Marah and Reyji were alone. Slightly disappointed that she had run out of tea, Marah swirled her cup over the saucer as if she was trying to find some leftover tea at the bottom. When she could not, she finally left the cup standing with a clink. Reyji sat down at the table opposite her.

"So much for the freedom of the free banks..."

"They were never free. If someone keeps telling you he is free, you're probably in an asylum."

"Was it really necessary to give him the Fee Reserves? What if he doesn't obey?"

"Don't worry, he will obey. What else is he going to do?"

"And what about the other three?"

Marah stared into her empty cup again.

"Do you know my family history?"

"Yes?" Reyji asked, irritated.

"Then tell me."

"The Von Rosenberg and the Lichtfall stole the Paladin's treasure, then fled the continent with the Balatar in tow. The Von Rosenberg alone had captured 62 ships full of jewels. The three clans first conquered Jena, then founded the country of Baele on Gravia. The most powerful family was given the position of ruler, the Von Rosenbergs."

"Yes, that is right, only that it is wrong. I'll tell you a secret that I shouldn't tell you. When the Lichtfall attacked Iris, the Von Rosenbergs weren't there. They didn't steal any jewels. They weren't a war party either. They didn't even exist. My ancestors were showmen. Iris was destroyed. Everything was in ruins. They took a ship that was still there and loaded what the war had left behind, and from then on they pretended to be rich. The Von Rosenbergs made their fortune by lending. They only gave themselves the name after they had driven the Shikai to the north. There were never any Rosenbergs in Paladin. Money is a form of power. Power is an illusion that you believe. The sum had to be so large that no one in their right mind would give it away. With Mr. Jens on our side, we don't need to bribe the others. They will break like twigs. They will beg to become my puppets."

"If all this is the case, then why do the paladin hate you?"

"Most of the paladin died in the war. The rest were happy to believe the illusion. 63 ships full of jewels stolen is better than just one."

"If the funding for Aebien is in place, the vassal contract becomes valid. It's amazing that no one ever linked the land purchase to the civil war."

"It is civil war in Aebien and war with two countries in the south. It is chaos. Many people are dying or fleeing. Many are selling everything they have. I buy the border land to Ire and Dreik from a merchant in Delxawe because it's cheap and we can defend it. I give the land to Grünwald so they can plant trees there. Of course, they bring soldiers and weapons to protect the production. The national war stops automatically because we are on the border. The rebels are no longer attacked from two sides. The tide turns and the civil war ends with the victory of the citizens. The Herbstblüte family, who led the uprising in the end, is elected as the ruling family by the people. I travel to Aebien to look at my trees, and the new government allows me to build my Mark, because it was we who made the victory of the citizens possible in the first place with our presence. The Mark is a bulwark on the border. Delxawe has lost its puppet government and the people of Aebien were able to elect a new government themselves. Aebien continues to be exploited by foreign countries. We are their only real supporters. Aebien is becoming a vassal state. Everyone can understand everything."

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"One could recognize it by the name."

"That would be very far-fetched. Every twentieth citizen of Aebien has a Baela name. Very few people know where their name comes from or what it used to mean. Ire and Dreik will declare war on Aebien after the attack, which will trigger the defense clause. I'm meeting with Leiter Springer to go over everything. You can call it a day. Adou will replace you. If you happen to see Mr. Krüger tonight, tell him: 1. to bring the photos to this place and not to the palace and 2. to pack his bags. The vacation is approved. Also, if he has a camera around, take it away from him and break it so that he can see it."

"I will do that. Do you mean his father's camera?"

"Did he tell you that too? It's not his father's. The model is six months old. His father's been dead for 20 years. He took it from somewhere."

"Hm... If he has a camera, I will break it. So if you're about to meet Leiter Springer, there's going to be a war?"

"Four months ago, I got the monthly report from our Mark in Aebien. The village where I am an honorary citizen was destroyed. The attack could still be pushed back, but nothing remains. Three women were kidnapped. All the others were killed. My tolerance is at an end. A war is not what will happen."

.../

A short time later, Claire came through the door into the outside area. She looked like she was completely shaken up. She closed the door so quickly that she almost caught her foot.

"Ms. V-V-V-Von Rosenberg, that-that-that-that boy kissed me. Do I have to marry him now? What am I going to do now?"

"First of all, make me a cup of tea."

"A-A-A-A what?"

"I want you to make me another tea." Marah shook her empty cup. "I'm out of tea. You see that?"

"Oh, you're right. Of course. I'll make you a new one right away." Claire came running up and grabbed the cup from the table. "Mrs. Von Rosenberg? T-That boy invited me to dinner too? Shall I go?"

Marah shrugged her shoulders.

"Personally, I don't care."

"I wanted to get rid of him, but then he said it was only possible today because he's leaving soon and that he likes my hair and that he'd be very sorry if I didn't have time today. Can't you help me? I don't know what to do."

"You'll have to decide for yourself."

"Then can you at least give me some advice?"

"Why should I have any?"

"Well, I just thought you'd have a lot of experience with this sort of thing, because I see you a lot in the kiosk..." Claire was reluctant to continue the sentence. " I mean, in the top shelf." she finally mumbled.

She meant the adult magazines. The insinuation was a sheer insult.

Reyji took a menacing step forward "Do you need glasses? That's not Marah." she scolded.

Claire shrank back and almost tripped over her own legs.

Immediately afterwards, Marah turned around backwards. "Marah?" she asked Reyji irritably.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Von Rosenberg. I... It was a mistake."

Marah turned back around and ignored it. Claire continued to fidget frantically beside the table.

"Actually, I have glasses for reading. But I don't look at the magazines. I just thought it was you because your name was there."

"I can't give you any advice. If you feel like you want to date him, then go for it, and if you don't, then don't. That's your decision."

"Then... Then I guess I'll go."

.../ End Part