Toxic Love

Gifts

I still remember life outside. Cold winters and hot summers. I remember fighting for food sometimes and not eating other times. What I mostly remember is my status. In my culture, we don't have the kingdoms like this. We take a more simplistic approach by voting someone to power. When they pass someone new steps up. If they are too old, they retire and many times become someone to help advise the next leader.

Things were simple, but... the simplicity of my people means we lack in some regards. The main things being trade. We don't possess the means to make silk or the time to invest for fine wines. Jems and jewelry are there but not in abundance here.

Since going to that tea party, things have vastly changed. All starting with a large crate of rare and highly toxic fruit. I licked my claws to savor the rich flavors.

Though that was just the beginning. Silk. Silk was my love at first sight. It shines and is so soft. I couldn't help but wrap myself in it.

Then the jewelry. It shines so brilliantly with so many colors that I just want to cover my body with the shiny objects. In my lands, we have gold and gems, but the cutting of stones to shine so brightly is truly an art. The jewelry chains are so thin I feel like a spider was the one to make each one.

"Are you quite done?" The queen glared

"Are you jealous?" I tease lounging on my silken sheets.

I take a new pride in my looks. A certain... excitement hit me when I first saw her reaction. I wore silken pants and fine jewelry that wrapped around my body. Seeing the queen look stunned was a look I wish to savor for the rest of my days.

"Concerned, and you should be too."

"Why is that?"

"Because people don't gift without reason."

"Maybe they admire my beauty? They wish to see me treated properly?"

"I think what's more likely is they wish for my trade,"

I raise a brow, "I seem to remember you telling me your country had no trade?"

"It's a complicated manner."

"Im beauty and brains, best of both things."

She rolled her eyes at me, "We have a low business tax. Many head offices to trade companies and groups are here. This is what supports us all year around. Other than that, our only trade is fur and leather. Although usually not that desirable winter is coming so it's sought after"

"Don't other countries provide that?"

"Not at our quality"

"So they want your favor?"

"And they think they can get it through you,"

"They'll be sorely disappointed then." I play with one of the many bracelets.

"I am not clearing this. This is your job. You need to manage it BEFORE it gets out of hand. "

"How would I do that?" I sit up

"The gala," she shrugged

"Gala?"

"It'll go for 3 days. It starts a week from today. Many lords and ladies will be coming from all over to establish trade."

I scoff but receive a harsh glare, "Fine" I sit back again, "Why don't you just make your own goods?"

"Goods require resources."

"You have cotton, right?"

"It's not good quality. This kingdom is nicknamed the land that never dies. Even if we wanted to die, the businesses here would never let us. They don't care who lords as long as taxes stay low"