me,” she said. “Allium.”

  “I’m not angry,” I said. “Nor am I qualified. We’ll talk about it in private. It is between you and me, not between the ambassador and the duchess.”

  She nodded. “All right. But you’re wrong about that. Have you decided?”

  “I didn’t bring them to ignore them. Please give me a minute.”

  “I’ll wait downstairs,” she said. “Feel free to roam if you wish.”

  “Thank you.”

  I waited until she disappeared inside then gestured the others over. “The two of you get one chance to sway me.”

  “This one seems a lot closer to everything,” Wesla said. “Unless you intend to grow significantly, the other one is a waste of a lot of space.”

  “Spoken like a true engineer,” Viella said. “The other one comes with important symbolism.”

  “If we want to hold ourselves somewhat remote from Charth society, it is a better choice,” I said.

  Viella frowned. “I thought…”

  “I want to know what you think, Viella. I already know what I think. Don’t worry about what I think.”

  “I hardly know a thing about how things work here,” she said.

  “Take a chance.”

  She turned a slow circle. I couldn’t tell if she was making a fresh evaluation or collecting her thoughts. Finally, she turned to face me. “My opinion.”

  “Yes.”

  “There is symbolism of the other property.”

  “So that is your recommendation.”

  “There is symbolism of this property as well.”

  “Oh?”

  “Fresh beginnings. I happen to like that symbolism. The other property is a safer choice. No one could fault you for taking the old embassy.”

  “If they had led us here, would you have even wondered about the old embassy?”

  “Wondered? Yes. Cared? Not particularly. Ambassador, this property holds everything we need, and it is more than sized for our immediate and foreseen needs. You can safely entertain here. The kitchen seemed quite good. The ballroom is beautiful, and I’ve already picked out my bedroom.”

  I began laughing. “Was that a recommendation, Viella?”

  “Yes, Ambassador. It was.”

  “Good. Come.” I led the way. Olivia was with Bess, speaking quietly. They turned as we descended the staircase. I did a slow circle, entirely in awe. “Lady Olivia, this doesn’t seem real.”

  “I know what you mean,” she said.

  “I have made my decision, but I would like your opinion.”

  “Oh, please,” she said. “You already know what I’d tell you. I want you far closer than that drafty old building. I only offered it because it seemed like I should let you make your own decision.”

  “We should discuss the terms of a lease,” I said. “Maybe I would prefer something less ostentatious.”

  “We could, but these are the only two properties to which I will offer the first two years free.”

  I laughed. “You are…”

  “Yes?” she asked sweetly. “You may have either property for twenty-five percent less than Flarvor’s rate nine years ago. Do you know the amount your country once paid?”

  “We would like to accept this property, Duchess.”

  “Excellent,” she said with a grin.

  Chapter Ten

  “I want to know how you managed this, Olivia.” It was several hours later, the dinner hour approaching. I’d had time to clean and was happy to be in fresh clothing. This was the first time I had Olivia in privacy.

  “Who, me?” she asked.

  “Don’t play that game with me,” I said. “You arranged this, all of this. Tell me. Did Ressaline suddenly become far stricter on border crossings to push the issue?”

  “We sure did.”

  “What?”

  “Can you imagine how pleased I was to catch the queen’s cousin?” She smiled. “You’re currently here as Allium, my friend, and I am Olivia, your friend.”

  “I’m not sure I can entirely separate them.”

  “This is not about any Flarvorians currently living in Ressaline,” she said. “This is entirely about how you personally find yourself back in Charth. Are we agreed?”

  I looked at her then said, “Yes. But we’ll be discussing those other issues.”

  “We will,” she said. “But not in the time we have.”

  “You have to let them go!”

  “Allium,” she said gently. “Tomorrow. We’ll discuss that tomorrow. Queen Lisdee would have accepted any ambassador Leander chose to send, subject to the basic conditions. The problem was, he wasn’t sending anyone. And so yes, she ordered me to apply some pressure. I had a pretty good idea why he wasn’t sending anyone. I had a pretty good idea that I was backing him into a corner. And I wrote him a personal note suggesting a very easy solution. I even promised to be quite reasonable if you were to arrive on my doorstep with the sort of papers you brought with you.”

  I stared, not sure what to say.

  “I’m pleased he sent you. I am very, very pleased, Allium.”

  “Because I’m going to be easy to walk all over?”

  “Allium,” she said, hurt in her voice. “No. Because you won’t play games with me.”

  “You played games with me.”

  She smiled. “You gave me permission.”

  “It’s not funny.”


  “I can’t tell if you’re really angry.”

  I turned away and stared at one of her bookcases for a minute. She said nothing but eventually stepped over and set her hands on my shoulders. “Did you have a choice?” she asked.

  “I don’t know,” I replied. “He ordered me back to Barrish. It was treated as if everyone assumed I’d accept. Olivia, you engineered a diplomatic nightmare.”

  “Not hardly,” she said.

  “You took hostages!”

  “Not a single one is complaining.”

  I spun to her. “That isn’t funny, either. How many of them actually wanted to become slaves?”

  “You’re jumping to conclusions.”

  “How many are currently wearing resin?”

  “At this very moment? I imagine some are.”

  “You are vexing.”

  “So I’ve been told,” she said. “Allium, none of that is the point.”

  “If I don’t reach an agreement with you, and fairly quickly, I will be forced to return to the king and admit failure. He’ll have made a risky decision that failed. I may or may not be able to go back to my job, but even if I do, I’ll have to build my team up for a third time.”

  “Allium,” she said gently. “For two minutes, ignore all of that. Please. For two minutes. We can fight about it if you want, but assume, for two minutes, that we can reach agreement.”

  I looked into her eyes. “For two minutes.”

  “Are you happy to be here?”

  “I’m scared out of my mind, Olivia.”

  “Are you happy to see me?”

  I thought about it. “Yes.”

  “Are you looking forward to dinner?”

  “Who will be there?”

  “You can guess. Do you want to sit beside Lisolte, or would you prefer Dee?”

  “You’re playing games with two countries, Olivia, just to get me here.”

  “No,” she said. “I played games with two countries on express orders of my queen so that we could establish an embassy here. King Leander could have sent his eldest daughter.”

  “She’s seventeen.”

  “And I would have accepted her as his representative.”

  “And then made her accept her first time.”

  “Everyone living inside our borders has had her first time,” she replied. “We do not see it the same way you do.”