Discordant Note: Crescendo | TBATE

Chapter 243: A Princess' Duty

Thank you to my beta reader and editor, GlassThreads!

Tessia Eralith

"Send thirty measures to Blackbend along the teleportation routes," I said evenly as I directed the supply manager. "We were conservative with our stores this winter, so we have some remaining stockpile that can be pushed toward those in need."

The officiant–an older elven woman with a pad of paper and a nervous expression–nodded swiftly. "Of course, Princess," she said, bowing slightly. "There would still be overstock left, though–another thirty measures of grain. What should be done with that?"

I was currently in one of the Zestier Palace's more ornate rooms, meeting with my advisors and ensuring operations across the city flowed smoothly. Half a dozen other elves waited to present their issues or request authority for actions.

Sometimes it was something petty, like a dispute between elven nobles. But most of the time, every matter brought before me was a truly pressing issue. One that I was astounded managed to wait for so long.

Zestier had run for centuries as the center of elven rule and power–and in the last few years, all of that had suddenly changed. I shouldn't have been surprised that people didn't know how to act efficiently without the regular input of the royal family.

I furrowed my brows as I leaned forward over the table, my long hair of deep silver flashing in the late afternoon light. "Leave at least five measures in reserves," I said slowly. "Dedicate another fifteen to the relief efforts in Sapin. With the attacks of mana beasts ravaging their countryside, people aren't able to plant their crops or sow their seeds. They'll be aching when winter next comes."

The officiant nodded, scribbling down my orders before evacuating from the room. I allowed myself to deflate slightly as the majority of the tasks were tended to. My regal poise slipped toward something more casual as I traced my fingers across my dress in thought.

It wasn't exactly a battledress. That would be improper for a princess of Elshire to wear in the depths of her court. All that would tell my nobles was that I was ready for battle alone, but not diplomacy.

But it was close. The deep green folds and silks allowed me freedom of movement and mobility in case anything ever did come to a battle. My arms were bare of long, trailing weaves of cloth, and the skirt was relatively short–only reaching my knees.

It allowed me to feel a bit more in control.

I felt a wave of "green" and "happy" from my Beast Will, her mind catching on the slight downturn of my mood. She didn't truly understand the intricacies of my thoughts, but like a child who knows something is wrong with their parent, she did everything she could to try and make me feel "better" again.

Thank you, I thought back as that cleansing energy flooded across my mana channels. I needed that.

I ran through the motions as I directed and sent out more orders, leveraging my position as Princess of Elshire to the best of my abilities. My resolve returned as I helped coordinate a shipment of elven salves and ointments imbued with nature magic.

Yet as I watched the final attendant go–an elf who was barely older than I–I felt my restlessness return.

News of the massacres across Sapin had rocked the continent. The brutality of them, the wantonness of blood spilled... When I'd heard of them, I'd nearly tried to escape again, to try and find a battle where I could make a difference.

But then the reports kept coming in. Tens of thousands dead, at least, all across the countryside. And even still, the attacks appeared at random–hordes of corrupted mana beasts phasing into existence in defiance of reason. And as I read reports of how the Lances were spread thin, darting across the continent like busybody housewives trying to stamp out uncountable fires, I'd realized something.