Chapter 485: Every Man His Office

Chapter 484: Every Man His Office

Lyria’s POV

Baldwin leaned forward once more, and when he spoke, his voice had grown huskier than before.

I noticed the faint frown upon his countenance, and the discreet manner in which his hand moved to his neck. I had not paid particular attention to his attire until now, but now I did. His neck and his hands were fully covered, and the only part of him left bare was his face.

Regarding him thus, I thought he must have been a remarkably handsome man in his younger years. He might even have passed for a woman, I reflected, in his youth, for though his hair had since turned more grey, there remained a softness to his features.

Then I paused upon that thought, and observed him again.

Could there be yet another mystery here?

Since entering this town, I seemed to have been met with one mystery upon another, each demanding an answer, or perhaps a key to unlock it. And I had a growing sense that every mystery this town held was connected to the rest.

Which led me to wonder: did the Crown know of this, and send me here regardless? And if so, what precisely was its aim? What sick game was the Crown playing? But...

"Your Highness?" Duke Thorncrest called.

I blinked at once, startled from my thoughts.

"You m-must pardon me," I said to them, perceiving how far I had wandered from the conversation. "I w-was lost in t-thought for a m-moment there."

"Thoughts upon how best to aid the town, I am certain," Duke Thorncrest said, his lips tilted in that same carefree smile he always wore.

Corvin scoffed, as though he doubted it, and Baldwin observed him quietly, though he said nothing.

I might be mistaken, but I had begun to suspect that Baldwin was the most observant of the three heads of the town. And, I dare say, the most formidable, which made me all the more curious to learn his story, and that of all the townspeople.

But before I might lose myself once more in thought, I spoke, choosing to disregard Corvin.

"Lu..." I shook my head, correcting myself. "D-Duke Aurelgrave shall b-be in c-charge of the f-fields, then."

"’E seems willin’," Jim said, with a nod.

I nodded also, and turned to Duke Thorncrest.

"Your G-Grace, do t-tell, what w-ill you take c-charge of?"

He and Marquess Silverwyn were the two I would permit to choose freely their own office, not counting Lucian.

"I shall take charge of the renovation of the buildings," Duke Thorncrest said. "Highmoor learnt long ago how to raise sturdy dwellings upon difficult ground, and perhaps I may apply that knowledge here. Much has been neglected, from what I have observed, and not for any lack of trying, but rather from ignorance. Had measures been put in place for any disaster, much of what occurred may not have occurred."

"That is true, Your Grace," Marquess Silverwyn added. "And I shall labour with you in it. I too have some knowledge of restoring homes, my own territory having had a great deal of it."

This, again, was something I had not known, and would have to enquire into further. Yet I gave thanks to the Goddess, for I had not been obliged to ask Marquess Silverwyn what office he wished, and he had furnished me with the answer unprompted.

Now I was left with two gentlemen.

I gave Corvin my attention first.

"My l-lord," I said to him, "y-you shall b-be in c-charge of the f-food and w-water p-provisions."

Ursula began to protest at once, but I spoke firmly before she could continue.

"T-trust my j-judgement," I said. "Do you n-not think that the v-very gentleman who w-was so vocal as to how the food did not s-suit a m-man of his standing, should know b-better which food would p-possess good q-quality, and keep l-longest for the p-people?"

Lucian’s lips twitched at my words, while Duke Valenridge nodded. I did not doubt they understood my intention.

Corvin, bloody pompous creature that he was, spoke up in a bid to protest.

"I will not be—"

"You h-had better a-accept it, my l-lord," I said politely, "for as I s-said before, I have grown w-weary of answering your p-petty words. There is only s-so much one can r-reply to an i-instigator in a s-single day."

I did not trouble to take joy in his open mouth, for though he was stunned now, I did not doubt he should shortly furnish another theatrical display of his folly. Perhaps I ought to strike him, as some parents correct their stubborn children.

Though that would avail nothing. For a fool remains a fool, in Corvin’s case.

I levelled my gaze upon Duke Valenridge.

"And y-you, Your G-Grace, shall w-work directly b-beside m-me."

Duke Valenridge appeared startled by this. "I do not understand, Your Highness," he said. "Are we not all working beside you already?"

"The o-others have o-offices to f-fulfil, though they w-work beside me as I do w-with you all. B-but in your c-case, you have no s-specific office, and so you s-shall be my p-partner of s-sorts, and take up w-whichever role I d-deem fit for you."

Duke Valenridge regarded me a while, and then spoke.

"By that, you mean I might be bidden to assist in anything, and be set in charge of anything, depending upon the circumstance?"

"Y-yes, Your G-Grace," I replied. "Ever p-perceptive of you."

"And what if I contest the position?"

I tilted my head, my gaze still fixed upon him. "A-and what m-makes you suppose y-you would be g-given the chance? Every o-other has a-accepted their office, Your G-Grace. Surely you have no n-need to r-reject yours?"

Duke Valenridge’s lips twitched, and then he nodded.

"You are correct. I have no need to contest. I shall play my role as you wish it."

I gave him a nod, and turned to the heads of the town.

"I c-cannot promise all shall be r-resolved before the d-deadline," I told them honestly. "That w-would be a f-far-fetched dream, a-after all, but I shall d-do my best to ensure the t-town is r-restored to e-even better c-conditions than b-before, the p-rocess b-beginning w-while I remain in t-this town."