Chapter Text
An excerpt from “Her Royal Secret” by the faun Volea (1103):
Susan is perched on a short wall underneath one of the white and gold arches that adorn the gardens at Cair Paravel. There is a breeze ruffling her dress that causes the leaves on the vines wrapping the columns to rustle against her shoulder every so often, but the winds make little sound. It is late afternoon, though she made herself comfortable a couple hours earlier with a novella she sadly finished not long ago. This particular archway is unmissable from the stone path that leads from the castle to the exit she knows that a certain person tends to favor after meetings. The sun has another hour before it begins setting and she is due for dinner, though the light has softened to a gorgeous blue with light oranges and hints of pink emerging.
As she is considering how she might occupy herself when she returns to her quarters that evening, the sound of wood creaking and closing brings her attention back. Luckily, the young woman entering the garden is precisely who Susan has been waiting to catch.
“Ematet! How delightful to see you out here,” Susan exclaims, keeping a calm exterior and placid but genuine smile.
The spy, Ematet, widens her eyes as she comes to a stop and curtsies. She is wearing trousers that Susan knows are the current style in Archenland, which gives the curtsy a rather awkward display that Susan graciously does not comment on. “Your Majesty, my apologies for interrupting you with my exit.”
“Nonsense,” Susan dismisses. “I know that many working at the castle often leave to the gardens through that door. Though, since we have run into each other, may I speak with you? There's a few things on my mind and I’d love a woman’s perspective, if you’ll indulge me.”
“Of course,” Ematet answers. She bows her head slightly in deference and follows a step behind Susan as Susan leads the way.
The pair walk a little ways down the stone path as Susan weaves them towards a particular flower patch which Susan knew that Ematet was fond of sitting opposite, after inquiring with some of the kitchen staff. They reach the bench and Susan gestures for Ematet to sit first. She always found the bench a bit plain for her liking when passing through the gardens, but it does contrast nicely with the extravagance of these particular flowers.
Ematet sits herself down, somewhat stiffly, on the right end of the bench and leaves a significant gap for her. Susan appreciates the consideration but is determined to make this a more personable meeting, which is why she takes the seat some centimeters away. Their arms brush as Susan settles down and she flashes a smile to Ematet to show she intended for this to be less formal. There's more rigidity in Archenland when it comes to royal protocol and how to interact with them that Susan is hoping to chip away at with her actions.
Aware that the silence has gone on a moment too long, Susan clears her throat and brushes her hands on her skirt. “I’m afraid I did mislead you a little earlier. I have a particular work matter in mind that I’d like to speak with you about. I hope you can forgive the farce.”
“Um,” Ematet says. Then, confused, “That's okay? What is it?”
To business, then.
“Per protocol, I have been briefed on the delicate situation in Anvard as well as the troubling dealings of Duke Terr.” She pauses. “I understand that King Edmund has been more involved in your debriefs and has been working with you on a plan for ensuring that copies of sensitive documents from the Duke’s personal quarters make it to the appropriate hands; am I correct?”
Ematet’s expression clears to understanding and she nods. “Ah, yes, you are correct, High Queen Susan.” She furrows her brows and leans back, more relaxed. “He has been very thorough in seeking out all possible angles on the situation with my reports to ensure that we are certain beyond a reasonable doubt of the truth of the matter, and in ensuring that any actions taken will not be traced back to Narnia or implicate myself. It has been a pleasure working with him directly where I would usually receive directives through Lan.”
“Hm.” Susan allows the silence to simmer for a minute and turns further to face her. “Ematet—or, do you prefer Tet?”
Ematet nods in confirmation, so Susan grins. “Tet, then. We are both women who have been given an awfully large responsibility for Narnia’s wellbeing and have had to do unpleasant things in the process.”
Susan’s expression falls into something more reflective, an almost grimace which she turns to face the flowers. “Things that were right, but that pushed us to our limits on occasion. Things that made us feel that perhaps… there was another way to accomplish it, one that didn't ask so much of you. ‘If I hadn't insisted on this approach, maybe I would not still be thinking about that night so much at night’ and the like.”
She doesn't move to look at Tet, but reaches to her right and takes one of Tet’s hands in her own grasp. Tet’s gaze pierces her side and Susan does not move to see the emotions at play. Not yet.
“Tet, I need you to know that you do not have to sleep with the Duke for this mission. Your work thus far has been an asset and we are all immensely grateful for the lengths you’ve gone to see this through.”
Tet makes a sound like she would like to interrupt, but Susan continues without allowing it. “What Edmund is asking of you is not only dangerous - it requires you to put yourself in an intimate, sensitive position alone with a man who holds considerable power over you at that moment. My brother is cunning, yes, but his plans are not infallible.”
Susan glances at Tet in the next sentence and cannot read her expression, which has gone almost neutral in its blandness. Hm. “It would be great to take more direct action as soon as possible for the safety of both of our nations, of course . If you were to say no to this approach, though, we will find another opportunity and way in. This does not rest squarely on your shoulders.”
Tet firmly removes her hand from underneath Susan’s own, though not harshly, and clears her throat once it is clear that Susan has said her piece.
“My lady, I assure you that I am capable of undertaking this task without being a liability. I have worked hard to be in the position I enjoy in the court here and relish any chance to be trusted with difficult work. If I were inclined to turn down work due to danger, I would not have this role today.”
Susan winces internally at that. Her phrasing had clearly hit a nerve and she had offended the woman at least a little. That said, the only way out is through so she chooses the direct route.
“Is it that you do not wish to turn it down? Or do you feel you cannot ask for any adjustments or request a different plan in case it reflects negatively on your abilities? Because those are very different circumstances.”
Ematet remains silent at that, face stonily looking ahead when Susan turns to check. Susan sighs.
“Look. It’s normal to have reservations about this sort of task, no matter who you are. What I’m wanting to tell you is that, as High Queen, my position on this matter is that I will not permit for Edmund to send you off on this mission—,” Ematet’s head whips around with eyes wide and mouth agape, “—without knowing for certain that not only do you have an idea of every step of the plan and are comfortable at each stage, but that you also have back-up plans should you need to change course at any point in the evening.”
“You are valuable, Ematet. Valuable to Narnia, of course, but also to your friends and neighbours, and you matter because you are you. I give my word that we will not replace you if you choose to decline this mission or need adjustments made so that you feel in control.”
When her companion seems stunned into silence, Susan decides she needs to be standing and face-to-face. What she sees is a very young woman with her hands twisting in her lap, hunched in on herself like a child unsure of what is being asked of them and afraid to ask. It only inflames her more on Tet’s behalf.
“Edmund and Peter, especially Peter, both operate from a position of complete faith in those they have chosen to trust in their court. That's good and all, except they sometimes forget they are kings . They're not who they were before Narnia, unimportant and having respect be contingent on the whims of others. Their faith allows them to create bonds and achieve things greater than all could imagine, but it comes with the assumption that it is easy to say no to them.” Susan snorts ungracefully. “They’re oblivious to the way they are perceived in these matters, especially since as a quartet we are all very comfortable with disagreement. It may seem silly to you given they’ve ruled for almost a decade. You are familiar, though, with the difficulty in changing how you think of yourself from your upbringing, even after your circumstances change drastically.”
“All four of us monarchs are stubborn in our own ways that I’m sure annoy everyone at different points.”
Tet huffs a small laugh that relaxes Susan slightly and lets her know she is on the right track.
“With my brothers, however, their insistence is not for the purpose of convincing you that they are always correct. It is because it is necessary to establish a point of view and allow the other party to parry against them to make their decisions better. Edmund believes in you and he knows you're capable of the task, so it would never occur to him to think about further wellbeing concerns if you did not mention them. He doesn’t entirely understand the complex relationship a woman can have with these acts and being asked to weaponise your body.”
She meets Tet’s gaze and holds it firm. “If you bring up any discomfort with carrying out seduction for missions and his belief in your skill is shaken from that alone, I will beat Edmund with my own two fists until he relents. Do you want to carry out the mission as is?”
At the final question, Tet finally lets go of the lingering tension and leans back against the bench with a sigh.
“....I admit, my Lady, that I was apprehensive. I believe that I can do it successfully, but the particulars discussed were fuzzier than I am necessarily comfortable with. I have been hesitant to ask for clarification in case it comes across as my inability to be creative in challenging tasks. It’s only that this is… rather different from what I have previously been asked to do.”
“Yes. That is precisely why I wanted to speak with you after private discussions among the monarchs got heated the other night. Quite honestly it kept me up for several hours and I knew I needed to speak with you.” Susan’s expression softens and she clasps her hands together. “We can ensure your direct report is to someone you feel absolutely comfortable with asking questions and sharing. The list of women in the know is limited at the moment due to mission sensitivity, but there is myself, Queen Lucy, and the Lady Yrigia can be brought up to speed if needed as she has clearance.”
She hesitates over the next sentence, wavering on whether she really wants to share, and decides she needs to give the full picture. “Of that list and other options, I believe that only myself and Lady Yrigia have previously used our ‘wiles’ for politics, so-to-speak. Other matters can be discussed in the official meeting already scheduled for the morning.”
Ematet is quiet for a long time, though she makes no move to leave. Susan feels wrung out from her rant and sits back down on the bench where she rests her eyes.
Eventually, a response is given.
“I would like to report to you when it comes to those matters, if that is possible. It would be…”, Ematet trails off in thought. “A relief. Yeah, a relief to write with someone who has done something similar for political purposes and who will not mince words. I’d still like to continue direct dialogues with Edmund as well, since his insights really have been useful and he has offered in his usual awkward, logically-minded manner to provide me any information that I ask that would be of use. I would like your help to craft those back-up plans you mentioned earlier.”
Susan turns her head and smiles. “It is settled, in that case. I know that I may have came across as blunt and perhaps insensitive at times, but your safety truly is my concern.”
Tet bows her head hiding a bashful look and stands up. “Your care means a great deal, your Majesty. I am afraid I have to leave for supper, if that is okay.”
Is it that time already? The sun is setting and the sky has shifted its colors again indicating that yes, it is indeed. “Of course. May I ask one final small thing of you, before you go?”
Tet nods in agreement and smiles her way. It is the first smile she has received from Tet and it settles something inside of Susan.
“I’d like it if you were to call me Susan when we are in private company.” There is a short pause as she contemplates her next words. “I think in the world I came from, we would have been peers. I would like it if we could come to see each other as peers here.”
When Susan is left alone in the gardens, Ematet having bounded out towards her destination for the evening, she feels vindicated and exhausted at once. It was a good conversation that was worth the hours of waiting; she wasn't expecting how much it would demand of her emotionally, however. She mentally scratches out several of the things she had thought of doing after dinner and resigns herself to one of the trashy novels she had stashed away for a rainy day. There will be time for contemplation later.
The diary entry of Lady Ematet, published posthumously in 1091.
5 • NY1008
Ran into 2M in the gardens today. She greeted me enthusiastically (though we had only shared a few words prior to this) and it caught me off-guard. I’m afraid I may have made something of a fool of myself in front of her, as the sight of her perched on a sill and dressed more informally than I’d ever seen her was a shock. She didn’t seem to mind.
We spoke of my assignment and my work with 3M as we walked.
The discussion was led by her and was about the intimate particulars of the mission in Archenland that I mentioned two entries ago. It was… challenging, if I had to describe it in one word. She expressed concern and wanted assurance that I was comfortable playing this role. I did not take her words well to begin with, though it turns out that her concern was for my comfort and dignity above all else. We spoke of matters on our minds that I don’t know either of us had shared with another soul before that.
Before I left, she asked that I call her Susan when we are in private. My heart is full.