Diplomat by Robin Roseau

Author:Robin Roseau
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-03-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Everyone is having a good time.” I looked over to see Jessla at my side. “Your first official event at the embassy. How does it feel?”

“None of this has caught up to me,” I replied. “I think the next event will feel more like mine. This was really Olivia’s doing. We just provided a dance hall on short notice.”

“Your staff did a good job on short notice,” Jessla said. “They’re so young, but the report is they’re very professional.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I hope so. We’re all in over our heads.”

“If it’s any consolation, that feeling doesn’t ever entirely go away.”

“Thanks for telling me,” I said, hoping she heard the sarcasm through our disparate accents.

“The duchess wants to know if you want the hunter/prey dance.”

I grinned at her. “I had fun the last time.”

“Everyone has fun,” she said. “Will it scare your staff?”

I smiled. “They don't have to play if they don’t want to, but let me introduce it.”

“Of course.”

I moved away from her, circling the room and avoiding being asked to dance. I reached the musicians and said to their leader, “We’re going to play the hunter/prey game. Do you know what I’m talking about?”

She nodded.

“I’ll need a break to introduce it. My countrymen don’t know anything about it.”

She nodded again, and I waited for the current song to end. There was light applause, and then I stepped forward. “Lady Olivia!” I said, projecting to be heard.

“Ambassador Cuprite,” she replied.

“The first time I attended a dance you hosted, there was a game at the end.”

“I remember it well.”

“Looking around, I imagine perhaps a third of the people here have no idea what I’m talking about.”

“I imagine you’re right.”

“I believe you and I should offer a brief explanation, and then we could have a tiny demonstration.”

She moved onto the floor, and our guests gave us room. We had everyone’s attention. “A demonstration?”

“Yes. I believe that you shall be the prey.”

She laughed. “And you think you can hunt me?”

“No. I thought Bee and Dee could.”

At that, far more laughed, but Olivia inclined her head. “Who will they steal me from?”

“Me. As I said, it would be a very brief demonstration.”

Bee and Dee clap happily, and others laughed. Olivia gave another small bow of her head. “Are you sure you prefer that role?” she asked.

“Oh, I want the other role when we begin to play,” I said. “But perhaps in the coming weeks, I could learn both roles. Could we arrange that?”

“We could, my friend,” she said.

I turned a circle. “This is an assumption, but I believe every Ressaline in the room will want to play. Olivia, will that include all the slaves?”

“If we invite them.”

“I think that would be nice.”

“As do I. We will allow them to choose their desired roles.”

“Of course,” I said. “So that leaves the Flarvorians. This game is unexpected, but I find it quite a lot of fun. The rule is simple: if you remain in the ballroom, you are playing. I hope you will all choose to stay.

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