Thunder roared without an accompanying storm, the sudden explosion of sound garnering the attention of those too distracted to look up. The knight standing in front of the stage hit the butt of his spear on the ground, making sure all recognized its presence and the meaning behind it, before raising his voice.

  “Attention! You are being addressed by the second prince, Prince Samuel kor Harvest. Long live the king! Long live Harvest!”

  Robert, a commoner who suddenly found himself mingling with the upper class, sympathized with the crowd’s clumsiness. The whole of their experience with dealing with nobles was avoidance. Finding themselves before the royal family, the pinnacle of nobility, without the option of retreat, they fumbled with their lack of etiquette. Some parroted the words of the knight. Some attempted awkward bows and curtesies. Some froze, like prey animals staring at their death. He winced at the display; didn’t they realize he was just a man? A useless man as powerless as the rest of them. The games surrounding titles and bloodlines were pointless.

  No matter their bumbling display, Samuel looked down on them with uniform apathy. Robert wasn’t surprised; the second prince never struck him as a kind man. However, he expected more derision. Samuel was well-known in certain circles for an attitude that favored nobles and disdained the commoners they were meant to serve, a popular position amongst older generations who cared more about tradition than results and young heirs desperate for respect. Constantly being shadowed by the first prince made Samuel into a bitter man, but his expression was as hard and emotive as a boulder as he projected his voice.

  “Citizens of Harvest. People of Quest. You have called on the crown in your hour of need. Today, I, your prince, have answered, foremost as a messenger. For while much is required to rebuild your city, to rebuild your lives, it must be built on a foundation of truth.

  “I know many of you have asked yourself a question above all others; why? Why were your homes shattered and your loved ones buried? Why must you suffer? Why must you struggle? In the wake of tragedy, why is a threadbare comfort but sometimes it’s the only one available to us. Sometimes, all that can be found under the rubble are answers.

  “I know many of you have heard stories about this tragedy. The cause, the perpetrators. Today, I’m here to tell you there is only one story. One truth. Many of you know the name Lourianne Tome. Many of you hold opinions about her and her clan. Many stories have been told but there is one truth that I’m sure you all know. Lourianne Tome-Delarre is the rightful ruler of this territory, appointed by the king. The crown supports her assertion that she acted to defend her claim and, ultimately, the authority of the crown—”

  “Saints damn you! That’s fucking bull!”

  “She’s a murderer!”

  “You’re just scared, you coward!”

  Not even the threat of the royal knights could hold back the crowd’s rage, though the brandished spear did keep the agitated refugees from surging forward and beating the hypocrisy off the royal.

  “Is he serious?” Cecile whispered, tone bleeding disappointment and disbelief.

  Robert didn’t answer, but his frown spoke volumes. He was disappointed too…but he wasn’t surprised. Not in the least.

  Samuel let them shout their indignations for several moments before gesturing to the knight that announced him.

  “SILENCE!”

  Robert winced along with the rest of the crowd as the voice assaulted his ears. A finger scratched his lobe but there was nothing he could do about the faint ringing. Some of the crowd had even been bowled over, the people around them either cursing them as they fell or reaching out to steady their neighbors.

  The prince looked down on them, literally and figuratively, as they gathered themselves, waiting until they were once again focused on him before continuing.

  “Your anger is justified. I will not order you not to hate. I will not order you to forgive. I am here to give you a way forward, through understanding. To show you your past so it does not become your future. Listen carefully, people of Harvest, to the truth of your tragedy.

  “To you, the destruction came from nowhere, danger and death cutting a swathe through your city without provocation. The truth is that the conflict started months before the battle that would reap so many lives. The truth is that the seed of the conflict was planted well before that and by your own hands. In your worship of the guilds and their treasonous traditions.

  “The truth is that Lourianne Tome-Delarre came to this city in peace, a caster come to follow in the grand traditions of the Hall. The truth is that the guilds harassed her at every turn. It started when they assaulted her out of pure arrogance. She spared their lives but, rather than recognize her grace, they plotted against her. They kidnapped her friend and business partner, seeking to enslave and exploit his expertise. Who among you could say that you would not kill to protect those you care about? To protect your livelihoods, as it is no different from your life?

  “Many lives were lost that day, but that could have been the end of it. The previous lord initiated an investigation. Had all respected the law, there would be no more fighting. But that did not happen. Instead, the guilds followed her to Victory. While she fought to stem the tide of manabeasts that constantly threaten our borders, they attempted to assassinate her. And when that didn’t work, they plotted to set her against a small army.

  “As you can see, they failed. But their schemes came with a price. They pulled the tail of the beast known as Victory, invoking a blood feud against you. All of you. Duke James demanded payment. He demanded everything you had. He demanded blood. And if the city were to refuse, he would have marched his army here, regardless of the consequences. Look to your neighbors if you doubt. Find those who have come from the north or fought alongside their knights. Ask them if the Victorians would have hesitated to declare war, the first war in our kingdom’s storied history, if they were offended.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “It was Lourianne Tome-Delarre that stopped them from marching! She negotiated for you, for this city that had done nothing but sabotage her. She stood against the entirety of the north, using her own person and her clan as a bulwark to hold back their bloody traditions. How? By settling the debt herself. It was to be the culling of the herd to feed the family through winter and it could only be done if she wielded the blade.

  “As befitting of such an incredible feat, the crown elevated her, granting her the city of Quest and its surrounding territories. Such a wise and merciful leader would surely do more for the people than the corrupt Lord Teppin who was more concerned with his own treasury than the city’s prosperity. Her new title and governorship of the city was meant to aide her in seeking peace.

  “It should have been. It could have been. But the corrupt lord ignored the crown’s decree and tried to use authority he didn’t have to detain her. The guilds, when offered a peaceful solution, relentlessly held onto their undeserved dominion of the city. They kidnapped her family, sending armed men against children. They threatened to kill them!

  “And even then, despite it all, your lady sued for peace. She gave everyone three days to surrender or face her wrath. It was the only way to separate the enemies from the city that spited and fought her at every turn. And when those three days were over, she cleansed the city of her enemies.

  “Is it laudable? Admirable? Saintly? Perhaps not. But it was just! The city defied the crown. The city decided to wage war against Lourianne Tome-Delarre. There is no blame in war, only lessons to be learned. As you rebuild, remember that the guilds, in their arrogance, made themselves traitors of the crown. Remember that anyone that helps traitors, through any means, can be charged with treason. Remember that the punishment, the only punishment, for treason is death. And remember that another noble without as merciful a heart might have ordered the entire city put to the sword.”

  The crowd roiled with discontent but there were no outbursts; the refugees were hesitant to make themselves known after the unsubtle threat. Robert’s thoughts spun as he tried to understand the crown’s abrupt explanation. He was no political animal, but he would have thought that the king would be more considerate to the people. Lou was an unavoidable evil, something that couldn’t be moved so had to be walked around. He thought the royal family would tolerate her on the surface while working to remove her; she was far too dangerous and unhinged to entrust with power. The prince should have been rallying the people against her. Instead, he was practically slobbering on her ass and dismissed the refugees entirely.

  “Is this some kind of joke?” he hissed, his anger slipping free despite his best efforts.

  “It’s disgusting but pragmatic.”

  “What?”

  “He’s saying that she did all that with the crown’s approval. Basically, he’s saying they’re allies. Death and destruction aside, she’s powerful. Like this, her power is the crown’s power instead of a rogue element the king has no control over. Sure, they have to give up Quest but see if anyone tries to make a move on the crown’s interests anytime soon. See if they try to do anything risky if they think the crown will abandon them to the next madwoman. Saints, the king won’t just abandon them. Apparently, he’ll applaud their downfall and rewrite history to smear their legacies. The poor Teppin family.”

  Robert didn’t understand; what was the point of the pretense when it wouldn’t do a damn thing to leash the villain standing with a straight spine in front of a crowd of widows and orphans she was responsible for? The sick feeling in his stomach intensified, starting to burn and twist. He was going to throw up and didn’t want to inflict that on the people pressed too close.

  But just as he was about to shove others aside, he heard her voice.

  “I am Countess Lourianne Tome-Delarre, the rightful ruler of this city. Our prince has given you the truth behind the tragedy. I would have spoken it myself, but I doubt you’d believe it from my lips. I doubt any of you care. You want something else from me. Maybe it’s the impossible, like rewinding time and bringing back your loved ones. Maybe it’s something possible but unreasonable, like leaving this city or giving you my entire fortune. Maybe you want an apology. As for that…I’m sorry.”

  Robert stared. It was like the Myriad Zone; the world was the same but twisted in unrecognizable ways. It was wrong. Lou was not contrite. She did not have a heart to empathize with others. She never admitted fault.

  Was it a ploy? A scheme to sap their anger while she tightened her grip on the city?

  “I’m sorry things happened the way they did. I’m sorry that you put your trust into obviously corrupt organizations. I’m sorry you ignored a literal declaration of war and thought everything was going to be okay.”

  The world was made right; Robert nodded, convinced he’d imagined the regret in the woman’s voice, his decency wanting it to exist. Clearly, there was nothing in the woman besides lust and arrogance.

  “I’m not sorry for fighting to save my family. I’ll never apologize for that. But what I can do is move past it. As the prince said, I’m merciful. You have all been punished enough. In my heart, the conflict is over. I intend to deal with you and all who come to my city in good faith. If you can do the same, then there is a future here. I can’t bring back the past, but we can build something better. Or you can leave. If you can’t let go of your anger, can’t stand the thought of living under my rule, then go somewhere else. Don’t torture yourselves and annoy me with your useless schemes and dumb plots. They won’t work; you’ll only lose even more. Go somewhere far away and forget about this place. Because, mark my words, I will rebuild this city. I will make it great, a place I would want my family to live and children to grow up in. Anyone who gets in the way of that will be moved. May the saints smile on a new Quest. I sincerely hope you all will join me there.”

  He couldn’t help it; he burst out laughing. He had no control over it, chuckling to himself despite Cecile nudging him. Despite the annoyed glances those close to him showed him. He kept laughing as he walked off. He had no choice. If he didn’t give into the urge to laugh at the craziness, he’d be tortured by the urge to hurl a spell at the woman and that wouldn’t end anywhere good.

  “Maybe it’s not a bad idea,” Cecile said once they were beyond the crowd.

  “What, New Quest?” It was a horrible idea, starting with its stupid name. But Lou was strong so it would work anyway.

  “Leaving,” she said. “Putting this place behind us. You don’t have to study at the Hall; I bet the king could arrange for private tutors. We could forget the name Lourianne Tome.”

  “Lourianne Tome-Delarre.”

  “You want to nitpick over her name?”

  “I’m making a point, Cece,” Robert said tiredly. “A year ago, she was a perverted acolyte no one knew or cared about. Now, she’s a countess and I’ll be damned if anyone with working ears doesn’t know her name come summer. Do you think she’s just going to fade into obscurity in another year? In another five? There is no running from that walking disaster.”

  Her eyes were full of pity as she looked at him. “Quin…it’s not like she’s going to conquer the whole kingdom.”

  “Why not? Who’s going to stop her? The next time a royal speaks to the public, it might just be the king announcing he only intended to keep her seat warm.”

  A cheerful laugh interrupted his harsh banter. Robert turned and paled as an unfairly beautiful face, made more so by her wide smile, threw her head back with her full-bodied chuckles. The golden-eyed woman standing at her side smiled, lips curled but the rest of her controlled.

  “Saints, that was a good one. Didn’t know humor was another of your many talents, Mr. Talented.”

  “Lou,” he said with a tone reserved for disease and pestilence.

  “I’ve been looking for you, hero.”