“Your majesty, there’s unrest among the large-estate farmers,” she says calmly. “They’re resisting the new tax structure, but I’m assembling a team to manage the situation.”
Adrian’s focus sharpens. His eyes lock onto her with the weight of a king expecting clarity.
“And why are they protesting?” he asks. “The taxation model is flawless. It’s scaled to their earnings.”
It should be simple.
Yet Ravenna hesitates—briefly, barely noticeable, but unmistakable.
I catch it.
A flicker of nerves.
A truth she doesn’t want to voice.
“They’re overreacting,” she says, smoothing her tone.
“Change unsettles people. It will fade.”.
Liar
Something about her is off.
But hey—royal politics? Far above my pay grade.
Queen Katerina decides it’s her moment to shine.
She leans closer to Adrian, tou
