"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 LXXX…
"A Byzantine agent killed in the main plaza?" Pong looked at the attendant bearing the not entirely unexpected but troubling news. Honoria showing no evidence of concern, though glancing over…
"But Sheldon…The Prince His Highness…Is all right?"
"Yes. It doesn't seem to have been an attack, sir. The agent was simply in the crowd and noticed."
"Sorry…" Pong turned to Honoria. "Hope he wasn't another close friend…But I suppose you're used to using and losing 'little people'."
"Like your good friend the Prince." She noted quietly, calm stare.
"Touche…But I didn't mean to mock. I am sorry for anyone dying in this." Pong sighed.
"The Minister Pang urges you to be on guard with the lady…Her people are likely all about." The attendant noted. "And Minister Ping is on his way to assist you."
"Turandot sent him, eh?" Pong smiled.
"I believe it was the Prince's order, sir, yes."
"I don't like seeing Turandot's security reduced…Tell Pang not to send anyone else. Her Highness is behaving herself…In exchange for her chance to rejoin the Trials and the safety of any of her people caught not doing violence." Glance at Honoria who gave wry smile.
So masterful a husband I got…
"Sir?"
"Just tell Minister Pang and the Prince…And tell Ping if you see him on your return that we're fine here…"
"You can tell them the Princess Honoria personally swears to these terms…" Honoria spoke up. "And appreciates Turandot's graciousness in granting her request." Emphasis on the "granting" with smile to Pong who calmly eyed her.
"What she said…" Pong nodded. "Better get going and thanks for the warning. Watch out heading back."
"Sir." The attendant bowed and hurried off, back down the Hallway.
"I don't have agents in every corner, Pong. He'll be fine." Honoria noted.
"From you, maybe not the others…" shrug.
"Thank you…" she gave faint smile. "That's kind."
…
"Mary…" Meemaw, escorted by Turandot and Pang…The blacksmith and Vlad just behind, guarded…Though guards keeping close watch on the elder Empress as she ascended the stairs to the Pavilion…Attendants trying to maintain calm poise. Turandot quietly ordering one to fetch the Empress a suitable robe.
Maintain poise, Pang…Lilly's look urged. As she tried to maintain her own from her spot by Gablehauser, looking to Mary for any orders.
As in a quiet, quick arrest? Immediate execution? Pleasantly introducing herself?
"Sketch, sketch…" Tycho, behind a phalanx of guards on the stage, prodding two of his sketch artists feverishly drawing the moment for Posterity.
Should the Empress and her son and the rest of the government allow such…Natch…
Still, we might at least be allowed to store the records, for the distant future…Turandot having some commitment to the truth…When it's possible in said distant future to reveal it.
Lady Cassandra desperately questioning the guards she could reach for any information…Ah!
"Minister Hofstadter! A word!" she raced to intercept Beverly just stepping onto the Pavilion stairs with her guards. Beverly frowning but pausing…
One must, after all, maintain a good relationship with the press beyond intimidation and execution…
And I really need a moment to collect myself…I run out demanding the old crone's head be severed at once and the Dowager is annoyed, merely at the presumption, and Turandot sure to view it as rather harsh in his future bride…
Yes, one can already see the seeds of reunion there…She sighed at the sight of Turandot beaming at Meemaw.
There's Eric…Looking smug as if he'd planned this.
Nah, no way…Even if he was Head of Security then…He's always been on the "kill the old biddy and silence her opposition" team. She's always been his opponent on the Regency Council since he hunted down her best friend, Queen Margaret. He's got nothing to gain from her return…
Still…He did fail to kill Amy. And he's no fool…That sort of slip-up just doesn't seem like him.
Now, Siebert…She frowned.
Just possibly…He never openly opposed her though he went along with her deposition and exile and the death sentence…As he always goes along, with everything.
And he's not here…Always a danger sign.
"An amazing turn of events…" she noted to Cassandra, composing herself.
Oh, damn…She'd caught sight of the others with Meemaw.
That idiot Vlad's been seized? No wonder Eric is giving me that know-it-all look. He never thought much of the provocation idea. Though he gave the fool too much credit, thought he could be dangerous if he got too big with the People and all…
Yes, really a need to ponder events. Which she repeated with smile to Cassandra as a quotable comment.
"Mother-in-law…" Mary rose dutifully and bowed.
"Thanks for not having me executed on sight." Meemaw smiled as she stepped forward to offer a cheek for a quick peck. A guard nervously moving to intervene, withdrawing in haste at Turandot's frosty stare.
Law enforcement used to be so easy…Just grab em, drive a sword through if they give you trouble or seeming threatening…Government would back you up…
Next thing you know it'll be Athens…With the government telling us we gotta inform them of their rights before arrest…
And a doctor watching during torture to see we keep in bounds…I tell ya…Things are headed for the crapper…Absolute monarchy, my ass…As she stepped back, sheathing her sword.
"Shelly would have been hurt." Mary noted. "How are you?"
"Not too bad for one hiding for twenty years…" Meemaw shrugged. Thanks, dear…To an attendant bringing her a ceremonial robe. "Lets hope it still fits, eh?" smile as the attendant helped her put it on.
"A throne for the Empress!" Sheldon ordered.
"No…Please…Not that." Meemaw, chuckling with wave of hand. "My fanny is used to comfortable chairs and rocks now, don't put me in one of those things. Just a chair, there, honey." She called to the guard moving to fetch throne. "And for my friend there…" she indicated the blacksmith.
Hmmn…She looked round.
No Penny and that Minister of hers? And Minister Pong, the cleverer one, gone off, too?
"Pang? Isn't it?" she turned to Pang now beside the Prince anxiously looking for Lilly…
The one person in the Empire who might match the old lady for wiles if she is up to something…
I know we have an agreement with the lady via Pong and a plan of sorts which I sorta support despite having had no real input to the negotiations but…After all…I am charged with the Prince's safety. And I know how Lilly must feel about the last descendant of a slaughtered House and an exiled Empress working together, how much I'm for true love winning out, if it can…
I mean even I, romantic that I am, can see there might just possibly be a vengeance motive involved here. Not that I don't want to believe Amy loves Turandot, crazy as that seems...And Pong in confiding to me the whole crazy scheme with Lady Penny, had his doubts too.
Poor Pong…Shaking head at the thought…The least likely of us to be taken…Or so it seemed.
Gods…Scheming Senior Ministers…Byzantine assassins…Castilians and Borneans too…Diplomatic intrigue, political maneuvering, murders, dangerous and endangered princess…How did I ever get into this?
Mama always warned me to stay out of politics.
Though Trade didn't exactly end well for me as a career…
Well, there is friendship, he reflected…And there is true love, I refuse to abandon the notion…As well…
Not all bad…Though likely to all end in tears any way you look at it. With Amy and us likely on the chopping block even if true love prevails over anger and hate.
"Yes, your Majesty." He nodded to the Empress.
Oops…As Mary and Turandot eyed him.
I don't think I'm supposed to be on even casually friendly terms with her.
"He'd no idea who I was…Just assisted what he thought was an elderly widow the other evening." She hastily noted.
Phew…If anyone buys it, he thought.
"Indeed." Mary, coolly. "You must tell us more, Minister."
"Later, Mother…" Turandot cut in, firmly.
"Come and meet the princesses, Grandmama…" he extended a hand.
Oh, Gods…Thanks…Pang breathed a sigh.
Lilly now coming to his side, looking to the Dowager who'd summoned her…
"What?" she eyed Pang.
"Just so nice to see the family reunited…" he noted, a bit lamely. She giving him stern look but hurrying over to the Dowager's side.
Gods…Ambassador Hyman stared. The grand ole dame herself…Back? Alive? Ow! He winced as Mala's grip on his arm tightened.
"The grandmother? What does it mean, Hy…Ambassador?" she hissed. "Are the Trials over? Are we screwed?"
"Not at all…" he noted, confidently.
I pray…
Ok, just be firm and threaten a bit, as a good diplomat should…Should there be any talk of ending the damned thing…
Wish DePays were here…Strength in numbers and all that…
Well, worst comes to worst…We demand recompense, threaten war for form's sake…And run for the Suitor Protection Program before Mala's dad can get his hands on us.
Or Buruan…
Not that I don't think my Prince and potential bro-in-law wouldn't make a fine replacement for his mad, savage dad if his revolt succeeds. But he'd need to establish marital alliances and Mala is his best shot after himself.
"Don't worry…It's just a family thing." He whispered to Mala's worried face. "Just follow my lead and be polite to the lady, without commitment."
"Grandmother…" Isabella, quick bland look to Mala…Rising with fond smile to the Empress from her chair, curtsying with respectful look before resuming her seat at gracious nod from Meemaw.
Two can play at this game, bitch…And a Castilian is always willing to throw a "Hail, Mary".
…
"If your Highness could see his way clear to just a brief report on these astounding events…" Tycho, urgently at Sheldon's elbow...Or as close as the multiple guards and his bulk would let him… "The People should be informed of such threats as well as such remarkable events." Turandot, seated in his throne, eyeing him a bit wearily. Pang standing by him.
"Well…Mother?" Sheldon looked to Mary on her own. Lilly now beside her.
Mary turning from frowning at Princess Amy…
Like I believe you never met Mother-in-Law before that greeting just now. The look on your face when she came up to you…
There's something going on here…And while completely understandable that you and Mother-in-Law might seek revenge…It's something I intend to crush before it strikes at my baby. Even if I can't believe Meemaw would ever harm Sheldon.
Besides, it's still the Law…My husband's Law…And while I'll soon have to bow to Emperor Turandot's will, for now I'm the head honcho of the Regency and I'm an old-fashioned girl who believes in doing as my husband decreed and my ministers suggest as being for the good of the Empire.
It's nothing personal, Mother-in-Law…
Well, maybe just a bit…
"If it keeps rumor down…But no mention of that revolutionary or details about Honoria. We don't want sympathy generated. Tycho?" she eyed the Newsreader coolly. "Facts first but keep it limited. Just tell them there's been a couple of remarkable events leading to the…Pardon?" she eyed Sheldon.
"Couldn't we say…Exoneration?" he suggested. "People do like happy endings…" Meemaw smiling from her just taken seat.
"Fine." Sour look. "Temporary…Exoneration of the Empress who'd been in hiding to find the evidence of her innocence...Pending revelation of said evidence. And no, you do not get to see it or discuss it." Stern look to Tycho and a somewhat disappointed Cassandra beside him. Attendants at his side ready to assist him to his platform.
"And a plot by a foreign power, namely Byzantium, to put an evil and scheming former Suitor into power." Mary grimaced.
Oh, my…Tycho, beaming…
"Complete with several murders of devoted servants and spies…"
Oh, wow…Cassandra, eyes bulging.
"That should end tonight in a mass execution…" Mary, nodding firmly.
The usual…Tycho nodded. Still, this will be the story of the year even if we can't give the details…
"Mother…" Sheldon sighed. "We can't execute Honoria…"
"We'll have a trial…And she's not the first royal executed in California for far less." Mary, sternly.
And won't be the last, if that "evidence" doesn't convince me. And Lilly and my people uncover other "evidence" suggesting collusion between the Fowler princess and the old Empress.
That kind of intrigue also sells…She eyed Tycho.
"Mary…While my young friend and I have curbed the people a bit…" Meemaw spoke up.
"Are you threatening your grandson's government, Mother-in-law?" Mary stared grimly. Meemaw returning.
"You know I'm not." Firmly. "But the people are angry and tired of the killing of the princesses. If you execute one just back from the dead…"
"A murderess…" Mary frowned. "Out to kill your grandson and my baby."
And we both know I'm not just talking about Princess Honoria, eyeing Meemaw grimly.
"She could have killed me easily several times…" Turandot spoke up. "Honoria's not about killing me though she wants revenge." Glancing over to where Amy was eyeing the royal group anxiously.
"Guard? Put more men to guard the Princess Anonymous." Sheldon ordered. "And the other Suitors, of course."
"Sire." Bow.
"So we do what? Let her return to Byzantium? Just like that?" Mary glared.
Or to Maine and the throne room in the similar cases…?
"I would, if she'd go. She won't."
"Put her on a boat. Preferably leaky. With guards. She'll go." Mary insisted.
And I could see her having one or two companions…
"Mom." Turandot sighed.
"Now we don't prosecute spies and murderers?" she eyed him. "Not to mention…" pause.
"Traitors?" Meemaw, rather amused.
"George declared you one, not I." Mary, angrily. "If Sheldon wishes to pause the sentence, I've said I'll agree, pending evidence to clear you."
"Do you really believe I would betray my own son…Or my far more lovable grandson?" Meemaw eyed her. "You know what my son was, Mary."
"He had to be firm…" Mary shook head. "Enemies all about him and even his followers ready to turn on him if he faltered."
"The boy was firm…I'll grant him that." Meemaw shrugged. "But he'd lost his balance and we should have stopped him."
"Now that is treason…" Mary frowned.
"Mother…" Turandot, sighing.
"George did what he had to do…I didn't like a lot of it but he was building an empire." Mary shook head. "You had no right to challenge him in public, give his critics ammunition."
"I couldn't go along with his wilder acts…Including the execution of that poor girl's family, in particular my dear friend Margaret."
"He gave them a chance. They plotted against him." Mary, firmly. "They could have given up Maine and lived privately as nobles. They pledged to."
"Margaret didn't. But she would simply have fled and defied him honorably. That boy of mine lost his head. And something of his heart…" Meemaw shook her head sadly.
"That's not true…" Mary, desperately. "He loved you and you betrayed him, arguing against him in Council, condemning his actions…"
"They deserved to be condemned. He was too afraid of criticism, even counsel. A brilliant warrior and administrator, a good ruler at the start but he was too fearful that what he'd built wouldn't last. He threw away the love of the People and it killed him in the end, as I warned him it would."
"A mob of ungrateful maniacs killed him!" Mary fumed.
"Ladies! Mother! Enough!" Turandot cried putting up a hand. "I've ruled for now and Meemaw is exonerated until the Imperial Council meets and discusses the situation."
"I could overrule you, boy." Mary frowned. "You're not Emperor yet."
"Mother…Don't make this a struggle between us." Sheldon eyed her.
"I've said I wouldn't. I won't. But I won't hear talk against your father."
"Meemaw's said her peace…You're provoking it." Turandot insisted. "Meemaw? Please? No more talk of Father."
"Until my trial?" Meemaw smiled. "Certainly."
"There's no need for that…" Mary frowned. "If you'll simply agree not to challenge George's law and respect his memory. Turandot and I can see to it the Council accepts our view of things."
"Thanks, Mom." Turandot nodded. "Meemaw?"
"I never hated him, Mary." Meemaw eyed the Dowager. "I grieved for him when he died. I simply believed there was better in him. Yes, I can accept your conditions." She nodded.
"Wow…" Cassandra stared. She and Tycho listening with bated breath.
"No details…" Mary eyed them. "Just deliver it as a nice family story."
And a quiet funeral later to wrap things up, if I find evidence. She is an old girl who's been through a lot of stress, after all. Things happen.
And I have the help to make things happen…If the evidence warrants…
"With pleasure, your Highness…" Tycho beamed. "After all, that's what it is. But as to the Princess Honoria…?"
"No way are you getting an interview there, Ty." Mary eyed him sternly. "I understand it's a major story but we are not giving her a pulpit to win over sentimental idiots."
"No, Majesty…" Tycho nodded… "But my real point was, is she not to be executed or severely punished?"
"I want to issue her a pardon, if she'd take it." Sheldon offered.
"Not very respectful to the Dead, son." Mary frowned. "She ought to face some punishment."
"I do have to agree with Mary here, Moonpie." Meemaw nodded. "The girl was out to do you harm…" glance to Amy.
And I believe I know in what form…
"Pong has her in the Third Hall, taking her back to the last point in the Procession." Turandot, thoughtfully.
"She ought to be brought here…At least interrogated properly by Agent Lilly." Mary insisted. "Who knows how many agents she has about? Or what her real plans are? That fellow Pong may be your friend…But at the least he's been foolish…At the worst…"
"A friend indeed…Who nearly died saving my life…" Sheldon noted. "And lost his wife in the process…Poor fellow. Poor Pong." Sigh.
"Poor judgement, I'd say." Mary shook head. "And can we be absolutely sure he's not in on this plot?"
"I'd be dead, Ma." Sheldon pointed out. "I'm not."
"Oh, Tycho…" he turned to the still waiting…Puffing now…Newsreader. "Go do your report. Keep the details to a minimum as Mother says but don't build on the facts. You can say Mother and I are happy to welcome the Empress home at last, fully exonerated."
"Temporarily, pending a full hearing of the Council…" Mary insisted. "It's the Law, son…" To Turandot's look.
It's fine, Moonpie…Meemaw putting up a hand. He sighed but nodded. "So be it…"
"So, it shall be written…So it shall be read. A wonderful conclusion that will leave people in tears of joy…" Tycho beamed, bowing. "Gentlemen? Assist me, we have information to distribute. Cassandra?" he called to her, she hurriedly following him and the now struggling, puffing attendants helping him to haul his bulky frame to the podium…
"Man truly needs to spend some time at a spa…" Mary frowned. "I'll grant him one for his birthday next month. Lilly, girl? A word." She turned to the waiting agent.
What? She eyed Sheldon and Meemaw as they stared. "He's an old friend and devoted servant."
And?…Meemaw and Sheldon eyed each other. And…Not all that long ago…
…
"It's really not so long a haul when there's no Grand Procession blocking the way…" Ping noted to Penny as they emerged from the Second Hall and entered the Third…Attendants bearing torches carefully peering ahead while armed guards watched the walls and poked at anything suspicious along the way…
"Yikes!" a cry. "Sorry…" Ping sighed. "Guess a few of the snakes got away from us…" as a guard held up his sword with the skewered snake Ping had stepped on.
"Just glad the bats were recaged…It's actually a pretty place with the torches all lit and such…" Penny shrugged.
And I woulda screamed my head off…She whispered to the embarrassed Ping, with smile.
"There's Pong!" Ping waved. "Hey, Pong!" The group about Pong turning, arms at ready. Pong ordering a stand-down.
And there's our old friend…Suzi. Penny eyed the Princess at Pong's side. Handcuffed to his side, she noted.
New meaning to the phrase "ball and chain" I guess.
"Penny…Ping." Honoria offered a smile as their group came up, guards spreading to clear a space…
"How are you honey?" Penny, embracing Pong as she came to him. Ignoring Honoria.
"Your Highness. Prince Turandot sends greetings and hopes you're well." Ping, bowing slightly to Honoria who nodded.
"Peachy." She smiled. "Thanks, Ping." As Penny released Pong, patting him, he shrugging sadly…Hey…
"Ma'am." Curt nod to Honoria.
"I understand." Honoria nodded, faint smile to Penny's angry glare.
"You got her Highness' request?" Pong asked Ping.
"Your guy told us as he went out…Don't know what Turandot will say." Ping shook head.
"So how are you pulling it off?" Penny addressed Honoria who eyed her.
"Your…Highness…" grim tone at Honoria's stare.
"No idea. Pong is the magician in our family." Honoria held up her handcuffed wrist.
"You've fixed the Trials. You mean to win." Penny, accusingly.
"Me?" Honoria smiled. Pong regarding her.
"I'd no idea I'd acquired such power…Working in the Palace scrubbing floors and catering to Ministers and lesser dignitaries all these years." Grin.
"You…Fixed…the Trials." Penny, firmly. "You mean to marry Sheldon…And kill Amy in the process."
"I'm married, Penny." Honoria noted wryly. Again, raising wrist. "And my husband is the old-fashioned kind who believes in the sacred bonds…Metal ones."
Penny staring… "So does Pong die too?"
Honoria, eyes flashing, angry now… "That's enough! Minister, curb your wife." She turned to Ping.
"Sorry, no. Are you planning all this, Highness?" he replied, hard stare. "And what will happen to Pong?"
Pong, weary wry look to Penny…
"I'd never…" she began.
"She doesn't have to kill me, though I'm sure she'd mourn having to do it, should Duty require." Pong, calmly. "I married Lady Suzi. Technically she doesn't exist. Honoria's free."
"That true?" Penny turned to her legal scholar/philosopher hubby…
"Maybe…" Ping considered. "So, you join and win the Trials, Amy gets beheaded, you marry Turandot and he saves your country from the Turks? I don't think Turandot will be inclined to do any of that."
"Legally, she has a case to rejoin…And other powers will back her, if only to jockey for position, just in case Castile or Borneo could win." Pong cut in. "As for winning and how, only she knows." He eyed her. "But you're wrong on the deal…She'll help him save Amy, to exile of course, if he marries her and saves Byzantium."
"That sounds really clever…" Honoria smiled. "I'd marry Turandot? And let Amy live?"
"Separating them forever…He trapped in marriage with you."
"Was it that bad?" she gave him wry grin.
"It was wonderful…The great joy in my life. Thanks." Pong, dryly.
"You bitch." Penny fumed, shaking head.
"Whatever…" Honoria shrugged. "If I were planning this…" she eyed Pong, then the others. "And able to stomach a life with the man who condemned me to die a horrible death fifteen years ago and would even kill his own true love the same way…Why would anyone, namely his mother, allow this?"
"Gods, Pong! Don't tell her!" Penny cried.
"She already has her answer…Sheldon will make it so to save Amy." Pong sighed. "It's really the only way he can…And what he planned to do anyway. She's known that from the moment she realized Sheldon loves her. The attempts back in the Halls really were on Amy, not Sheldon…And were just to let Sheldon know he has only one chance to save her. Arrange Amy's exile into the SPP and end the Trials by marrying a winner. All he needed was the right winner. Someone the People are sure to sympathize with."
"Wait…Are you saying?" Ping stared.
"She has an accomplice here. The one person outside the Collegia who has access to the Answers." Pong regarded Honoria who simply stared at him, some tearing visible in her eyes. "Prince Sheldon Turandot."