Chapter 9
She sat across the table from King Ganelon de la Courcel as she fought from having a foot twitch from nervousness. He was reading over the proposition for her to be formally accepted into the ruling House of Terre d'Ange and the conditions Rolande had listed the day before. It tied her solely to House Courcel under having her first born child serving as heirs to Elua's scions within the House itself. Rolande had told Liyah that he had two cousins that claim Elua's blood through his father's sister Lyonette who had married Marc Trevalion – who was the ruling duc in the province of Azzalle – and two cousins who were born and raised in the Little Court of La Serenissima by his father's brother. By Rolande's account, he also has five second cousins through his two La Serenissima cousins. Liyah had yelled at him when all that information overloaded her mind when they and Anafiel were locked up in her chambers late into the night drafting the proposal the king was now reading.
This proposal would prevent either side from attempting to take the throne or placing one of Rolande's adult cousins after him as heir to the throne. For what little information Liyah had managed to retain of both Lyonette and the Stregazza, she had been placed in a delicate position. The Little Court wasn't a big concern to her since they were in a completely different country. It was Lyonette Liyah was concerned about.
"I must say, this is ambitious," Ganelon finally spoke. "Even for you, Rolande."
"Would you rather see the throne go to Baudoin?" Rolande replied. "Or have the Stregazza ascend the throne?"
Liyah watched the king, wondering what was going through his mind. She would be the first to admit that she had no place within the ascendance to the throne of any planetary country, and would rather leave it alone if she had any other say – a way home to Earth perhaps. But Rolande, and Anafiel through an extension, had taken a huge risk by bringing her not only back to the City of Elua, but into the Palace itself. And there was still the possibility that she could figure out the coordinates back to Earth and call for a SG team to be sent in an attempt to further an alliance.
"And what do you have to say about this, Lady O'Neil?" Ganelon turned his attention to her.
"I have little to lose by this, Your Majesty," she replied politely. "My home's…many millions of miles away." She was at a loss of how to explain light years to someone whose culture was medieval in Liyah's historical time line. "If there was ever a point where those from my home arrive, in possible search for myself, it could benefit both sides if there was someone who could act as…an ambassador to negotiate a treaty." Liyah fought the urge to moan and put her head in her hands. She was starting to talk out of her ass like a politician back on Earth.
"And you believe you're the best person to be this ambassador between Terre d'Ange and your home?"
"Not in the least, but I'm all you have until someone else arrives," Liyah countered. "And who knows who that person might be? Are you going to gamble on that next person acting in interest for both or just themselves?" She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table, and folded her hands together. "Or are you going to work with someone who has little to lose by will work like future contact will happen?"
"Given how quickly my son has favored you, and that you have proven yourself quite well as a visitor…" Ganelon picked up the quill, dipped it in the ink, and signed the paper. "I wish you welcome, Liyah de la Courcel, daughter of Rolande."
"And as a member of the House Courcel, you'll have a staff and ladies in waiting," Rolande explained to her as he paced the chambers.
Liyah held her arms out as the tailor put a measuring string to her and wrote down a number before putting the string on another part of her body. "And all of this comes with the position? Or is every member of House Courcel to be expected to have a staff and people in waiting?"
"All the Great Houses have their own staffs. But as a member of the ruling House, it's…"
"Expected." Liyah had a feeling that there were to be a great many things that would be "expected" of her now she was viewed as second in line for the throne. "Do I have a choice of my own ladies in waiting?"
"If you like. I can recommend which ones of the Great Houses to look…"
"Are there any Minor Houses?" She was tired of hearing about these Great Houses. "If it's an honor and privilege to attend as a lady in waiting, why not give it to one from the Minor Houses?"
"That's…"
"Crazy? Well I tend to do crazy stuff." Liyah felt the tailor move to another part of her body. "This has to be on my top ten list of crazy."
Rolande chuckled. "Let's do one thing at a time. First is to make sure that you have more than a couple borrowed dresses in your wardrobe."
"I'm finished," the tailor quietly told Liyah.
Liyah nodded and reached for the first piece of clothing and worked it on. Grateful that this particular dress was easy enough for her to put on herself, she slipped herself into it and the tailor helped to secure it. Adjusting it a little, she finally stepped out from behind the changing screen and faced the Dauphin.
"I'll come back in a few days after I've come up with a few designs," the tailor announced to the two of them. "Good day, Dauphin, your highness." He bowed a little before taking his leave.
The tailor showed himself out as Liyah wandered over to the open wardrobe and closed it, catching sight of her offworld uniform. She had been urged to get rid of it, but couldn't bring herself to do it in the possibility that she would one day return to Earth. Both of her guns were with the uniform, but she kept the clips and extra ammunition under the bed. Liyah turned her attention to Rolande. "So what's next? Am I to sit and interview for staff and ladies in waiting?"
"The staff will be instructed to take care while in your chambers," Rolande assured her. "And that you may have additional instructions for them. As for the ladies in waiting, I'll talk discreetly with those who might have better knowledge about it. In the mean time, there's someone I wish for you to meet."
"Oh, you mean there are more than two people I can talk to in the whole Palace?" There was a little sarcasm sneaking through there, but in the past two or three days, Liyah had seen many people and talked with few.
Rolande chuckled. "I must apologize. I know I had rushed you these past couple of days and had been informed that I had been rash in those actions. Come, there's someone I wish for you to meet."
Seeing little to lose by just staying in her chambers, Liyah motioned for him to lead the way. Her mind wandered along the path of who her foster father wanted her to meet.
"I've been thinking of having a hunt in a few weeks," Rolande spoke, breaking into her thoughts. "I'll speak with the tailor about making you something for that."
"I'd like to request the outfit be trousers and a shirt," Liyah told him. "The dresses are still growing on me." She pulled at a section of the dress she wore, feeling it bunch a little.
"I'll see to it personally."
Liyah smiled at a woman maybe a year or two years old than her as she and Rolande made their way through the Palace. Liyah caught a look from the other woman and it didn't seem like she approved of her sudden attention from Rolande. Like Liyah wanted any more attention from the Dauphin. Word seemed to have spread since her meeting with Ganelon that she was a member of House Courcel; the Palace had that air that it thrived on the latest gossip. She was the latest gossip just by how she arrived a few days ago, and she kept that gossip going with the arrangement with Rolande and Ganelon.
Rolande knocked on a door and waited for an answer. Liyah shifted her weight onto a foot and wiggled the other before repeating the process. There was a reason why she didn't care to have a complete up to date wardrobe in her closet. She liked getting dirty, and would go through half the school day in high school with grease on her hands from auto shop. The door opened and Liyah took note of the woman's clothing. A staff member perhaps, but she couldn't tell if the woman was personal staff or under House Courcel's payroll.
"Is Emileé receiving visitors?" Rolande questioned.
Liyah attempted a polite smile when the woman turned her attention to her, but felt too awkward to offer up anything more. Above everything that was happening to her, shChapter 9
She sat across the table from King Ganelon de la Courcel as she fought from having a foot twitch from nervousness. He was reading over the proposition for her to be formally accepted into the ruling House of Terre d'Ange and the conditions Rolande had listed the day before. It tied her solely to House Courcel under having her first born child serving as heirs to Elua's scions within the House itself. Rolande had told Liyah that he had two cousins that claim Elua's blood through his father's sister Lyonette who had married Marc Trevalion – who was the ruling duc in the province of Azzalle – and two cousins who were born and raised in the Little Court of La Serenissima by his father's brother. By Rolande's account, he also has five second cousins through his two La Serenissima cousins. Liyah had yelled at him when all that information overloaded her mind when they and Anafiel were locked up in her chambers late into the night drafting the proposal the king was now reading.
This proposal would prevent either side from attempting to take the throne or placing one of Rolande's adult cousins after him as heir to the throne. For what little information Liyah had managed to retain of both Lyonette and the Stregazza, she had been placed in a delicate position. The Little Court wasn't a big concern to her since they were in a completely different country. It was Lyonette Liyah was concerned about.
"I must say, this is ambitious," Ganelon finally spoke. "Even for you, Rolande."
"Would you rather see the throne go to Baudoin?" Rolande replied. "Or have the Stregazza ascend the throne?"
Liyah watched the king, wondering what was going through his mind. She would be the first to admit that she had no place within the ascendance to the throne of any planetary country, and would rather leave it alone if she had any other say – a way home to Earth perhaps. But Rolande, and Anafiel through an extension, had taken a huge risk by bringing her not only back to the City of Elua, but into the Palace itself. And there was still the possibility that she could figure out the coordinates back to Earth and call for a SG team to be sent in an attempt to further an alliance.
"And what do you have to say about this, Lady O'Neil?" Ganelon turned his attention to her.
"I have little to lose by this, Your Majesty," she replied politely. "My home's…many millions of miles away." She was at a loss of how to explain light years to someone whose culture was medieval in Liyah's historical time line. "If there was ever a point where those from my home arrive, in possible search for myself, it could benefit both sides if there was someone who could act as…an ambassador to negotiate a treaty." Liyah fought the urge to moan and put her head in her hands. She was starting to talk out of her ass like a politician back on Earth.
"And you believe you're the best person to be this ambassador between Terre d'Ange and your home?"
"Not in the least, but I'm all you have until someone else arrives," Liyah countered. "And who knows who that person might be? Are you going to gamble on that next person acting in interest for both or just themselves?" She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table, and folded her hands together. "Or are you going to work with someone who has little to lose by will work like future contact will happen?"
"Given how quickly my son has favored you, and that you have proven yourself quite well as a visitor…" Ganelon picked up the quill, dipped it in the ink, and signed the paper. "I wish you welcome, Liyah de la Courcel, daughter of Rolande."
"And as a member of the House Courcel, you'll have a staff and ladies in waiting," Rolande explained to her as he paced the chambers.
Liyah held her arms out as the tailor put a measuring string to her and wrote down a number before putting the string on another part of her body. "And all of this comes with the position? Or is every member of House Courcel to be expected to have a staff and people in waiting?"
"All the Great Houses have their own staffs. But as a member of the ruling House, it's…"
"Expected." Liyah had a feeling that there were to be a great many things that would be "expected" of her now she was viewed as second in line for the throne. "Do I have a choice of my own ladies in waiting?"
"If you like. I can recommend which ones of the Great Houses to look…"
"Are there any Minor Houses?" She was tired of hearing about these Great Houses. "If it's an honor and privilege to attend as a lady in waiting, why not give it to one from the Minor Houses?"
"That's…"
"Crazy? Well I tend to do crazy stuff." Liyah felt the tailor move to another part of her body. "This has to be on my top ten list of crazy."
Rolande chuckled. "Let's do one thing at a time. First is to make sure that you have more than a couple borrowed dresses in your wardrobe."
"I'm finished," the tailor quietly told Liyah.
Liyah nodded and reached for the first piece of clothing and worked it on. Grateful that this particular dress was easy enough for her to put on herself, she slipped herself into it and the tailor helped to secure it. Adjusting it a little, she finally stepped out from behind the changing screen and faced the Dauphin.
"I'll come back in a few days after I've come up with a few designs," the tailor announced to the two of them. "Good day, Dauphin, your highness." He bowed a little before taking his leave.
The tailor showed himself out as Liyah wandered over to the open wardrobe and closed it, catching sight of her offworld uniform. She had been urged to get rid of it, but couldn't bring herself to do it in the possibility that she would one day return to Earth. Both of her guns were with the uniform, but she kept the clips and extra ammunition under the bed. Liyah turned her attention to Rolande. "So what's next? Am I to sit and interview for staff and ladies in waiting?"
"The staff will be instructed to take care while in your chambers," Rolande assured her. "And that you may have additional instructions for them. As for the ladies in waiting, I'll talk discreetly with those who might have better knowledge about it. In the mean time, there's someone I wish for you to meet."
"Oh, you mean there are more than two people I can talk to in the whole Palace?" There was a little sarcasm sneaking through there, but in the past two or three days, Liyah had seen many people and talked with few.
Rolande chuckled. "I must apologize. I know I had rushed you these past couple of days and had been informed that I had been rash in those actions. Come, there's someone I wish for you to meet."
Seeing little to lose by just staying in her chambers, Liyah motioned for him to lead the way. Her mind wandered along the path of who her foster father wanted her to meet.
"I've been thinking of having a hunt in a few weeks," Rolande spoke, breaking into her thoughts. "I'll speak with the tailor about making you something for that."
"I'd like to request the outfit be trousers and a shirt," Liyah told him. "The dresses are still growing on me." She pulled at a section of the dress she wore, feeling it bunch a little.
"I'll see to it personally."
Liyah smiled at a woman maybe a year or two years old than her as she and Rolande made their way through the Palace. Liyah caught a look from the other woman and it didn't seem like she approved of her sudden attention from Rolande. Like Liyah wanted any more attention from the Dauphin. Word seemed to have spread since her meeting with Ganelon that she was a member of House Courcel; the Palace had that air that it thrived on the latest gossip. She was the latest gossip just by how she arrived a few days ago, and she kept that gossip going with the arrangement with Rolande and Ganelon.
Rolande knocked on a door and waited for an answer. Liyah shifted her weight onto a foot and wiggled the other before repeating the process. There was a reason why she didn't care to have a complete up to date wardrobe in her closet. She liked getting dirty, and would go through half the school day in high school with grease on her hands from auto shop. The door opened and Liyah took note of the woman's clothing. A staff member perhaps, but she couldn't tell if the woman was personal staff or under House Courcel's payroll.
"Is Emileé receiving visitors?" Rolande questioned.
Liyah attempted a polite smile when the woman turned her attention to her, but felt too awkward to offer up anything more. Above everything that was happening to her, she wanted to go home to what she was comfortable with. She wasn't sure if all that she's learned from the different members of SG-1 would see her through until a team came through the Gate.
"Come in, your highness," a feminine voice called from inside the chambers.
The woman stepped aside as she opened the door. Liyah waited for Rolande to enter the chamber first since he was the higher ranking family member before following him. A couple other women were making final adjustments on the clothing of the one who had invited Rolande in. Liyah fell back to that first time she went into the SGC and kept quiet until she was brought into the conversation.
"Liyah, this is Emileé Rocaille," Rolande introduced. "She's my betrothed. Emileé, this is Liyah de la Courcel; formally Liyah O'Neill."e wanted to go home to what she was comfortable with. She wasn't sure if all that she's learned from the different members of SG-1 would see her through until a team came through the Gate.
"Come in, your highness," a feminine voice called from inside the chambers.
The woman stepped aside as she opened the door. Liyah waited for Rolande to enter the chamber first since he was the higher ranking family member before following him. A couple other women were making final adjustments on the clothing of the one who had invited Rolande in. Liyah fell back to that first time she went into the SGC and kept quiet until she was brought into the conversation.
"Liyah, this is Emileé Rocaille," Rolande introduced. "She's my betrothed. Emileé, this is Liyah de la Courcel; formally Liyah O'Neill."