The Dragon King's Servant

Chapter Thirty Nine: Truth and Transition

Brandi sat in the library looking over three different books simultaneously. She had a book of Vervanian economics on the left. A book of business orientation in the middle and a book of ownership on the right. She read through them page by page. After finishing two pages on one book she read two more pages on another book.

To anyone looking at her it seemed like she was reading in a complex series of confusing steps. To Brandi, all the information had started to make perfect sense. Economics in Vervania was complicated at first glance. All the money was cycled through.

First it went into a main holding where it was held, counted and sorted. Taxes and holdings were taken out first, then the money was distributed across the shops accordingly to their incoming and outgoing profits based upon expert calculations. Once the money was distributed, loans and shareholding were paid.

After that the money was distributed to employees and affiliates. What was left over went to the kingdom. Everyone received their fair share and what was left over was given to the people in forms of upkeep and maintenance. In terms of business, Brandi was just scratching the surface of the basics.

Every company needed three things. A founder, a holder and a financial backer. Brandi was the founder, it was her desire to have a business. The holder was Kelly, she was the one who put the stock and praise into the creation of the idea though so did Melanie but in the eyes of business affairs, her unity with the kingdom meant she and the King were of one entity.

What she needed was a financial backer. Someone who could support the ideal institution of her business. Lynx had suggested flyers and advertisements. Though she still wasn't sure what to call her business yet or how to draw attention. Brandi, eyes absorbing the information that poured into her brain, didn't even notice the library doors open until she heard her name get called. Twice.

"Huh? Oh! Kelly." Brandi looked up from her three books. Her eyes scanned over Kelly, looking for any signs of wear or tear.

"Are you...okay?"

"Yes. For fuck sake I'm fine." Kelly replied angrily.

Brandi glanced around Kelly and looked at Melanie who seemed irritated.

"My lady? Are you...ok-"

"No. No, not really." Melanie replied, cutting her friend off.

Melanie swiped at Kelly's hair revealing the six bite marks that Maalceus had inflicted.
Brandi looked from the marks, then to Melanie in shock.

"He raped you?" Brandi shouted in outrage.

"No I was not raped. I wanted this."

"Kelly! He probably transferred his essence to you." Melanie snapped.

"Like Lucian...sorry, the king, did to you?" Brandi asked.

"Yes." Melanie tossed up her hands in outrage.

"What does Luc-the king have to say about it?" Brandi asked.

"Nothing because we haven't spoken to him." Kelly replied.

"Why not?" Brandi asked and then realized the answer before anyone had even said it. She looked at Melanie with an apologetic expression. Silence enveloped the room for a long moment before anyone spoke again.

"Have you talked to him at all?" Brandi asked.

"No, not yet. He is still asleep I think." Melanie replied, looking shy and withdrawn.

"Hey, I'm sure he will be fine." Kelly swept an arm around her best friend comfortingly. "This isn't his first war and I'm sure he has killed dozens of people."