The Treaty of Connaissance Part One

Slap! "You think that I don't know what you are doing here? The new Emperor already withdrew his marriage proposal. Do you really think this method of getting close to the woman he likes will put you in his harem? Where is your pride?" The tall thin man with a long black beard and mustache loomed over Teslaimia.

"Father that's not it! I admit I had such thoughts before, but my friendship with Emily is real!" She looked up into his eyes.

He glared at her, "Friendship? Do you know what those Sunshi dogs have been saying in court behind my back? They are calling you a Rakshilesh whore. That you and this Lady Connaissance sleep in the same bed sharing men. How am I to find you a husband? If you had been taking any money for your life here I would have cut it off months ago." He sighed and said, "Or is it that you no longer wish to be married?"

She looked away from his eyes unable to say what was in her heart. "I no longer wish to be married. I want to be like Emily and make my own path. I want to become a queen instead of a flower growing in shit."

His eyebrow raised, "Flower growing in shit? Who called you this? Was it that punk, the little Emperor boy?"

Teslaimia shook her head, "I just want to be my own woman. I want to make decisions that are important instead of decisions on how to dress, and what food to select. Father, the reason I haven't been using your money is that I have my own business here. One I created through my own efforts. I have already made my first million Sprite."

He crossed his arms under his chest looking down on her, "This women's clothes thing the ambassador told me about has already made one million Sprite? In just a few short months? How is this possible?"

Teslaimia nodded and said, "Trade with our country, with the Chadtom Empire, and the Windsor Kingdom. The factories here produce the garments quickly and are shipped quickly to sellers in other countries."

He frowned and then said, "Very well, my daughter. I will allow you to stay here and I will not seek out a new husband for you. Keep your relationship with this woman quiet, no more scandals in this newspaper of theirs."

"Father, about the assassins..." She started to ask.

He shook his head, "Don't worry about that, it is just how the Sunshi play politics, you know this. You have been avoiding their assassins since you were a young girl. I brought some men this time that will stay at the embassy and take a much more active role in finding them since this city is incapable. Do not fear for your safety."

*****

"Emmy Lee!" Polo came bounding into her office. Emily was reading through reports on her desk and Captain Alexander was reclining in a chair near her desk. Polo looked at Jon fiercely, "Chonny."

Jon looked at Polo and smiled smugly, "Hello Polo, long time no see. I was sorry to hear about your father, seems like you have been busy since becoming the Emperor?"

Polo looked at Jon and then smiled again looking back at Emily, "Emmy Lee, now that I am the Emperor, we are of equal status now." He walked up to her desk and held out a ring box, "Will you marry me?"

Without looking up Emily said flatly, "No."

Polo's smile slowly went away, "Why not? Is it because I failed you in Diamondtown?"

Emily put down some of her work and looked him in the eye, "No, because I have no desire to marry. You or anyone. I don't need a man in my life right now."

Teslaimia walked in the door saying, "Father saw my sales figures and allowed me to stay, although he thought Jon's security was crap and assigned a new guard to protect me." She noticed that Iopolo was in the room and the joy on her face slowly drained away.

Polo glared at her, "Has this woman been feeding you lies, Emmy Lee? Is that why you are cold like this today?" Teslaimia froze where she was unable to speak. He walked over to her and said, "Little flower, didn't I make myself clear? You will never be my Empress. It doesn't matter if you poison my woman against me or if you grow a third breast! You are nothing in my eyes."

Emily sighed and said, "Polo. I have always been very flattered and thankful for your feelings for me. I just don't share those feelings. My friendships and relationships with people you know and even dislike are none of your business. I have never at any point agreed to marry you or even allow you to court me. You have always had a one-sided love for me." She stared into his eyes and said, "Just to be clear about things, if I had to choose between you, my childhood friend, and Teslaimia, I would still choose Teslaimia. Every time. It is not because I don't value the friendship I share with you, Polo. It's that Teslaimia and I are friends of a different type."

Polo smashed the ring box on the desk and said, "Very well. I understand."

Jon had a bad feeling so he stood up and moved closer to Emily.

Polo turned and stalked up to Teslaimia. He got down on one knee and took her hand in his looking up into her eyes, "Princess Teslaimia, I sincerely apologize for all that I said and did. I was wrong to call you those names and to belittle you. I didn't ever really give you a chance and lashed out at you not because I truly disliked you, but I am upset at our fathers for arranging the marriage. It wasn't fair of me and even a little stupid of me. I just want you to know that I am sorry for what I have done." He bowed his head. "I don't expect you to forgive me or even like me, but I hope that you are able to sleep better knowing that I know that what I did was wrong and that you are none of those things I said you are. How could I know? I met you all of one time. I was just projecting my anger with the situation on you as a target of convenience."

He stood up and wiped his eyes, he looked at Jon and said, "Chonny, please take care of them. I fear that hard times are coming. The eyes of the world are starting to open and they fear what this city will become."

Polo stood up tall and walked confidently out the door. Teslaimia collapsed on to the couch in her normal spot not speaking. Jon sat back down in his chair slightly on edge. Emily shook her head and then picked up a stack of reports reading them again. "Jon, would you get the door please?"

He stood back up and started walking to the door when Polo burst back into the room, "Emmy Lee! I almost forgot! I came to invite you to a party, Princess Teslaimia, would you like to be my guest as well? I am going to be naming my Empire's first Airship tonight. There will be dancing, food, and music... Oh! I have also hired a magician. It should be a lot of fun."

Emily laughed and shook her head, "Alright, Polo, we will be there. It's truly an important event for both the City and the Empire."

Emperor Polo grinned happily and bounded out of the office once again. Jon looked back at Emily who nodded. Jon walked over and pulled the door closed behind taking a seat outside the door leaving Emily and Teslaimia alone.

Teslaimia walked over to Emily's desk and opened the ring box. She stared at the ring inside for some time, "It's just like I imagined all those years. I just never imagined I would be there when he gave it to someone else."

Emily looked up at her and asked, "Do you regret following this path with me?"

Teslaimia shook her head no, "Someday if you find a man you like and marry to have his children, maybe I will do the same, but I don't think I will. I don't think that my heart will work anymore once you choose that way."

Emily stood up and walked around her desk. She grabbed Teslaimia in a hug and whispered in her ear, "I am already with the one I want to be with, my choice was made that day you kissed me."

Teslaimia closed the ring box and set it down on Emily's desk where it had been left.

*****

"Gorki, my friend, tell me... If you could have any woman in the world, what kind would she be?" Nicolas drunkenly asked.

Gorki smiled as he closed his eyes in thought, "I would like to have a blonde woman, blue eyes, perfect body, voice like silk and honey who is smart. Smart enough to make a stupid man like me someone important." He nodded drunkenly.

Nicolas laughed loudly, "Gorki my friend, you already are important!"

Gorki smiled at Nicolas and asked, "What about you? You really can have any woman in the world. can't you? Who do you want to marry?"

Nicolas smiled and said, "I will take one as you want, and one... I want to marry a Fursian woman. They are like beautiful goddesses descended to the mortal realm. I will take these two women and have many sons. I will keep their bellies fat with my children." He laughed again.

Gorki shook his head and said, "I had a girl I liked back in my hometown. She was blonde, big sis'ki!" He mimed large breasts, "She was a very smart girl, but..."

"She marries another man, Gorki?" Nicolas asked as he took another drink.

Gorki shook his head no, "No, she died. Plague. But I know that someday, I will find another Lana and I will marry her and as you say, keep her belly fat with my children." He laughed heartily.

A soldier on horseback drifted back to the Wagon, "Your Highness, we are almost to the first outpost. Shall I send a message to the Tzarina?"

Nicolas nodded, "Tell her that I failed and that our forces were killed with nothing to show for it. Maybe, I won't even be allowed home this time?" He laughed drunkenly. "Gorki, if I am thrown out, will you still be my friend?"

Gorki laughed, "Nicolas, you are my friend even if you are just a disowned drunk."

Nicolas cheered, "Gorki my friend, we will find your big breasted Blonde girl and my Fursian Goddess and rule the world, I swear this!"

*****

"You are going to this party tonight as well, Your Majesty?" The young butler asked as he brought out Andrew's purple robe and knight's uniform.

King Andrew nodded and said, "Mm, I am. The others will be there as well. Emily, Teslaimia, that kid Polo, and Darius. I can't just let our Ambassador go alone."

"You really should marry, Your Majesty, it's not good for you to pine after that which you can't have." The young butler helped Andrew remove his day clothing.

King Andrew snorted, "You have grown ballsy as of late Claude."

"Your Majesty jests. I only worry about the future of the Kingdom. A lingering crush on your niece and her girlfriend won't produce an heir." The young butler smiled as he helped the King on with his black knight's uniform.

King Andrew also smiled and said without pause, "Find me a better woman and I will marry her today!"

Claude shook his head, "Your standards are too high, Your Majesty."

King Andrew gave him a grin and then said, "I am the King, should I settle for less than the best? I think not."

Claude shook his head again and then said, "Shall I hire a lady of the evening for your return this evening?"

King Andrew adjusted his medals on his chest and he sized himself up in the mirror. "Yes. The usual."