Resistance to the Crown

chapter 5 - The right hands

CHAPTER 5
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THE RIGHT HANDS

   When His Highness left, myself and Thekla realized we were lost because the academy is vast despite the fact that most nobility are homeschooled.

"Ah, right... Thekla, here's the inn payment; that should cover your rent and breakfast for at least a year." I handed Thekla a bag full of gold coins. Hm... Aren't silver and gold coins prohibitively expensive? We also obtain gold from other countries. Silver as well... Silver is used in a variety of applications, including the development of electronics.

The telegraph was only recently released, but many people, particularly nobles, have already purchased one. It differed depending on the distance and other circumstances, but the typical line should require 11.8 pounds of silver. I'm curious why they didn't utilize a different object. I should look into this later. My curiosity distracted me from my problems..

"Let's go get you your hotel and explore the city for a while because we still have the afternoon."

Thekla's body tenses up and she asks, "Are you sure, My lady?" Her tone is concerned rather than uncomfortable. "Is there something wrong?" I inquired, curiously glancing at Thekla. Thekla has never been one to hide her feelings, but she can open up to me about them. "Well, my lady hasn't been outside for quite some time now. I'm rather worried."

"Don't worry," I was able to protect myself during the Atresium conflict, even if it was taking place in the background. To maintain order, there are also guards outside who defend commoners.

...

As I went beyond the gate, the wind blew at me. I hadn't ventured out onto the streets in a long time, so it was a pleasant change of pace.

I wore a long-sleeved gown with numerous layers of cloth and a hat to keep my face covered. Fortunately, it's not summer, or I would have fainted, especially with this incredibly tight corset. And this beautiful and sophisticated haircut has made my head a little heavy... When did Thekla learn how to accomplish this hairstyle?

I instantly identified the inn; it was large and appeared to be rather old.

I sat down after Thekla opened the door for me and walked to the reception to acquire a room. "Let's get going, my lady," she adds. Is she refusing to go to her room? I replied, "Then we shall."

"A noble?" a man asked himself. "What's a beautiful girl like you doing here? If you're looking for a man to fuck, I'm here." What an immature individual. I walked away, clutching my dress, and Thekla followed. The man laughed loudly.

I walked outside, attempting to relax, and let go of my dress. Men... Are frightening.

The same man was suddenly hurled to the ground and passed out. Because I had already participated in the war, a man fainting out meant nothing to me. When I heard a "Oh? A noble lady was scared by the cat-calling but not a man passing out. Interesting," I looked up.

The same man was suddenly hurled to the ground and passed out. Because I had already participated in the war, a man fainting out meant nothing to me. When I heard a "Oh? A noble lady was scared by the cat-calling but not a man passing out. Interesting," I looked up.

"Thank you, How can I address you... Miss...?" I waited for him to say his name, "Miss Laveda, My lady. No need to repay me, just... don't tell the guards about this."

"What about the others inside?" I inquired. "Oh, just trust me on that." Laveda winked at me, and I grinned joyfully. I bowed to express my gratitude, and she smiled as she walked in. 

"It appears you'd be in good hands, Thekla," I said gently. Thekla stared at me with her mouth slightly open, then grinned.

I couldn't help but note the sharp contrast between the noble districts and the common sections as we traveled through the city streets. The discrepancy in living conditions was obvious, and it bothered me. "It's a different world beyond the palace walls, isn't it, my lady?" Thekla observed as I reflected.

I gave Thekla a nod. This reminds me of my past, when I couldn't make ends meet. For a few weeks, I had to sleep on the streets.

"What do you think you're doing, laying hands on such a pitiful child?!" I ask as I observe a man raise his hands high on a child who appears to be destitute.

"Ha?! Who do you think you are to..." He paused as he noticed me. "You must be a noble! This child was stealing bread from that store right now, I need to discipline them. They might do it again." I sighed, my heart skipping a beat in a negative way when he yelled at me.

"Thekla." I signed for Thekla to pay for the bread. The guard walks away, perplexed but largely angry. I then approached the child and inquired, "Are you all right?"

The child nods. I'm not sure whether the child is a girl or a boy. They must have felt guilty because they stole a very small bread. "Are you still hungry? I was about to eat lunch at that restaurant but I got a bit lost, Would you like to show me the way? I can repay you by buying you food.", I replied with a smile. The child excitedly nods.

"Hello," I said as the child pinched my shirt and pointed at their brother.

"We aren't allowed to enter shops because me and Agnes are filthy," the older youngster said, but I understood what he meant. "Ah, I see... Do you have your parents near?" I said of the older child. "Are they the adults that kids like us have?"

I tried to feign a smile and said, "Yeah." "Because I can't look after you, come in front of the inn next to the noble academy, and Thekla will give you coins enough to buy both of you breakfast and lunch." I can't offer them a gold coin because it would be too much. 

One gold coin will target them, but copper cannot fuel their stomach unless I offer them twenty copper coins. They don't have a location to hide the coins, so silver will suffice.

"Listen here, a silver coin is worth 20 copper. Make sure the food costs 5 coppers or less, it can feed both of you for breakfast and lunch. Okay?"

They eagerly nodded.