I thought my mother would be coming sometime next week, not today. I was overjoyed to see them. Also terrified for them to be in this castle and wielded against me as people I cared about.
And Krew? Having known me well enough to bring them here, to bring Flora to design my gown which would be seen throughout the entire kingdom? Sure, it would be seen in person by everyone in Kavan Keep and likely all of Savaryn, but it would also be in a picture which would be on the reports after the wedding. Not to mention the whispers about Flora designing my dress would filter throughout the levels of the kingdom.
I wanted the king gone from this castle. Once he was gone for good, Flora could design as few or many gowns for me as she liked. Mother would be here also. I would feel less terrible about relocating my mother from Nerede and the only life she ever knew if Flora was here with her to keep her company.
I had a suspicion Silvia would be thick as thieves with them too.
Thank you,I sent Krew.
You are more than welcome, love. It was the least I could do.
“Go shower,” Owen offered. “I’ll ring for Silvia and breakfast. We can all eat and have what I am sure will be a riveting discussion about this gown.”
Krew offered to Owen, “Order extra bacon. So you can make it through.”
Owen laughed and patted Krew on the back as he headed to do just that.
I headed for the shower feeling entirely happy. If I only had a month or less left of this level of happiness, I would enjoy every second of it.
* * *
“We needto start construction on the updated estates in Savaryn soon,” a parliament member explained adamantly. “It is spring now; we are losing precious time for construction.”
I internally groaned at Krew.
We were in yet another joint parliament session. My last one before the official wedding to Krew next week. And this one was equally as boring as the last.
I asked only to Krew,Why don’t they just tax only Savaryn for the improvements and then use those funds to fund the said improvements in Savaryn?
We have brought that up time and time again. But Savaryn feels it isn’t fair they are the armed force that protects us and then would have to pay the highest portion of taxes.
Yet it is their greed that is driving all of this. Not necessity.
Correct. And so any time that is thrown out, it is debated, but ultimately it is agreed that taxes for everyone will be increased a small amount across the board rather than adjust them to each level of the kingdom.
But even a small increase crushes the already small allotments the people of Nerede have.
I realize this, love. So do all of us in this room pushing for this not to pass.
The king shifted next to me, leaning toward me with his hand on his chin. “Argue all you want, but two construction crews will be busy for the next few weeks.”
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace?” Winston asked.
The king didn’t flinch, and in fact, looked rather bored. “You all cannot decide what you want first and when you want it, we cannot even agree on the terms of a tax increase or not, so rather than waste more time while yes, the weather is good for construction, I sent two of the crews to Nerede.” He paused. “I made a promise to Jorah if she healed our lake, I would help rebuild some of the homes in Nerede, and so I did. It is not as if you all were going to agree on anything today anyway.”
For the first time in my life, I wanted to hug the king.
Maybe just a small hug right before I murdered him. Because priorities.
Parliament looked as dumbfounded as I did. Yes, numerous people had overheard him make that promise to me. But it wasn’t as if the king’s glowing personality led them to believe he’d actually stay true to his word.
“What?” the king barked. “I don’t think a tax increase is really needed for the amount of improvements that truly need to be done. You know Jorah will vote against it as she knows it will further crush Nerede. And she has a point that they are the workforce that keeps us all fed. So in a month, when I pull crews from Nerede, you had all better agree on what improvements are the priority in Savaryn. Ones that can be done without a tax increase. The clock is ticking.”
Is he just using me as his scapegoat to avoid another tax increase?I asked Krew.
Likely.
Parliament again was quiet, numerous people exchanging glances and then whispering amongst themselves.
