Chapter Twenty – Alicia
The Test
“My lady, please calm yourself!” Annie asked, flapping her hands in a direct contradiction to her words. “You did wonderfully!”
“No! I can’t and I won’t!” I perched on the edge of the chaise longue at the end of my bed. “What if they hated it? What if they don’t agree with my thoughts?”
“Impossible.” Bella grabbed my face. “If I do, I’ll kill them.”
I blinked at her. “Stein has corrupted you. Where has my sweet maid gone?”
“You made her a lady-in-waiting, and she decided to take up arms to protect her lady.” Bella flexed her non-existent arm muscles. “You’ve slaved over this policy, my lady. If they reject it, I will be forced to rebel in your name.”
“Perhaps we should put the rebellion plans on the backburner,” I said soothingly, smoothing my hands over my skirt. “I fully expect there to be some pushback. There are holes in my plan, but I can only hope that the main houses agree to assist me.”
That was what my work depended on right now.
I was putty in the hands of Marquess Talwick, Marquess Druvsa, Countess Townwood, Count Barman, and Viscountess Evsea. They were the five major noble houses who’d assisted the empire and had suffered great losses under the rule of the previous duke, and thus the ones I was relying on to support me.
Kalon had kept his promise. They’d all attended today and listened dutifully as I’d presented my policy, but that didn’t mean it would be a walk in the park.
There was no guarantee they’d accept my work.
All five were talented, intelligent people who would undoubtedly scrutinise every last bit of my plan.
Even those who had no idea about the societal structure here would know they’re the leading nobles in Stein merely based on how they carried themselves.
They each held an indisputable air of honour, from the suave gentlemen that were Marquess Talwick and Druvsa to the elegant poise of the elderly Countess Townwood.
Count Barman and Viscountess Evsea were closer in age to Kalon, but that didn’t mean they were any less intimidating.
If she didn’t scare me a little, I thought it might be nice to be friends with the viscountess.
After all, I was alone here.
“I need some fresh air,” I said, getting up. “I’m just going to fret if I stay here. Bella, let’s go to the garden.”
“Of course, my lady.”
We left Annie and Lydia behind to clean my room and headed out of the East Wing.
The ground floor here had direct access to the central garden that was sheltered from the cool wind that was sweeping down from the mountains.
Although the sun was shining daily and most of the snow on the ground had melted, it was still colder than in the capital.
I didn’t mind.
I hated hot weather.
The gentle warmth of the sun tickled over my skin, and I let out a weighty sigh. I’d been terrified of standing up in front of the council and explaining it to them, and I couldn’t imagine doing it without my experience as a lawyer in my past life.
I was used to presenting things to judgemental people.
But this really was nerve-wracking. After all, it was my first-time meeting with the heads of Stein’s noble houses. It was imperative I made a good impression on them—even if I wasn’t going to marry Kalon, I didn’t want anyone to think he couldn’t pick a suitable wife.
So, I would be a capable fiancée until he met Lillia and my future became clearer, whichever form it would take.
“You did well.”
I screamed and grabbed onto Bella, almost tripping over her feet as I did so.
“Sir Hayes!” Bella gasped, gripping onto me just as tightly as I was her. “What are you doing?”
I flattened my hand to my chest. My heart thundered against my ribs, and it took me a solid minute to register his face as my adrenaline subsided.
“You cannot pop out of nowhere!” I said, glaring at him. “Where did you come from?”
“The meeting room. I’m sorry for startling you both.” He fought back a smile. “I thought you’d heard my footsteps, my lady.”
I released Bella’s arm and brushed off my skirt. “Well, you thought wrong. I almost died again there.”
“Died again?”
Bugger it.
What a slip of the tongue.
“I almost died once not long ago, so this is my second brush with death. They say the third time’s a charm, but I’d rather not put that theory to the test, if you don’t mind.
Please announce yourself next time if you’re going to go creeping about the gardens.
” I cleared my throat. “Aren’t you supposed to be with the Grand Duke? ”
“His Highness is speaking with the other nobles and sent me away. I’m to go and rescue him in ten minutes.” He smiled brightly.
Ah.
That was smart.
“That’s a nifty little trick he has there,” I replied.
“Hayes, are you bothering Her Ladyship?”
Sir Hayes looked over my shoulder and suppressed a groan. “Hello, Father. What brings you out here?”
I turned to look at the older man with a short silver beard—Marquess Talwick, Hayes’ father. Also known as my number one hope for my policy.
Also also known as a hot older gentleman.
Although I wasn’t going to voice the latter part out loud.
“I wished to speak with our land’s future Grand Duchess.” He turned his blue eyes to me and smiled warmly, bowing his head. “Lady Alicia, forgive me for disturbing you on your walk.”
“Marquess Talwick.” I returned his smile. “Your presence isn’t a disturbance in the slightest. Would you like to join me?”
“Very much so, thank you.” He fell into step beside me, and Sir Hayes and Bella kept one pace behind us.
“I was very impressed by your presentation of the relief fund policy today. It’s something that Stein has desperately needed for a great many years, and for you to champion it so soon after arriving is impressive. ”
“Thank you, Marquess. I’m flattered.”
“You’ve only been here such a short time and already are making changes for the better. How did you think to come up with such a plan?”
Ha.
It was commonplace in my past life, sir.
I couldn’t say that, could I?
“I realised that there was no baseline where aid was concerned, often leading to it taking far too long to reach those in need,” I replied.
“Although the Grand Duke is generous, simply handing people money isn’t the answer.
These people have lost everything, and in their grief, may make bad decisions.
It struck me that if a framework for longer-term support could be put together, it could help them rebuild their lives. ”
He rubbed his chin. “You are quite right, my lady. As you know, our estate suffered similarly several years ago. We tried our best to support those who were worst off after the attack, but the lump sums we gave out as financial assistance were squandered in many cases.”
I nodded slowly. “For many people, getting such a large amount of money at once can be too tempting. By changing how they receive it, it can be less overwhelming, and they’re less likely to use it for untoward things.
Of course, that doesn’t apply to the emergency fund, but that’s for immediate lodging, clothing, and food, although in time we should also offer food and clothing instead of money.
Having a policy in place also means the main funding can be delivered sooner—the council can begin enacting it as soon as we receive word of an impending attack.
And in time, we can allocate the responsibilities of fiefdoms directly to the heads of larger houses like yourself. ”
“What you say makes a great deal of sense. Personally, I support this wholeheartedly.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“There’s no denying there are a few minor issues to be worked out and that setting it up will be hard work,” he continued.
“But the incentives you’re offering the committee in charge are hard to turn down.
Not even the stipend, but the training for the knights will be invaluable.
Not to mention that it will greatly lessen the burden on the knights here at the castle. ”
“Indeed.” I glanced around the garden. “Even something as simple as a general education on monster physiology and behaviours will go a long way.”
“Quite. Many remote villages spot monsters while their groups are still small but lack the means to do anything about it. If they had more education on the monsters’ weak points, they may stand a chance at eliminating them before they become a real problem.
It’s a sad fact that they’re put at risk because it’s unfeasible to send a battalion of knights to handle a few low-level monsters. ”
“Which is a shame, because the monsters have a hierarchy and food chain the same as any other creature. Where there are low-level monsters, there will eventually be high-level ones seeking their prey, which is how we end up needing aid.”
Marquess Talwick eyed me speculatively. “You’re very knowledgeable about this, Lady Alicia. Much more so than I expected you to be.”
“Ah. I cannot take all the credit, my lord. Much like in the creation of the policy, I’ve had a lot of assistance with learning about the monsters. My lady-in-waiting has applied herself to studying them, and Sir Hayes has been a great help to us both.”
“Hayes? That lout behind us?”
“Yes, him.” I looked over my shoulder, but it was only Bella shadowing us. “Where did he go?”
“Sir Hayes went to check on the Grand Duke,” she explained, ducking her head to hide her pinkened cheeks.
Was she blushing at my praise of her?
Aw. She was so cute.
“Ah, his infamous rescue.” The marquess chuckled. “Just as well. If he doesn’t, Count Oscus will keep the Grand Duke there all day with his latest moneymaking scheme.”
“It sounds like they were well prepared for today,” I remarked.
“Alicia, Marquess.”
Speak of the devil.
“Your Highness.” Marquess Talwick bowed.
“Did you need me?” I asked, meeting Kalon’s gaze.