Tête-à-Tête

"Thank you, Lady Pierrett-Danielle." He studies me, searching for answers to unspoken questions.

"I figured it would be hard for you to get the information in the letter from your proxy." I keep my head and torso in a low bow. He takes the items from me.

"Rise." He commands. I look up tentatively to see the command wasn't for me but his proxy. The prince takes his rightful place on the throne. I turn to keep facing him, but lower myself back to the dirt.

"Everyone leave. I need a tête-à-tête with this lady." He reads the letter while everyone ducks out.

Marcus places the treaty on the table, announcing "I am leaving the agreement to be signed my lady." The men understand, and don't challenge the action. Marcus gives me a look but follows the Prince's instructions to leave with the rest.

"How did you catch me?"

"You would be at the gate to greet me to size your opponent. Since the 'prince' didn't greet me I figured it was one of the soldiers. Your proxy did a decent job hiding his glances, but your commander could use some work disguising them"

"Logic, no spies?" He observes. He is not the type to mince words.

"I'm new to my position. I have no way of placing spies." He peeks above the letter, to see me still bowing.

"You may rise." I straiten.

"It says here that the Duke will return with reinforcements."

"That is an excuse. A leader should never leave his people for a task that can be performed by a messenger. We have plenty of carrier pigeons or horsemen that could have been sent. He also took his wife, children and trusted friends. Only someone of the run would bring their family with them."

"He brought his family. How are you here?" He tests me, seeing the validity of my claims.

"I am the daughter from his first marriage. He chose to take my stepmother and half siblings. I believe that says enough about our relationship."

"What are you seeking to gain today?" He rests his chin on his hand, leaning on the armrest of the throne.

"The safety of my people for our surrender." He raises his eyebrows.

"Why surrender when you have the upper hand?"

"Your highness, I mean no disrespect but we both know I don't have the upper hand. Your reputation precedes you. You can open any locked door, take down any wall. You will eventually take the city. I am sure you already have a plan on how to do so." The prince smirks at my flattering but blunt words. "My father and King Louis the ninth were rash in their attack of Varzy. You have an ideology of an eye for an eye, and I can't let the atrocities that our soldiers committed when they attacked you be placed on my people. My priority is them. I will do everything to stand between you violate my women, slaughter my children, and torture my men."

"And you hoped to achieve that by seducing me." I lift my head higher, ignoring his insinuations. I can't give any sign of personal weakness, only honesty.

"I am here to negotiate. My life part of the terms of surrendered." As the words leave my mouth I curse internally. They are ambiguous, which wasn't my intention, and could cause problems. I tried to plan everything, but banter needs to be instantaneous. At least I didn't say "I am one of the terms". The insinuation and humiliation would have been too strong. Externally I hide my anger.

"Have you thought of your terms?" He graciously ignores my words, but in his eyes, I see the hunger of a wolf. I refuse to be a rabbit.

"Yes, your highness." I nod my head towards the treaty that Marcus left on the table. "I am aware this will be just a draft."

"You are a little vixen. Let's see if I like your terms." He stands going to the table. I follow him. He pulls out a chair, and gestures for me to take the seat. The gallant gesture surprises me, but in a pleasing way. It shows some form of respect.

"Thank you." He sits directly to my right.

"You want to protect your people. What terms do you believe would do so?"

"Would you like me to present terms in two categories, as each of our benefits, or explain the compromise given with each thing I demand?" He leans his chin on his hand, looking me up and down.

"Surprise me." I hold out the treaty to go over the point together. He doesn't look at what I have written. Instead he openly stares.

"Okay, you are aware of my priority. With the surrender your soldiers are not allowed to kill, violate, or bully the people. There are other ways set up for them to find a release if they so desire." His eyes unnerve me a little, but I ignore the feeling.