The Kingdom Thief

Epilogue

*8 Months Later*

"You can't be serious" the man in front of me flusters, his face growing more red by the second.

"Oh I'm quite serious, actually" I say back calmly, slightly enjoying the reaction of the aristocrat in front of me.

Ex-aristocrat, I should say. The correction brings a calm smile to my face which only seems to anger Mr. Mansfield even more.

"I don't know what could possibly be funny about this situation to you?" he bursts out. "Unless you're a sadist who enjoys seeing other people stripped unfairly of their own land!"

I open my mouth to say that his assumption is correct and I am thoroughly enjoying this transaction but Mason speaks up before I can. He always knows when I'm about to say something that might be regrettable.

"I'm sorry Mr. Mansfield but technically it isn't your property" Mason politely corrects. "The land south of the Carnage river actually belonged to the crown. The land was granted to you for use when my father was king to settle a dispute between you and Lord Chester but that was not a legal transaction of property rights."

And, despite Mason's words being far more patient and thought through than mine, the man only continues to get more furious, balling his fat fists by his side.

"And you intend to steal it away from me now that you're the one pulling strings now, huh girlie?" he snarls at me, showing a row of wine stained teeth.

From the corner of my eye I notice Kane tense up at the word 'girlie' but keeps his expression blank. He's learned to react less when arrogant men blatantly belittle my authority.

Nothing has Kane moving faster than the large ego of a small man who crosses the line and says something that they are sure to regret the moment they see the look on Kane's face.

The idea of Kane snapping at the obnoxious man in front of me has me fighting yet another smirk.

"Well, seeing as I was voted into the position of President of Terrian six months ago" I state boldly and clearly, reminding the man of just who now holds the power. "The property belongs to my government and my legislation so deciding what to do with the matter is completely and entirely up to my council and my council alone."

Mr. Mansfield flings an arm abruptly to the woman calmly standing behind him. "Then tell me what part this whore has to do in any of this?"

Mason's hands curl into fist and I open my mouth to give the most fierce tongue lashing imaginable when the girl simply gives the man a teasing smile.

"Get with the times, Mr. Mansfield" Wren sighs calmly. "You're no longer the master of the universe and believe it or not, this whore is about to use that land for far more than simply hosting extravagant gatherings and basking in the epitome of elitism as you have for the past decade."

Mr. Mansfield snarls at her but before he can say another rude remark, Mason is speaking up.

"Miss Willows has been put in charge of rebuilding and reconstructing the land into public uses that would benefit the whole of the country" he explains. "She was appointed by the unanimous decision of every person in this room, so I would rethink slandering her name."

Mr. Mansfield steps towards me, inching his beady brown eyes as close to me as possible.

"And what qualifies her for such a position?" he growls.

I stand from my seat to lean over my desk and glare at the foul man below me, not allowing myself to look in the least bit intimidated by such a pathetic man.