DIPLOMATIC EFFECTS / CH. 11:CHARTERING
THE PALACE, BERNE, SUNDAY, 20TH JAN 2278
“Mother, allow me to present his majesty, king Hervé of Monaco, and lady Arianne Dubois, the Marquise of upper Basse-Monaco, and my bible-study group leader. Arianne never told me she was granted a title four years ago.”
“Would it have changed anything?” Arianne asked.
“Probably not,” Rudolph said, shrugging.
“Welcome, your majesty. Rudolph said I'd have another royal visitor today, I was half expecting the Tsar or Tsarina.”
“Maybe another trip, your majesty.” Svetlana said. “Hervé has said I can use his quay, so I'll probably be doing that quite a bit, otherwise there might be some questions about what Svetlana of Russia is doing in Swizerland quite so much.”
“But there won't be about Monaco?”
“It is known at home that we've had holidays there. I suppose I could try to set up some collaborative project between the two oceanographic institutes or similar. But I'm going to be busy enough as it is. Anyway,” she said, holding Rudolph's hand, “in case you hadn't noticed, my cousin and my friend are holding hands quite a lot, and they think it'll be tough for Arianne to study if she's being hounded by the press.”
“But you don't expect that problem?”
“Personally, I don't know I'll be able to finish my degree anyway. It's going to be hard to, for a number or reasons. I hope — assuming we don't break up — I'll be able to be part of the exchange programme here, or Rudolph will be able to do his final year in Russia, but sometime, someone is going to work out Claire is also crown princess Svetlana, and then I won't be able to study at the imperial university any more.”
“Why not?” Arianne asked.
“My father's security concerns, and my integrity. I would not trust the lecturers to give me less than ninety percent if I handed in a blank sheet of paper instead of an essay. Also, I would not be surprised to be ostracised by staff and most of the other students.”
“Why would that happen?” Rudolph asked.
“Fear. Fear of insulting me, fear of becoming a target because of me, fear that they had or might accidentally cross the line which made them subject to the death sentence because of their links to me.”
“I think you exaggerate, highness.” Krista said.
“I'm glad, I'm just extrapolating based on what happened to mother when she started getting regular invitations to the palace.”
“Which reminds me,” Rudolph said, “Will Claire du Basse-Monaco be renting a room like other students?”
“I will be living at my family home, which is to say the home my mother grew up in, the St Petersburg residence of the duke and duchess of Moscow.”
“And the duke and duchess of Moscow are also your parents?”
“No, my mother was married by the time my grandmother died, so that became my title too.”
“But it's known that the duchess of Moscow's daughter married the Tsar, surely?” Rudolph asked.
“Ah, but which one? Grandmother had three daughters after all, and each of my aunts have at least one daughter. Mother was the eldest daughter, but
us girls are all roughly the same age. It varies, but there will be three us staying there next year, and there's quite a strong family resemblance.”
“How strong?” Rudolph asked.
“If they decided to trick you, highness, you might struggle to recognise which one is which until they started talking.” Krista said.
“My cousins didn't have anyone like I had Arianne to get me speaking French properly,” Svetlana said.
“Anyway, we've strayed off topic, mother. Do you think Arianne could be offered some protection from curious reporters?”
“Some protection, of course. At the moment would something like some lens-detectors around her residence and number to call if she finds she's getting hounded be sufficient?” she asked Hervé.
“I'm sure it would, Arianne?”
“Yes, thank you, your majesty.”
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ANALYSIS DEPARTMENT, SECURITY, RESTORED KINGDOM, WEDNESDAY 23TH JAN 2278
Eliza, understudy for the position of head of fieldwork, was dressed soberly today. At least, more soberly than she often was. She looked rather like she's stepped off the set of a historical film. That was quite normal, but today she was more dressed as a minor bit-player rather than the main character.
She claimed that it was all an elaborate disguise, and her friends smiled and agreed that she certainly didn't look like a normal security agent. Since her friends included their majesties, her unusual dress code was deemed acceptable. Her reasons for any particular outfit were never made clear except to her immediate family, but that didn't prevent a little lighthearted competition between people to guess what she'd be wearing the next day.
“Hi, Eliza!” Karen and George Kray greeted her, “Special request?”
“Yes. Princess Claire of Basse-Monaco.”
“Err, who?”
“Exactly. What we know is that the photographer who took photographs of her and her new boy-friend, prince Rudolph of Switzerland, got himself drunk that night and was heard to say things like 'don't try to find out who she is, it's dangerous,' 'you'll regret it if you cross the feudal princess', 'make sure you park legally', and 'forget it, I'm better drunk than dead for upsetting the Tsar.' Feudal princess is certainly a good description of the princess of Basse-Monaco, and there has been a flurry of activity in that part of the world.”
“Excuse my ignorance,” George said, “where is Basse-Monaco?”
“Monaco's newest bit of land and biggest beach,” Karen supplied.
“Oh, agents in Berne have also turned up another bit of gossip that the king of Monaco visited the Helvetic republic the day after the photographer got drunk, and that he's officially requested protection from press intrusion of his new girl-friend, Arianne Dubois, marquise of Upper Basse-Monaco.”
“There's that place again.” George said. “Different girl?”
“Apparently. This one's a leader of the Bible-study at the university Christian union where prince Rudolph is a member.”
“And this is all relevant to national security?” Karen asked.
“Their highnesses are due to be in Monaco in two weeks' time, and your mother would like to know what on Earth is happening down there.”
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“And I presume there is a reason we need to be sneaky rather than just asking?” Karen asked.
“Yes. The mention of the Tsar, and a little reference to a mer space-submarine docking at the Monaco royal quay on Saturday afternoon.”
“I don't suppose prince Rudolph was in Atlantis over the new year, was he?” Karen asked.
“He was, and she confirmed that they met there.”
“So if Tsarevna Svetlana is also known as Princess Claire....” Karen said.
“Then all would be revealed and asking would be rather rude,” Eliza concluded.
“Not to mention worrying for her,” George said, “if we're able to see through her alias so quickly.”
“That too. But if princess Claire is some other Russian noblewoman we don't know much about, and let's face it, there are a lot of them, then we'd like to build up a profile on her.”
“So, we're looking at internal historical records, nothing from the public network,” George said.
“Exactly. Except of course that communications have their network archive,” Eliza said.
“Do we ask them to look at it from the bottom floor?” Karen asked.
“Absolutely,” Eliza agreed.
“OK, we'll write some nice questions for communications,” George said.
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IMPERIAL PALACE, RUSSIA, 8.30AM, THURSDAY 24TH JAN 2278
“Thank you for coming, chief-truthsayer,” Svetlana greeted the nervous man. He was about thirty, Svetlana judged.
“I am at your imperial highness's command,” he replied.
“That's nice. I had an interesting conversation with Sarah Williams over the new year. I presume you recognise her name?”
“Yes, your imperial highness.”
“For future reference, you may simply use 'highness' as a vocative, after the first mention of imperial in a conversation. Remember that, because I anticipate that there will be future meetings. So far, the Truthsayer Association has operated in Russia as a private provider of expert advice to employers.”
“Yes, highness.”
“That will change. My imperial father has granted you this charter, modeled on the key elements within the original charter agreed to by their majesties of the Restored Kingdom. Does that fill you with excitement or dread? I hope the former.”
“Err,” he said, evidently flustered.
“Not all the terms and conditions are the same, however, I believe you will not find the differences detrimental to your operations. One key factor is that, given the sad state of our society, the Imperial Truthsayers will be permitted a greater tolerance for past payments of bribes. My personal suggestion is you allow something for example payment of a bribe to access legitimate services where the bureaucrat concerned was clearly overstepping their authority by refusing access without a bribe, but the person felt they had no option. But in any case, you will provide your definition as to what is acceptable and once I have seen and approved that definition then the charter will become active. You may of course discuss this with your present members and your international colleagues. Another key difference is that Imperial Truthsayers will act as final arbiters of guilt in cases of corruption within the legal system.” She stopped to let that thought sink in.
“Your highness, I... I don't know if I understand,” he stuttered.
“You have demonstrated that you are willing to take a stand against corruption. Good. I approve, and my father approves. Unfortunately, our legal system is corrupt. Where there is doubt about the guilt of a judge, the Imperial Truthsayers will interview the accusers and the accused, and while not invading the mental privacy of the subjects, you will determine the truth and extenuating circumstances if there are any. Sentencing will be a matter for the member of the royal court — probably a minor royal — overseeing the case. Since there are a number of cases waiting for your attention, you will be busy.”
“We are at your command, highness.”
“Willingly, or just because you have to say that?” she asked.
“Nervously, highness, but willingly.”
“Since you will be facing the rich and powerful, you will be offered bribes, I'm sure. The penalty for accepting a bribe would be bad, I assure you, and I have the agreement from people you have been in contact with, via the Chartered Association of Truthsayers, that one day each month it will be, as I believe they call it, a bad day to be a corrupt truthsayer.”
“You are well informed, highness.”
“I had the privilege of talking to her majesty queen Karella Farspeaker. I fully understand the others' desire to remain anonymous, but it was most reassuring to actually speak to one with the gift.”
“Yes, highness. I admit I did seek some reassurance before coming.”
“Deciding you wouldn't flee when you received my invitation?” Svetlana asked. “You do not surprise me, but I assure you you are in no danger from me. What did they say?”
“That it was not some trap, highness.”
“Oh, it will be a trap for the corrupt, I assure you. So, when you are offered a bribe, and you report such an attempt — honestly, of course — the offered bribe will be taken into account in the sentence of the guilty party, and truthsayers active in the legal area will each receive a share. You will also, of course, receive appropriate compensation for your time and the additional risks you face. I pray you are able to keep your true identities safe.”
“Highness?” Olga interjected, “does the head-truthsayer become someone with right to seek an interview?”
“Absolutely. If at any time you or your successor feels you need to discuss something with me in person you may seek an appointment — contact Olga. If a face to face meeting is not required, but there is something you wish to inform me or to ask, send me a message via Olga. For security purposes, I will not engage in a spoken discussion by wrist unit. If Olga is not available, you may discuss the issue with any of my ladies in waiting. If there is a very urgent matter and I am not available, you may tell the switchboard you have been granted the right of petition, and send a message to my mother or my father. If you believe your life is in danger, or that of your family, you may claim refuge in my name at any royal residence. Do not abuse these rights, but they are yours.”
“I would just approach the guards and say I claim refuge as you had told me I could?” He couldn't mask his incredulity.
“Yes. I warn you that you will probably be put in some kind of cell until I can be contacted, but it will be a safe cell. If they try to move you to a police station or some other place, repeat that I have said you could claim refuge at any royal residence and a police station is not a royal residence.”
“This right is only for me?”
“You as the person most likely to be at risk. You have a wedding ring. Your wife is a truthsayer?”
“Yes, highness.”
“She may also claim all the rights I have given you in her own right, ensure she has Olga's number. I would like to meet her too, when you bring me the definition of what you'll accept. If there is a truthsayer who needs refuge because of their work against corrupt judges, you or she may claim refuge on their behalf, and with them their immediate family.”
“Imperial highness, I thank you. I hope you will accept my apologies for my distrust.”
“It's only natural. I hope you and your successors never need to use this right. You should know that when you do choose a successor, they gain these rights, and you lose them, but if you have had the right of refuge for more than five years it is yours for life. May I pray for you before you go?”
“Certainly, highness.”
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HOME OF THE HEAD-TRUTHSAYER, ST PETERSBURG. 11AM, THURSDAY 24TH JAN 2278
“You are home from the office early,” Sofia, his wife greeted him.
“I was not at work.”
“No? Overcoming your fears and going to the palace was not work?”
“You knew?”
“You fretted about it, and about me finding out, all last night,” Sofia said.
“I didn't want you to worry,”
“The Tsarevna has been granted a peace-submarine, husband. I did not believe she would wish you ill.”
“She prayed for me, and gave me this, us this.” he handed her the charter.
“An imperial charter!” she exclaimed.
“We — you and I — have the right to seek refuge in any royal residence, for ourselves or if we go with them for any member and their family involved in prosecuting judges. I have the right of asking for an interview or sending a message to the Tsarevna. Those truthsayers who wish to are to judge corruption cases in the judiciary, protect mental privacy, and speak truth to a royal court. And we are allowed to define our own rules on who we will accept. The Tsarevna has been talking to Sarah Williams and also to Karella Farspeaker. Head office — the chartered association — have agreed that we can do this. And then she prayed for me, for us.”
“Who, Sarah?”
“No, the Tsarevna. She knows the Lord, I'm sure.”
“You might be mistaken, husband.”
“She prayed for all truthsayers who would work against the evil of corruption, and that the light of the gospel will shine in our country, that people will reject sin, repent and come to trust Christ's sacrifice and accept him a Lord of their lives.”
“OK, maybe you're not mistaken,” his wife agreed.
“She also prayed for us, for our marriage, and that our marriage would be blessed with life-long love, the knowledge and love of God, and with children of strong faith.”
“Amen.”
“I find myself feeling hopeful, my wife, hopeful for our country, hopeful for our future.”
“And hopeful in other ways too, my brave husband, who entered the den of the lioness and found a sister in Christ?”
“I do hope for children,” he agreed.
“So, we have three things to do. We have to call a meeting to tell them about all these developments, we have to pray for those in power over us, and we have to see what we can do about fulfilling our hopes. You have been worrying too much lately, and not getting enough sleep.”
“I know that, and I'm getting forgetful — you're to come to the next meeting with her.”
“So, was she pretty?”
“Pretty? Maybe under the layers of ornamentation and symbolisations of power there's a pretty teenager, but I didn't notice. And why should I look at a girl who's barely grown up when I have you, delight of my eyes?”
“Come and be delighted then. Then you can sleep and I'll call a special meeting.”