The Courtesan

Chapter 44

“Why are you telling us this?” Dr. Rivers cut in.

“Pardon?”

“What’s the point of telling us who you are?”

“I once had the thought of killing the man who slaughtered my whole family. However, as time went on, it became apparent that it was nothing more than a pipe dream, even when I entered the palace. Even if I had the opportunity to kill him, I was too much of a coward to do so. But now, I have been saddled with the responsibility of a child. Even if I have made the decision to risk my life this time, I can’t risk his life. There’s no one who will take care of him in the palace, hence I’ve brought him here.”

“Elayne, what do you mean risk? What are you planning to do?” Lady Geraldine cut in.

“Dethrone King Mivas,” I said plainly.

“Not kill him?” Dr. Rivers prodded.

“Killing him will not be enough. I want to erase the impact he has and build this kingdom properly.”

“And how exactly are you going to do that?”

“It’s the second reason I have come here. I need your help, duchess.”

By saying that one sentence, I had effectively turned the two powerful women hostile. Lady Miriam’s position as a duchess was very fragile. She couldn’t speak, she wasn’t married and she was so capable. It was imperative many people would try to take advantage of her and the two women with her have spent their time protecting her from people who want to use her. From where I was coming from, it seemed like I was similar.

“I’m asking her. I’m not coercing her. I know you bear good sentiments of me since when we were younger and it might influence your decision. I am not taking advantage of that. I am asking as someone who truly cares about people in this kingdom. I have seen the rot of this kingdom with my own eyes and I cannot let this continue anymore.”

“What you’re asking is for her to put her life on the line to go against the king because of your feelings about the kingdom. What’s the difference?” Dr. Rivers asked coldly.

“I am acting on feelings. I have been frustrated about my suffering. I do not wish for this to continue.”

“So you have a plan that will not risk her life and position yet fulfil your goals?”

“I have nothing like that. If she takes this step, she will be risking everything, choosing potentially a losing side. This is a choice for her. If she refuses, I will take it upon myself. I will not fault her. However, is leaving King Mival in charge really the right decision? You know him more than I do. He’s way worse than he lets on. If one day he does something irreversible, you’ll be stuck with the knowledge that you could’ve done something about it but you didn’t.”

The tension in the room now was so thick I could cut it with a knife. I never knew glares from two women could be so frightening. It was like my blood froze in my body and if I made any sudden moves, I would be pounced on. In the midst of all this, Lady Geraldine still hadn’t said a word.

“King Mival is beloved by all. How can we believe anything you say? Even if we’re together with you in this, if the people aren’t on your side, there is nothing you can do, even with good intentions.”

“Dr. Rivers, King Mival is a horrible person. You and I know that. I will personally convince the people of this.”

“What? You’re going to show up and tell them where you’ve been all these years?”

“I’m not as stupid as that, Dr. Rivers.”

“Amaya, slow down. Elayne, what do you think King Mival is planning?” Lady Geraldine finally speaks.

“He’s planning a war with Uramuth.”

“Yes, he is. A war like that is going to be on a grand scale. None of the generals want to be involved in that. All of the nobles have been bought with greed. There is one thing stopping King Mival from immediately storming Uramuth.”

“The Seal of Authority.”

“Exactly. Even if he starts the war, it will not progress very well until he gets that or miraculously wins. You have that time to change the mind of the people and dethrone him.”

“Geraldine! What are you saying?!”

“Amaya, I know you want to act tough but she is right. This war will not be good for any of us. The kingdom has slowly become a worse place in the span of five years compared to when King Stavenger was on the throne. I know you want to protect Lady Miriam, I want to too but it will only take a few more months for her to be safe from the royal family. You heard her! Queen Moriah is still alive. We have hope.”

“This is stupid!”

“It is. Oh gods, it is. It makes no sense. I am tired of walking on the street, seeing how visibly our country is devaluing. If we go to war, it will be so much worse. Our kingdom depends on export and import. If we count on the land we get from Uramuth, it will still not heal the economic devastation on us. King Mival is going to drain our kingdom for his greed.”

“Do you even know what it means to oppose him?!”

“I do, trust me. But I don’t want to live like this anymore. I hate it here. I hate it so much.”

“Please do not fight because of me…”

We heard a chair scrape across the floor. Silently, Lady Miriam left her seat and walked towards me. I held my breath until she came close and stood there. I wanted to say something, anything but the lump in my throat overrode that. She took me by surprise, hugging me.

“L-Lady Miriam…?”

She released me from the hug and I could see her tearing up.

{You’ve been through a lot.}

“It’s seriously not a big deal…”

{It doesn’t matter. I’ll support you whatever you do.}

“That’s not a decision you should make on a whim.”

{Ever since I met you, I have been wishing you were the princess. Now that I know you’re the one, I’ll give my very life for your cause.}

“... Thank you. I’ll make sure not to risk your life,” I promised, hugging her. Lady Geraldine also stood, rushing to hug me.

“It must’ve been so hard for you. You’re safe now.”

With that sentence, it was like all the bravado I built came crashing down. My eyes stung and the lump in my throat became even bigger. I hugged them back, whispering my thanks over and over again. It was hard to be vocal about how grateful I was.

I looked over and Dr. Rivers wasn’t pleased. She gave me a straight look, stood up and left the dining hall. Lady Geraldine saw I was looking at her and just turned my head away.

“Don’t worry about Amaya. She’ll come around.”

“She has genuine fears.”

“We all do. This is not something that can easily be fixed. But we’ll find a way.”

“I hope so.”

We all finally disentangled from our hug and they returned to their seats.

“So, what’s your first step?”

“I have a lot of things planned but first, I want you to teach me how to fight.”

“Excuse me?”

“I want to learn how to wield a sword and protect myself. I know you can teach me.”

“Well…"

I looked at Lady Miriam and she was shaking her head vigorously. Lady Geraldine seemed offended.

“Well, do you want to teach her?! You don’t have the time for that!”

Lady Miriam still shook her head. I wondered why she was protesting so much.

“Elayne, do you even know who I am?”

“You’re Lady Miriam’s aid, I guess.”

“Close. I was sent here by my father to protect her. My father is General Tiller, the general of the west. I hold a position in the army as a commander. Are you sure you still want me to train you?”

It came as a shock, even after seeing how capable she was. Being trained by a military personnel would have more advantages than disadvantages.

“Yes.”

Words cannot describe how much I want to take back that word.