Enchantment of the Bow

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Lyra's POV

"You are late." Comes the King's explosive voice as soon as I stride through the threshold. He doesn't sound fuming, which leads me to believe that the guests he invited have arrived already. He hates to lose his temper when people are around.

It took an hour longer than expected to deal with the people's questions, and I was quite shocked at some of them. The king really had informed them of nothing, unintentionally leaving the job to me. I answered them the best that I could without causing panic with certain questions. Some were wondering of me and why I left, and others were of themselves and their families. What is the financial situation? Has it gotten any better, or will they starve? As far as I've heard from my mother, the situation has not begun to heal itself, as expected. It at least isn't festering into a worse wound in our kingdom's side, but I suspect it will begin to decrease again soon.

It isn't that I mind, though, I love speaking with my people and asking of their families. I want to know of their complaints and ailments, because I want to assist them in every way I can. The king never liked that about me, but it has never deterred me before.

Speaking to them and seeing they're worried faces makes me want to take action. I know that I need to wed into money and quickly, before my people die of starvation. I couldn't live with myself, especially if it was because of my own selfishness. How could I have ever run from this? It is my duty! I abandoned my people because I was afraid. At least I won't have to marry Sam's father... my life would be as good as gone, then no one would save them. They would most likely be in an even worse situation than they are now, with the king of Whales standing over them.

My Guards follow behind me, footstep falling heavily onto the polished, white marble floors of the quiet room as they escort me to my seat.

Merlin stays at my heels as the others fan out near my side of the room, faces impassive.

"I was tending to some business." I say vaguely, brushing my hair from my face with the back of my hand. Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on my lids, I smile brightly. I can play this game.

There are several new faces seated at the long mahogany table, but I do not feel any shyness at their attention, even as the heads of their house give me disapproving looks.

My mother appears as though she may faint when she sees that I wear the same clothes that I went riding in. A princess should be dressed and manicured to perfection, not wearing men's clothing and boots. If it were up to her, she would have me riding side saddle in my most expensive dresses and ruining them when Lasreal would try bucking me off because I would have poor grip. Thank God my father doesn't mind, so I may dress how I wish. He only wants me looking proper when we have guests, which is why his dark eyes narrow when I glance at them.

This makes my smile widen.

I continue to my seat next to the king confidently, allowing Merlin to pull the chair out for me and push it back in politely once I've sat.

I look up at him. "Thank you, Merlin. It would be pleasing if you would check on Camisêal and the new recruits and report back to me. I'm curious to see how they are coming along."

My father looks irritable at me for giving my own men orders, but doesn't command him to stay.

This room is heavily guarded as it is, my mother and father's Guardsmen lining the walls and watching the doors, due to the royal family being in one place. It was by his orders that the new men be tried for their positions, so he cannot complain that I want to know what my new Guards are like. I'll end up going to see them for myself after this anyway, but I love to irk my father by giving my men commands.