The Lady Justice

Epilogue: New Beginnings (2)

Lady Therese De Beauharnais, Duchess of Roche

16 September, Year 5 of King Nicholas IV of Monrique's reign

Roche Manor, Roche

Monrique

I unveil the canvas erected on the easel with a flourish.

The eyes of the men and women seated around the table - a motley of Earls, wealthy merchants, and village heads - grow huge, as they take in the portrait. With a small smile playing about my lips, I observe each of their countenances, which hold expressions that range from surprise, to amazement, to downright horror.

"I must say, you have an eye for detail, child," Lord Timothée gazes at the canvas, impressed, "you even painted the primroses that always grow by the gates."

A murmur of agreement went up among the Earls.

"Why, thank you, my Lord," I grin, "you will be happy to know that I intend to keep those primroses even after the refurbishment. What do the rest of you feel about this?"

I look around the table, waiting to hear some opinions.

"For what's worth, me thinks 'tis a good idea," one of the village heads speaks up just then, her eyes shining, "me dunna read, me husband dunna read - so me children dunna read. This'll be good for 'em."

I return her smile. "Well, we already have many tutors who have applied, Mrs Danielle," I inform her, gesturing to the pile of parchments on the table next to me, "and they are all very eager to begin teaching."

"Many of us dunna have money for 'em tutors," another of the village head tells me sombrely, "ye say it will be cheap, Yer Grace?"

"Aye, Master Tanner," I assure him, "you will only pay a very small portion of the tutors' salaries, and I will bear the remaining costs myself. You can always approach me if you have any troubles with the payment, and I will try to help."

He nods, satisfied. "Bless ye, Yer Grace," he breaks into a relieved smile, "I want me sons to learn to read, so that they can become good stewards for 'em merchants someday."

The atmosphere is light with happiness, and the discussions in the chamber grow more excited. However, I do notice a few unhappy faces in the room. One of the merchants' mouths is hanging open in horror.

"Is something the matter, Master Fogerty?" my forehead creases.

The merchant's eyes snapped to me, horrified. "Y-Your Grace," he splutters, pointing to the portrait I just unveiled, "that is Château de Beauharnais. We host foreign dignitaries and sovereigns there."

I raise an eyebrow.

"It is the finest château in all of Monrique, Your Grace!" his wife beside him cries dreamily, "some of us indulge in retreats there from time to time during the year. It is so beautiful, and such a delight to the eyes."

The few women around her nod vigorously at me to emphasise her point.

"I am well aware. I own this château," I answer wryly, "so what about it?"

"What about it?" Master Fogerty is incredulous, "Your Grace, you are suggesting that we convert such an esteemed establishment into s-some sort of playground for these petty street urchins - "

"Street urchins?" Mrs Danielle flares up at once, "that's me children - "

"Stay out of this. I did not ask for your opinion," he snaps at her, "I - "

I bang my hand on the table loudly. I receive silence at once.

"Master Fogerty," my voice is cold, "I am converting my château into a schoolroom, not a playground. If I have not made it clear already, it will soon be refurbished into a learning institute for children from all walks of life in Roche who wish to learn."