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Chapter Twenty-Three: Embassies and Attachés
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London Airpark
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October 1821
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Journalists are a rare and relentless breed. They are also, when all is said and told, stubborn and persistent. So it did happen that one of them, probably out of boredom or perhaps because someone pointed him at it, did have a look at the Chinese Embassy staff list and, since it was in English, had no difficulty to recognize what was a very famous name.
Aware that a herd of noisy, rambunctious idiots would give the individual members of the flock some kind of protection, said journalist chose to pay some old debts by sharing the information with a few of his colleagues.
Each one of them having a few friends to inform it was quite a mass of barking and flashing news people who was waiting behind the barricades the authorities, warned by some of the more reasonable journalists, had installed.
The first men to walk down the board was a pair of grim looking bodyguards who walked to the end of the board where they placed themselves on either side of it.
Second came a small rotund man whose rich silk clothes and huge golden fingernails were, for those who had some knowledge about China, testimony of his high status. He was literally dazzled by the photographers flashes but he still bowed and began to walk the gangway where a few members of the Palace Protocol were awaiting him.
A coach was advanced, and the Ambassador climbed in to be ushered away while his two guards took place behind the car. Not one journalist followed the coach and they all continued to monitor the airship's exit.
Another Chinese man came out and bowed to the assembled crowd. He was immediately followed by two women in western travelling clothes. One, the small one, Caucasian and the other one, tall even for European standards was obviously Asian with high cheekbones and grey slanted eyes.
For a moment, the crowd seemed wavering as if its members were not decided.
Then Hell broke out.
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- I'm not sure what really happened out there, said finally Zangson when they entered the Embassy. Was that a riot?
- Not in the strict sense of the term, answered Kathleen, it was more like a riotous race. Those journalists were all trying to outrace each other. It really looked, with all those vociferating people, running towards us like one. I hope there won't be consequences.
- Why would there be consequences? A mass of crazy people tried to get as us!
Sunteu seemed genuinely shocked.
- They attacked us! First, they tried to blind us and then they stormed us! I had no choice but to defend us. And I must insist that I took only mild defensive measures. I was very careful not to use lethal moves.
- You took down a score of them in less than half a minute.
- A good defense must be quick and show no frills. You can't give the aggressor a chance to attack a second time. You have to take him out with one blow or he'll try and overwhelm you. And once those behind have seen enough of those in the front get down, they usually run away.
She shrugged.
- As it happened!
She hissed her contempt.
- Those cowards didn't run away, they routed! The only ones who didn't flee were the ones behind those canons on the big coaches. All the others run for their lives.
She snickered.
- At least, after they were gone, we had no problems to get into the cars. It saved us time!
Zanson made no effort to hide his bright smile.
- They did, indeed rout! I had no idea of what you were capable of, dear Sunteu. I'm quite sure that even our Ambassador's brawny bodyguards wouldn't stand a chance against you.
Sunteu nodded.
- I agree, they are too rigid in their stance. Strong and impressive but no speed and no nimbleness, I could easily take them out would it be necessary.
She made a face.
- I would probably have to kill them, though. Those rowdies in the crowd were more or less weaklings; a light glancing hit was enough to take out most of them. And even those not taken out were frightened enough to retreat immediately. That's why I could take so many out in only a few flying moves. Common town people have not enough stamina to take hits.
- What type of combat is it that you used, asked Kathleen. I never saw anybody fight like that.
- It's called the Waving Wing! It's what I was taught during four years at the Temple. My father was taught the same fighting style. My master said that he was better than I because he was merciless. He wouldn't have held his punch back.
She sighed.
- I wasn't accepted for the last year's teaching which would have made an assassin of me… I was doomed to become a thief.
- You weren't doomed to anything, protested Kathleen. The Emperor did find out about you and gave you the means to live an honest life in China's service. Your life is here, now and I have no doubt that your family, after having heard about what happened at the Airpark will soon know about you and will want to see you.
Sunteu made a face to show her doubts in that matter.
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Spalatro, main television room.
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Jane looked at the screen and was unable to decide if she was angry or disappointed. Or perhaps she was both at the same time.
- Did they really call her Sunteu d'Arcy, asked Mary while looking at Charles?
- They could have mispronounced a Chinese name, answered Charles, but it did sound like the way 'd'Arcy' is pronounced. That's what Kitty heard and that's why we asked you all to come and see the little fighting bout.
- Whatever she is, she is a hell of an efficient fighter, said Maureen who had been summoned to see the information bout when it was, as awaited, broadcasted the following hour. I have never seen such a follow-up choreography of turning strikes.
She turned around and looked at Jane.
- He probably didn't know…
- The journalists knew, answered Jane. Don't make me believe that Ann had not been informed at the same time –or earlier- as those journalists. And if Ann knew, he knew. She doesn't hide things like that from him.
- That's not what I wanted to say, Jane. I believe he didn't know about her existence before the new Son of Heaven decided to send her to crowd us. Ann is probably looking into her as we speak. Nobody was probably expecting that she would draw attention to her by rooting a flock of greedy journalists in one cool bare-handed one woman offensive.
Gwenhyfar who was a dojo freak like her mother had cheered the whole time of the fighting bout.
- Is she another Aunt?
- Could be, answered Maureen. She's Asian but she could be a half-blood. We will have to be sure but it could be. She's the right age to have been born just after your father was forced to flee China. She could have been born when he was already gone for months.
She looked at Jane.
- It is not his fault and it is not hers!
Jane shook her head.
- I know, I know and I try very strongly not to be angry or disappointed, but I must admit that it is difficult. I don't like secrets. Trust is important for me, you know it.
- He wasn't keeping secrets from us. He just wanted to be sure before talking to us about her, I'm certain. Let's call him if you want to be sure… He won't lie to us.
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She believes it, that's all I'm sure of. But she could be wrong.
We've seen her, love, in close-up, she's a half-blood, there's no doubt on that circumstance.
Jane's thoughts' stream was a strong as usual and Maureen could feel that the hint of disappointment was no longer there. Geoff had clearly not tried to hide anything. He just wanted to be sure.
He was, they could feel his emotions very efficiently now, as sorry as he had pretended.
I'm not the only Westerner free to roam China, love. And Chinese women are a lot less strong minded than English country ladies or Irish freedom fighters. When a man of authority comes and gives orders, they obey even if it means bedding an ugly Westerner with a long monkey nose.
Her mother is the same woman you've bedded as a Concubine, came the weird thought stream they all could now recognize as Fluffy's.
It was not very different from Human thought but for a sort of burning hunger you could feel underneath.
Speedy had the same.
She's dead now so I was unable to make that ultimate verification, but it looks like she was born from her at a time where Meilin was still with you nine months before.
And Yonglin hasn't trumped it up?
No, he did look into your past and found out about your two Concubines but he was at least partially surprised to have been able to find what he believes to be your daughter. He sees it as the best ace in his hand.
And with that, said Maureen, he's right. We are not going to forget her being yours, Geoff. She's family.
She's a stranger, raised by strangers, protested Geoffrey. She's my blood but she has probably nothing in common with us.
She knows a lot about you. Her mother has spent her twelve first years telling her about your exploits and your qualities. Everything she knows about you is tainted in a golden heroic aura. You are for her the ultimate Hero stuff.
Poor girl, teased Maureen, she's in for a lot of disappointment.
We need to see her, said Jane. Even if she has been sent to get into our Household with afterthoughts, she's still probably Geoff's daughter. We've greeted Loudiv who still had her mother: we will certainly greet a girl who's alone and more than probably under this Chinese Puppet master's influence.
She's clearly a woman, protested Maureen. And she looks not like needing our help.
You were a woman too when I met you, love, and you were very much in need of help. Bravado only covers bloody wounds, it doesn't heal them.
Well, answered Maureen with a smile in her thoughts, it seems the problem will be taken into my dear sister's loving hands. Poor girl she doesn't know it yet but there's a wagonload of sticky love land-sliding in her direction…
Why sticky?
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-The Emperor was right we've just got an invitation to the palace, said Zangson.
He took the other letter and, once more, read it.
- Does it mean that we don't have to obey to the summon of the Royal Gendarmerie?
Sunteu shrugged without looking up from her study of the various London newspapers she had bought this very morning. The journalists were still there but not one had tried to intrude into her personal bubble.
- Don't we have diplomatic immunity?
- Not yet, answered Kathleen. It will be effective only after the King's approval and you beat the crap out of those journalists the moment you put your feet on British soil. Not yet protected by any immunity. We'll have to answer the summon.
- They attacked us, protested Sunteu, this time looking up. And they lie in those papers. They came at us first. And I don't know how Westerners react when a herd of shouting idiots armed with flashing weapons runs towards them.
- Probably by running back inside and shutting the door. Nobody here reacts by attacking…
- I didn't attack! I defended us! I'm no fearful peasant who runs just because there are a few attackers facing her.
- You were alone, and they were at least a hundred of them.
- And they ran, so I did the smart thing, didn't I?
- The efficient thing, I will agree, said Zangson. The smart one? I do have my doubts.
He pointed at the newspapers.
- Look at them: your picture is on the front page of every one of them. We wanted to be fast and get within your family's reach as soon as possible, but that was perhaps a little too fast.
- We've got an invitation to the Palace.
- It could be to send us home to China, said Zangson. You've clearly shown that you are a very dangerous young lady.
- I killed nobody! I could easily have!
- Your dance was impressive and rather beautiful to look at when not one of your targets, but it was clearly the dance of an extremely dangerous predator. Civilized people do fear predators. And they fear smart predators even more.
Sunteu pointed at Zangson.
- He says it wasn't a smart move so that shouldn't be a problem, should it?
Zangson and Kathleen exchanged amused looks. Sunteu was when all was said and told a peasant girl with all the qualities –kindness, hospitality and no qualms to say what she thought- and defaults –stubbornness and mistrust- the Chinese peasant had aplenty.
- We'll see, said Kathleen. Since nobody knows that you speak and understand English, I'll ask you not to react and to let me speak. I am the official translator of the Embassy and I speak for you; do we agree.
- If they lie… began Sunteu.
- You still don't answer in English! I speak with them; I translate, you answer, I translate. So, we gain time to think about the answers we must give them. And don't hesitate to make long comments! I won't translate everything, but I want them to believe that Chinese is a longwinded and verbose language.
She made a head sign while pointing at the summon.
- When do we need to be there?
- In an hour… The Embassy's coach is ready.
- Let's got, then! Take the invitation to the Palace. Should we be unable to convince them, they should nevertheless let us go see the King. I don't know a Public Servant ready to go against a superior's wish.
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They had been waiting on not very comfortable chairs in the Kensington Gendarmerie building for a quarter of an hour when a group of four men –two fattish self-important looking ones and two brawny with threatening looks- came towards them.
The oldest of the chubby men made a precise and low bow in the direction of Sunteu and soon repeated the same to Zangson and her.
- I'm Reginald Wilkins, said he while bowing.
He pointed at his partner.
- This is James O'Shaw, my aide, and we are His Grace's lawyers in England. We are incredibly pleased to meet Geoffroy d'Arcy's eldest daughter. Madame d'Arcy called us this morning to be at Miss d'Arcy's side should the authorities insist on being troublesome.
He looked at Kathleen.
- Are you only the translator or have you other duties within the Embassy?
- I'm the translator but I indeed have other duties within the Embassy, but legal counsel isn't one of them. Not when it comes to English laws.
Wilkins nodded.
- The laws here are quite the same than in America, at least in that part of America that is currently British, said Wilkins who knew his accents. So, we will, if you agree, take the interview into our hands.
He pointed at O'Shaw.
- Mr. O'Shaw understands Mandarin even if he is not very fluent in speaking it. So, he will have the possibility to translate discreetly everything you haven't deemed necessary to let the police authorities know.
- You have collaborators who speak Mandarin?
- We have one of them… We choose our partners for their knowledge in laws and doctrine but when we have the choice between one who speak only European languages and one who has a more exotic one to propose, it's always the latter who's chosen. Each one of the people who work with us is also fluent in one other language. Or as in the case of Mr. O'Shaw who is better in Malaysian than Mandarin, in more than one. We've seen a great deal of strangers coming to London these last years and we do what is in our power to reduce the numbers of people who have to know what has happened to one of our clients. We know the power and the value of being discreet.
He looked up and made a 'come nearer sign' to one of the Gendarmes standing in the corridor.
The man frowned but did nevertheless come nearer.
- We would need one of the outer offices to speak with our client before the interview. Could you, please specify us if there is one of them that's free?
- None of the outer offices is currently in use, Sir. I would propose the 'one'…
- I don't think the 'one' is suitable, Sergeant. If I remember well it's one of those that have those smart inner listening devices. We will use the two or the three which have not, last I heard, yet been equipped. Could you be so kind as to inform the investigator in charge of the inquiry that Miss d'Arcy and the team of Wilkins, Tremble and Kurton are currently preparing the interview in room two?
He bowed politely.
- Thousands of thanks.
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- So much for the surprise interview, sighed Michael Dore, the chief investigator of the Kensington Gendarmerie. With Wilkings himself at her side we won't learn anything.
- What is there to learn?
Hisz aide, Mike Walker was the investigator in charge of the Airpark incident and his opinion was already made.
He was one of the new guard, interested by what the Company's scientists had been able to discover about ways to track traces on crime scenes and impatient to use those discoveries to get at the misfits who, till now, had been able to get away with their crimes.
He was also one of those rare police officers who believed that being fit and brawny was an important part of the job. He was still young, and he wasn't sure that he would be of the same opinion ten years in the future but for now he was sure of it.
- A bunch of journalists has been trashed down by a foreigner who does not like to be crowded and assaulted. I hope you will, someday, get us a teacher who's able to teach us how to deal with bullies the smooth way she did. Not one of them seriously injured and yet the whole flock halfway to Gretna Green before she was done! I'd love to be able to do those moves. There are dancers at the opera who look clumsier.
- She's been summoned to see the King. She could kill him with one move and his bodyguards wouldn't have time to react.
- Why would she do that? She's, for what we heard, his sister!
- My brother hates my guts and would gladly kill me if he wasn't convinced that I would have you get him! He's still my brother. She's a Chinese agent and the King is without a direct heir.
- He has two younger brothers in the direct succession line and there are rumors that his father has found a hand to hand combat teacher for his children. Seems that with the right motivation certain tasks are not so difficult as certain pretend…
- Ask her if she knows a teacher who would agree to come here! I've looked everywhere and, with my means, which have nothing to do with those of the d'Arcys, I was unable to find a volunteer.
- No problem, I'll ask her. Among a lot of other things.
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- The fact that you had immunity or not, is of no importance. Most of my clients don't have immunity and I still get them out of the clutches of the justice. Those braindead journalists were clearly trespassing and even if it is frowned at when citizens take justice into their own hands, there was no alternative for you since the mob had broken through the cordoning Gendarmes.
Wilkins smiled at Sunteu.
- They had evidently been too lax and didn't send enough people. Should they unwisely insist we will launch a procedure to get the head of the London Prefect for dereliction of duty! We won't get his head, of course, but it will keep their legal staff going for quite a long time. Time they will no longer have to bother you. I really hope to have them grovel for forgiveness before the end of the morning.
He snickered.
- I've heard that some of the journalists have hired lawyers to get you to pay them compensation for what they have endured. They will regret having tried it. We will get them condemned for trespassing and we will milk them and their newspapers like the idiots they are. We'll make you rich and feared before the end of the month.
- So, we say nothing?
- No, you let me speak while I describe the situation. The Police action had clearly been underwhelming and they have been overwhelmed. It could have been a lot bloodier had Miss d'Arcy not been perfectly self-controlled and easy on the attackers. If there is anyone to be hold responsible, apart from the crappy journalists, it's the police that had no idea how to handle the situation.
He smiled at his clients.
- We'll get ten minutes and then they'll drown us under abject excuses, don't worry.
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The interview had been an unpleasant formality.
Wilkins had pointed at the gendarmes' failures and mistakes and had praised the perfect self-control of the victim who had managed to clear the crowd away without any major injury to anybody.
And after ten minutes of what had been the Police's trial, the Chief had walked them out while profusely justifying the department's mistakes.
Just as they were about to walk out of the building, having been abandoned by the rest of the Gendarmerie's staff, he decided that he wouldn't get another chance.
- Could you ask Miss d'Arcy if she'd accept to teach us her hand to hand combat style?
The translator looked at him and, after a second, did translate.
The answer was immediate and as all their answers rather long-winded.
- She asks if you have four hours a day for the next ten years to commit to said training.
He smiled at the answer.
- If she's the teacher, I'm sure I'd find the time…
The translator looked him up and shook her head.
- Sorry but I'm not going to translate what has clearly nothing to do here.
- I beg to differ, answered Mike, since I don't see any other chance to have her know what I think, it's the moment or never and it is probably not your business at all to decide what she needs to hear or not.
The translator nodded once more and finally said a few words to Miss d'Arcy who looked at him, frowned a second before nodding in silence.
He was just beginning to consider that he wouldn't get his answer when she finally spoke.
- She says that a wise man does not try to build a house on a sandy underground.
- Since wisdom is not in the least what's important in matters that belong to the heart, I'd just answer that if the underground of the place I want to build my house is sandy I'll just have to build steadier and more profound foundations.
The translator couldn't help but laugh.
- Who said there's no wisdom in those matters?
- I didn't say there's no wisdom, just that wisdom is not what's important…
This time there was no answer and they all climbed into the Embassy coach.
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- Where is she?
- Private waiting room, answered William to his sister who arrived from Samarkand the day before more or less in Fluffy's company.
Betty frowned at her brother.
- That's the one with a real mirror, isn't it?
- It's a private audience, so it has to be the private waiting room, said William with a smile. You'll see her at the same time she sees us. I have summoned the Court Photographer, he will shoot a few pictures to be send to the rest of the family.
He looked at the clock at his wrist.
- Five minutes and we'll see her.
Betty nodded and walked around her brother's large desk with the multicolored marble plate. It was an heirloom from old but she liked it, always had even when Uncle Fitzwilliam had the chair. She had spent long interesting hours listening from beneath.
She wondered if she should hide like in old days.
- You believe that she's our sister?
William made the non-committal smile he had learned from the Regent. Warm and friendly but that gave no indication about the taken decision or the emotions felt.
- There was always a chance that father's stopover in China had not ended without letting some traces behind him. She could really be. We have proof enough that Papa is very able to beget children with a willing partner. The fact that he believed his concubines were happy not bearing his children could have been a mistake.
He winked at his sister.
- Women are renowned to be sly and dissimulative, aren't they?
- As much as men are renowned to be blunt and easy to manipulate… retorted Betty with her 'don't try me you'll lose' smile she knew could liquefy MazymKhan's resolutions like butter in the sun.
Will, even having had a lot more training in his youth, still wasn't better armed against it.
He smiled and pointed towards the door.
- Let's see in what category our newest would-be family member can be included!
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Sunteu and Kathleen were waiting in one of those strange rooms with way too much furniture.
They knew that two people were awaited why put half a dozen of those silkily comfortable chairs in the room. Didn't they have enough servants?
She had seen a lot of them. More than she would have thought necessary.
Or were they short of storing room?
The Palace was indeed tiny when compared to the space the huge complex of the Forbidden City gave the Emperor.
And why put transparent glass in windows to cover them up with translucent cloth? Why not simply sand the glass?
She forced herself to look at the room and wonder. This was a foreign civilization and she had no reason to believe that the Chinese way of doing things was better or even more efficient. The past and dead people had forced those different traditions on them, and they had just taken them off without thinking about them or wondering if they still had a use.
She was just imagining what could be done to merge some of those different ways, when the door slid open –no, no sliding doors in England, they used hinges which was cheap but not very practical especially considering the westerners absurd love for putting furniture everywhere. But that was perhaps the real reason, doors with hinges were limiting the wall space that could be covered with furniture, after all, so because of the doors with hinges they were obliged to let some walls uncovered?
A man came in, bowed to them and made the Western hand gesture meaning to push you to follow.
- My Ladies, His Majesty the King is awaiting you!
Kathleen stood and made a very small head bow to acknowledge the words and prompted Sunteu to do the same. Which she did. She was here on an important mission, she wasn't here to antagonize anyone, not even the door opening and guiding servant.
One minute later they were ushered in a large and almost empty room with large cloth-less windows showing the superb and warm colors of trees whose leaves were no longer nourished.
The King wasn't alone, he was in company of his sister Elizabeth, the wife of the Khazak scoundrel who had, these last years, refused to pay the tiny tribute China was asking from their mountain shepherds. She was probably the cause for said refusal.
Sunteu followed Kathleen's suit and made a ridiculously short bow in direction of the King who answered with a pleased smile.
- Thank you for having accepted my invitation, Ladies. Welcome in the King of England's humble abode.
He pointed at his sister.
- In the very unexpected case you don't know her, this is Elizabeth, my sister. She insisted on being here since one of you is a very efficient Martial Artist Master and she believes that my own training is not at par with what said Master has shown the day before yesterday. She's of course here out of curiosity but is using the façade of her experience as a bare-hand fighter as her excuse to be present.
Sunteu couldn't help it but while listening to the man's words –her brother's words- her eyes had strayed to the girl –her sister, she would have to accept the facts- to look at her stance, her hands and her eyes. This girl believed herself an adequate Martial Artist, and it was probably true against Mountaineers and fat Aristocrats, but Sunteu doubted very much that she could stand even a few seconds against a real motivated fighter. Had she been here to kill the King, he would already be dead.
She had to force herself to give the illusion that she was listening to Kathleen's translation while surveying both her brethren.
- Please take seats, and let's speak about the reason of your presence. We are all –and the herd of Journalists awaiting you is proof enough that when I say 'all' I don't mean only all the family members- so, I repeat it, we are all very impatient to know why you are here and why the Yonglin Emperor had seen it fit to send you to us.
Once more Kathleen translated and Sunteu made a great show to let her face show emotions she would never have shown normally but Westerners were –for the most of them- unable to hide their feelings. It had been decided that they would show emotions while interacting with them.
It was bothersome and clumsy but her earlier teachings, when she still had not been expelled of the assassin curses, had included showing false emotions. She hadn't used them very often, but she still was able to master them, especially for half-blind Westerners.
This time it would be necessary to answer. No reason to hide the reason she had been sent here. The faster she got the message over and the faster the Embassy's diplomats could enter the dance and broker the wished-for Treaty.
- I'm here because the Yonglin Emperor believes that my blood ties with our common father would be the best way to get an interview with you within the smallest timeframe. And once I'm in your presence he'd asked me to convey the wish of the Empire to enter an Alliance with Grand Great Britain. If possible, an Alliance like the one you have with France…
Bluntness was not one of the cardinal virtues of Diplomacy and the King's reaction did show his surprise. Westerners were indeed too easy to read.
She would have to teach him to control his facial muscles. He was, they had the same eyes and her nose and Elizabeth's were similar, her brother after all. It was unhealthy to have one's brother so easy to read.
- I must admit that I hoped that China would have sent you to address the current difficult issues both our countries do live but I must admit that I wouldn't have hoped for a treaty proposal quite now. I was hoping it would happen in one or two generations after having learned to trust each other…
Kat went through the translation protocol and Sun used the time to study her siblings.
- I'm here to help you understand China. I'm not to come home again. Not to live there. The Emperor won't refuse me to visit but now that he knows my blood ties, he intends to use them for China's advantage. And me being here at the center of the Power, I will be able to mitigate misunderstanding and to inform the Yonglin Emperor of what is happening here.
- She's here to spy… hissed Elizabeth.
Kathleen chose not to translate the sister's comment.
Of course, I'm here to spy, thought Sunteu, for what other reason would Yonglin have sent me here? Are Westerners really so naïve?
- She's here to serve China, said William, and the best service she can render China is of course to inform the Emperor of every nascent tricky problem. If he does not know about it nothing will be possible. To give us both the time to think about acceptable solutions for our countries we must have reliable sources. He's the ruler of a mighty Empire that is, if he does not do something very quickly, will go down the crapper within the next decade. So, he did send us a reliable source he knows we are not going to eliminate because we are delicate and sensible Westerners.
He smiled at Sunteu.
- Smart and appreciated move since it gives us the opportunity to meet our eldest elder sister.
Once more she stopped to let Kathleen translate and was surprised to see too golden eyes looking at her from under the desk. She had only heard descriptions and seen pictures, but she knew that she was looking at an immensely powerful Demon. A Demon could change everything in its appearance but the nuance of his eyes' color. They were and would stay between Gold and Sulfur and, when you were looking at them, they were slowly pulsing between both colors, sign that they were living in two reality levels at the same time.
Not true at all, it is difficult for newly arrived demons, I'll concede it, but old experienced ones like me can change everything.
And to prove it the eyes became blue and the pulsing disappeared.
You see? Welcome to the family, you are now entitled to my protection…
She couldn't help it but stand up, walk behind the armchair and finger the protection ward against Demons.
William followed the direction of her eyes and fingers and sighed.
- I see you've met Fluffy, my sister's animal companion.
Sunteu looked up and frowned at her half-brother.
- That's no animal companion, that' a Demon, hissed Sunteu, and he says you are under his protection.
- So, you understand and speak English, said Elizabeth, I thought I had seen you react before you've gotten the translation! That's cool we will be able to speak without a translator.
Elizabeth shifted to an accented but very fluent Mandarin.
- We could have anyway but with English you'll be able to speak with mamma, and she'll be ecstatic not to have to use her feeble Mandarin in a conversation. She's learning but languages are papa's strength, not hers. She will learn it soon enough I'm sure of it but if she can do it in a more leisurely fashion, she'll prefer.
Sunteu couldn't help it but cry out her frustration!
- There's a Demon under your desk!
Said Demon came out of under the desk with her best imitation of feline sensual moves.
Not any longer…
- We prefer call her –it's a she by the way- Nightcrawler, said Elizabeth, and under desks and beds are her favorite places when studying people.
William frowned at his sister while Kathleen looked the rather big cat come towards her and rub herself against her calves. And it was exactly as it had been the last time a cat asked to be cuddled.
She couldn't resist and her hand was soon stroking the purring brown and cream pussycat.
- I would have preferred that Fluffy's existence wouldn't be broadcasted literally to the other side of the world.
Betty shrugged disparagingly.
- China's Emperors have dabbled in Demonology for centuries, Willy, they know…
- But they didn't know that your favorite feline was one of them…
Elizabeth shrugged once more like the teenager she still was.
- Let him know, what's the problem?
You should stop speaking of me, emitted Fluffy, I've erased the memories of dear Kathleen here, but it would be for nothing should you go on speaking about my true self.
Her thoughts focused on Sunteu.
And I'm quite sure the Emperor does not need to be informeld that I exist and that I am a friend of the family! We already met, him and me, and he knows that he is Emperor because I dabbled with his brothers' brains. He was not happy about it, but he didn't complain either. At least not to me. We have a working relation; he and I, no need to have him believe that I did it on orders from here. I did it to protect friends and to eliminate the risk to have other Demons called to work for foolish priests who had no idea what they were doing and not because I was ordered to do it. I'm a free willed creature who's at nobody's orders.
Sunteu looked at Kathleen who was busy stroking the friendly cat purring happily while rolled up in her lap. A more or less ecstatic smile was adorning her lips.
- She's a very friendly pet, and I must say that Fluffy is a very accurate name for her, indeed. Her pelt is awesomely silky. One could spend hours stroking her.
One could indeed, enjoying every second of it and forgetting completely about what's happening around one…
Fluffy went on a general broadcast.
Yonglin Emperor was asking for a Treaty, wasn't he? Shouldn't you focus on that important matter and not on a poor little creature like me?
Sunteu looked at her half-sister, her stare very accusing indeed.
- She's manipulating you, don't you see?
- I don't think so, answered Betty. She could if she wanted but she won't. We agree that she has means we don't and we always listen to her arguments. But, in the end, in matters that belong to Humans, Humans have the last say. And said Humans live with the consequences of their decisions.
And I really don't give a damn if they follow my advice or not. In the end, it's not my problem. I'm just a counsellor or, sometimes, only a messenger. As you know I'm at the same time on this side of the veil and on the other. But unlike my summoned brethren who are chained to this side, I'm free to go back and mind my Demoniac affairs on my side of the veil as often as I want. I don't need to rule here, should I want to rule over my kind, I'm free to do it on the other side.
- She's right, said William, let's go back to the reason of your presence here, today. Your Emperor wants a Treaty and I must admit that I'm not against finding a way to have friendlier relations with China.
- Until now there were no relations with China, reminded Elizabeth. They just ignored us.
- Which is no longer the case, said Sunteu while never letting the Demon out of her sight. I'm here to propose normalization and, if possible, friendship.
Relax, I'm too well to even consider moving… You should consider a massage; it does wonder when you feel tight and stringed up…
William invited her to sit back in her chair and did the same behind his desk. Elizabeth climbed on the desk's table and sat on the corner nearest to Sunteu, ignoring her brother's Royal frown.
- And, said William finally, Grand Great Britain has a tradition of open-mindedness and indulgence when it comes to mingle with foreign Nations. I won't deny that your Emperor's proposition is welcome and that, should we agree on terms for a Treaty, it would simplify a lot of people's lives.
- Yonglin Emperor has been very aware these last years that his Country was slowly but steadily losing the race for World Supremacy. He's aware that China's been late in realizing the situation, but he believes it is still possible to fill up the gap that, at present, separates England and China.
William was sitting behind his desk and Sunteu could only notice that when wearing his Royal persona his face was a lot less readable than when in a family mood. It was still too open but a lot less than before. She would still have to propose him her teachings. A ruler who was too easy to read was a risk for his people…
I am probably not innocent in this matter. I'm very open when it comes to share other people's secrets with the family…
Sunteu who had learned to be as impassible as a stone, didn't let see that she was annoyed.
Don't you have something else to do than spy on my mind?
I do but my schedule is rather lax today! I'll do it later in the day when you're with your stepmother.
I'm seeing my step-mother?
You are seeing your step-mothers to be more accurate. The family is, as we speak, in approach of London Airpark. And there is no journalist in a five hundred yards radius. They will climb out of their hidey-holes when they have confirmation that you are nowhere in sight.
Should I go and wait for them at the Airpark?
She felt the Demon's mirth.
I'd love it but Jane wants to mend the gap you've opened with the journalists. So, you wouldn't be the best surprise. She'll be here at the Palace before the dinner. It depends on how long she needs to stroke all the ruffled feathers back in place.
What happened was their fault!
I agree but it is always better to smooth things out before real anger rises. And Jane is the perfect Lady to stroke ruffled feathers back in place.
I
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