-MART-
"We need to talk, son." My mother’s voice was soft. And sharp. As always.
I lifted my eyes from the ledgers on my desk and met her light brown gaze. "Not now, Mother. I’m busy."
I was. There were discrepancies in the books. Most of the South Kingdom’s income comes from black steel mined in the North. The same mines the North Kingdom now claims belong to them.
Black steel is the strongest metal in our world. It can pierce anything. Even common steel. Even dragon skin
That’s why it’s expensive. And while our production hasn’t dropped in the past year, our income has.
There’s a leak somewhere. A detour my accountants haven’t been able to trace.
"You should never be too busy for your family," she said, narrowing her eyes into that familiar scowl she wore like jewelry.
"That’s ri
