The Courtesan

Chapter 46

Third Person's POV

{The King is calling a strategic meeting.}

Miriam saw Elayne’s concealed distress after saying that. She tried to hide it but her trembling fingers gave it away. She was scared. Miriam was sure she would be too if she ever tried to take something like that on her shoulder. It required a lot of guts. 

{Do you want to attend?}

“No. I will not be attending. I’ll leave that up to you. I have somewhere else to be.”

Miriam was grateful that she found Princess Ariana. However, it would seem like Elayne and Princess Ariana had become two different people. The kind of effect that would have; she would just have to wait to find out in the future. 

They finished with work and Elayne had to leave to go check on the Prince. It was one more thing Miriam didn’t understand too. Why did she care so much about him? Was it perhaps a mandate of Queen Moriah?

There was no evidence presented to ponder so Miriam shelved it. As she prepared to leave, the only person who can barge into her office without greeting arrived. 

“Lady Miriam, are you done already?”

{I am. I have asked you to stop giving me such a fright.}

“Sorry. I have something to ask you.”

{Go ahead.}

“Have you noticed something off about Elayne?”

{What do you mean?}

“It doesn’t feel like she’s princess Ariana. It’s almost like she’s trying to be someone she is not.”

{I understand your worries. She hasn’t been a princess in a long time. She’s trying to adjust.}

“Poor Elayne, she has suffered so much.”

{She’s about to go through a lot more. I pray the gods grant her the strength to tide through what is about to happen.}

“Hmm? What’s that?”

{The King has summoned me to the palace to participate in a strategy meeting. He is very serious about this war.}

“Is she going?”

{She said she is not.}

“I see… what are we going to do now? As a duchess, you will be required to participate in the war but as I am under the general of the west, I have no obligations unless he has the seal. Are you…?”

{I cannot stop the war nor is there anything I can do. I have to support it. Even if we stop the war, Uramuth will attack us. Princess Ariana showing up in the middle of this will certainly aggravate the situation.}

“So what do we do?”

{I do not know. We have to think about this deeply.}

“Hmmm... hey! I have an idea.”

{Dear gods, it better be a sane one.}

“The faith you have in me… of course it’s insane.”

{Just what do you plan to do?}

“The King is sure to ask for soldier tributes from you. So, we’ll disguise Elayne as a foot soldier and have her participate in the war!”

{I knew it. Do you even know how reckless and foolish that sounds?!}

“Do you have a better one?”

{We can just hide the princess here. There is no need for her to participate in the war.}

“It has many advantages. She can amass experience, she can gain the approval of the people by moving up the ranks and if she gets close enough, she can kill King Mival.”

{A lot of foolish things have come out of your mouth that I have had the misfortune of hearing but this has to be the worst one.}

“It’s a good idea.”

{Have you considered the instance in which she dies in battle?}

“Oh that… she can’t die. I’ll train her properly.”

{Just perish the thought. We’ll think of another thing. She has only been training for about a week. You cannot perform a miracle for a war slated to start anytime soon. Unless you’re going to protect her yourself, do not suggest something that reckless.}

“B-But I can’t protect her when I have to protect you!”

{We’ll think of something else. For now, let us get ready to go to the palace. Things were relatively calm in the ball compared to the last few years but in this meeting, I cannot hope for another miracle, especially since we killed that bear.}

“But that was certainly marvelous, wasn’t it?”

{I hate my life sometimes.}

“Hey! Don’t sign that recklessly.”

{I’m hungry. Let’s go.}

“Come on, just consider it.”

Miriam didn’t bother signing, showing her stance on the discussion. No matter how much Geraldine whined, she didn’t respond. This continued all the way until dinner with Elayne and Amaya who were already seated. The atmosphere was as awkward as expected. 

“Oh hey, Elayne, I have a suggestion.”

Miriam’s eyes widened and she hated more than ever that she could not speak. 

“What is it?”

“Why don’t you participate in the war as a foot soldier?”

Before Elayne could even respond, the table was slammed by Miriam, who created a little c***k on it. She glared deeply at Geraldine who shrunk in her seat. Amaya’s eyes widened and well, Elayne was too shocked to speak. 

{You do not have to listen to her mad plans. There is no need to participate in the war.}

“I think it might be a good idea.”

“What?! Have you lost your mind?!” This time, it was Amaya protesting. Even Elayne didn’t expect it. But she calmly responded after. 

“Perhaps I have. But if I had to sit still and watch the waves of life toss me one more time, I’ll really lose it. I’ll participate in the war Geraldine.”

“You see!” Geraldine proclaimed proudly. Two glares shut her right up. 

{Princess, you might die.}

“Dying will be much better than the life I have now.”

{Princess!}

“Blast this! What of the child? If you die, who will take care of him?”

“I’ll be imposing on you, Lady Miriam.”

“You… I knew there was something off about you! Why will you go through all this trouble to save a kingdom that couldn’t care less about you? No one cares about your family or even remembers them anymore!” 

“You didn’t want me to put the life of the duchess in harm's way. I am taking a better route. Isn’t that good for you?”

“Are you dumb? I don’t want you to die either!”