The Wicked House of Caroline

If that arrogant old man thought he could frighten her by invoking the name of his lord, then he was delusional.

Beks may have been sheltered in regard to common life and rural villages, but she had faced angrier, more arrogant, and nobler men before. This particular type of petty officer, at best, was just another weak, stubborn, old man who threw status around like an upset child flailing a toy in the air.

There were many things she was afraid of, but this old treasurer was not one of them.

She sneered.

It seemed that few people in the village knew how to address such a problem as she did, as the old treasurer’s eyes almost bulged out of his face while gasping and clutching at his chest. Beks rarely saw such an affronted man.

“Young lady, do you know who I am!?”

“You’re yelling it as if doing so will magically inform me,” Beks replied in a droll voice. Her unimpressed eyes remained on his. Nothing upset people like him more than a calm opponent who looked down on them. “Speak clearly.”

“Our master is Master Perry Landon, the treasurer of Lord Gavin Octavius!” One of the men stormed forward and stood beside Master Landon.

Beks looked over Master Landon’s men. She was outnumbered in terms of bodyguards four to one, but those men didn’t appear to have much training. They were likely local thugs or imposing men hired as guards. They had weapons at their sides, but those looked new, as if they’d been recently purchased. That was out of the ordinary.

A top tier group like the royal guards could afford to have their weapons replaced or repaired all at once, making the weapons they wielded similar in appearance at all times, but such a thing was not financially responsible for a rural local lord. Most private guards for such families would replace weapons only as needed, so members of the group would have worn weapons at any given time.

Beks did a lot of work with military and royal guard budgets, and replacement and maintenance of weapons, armor, and various tools could get costly, so there were rotational systems in place in order to keep costs reasonable and not waste what was still usable.

Gerard’s sword was already several years old, but like most battalion soldiers, he carefully maintained it. That was part of the training and those unfamiliar wouldn’t take such care.

Though, if it came down to it, Gerard may not have to use his sword to do more than threaten Master Landon and his men.

According to Laz, the higher in the ranks a Wild Dog was, the better they were at hand-to-hand combat, with the exception of specialists like Jonas who had different strengths. Gerard was a hulking bald man with ten years’ experience in the legions. Before they left the island, Laz trained with Gerard multiple times a day in order to ensure her safety.

If she had to bet, she would put her money on Gerard.

Without a hint of fear, Beks crossed her arms over her chest. “And why is Mr. Landon crying in the middle of a fabric store?”

“I am not crying! And you are to address me as master!” He continued to point his finger at her and Beks had to resist the urge to smack his hand away.

Instead, she stared at it and then shifted her eyes towards him. “You are not my teacher, and you most certainly are not my lord and do not own me,” she said in a low, measured voice as her eyes narrowed. “As such, I am under no order to follow your commands.” Beks took a step closer to him, her face darkening. “Do you understand, Mr. Landon?”

She hardly noticed Sandra tapping her forehead with a piece of cloth as she clutched the two pieces she’d purchased for Beks against her chest. Gerard dutifully loomed behind Beks; his eyes fixed on the guards in case they made a sudden move.

Master Landon’s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths and his face remained filled with reddish splotches.

“I have never been so disrespected!”

“Your apprentices have resorted to theft,” Bek said, speaking slowly and clearly, and loud enough for the entire store and those standing outside to hear. “They tried to steal from me. They tried to break into my room and steal my things. And my informing you that you don't own me is what disrespects you?” She lifted her chin and smirked. “One would think you see yourself as the lord of this land. Not Lord Octavius.”

For a moment, a small flash of fear spread across his face and Beks watched his eyes dart to the door, as if worried someone who shouldn’t have heard such a thing did. When he didn’t seem to see anyone but his own men still standing by the door, he let out a small breath of relief.

Her eyes lit up. She knew it.

He turned his narrowed eyes back at her. “How dare you say such an insulting thing about Lord Octavius! Men, arrest her!”

“Why would they arrest me? Aren’t I doing the lord a favor?” Beks asked in a smooth voice.

Sandra looked at her confused and even Gerard momentarily paused to take in her words. Since when did she get involved with the local lord? Regardless, as soon as Master Landon’s men stepped forward, Gerard blocked them and hovered his hand over his sword at his side.

His movement was quick and the guards hesitated, keeping their distance as Master Landon grew flustered.

“What nonsense are you talking about-”

“The lord’s treasurer was teaching three thieves. They have been to the lord’s manor to assist their master,” Beks said as a small smile tugged at her lips. It was a good thing that the old man’s son had bragged about this when he joined them on their journey to town from the village. “Is that not cause for suspicion?”

“Are you insinuating that my apprentices stole from Lord Octavius!?” Master Landon’s brows shot up as his eyes almost bulged out once more.

“I am saying that your apprentices must’ve learned such a habit from someone,” Beks said. Her eyes narrowed. “I’ve met the grandfather of one of the captured thieves. He’s an honest man who doesn’t ask questions when his grandson asks for money. His parents do not live with them. Therefore, he must’ve learned his immorality from someone else close to him.” She lifted her hand and, mirroring the old treasurer’s earlier movements, pointed directly at his face. “Students learn well by observing, you know.”

Master Landon let out a hiss and shook with fury in his spot as patrons in the store began to whisper.

“You dare insult me by accusing me of embezzling funds!”

“I told you I dare to do many things, Mr. Landon. And I never mentioned you embezzled funds,” Beks replied. She motioned a hand towards the men. “Do treasurers usually have an armed guard with them? Weapons are expensive to purchase and maintain, you know. Most normal people can’t afford them. Look at me,” she said, lifting her hand to her chest. “My fiancé is a landowner, but he can only hire one bodyguard.”

“And a personal maid!” Sandra said.

“Yes, and personal maids don’t need expensive weapons.” Beks looked at the men and then at the old treasurer. “But all four of your men have new weapons. Swords aren’t cheap. It seems that Lord Octavius pays you very well.”

Master Landon sucked in a sharp breath. He took a step back and shook his head. “Don’t try to change the subject. Come with me to the town jail and withdraw your accusation! My apprentices are innocent!”

“Were you there when they entered the inn?”

“No-”

“Were you there when they picked the door to my room and tried to push it open?”

“Of course, not-”

“Well, I was, and they are guilty,” Beks replied. “I will not revoke my words. They were breaking the most basic of laws and should be punished accordingly. I suggest you find new apprentices.”

Seeing that she wasn’t worried at all, Master Landon clenched his fists at his sides and trembled. He snapped his head towards his men. “Take her!”

Beks rolled her eyes. “Gerard.”

“Yes, Miss!” The men with Master Landon hardly took a step forward before Gerard reached them in a single step. Once the first fist landed on a random guard’s face, Beks looked towards Sandra.

“Take the veils back and inform Mr. Falker that if he wants to leave on time tomorrow morning, to request an audience with Lord Octavius at the town jail at once.”

“What?” Sandra nearly dropped the fabric in her hands. Her eyes went wide as she looked at Beks with horror. Beks took one of the veils from Sandra and began to place it over her head. Sandra’s mouth was open, as if unsure why she was so calm. “The jail?”

Someone let out a cry of pain behind Beks as one guard’s body flew out the doorway. Beks didn’t turn around at all to look over the chaos. Instead, she lifted her hand dismissively at Master Landon, who’d crouched down beside one of the tables piled with bolts of fabric.

“This has gotten out of hand, so the town’s patrol should arrive soon. It’s best for you to go now,” Beks said. Sandra looked at her and then at Gerard. She clutched the fabric against her chest. Beks followed her gaze. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to him. The Second Pr-Young Master’s person is my person.”

Sandra took a deep breath, but nodded. “I will tell Mr. Falker at once!”

She turned towards the door, but Beks stopped her. “Sandra!” She held out her hand and Sandra turned around. “Make sure Lord Octavius brings his heir.”

Sandra tilted her head to the side. “What if they ask why?”

Another yell sounded just as a crack of bone was heard behind her.

Beks gave Sandra an encouraging smile “His treasurer has been arrested for embezzling tax money.”

Master Landon clearly didn’t hear her as he remained crouched by a table, covering his head as Gerard toyed with the men attacking him. One was still laying out on the dirt road outside while another was on the floor, clutching what was likely a broken arm. The remaining two pulled their swords, but their postures were awkward and they seemed hesitant, even against Gerard, who had yet to draw his sword.

Beks felt she was right in assuming they had little to no formal training. Sandra scurried away. Once she left, Beks felt a heaviness fill the room. She turned her head towards Gerard and raised a brow.

As soon as his wife is gone, he releases his biha. That’s a bit sweet of him to have waited. The air felt oppressive and she wasn’t the only one who noticed. The change was quick and it surprised everyone in the store. The moment the two remaining guards lost their focus on Gerard because of the air biha causing discomfort, Gerard darted forward.

Two new swords fell to the floor as the two men were disarmed and then pushed back. They hit the wall, groaning as their bodies bounced against it. Gerard began to reach for his sword.

“Hold!” Beks’ firm voice cut through the room and Gerard froze in place. “The patrol is coming, don’t draw it.”

The air pressure around her became light, returning to normal as Gerard took a step back and moved his hand from where it was hovering over the grip. He kept his eyes on the guards as he returned to his place in front of Beks.

“My lady, we should leave,” he said in a low voice.

“No, I want to finish this,” Beks replied as she glanced at Master Landon cowering. “What happened here should be made clear.”

Voices were heard outside. Someone was shouting that there was a fight happening in the fabric shop. A moment later, a half dozen men of varying ages from young to late middle-aged poured through the door.

“What happened here?” The leader was the one with a blue coat. Everyone else wore regular clothes. In rural towns and villages, patrols were community based. These men were all residents of the town and surrounding villages who took turns to keep order. They didn’t have formal uniforms, except the leader, and their weapons were long, wooden batons.

Beks stepped forward, head held high. “Patrol leader, these men accosted me. That man,” she said, pointing to Master Landon who was just starting to stand up. “Is the master of those three young men who broke into my room two nights ago to rob me. He has come to take revenge for his apprentices on me.”

“Revenge!” Master Landon balked. He looked at the patrol leader. “I am Perry Landon, the treasurer to Lord Octavius! I have no reason to come for revenge. My students are innocent! She is lying!”

“I wouldn’t make such an accusation when you’re the one who also admitted to embezzling money from Lord Octavius.” Beks spoke with such unwavering certainty that Gerard nodded without thinking.

Master Landon choked back a cry. “I never admitted to such a thing!”

“Did you or did you not say embezzling?” Beks raised a brow. Master Landon opened his mouth to say he didn’t, but froze when he realized he had said the word.

“I said it, but-”

“You heard his confession.” Beks cut him off and looked at the patrol leader. “He said it.”

Master Landon looked as if he was ready to pull his hair out. “This woman isn’t from our town. How can you believe her?”

“Patrol leader, you must know that three young men were arrested at the Sunrise Inn two nights ago. There were witness accounts and tools for picking locks were found at the scene,” Beks said. “This man cannot accept that his apprentices have been caught and wants to take his anger out on me. He had threatened me with bodily harm. If it were not for my personal guard, his four men would’ve cut me to pieces.”

Beks motioned her hands to the fallen men behind them. Their weapons were either still in their sheaths or on the floor with them, but it was clear that at one point, they had drawn their weapons. Perhaps not necessarily at her, but that was a technicality.

“I was trying to stop you from leaving!”

“Why would you stop me from leaving?” Beks asked, calm as ever. “I have done nothing wrong. You are harassing an innocent citizen and threatening them with weapons. Under Kadmus Kingdom Common Law, volume one, section three - extortion, coercion, and blackmail, you have harassed me with intent to cause bodily harm for personal interest, punishable by fine and up to a month of prison time and hard labor, depending on severity. Furthermore, you caused a public disturbance, also punishable by fine and prison time. This doesn’t count the damage you’ve done to the store. It is right that you should give compensation to the store owner.”

Master Landon stared at Beks, dumbfounded at what she was spouting. “I...I haven’t done such a thing-”

“Patrol leader, to be cautious, you should act in accordance with patrol procedure and take us all to the town jail to be questioned,” Beks said. “I am more than willing to give my statement for the records and see to it that this master thief is imprisoned!”

Hearing her cite Kadmus Common Law and mention patrol procedure, the patrol leader nodded his head and lifted his hand. “Bring them with us back to the jail.” Several of his men spread out to pick up the guards and pull them to their feet. Master Landon was grabbed by the arm and pushed towards the door. The patrol leader looked at her. “Miss, you will have to come with us.”

Beks gave him a nod. “My pleasure.”

She walked forward to follow the procession of arrested men, and Gerard followed behind her. He leaned forward and whispered. “Miss, are you sure about this? What if you’re noticed?”

“In this case, I've already been noticed,” Beks said in a quiet voice. “I should stand out as someone else. Besides, I can’t let this man get away with what he’s done.”

Gerard took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, such a man should be punished for threatening you.”

“Yes, but also, he really has embezzled money. Either from local taxes or from the lord’s own coffers,” Beks told him, keeping her eyes ahead and fixed on the old man with his shoulders slumped forward.

Gerard furrowed his brows. “How do you know?”

Beks lips pulled into a wry smile. “I know.”

Gerard continued to frown, unsatisfied with the answer. He looked towards the old treasurer and his men being pushed or dragged forward ahead of them and squinted. After a few moments, he perked up. “Their weapons?” She had mentioned it earlier.

“And his guilty face,” Beks replied. “By the way, Gerard, I’d appreciate it if this weren’t reported to my fiancé. Don’t tell them I went to jail.”

╔═════════════════ ∘◦ ♔ ◦∘ ═════════════════╗

“That’s strange....” Iris lifted her head from where she was going through various drawings of wedding dress designs at the coffee table in Luther’s office. She looked towards his desk, where he sat with a frown and his brows furrowed as he flipped to another page in a book.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as she sat up.

Luther’s lips tightened into a line. “We’re spending much faster than anticipated.” His eyes crinkled up with concern. “If this keeps up, we won’t have enough for the projected costs in the winter.”

Iris tilted her head to the side. Luther had been working very hard to learn procedures from Chamberlain Wilton and listened intently to experienced courtiers he felt had the kingdom’s best interests at heart. Iris felt he was doing well getting along with those snobbish, old folks at court, but there was more to being king than socializing.

The governing portion, in particular budgets, had troubled him a great deal, as there was much that Luther wanted to do to improve the kingdom, but there was not enough money to do so. It was often difficult for him to prioritize one thing over another unless there was an urgent need, which made him feel guilty.

Her heart ached for him.

Luther was a good king and only wanted what was best for Kadmus.

“Perhaps some expenses cost more than projected. That happens often, especially when construction is involved or if initial estimates were incorrect to begin with. It could be that a situation changed,” Iris said. “Once, we were assisting in providing food for a village that had flooded, but surrounding villages heard and started to come to that village. We didn’t bring enough supplies, so we had to apply to the Temple for more, which cost more.”

Luther looked back at the ledger on his desk and nodded his head, solemn. “That’s true.” His shoulders sank and his eyes reddened for a moment. “We certainly didn’t expect to lose both Mother and Brother Laurence.”

His voice was tight and the room was quiet. Iris rose from the sofa and crossed the room to get to him. She walked around the desk and wrapped her arms around him as she stood by his side.

Every now and then, Luther would think of his mother and dead ‘brother’. More than once, she knew that he’d gone to the tombs below. She’d followed him the first time she noticed, and heard him speaking to the dead, venting his frustrations and confusion when he thought no one was there.

Iris grit her teeth. Luther never told her when he went and after the first time she’d followed him, she never bothered again.

Luther had asked his mother’s sarcophagus and his ‘brother’ what he could have done to keep Lady Rebecca with him. Iris could still hear his words that angered her and broke her heart: If she were here, I’d be more confident. I know I could be king if she was at my side, guiding me like you planned.

This had spurred her into reading up on Kadmus history and studying political and government related books. She even found books in the library on the kingdom’s finances, but there was too much information and she didn’t have a proper instructor, so everything was gibberish to her.

Her attendants told her not to compare. After all, Lady Rebecca had been groomed since she was a child to master those subjects. That was twenty years. Iris could not learn that in a day. She could only focus on one thing at a time, but she was doing it in secret so as not to alarm Luther and make him worry about her.

She pressed his head against her chest and nuzzled the top of her head with hers. One day, she would be of help to him governing and be able to take some weight off his shoulders.

“You are doing your best, Luther.”

His hands rose and rested over her arm that was wrapped around him. “I only wish I had been more diligent when I was younger. Studied more or followed my brother. I am more unprepared than I thought.” He frowned with disappointment and shook his head. Before Iris could comfort him further or distract him, he gently pulled her arms off. “I want to call my cousin.” He reached across his desk to grab hold of a small bell.

After he rang it, the door opened and the guard bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Summon Frank Hessing.” The guard bowed his head and closed the door.

Iris frowned a bit. She didn’t like Luther’s cousin. His father’s family, the Hessings, were a Count family. It was also the late Queen’s maternal grandmother’s family. They were large and the income generated by their land wasn’t enough to support such a large family, so they had many businesses.

However, they weren’t all doing well.

Iris had hoped that Frank Hessing, who the Third Consort assured Luther was the most successful businessman of their generation, would be able to assist Luther with budgeting, which he was, but she couldn’t bring herself to trust him.

She remained at Luther’s side, rubbing his shoulders until a knock came from the door. Frank arrived and he bowed once he entered. Iris narrowed her eyes. Frank was a few years older than them and unmarried. He seemed to carry the Hessing appearance with wavy blond hair left long and tied at his nape and down turned green eyes.

Iris tried not to sneer at his ostentatious clothing. Even in the past, when she tried to dress her status as the mother of Luther’s child, she had been subdued as it was seen in bad taste to flaunt wealth outside of social events amongst peers. Luther had told her that and she took it to heart.

Frank didn’t seem like a noble at all.

“Your Majesty, good afternoon.”

Luther raised his hand. “You may call me by my name in private, Frank.”

“It is an honor,” he said. His eyes turned towards Iris and his thin lips pulled into a lazy smile. “And good afternoon to you, Your Eminence Oracle Elpidah.”

She hated the way he looked at her, as if she were being leered at. Even if he greeted her politely, she knew Frank didn’t take her seriously as the future wife of the king.

Luther gave him a distracted nod. “I’ve called you in regard to the budget for the remaining year. It seems that we’ve had several unexpected expenses. I wanted to know if you had any ideas on where we can move funds.”

Frank let out a low hiss and furrowed his brows. “You ask a lot of me, Luther. From what I reviewed last, much of the budget for the remaining year has been allocated and fixed. What about the royal family’s coffers?”

“We’ve already used up a good portion for my mother and brother’s deaths and my coronation. I don’t want to take any more from it, as we are using the remaining for our wedding,” Luther said as he lifted his hand and placed it over Iris’.

Her gaze softened as she looked down at him. She knew he would not let her suffer.

Frank gave him a thoughtful nod and walked closer to the desk. “I did notice that some of the businesses the royal family holds aren’t doing as well as they have in previous years. It may be time to reinvest, sell, or change the focus of the business. For instance, there are lands north of here that are...underutilized. All that is there is an inn and perhaps when it was built, the traffic was high, but the trade route it used to support is no longer in use as before.”

Luther nodded his head. “I see. We do have several of those properties. You’re more experienced in this sense, Frank. What do you think?”

“I think the land should be sold. Since it’s on the slopes of a mountain, it’s not suitable for farming, but perhaps it can be sold to a logging merchant,” Frank told him. “I can send out some inquiries to associates I know and get an idea of the value of the land. It shouldn’t be a small amount.”

Luther nodded his head solemnly. “Please look into it and draft a proposal for review,” Luther said. “I will discuss it with my father.”

Frank’s face lit up and he nodded. He bowed his head. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

“You are dismissed.”

Frank left the room and Iris let out a low breath.

“Are you all right?” Luther asked. He turned his head to look up at her. “Your grip on my shoulder....”

Iris gasped and snatched her hand back. Her eyes were wide as she gave him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Luther. Did I hurt you?”

He smiled softly and shook his head. “No, but I am worried about you.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “Tell me, what’s wrong?”

She was hesitant to answer. After all, not only was Frank Luther’s cousin, but he was brought to Luther by his father to assist him. He was also doing his job and so Luther was pleased with his performance.

“It’s nothing,” she said with a reassuring smile. “I’m just worried about the missing funds. After all, so many people are depending on you.”

“We will figure something out. We should always be prepared for emergencies, after all. Even the budget approved for next year has an allowance for emergencies around the empire,” Luther said. “I remember my mother authorized such a fund to be added to each year’s budget a few years ago at Beks’ suggestion-.” He snapped his mouth shut and looked at her with a bit of panic. Iris’ face fell at the name of another woman coming from his lips. “I’m sorry, Iris. I didn’t mean to bring her up.”

She quickly controlled her expression and forced a smile. “Don’t be sorry. Lady Rebecca did much for the kingdom. It’s good that she’s done so much, isn’t it?”

Luther caressed her hand and brought her closer. “She has, but she abandoned us. Turned her back on the kingdom. I can never forgive her.”

If you can’t, then why did you tell your dead mother that you wished she were here? Iris pushed the bitterness down and kept a smile on her face. She wanted him to forget all about that woman. “Luther...if you want...that is...I want to help you.”

He cocked his head to the side and gave her a curious look. “Help me?”

“Yes,” Iris said. She moved around and sat on his lap to hold his attention. “I want to learn more about Kadmus and how to govern it. I want to be your support and stay by your side to help you carry the burden.”

His eyes dilated as he stared into her eyes. “Iris....”

“Can you find me a tutor? Someone to help me learn?” Iris asked. “They taught Lady Rebecca to be of use. Why can’t they teach me?” She gave him a weak, hopeful smile.

He clenched his jaw and threw his arms around her. He buried his face against her chest as he pulled her close. For a moment, he only held her tight, as if she were the most precious person in his life. Iris relished his embrace and pressed her head against his.

“It is so much work, Iris. Are you sure?” He pulled his head back to look at her with uncertainty. “Learning to govern is no easy task.”

She nodded. “I know.”

“But you are also the next Great Oracle,” Luther said with crinkled eyes. “Won’t it be too much for you? You still have duties to the Temple....” His voice trailed off and he rested his forehead against her shoulder. “I don’t want to be a burden on you.”

Her heart swelled. She knew he wouldn’t want to trouble her, but this was something she needed to do. “You’re not a burden, Luther. I want to help you.” She cupped his chin and tilted his head up to meet her eyes as she smiled. “You are my king and I will be your queen. This is what I should do.”

His eyes seemed to look at her as if burning her into his memory. Without warning, he grasped her face with one hand and brought it down, pressing his lips against hers. She let out a gasp, her eyes widening with surprise before she relaxed into his kiss.

The hot, heavy breathing filled the room before the two red-faced, breathless people pulled apart. Luther kept his arms around her as he cradled her against him.

“Thank you, Iris,” he said as he kissed her once more. “I knew I was lucky the moment I met you.”

╔═════════════════ ∘◦ ♔ ◦∘ ═════════════════╗

“Leon! Miss!” Sandra’s eyes were red as she rushed towards them. Beks stayed in place and didn’t move to greet her so that Gerard could sweep his wife into his arms.

He laughed as Sandra ran into him and embraced him. “Were you worried? You should have more faith in Miss!”

Beks sent him a sidelong glance. He said that now. Two hours earlier, when they were seated in a cell because Gerard engaged in the fight and Master Landon insisted Beks instigated it and was framing his apprentices, he hadn’t been so confident. He paced his cell, seemingly at a loss for words, and kept rubbing his face with his hand muttering that the Battalion Commander would demote him.

They weren’t the only ones in the cells, either. Beks, as the long woman of the group, was put into a different, smaller cell, while Gerard was put into one across from her. Master Landon’s group was kept in a different cell with one empty cell between them and Gerard, so as to avoid another fight.

With nowhere to sit, but the ground, Beks had paced her jail cell, daydreaming of ways to make Luther’s reign difficult while creating as little collateral damage as possible. She settled to crippling the royal family financially, or at least as much as she could. There were few people who knew the extent of the royal family’s business.

At one point, all the taxes and rent of royal lands weren’t enough to run a kingdom, so the royal family had some businesses. This was well known and other kingdoms practiced it.

However, during the period of decline, when the royal family's private spending was at its peak, even those businesses weren’t enough so there were more aggressive attempts to make money for the family. When the late Queen took over, a small portion of those businesses continued to supplement running the kingdom, while the riskier businesses were dropped.

The handful of remaining financial endeavors were transferred over to Nexus. Many of them were tied with the businesses the royal family kept, so slight manipulations of partners, supplies, and supply chains would cause some havoc and disrupt the flow of money enough to give Luther a headache.

One couldn’t run a country, let alone their own household, without money.

Beks had giggled to herself in the cell and Gerard had asked her to stop as it was frightening.

“I’m glad you are safe, Miss Snowy,” Mr. Falker said as he wiped some sweat off his brow. He had come with Lord Octavius and the lord’s son directly from their manor to ensure that Beks was released.

The man had rushed as soon as Sandra told him, surprising the woman who was left behind.

“Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Falker. I apologize for having to trouble you. I know that you were resting at this time,” Beks replied with an apologetic bow of her head.

The man shook his head. “Your safety is a priority, Miss.” He started to bow, but stopped, as if remembering that Beks was just a normal citizen at this time, and not a noble. He still gave her a respectful nod. “I will return to the inn.”

Beks gave him a return nod and watched him leave before turning towards Sandra.

“I’m sorry to have made you wait, Sandra,” Beks said as she gave the woman a thoughtful smile. “You did an excellent job.”

Sandra clung onto her husband’s arm and nodded. “I was worried that Mr. Falker would not listen, but as soon as I told him, he rushed out.” Sandra leaned closer to Beks. “How did you know he would?”

“Mr. Falker is a wood merchant that comes through here often and transports wood from some land belonging to the local lord,” Beks replied. “So, they have a business arrangement and Mr. Falker would be able to get an audience with the local lord quickly enough. Mr. Falker is also instructed to transport me, so he can’t leave me behind.”

Sandra’s eyes were wide, impressed. “Your family’s influence is great.”

They weren’t in jail for half the day and the sun was just setting. Beks sighed. It was only supposed to be a quick errand to buy veils, but it turned into an entire debacle involving the local lord.

“Miss!” A man’s voice called behind her and Beks stopped and turned around. The man who had come with Lord Octavius looked out of breath and flustered as he rushed out of the jail. “Miss, wait a moment!”

Beks stood in place and Sandra leaned up to her husband with furrowed brows. “Who is that?”

“Young Lord Octavius, the lord’s heir. He accompanied his father when he heard about the charges against Landon,” Gerard replied. “They’d taken longer than expected, as he wanted to bring the ledgers to check.”

Sandra’s brows rose. “I see...then, Miss was right?”

Gerard frowned a bit. “I didn’t expect her accusation to be true.”

Sandra snorted. “Then, shouldn’t you be the one who has more faith in her?”

Beks ignored their banter and gave the young lord a small bow of her head. “Is there anything else, Young Lord Octavius?”

He wasn’t much older than her with thick brown hair, and green eyes. Perhaps only a little shorter, but not too noticeable. He came to a stop in front of her and gave her a respectful bow of his head.

“Miss, I cannot thank you enough for your assistance today,” he said. “I’ve long suspected that Master Landon has been siphoning money, but my father puts too much trust in him and refused to let me check. Today, in the name of proving his innocence, I was able to go through the ledgers and records. It wasn’t much, but it’s enough that my father has approved them for review.”

Beks raised a brow and frowned. “Is your father not convinced of Landon’s embezzlement?”

She could see the frustration in the man’s eyes, showing that he had likely tried for some time to verify his suspicions, but were refuted by his father, leaving him helpless. Hearing that his father still wanted more proof was also a bit frustrating, but it would be good practice to be thorough.

The man frowned and shook his head. “I’m afraid they have too long a history together and the trust is not easily broken.”

“Then aside from your father’s records, you should also check the finances of Mr. Landon,” Beks told him. “What made me suspicious to begin with were the weapons on those men. It means he had enough money to not only buy weapons, but hire men to work for him. A good question to ask is why he would need several hired thugs to begin with.”

The man drew his head back, surprised. “This is the first time I’ve seen him with those men. At most, only his apprentices had been with him.”

“Do his apprentices pay him tuition?”

“Yes, but it’s mainly to supplement their boarding and food at his house in town,” the man replied.

Beks narrowed her eyes. “He may try to claim that any extra comes from his apprentice, so make sure to question them individually on their tuition first. It is important to be thorough about this, as for the sake of the people, and so as much money can be retrieved as possible.”

“Of course, Miss. I understand that,” he said. He looked over his shoulder and saw his aging father being helped into a carriage.

When he had entered the jail earlier and demanded to see them, Lord Octavius appeared much more energetic. Having realized he’d been betrayed by someone he trusted for years must’ve given him a blow.

“You should reassure your father that this isn’t his fault and that it’s a relief that Landon has been caught,” Beks told him.

“Yes,” the man replied. He looked back at Beks. “Miss, I’m afraid I never got your name.”

“My name is Snowy,” Beks replied with a small, graceful nod of her head. “Everyone calls me Miss Snowy.”

The name garnered the same response from him as it did Sandra, and behind her veil, Beks pursed her lips. Was it that strange of a name? She thought it was fine.

“Miss Snowy, I was told that you were staying at the inn. Will you be here for a few more days? My family and I would like to thank you. May I invite you and your people to the manor for a meal?”

Beks lifted her hand and shook her head. “We will be leaving in the morning, Young Master. Thank you for your kindness.”

He furrowed his brow and seemed to think. “Then, may we prepare something for your trip?”

“It is unnecessary to trouble yourself. You have much to investigate.” She made a vague hand motion to the town jail made of stone and brick behind him.

He looked a bit pained, hesitant to let her go without reciprocating. “Must you leave so soon?”

Beks nodded her head. “I must. My fiancé is expecting me.”

He snapped his head up and blinked. “Your fiancé? You’re engaged?”

“Yes. He lives quite a bit away from here,” Beks replied. Disappointment filled the man’s face.

“I see...I see....” He muttered to himself and took a step back, giving her a wry smile. “Then, I wish you a safe journey, Miss Snowy.”

Beks gave him a nod and turned around, heading back to the inn. Sandra looked over her shoulder at the man and then at Beks. “My lady,” she whispered. “Do you think he wanted to see your face? Perhaps he heard that a beautiful woman was seen recently and wanted to take a look for himself.”

“It’s possible he was curious, but he didn’t pressure us to stay. That's respectable,” she replied. “He may send something over as thanks despite my insistence, so Gerard, keep an eye out for that.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“How are you so certain?” Sandra asked, appearing genuinely curious.

“Reciprocity is very important to nobles. Not showing gratitude would make you appear selfish, rude, and too poor to repay a favor. He’ll likely send something.”

They made it halfway through dinner that night before a servant from the lord’s manor arrived with some fabric and dried meat local to the area for their journey. It wasn’t too much, as too much would be troublesome to travel with, which Beks thought was considerate. The dried meat would be useful on their journey, as well.

“My lady....” Sandra gasped as she sat in Beks’ room and examined the fabric that had been delivered. She unraveled part of it and lifted it up. “This is beautiful...do you think it’s imported? I’ve never seen it before.”

Beks finished packing away her small bundle of things and looked towards the bed. The Octavius family had sent her two bundles of fabric and both looked expensive. She walked over and ran her fingers across.

She raised a brow. “It’s from Paraxes. The gold floral pattern woven into the fabric, not just on the edges, means that this fabric had a specific purpose.”

Sandra looked interested and nodded. “What is the purpose?”

“Marriage,” Beks said as she withdrew her hand. “This is fabric used for wedding clothes.”

Sandra immediately took in a sharp breath and almost threw the cloth out of her hands. “Is he insane? He’s using this to propose to you?”

Beks looked over her shoulder at the stunned woman, eyes wide, and confusion on her face. “What? No, Sandra, I told him I had a fiancé. He knows I’m getting married; he must’ve sent this in consideration of that.”

Sandra puffed her cheeks out and frowned. “In our village, items related to the wedding were gifted by one party to the other.”

“Then, did you and Gerard prepare each other’s clothes when you got married?” Beks asked.

Sandra paused and her eyes crinkled up with a helpless sigh. “We got married in the Wild Dogs encampment. The Battalion Commander married us and bought us our clothes as we didn’t have anything suitable.”

“Were you in the middle of a battle?” Beks asked.

“They were heading out for a year-long border tour and had stopped at the fortress a second time. If we didn’t get married then, it would be another year...and his safety is never guaranteed. My brother is a soldier, so I know that.” Sandra touched the wedding fabric once more. “Both of us wanted to get married as soon as possible. The fortress where I was stationed at the time didn’t have anything for wedding clothing, or supplies for a wedding, so the Battalion Commander sent someone out and prepared it for us.”

“I didn’t know that a battalion commander could marry you,” Beks said as she tilted her head to the side. She didn’t recall them having a specific right to do so, as they had to be given authority to approve the marriage agreement, which was a legal document. In Kadmus, authority to approve marriage agreements for noble marriages was usually given to priests, heads of marches and ducal houses, the monarch, and their heir.

Unless common marriages were different, and more senior officers and nobles were allowed?

“He was surprisingly skilled and did the Temple marriage blessing before we signed the marriage agreement,” Sandra replied.

Beks paused. “You said he gave a blessing from the Temple?”

Sandra nodded. “Yes. He even had the robes. We don’t know where he got them. He just laughed and said not to ask.”

“And this was done in front of the entire camp?”

“Oh, the ceremony was very private in the Battalion Commander’s tent,” Sandra said. “Hector was with us, two more Wild Dogs, and two friends of mine from the fortress. And the Battalion Commander, of course.”

Beks blinked and then turned her head away as she smiled a bit. “I see.” She chuckled to herself. “It’s getting late, Sandra. I should get some rest.”

The other woman let out a disappointed sigh, still wanting to chat. “I’m all packed. Thank you for letting me join you.”

“There is no reason not to allow you. We can afford to bring you and this is a recovery trip. It shouldn’t be too dangerous as long as no one recognizes me,” Beks replied. Sandra nodded.

“It is still appreciated. I don’t get to see Leon too often,” Sandra said with a melancholy smile. She lowered her eyes and touched the wedding fabric. Her voice softened. “I really missed him.”

Beks smiled a bit and leaned down, snatching the fabric up and making Sandra snap out of her thoughts. The woman’s bewildered eyes met hers. “If you miss him, why are you wasting your time with me? Go and spend time with your husband! I’m sure he’s waiting out the door right now.”

Sandra’s face filled with a flush. She gave Beks a quiet thanks and scurried out. When she opened the door, Beks heard her gasp that Gerard really was waiting outside. The door closed and Beks sighed. Sandra and Gerard weren’t much older than her. They’d married when Sandra was her age.

Beks sat down on the edge of her bed and combed her hair. It was strange to think that she’d been engaged since she was a child up until now, though technically, there was no agreement and her marriage partner had yet to be decided between the twins.

She put her comb down and rolled on to the bed.

The last two nights, she hadn’t thought much about them. In fact, she hadn’t since she left the island, as all her focus had been on getting contact with Nexus, securing reasonable transport to get her to the location where her brother was likely to be, and then finding her brother and father before returning, then leaving again to find her mother and younger siblings.

For a moment, she felt guilty.

She hadn’t really thought about the twins and they were so good to her. Although, she did feel that something was missing. No one was bringing her food he just cooked. No one was nagging her to get some rest. No one rubbed her shoulders, worried she’d strain herself studying the tablets.

She raised her hand and touched the empty space on her bed. It was narrow, but at least half another person could fit on it. A full person if they both slept on their sides. Before she left the island and she was spending nights memorizing text in the library, Laz and Lucian would stay with her, if only to make sure she didn’t stay awake all night.

There were nights where she fell asleep and felt her tired body fall against a warm, familiar one. Sometimes, she’d feel herself being laid on the mat with a new cushion so she didn’t sleep awkwardly and hurt herself. Occasionally, she’d heard their voices fussing over her.

Looking back on it, on the island, she really was spoiled. Perhaps she didn’t have the material luxuries she had when in Kadmium, but care was taken when it came to her daily life. She didn’t have to worry about her immediate needs and was surprisingly relaxed. Then again, it may have been the bihar-rich bathing pool.

Or it could’ve been waking up between those two. Beks let out a small snort-laugh as she rolled over and shut her eyes. She wondered how they were doing without her to bother them. Were they sleeping all right when she wasn’t there? What were they working on? More baskets?

The pillow beneath her wasn’t as comfortable as Lucian’s arm cradling her head, nor was the blanket as heavy as Laz’s arm around her waist.

She took a deep breath, her eyes shut tight, as her hand grasped the thin blanket across her, wrapping it around her. The room didn’t feel as safe without them there, either.

Laz...Lucian...Snowflake.... It seemed that she missed them more than she thought.