"You want me to use all of the money we brought with us to feed the poor? How would we even manage that?" Mirabel demands.
I shrug, "between the two of us we have enough to set up a kitchen of sorts, to get food out to starving families. We can figure out how to keep pulling money in after that."
"Why? Why do you want to do this." Mirabel asks incredulously.
"Besides the fact that these families are starving to death and all of their adult men have just been taken from them? If you do this, it will make them loyal to you. Alaric underestimates the lower classes, but they make up the bulk of his army now. If you take care of their families, they will rally to your aid should it come to civil war. And trust me, if the rest of the country is like this city, it will come to that." I reason.
Mirabel nods, "I can't say I wouldn't like a little assurance. If The King really commissioned what you describe..."
"He did." I say with absolute conviction.
Mirabel's shoulders droop, "I was hoping for a fresh start here. Somewhere I could see the world, be someone separate from my sisters and my bloodline."
I can't understand what she's saying, "What are you talking about? This is the biggest chance you will ever get to make a name for yourself. To be individual. Make these people love you. Make them want to risk everything for you because like you said, these are your people now. Your new family isn't the royal one, it's the people on the street who need your help. Are you going to save them, or aren't you?"
Mirabel seems shocked, like she never thought about the citizens of her new home.
It doesn't take long for her expression to shift from shock to determination. I recognize the stubborn steel in her eyes. I've only ever seen it used against me, and I pity anyone who tries to get in her way now.
"How do we start?"
My lips twitch into a smile, "First, I have just the place to open shop. Put on something... Humble and impressive. It's time you saw your city."
Mirabel puts on a pair of pants, at my insistence. I want her to look like a benevolent queen, but I also want her to be able to move fast if we have to. Perdy also found her a pair of boots, which are decorated with jeweled buckles and shined to perfection, but are clearly of impressive make. Her tunic is plain linen, but dyed a deep regal purple, and cinched tight around her thin waist with a simple silver belt. Her hair is pulled back into a simple tie, and a lightweight sword hangs at her hip.
"Perfect, as usual Perdy." I praise.
Perdy says nothing, but preens slightly at the compliment.
"Are you ready to meet your protectors?" I ask my cousin playfully.
She gasps sarcastically, "You mean there's more than just you?!? I thought you didn't need any help, you're too perfect for that."
Two months ago I would have thought she was being an ungrateful brat. Now I smile along with her, knowing she only seems harsh in her jokes.
"Come now princess. Time is wasting." I say, careful not to let the humor slip into my tone.
She sights, "you're no fun."
But she gets up and follows me out into the hall. Branon is standing on duty, looking bored but determined not to.
I can't help but feel guilty when I see the way his eyes light up when he sees us coming. I know it is me he thinks he wants to see, but I will be nothing but a disappointment.
"Brandon, will you please go wait in the entrance hall? Mirabel, myself and your fellow guards will meet you there in a moment." I request pleasantly.
YOU ARE READING
Knife of Rebellion: Battles of Eyenwar, Book 1
FantasíaAdelina Mystica Bendithio has been overshadowed by her beautiful cousin Mirabel her whole life, until the month of her fifteenth birthday when she is told that she is one of the lucky few claimed by the powerful spirits of Eyenwar. To Adelina, this...
