Tiara- Part One

by Robin Roseau

  “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Redhouse,” I said. “We will make do.”

  There was a knock at the door, and then it opened. Mr. Yorial entered with Mr. Epseen. “Mr. Yorial,” I called out. “Don’t go anywhere.”

  Mr. Epseen crossed the office. “Your Highness, I have secured a meeting for you.”

  “Am I going to be offended at an unnecessary delay?”

  “Yes.”

  I sighed. “When?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “Is there a good reason, or are they playing power games?”

  He paused then said, “I am not sure, but I believe they’re playing games.”

  “What was the official reason offered?”

  “That was the soonest officially scheduled council meeting.”

  “Would they have given my father the same answer?”

  “Unlikely.”

  “All of you,” I said. “Does Gandeet consider us an important trading partner?”

  “Of course,” Mr. Gremish said. “We are their most important trading partner.”

  “That’s the polite answer,” I said. “Is it the real answer?”

  They exchanged looks. And then Mr. Gremish said, “They enjoy putting us in our place.”

  “All right,” I said. “Is there any reason I couldn’t address the staff next, and then see to our quarters?”

  “I believe that can be arranged,” Mr. Gremish replied. “Is there a reason Mr. Yorial is standing beside the door?”

  “Yes,” I said. “Do you think he could start that assembling the staff?”

  “Yes,” Mr. Gremish said. “With your permission?”

  “He is your chief of staff, not mine,” I said.

  “Very good. Erid, assemble everyone in the ballroom. We’ll be down shortly. Everyone, Your Highness?”

  “Everyone,” I said. “No exceptions, Mr. Yorial.”

  “Of course, Your Highness, Mr. Gremish.” The man turned, pulling the doors closed behind him.

  “All right,” I said. My credentials were still waiting on the desk. “Mr. Gremish, show that to Mr. Epseen.” I gave the parchment a gesture. Mr. Epseen crossed around the desk and bent over. Like Mr. Gremish had, he read it, then again, and he fingered the seals. Finally, he looked at me. “Mr. Epseen, I will accept anything you require to be assured I am who I say I am.”

  “It’s the princess,” Mr. Gremish said.

  “Mr. Epseen should verify for himself,” I said. “I don’t want doubts. If there are doubts, we must resolve them. As I said, I won’t be offended. I would be deeply offended if someone successfully impersonated me.” I paused. “This is too important.”

  Mr. Epseen bent back over the parchment. “That is the king’s seal.”

  “Fake,” I said. “How about the next one.”

  “Your sister’s,” he said.

  “Fake.”

  He looked at me. “They aren’t fake. I also recognize the other two. They also aren’t fake.”

  “Especially good forgeries.”

  “That’s convoluted,” he said.

  “How sure are you that document is real?” I asked. “Would you bet your life on it?”

  He paused then said, “By itself? No. But you have ten members of the Royal Guard and two Royal Couriers.”

  “We intercepted them and… took the uniforms.”

  “And you found someone who looks like you, who speaks with the right accent, and by the way, you convinced two members of the foreign service to go along with whatever this is?”

  “It’s not impossible.”

  “The pendant,” Mr. Gremish said.

  “Forged, or stolen from me in Charth. In fact, we could all be Ressaline, making trouble.”

  “I’ve heard Ressaline accents,” he replied.

  “A good coach,” I suggested.

  “You are Princess Darfelsa,” he declared. “I have no doubts, Your Highness.”

  “That parchment is legitimate?” I asked with a gesture.

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “So, if I present myself to the capitol tomorrow, carrying my father’s weight, you would support me?”

  He smiled. “Happily.”

  “If anyone writes to Barrish to confirm my status, I won’t be offended,” I said. “But I’m not waiting for replies. Do the three of you recognize my authority?”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” they said together.

  “All right. I wish to continue this discussion later, but I’d like to address the staff and begin the process of settling in. Are there questions?”

  “I’m sure,” said Mr. Gremish, “but they can wait.” The others nodded, and so we stood.

  * * * *

  We weren’t the last to arrive. From the buzz, and a few bows or curtsies, it was clear everyone knew who I was. But finally Mr. Gremish said, “This is everyone, Your Highness.”

  “Grooms? Groundkeepers?” He gestured at two young men. “And our housekeepers and kitchen staff.”

  Even the guards were here, Sergeant Felist having dispatched four of her soldiers to see to security for the embassy, although I found it unlikely it was necessary.

  “Very good.” I didn’t wait for Mr. Gremish to introduce me. I strode into the center of the room, and everyone in the room broke off their conversations to look at me. I turned a slow circle. “I imagine everyone knows who I am, but I’ll say it. I am Princess Darfelsa Cinnabar, younger daughter of King Leander and Queen Ralifta. I am currently here as the personal envoy of my father, our King Leander.”

  I don’t know if someone in particular started it, but the entire embassy staff lowered themselves, kneeling to me. I left them like that for a moment then said, “Thank you. Please rise.” I waited for that then said, “I have spent most of the last three years posted to our embassy in Charth, reporting to Ambassador Cuprite. She is not given to formality. That is appropriate in moderation, but please limit it to formal moments.” I turned another circle. “I am here to resolve the current dispute regarding transportation of trade, and to assume overall authority of the embassy until Father sends a permanent ambassador. Mr. Gremish will be returning to Barrish to consult with father. I do not know if he will return, or if Father has other plans.”

  There were looks about the room, and I thought they wanted to talk about what I’d just said. I smiled. “I imagine that’s not what anyone expected to hear. So, there is good news and bad news. I hope my presence is good news. I hope I am able to resolve the current issues. The bad news is that we’re going to be a little crowded. Mr. Redhouse will oversee the necessary changes, but there are sixteen people now posted to the embassy that weren’t here this morning.”

  I paused to let them consider that then said, “I will be sharing my quarters with a portion of my closest staff, so I won’t appreciate muttering about privacy. However, I also have seen the size of some of the quarters. I don’t know if Ms. Sessen’s quarters are typical or unusually small, but if things are simply too cramped, we’ll figure something out.”

  I looked around. “I will be spending the next few weeks dealing with the trade dispute and meeting all of you. Other than a small delegation reporting to my father, I anticipate no immediate changes to personnel and hope to leave that to the incoming ambassador.

  I introduced my staff, complimented everyone on their fine work, and then invited immediate questions. There weren’t any, which I found disappointing. There should have been questions. It wasn’t good that no one was willing to ask.

  “All right, then. Mr. Redhouse, how soon could we move into our quarters?”

  “An hour should be sufficient,” he said.

  “All right. I believe we will return to the parlor. The door will be open, and anyone who wishes to join us may do so.”

  * * * *

  It was barely fifteen minutes before Mr. Redhouse appeared in the parlor. I’d met a few members of the embassy, but we hadn’t discussed anything critical. I turned to look up at him.

 
; “Your Highness, your quarters are available, and the other rooms will be vacated shortly. Would you like me to escort you?”

  “Very gracious, Mr. Redhouse, and efficient besides.”

  “We haven’t moved any beds in yet,” he said. “We weren’t sure where to put them.”

  “Let us see the available space, and we can come to decisions.”

  We rose, and this time, everyone came with us, all sixteen of us. Mr. Redhouse led the way to the ambassador’s quarters. The doors were open, waiting for us.

  The ambassador’s official quarters were a full suite. I turned to him. “How many people have typically occupied this space?”

  “During my time here, Lord Marlish and his wife were the only occupants.”

  He gave a tour. There was a single bedroom, a large sitting room, and a foyer. It was an absolutely ridiculous waste of space. “Did Lord Marlish entertain here?”

  “Only privately,” Mr. Redhouse replied.

  “Did Sessie have her own office?”

  “She did, across the hall from her husband’s office.”

  “I presume you’re now using that space for something.”

  “Yes. There was a general shift.”

  He showed us the guest quarters. They were significantly smaller, of course, but still quite ample. “Are all the quarters like this?”

  “No,” he said. “But they are adequate.”

  “All right. I’ll leave you to oversee things here for a few minutes.” I gestured, and the rest of my entourage traveled to the ambassador’s quarters. I pulled all of us into the bedroom and then turned. “Sergeant Felist, if you had your way, and disregarding any concerns for my sensitivities, what do you recommend?”

  She smiled. “You expect to share.”

  “I do.”

  “And if I suggested my bed be in this room?”

  “Do you snore?”

  “No one has made such an accusation.”

  “Keep going,” I told her. “What else?”

  “Do you have intentions for the outer rooms?”

  “Make your recommendation.”

  “All right,” she said. “I’m in here. Marga and Bridgie can share.”

  “They won’t both always be here,” I pointed out.

  “If I suggested we use the outer room, what would you say?”

  I thought about it. “Four in each of the guest quarters is cozy.”

  “I saw the beds,” she said. “They were all for two.” She looked around. “No one here is going to complain if she has to share, Your Highness. Unless we treat your outer room as a barracks, we’re going to need two beds in at least some of those rooms.”

  “At least one more room is going to open up,” I said. “Possibly more than one.”

  “Then we can adjust when that happens,” said the sergeant. “Either way, I prefer my bed right there.” She pointed to a place between my bed and the door. “What do you say to that, Princess?”

  “Don’t hire experts and ignore them,” I said. “Fine. Your bed there.” The sergeant smiled broadly. “We can fit a third bed in here. I can’t believe the size of this room. It’s larger than my bedroom at home.”

  “Pshaw,” said the sergeant. “You’re the spare princess.”

  I laughed. “I expect honest answers. Renishta, Terla, Selzen. Would rooming in here make any of you uncomfortable?”

  “No,” Renishta said, echoed by the others.

  “Anyone who snores gets kicked into the snorer’s room,” I said. “We can spread a little further in a week or two.”

  In the end, we agreed on two of the beds per guest room, and we would keep the main room available as a private entertaining room. We actually had a few beds with only one occupant. It was discussed that I didn’t need to share as heavily as I was, but I said, “Frankly, I want the three of you close, and Sergeant Felist has expressed her opinion.”

  And that was, at least for now, settled.

  * * * *

  We settled our things, enjoyed dinner, and then I found myself with Mr. Gremish and Mr. Epseen, but now I was seated behind my desk. My closest staff as well as Sergeant Felist and several more guards were also present. We got settled, and I said, “It is my intention to travel to the capitol in the morning, present myself to the office of one of the ministers, and make a scene. Comments?”

  Mr. Epseen smiled broadly. “Might I suggest the foreign minister?”

  “Do they have a minister of commerce?” I asked.

  “What sort of scene did you intend.”

  “I’ve been thinking about this. Ms. Pelonden, do you have the set of laws I drafted?”

  “I do, Princess.” She slipped a sheet of paper to me. I glanced at it to ensure it was the right one then turned it around and slid it across the desk. Mr. Gremish picked it up, and Mr. Epseen read it with him.

  “You can’t be serious,” Mr. Gremish said eventually.

  “What are you going to do if they call your bluff, Princess?” Mr. Epseen asked.

  “It’s not a bluff,” I said. “My father told me to either convince them to waive the licensing requirement entirely, or to license each transportation company at fair terms, or to tell them we’ll begin treating their companies similarly to how they treat ours.” I gestured. “I believe that is a good summary.” I smiled. “I particularly like the part where we use the fees we collect from Gandeetian companies to compensate Flarvorian companies for the fees the Gandeetians charge them.”

  “That is a nice touch,” Mr. Epseen said. He gestured. “This was your father’s idea?”

  “Mine. Well, based on his stated willingness to force licensing on the Gandeetian companies. I ran with it. Here’s what I think we should do.”

  Raising A Fuss

  None of the guards at the capitol attempted to stop us. They didn’t even seem that put out by my honor guard, which surprised me. And so other than brief pauses, we made it to the office of the Gandeetian Minister of Commerce. And that was when we encountered the first person ready to say ‘no’ to me. I was shocked we’d made it that far.

  Mr. Epseen stepped ahead. “Her Highness, Princess Darfelsa Cinnabar of Flarvor, personal envoy of King Leander, here to see Minister Silmarion.”

  The man at the desk stood, looking about at the crowd of people occupying the outer office. “I’m sorry, but Minister Silmarion is in conference, but if you care to make an appointment, I can see when he’ll be available.” He bent over his desk and made a show of it. “He has a fifteen-minute window next Thursday morning.”

  I stepped forward. “I need two minutes.”

  “I’m sorry, Miss-”

  “My title is Princess,” I said. “Not Miss. You should address me as Princess Darfelsa or Your Highness. I suppose King’s Envoy would also be appropriate.”

  “The minister is in conference. If you can come back next Thursday, we can fit you in.”

  “You’re a very efficient gatekeeper,” I said. “I’m not interested in coming back next Thursday. I think we’ll see the minister now.” I made a gesture. Sergeant Felist made another gesture. Two of my honor guard stepped forward and opened the inner doors.

  They weren’t locked, and I heard voices break off the moment the doors opened. “Mr. Gloril, I said we weren’t to be disturbed.”

  I didn’t wait but headed for the doors. Sergeant Felist preceded me, and everyone else flanked me. Mr. Gloril tried to get ahead of me, protesting, but I ignored him.

  There were four people in the office, two men and one woman in chairs before a large desk, and one hawkish gentleman seated on the other side.

  “Her Highness, Princess Darfelsa of Flarvor,” Mr. Epseen intoned.

  I didn’t wait for more than that. I strode forward. “Minister Silmarion,” I said. “You’re clearly too busy for the personal envoy of my father, so I only need fifteen seconds.” I reached his desk and, with two hands, slammed down a copy of my credentials on his desk. Ms. Pelonden handed me a sheet of paper, and I slammed tha
t on top of the first. “You’re too busy to offer me proper greeting, so I won’t trouble you further.”

  I turned. “The first are my credentials. The second are a summary of the laws I will recommend to father. You’re far too busy to actually discuss these proposals with me, so I’ll simply do what I can without your involvement.” I made it to the door. “We have copies that we’ll spread all over Gandeet on our way out of your country.”

  I made it to the outer doors before I heard him yell, “Stop her! Someone stop her!” I didn’t even slow down. I heard more yelling, then the woman who had been in the conference with the minister hurried past us before interposing herself in our path.

  “Princess Darfelsa,” she said.

  I looked at her. I hadn’t paid much attention earlier, but I cocked my head. “We’ve met, but I don’t remember where.”

  “Lady Olivia introduced us.”

  “Two years ago,” I said. “You were part of the Gandeet trade delegation.” I offered a smile. “Your group didn’t remain in Charth very long.”

  “We were informed of a rather unexpected tradition.”

  “Ah. And declined. That’s probably for the best.” I made a weak attempt to step past her. “Your ministers don’t have time to greet me, so I must go pack. I can be out of the city by nightfall.”

  She stepped back into my path and offered her hand. “Talith Leyviel.”

  I accepted her greeting. She smiled and gestured. “I believe the minister has made room for you, Princess Darfelsa.”

  “No, no,” I said. “I must officially present my credentials to the entire council before I can engage in discussions with an individual minister. I only stopped by as a courtesy to inform the minister what I will recommend to Father when I return home, as your council has little interest in meeting with me. Good day, Ms. Leyviel.”

  This time I managed to slip past her, but she was faster than she looked, and she got in front of me again. She made a little praying gesture. “Please don’t make me tell him I failed to entice you back.”

  I looked behind us. The minister’s secretary stood in the doorway, but no one else was in sight. “Clearly, he doesn’t care enough to come after me himself,” I said to Ms. Leyviel. “I don’t believe he particularly cares what I do.”