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I sat at the table in front of the Sidhe King. While his gaze often drifted towards me, mine avoided him. I looked at the intricate detail of the walls, the mosaic patterns decorating them. I observed the food on my plate; the steam rising from the heat of it. My attention shifted amongst all things except for the person seated directly in front of me.
"How did you like the walk around the city?" Clause asked, leaning back in his seat after taking a bite of pheasant.
I turned to him, finally giving him the pleasure of my attention. "It is quite the city."
"Do the people look... tortured or abused?" He quirked an eyebrow, a smirk fighting to curl at his lips.
"Just because I didn't find any tortured souls yet, does not mean they are not out there," I replied, reaching for a glass of water and taking a sip.
A slow smile warmed the king's sharp features. "You are so determined to paint me a monster."
Because you are one. I forced my jaw to unclench. "There is a building where some servants stay outside the main castle. I would like to offer them my aid in helping with injuries and ailments." We would see how kind he was willing to be.
Clause viewed me for a moment before responding. "Are they injured?"
"Not in a way that would prevent them from continuing to be of use," I answered carefully.
A smile pulled at the side once more. "Not even here a day, and you already are trying to protect my people from me?"
I licked my lips, drawing his eyes to them, which caused me to shift uncomfortably in my seat. "Listen. You got what you wanted. For me to be here, to learn from this experience. But, while I am here, I would like to help the people if I can. I'd like to get to know some of them."
His head tilted in thought while his gaze continued to hold mine. "You would not prefer to teach children or find a more pleasurable environment to spend your time in?"
"I prefer to work with the people I found."
His brows drew closer together. "How is this helpful?"
"What?"
"How is this helpful to you or to me? As leaders, what would serving a few servants do?" Those cold grey eyes held my stare, yet judgment and disdain did not color them. Instead, there was an air of wonder. As though he were truly curious about my motivations.
"You said we are to learn from one another?" I asked.
Clause nodded.
"Well, they may be just servants in your eyes. But we built our civilizations on the work of people in various positions. You remove the servants, and how many of your highborn will even know how to draw themselves a hot bath, let alone build a home? Showing the servants grace and appreciation will help inspire them to work harder and better. Ruling through fear may keep them working, but if they harbor love and respect, then you will feel it in their quality of work. They may even push themselves to do better."
