Reviewer Responses:
milky way bar: I am sitting around reading your review because it's the first one I got! I was simply basking in the warmth of a review. Only one of six, I might add. But don't worry, I'll get the update out anyway.
Scottish Wish: Hey, I'm not a AJ fan either. That's part of why I wrote this fic J I think of it as almost a…anti-AJ. Thanks for the awesome review! Zhai'helleva!
queen-of-sapphires: Alanna died in early autumn- sometime in September I think. This fic takes place in early January, I think, right after the Midwinter celebrations. The court is still in mourning for the queen. As for Jasson, my thinking behind that was that it was the eldest and the heir. Jasson mainly hides in a corner for these kinds of things –don't forget his birth was basically the point at which Alanna and Jon's relationship hit rock bottom- and so doesn't like being under the public scrutiny Lianne and Roald are subject to. Hope that clears things up!
maliaphire: Because of Alanna marrying Jon, a huge number of things did and didn't happen. Therefore, I've kind of made up my own timeline for this. Numair went to Galla instead of to Tortall and found Daine there. He didn't change his name and remained Arram. As soon as Ozorne was overthrown, Kaddar contacted him and Arram returned to Carthak with his new pupil. You will be seeing them when Lianne gets to Carthak. I've also thrown in another character here, just to forestall any questions about her future. Basically that question will be cleared up more and more as the story goes on.
Atlanta Enchanted: I love her brothers too! They're so cute. And Kaddar's not bad either…Yes, Daine is in Carthak points up. You're welcome for making Jon less of a jerk- he's stupid but not that stupid.
cookxenya: Why haven't you logged on in forever? I love Thank you for the review- I will try to update as much as possible!
Queen's Own: I only got six reviews. I'm going to be generous this time and update anyway, but next time I need ten to update.
Disclaimer: points to site name I'm not Tamora Pierce!
"I hate propriety!" Roald raised an eyebrow.
"Do you now?" he asked mildly. His older sister fixed him with a glare.
"Yes as a matter of fact I do," she said. She took a deep breath before venting. "I've known the man for three days, and never have we had a single conversation just between the two of us. I have not even seen him without several hundred nobles watching us, ambassadors breathing down our necks and a million rules of propriety and etiquette to conform to. And I just found out today from one of Jasson's friends they had serving that Carthaki ambassadors want a marriage agreement signed before Kaddar leaves at the end of the week. Turns out they've been negotiating it under the table and now that Kaddar's here, all the difficult questions have already been resolved. I want to at least talk to the man without a chaperone!"
Roald sighed. Lianne rarely got irritated with much of anyone, but when she did- it was a sight to behold.
"Why don't you ask one of your friends to chaperone?" he said. "Ask- who's that Carthaki woman you were talking to?"
"Sima," Lianne said sharply.
"Ask her to chaperone a walk in the gardens," Roald suggested. "Or a horseback ride through the Royal Forest."
Lianne glared at him. "Why are you always so right?" she asked, sounding annoyed.
"Because I'm your younger brother," he said. "I'm not always right, you just notice when I'm right and you're wrong." Lianne made a shooing motion with her hands.
"Go away, little brother," she said. "I have a lunch with the Carthakis soon, and I need to get dressed." He smiled and turned to go. "Wait!" He turned back to look at his sister. "Would you ask Sima-?" Roald smiled.
"Of course, my lady," he said, bowing with a flourish. Lianne laughed.
"Get out!" she ordered. "I have to change." Roald laughed, passing her maid on his way out.
Lianne shook her head in annoyance. "Why is he always right?" she complained again.
The maid –the same one who had been assisting her since she was twelve- fixed her with a look. "Maybe it's because he's your younger brother, Highness." Lianne rolled her eyes.
"It's a conspiracy, I swear," she said.
"Conspiracy or no, Highness,"her maid said. "You need to get dressed. I'm to tell you that His Imperial Majesty is going to collect you for the luncheon in half a bell." Lianne yelped and went to change.
With minutes to spare, she was waiting in her front room, seated gracefully on a chaise lounge. She smoothed a few invisible wrinkles in her dress and sighed. It really was a gorgeous dress –black embroidery on black silk- but mourning colors only reminded her of the mother she had lost so recently. But thoughts of her mother were soon distracted by the thought of the man who was coming any minute to collect her and she was soon back to smoothing invisible wrinkles, brushing off invisible dust and nervously smoothing her hair.
The sound of a knock caused her to drop the strand of hair she was fiddling with and sit up straight. The maid opened the door to reveal Kaddar. Lianne stood and dropped a curtsey. Kaddar watched her, eyes discreetly taking in every inch of her. Her dress was gorgeous, falling to the floor in long, liquid skirts with lace sleeves covering her arms. The dark dress caused her red hair, loose to her waist, to flame and her ember necklace, a gift of her mother, burned with internal light. She'll make someone a gorgeous queen, the emperor observed as he kissed the back of her hand.
"Shall we, Lianne?" he asked, offering his arm.
"We shall," she said, accepting the arm and his escort down the hall.
They idled in the halls for a while, so as to be the last ones to arrive at lunch. With a sense for drama, they waited outside the doors until every one of the ambassadors and Tortallan nobles were seated. Then, they swept through the doors, regal and magnificent. Lianne hid a triumphant smirk behind a demure smile, as everyone in the room scrambled to their feet and bowed, faces showing various degrees of surprise. She quickly caught sight of her brothers, seated towards the middle of the table.
Roald gaped at the sight of his sister. He could see clearly through her ladylike smile to the amusement behind it, but he doubted even she could imagine the impact they had created. Kaddar looked the part of an emperor, in sage green breeches and traditional calf-length tunic in red and gold. As always, he shone with jewelry. Lianne beside him was slim and somber in a black dress that looked silk. They made a magnificent and gorgeous picture and Roald would bet any amount of money that the same thought was running through everyone's head: that is the Emperor and Empress of Carthak. He knew it was running through his head, and he was the last one to want Lianne across the Emerald Sea. But he had to admit, she certainly fit the part.
Kaddar escorted Lianne to her seat on Jonathan's left side, before taking his own seat at the other end of the table. Everyone sat with him and the social banter began once again.
"Your Highness?" the noble sitting on Lianne's other side said politely. She turned and smiled genuinely.
"Duke Gary!" she said. It had been a while since she'd talked to her brother's knightmaster- she didn't ordinarily have dealings with the Prime Minister. "How's Jasson?"
"He's doing quite well," the knight said. His smile was infectious, and made the flecks of white in his hair look unreal. "How are you, Your Highness?"
"How many times," she protested. "Have I asked you to call me Lianne?"
"How are you, Princess Lianne?" Gary's warm brown eyes danced. She sighed.
"I'm as well as anyone might expect," she said, toying slightly with a strand of hair that had fallen in her face.
"The marriage?" he asked, sympathy in his features. Lianne smiled.
"Don't think that I don't like the idea," she said hastily. "Emperor Kaddar has been extremely courteous to me, and the Carthakis are all so pleasant." She favored Kaddar's chief advisor, sitting across from her, with a smile. "But it is a bit unsettling. I mean, I only found out about the match a few days ago."
Gary shook his head. "Princess Lianne, ignorance does not do you justice. You forget, I have known you since you were a child. I would bet that you've known for a number of weeks." Lianne blushed, and he smiled knowingly.
"A few weeks," she admitted.
He was about to reply, when one of the Carthakis seated across from Lianne called her name to get her attention.
"Princess Lianne," the dark-skinned man said. Lianne tucked the strand of hair she'd been fiddling with behind one ear.
"Yes?" she said politely.
"My colleagues and I were wondering- what is your opinion on slavery?" Lianne tensed slightly, thanking Sima mentally for already having this conversation with her.
"Although," Lianne began slowly. "Slavery is not a -permitted institution- here in Tortall, I do accept that it is an economic necessity in Carthak. And I do not believe it will bother me if-" If only it were if. "-Carthak should become my home." The ambassador looked satisfied with this answer, and promptly turned to the man next to him to rejoin a conversation about trade.
"A very diplomatic answer," her father murmured in her ear. Lianne smiled.
"Thank you," she said. It was still a bit of a surprise to hear her father compliment her so casually; though he'd begun doing it a few months before, it hardly made up for 19 years of what would be most kindly described as inattention.
"So, what do you think of Kaddar?" Jonathan asked. His eyes twinkled, as every ambassador leaned forward. They were all discreet, and had it been only one or two of them, it would have gone unnoticed. However, when all of them did it at the same time it was painfully obvious.
Lianne coughed to hide a laugh. Her father had just saved her from having to answer the same question a hundred times. Yet that didn't stop her cheeks from burning and her eyes from flying to the opposite end of the table where they met a pair of dark ones. Kaddar didn't look interested- on the contrary he looked perfectly relaxed. Yet in his dark features was a hint of interest in her answer. Probably just waiting for me to boost his ego, she thought wryly. It was the only acceptable route. Even if she had found him boorish, vulgar and ugly, she would never have been able to say it in public. Wars had been started in the basis of less. She hid a bit of a laugh as she answered. Now she was being paranoid.
"The emperor has been a perfect gentleman," she said carefully. "We've been getting along very well." Disappointed by her neutral answer, the diplomats sat back in their seats. The edges of her lips curved up in a bit of a smile.
"Are you trying to infuriate everyone in the room?" her father asked mildly, taking a sip of water.
"Why would I do that?" Lianne asked. "I was simply keeping my answer neutral."
"That it was definitely was," her father answered. He sighed and took another sip. "I'm sorry if I'm short, Lianne," he said. "I apologize in advance- this treaty is crucial."
"You know I will- marry him," Lianne assured him. "That isn't in question."
"Of course," her father said. "It's not you at all." She smiled, relieved.
"Good." She meant it. Her father's approval was a volatile thing, something which made it infinitely more precious.
"We have four days," her father explained. "For Emperor Kaddar and I to approve all these negotiations that have been going on under the table for the past few months. And then everyone will want to discuss everything to death before resurrecting it to argue some more."
"When will I leave for Carthak?" Lianne ventured. "Surely not with the emperor at the end of the week, will I?"
"Of course not." Jonathan waved one hand in dismissal. "Not for a few months I think. And once you reach Carthak, the wedding won't before a few weeks. Preparations must be made, both here and there. I must talk to Gary about having Cythera help you. Normally the queen would do that-" He stopped talking, a flash of pain and guilt appearing in his eyes.
"But she is unable," Lianne finished softly. "Lady Cythera is wonderful, Father. I'm sure- sure that Mother wouldn't mind." She smiled softly, before turning to Gary. "Do you think she would?" she asked.
"I'm sure my lady wife would be honored," he said, eyes twinkling. "Although you or Jonathan can ask her tonight at the ball."
"I will," Lianne said. She smiled demurely and took a sip of water. "If this discussion is finished-" Her father nodded, and Lianne turned to a Carthaki ambassador- Lord Temiat, she thought. He was one of the delegates who had come with Kaddar a few days ago.
"Lord Temiat," she said, gambling slightly. To her relief, he turned to face her. "Tell me, are you enjoying your stay in Corus so far?"
"Well, Your Highness," he replied. "It is a bit different from Carthak…"
Lianne swirled into her sitting room, smiling giddily. Kaddar had insisted on walking her back to her room, and the two had taken a longer route, so as to talk for the longest time possible. At her door, he had apologized, saying he needed to go talk with his nobles and he would see her at the ball that night. Then, he had hurriedly pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek before leaving.
Her eyes caught sight of a flash of white on the side table next to the door. The fingers of one hand drifted over her cheek yet again as she walked over to pick up the note.
Lianne- You were magnificent at lunch. Quite the queenly figure, especially with that handsome man on your arm. Lianne blushed, unsure whether or not to kill her brother for perfectly complying with the role of annoying little brother. I was seated across from Sima at lunch. She's quite charming, if you must know. I can see why you like her. What's she doing here anyway? She's the only woman, as you no doubt noticed. Anyway, before I got sidetracked, I was going to say that she agreed to accompany you on a visit to the city tomorrow morning. She told me to tell you that the emperor may accompany you- he's been wanting to see the city. I knew you'd be surprised and no doubt pleased by that information. –Roald
Lianne raised one eyebrow in surprise. Roald was good. Glad he's for me instead of against. He had gotten her and Kaddar alone except for Sima –well and several bodyguards no doubt who she hoped would be discreet- and all under very acceptable pretenses.
"How was lunch?" Lianne's eyes flicked up at the sudden voice, but she quickly relaxed.
"It was interesting," she said. "How are you Roger? I haven't seen too much of you lately."
Her youngest brother shrugged and walked into the room, shutting the door behind him. He dropped into a plush chair next to the fireplace. Lianne watched him, eyes worried. "Fine. How have all your social events been?" he asked. She understood in an instant.
"You've been lonely," she said, sitting across from him.
He shrugged. "Nothing I'm not used to. 'Anne, you know none of the nobles talk to me. It's gotten worse since Her Majesty died. Now I'm not only the king's bastard, but my mother was convicted and hanged for regicide."
Lianne hesitated. Not much I can really say to that, since we both know that it's true. "Roger," she said. "We –me, Roald and Jasson- love you no matter what."
"But when you're closeted away with the Carthakis all day, that doesn't really help," Roger said. "And you're leaving for Carthak too-"
"Not for a few months," Lianne said. "Roger, I'm sure we can find someone that you can get along with. Stay with me tonight, and we'll see who I can introduce you to." He smiled slightly.
"Thanks 'Anne," he said. "I doubt it will work, but thank you."
"It will work," she insisted. "Now, I need to change out of this dress. I'll talk to you a little later." Roger rose and left. Lianne sighed. Her half-brother had a multitude of problems.
That night, as she had for the last two, Lianne entered on Kaddar's arm. Her dress tonight was a deep lilac, almost black, with a v-neck. Intricate black beading graced the neckline, cuffs, waistline and hem. Embroidery on the bodice made the dress more than simply black. Lianne held her head proudly, a smile curving her lips as she proved that mourning didn't have to be dull.
Kaddar was again wearing flamboyant colors, a vibrant green tonight. Lianne noted the envious glances of convent ladies with the barest hint of a smile. Not that she was gloating- that wouldn't be very noble of her. She was simply enjoying the rare pleasure of having a handsome man escorting her that didn't happen to be one of her brothers.
Roger met them a few minutes into the party. His outfit was in varying shades of gray and black. Bowing to them, he turned to Lianne. "Might I steal you for a few minutes, Highness?" For him to address her informally in public was a horrible breach of etiquette.
"Of course, Roger," she answered politely. "If it's all right with His Imperial Majesty." She looked up at Kaddar with a smile.
"Who am I to stop you?" he asked, a smile on his face. "You are your own woman, with a mind of your own." Lianne curtsied briefly before taking Roger's offered arm. "Oh and Lianne?" She turned back to the emperor, whose smile had taken on a teasing edge. "It's Kaddar." A faint hint of pink appeared on Lianne's cheeks.
"He wouldn't allow just anyone to call him by his given name," Roger said in a low voice, as they walked slowly towards one of the squires carrying wine.
Lianne looked up at him. "Oh, Roger," she said in exasperation. "It's all about appearances. He's going to marry me and there isn't a person here who doesn't know it."
"He still likes you," Roger insisted quietly. He took two flutes of champagne, handing one to Lianne. She took a small sip.
"I agreed to help you meet people," she said, steering the subject away from her and Kaddar. "And if all you do is talk to me about prospective husbands, you're not going to meet anyone. Come one." She looked around the room, searching for a good place to start. Her eyes lit upon a tall girl wearing a charcoal grey dress. She stood in a corner, watching a group of young nobles dance and flirt.
Lianne steered her brother in the direction of the girl. Her eyes widened at the sight of them and she dropped into a low curtsey. "Your Highness," she said softly. "To what do I owe this honor?" Lianne laughed quietly.
"You looked alone," she said. She noted that the girl appeared a few years younger than she, probably fresh from the convent. Brown hair was tied up in a knot, and she wore was only the barest hint of face paint. Quite a bit taller than Lianne, who took after her mother in height, the top of her head was still barely level with Roger's eyes.
"I haven't had much time to meet people yet," the girl said softly. "I arrived from the convent only a week ago."
"What's your name?" Roger asked.
"Keladry of Mindelan, Your Highness," she said with a curtsey.
Roger flushed slightly. "I'm not a prince," he said. Keladry turned beet red.
"Oh, I'm sorry-" she said, flustered. "I thought- I mean, you just look- and you were with her- so, I assumed-"
"It's a natural assumption," Lianne assured her quickly. "Roger does look a lot like Prince Jasson. Here." She offered the girl a flute of champagne, taken from another wandering squire. Keladry looked enviously at the squire's retreating back as she took the champagne flute.
"You wanted to be a knight?" Roger asked. Keladry flushed deeper.
"Yes," she admitted. "Like the Lioness. I thought of sneaking it- but I had no one to switch with." She realized who she was talking to and hurriedly apologized. "I'm sorry- talking about the Queen. Forgive me."
"No harm done," Lianne said. "She's gone, may the Black God rest her soul."
As an awkward silence began to take hold, Roger cleared his throat.
"So Lady Keladry," he said. "You mentioned wanting to be a knight? Have you kept up with jousting?" Keladry nodded shyly.
"A bit," she admitted. "Lord Sir Raoul's record of course. And little bit of Lord Wyldon's."
"Really?" Roger said, intrigued. "Who do you think is better?" Keladry brightened. Within minutes, they were into a debate over jousting. Lianne sipped champagne, watching with a smile on her face. When the conversation began to move to the Yamani Isles where Keladry had lived with her parents, she edged away. Giving her empty flute to a squire, she began looking for Kaddar again. Before long, though, she had been asked to dance by a young knight she knew only vaguely.
She was curtsying to yet another partner after the fourth set, when her partner bowed much deeper than the dance demanded. "May I cut in?" She smiled and turned to see Kaddar. "Where did you go?" he asked, pulling her into the next dance, a slow waltz.
"Helping Roger meet people," she said. "It's hard for him because-" She searched for a delicate way to put it. "Most people act- aren't so polite to him." Kaddar nodded.
"He seems like a decent person," he said. Lianne nodded.
"He's like another younger brother," she said. "There are some times when I honestly think he and Jasson are twins. But- they're not." She sighed. "It really upsets him." Realizing who she was talking to, she laughed lightly. "But you probably aren't terribly interested in Roger.
"He means a lot to you," he said, dark eyes meeting hers. "So, I am interested." Lianne blushed, pale pink staining her cheeks. Stupid red hair. Makes me blush at everything
She was suddenly very aware of how close the dance demanded partners be. She was also equally aware of the many eyes on them, watching them. And somehow, as his face drew closer, she felt very used.
Lianne pulled as far away from Kaddar as the dance would allow. As soon as the dance ended, she curtsied hurriedly and made some excuse explaining her need to leave. She walked across the room, taking care not to look hurried. It wasn't until she had exited the room, and descended a flight of stairs that she gathered her skirts in hand and ran.
She ran down hallways to one place she knew no one would be. It was a garden that, in the last few years, probably since a little after Roald had been born, had fallen out of favor. It was probably practically deserted now, and so it was there she was running.
The full moon gazed down serenely at the running princess. She made it a ways into the garden before she collapsed on a bench. Tears were carefully held in, as she dabbed delicately at her eyes. Ruining her face paint would get her nothing but her maid's wrath and the privilege of being the choice tidbit of gossip for the next week. So she simply sat.
The gardens were almost silent, but for the calls of birds, the cricket's chirps and, barely audible, the distant hum of the city. But for some reason, she didn't hear the approaching footsteps until a voice announced them.
"Princess?" Lianne stood, spinning to face the intruder. She relaxed only marginally upon seeing Sima, and behind her, Kaddar. Tonight, the woman was wearing a deep red dress, with long draping sleeves and white embroidery on cuffs, collar and hem. The tapered waistline and fitted bodice emphasized her slim figure, while the skirt trailed gracefully behind her.
"What do you want?" she asked tiredly. The lump in her throat was barely discernable.
"I just wanted to make certain you were all right," Sima said hesitantly. She gave the barest of glances over her shoulder. "You left in quite a hurry."
"I'm just tired," Lianne said. Sima lifted one eyebrow and stepped closer.
"Your eyes are shiny," she said. "And your face paint is slightly smudged, just under your eyes." Her eyes weren't accusing as she dismissed Lianne's lie. "You've been trying not to cry."
"I haven't," Lianne said. But the lump was rising and there was nothing she could do about it.
Sima, with no care for etiquette or propriety, put her arms around the princess and pulled her closer. Lianne rested her head on the woman's shoulder and sobbed. Sima just held her, stroking her hair, with no thought to her dress.
It was several moments before Lianne lifted her head. She sniffed, and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, no thought spared for the already ruined face paint. "Oh Goddess, your dress- I'm so sorry." Sima shrugged.
"No harm," she said. "My maid works wonders." Lianne laughed weakly.
"I must look horrible," she said. "My face gets all puffy when I cry- and my eyes get all red. Not to mention my face paint is smeared."
"You look fine." Lianne jumped and flushed bright red. She had forgotten about Kaddar. As she noticed him, some of her anger and betrayal came rushing back, and she was quickly swallowing back tears once more. Sima put an arm around her shoulders.
"Kaddar," she called. "We women are going to my rooms. You are going to go back to the party and inform His Majesty that Lianne fell slightly ill- blame it on something she ate."
"As you wish, my lady." Kaddar swept a comic bow and left.
"We are going to my rooms," Sima said, gently steering the princess in the general direction. "And we are going to talk."
Queen's Own: There's your chap. Remember, ten reviews before I update! Zhai'helleva!