Chapter 2:
"The Princess & The Poison"
July 16, 1915
London Zoological Society
If there was one way to describe the Zoological Society's headquarters, it was lavish. Alek was used to ornate décor and dramatic, opulent architecture built to impress. After all, he had lived in a palace for most of his life.
Deryn, however, never seemed to stop gaping at the Society's resplendent chandeliers (lit by revolting glow-worms, of course) and luxurious, elaborately patterned carpets that had been woven with animal furs fabricated to resist damage.
Even now, as they made their way upstairs to Dr. Barlow's quarters, a path they'd taken dozens of times, Deryn's neck was craned upwards and she was gawking at the decorative ceiling.
"That's pure dead fancy. I swear, this whole place is a tad too splendiferous for me." She declared. "Put me back aboard a smelly airship any day."
Alek felt a twinge of guilt at that. He knew it wasn't completely his fault that Deryn had left the service. After all, she would have been discovered in only a matter of time had she stayed. Even as she was now, a mere six months since joining the Society, her…chest had grown considerably. Perhaps it was just that she no longer had to wrap herself in linen to conceal her shape.
Despite the fact that she no longer hid her gender, Deryn still dressed in boy's clothes. "I won't be stuffed back into skirts," she'd sworn the same day she'd left the service. To Alek's surprise, Dr. Barlow hadn't argued. "If any member of this Society believes that a girl wearing pants is scandalous, I shall simply remind them that it also used to be considered scandalous for women to study science. If it bothers them, perhaps they should consider changing their perspective."
Alek supposed that he should be thankful that Deryn was safe from the consequences she would have faced was still been a crew member of the Leviathan. If her secret had been exposed, she'd have faced consequences far worse than being labeled as 'scandalous.' But still, she had his sympathy. It was clear that leaving the air had been difficult for Deryn, who truly felt that her home was in the skies.
A part of Alek missed it, too. Not so much being inside of enormous foul-smelling airbeasts, but the danger of it all, and the exhilaration of adventure. The Society was certainly a magnificent place, but often Alek found himself longing for excitement. He was sure Deryn was aching to experience some action.
When they'd finally reached Dr. Barlow's office, after trudging up two flights of stairs and making their way through a dizzying maze of (as Deryn had put it, 'splendiferous') corridors, Alek realized that he'd been holding her hand the entire way there. He released it quite suddenly and pretended not to realize he was blushing. How juvenile was he to traipse around just holding her hand like that? They must have looked like children.
"Don't be daft, Alek. I'd never be embarrassed to hold your hand. And try to keep your cheeks from getting too tomato red, you ninny, or the count will make fun of you." Deryn warned.
There was a brief silence before Dr. Barlow's voice, muffled by the door, interjected. "Are you two going to join us, or stand out there the entire afternoon? I do recall saying that you were needed immediately."
"Blisters," Deryn swore under her breath, and opened the door.
The walls of Dr. Barlow's office were bare, save for a portrait of Darwin in an embossed brass frame that hung perfectly straight behind a desk. Although there were three empty chairs in the room, one behind the desk and two in front of it, neither Dr. Barlow nor Count Volger were sitting.
Volger was facing the opposite direction, staring out the window overlooking the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back. As always, his sword hung at his hip. Volger hadn't parted with it even after Alek had explained to the wildcount that there was no need for a weapon in a place like the Society.
Dr. Barlow was leaning against her desk, poring over a stack of papers coolly. Her bowler hat was slightly askew atop her head, and Bovril was perched precariously on her shoulder. "Ah, you two have finally arrived. I've no time to scold you both for your lateness, so sit down." She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk.
Alek uttered a quick apology before he sat. Deryn plopped down beside him. "What's the rush, Dr. Barlow? Has something happened?"
Dr. Barlow sat and gave Deryn a pained look. "Something is always happening, Miss Sharp. There is a war on, you know. But enough with the pleasantries. Do you recognize this girl?"
From the stack of papers she'd been examining, she retrieved a photograph and handed it to Deryn. After a quick glance, Deryn shook her head.
"Never laid an eye on this lass in my life." She handed the picture to Alek. "What about you?"
Alek studied the photograph. The frame pictured a plain young girl, perhaps around his age, with wavy dark hair cropped a bit below the ear. Perceptive dark eyes stood out against her pale skin. She wasn't smiling- the expression on her face was distant, as if she were staring at something to the far right of the camera. She wore several strings of pearls and her lace dress was adorned with delicate, complicated embroidery. She was obviously wealthy to be able to afford such expensive embellishments.
Alek thought she seemed vaguely familiar, but no name came to mind.
"I don't recall her either," he said after a moment, handing the photograph back to Dr. Barlow. "Though I get a strange feeling that she does look a bit familiar. I'm sure that I've seen her somewhere."
Dr. Barlow took the photo and glanced at it for a moment before setting it down on the desk before her. "I didn't suppose either of you would know this girl. But, not to worry. You will get to know her very well, and you have little time to do so. In a mere two weeks, you will both be attending a rather exquisite gala. But you, Deryn, will not be going as yourself. You shall be attending in disguise, impersonating this girl: Her Royal Highness, Princess Mary of Wales."
...
Deryn was unable to contain her laughter. "You want me- me- to dress up in some frilly gown and play at being a princess? Me, the lass who's spent the last few years pretending to be a barking man? Pardon me, Doctor, but that's a load of clart if there ever was one! I can barely wear skirts without tripping over the hem!"
Dr. Barlow's pained expression transformed into an irritated one. "Now listen here, Miss Sharp, I not only believe that you are capable of impersonating this princess, but I am certain that you are the most qualified candidate for the job. It is because you were able to successfully fool the entire British Air Service, including me, into thinking you were a man, that I have chosen you for this difficult task."
"But that's different!" Deryn protested. "Besides, being a boy is loads easier than being a girl!"
"Mister Sharp," Bovril interjected. The lady boffin chose to ignore this. Instead, she massaged her temples with her fingers.
"I would not ask you to perform such a task if it was not absolutely necessary, Miss Sharp." She said quietly. "I have perused many other options, and this is the only one that has any hope of success." She picked up the photograph, gazed at it for a moment, and set it back down on the desk before her. "This is an extremely unstable situation. The princess's life is at stake. You are the best bet we have at keeping her safe."
Deryn heaved a defeated sigh. "Oh, all right. But I don't look anything like this posh princess. And I don't know a thing about her, either!"
Dr. Barlow straightened her bowler. "Not to worry. We'll have you cleaned up quite well when the time comes. To make matters simpler, Her Royal Highness has a weak constitution. Thus, she is ill quite frequently and rarely attends social events. Very few outside her family have ever laid eyes upon her in person."
For the first time since they'd entered the room, Count Volger turned away from the window to face them. "I have the task of preparing you to imitate royalty." He huffed. "I suppose it's possible. After all, His Highness somehow managed."
Deryn stifled a laugh. "Suppose I manage to make a convincing princess. Why do I have to go to some ridiculous party dressed up as her?"
"To call it a party would be to put it mildly," Volger asserted. "This will be an event. Only the most influential Darwinists will be in attendance, and they will not be there for festivities. The gala will be hosted by the young Doctor Chester Sullivan."
"Who is that?" Alek asked. "I've never heard of him before."
Dr. Barlow scowled. "Only the most preposterous, pompous swine ever to call himself a man of science!" Deryn, Alek, and even Volger were startled into silence at the lady boffin's outburst.
"I'm guessing you're not a fan of his?" Deryn said hesitantly.
"No, I most certainly am not." Dr. Barlow replied forcefully. "The man does not comprehend the concept of moral boundaries when it comes to science!"
"Preposterous, pompous swine!" Bovril chirped cheerily.
Alek shifted in his seat. "Dr. Barlow, I'm still a bit uncertain as to who exactly this man is."
"Forgive me," the lady boffin said. Once again, she straightened her bowler hat atop her head. "I suppose I got a bit overexcited thinking of that irresponsible dimwitted coward, but I digress." She cleared her throat. "Dr. Sullivan happens to be the founder of Red Star Chemicals, a company that manufactures chemical weapons."
"So, that means they make tear gas?" Deryn asked.
"Oh, they make more than that, Miss Sharp. Not only do they manufacture tear gas, they also produce chlorine gas, nicknamed 'Red Star' after the company that produces it. This gas is known to be lethal- it causes serious damage to the lungs and can asphyxiate soldiers. And that's not all. The reason Dr. Sullivan is hosting this gala is because he wants financial support for his newest creation: Black Star."
"Black Star? Is that similar to chlorine gas?" Alek wondered.
Dr. Barlow shook her head. "According to the intelligence that the Society has gathered, its consequences could be far, far more severe. We have evidence that shows that Black Star isn't just manufactured with chemicals- scientists have manipulated the life strings of dozens of species of venomous spiders, snakes, and frogs to make this weapon extremely disastrous."
"Barking spiders, indeed." Deryn whispered gravely.
Count Volger's voice was solemn as he added, "This is an unpredictable situation. It could turn the tide of the war. The problem is, although many Darwinists oppose the use of such a brutal weapon, they fear Red Star will turn to the Clankers to find a buyer if they are rejected here."
"The Germans wouldn't hesitate a single second. I have no doubt that they would immediately take Sullivan up on his offer, no matter what the cost." Dr. Barlow avowed, her eyes narrowed.
"What exactly does the Princess of Wales have to do with a chemical weapons manufacturer?" Alek wondered. "Why is it so important that she attend this gala?"
"She has played an important part in this war, albeit from the sidelines." Dr. Barlow clarified. "Despite her illness, she went out of her way to visit wounded soldiers in hospitals and assist welfare organizations. Last Christmas, she created a fund to send gifts to British soldiers and sailors. More than one hundred thousand pounds worth of presents were donated by British citizens in her name. Although she has played no part in the fighting itself, Princess Mary's name has become a symbol of hope to both soldiers and the British people."
"I see," Alek murmured. "So if Her Royal Highness announces her support for Red Star, saying that she believes that their chemical weaponry could end the fighting in favor of the Darwinists, then the British people are likely to agree. They may even donate to Red Star because of her approval."
"Aye, but the opposite is also true, isn't it?" Deryn pointed out. "If Princess Mary denounces Red Star and their weapons, calling them barbaric, Brits wouldn't stand for it either."
"Exactly," Dr. Barlow agreed. "The Society has contacted the royal family, and Her Royal Highness has made it perfectly clear that she believes Red Star's chemical weapons are savage and inhumane. Princess Mary was eager to attend the gala and speak up, but her family fears that if she voices this opinion publicly at the gala, she may be putting herself in immediate danger."
"And that's why you need me," Deryn finished. "So I can speak for her and she can remain out of harm's way."
"Correct." Count Volger stated.
"What about me?" Alek asked. "Will I also be attending the gala?"
"Of course," the lady boffin declared. "You have already received a formal invitation. You have also become something of a symbol for the Darwinists."
Alek sighed unhappily. "I'm not quite sure that I'm a symbol of hope for anyone. Not the Darwinists, and certainly not the Austrians."
"Oh, don't be daft, Alek," Deryn scolded. "People look up to you more than you think."
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Mary of Wales." Bovril said cheerily.
"Aye, that's me!" Deryn grinned. She nudged Alek in the shoulder. "Imagine me, being royalty!"
"I honestly don't know if I can," Alek confessed.
"I most certainly cannot." Remarked Volger. "Training you to be a princess will be one enormous headache."