Arc 8-77
I try getting Kierra to open up, but she stays silent, hugging like she’s afraid I’ll disappear. I’m burning with curiosity, wondering what could be so horrible it would shake a woman who fervently worships conflict. It concerns my family. My unborn child. Yet, my earnest offers of help and comfort do nothing to loosen the tightness of her arms or the lock on her lips. I leave it for later, wrapping my arms around her in turn.
I wish I could stay until I hug her fear from her, but Geneva’s warning bounces around my head, keeping from surrendering to the peace. Things are moving and I have to move with them. For my sake. For the sake of the city. I guess for the sake of the people too.
“Do you want to see a fake seer?”
The suggestion breaks her out of her thoughts. Whether it’s interest or the realization that I need to go, she reluctantly drops her arms. I grab one of her hands and pull her to her feet. When I move to the door, she follows. I guess that ans she’s interested. “Will you find Earl? Tell him to prepare a carriage and so money. Hmm. A thousand crowns should do it.”
In the doorway, I gently kiss her. Worry worms in my gut when she lets have my way without a trace of her usual aggression. Still, I have to pull away, squeezing her fingers before letting go. I spare her several glances over my shoulder as we go separate, but I force my feet to carry away. She’s not a piece of glass. She’s shaken, more than I’ve ever seen her, but I have to trust that she knows how to take care of herself. That she’ll co to when she’s ready. Until then, all I can offer are distractions.
And maybe I can help her clean up so of the ss. Eh. ss might be a strong word. I just think there are others who need to be comforted and she’s not in the right place to do that.
On my way to the bedroom, I run into one of my reluctant guests. Maxine doesn’t notice as she blankly stands in the hall, her eyes staring at a simple landscape painting without focus. It looks like her mind is a hundred leagues away. It’s jarring, seeing soone dressed like a laborer standing with the quiet poise of a noblewoman. I wonder what would happen if she disappears to the shore for a whole season. Would she co back cursing like a sailor and brandishing a knife? Saints, what an image.
I’m becoming a bit arrogant. I used to think that my life and actions ant nothing. Now, I think I’m leaning too hard into the opposite. Seeing Maxine is a reminder that there are hundreds of people living lives that can change the kingdom. She briefly outlined her plan over dinner the night she arrived at the estate; I agree tat trying to build a market where her father failed is a good way to make waves, heh. I don’t agree that humanity needs more war but it’s true that there is a lack of opportunities. The oceans are massive opportunities. The pirates are a problem. Forget inheriting her father’s wealth. If she monopolizes those opportunities and solves one of the kingdom’s biggest problems, she’ll have the foundation for an empire of her own. Though it won’t be easy. Or pleasant, I imagine. She’s looking for gold in dirty places.
Yeah, she’s got plenty of problems of her own. Last thing she needs is pressure from . And while I’ve got nothing but good intentions, I’m not so oblivious I can’t realize my presence could stress the rchant out. I haven’t forgotten her slack-jawed expression when Butterfly handed the royal writ that elevated to my new status. If not for the pirate that would undoubtedly throw a fit, I’d send her on her way. Maybe pay for a short stint in the Myriad Zone if she’s blown all her gold on her new business venture.
All I can do now is leave her to her thoughts. Unfortunately, I fail at my attempt to slip by, the rchant suddenly startling and turning to . It’d be rude not to address her at this point, so I wave. “Morning.”
“Lou.” Her face flushes as her eyes dart to the side. “I’m…you…” She clears her throat.
I smile, guessing at the source of her embarrassnt. “Walls aren’t too thick, I suppose.”
Her flush deepens. “No.”
“We really don’t have to talk about this.”
She sighs like soone just told her she’s exempt from taxes this year. “Yes, well. There’s sothing else I would like to discuss. I owe you an apology.”
“Oh? Did you empty my supply of shroom juice?”
“No. If you like, I could speak with Howie about restocking your pantry when I see him. Once you conclude your business with Rey, I plan to visit him.”
“Heh. Worried about your pirate?”
She grimaces. “Yes, but I’d also rather not cause any unnecessary trouble when a little patience can avoid it. Speaking of Rey…she’s the reason I owe you an apology. Or, rather, it’s related to her. She had nothing to do with it. It’s all my doing.”
“Do you an you telling that poor girl you’re in love with to avoid her affections?”
“Ah. You’ve spoken?”
“We spoke.” I wag a finger at her. “Sha on you.”
She sighs and I give her points for looking truly repentant. “I’d say I have my reasons but, in hindsight, they seem rather unseemly. It’s all cleared up now.”
“Reject her gracefully, did you? Or maybe you accepted? She certainly seems fun.”
“Fun or not, it’s not to my taste. I apologized to her as well and rejected her as gracefully I could manage given the circumstances. She took it well enough.”
“That’s good. Wouldn’t want her running from the estate trailing pieces of her broken heart.”
“Scant chance of that.”
“Oh?” My interest peaks as she hesitates. She freely confesses to falsely being in love so whatever she doesn’t want to confess must be…juicy. “I don’t want to pry, but I wouldn’t mind helping if there’s a problem.”
“It’s…not a problem.” Two fingers pinch the bridge of her nose. “Despite my rejection, she’s…undeterred in her pursuit.” She frowns as I laugh. “Please. It’s not funny. She’s determined to change my mind.”
“She’s got spirit for sure.”
“Yes, well. I’ve done nothing to encourage her. Rather, I have encouraged her to find love elsewhere. She can hold onto her crush so long as she understands she’ll only find friendship from .”
“Maybe~” I agree, Rey’s chances are slim, but I can’t say I’m not rooting for the little monster.
“Will I see you at breakfast?”
“Nope. About to get going. I have a territory to manage these days.”
Her eyes widen. “Of course. If…if you wanted to consult about the financial boons and obligations that cos with your new station, I would be happy to discuss matters with you. Or, if you would prefer my sister, I’m sure she’d clear her schedule. Either way, I insist you talk to soone, even if it’s soone outside of the Guiness family. The early you invest your treasury, the best.”
“What treasury?” I scoff. I wave off her next words. “No, I hear you. You make a good point. Thank you.”
“Of course. I wish you good luck.”
“Might not want to be so quick to do that.”
“Sorry?”
“Just, if things go my way, this city is going to get…interesting.” I walk off before she can finish digesting my words, trying to picture her in the city I imagine. She’d fare better than most of the pampered privileged given her willingness to throw herself into the cesspool by the sea. It’s almost a sha she’s decided to strike out on her own. I can use her here, but who am I to intervene in a journey of self-discovery?
Besides, I imagine she and Rey are a package deal. I wouldn’t inflict that girl on the city without here to contain her.
User Comments
0 comments from readers