Cedric Halls lay with his head in his hands, clearly desperate to block out the words he didn't wish were said.
Unfortunately for the guildmaster of Rolstein's louts … adventurers … no, louts, I'd already delivered everything I had to say. And I made sure I'd been heard. Feigning ignorance was a skill many possessed. This man, who practically had tears rolling down his face, was not one of them.
We were inside the common room of the Adventurer's Guild. It consisted of a reception desk, two bars and enough tables to seat as many adventurers as required to rouse the dawn.
Tonight, it was empty. And the only new patrons were not here to drink.
We were here to deliver news of Rolstein's resident alchemist. And also judge the disgustingness of the floorboards. My boots stuck to the ground as I walked. It was vile. And if I knew how to cast [Infernal Tornado], I would use it in the sad knowledge that it wouldn't be enough to scrub off the decades of accumulated ale that had gone unwashed on the floor.
Seated across from us at a dingy table was a man in the prime of his life. As a branch guildmaster of one of the continent's oldest institutions, it was a position which afforded him a modicum of respect from deadbeats, layabouts and sponges up and down the kingdom.
However, the nature of the spotted lilac poncho he sported, in combination with the tears which puffed up his eyes and shrunk his extra twirly moustache, made him by far the most suspicious looking individual I'd encountered today. Had he stumbled onto the scene while Marina Lainsfont was in the midst of throwing fireballs at me, I would not hesitate to turn my full attention on this fashion anarchist instead.
“Marina … I've known her since she was this high,” said the guildmaster, not actually demonstrating what height that was, but instead backhanding his own eyes to wipe away the tears. “She was always special … but to think that she'd betray us … betray Rolstein like this. It's almost unthinkable ...”
“Oh? Almost unthinkable. But not outright unthinkable. There have been incidents, I take it?”
The guildmaster sadly shook his head. I took that to mean a nod instead.
“She used to reside here, back when her mother was still with us. Those days were fine. She was just like any normal girl. But after the tragedy happened, I'd hear the strangest stories about her. The … magic she could do, even without training. Things that could concern any adult. And Thomas was no different. He took a stern view. Sterner than most.”
“What did she do?”
“The same things that any budding young mage did. Set things on fire. Except unlike other budding young mages, she never bothered putting them out again. It always concerned me how little empathy she showed. But after she left and came back, I thought that the matter was settled. Marina had taken up training as an alchemist, and seemed to have abandoned advancing her magic.”
The guildmaster took out a flask from his side, fiddled with the cap, then returned it without taking a gulp. It seemed he wished to experience the full misery of today's news without softening it.
The smallest reprimand for his failure to identify the source of the Withering.
“A polite young woman. That's how she was to me now. To everyone. She'd fallen out with her father, but that was not my business to pry in. As guildmaster and a citizen of this town, I was happy to have her services. It's clear that her abilities were beyond what this town could pay her. Yet I assumed it to be a charity born of nostalgia. Of fondness. I had little idea that it was the opposite. That she'd instead wish to bring harm to this town is … deeply regrettable.”
I shook my head.
To claim that this woman only sought to bring ruin to one insignificant farming town was a downgrade of her crimes. Of all her acts of high treason, successfully defacing the front of my attire with dust and debris was her most heinous.
It'd taken me entire seconds to dust it all off. As a princess, I had highborn dignitaries waiting months for a moment of my busy time. Those seconds would need to be reimbursed.
“Rolstein is not alone in its grief. I trust you understand the steps that must now be taken to avert further hardship to the lowlands?”
The guildmaster slowly nodded. The weight of his relationship with both the culprit and the region hung heavy over his shoulders.
“I do. Although I must confess now that apprehending Marina is the easier of the tasks ahead of me. Informing Thomas … now that is a task greater than facing down any monster. Did you glean any reasoning from her for her actions?”
“I did not. She opted to deliver a hopelessly uninspired monologue instead. It was eye rolling. She did not even attempt to impassion it with more than a few seconds of maniacal laughter. No, she escaped when her spell was foiled by my clever machinations.”
Beside me, Coppelia nodded with excessive exuberance.
Naturally, as my future handmaiden, she understood that I had planned for the presence of a giant deposit of arcana crystals just beneath the feet of our would-be destroyer, and that our survival was the result of immaculate brinkmanship honed through years of statecraft.
I absolutely did not ride my luck.
“Indeed … Rolstein, no, the kingdom owes you a great debt for the brilliance you've shown. To think that you could identify and expose the source of the Withering the moment you arrived in this town, when those of us who have lived here with the culprit beneath our very noses were so blind to her ruse. It is an unforgivable mistake on our part.”
“A mistake, but not one made of incompetence, but loyalty. To believe in the goodness of those you have shared a table with is not a crime. It's the cog that drives the econo—I mean, the people to greater heights. To doubt your neighbours is to doubt us all. Do not allow this betrayal to spur you to distrust and apprehension.”
I stood up, leaving the guildmaster to his open mouth and the flask he clearly wished to indulge in. Coppelia joined me, but not before glancing at the kegs piled up behind the nearest bar.
I had to pause at that. Did clockwork dolls consume alcohol? Or any liquid, for that matter? Where would it … go?
“Wait.”
The guildmaster stood up also.
He dented his brows, then slung his fist into his chest.
I could only recoil slightly in alarm. Was this some sign of farewell appropriate for commoners? I could hear the thunk as his fist slammed against his chest! Was inflicting pain upon oneself a common gesture among the peasantry?
“I must apologise. Earlier, I had not shown the respect the both of you deserved. Allow me to officially thank you for your services to Rolstein.”
My, so that's what it was!
An apology.
And yet I saw no prostrating on the ground. Given the state of the floorboards, I would be inclined to forgive anyone who threw themselves on it.
Still, I suppose his inconsolable grief at missing the culprit hiding under his tenure gave partial room to forgive the slight. And he was a commoner. A poorly dressed commoner in a spotted lilac poncho. His life must already be of supreme hardship.
“The apology is not needed, guildmaster. Should you endeavour to hold Marina Lainsfont to account, then that is all the redress I require.”
The man nodded, his hand slowly falling from his chest.
“Juliette … and Coppelia. For all your efforts, I do not know who the both of you are. You are not adventurers. Nor are you associated with the local nobility.”
And how glad that I wasn't. One was a group of paid hooligans. And the other were adventurers.
“I am a proud citizen of this kingdom,” I said. “And this is my future handmaid. You need not know anything else, other than the fact we are performing our just duties to crown and country.”
Coppelia raised her hand.
“Actually, I'm an assistant librarian. And I'm not a citizen of this kingdom. Seriously, this is important. I'm not paying taxes. I mean, I don't anyway. But I'm definitely not paying any here. I've seen where your money goes. Really, the amount of portraits of your king—”
“R-Regardless, our goals are noble and pure! Something foul creeps across this fair land. And we shall see it sent back over sea and mountain.”
The guildmaster looked between myself and Coppelia. He took in the girl beside me, hesitated slightly, then turned to me with a look of utmost seriousness.
“I see the desire for righteousness burns in your eyes. Do you intend to take that flame wherever you go?”
“Why, naturally, I do.”
I smiled confidently. The guildmaster relaxed.
“Excellent! Then I take it you also have the funds, provisions and transportation necessary to see out your quest?”
I looked up in thought.
How many crowns did I have again? It was whatever amount I'd scooped up from behind the barkeeper's counter. What provisions would that buy? I had only the cost of my books for reference. And transportation ...
Ah!
“I have a horse. His name is Apple.”
“The draft horse belonging to Thomas?”
“It was destined for Marina Lainsfont. Given recent events, I'm requisitioning him for my use. Speaking of which, I believe he's still stabled outside the store. I'll need to fetch him quite soon ...”
“Wait!”
The guildmaster called out to me once again as I turned to leave.
Really! Now this was becoming aggravating. Apple was likely extremely puzzled at the lack of anyone to tell him where to walk, trot or stand still. And he had the last apple in the saddlebags. If I didn't stamp my authority, he might claim it for himself.
“Those with a noble purpose, seeking to right the wrongs of this land, have ever gravitated towards a single trade,” said the guildmaster, holding himself suddenly higher. “As the Old Companions of past years once did, these courageous men and women gather together not beneath a banner, but the chorus of song and kinship. I would offer the both of you a commission, and to induct you into the ranks of the Adventurer's Guild—”
“No.”
“Assistant librarian. Taken.”
The guildmaster blinked, his rightmost ear turned slightly towards us, as if in more disbelief than of anything else he'd heard today.
“R-Really? No? Are you, uh, certain? We ask of you nothing but your name and your vow to serve the people. If I must say so, to join the guild is a coveted dream of many. There is usually an arduous application process, letters of commendation, trials of valour, weapon skill examinations ...”
For the first time in my life, I was rendered speechless.
Not because I didn't know what to say. But because there were too many competing words wishing to fight for a place to summarily reject this man's offer.
I could scarcely believe it. He was asking me—a princess of the kingdom—if I wished to abandon my urgent commitments to righting the kingdom to … whatever adventurers did when they weren't brawling in bars or breaking and entering into private property.
I had a list longer than my breakfast menu on how many issues I had to solve. I had revolution to the north, war to the east, pirates to the west and criminal syndicates, monsters, common brigands, holes in the ground, snowfall in our forests and now an escaped naked pyromaniac somewhere in between.
Suffice to say, I had no time to beat up fruit slimes for entertainment.
“I … I see … a shame,” said the guildmaster, shoulders slumped. “Indeed, it is this rejection of the old path that makes you all the more suitable. But I suppose that not all seek a guild ranking for their endeavours. In fact, I'd wager that most only seek the crowns. But if neither fame nor fortune appeals to you, then the guild has little else we can offer.”
Goodness, at last, this man had the right of it!
I already had both fame and fortune. What need had I for more? Indeed, were I not masterfully incognito, none would mistake me as some … what did that woman dare accuse me of being? Some bored nobleman's daughter? Ugh. The indignity of it.
Whatever! The fact is that I was already incredibly famous and wealthy. That this man would seek to offer me more of what I had in abundance was laughable.
“Allow me to see you to the door. Will you be staying the night in Rolstein, before travelling to your next port of call?”
I didn't move from my spot.
“Ohhohoho! W-Well, of course! Circumstances, however, have made the logistics of securing accommodation challenging. Do you have a … recommendation? Perhaps a well ventilated establishment which does not boast a bar as its main point of draw?”
The man thumbed his extra twirly moustache.
“A tall order, I'm afraid. Rolstein only has two inns I would truly call reputable. Between them, I recommend the Black Fowl. It's more expensive, but the baron himself stays there when he visits.”
Already, I felt the cold fingers of apprehension pinching the back of my neck.
The Black Fowl. What a terribly … inn like name.
“I see ...” I mentally counted the amount of coins I'd borrowed from the barkeeper. “I have 6 silver crowns, 37 copper crowns, and one crown which may either be gold or copper depending on how the light shines on it. How many days of provisions and nights in an … inn will that provide me?”
He paused and thought about it.
“At the Black Fowl? It's 5 silver crowns a night. You're short 3 copper crowns for two nights, but the proprietor can be haggled down with a smile.”
“I see. One night's stay. And provisions?”
“A fine meal of bread, cheese and salted beef.”
“… And how many days is that?”
“A third of a day. It's one meal.”
“Okay.” I pursed my lips. “What if the one ambiguous crown is a gold crown?”
“It's almost assuredly a copper crown.”
“You haven't seen it yet.”
“It's a copper crown, ma'am.”
I stared at him.
These prices … I did not understand them!
My books cost 250 gold crowns! Each! That felt … reasonable? Maybe? It was … well, it was difficult to tell! Naturally, the production of books was a highly skilled affair, so it made reasonable sense that the cost would reflect that ...
Yet even so!
To think that A Court Lady's Indiscretion, Vol. III had cost me the equivalent of … 500 days in an inn?!
Wasn't that discrepancy too much … ?
Had I … Had I perhaps paid above the accepted market rate … ?
“Uh … are you well? You appear a little shaken. Do you, um, perhaps not have the funds on hand to see through your entire quest?”
… And now a commoner was looking at me with concern!
A commoner!
No, no, no, no. This was … This was no issue whatsoever! I had little funds and nothing in the way of an income stream, yes, which was a problem if I wished to pay for anything—
Fortunately, I had no such wish! I could simply execute a royal requisition order! Ohhohohoho!
But … wait, wasn't I incognito?
Why, the optics of merely strolling in and demanding everything without payment was terrible! I'd look like some common robber, as opposed to royalty! There was a huge difference there!
Did … Did that mean I had to … to …
Work?
To … earn income?
Like a commoner? Or nobility? Or anyone not me?
“Um … are you okay? You … You look very pale? Do you perhaps need to lie down? Something to drink, perhaps? It's … It's clearly been a very tiring day for you. My apologies, I should have taken that into consideration. Please, if you'll wait a moment, I'll just get you something to—”
I sat back down at the table, my body shaking with trepidation.
No! This was not time to falter! I am Juliette Contzen, Third Princess to the Kingdom of Tirea! No matter what challenges I must … I must be hold my head high and face it with the poise of a knight in a tournament!
“For … For my lifestyle needs, I'm willing to suffer any disgrace ...”
“... Huh?”
“T-That's right! No matter how humiliating! No matter how demeaning! No matter how close to the ground I crawl! I … I will do whatever it takes to see this kingdom flourish!”
“That's ... uh, that's highly noble of you. And I promise, if I can do anything in my power to assist, I shall. Rolstein owes you that much.”
Seeing the guildmaster unsure of whether to stay or call for a flagon of water, I swallowed a deep breath.
“What … what income … can an adventurer … expect … ?”
Cedric Halls lay with his head in his hands, clearly desperate to block out the words he didn't wish were said.
Unfortunately for the guildmaster of Rolstein's louts … adventurers … no, louts, I'd already delivered everything I had to say. And I made sure I'd been heard. Feigning ignorance was a skill many possessed. This man, who practically had tears rolling down his face, was not one of them.
We were inside the common room of the Adventurer's Guild. It consisted of a reception desk, two bars and enough tables to seat as many adventurers as required to rouse the dawn.
Tonight, it was empty. And the only new patrons were not here to drink.
We were here to deliver news of Rolstein's resident alchemist. And also judge the disgustingness of the floorboards. My boots stuck to the ground as I walked. It was vile. And if I knew how to cast [Infernal Tornado], I would use it in the sad knowledge that it wouldn't be enough to scrub off the decades of accumulated ale that had gone unwashed on the floor.
Seated across from us at a dingy table was a man in the prime of his life. As a branch guildmaster of one of the continent's oldest institutions, it was a position which afforded him a modicum of respect from deadbeats, layabouts and sponges up and down the kingdom.
However, the nature of the spotted lilac poncho he sported, in combination with the tears which puffed up his eyes and shrunk his extra twirly moustache, made him by far the most suspicious looking individual I'd encountered today. Had he stumbled onto the scene while Marina Lainsfont was in the midst of throwing fireballs at me, I would not hesitate to turn my full attention on this fashion anarchist instead.
“Marina … I've known her since she was this high,” said the guildmaster, not actually demonstrating what height that was, but instead backhanding his own eyes to wipe away the tears. “She was always special … but to think that she'd betray us … betray Rolstein like this. It's almost unthinkable ...”
“Oh? Almost unthinkable. But not outright unthinkable. There have been incidents, I take it?”
The guildmaster sadly shook his head. I took that to mean a nod instead.
“She used to reside here, back when her mother was still with us. Those days were fine. She was just like any normal girl. But after the tragedy happened, I'd hear the strangest stories about her. The … magic she could do, even without training. Things that could concern any adult. And Thomas was no different. He took a stern view. Sterner than most.”
“What did she do?”
“The same things that any budding young mage did. Set things on fire. Except unlike other budding young mages, she never bothered putting them out again. It always concerned me how little empathy she showed. But after she left and came back, I thought that the matter was settled. Marina had taken up training as an alchemist, and seemed to have abandoned advancing her magic.”
The guildmaster took out a flask from his side, fiddled with the cap, then returned it without taking a gulp. It seemed he wished to experience the full misery of today's news without softening it.
The smallest reprimand for his failure to identify the source of the Withering.
“A polite young woman. That's how she was to me now. To everyone. She'd fallen out with her father, but that was not my business to pry in. As guildmaster and a citizen of this town, I was happy to have her services. It's clear that her abilities were beyond what this town could pay her. Yet I assumed it to be a charity born of nostalgia. Of fondness. I had little idea that it was the opposite. That she'd instead wish to bring harm to this town is … deeply regrettable.”
I shook my head.
To claim that this woman only sought to bring ruin to one insignificant farming town was a downgrade of her crimes. Of all her acts of high treason, successfully defacing the front of my attire with dust and debris was her most heinous.
It'd taken me entire seconds to dust it all off. As a princess, I had highborn dignitaries waiting months for a moment of my busy time. Those seconds would need to be reimbursed.
“Rolstein is not alone in its grief. I trust you understand the steps that must now be taken to avert further hardship to the lowlands?”
The guildmaster slowly nodded. The weight of his relationship with both the culprit and the region hung heavy over his shoulders.
“I do. Although I must confess now that apprehending Marina is the easier of the tasks ahead of me. Informing Thomas … now that is a task greater than facing down any monster. Did you glean any reasoning from her for her actions?”
“I did not. She opted to deliver a hopelessly uninspired monologue instead. It was eye rolling. She did not even attempt to impassion it with more than a few seconds of maniacal laughter. No, she escaped when her spell was foiled by my clever machinations.”
Beside me, Coppelia nodded with excessive exuberance.
Naturally, as my future handmaiden, she understood that I had planned for the presence of a giant deposit of arcana crystals just beneath the feet of our would-be destroyer, and that our survival was the result of immaculate brinkmanship honed through years of statecraft.
I absolutely did not ride my luck.
“Indeed … Rolstein, no, the kingdom owes you a great debt for the brilliance you've shown. To think that you could identify and expose the source of the Withering the moment you arrived in this town, when those of us who have lived here with the culprit beneath our very noses were so blind to her ruse. It is an unforgivable mistake on our part.”
“A mistake, but not one made of incompetence, but loyalty. To believe in the goodness of those you have shared a table with is not a crime. It's the cog that drives the econo—I mean, the people to greater heights. To doubt your neighbours is to doubt us all. Do not allow this betrayal to spur you to distrust and apprehension.”
I stood up, leaving the guildmaster to his open mouth and the flask he clearly wished to indulge in. Coppelia joined me, but not before glancing at the kegs piled up behind the nearest bar.
I had to pause at that. Did clockwork dolls consume alcohol? Or any liquid, for that matter? Where would it … go?
“Wait.”
The guildmaster stood up also.
He dented his brows, then slung his fist into his chest.
I could only recoil slightly in alarm. Was this some sign of farewell appropriate for commoners? I could hear the thunk as his fist slammed against his chest! Was inflicting pain upon oneself a common gesture among the peasantry?
“I must apologise. Earlier, I had not shown the respect the both of you deserved. Allow me to officially thank you for your services to Rolstein.”
My, so that's what it was!
An apology.
And yet I saw no prostrating on the ground. Given the state of the floorboards, I would be inclined to forgive anyone who threw themselves on it.
Still, I suppose his inconsolable grief at missing the culprit hiding under his tenure gave partial room to forgive the slight. And he was a commoner. A poorly dressed commoner in a spotted lilac poncho. His life must already be of supreme hardship.
“The apology is not needed, guildmaster. Should you endeavour to hold Marina Lainsfont to account, then that is all the redress I require.”
The man nodded, his hand slowly falling from his chest.
“Juliette … and Coppelia. For all your efforts, I do not know who the both of you are. You are not adventurers. Nor are you associated with the local nobility.”
And how glad that I wasn't. One was a group of paid hooligans. And the other were adventurers.
“I am a proud citizen of this kingdom,” I said. “And this is my future handmaid. You need not know anything else, other than the fact we are performing our just duties to crown and country.”
Coppelia raised her hand.
“Actually, I'm an assistant librarian. And I'm not a citizen of this kingdom. Seriously, this is important. I'm not paying taxes. I mean, I don't anyway. But I'm definitely not paying any here. I've seen where your money goes. Really, the amount of portraits of your king—”
“R-Regardless, our goals are noble and pure! Something foul creeps across this fair land. And we shall see it sent back over sea and mountain.”
The guildmaster looked between myself and Coppelia. He took in the girl beside me, hesitated slightly, then turned to me with a look of utmost seriousness.
“I see the desire for righteousness burns in your eyes. Do you intend to take that flame wherever you go?”
“Why, naturally, I do.”
I smiled confidently. The guildmaster relaxed.
“Excellent! Then I take it you also have the funds, provisions and transportation necessary to see out your quest?”
I looked up in thought.
How many crowns did I have again? It was whatever amount I'd scooped up from behind the barkeeper's counter. What provisions would that buy? I had only the cost of my books for reference. And transportation ...
Ah!
“I have a horse. His name is Apple.”
“The draft horse belonging to Thomas?”
“It was destined for Marina Lainsfont. Given recent events, I'm requisitioning him for my use. Speaking of which, I believe he's still stabled outside the store. I'll need to fetch him quite soon ...”
“Wait!”
The guildmaster called out to me once again as I turned to leave.
Really! Now this was becoming aggravating. Apple was likely extremely puzzled at the lack of anyone to tell him where to walk, trot or stand still. And he had the last apple in the saddlebags. If I didn't stamp my authority, he might claim it for himself.
“Those with a noble purpose, seeking to right the wrongs of this land, have ever gravitated towards a single trade,” said the guildmaster, holding himself suddenly higher. “As the Old Companions of past years once did, these courageous men and women gather together not beneath a banner, but the chorus of song and kinship. I would offer the both of you a commission, and to induct you into the ranks of the Adventurer's Guild—”
“No.”
“Assistant librarian. Taken.”
The guildmaster blinked, his rightmost ear turned slightly towards us, as if in more disbelief than of anything else he'd heard today.
“R-Really? No? Are you, uh, certain? We ask of you nothing but your name and your vow to serve the people. If I must say so, to join the guild is a coveted dream of many. There is usually an arduous application process, letters of commendation, trials of valour, weapon skill examinations ...”
For the first time in my life, I was rendered speechless.
Not because I didn't know what to say. But because there were too many competing words wishing to fight for a place to summarily reject this man's offer.
I could scarcely believe it. He was asking me—a princess of the kingdom—if I wished to abandon my urgent commitments to righting the kingdom to … whatever adventurers did when they weren't brawling in bars or breaking and entering into private property.
I had a list longer than my breakfast menu on how many issues I had to solve. I had revolution to the north, war to the east, pirates to the west and criminal syndicates, monsters, common brigands, holes in the ground, snowfall in our forests and now an escaped naked pyromaniac somewhere in between.
Suffice to say, I had no time to beat up fruit slimes for entertainment.
“I … I see … a shame,” said the guildmaster, shoulders slumped. “Indeed, it is this rejection of the old path that makes you all the more suitable. But I suppose that not all seek a guild ranking for their endeavours. In fact, I'd wager that most only seek the crowns. But if neither fame nor fortune appeals to you, then the guild has little else we can offer.”
Goodness, at last, this man had the right of it!
I already had both fame and fortune. What need had I for more? Indeed, were I not masterfully incognito, none would mistake me as some … what did that woman dare accuse me of being? Some bored nobleman's daughter? Ugh. The indignity of it.
Whatever! The fact is that I was already incredibly famous and wealthy. That this man would seek to offer me more of what I had in abundance was laughable.
“Allow me to see you to the door. Will you be staying the night in Rolstein, before travelling to your next port of call?”
I didn't move from my spot.
“Ohhohoho! W-Well, of course! Circumstances, however, have made the logistics of securing accommodation challenging. Do you have a … recommendation? Perhaps a well ventilated establishment which does not boast a bar as its main point of draw?”
The man thumbed his extra twirly moustache.
“A tall order, I'm afraid. Rolstein only has two inns I would truly call reputable. Between them, I recommend the Black Fowl. It's more expensive, but the baron himself stays there when he visits.”
Already, I felt the cold fingers of apprehension pinching the back of my neck.
The Black Fowl. What a terribly … inn like name.
“I see ...” I mentally counted the amount of coins I'd borrowed from the barkeeper. “I have 6 silver crowns, 37 copper crowns, and one crown which may either be gold or copper depending on how the light shines on it. How many days of provisions and nights in an … inn will that provide me?”
He paused and thought about it.
“At the Black Fowl? It's 5 silver crowns a night. You're short 3 copper crowns for two nights, but the proprietor can be haggled down with a smile.”
“I see. One night's stay. And provisions?”
“A fine meal of bread, cheese and salted beef.”
“… And how many days is that?”
“A third of a day. It's one meal.”
“Okay.” I pursed my lips. “What if the one ambiguous crown is a gold crown?”
“It's almost assuredly a copper crown.”
“You haven't seen it yet.”
“It's a copper crown, ma'am.”
I stared at him.
These prices … I did not understand them!
My books cost 250 gold crowns! Each! That felt … reasonable? Maybe? It was … well, it was difficult to tell! Naturally, the production of books was a highly skilled affair, so it made reasonable sense that the cost would reflect that ...
Yet even so!
To think that A Court Lady's Indiscretion, Vol. III had cost me the equivalent of … 500 days in an inn?!
Wasn't that discrepancy too much … ?
Had I … Had I perhaps paid above the accepted market rate … ?
“Uh … are you well? You appear a little shaken. Do you, um, perhaps not have the funds on hand to see through your entire quest?”
… And now a commoner was looking at me with concern!
A commoner!
No, no, no, no. This was … This was no issue whatsoever! I had little funds and nothing in the way of an income stream, yes, which was a problem if I wished to pay for anything—
Fortunately, I had no such wish! I could simply execute a royal requisition order! Ohhohohoho!
But … wait, wasn't I incognito?
Why, the optics of merely strolling in and demanding everything without payment was terrible! I'd look like some common robber, as opposed to royalty! There was a huge difference there!
Did … Did that mean I had to … to …
Work?
To … earn income?
Like a commoner? Or nobility? Or anyone not me?
“Um … are you okay? You … You look very pale? Do you perhaps need to lie down? Something to drink, perhaps? It's … It's clearly been a very tiring day for you. My apologies, I should have taken that into consideration. Please, if you'll wait a moment, I'll just get you something to—”
I sat back down at the table, my body shaking with trepidation.
No! This was not time to falter! I am Juliette Contzen, Third Princess to the Kingdom of Tirea! No matter what challenges I must … I must be hold my head high and face it with the poise of a knight in a tournament!
“For … For my lifestyle needs, I'm willing to suffer any disgrace ...”
“... Huh?”
“T-That's right! No matter how humiliating! No matter how demeaning! No matter how close to the ground I crawl! I … I will do whatever it takes to see this kingdom flourish!”
“That's ... uh, that's highly noble of you. And I promise, if I can do anything in my power to assist, I shall. Rolstein owes you that much.”
Seeing the guildmaster unsure of whether to stay or call for a flagon of water, I swallowed a deep breath.
“What … what income … can an adventurer … expect … ?”
