Chapter Twenty #2
The room became a flurried mess as ladies hurried to nab items, their arms overflowing.
Baskets and boxes were brought in, and chatter bustled throughout the space.
Apparently, word had spread throughout the palace about what I was doing, and every Elvish female who had overheard the gossip had shown up to help in any way they could.
There were almost a hundred women here, but I had so many things the extra hands were needed.
Everyone had something to do. I found tears blurring my vision as everyone stepped in without having to be told what I needed.
These women had shown up to help me without being asked, and it was one of the most precious gifts I’d ever been given.
I didn’t even look at any of it. I grabbed things and threw them, scooping up all my shoes, trinkets and valuables and throwing them into baskets. If anything, just the act of all these women showing up to support me was enough to pay back what I was losing.
This was worth it. Charlie was worth it. I believed he was, so he would be. I wouldn’t accept any other alternative. I could give up all these things and it wouldn’t mean anything, because I’d get them all back and more. I had total faith in that.
My best friend had heard the commotion and came by to see what was going on. When I explained the situation to her, the scowl written across her face was similar to a wolf’s sharp sneer.
“I’m not okay with this, Ava. It seems really messed up,” Kallie said in disapproval, shaking her head as boxes were carried out.
“You’re a fae. You’re not going to understand Hawkei traditions,” I replied. Ancestors knew a fae wouldn’t part from their treasures if the gods above demanded it.
“Why do you have to give up all your things? It seems misogynistic,” Kallie argued. “All Charlie has to do is climb a big rock.”
“Without any ropes, climbing gear, equipment, or safety precautions.”
Kallie rolled her eyes. “Big deal. He’s risking his life once. You’re risking your entire fortune, your livelihood.”
“That’s the point.” The closet was nearly empty now.
It was eerie, standing in this huge space with absolutely nothing left in it.
But to be blunt, there wasn’t anything in here that was of more value than my family, and I was willing to give it up for the chance to get it back.
I wasn’t just doing this for Charlie. I was doing it for Casey, too.
Mama said I didn’t have to feel anything toward him to show that I loved him. Might as well start here.
“You know, you could give some stuff to me to hold on to, just in case…” Kallie hinted. “It’s still giving your stuff away if I have it, right?”
“Can’t, it’s cheating. Stop being a villain and looking for ways to get around the rules,” I teased.
“It’s an old habit. One I’m not getting rid of any time soon,” Kallie said.
“If I’m going through with this, I have to be completely honest and commit to the process one hundred percent.
Trying to save things and skirt the rules proves I should’ve decided differently, and chosen to leave.
I can’t have any backup plans or one foot out the door.
I’m either in or out. This proves that I’m in. At least for now.”
Kallie gave in. “Okay, fine. If this is what you want to do, I’ll back you up. But if Charlie fails to get all this stuff back to you, we’re going on a huge shopping spree with my royal allowance the minute you’re done with him, and you’re not allowed to say no to whatever I buy you.”
I grinned. “I consider you family, and part of my tribe. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the tribe providing for me in Charlie’s absence, so it’s a fair trade.”
“Great! Then I’ll help.” She rummaged through a nearby box and yanked out a collection of jewelry. “I’m keeping these, though.”
“They’re all yours.” I wouldn’t miss those things. But I knew what I was missing, and I wanted him back. He just needed to prove to me he could be the man I needed him to be.
“You know, I’m kind of glad I don’t have to follow any Hawkei traditions. A sorceress can’t be expected to part from her sword,” Kallie said as we left the vacant closet. My bedroom was being cleared out too, though there was less inside here, so it was almost vacant by this point.
“Poor Marcus wouldn’t make it up the mountain, anyway,” I pointed out.
Kallie cringed. “Yeah… you’re right. My poor, clumsy fiancé.”
“He has such bad luck. He’d probably make it to the very top, then let go on the last stone.” I mimicked Marcus panicking as he tumbled through the air.
Kallie let out a snort, then a cackle that turned into a snickering laugh. Her snickers made me crack up, then we were laughing so hard we couldn’t breathe, imagining Marcus floundering his way up the mountain until he eventually tumbled off.
“Oh gods, Ava.” Kallie wiped her eyes of tears. “We’re terrible people.”
“The worst.”
All of my things were spread out across the courtyard, hundreds and hundreds of boxes. It was overwhelming, staring at it all. The expectant eyes of the Elvish ladies lingered on me as they waited for me to tell them what to do next.
I didn’t have a single second thought. “Into the city,” I ordered. “Follow me.”
The ladies picked up the boxes and followed me as I wandered through the palace halls.
We only stopped for a moment so I could leave a ravishing red dress hanging on Ivy’s door.
I didn’t know if they still lived here anymore, because I hadn’t seen them around since our argument, but I dropped the gift at their quarters anyway.
The dress was super revealing, with a low-cut neckline and an open back that draped down to the hips.
I’d been dying to wear it for some time, but never got around to it.
That was fine. The dress would look better on Ivy, anyway.
It wasn’t a peace offering or a bribe… more like a farewell parting gift.
I was sure we’d never be friends again, not after how we’d spoken to each other last, but I wanted Ivy to know that I wasn’t mad at them anymore. Maybe the dress would show them that.
The citizens of Ilamanthe were astounded once we reached the city. It must’ve been quite a sight to the Elves, watching their princess roam throughout the devastated streets of Ilamanthe followed by her ladies, who were carrying baskets of her things.
I spotted an Elvish woman standing outside of a home, one that had been partially ruined by my destruction.
By the state of her tattered dress, she didn’t have much to spare.
Ilamanthe was meant to be a city without poverty or suffering, but since the war had started, some of its people had been struggling within the fight against the Warden.
The once previously wealthy Elves were falling upon hard times after Cassiel’s death, due to the war taking up resources and Cameron’s irresponsible squandering. The people were suffering for it.
I dug inside the basket on my lap, withdrawing a diamond necklace with dazzling gems. The woman’s eyes dazzled as she watched me outstretch the necklace to her. “My Holy Mother.”
“It’s for you,” I said genuinely, pressing it into her hands.
The woman gaped, trying to give it back to me. “You can’t gift this to me, princess! This necklace is worth enough to provide for my family for several lifetimes!”
“Good. Use it for the next generation, and the next, and the next.” I refused to take the necklace back and moved on, giving a large ruby to a teenage girl standing behind her.
“Hand out everything!” I ordered the ladies. “No woman in this city goes without a gift!”
The ladies obeyed my orders immediately, distributing whatever they carried. A crowd began to form around us, and hundreds of people appeared in the square to take an object from the baskets.
As I overheard conversation around the square, a smile began to spread across my face.
A group of young girls were thrilled they’d have new outfits to wear to the club tonight.
A family of seven rejoiced that the gems they’d been given would be enough to pay off the debt they had carried for generations.
The shoes one girl had grabbed were her only pair— she’d lost the rest of her belongings when one of my fiery meteors had struck her house.
These people deserved everything they received.
There’d probably be articles in the paper tomorrow about how the princess was a generous soul who was willing to commit herself to a life of destitution for her people, but I didn’t want them to see it that way.
It was the least I could do, to try and make up for what I did to them.
A slim girl stood at the back of the crowd looking unsure, like she didn’t know if she was allowed to be there. I moved toward her, noticing her hesitation.
She saw me coming and blanched, fumbling into a curtsey. “Holy Mother. It’s an honor to be in your presence.”
“No one needs to bow to me. We should all be equal in this empire,” I said.
The girl kept her eyes on the ground. “Forgive me, princess, but even if you weren’t the monarch of our people, you would still glow with an illustrious light. There is something special about you that none of us can compare to.”
I didn’t believe that, but pressed onward. “You’re looking for something. What do you need?”
She flinched. “Anything will do, princess.”
“That’s not true. You want something specific. Ask it, and I’ll do my best to give you whatever you ask.”
The girl hesitated, before she confessed, “I am due to be married tomorrow, but have nothing to wear. Do you, by chance, have anything that would be suitable for a simple garden wedding? Even a plain white dress will do.”
I looked around. “Hm. I don’t know if I have any…”
My heart fell as I noticed Mama holding up a soft pink gown, giving a knowing, yet heartbroken, smile.