27. TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-SEVEN
Mina
Istretch my muscles as I lean over the table. Between the battle yesterday and tossing and turning all night—waiting for a follow-up attack that never came—my body is more ache than sinew.
My companions are no better off. Lady Victoria slouches in her chair, reviewing the data we gathered so far.
She’s passionate and is a wealth of information.
Today’s success will be largely due to her contributions.
Her father’s choice to name her eldest brother the heir to his company will cost him dearly one day.
“The good news is that we’ve talked to over sixty percent of the residents.”
I sigh into my tea. “And the bad?”
“The disputes over claimed stolen property are far more than we anticipated.”
People lie. I’m not surprised that some might use this opportunity for selfish gain. “People with evidence and bookkeeping will be heard first. Communal items like food and funds will be equally distributed after that. It’s impossible to return everything accurately, but we must try.”
Lady Kailani sets her scone down, far more put together than the rest of us. “If you would allow, I’d like to oversee the disputes.”
Normally the adviser who oversees the territory would handle it, but after Lord Baueman’s snide remarks today, I am all too eager to lessen his load.
Reassigning that duty to a capable woman is a lovely lesson in karma.
Noula might not be as rigid toward females, but it is my understanding they only observe politics. Kailani’s confidence to take on a new job warms me with pride. “If you’re up to the task, then it’s yours.”
She laughs, pulling her dark curls over one shoulder. “With six younger sisters, I have more experience settling disputes than anyone in this city.”
Victoria snorts. “Siblings are useful that way.”
Our guards try to cover their laughter with a cough. “Apologies, Your Majesty.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” The nearest guard offers a shy smile before turning his attention back on the hall doors.
It’s funny how one small battle can change so many hearts. Quite a few soldiers offered their gratitude after yesterday’s attack. Many of whom openly glared at me riding next to Darius beforehand.
I greedily accept the progress.
If only the citizens shared the same sentiment. Many ask for the emperor directly, followed by his advisers, and even the commanders. The idea of a queen listening to their plights is apparently off-putting in such an old-fashioned city.
Natalie slowly warmed to my responsibilities, but the same cannot be said of her homeland.
If she wasn’t stuck in bed with grief, I would’ve delegated several of these tasks to her.
People know her face. They trusted her father as mayor.
Surely, they would be kind toward his daughter in a leadership role.
“With this many disputes, it might be wise to start right away. Let’s set up a second space to meet. It’ll also give people a place to wait while construction continues around the city,” Victoria suggests.
Darius wasted no time assigning workers to the repairs, hiring local smiths and craftsmen for the urgent jobs. We’ll pay for the restoration of the city. After all, it was our responsibility to keep them safe, yet they were held captive for almost a week.
My time as queen here will be short lived, but my vow is sincere. These people matter and deserve the best chance at a healthy and happy life. Until I can help my own people, I will help Veloria.
Pushing my nearly full plate to the side, I note down our needs for the second gathering space and wave over a guard. “To Staefan, please.”
He will have the request ready within the hour. He and Darius are nothing if not a well-oiled waterwheel, and adding to their smooth transition feels good. The three of us are an odd team, but one I enjoy being a part of.
Kailani leaves for the second venue after we finish eating. Victoria and I ask the guards to let in the next wave of citizens. Each person reports on the condition of their home, businesses, and property. Most stories are the same.
The raiders came in and took what they wanted, including women. Husbands and fathers were forced to watch as their wives, sisters, and daughters were assaulted. Those who tried to stand up to the criminals were beaten or slaughtered.
My stomach sours at the horrors described, the innocent lives lost. I am grateful that I didn’t finish my food earlier or it would be greeting the floor. Anger and sympathy knot my gut, and a strange urge to cut the raiders down all over again washes over me.
I cannot go back and erase what happened to these people, but I can help them move forward. I already sent word for a clinic to be set up tomorrow. Any victims, either directly affected or forced to witness the acts, will receive medical and mental checkups from the doctors we sent for.
I inform the young woman in front of me about the clinic and encourage her to seek them out in the morning. She’s so young—no more than sixteen. Orphaned and defiled by those monsters. My heart breaks for her.
“Thank you.” She bows awkwardly, remaining in place. The others in line are several feet back, giving each citizen a bit of privacy. She glances at the guards behind me with worry etched in her brows so deeply I fear it might freeze there permanently. “Your Majesty?” Her voice cracks.
I glance behind me and try to view them through her eyes. Tall, broad, clad in armor, and terrifying after what she experienced.
“A moment of privacy,” I command.
They share a hesitant glance but comply, taking several steps back. I walk around the table and take her hands in mine, partly to comfort her and partly to make attacking difficult. The guards tense as hushed whispers fill the hall.
I sense no danger from the young girl but keep my guard up. “What’s your name?”
“Sovia.”
“You may speak freely, Sovia. No one can hear us.”
Her shaking intensifies. “After…” She swallows. “I haven’t, um.”
“Bled,” I finish for her, fearing the same for many of the women here today.
She nods, tears threatening to spill over.
In Kalisham, we have a procedure for these situations or for if a child is lost. I highly doubt such medical practices exist in Veloria, but that won’t stop me from asking.
For now, I offer Sovia the same hope as others. Society may reject the notion of an unmarried mother, but I will not.
“The clinic will be offering a tonic. It isn’t foolproof, but there is a strong chance it will help.”
“What if it doesn’t? I can’t…I’m not ready.”
I gently squeeze her fingers. “No matter what happens, you will not be alone in this. Be it finances, childcare, or whatever else may come to worry you. Understand?”
Hot tears land on our intertwined fingers. “Thank you, my queen.”
“Thank you for your bravery. Now, please rest. Let tomorrow worry about itself.”
How many times did Mother offer me those words of wisdom? She always had a way of easing fears. I pray that her words do the same for Sovia now.
She bows as I return to my seat, heart heavy. These burdens of ruling were never supposed to be mine. Fareena’s patient heart was bred from birth to handle these types of events, while I wasted my days away with mischief and play-fighting.
How completely naive I was. The resentment I held toward my mother’s time at work eases into regret. I should have made more of an effort to understand and learn from her. I should have told her how proud I was of her. I should have said a lot of things. Done so much differently.
Time is easy to take for granted though.
Faces blur together, some angry, others hopeful, as the rest of the city brings forward their information. By the time the line nears its conclusion, the sun is casting torn shadows from the perimeter wall.
Victoria shuffles an enormous stack of papers, organized and broken down into categories. She worked her fingers to the bone analyzing the information as it came in.
Interviewing the citizens was the right call. The assessors can find damage easily enough, but the citizens are the ones who know where the city is hurting. Supplies and repairs will be reprioritized tomorrow based on Victoria’s recommendations.
“Please don’t take any offense at this,” I say with an exhausted smile as we drag ourselves back to the inn. “But you are wasted as a lady-in-waiting.”
“I suppose it’s a good thing you’ve expanded our roles then,” Victoria teases.
“Your knowledge allowed me to. Thank you. I wouldn’t have succeeded today without you. Transportation timelines for materials aren’t exactly a class in Kalisham.”
Her laughter fills the warm air as an orange sky follows us. “I’m grateful for that. I doubt economics would’ve saved anyone from a sword yesterday. Not unless I bored the traitors to death.”
“Skills with a sword are much easier to master. I would be happy to teach you a few moves for defense sometime.”
“I think I’ll stick to my books, thank you.”
I hook my arm through hers. She startles but smiles at the embrace. “Why did you agree to be a lady-in-waiting when you are so clearly fit for business?” I ask.
Victoria and Kailani, as far as I can tell, have no interest in becoming queen. At least not that they’ve revealed so far.
Victoria hums softly, searching for the words. Guards are close enough to give us protection, but far enough away that we can talk freely.
“I suppose I wanted a change of pace. If I’m going to fetch someone’s tea, let it not be the men who overlooked me. I love my family dearly, but they didn’t back my membership request to the guild. It stung.”
I study her determined features. Brains, beauty, and patience. How foolish to overlook someone so brilliant for something as uncontrollable as one’s gender.
“Today you proved your family wrong. I have no intention of wasting your potential on fetching drinks and gossip. I hope you’re ready.”
Nerves dance behind her enthusiastic nod. “Thank you.” Her voice drops a fraction lower. “Mina.”
It’s the first time any of them have used my name without a title. The small, hard-won victory heals some of the pain today’s stories brought.
Victoria leaves to meet Kailani, while I head to get ready for my dinner with Darius. Outside my room, a woman has joined the newest guard rotation. She fingers the end of a black braid, and the closer I get, the harder she stares at the wall.
The other guard turns to me with a familiar grin.
“Hamlin. I am glad to see you safe and well.” I nod toward the woman. “Who’s this with you?”
She awkwardly brings the wrong fist to her chest in a salute. “Urselya, Your Majesty.”
Hamlin pats the woman on the back with such force that she stumbles forward a bit. “Urselya here is shadowing me until her training officially starts.”
“Training? As a soldier?” Excitement sends me forward without thinking. I grab her hands and pull her closer, the wild smile on my face doing little to ease her nerves.
“Ye-yes. I heard you were accepting new recruits, and after hearing about what you did to the raiders, I-I wanted to learn to fight as well.”
The ache in my heart rapidly repairs at the idea of my first soldier. “I’m honored you’ve decided to join our ranks. What have you done for work until now?”
Her palms are a bit callused, signs of a hard worker.
“My family owns a farm a few miles out. I was here getting supplies when the raiders attacked. I’ve been stuck here hiding since.” She shrugs, as if avoiding those monsters is unimpressive.
“That must have been quite terrifying. Thank goodness you’re safe.” She could have shared Sovia’s fate, or worse, if they found her. “You are in great hands with Hamlin until training begins. The emperor and I will get you set up with a schedule as soon as we settle matters here.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Thank you all.” I turn to the guards who escorted me here. “I am very lucky indeed to have such brave men and women at my side.”
Humble mumbles of gratitude are given in return. I wave at the group as I retreat into my room. The noise of the day gives way to silence, and I close my eyes, relishing a moment alone.
Well, mostly alone. Jaime waits by the bathroom door with a note and a fresh change of clothes, but her presence is a welcome one.
“I thought you might like a quick bath before dinner.”
“You are a mind reader.” I follow her into the next room and skim my fingers over the water.
The steam smells like fresh apples. I sink into the sweet scent, welcoming the warmth after a grueling day on my feet. I melt a little when Jaime kneads her knuckles into my shoulder muscles.
“You don’t have to do that,” I scold.
I let her assist with lotions and dressing me, but I am fully capable of bathing myself. After Lady Hunter, I insist on it. I’ve grown to trust Jaime more, but the images of that night still haunt me.
She shrugs, ignoring me entirely as she works my muscles into submission. “You’ve worked just as hard as the rest of us today, Queen Mina. Consider this our thank you.”
“Well, I’ll have the kitchen send up whatever your heart desires in exchange.”
“You do that every night.”
I smirk at her over my shoulder. “And every night I’m grateful.”
Jaime is wonderful. She instinctively knows my needs before I voice them and quickly adjusts to my ways. She is my equal on most fronts, and I want her to know it.
I have little in the way of friends here, nor am I interested in making ties in a place I have to leave eventually, but the loneliness in my chest eases a little with each day.
Grief for my family is still a solid scar on my heart, but a new kinship forms around it. I have love for these people despite my best efforts to remain neutral. I want to protect their future along with my desire to avenge my home.
Perhaps with Darius by my side, I can accomplish both.
His letter with instructions for dinner sits on the counter next to the tub. I try to ignore the little flutter of excitement in my chest.
It’s just dinner. Something we have done several times before. No reason tonight has to be any different.