The next week was brutal.
Each day I would get up before dawn, moving to my office to get started as soon as possible. Reading, studying, I was trying to learn a lifetime of knowledge at a breakneck pace. I still was piecing together bills and tax documents, working with Hallers to consolidate all the debt I could. Fortunately, as I was still in good standing with the Royal family, the interest and repayment plans were very generous.
I stayed locked in that tiny room, only to pause whenever Hallers brought up a meal, an increasingly worried expression on his face with each passing day.
“Miss, you must sleep!” He broke his professional silence on the fourth day, as he walked in late into the night, finding me reading a chapter on historical government forms while taking notes by candlelight. I glanced up, surprised to see him still dressed up in a proper butler uniform despite the late hour.
“Hallers, I’m sorry, did I wake you? I just have a few more pages… and then there’s still the letters from the Eastern section of Duchy….” I leaned back, rubbing my eyes with a yawn. “You might as well go to bed. I’ll make sure to blow the candle out when I finish.”
He stood his ground, looking determined. “No, Miss.” He picked up the candle, ignoring my squawk of protest. “I cannot let you run yourself into the ground. You cannot save this Duchy in the space of a week.”
“But… I …”
“The work will be waiting for you in the morning. But for now, please, I’m begging you… go to sleep?” He looked so miserable, I found myself nodding without realizing it.
“Fine. I’ll do this in the morning.”
I went off to bed, hiding a smile. When was the last time someone worried about whether or not I slept?
Beyond the work I had to do between lessons and the financial organization, there was still the matter of the corruption within the Duchy to deal with.
“Hallers?” Early in the week, I called him into the office.
He stood at attention, waiting. “Yes, Miss?”
I handed him a paper. “I need you, or someone you would trust with your life, to go into the city. In the Northwest square you will find a man who sits under a blue awning named “Rig.” Hand him this note, and tell him that you will purchase the information requested within for 50 crowns.”
Despite the oddity of the request, Hallers was a professional, his only reaction a single raised eyebrow “Is that all?”
“No.” I sighed. “He will demand at least twice the amount offered. You are to refuse this and tell him that ‘Angel’ sent you.”
“Who is this ‘Angel’, miss?”
“No one.” I laughed. “It’s a code, which only his inner circle know. If you say this, it will allow you to purchase the information I need for that price. He will tell you when you can retrieve it.”
Who would have thought that the knowledge I had earned being one of Rig’s info runners while living on the street would be helpful so quickly? I had hated the man at the time, but even I had to admit that he was the best when it came down to tracking down things others wanted to hide.
“It will be done.” With a short bow, he turned to leave. I called after him.
“Oh, and Hallers?” When he paused, I added, “Postpone any meeting with our men involved in tax collection/counting until after you have what I requested.”
“It will be helpful to you?”
I grinned evilly. “Let’s just say I don’t believe in going into battle without a weapon.”
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Despite the drastic change in my schedule, my parents remained completely unaware. My Father, relieved that he didn’t have to pretend to care about the paperwork anymore, went riding and hunting, enjoying himself thoroughly. As long as he wasn’t spending money, I was content to let him be. As for my mother… fortunately she had been visiting her family in the South since my reawakening, and was not scheduled to return for another month. I was curious to see my mother, since my last words to her were on her deathbed. Our relationship was strained at best, however, and I need to figure out how to approach her.
The Duke and Duchess may not have been concerned with the abrupt changes I had made in my life, but it had not gone unnoticed by others.
“What’s come over you, Miss?” my maid Angela shook her head, frustrated as she assisted me undressing one evening. “You dress so simply these days. You never go to the Royal palace gardens or visit Lady Edith anymore! Is there something wrong?”
I smiled at her grumbling. In my previous life, whenever I hadn’t been trying to perfect my etiquette lessons, I had wandered the Royal Gardens with Edith, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Prince. It seemed so silly, so empty now.
I shook my head. “Everything is fine. Mrs. Rendler simply increased the difficulty of my etiquette lessons, and I have a lot of work to do to catch up.”
“You don’t have to work so hard, though!” She muttered, putting away my gown. “It’s not as if…” She trailed off, as if realizing what she was about to say.
It’s not as if I’ll ever get to be Queen. Of course, I know that… but how does she? I smiled, the expression cold. “Angela. Are you saying I shouldn’t do my best at preparing to be Queen?”
She panicked slightly, backing away. “No, of course not! I – I just want you to be happy.”
I kept my eyes on her own, appreciating the fear I saw there. “I appreciate the concern.”
I placed the confrontation to the back of my mind, refusing to think it through to its conclusion, but things were stirred up once more by a an unexpected encounter towards the end of the week, the day before my next trip tot the palace. She showed up unannounced, barging into my office, with Hallers trailing behind, a disapproving expression on his face at her intrusion.
“Lenora! What’s going on?!” She was a beautiful girl. Golden hair, light colored eyes, long lashes… she looked as if she had stepped out of a storybook, exactly what I thought a princess should look like.
“Edith.” The name felt wrong to say out loud after so long.
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“EDITH!” I sobbed, falling to my knees in front of her. “You have to help me!”
She stared at me silently with glassy eyes, a polite smile hiding any deeper emotion.
Exhausted, starving, I reached out a hand towards her.
“Please, mother, father… they’re both gone… I lost my job with the seamstress… someone told them I had stolen something… I don’t know what to do!”
My hand grasped empty air instead of her skirt. She had stepped back out of my reach.
“What do you expect me to do?” Her words were lifeless, she stared at me as if I were an insect, rather than her childhood friend.
I held my grumbling stomach, hating that I looked so pathetic and weak. “Can you talk to the Queen…?”
“She refuses to hear your name.” Edith interrupted, a small gleam in her eye. “She heard the kind of dirty crimes you committed on the street, and says that you are dead to her.”
Dead? Dead. Dead… the word repeated itself in my mind over and over, like a chant. Was that the woman who had called me her daughter, who said she loved me?
“That can’t be true! I’ve not committed any crimes. Why would she… say that? I can’t believe it!”
“Well it’s true.” Edith sighed, looking around as if searching for an excuse to leave. “Was there anything else?”
I looked back at her, lost, confused. I was so hungry. Can you help me find work? Or at least give me something to eat?”
“Sorry,” She didn’t look sorry. “My father has forbidden that I be around you anymore. He’s worried it will effect my reputation as the future Queen.”
“What are you saying?” I stared at my only friend in the world, feeling the shattered remnants of my heart break even further.
“Goodbye, Lenora.” Refusing to look at me anymore, she walked away.
“EDITH!”
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“I haven’t seen you in days!” Edith smiled brightly, the expression turning my stomach. “I missed you!”
Her act wasn’t extremely convincing this time, to a more experienced eye. Her smile was a little too stiff, her eyes cold and calculating as they looked around the room, trying to determine what I had been up to. Even as she told me she missed me her voice seemed more irritated then sad, as if she were frustrated that I had made her do the work instead of going to her as I usually did.
I returned her smile. “I’ve missed you too!” Standing up from my desk, I reached out, giving her a hug.
I was a much better actress.
“What are you doing? I’ve heard you’ve been locked away in this room for days!” She grabbed my hands, a true look of concern crossing her face.
“Really? Who did you hear it from?”
She balked at that question. “Oh you know… just around.”
“I see.” I looked over at Hallers with a frown, who looked furious. He nodded to me briefly and left, likely to interrogate the staff regarding who had been gossiping about my activities. I let him go, although I already had my own suspicions.
I brought Edith away from my desk and papers, not wishing for her to see any of the Duchy’s financial numbers, and sat us down on some chairs near the fireplace. I didn’t bother ringing for tea, I knew Hallers would have already arranged it.
“What brings you here?” I asked, keeping my voice casual and polite.
Edith laughed. “What nonsense! As if I needed a reason to see my friend. I was hoping we could spend some time together, perhaps walk through the gardens?”
“I see.” I nodded, thinking it over. She wanted to see the prince, I suppose.
“So can we go?”
“Well, not today because I have to finish some work here, or tomorrow because I have to attend my lessons with the Queen.” I noted the angry flash in her eyes at the mention of my royal etiquette lessons, but continued without comment. “Perhaps next week we can walk through the gardens.”
She looked disappointed. “Next week?”
“And perhaps I can arrange for us to have tea with the prince.” I laughed as her demeanor brightened. “Wouldn’t that be fun?!”
“Well, if I wouldn’t be in the way…” She trailed off, watching me slyly.
“Of course not.”
How many times had these conversations happened before? How many times did I unknowingly bring her to see my fiancé, allowing them to grow closer, sealing my own fate. Well, go with my blessing this time, Edith. I don’t want him.
Edith, unaware of my inner thoughts, seemed relieved. “Alright then, that would be fun! I just worry about you, Lenora! Don’t work too hard in this dreary little room! If you don’t go spend as much time with the Prince as possible he might lose interest!” Her hand rested on my arm. I struggled to not fling her off. “Trust me.”
I hid all my feelings deep inside, smiling brightly for her to see. “Of course I trust you.”
The next day’s etiquette lessons were harsher, just as Mrs. Rendler promised. I was able to keep up, using my previous knowledge and skills, but this time I did my best to make it look difficult, hoping that she would relax the pace a little. Instead my efforts rewarded me with her satisfied expression, and a gleam in her eye that promised only more pain and suffering.“You will be the greatest young lady I have ever trained.” She pronounced, looking me over from head to toe critically. “But must you dress so… plainly? I will say it’s a great improvement over those frilly monstrosities you used to wear to lessons, but the last two outfits have been simply dull.”I smiled at her words, glancing down at my plain grey gown. Over the last week I had sold the majority of my more ridiculous gowns, leaving me with surprisingly few choices. Angela had pouted, saying that I was going to be out of style, but
The day of the meeting had arrived. I paced back and forth within my office, taking deep breaths, trying to force myself into the right mindset. This would be a delicate balance of a meeting. If it didn’t go the way I planned… it could be disastrous to everyone.It had to go according to plan.“Hallers,” I called out, waiting for the butler to arrive before asking my nervous question. “Where is Jim? I thought he agreed to come?”Hallers was frowning. “He did, Miss. He was never one to be tardy, despite his unprofessional attitude in many other areas. He should be here very shortly.”“I can’t be here alone. I need them to take me seriously, and for that I need scary looking support!” I resumed pacing. “The meeting is scheduled to start in a few minutes, we may have to delay it.”He wat
When I arrived at the next lesson with Jim in the Royal Treasury, he held up his hands in apology. “I know, I know, I’m sorry! I really couldn’t get away!”I sat down in front of him, placing my finished books in front of him with unnecessary force and glaring silentl“I sent you Nate, didn’t I?” He clasped his hands in front of him, getting on his knees and pretending to beg “Oh great future queen spare me!”I couldn’t help it. I laughed at that. “Fine. You are forgiven.“Whew!” He mimed wiping a nervous sweat from his forehead and got back to his desk. “Did you really fire every single corrupt official in the duchy“First of all, I didn’t ‘fire’ anyone. They excepted an ‘early retirement’ as a reward for their hard work.” I shook my head as Jim rolled wi
Ten months passed, faster than I could have imagined.The store “Prosperity” took off. True to her word, Milane had improved upon my own designs, and after showcasing the dresses at a few parties, (I had reluctantly resumed my social responsibilities, reminding myself it was for the business), and the orders came in, faster than we could fill them. Expanding production, Milane hired a few more seamstresses, and even then we were stretched thin. We continued making and selling new designs, however, with plans to open up another store before the next season.The Duchy thrived alongside my business. The officials I “retired” left without further complaint, and their replacements worked hard to gain experience and independence. Until they were completely trained however, the bulk of the work was left to Nile, Terrence and Me. We met weekly, going over accounts and day to day issues in great detail. Fortunately we worked w
“Of course the earl of Beral is enthralled by his younger fiancé Lady Erica, but she’s in love with the captain of the Eastern guard. They’ve already started making arrangements, and will elope before the end of the year.”Rig finished his report with a satisfied smirk, having pried out some of the country’s biggest secrets and scandals. The nobility would be horrified to know of what all was passed over so easily to me each week by Rig.“That’s… interesting.” I answered slowly. I trusted Rig’s information, but in my memories Lady Erica married the earl right when I was eighteen, right before my downfall. “Keep your ears out for any plans regarding the Eastern guard.”Rig raised an eyebrow. “You think someone might try to take him out?”They likely did in another life. “Plenty of powerful peo
I thought I had mentally prepared for my mother’s arrival. It had been almost two years since I had last seen her face in my past life. I couldn’t help but wonder if she would be any different in this one. So many things had already changed here and there, perhaps she had as well.Sitting at my desk, pretending to work but unable to even read one page, I stopped to laugh at myself. At these types of pathetic hopes. I knew better than anyone that she wouldn’t change.I heard the sounds of a carriage outside, dropping the unread book in my hand with a loud thud. My heart rate increased, pounding in my chest as I stood up, moving towards the entrance.I could already hear her screaming.“HOW DARE YOU DROP MY BAG YOU STUPID COW!” Mother stood there, her face red with rage, screaming at one the young women who worked as a maid at our home. She was a newer hi
It was the morning of my birthday, only hours before the party. I should have already been home getting ready, but instead I stood in a beautiful sitting room, holding a large box and wearing a friendly smile.Edith stared at me, unable to hide her suspicion. “Why are you here?”“Darling!” Edith’s mother, the Countess of Erand, frowned at her daughter. “Don’t be rude!” Turning to me, she continued with an ingratiating smile. “We’re honored to have you here, Lady Lenora. We’ve always been so happy to see you two be such good friends; you are such a good role model for her, quite the perfect lady!”Edith looked put out at her mother’s flattery. “Not such good friends lately.” She muttered.“Edith…” the countess began to scold, but I stepped forward, interrupting her.“
“The general rumors are currently in your favor, girl.” Rig lounged in the chair across from me, cutting into an apple while he spoke. “The idiot prince tried to tell too many people you were clumsy and blaming you for his faults at dancing, only to have you show him up. They feel that you’ve become very accomplished, and perhaps aren’t appreciated enough.”I grinned, taking a slice of apple from it and eating it, ignoring the conflicted stare from Hallers at my breaking protocol. “Good. While we’re still building the business and getting the Duchy in a stronger position, I’ll have to maintain a fairly good reputation.”Of course, in a couple of years, I’ll be considered worthless in the eyes of the nobility. I’ll have to make sure to distance myself from the public face of both the business and the duchy before then.I didn’t voice