Constant and the Queen

The party re-enter the main hall. Iolene curtseys to the Queen. "It is wonderful meeting you Camille. I shall not disappoint you." Iolene curtseys again.

"Wonderful to meet you little lady." Camille smiles and nods.

Iolene is dismissed as she and Stein leave the room. Where Iolene discusses the masquerade gala.

"That is dangerous..." Stein says. "They invite everyone who is noble to this gala and that means Black Empire Aristocracy."

"I have no choice... We need them as allies. If I don't go I will offend the queen. Besides... " Iolene says happily. "I have always wanted to go to a ball..." Iolene swishes her dress as she says it.

Stein sighs. He did not approve of this... But he knew this was coming. This is how the people in the Turquoise Empire do their battles and politics. Assassinations are incredibly common in their parties.

However Stein does not like the Queen at all... He never did. He hated how this country handles matters. Life means little to them... The last time he was at one of these balls a poor chef was murdered by poison. Because he put too much salt in the soup. He was a gifted chef and his life was taken away for such a stupid thing. Stein could never like Mille-Voix after that spectacle. He only grins and bears it. He is only here because they need armies and gear. To everyone's surprise, the Turquoise army is actually good in battle. Many of them are slaves... But they are terrific fighters with different kinds of martial arts.

"Have you been to a ball?" Iolene asks playfully.

"I have been to many..." He says in a simular fashion. "Your family used to host balls all the time!"

Iolene smiles as it is nice hearing him sound happy. "What kind of parties!?" Iolene asked much more excited.

"Birthdays, anniversaries, the star ball... Many... Your mother loved an elegant party." Stein says. "In fact your mother, father, Mali and I went to a similar ball here in Mille-Voix."

"Really?" Iolene says happily. "Must have been incredible..." Iolene sways pretending to dance in the hallway. Trying her hardest not to picture Aaron in her mind. But she couldn't help it... Aaron, Aaron, Aaron, Aaron... She couldn't stop.

Stein sighs as he lets her use her imagination, even if it's for a moment.

Constant, Mali and the Queen remain in the hall. The queen asks to see them alone. Constant guiding the Queen into Constants office. The same place they met that night in secret.

"What iz with ze tiny man?" The Queen asks. Trying not to show her disgust at the Suravi man in finery.

"His name is Mali... He is not a slave. I trust this man with my life... " Constant says without hesitation. The Queen sighs.

"Good zing you are my childhood friend..." The Queen replies.

Mali remains silent with great restraint as he expected nothing else. However, he knows not to backtalk to a queen. Especially one who has thousands enslaved.

"What did you think of Iolene?" Constant asks.

"She's pretty... But that iz all she has going for her." The queen says in an unpleasant manner.

Disappointment hit Mali's gut. Iolene looked happy meeting the Queen. The Queen continues on...

"She has none of the political smarts of her mother and none of the military sense of her father... I was rather disappointed. I cannot imagine her as an Empress! Once she begins war everyone will eat her ALIVE." The Queen said viciously.

"My lady... With all do respect." Mali interferes. "Iolene does have her qualities, she is still young. It is not fair to judge by the standards of her mother and father for that she was not raised by them... And you are forgetting that you and your people are part of the reason as to why she was not raised by them!" Mali using all of his will not to attack the queen in that very moment.

Constant couldn't help but agree with Mali. Constant thinking back during the years when the Emperor and Empress were on the run. One of the places they visited was Mille-Voix. Five years Aelius and Laelia were fugitives. Relying on the kindness of strangers and living in the wilderness. It was a dangerous life... Before their visitation in the Green Empire to speak to Grand Prince Arman Kaiser. They went and saw Avery DeVilier, before she became queen. She refused to help as the future queen wanted to keep her reputation in tact. Constant lost his reputation and was almost assassinated by the Shadow Emperor numerous times for helping them. Constant never regretted it... He was their friend...

The queen asks for a cigarette which Constant gives. Camille pulls out her long cigarette holder and smokes elegantly from it.

"Need not worry... " She says as she takes a puff. "She will have the masquerade gala to prove herself. Although I have my doubts..."

"And Gauthier? Your husband?" Constant asks. "Do you still want to?" He doesn't finish the sentence.

"What?" Mali whispers. Knowing immediately what that meant.

"Two of my handmaidenz are now gone... One was blatantly assassinated. The other I sent to spy on him is missing... I prezume she is on the bottom of a slaves well somewhere." The Queen started to feel nervous. "Not only that... I believe my huzband plans to murder me... We do not speak anymore... We have not had sex, in yearz..." Camille admits.

Mali and Constant remain silent. Thinking that the King and Queen have their own misters and mistresses. That could work in their favour...

Mali asks "What about the Mordecai?"

The queen looked defeated. "Mordecai numbers are dwindling. Many are beginning to serve their own interests. They do not even abide by their codes..."

"How do you know about that?" Constant asks.

"My Mordecai contact... Many have been killed trying to assassinate royalty and trying to win wars the easy way. They have decided to stop... The Mordecai is almost non-existent." Avery (Camille) became queen because of the Mordecai, that assassinated the previous King. They were her protection and her eyes and ears of the world. She felt lost without them.

"Not only that... Before the disappearance of my handmaiden Chloe. She handed me actual proof that my huzband is doing deals with the Shadow Emperor... As much we have agreed to trade with them... I have noticed some unique Black Empire gears and weapons. My huzband haz been loitering with their nobles countless timez... "

"So black market gear dealing?" Constant asks. "Why haven't you done something about it now?"

The queen scoffs as she takes another large breath of smoke. "It iz not enough... I need more... I need enough shit to put that bastard in the ground so I do not look bad."

"So you are basically asking us to help you? After you bad mouthed my little Empress?" Mali asks with anger.

The Queen breathes smoke into Malis' face making him cough. "Do not speak to me like that little man... I am not asking for your help. I am asking for Constants' help. He is the only man I truzt." Avery then turns and faces Constant again. "Besidez... If I get murdered. You have no chance for your little Lady, to claim her crown back." She then smiles at Mali with a cheeky side grin.

"Do you know anyone who can help deal with this?" She asks.

"How exactly do you want this to be dealt with?" Constant asking curiously.

"If I know anything about my country's culture. I will be assassinated during ze masquerade gala... Nothing like a Queen dying at a ball in front of the royalty and nobility of other nations..." The Queen said spitefully. But is the same way she became Queen. The previous king was murdered at a royal masquerade ball similar to this. He was found by Gauthier on the balcony. His neck was sliced open leaving a bloody and gruesome sight.

Mali interrupts her. "Royalty and nobilities of the world? Does this also include those from Oettan, Tarakona, Joka islanders?" Mali points out. "Or are they too savage to be in your presence?"

"Mali..." Constant says with anger restraint.

The Queen laughs. "Never mind Constant... Mali haz certainly shown that he does not like me... Such big gonadz for a tiny man... Are you going to kill me now? Or will you tell my huzband of my plan to kill him?"

"No my lady... I apologize for my mouth. I blurted it out... Since you are Iolenes hope of becoming Empress. I will help you." Mali says as Constant stares at him.

"Oh, I am zo glad that I have your approval." The Queen says trying her hardest to keep her calm demeanour.

"We are going to make a plan..." Constant says, but we need someone who we can trust to help carry it out.

Mali sighs as he mentions he knows someone who can help.