"Prince Turandot…"
Summary: Can the courageous Princess Amy unfreeze the icy heart of the cruel Prince Sheldon Turandot? Well, she's giving it her all…In song as well as deed.
Disclaimer: What's Chuck's is Chuck's…No infringement intended…
Part XI…
The Imperial Law Library…
Where a contentedly Penny in the middle of fetching a scroll for Ping had, on catching the leer of an elderly scholar at table her way, suddenly realized time was slipping away…And that while her dear Ping's efforts were sure…Absolutely, posibloomingtively…to be crowned with success...It was best to proceed as planned and try to obtain additional info for Princess Amy regarding the riddles by the means she had discussed with the Empress and Minister Pong.
Hmmn…Not really a means she was anxious to employ given her current happy success in romance…She looked over to where Ping sat, intent on his work of finding suitable legal and philosophical argument to employ in dissuading the young candidates for Prince Turandot's hand.
After all, as they'd both noted, even if success crowned these efforts tomorrow, a failure on Princess Amy's part would doom poor dear Ping and company to eventually having to carry out their guardianship duties…A prospect sure to break his heart.
And with luck it might not really require going too far…Hey, elderly scholars…
Though a few of the elderly type whom she'd dealt with in the past had proven quite surprisingly randy…Leading to their bones gracing the lower levels of her and Empress Meemaw's hideaway cavern.
Not something easily done in the confines of the Imperial Palace…Meaning she might well have to be prepared to make a serious sacrifice for her imperial employer…
Though it would at least also be for love…Not only the love she bore the Empress or love in general in respect of Princess Amy's quest…But her own personal love.
Difficult as it might possibly be to get Ping to see that should he find out…
Still, no alternative…Every option must be tried.
"Master?" she placed the scroll on table before him.
"Yeah? Thanks, Penny." He beamed at her absently, lost in the words before him…
"I was wondering if I might ask a small favor of a few minutes' time…To assist my old employer."
"Hmmn?" he stared.
"A very old noble woman in whose home I was raised…She's fallen on harsh times and I take food and what money I can to her."
True enough…She thought…
"Really? That's very kind…Well, if she needs help, bring her in…We can put her up in the ministerial apartments somewhere."
"Oh, no…She'd never accept such charity, sir. She's a very proud old woman from a noble house. It's hard enough to get her to accept my humble offerings…But if you'd allow me…?"
"Sure…Of course…Here…" he handed her some coins… "With my compliments…And take her anything from the kitchens you can get, tell them I approved it."
"Thank you, Master Ping." She bowed.
"Yeah, yeah…Hurry back, please?" he smiled up at her. "I really need your help…And you, here…"
"I will…" she nodded, bowing…
All for love, truly…She sighed, eyeing him as she left…
Now…Where do the fogiest of the fogeys advising the Prince hang? She hurried down the corridor…
…..
Reception Room Entranceway of the Suitors' Approach, Imperial Palace…
"You'd best leave me here, uh…Grandmother…" Princess Amy hissed to Empress Meemaw, the Empress carefully covered in shawl and thick robes to conceal her identity.
"Child…Please reconsider. Much as I want you to succeed…"
"it will be fine…" Amy patted her… "I won't fail you or Sheldon…And there's always Plan B…" she eyed the Empress, putting hand to sword handle.
Now Plan B I could have some faith in…Meemaw reflected. She is good with that thing when she gets some practice in…
"I will leave it to you and the gods…But bless you, my dear…" the Empress kissed her on forehead.
Hmmn…Now if Mom-in-law, the Dowager, is half as easy to cope with…Amy reflected, approaching the entranceway…A guard looking up at her.
"This is the Entranceway to register for the Great Trial of the Suitors…" he eyed her.
"I claim the right to present myself for the procession to the Gong of Destiny…" Amy, in firm tones.
"You're a royal princess…?" the guard eyed her.
"Would anyone else be so stupid?" she smiled wanly.
"Fine, register at the desk…" he waved her in…
God, that'll make three…He sighed. I wish to the gods I'd taken vacation leave this week…How can I face my girls with three executions.
"Princess?" the receptionist at the desk in dark crimson robe…Calculated to impress the seriousness of the upcoming trial upon the would-be candidate…And occasionally successful in dissuading at least the minor royal and the occasional lower class jokester, trying to run the hall for a thrill.
"Anonymous…I am allowed to withhold my name, correct?"
"You are…But it's irregular and you will be expected to show some proof of royal blood during your initial interview…I should tell you…" the woman eyed the prominent sword handle on Amy's side… "You will be searched for weapons…Just a security precaution, you understand."
"Oh…" Amy stared.
Hadn't considered there'd be an inspection.
Well, I can always grab something from a guard if necessary…Best to play along…
"My sword…Surely proof enough of my royal blood..." Amy noted.
"Nice…" the woman nodded, taking the sword. "Let me get you a receipt."
"Ladies…" Amy eyed the two, waiting, each with a single ambassador…No support processions being allowed during registration or the actual procession to the gong…
Princess Mala and Princess Isabella eyeing the newcomer with disdain…
Battle armor, nice touch…Way to indicate trust…Their sneering looks noted…
And old armor by the look of it to boot.
"Your receipt…Please wait here or you may have a seat, Princess…Anonymous…" the receptionist handled Amy a paper.
"Thanks, I'll stand…"
"Ladies…" Minister Hofstadter had emerged from the Suitors' Approach. "Welcome to Pasadena…I am Minister Beverly of the Hofstadters, here to make an evaluation of your mental states before the procession tomorrow morning…I trust your accommodations in town are suitable…?"
"Ambassador DePuys of Castille…" the ambassador, a tall, bearded dark Castillan in black clothes with white lace ruff collar and puffed sleeves, bowed, stepping forward. "Her Highness Isabella acknowledges your gracious reception, thanks Prince Sheldon for the flowers and his gifts and wishes me to express her eagerness to see him in audience and take the challenge for his hand. I trust the treaty terms we had sent on ahead were acceptable."
"Prince Sheldon graciously receives her Highness' thanks…" Beverly bowed… "Apologizes for the need to follow his most excellent and noble late father's wishes in the trial, agrees to the terms of treaty offered, and wishes to express his sincere gratitude to her Highness for offering to bestow the favor of her hand. However, he begs her to reconsider, given the great penalty of the trial and his inability to reprieve her from the sentence should she fail. He asks that the Princess agree, as a requirement of the trials, to a full evaluation so that his conscience may be clear as to her state of mind and overall well-being in attempting these deadly and dreadful trials." In dry, matter-of-fact tones…
"Her Highness, wishing to fully demonstrate her love for the Prince and his state, agrees to all…" the ambassador bowed.
"Very well, please…Follow me…" Minister Hofstadter waved the ambassador and princess in, guards carefully holding open the door to her office.
"Your Highnesses…" Beverly bowed to the two remaining princesses, following after the Castillan princess and her ambassador. Guard closing door.
"Does it take long?" Amy asked the receptionist softly…Princess Mala eyeing her with contempt…
None to inquire of mere underlings for the woman…This can't be a princess. Unless some upstart from some overly successful merchant family buying their way into royalty.
One of those people…You know…She eyed her ambassador who smiled back.
"Not long…" the receptionist, kindly…
Gods, tell me she's not some shopgirl trying to play at this for a dare or something. Kid, this head-chopping thing is not a game…The receptionist eyed her.
…
"So…Lilly's the name, eh?" Pang eyed the silken slippered…Love that silk footwear…Silken-haired tall girl sent by Suzi earlier to join him.
"Aye, Minister…" Lilly bowed…
"Chinese, are we?"
"California-girl, sir…Of Chinese descent." Lilly frowned.
"Sorry…No offense intended…" Pang, apologetically… "I'm Indian originally myself, so I guess I have trouble spotting natives…"
"Not at all, Master Pang…" bow…She looked about the huge treasure room into which she and Pang, with Prince Sheldon's pleased written consent…Only to happy to let the boys give it their all…Been admitted.
"Whoa…Quite a place…Sir…" she stared, a bit awed.
"Indeed…Conquest and pillage pay…" Pang nodded. "Just look at that stuff…" he sighed. "I mean my family's one of the wealthiest in India but we couldn't fill an eighth of this room."
Nearly an eighth of the treasury of Imperial California, Lilly stared. That still ain't hay…And considerably less risky given California's numerous enemies, all ganging up...And angrier with each Princess kill…
Even if the anger is mostly pumped up PR to stir the populaces to enthusiasm for invasion.
"India must be, like, very nice…" Lilly noted pleasantly.
"A beautiful and mysterious place…" he nodded. "Though like China, a bit overcrowded in spots…" smile.
"I've actually never been…" Lilly shrugged. "But I hear tell it's so…Master."
Hmmn…I sense she's oversensitive on that birthplace thing…Best to stop harping, Pang…
Oooh, and speakin' of harps…He beamed at a beautiful bejeweled golden harp…
Lilly eyeing it as well…
"Now there's a gift (bribe) for a princess…"he noted happily…
"Too showy…" Lilly shook her head. "What's a princess going to do with it except, like, give it away? She can't play it and can't wear it…It won't look good in a young woman's room, except in the main hall where it's sure to catch a thief's or Dad's (Dad and thief often being one and the same in royal families, she noted) eye."
Hmmn… "You could be right."
"Yeah…Whatever." Lilly, laconically…Peering round…Hmmn…
"Well, we need something that might buy a couple of reasonably wealthy princesses' hearts…"
"You mean like, Castile…?" Lilly snorted. "Dude…I mean, Master, sorry…That's one of the world's armpits of a kingdom…Their treasury is like, utter empty."
"Really? I thought they'd done well against the Moors…" Pang, surprised.
Not many slave girls I know of have such a claim to knowledge of foreign affairs…
"I was a like 'operative' in Castile and France?…For three years till last year?…" Lilly, making air quotes at the "operative". "They've cleaned themselves out in that war…And the Moors they conquered, like, were sheep herders and such…No cash whatsoever…Dirty villages and old forts. Hardly worth the trouble."
"Really…Whoa." He eyed her… "So you were a spy?" he smiled… "And all the way over in Castile? How was that?"
"It was like awesome, sometimes…Other times…Eh…Not so hot. Good-looking dudes and gals in Castile, I will say that." Lilly nodded. "Even cuter guys than in France…Leaner and wiry, ya know?"
"And the girls…?" Pang, smiling.
"France, no question…" Lilly grinned, looking round… "Hows about that?" she pointed to a small bejeweled box… "Now that's bling a girl could use…" she noted. "But there's something real…" she beamed, pointing… He looking…
Hmmn…Nice…He eyed the diamond tiara Lilly had focused on…
"Light, wearable, expensive, yet elegant…" she noted… "Just a mo, sir…" she took a piece of gold sheeting and dragged it across a large diamond… "It's the real stuff…Just wanted to be sure…A royal jeweler would catch on, ya know?"
"Right…It is nice…"
"It's the ruby in the center though that does it…Makes it unique." Lilly nodded… "Yeah, this is one for your shopping bag, Master."
"You know your stuff, Lilly…"
"I had to be able to appraise on my feet…Every now and then…" she smiled.
"Ah…A few heists in Castile and France…?" he eyed her.
"Only under orders, sir…" she grinned. "And only when Emperor George I was denied purchase."
"Georgie liked his baubles…" Pang agreed.
"And his paintings…And rare books…But you didn't hear that from me." Grin. Then frown… "Might be best to go with the coin for the rest…The Empress Dowager has the really unique jewels except for some locked up in the Royal Museum…And maybe some paper…Like Imperial bonds, ya know?" she noted.
"Secure investments are a girl's best friend, eh…"
"You know it, sir… Though, if you really want something special…In the Royal Museum, there is like this black pearl necklace...Which some 'operative', I won't say who…" she grinned. "'Borrowed' as collateral in lieu of a loan payment from France…Now if the Prince would consider parting with that…" she eyed him.
"I don't know, Lilly…" Pang sighed. "I think the Royal Museum is hands off…The Dowager Mary has say on those items."
"She never checks that stuff…" Lilly shrugged. "I'm assigned to check security there every month or so…" she gave Pang a sidelong glance. "I really think that's the one that might turn one of your girls back without her prince, Master."
"And you might just possibly be able to 'check security' in there, say before tomorrow morning?" Pang, carefully.
"I shouldn't be questioned…Especially if Minister Pang were with me, confirming my need to be there…" she smiled.
"I wouldn't want you in trouble, Lilly." Pang shook his head.
"I already know too much for some people…" she sighed. "That's why I begged for a transfer from the Prince when I got the chance. But sooner or later, the minister of foreign affairs is going to like, want to thank me personally for my work for California…Permanently." She eyed him.
"I see…" Pang nodded. "And here it was that I thought it was just my pretty Indian face that got you interested."
"It's a pretty face…" she smiled.
"So…You're asking me for protection? In exchange for getting me that necklace?"
"You get those girls to go home, Prince Sheldon's happy…You rise in rank and maybe, me with you…" she eyed him… "As your faithful and protected galpal…Concubine…Whatever…"
"And if we don't get the ladies to run like hell as they ought…?"
"With that necklace and your ministerial credentials I could get us across the border and on our way home to mum and dad in India in a couple of days travel…Incognito." She eyed him
Hmmn…He returned stare…Slow smile…
"Sounds like the start of a beautiful relationship…But it would have to include my pals Ping and Pong and their girls…" careful stare.
"The steadfast type…Stupid, but I suppose it's nice…Ok, deal." She nodded.
"You seem sure you can trust me…" he eyed her…
"I can like, kill a man in ten seconds, dude, sir, I don't need to trust…Besides I've checked you thoroughly, believe me…And you're as nice as you seem…And loaded, parentally. Not wanting to be crass about it, but a girl has to be sure about things like that." She noted.
….
Inside Minister Hofstadter examination room, the Castilan ambassador was engaged in rather hard horse trading with the Minister as her staff ran a series of tried and true questions passed his princess…
"Ambassador, our intelligence confirms that Castile's treasury is as empty as my womb…" Beverly noted. "Your war with the Moors has cost you a great deal but brought you little in return."
"Except that which is most important, madame…Glory and honor…"
"Yes, well that's very nice…We have a good deal brought home by our late emperor George, but he also brought gold, spices, lands, and slaves…In massive quantities…" smile.
"And yet died at the hands of his own subjects." DePays noted with equally frosty smile.
"Castile has a great deal to gain from the princess' success in this trial…And little to lose excepting one princess if she fails."
"Perhaps…" DePays shrugged. "But her Highness ardor has been set aflame by the vision of Prince Sheldon's beauty in his portrait, that which he so graciously sent last year."
"No doubt…" Beverly, dryly. "But my point is that if Castile should succeed here…It would be a great triumph for her…And you."
"Over one hundred heads in the hall beyond us suggests that 'triumph' is not easy to achieve, madame."
"Yet you would allow your princess to try…?" careful look.
"She knows her duty to the Nation…As did the Princess of Persia…" he noted quietly.
"But you wouldn't mind a chance at evening her odds…"
"The ambassador of Persia was offered a similar chance, I understand…It was of little help to the unfortunate Princess."
"Yet she did answer one riddle successfully."
"Madame…Minister…" DePays, thin smile… "Shall we speak plainly? You wish a bribe in order to offer me one riddle's answer… I wish only all three, one being of no use whatsoever to my princess…"
"Actually, Ambassador…I wish a service…And I offer two answers…The third must be left to her Highness' skill should she persist in taking the challenge…" Beverly eyed him.
"Two?" he considered. "And how can I be sure these are two true answers?"
"If I lie, expose me…" Beverly shrugged. "Even if the Prince accepts my denial, suspicion would be raised."
"Fair enough…And the service?" DePays, carefully.
"You have a considerable network of spies and agents here…We wish to see a junior minister in the government removed, without showing our hand." Beverly smiled.
"An outrageous charge which I deny…But, while I do not say we have such a group at hand here…" DePays eyed her. "Who is the man?"
"His name is Ping Hofstadter." Beverly eyed him. "My rather waywardly troublesome son…Who has become a bit too much of a liability, much as my mother's heart breaks at the thought." She eyed him coolly.
DePays, maintaining poise, slightest of blinks.
They did warn me before leaving home with the poor kid that this one was a bitch among killer bitches…
…
Imperial Palace grounds, outside the Imperial Court of Justice…Evening…
Penny, pulling at elegant robe taken from a supply room…
One must look the part when courting…
Whether men or information…
"Honors…" she bowed to a couple of elderly judges in ceremonial robes.
Ah…She peered at the figure descending the stairs of the Court…
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Siebert…And the young and rumored incompetent Minister of what passes for "Justice" Minister Zac…
Appointed after the untimely disappearance and presumed death of former Justice Minister Hofstadter, Minister Ping's father…Minister Beverly Hofstadter's, rather unlamented by spouse, husband…
"So…I told the guy…You want justice, pal…Justice costs…" Minister Zac noted to Siebert…Who sighed.
I did once have a modicum of integrity…Before I agreed to this cabal to rule the Empire under Prince Turandot's façade…
"Ministers…" Penny smiled at the pair…
"Hello…There…You…" Minister Zac, rather eagerly…
"A thousand pardons, but if I might speak with you, Minister Zac…An urgent matter of my family's…"
"I'll leave you to your…Business…Zac." Siebert sighed… "I must meet with Minister Hofstadter to discuss urgent matters."
"Right." Minister Zac nodded. "If it's urgent, you gotta go…"
"Indeed." Siebert nodded, rolling eyes.
Surely we can find someone corrupt enough to improperly dispense justice yet intelligent enough not to embarrass the regime every time he opens his mouth…
"So…Sweetheart…" Zac grinned at Penny. "I'm a busy man but I can always make time…Get it?…For a pretty girl. What's the trouble?"
"Well, Minister…" she smiled… "It's a minor dispute but of great importance to my family…"
Lets just hope he's as stupid as rumor has it…She thought…But can get me to the guys who do know something…
"…It involves a secret treasure hidden on the border of my father's estate and his neighbor's, his best friend…"
"Hey, I love secrets…And treasures that someone's hidden.." the Minister nodded. "Especially if it includes a gift for me…"
"Oh…It could…" Penny smiled…Shifting robe a bit…
…..
Reception area for the Suitors' Approach…
Outside Minister Hofstadter's office…
"This is an outrage…" Hyman, Ambassador of the Princess Mala of Borneo, was fuming at the suggestion that Minister Hofstadter would not have time to conduct the Princess' interview herself but would leave her to a subordinate…
"We still have another candidate waiting as well…" the receptionist kindly noted to the Minister's assistant busy trying to calm the noisy ambassador and the regally not-amused Princess…Indicating Amy quietly standing…
"Oh?" he eyed her…
"Tell the Minister the Princess will not consent to be interviewed by anyone but a senior official…" Hyman sputtered…
"Sir…" the assistant sighed. "I'll speak to the Minister but she has no time…"
"I'm fine with anyone interviewing me." Amy cut in. "I'd like to sure to join the procession in the morning…"
"Yes, fine…Thank you…" the assistant eyed her… Staring a moment…
Where have I…?
"If you could go in that room and fill out this sheet, I'll be with you in a second…" he noted, handing her a paper, pointing…
"Sure…" Amy nodded…Heading over and entering the room indicated…
It couldn't be…The assistant pondered…
But she's certainly the image of the Fowler Queen Margaret…
….
Ministerial apartments, dinner time…
"Boys…A long day…" Ping noted. "But I think I've come up with the beginnings of some cogent arguments."
"I've a good one…" Lilly seated at table, grinning… "Uh, sir…" she gave quick nod… "Like, get out or we're gonna kill ya!" she winked at Pang…
"And I'd be willing to bet that's better than anything Ping has up his philosophical sleeve…" Pong noted. "However, thanks to the earnest efforts of yours truly and his lovely companion…" nod to a beaming Suzi… "And the entire Imperial industrial workforce for the rest of the night…We will be busy…I think we are going to have some 'cogent' arguments of our own awaiting our Princesses tomorrow."
"Gods, will we ever…" Suzi grinned.
"Say, Ping? Where's Penny?" Pang stared…
"She had to go help an old lady she used to work for. Nice kid, that girl." Ping nodded.
"Very nice." Pong smiled…Pondering…
Lets just hope she doesn't have to be…Too nice…
"Pang? How's the bribery game?" Ping addressed him.
"We've scooped some major incentives for our ladies…" Pang nodded… "But my favorite girl here…" He grinned at Lilly… "Has a little job for us tonight…Which may pay off for our scheme rather handsomely…One way or another."
"Sounds like you're plotting a robbery…" Ping grinned.
"Us?" Lilly, innocently. Pang trying to match…
….
"Let me get this straight…" Minister Hofstadter eyed her assistant…
"This 'Princess Anonymous' who came in out of the blue to sign up for tomorrow's procession to the gong is a Fowler princess…" she stared intently at the assistant who blanched a bit.
"Yes, be very sure…" she noted coldly.
"I think so…She definitely had the Fowler look to her…"
"But gave no personal info…" the Minister frowned.
"She wasn't required to…Not once she displayed her sword…It had a royal crest…"
"But you couldn't identify the crest as a Fowler…?"
"Too old, ma'am…It came from before the Houses of Fowler and Turandot separated.."
"Meaning she could even be a Turandot…" Beverly noted. "Some long-lost second or fifth cousin who wants to restore the family fortunes…"
"Why be 'Anonymous', then?" the assistant shook his head. "Why not get a leg up with the Dowager at least by claiming family status?"
"The Fowlers were put to death by imperial order over twenty five years ago. None survive but perhaps a few cousins…But I doubt they'd try this sort of thing…" she pondered.
"If she is a Fowler…Even a distant relation…Blood vengeance could be on her mind…"
"Even if she were…And was…I doubt a 'red wedding' is her plan, she being alone…There is however only one man who can confirm what happened to the Fowlers…The man who presided over their executions…" frown.
Hmmn…I don't know…She did have a rather large sword, Sally says. The assistant thought.
But hey…Done my duty…Reported my concerns…
"Take a message to Minister Gable hauser…" Beverly eyed the assistant.
…
Twilight…
Balcony of the royal apartments of Prince Turandot…
Sheldon emerging…
Reads… "'You murderous tyrant…May your foul soul die buried by the curses of your innocent victims.'"
As usual, no name…"
Sighing…Sings…
"I have lived for knowledge, I have lived to spread love,
I never wished harm to a living soul!
With a secret hand
I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of.
Fought to quiet my father's wrath
Always with true faith
my prayer
has risen to the holy shrines.
Always with true faith
I gave flowers to the altar.
I have sold my soul for peace.
In these hours of grief
why, why, o Gods,
why do you reward me thus?
I gave jewels for the goddess' mantle,
and I gave my philosophy to the stars, to heaven,
which smiled with more beauty.
In these hours of grief
why, why, father,
ah, why did you reward me thus?
Never to know love, never to be loved…Never to hear my love's name…My very name a curse…"
What Strange And Lovely Harmony
What strange and lovely harmony
of such different beauties!
How dark is she,
this ardent love of mine whom I do not know
And you, various beauties, long blonde and flowing tresses,
Red-haired and green eyed…Brown and grey…Who claim my love
One's eyes are sky blue, but my love's eyes are black-night.
Art, too, with it's many mysteries,
blends all together such different beauties.
But though I see so many others,
my only thought is you,
oh, my only thought is you,
My unknown you, is you!"
Princess Amy, wandering far below, staring up at the lighted balcony…
Tomorrow is the day…Tomorrow we'll meet again, at last…My love…She thought, staring up…
Standing, waiting…
It is You I Have Loved…
"There is something that I see
In the way you look at me
There's a smile, there's a truth in your eyes
But an unexpected way
On one unexpected day
Could it mean this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along
It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved all along
There were times I ran to hide
Afraid to show the other side
Alone in the night without you
But now I know just who you are
And I know you hold my heart
Finally this is where I belong
It is you I have loved all along
It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved all along
Over and over
I'm filled with emotion
Your love, it rushes through my veins
And I am filled
With the sweetest devotion
As I, I look into your perfect face
It's no more mystery
It is finally clear to me
You're the home my heart searched for so long
And it is you I have loved
It is you I have loved
It is you I have loved all along."
"Goodnight, my darling…" she breathed as the light about went out…