The sunlight was bright after spending several hours behind the clouds. Clovis looked at the sky seeing where the sun was and frowned. He had promised to meet Kyera back at the house soon. Late noon was beautiful as a time of day, but boded badly for her request to meet back. As he made his way along the path, two advisors were walking with him, discussing his afternoon plans.
"We had intended to meet back this afternoon to discuss the treasury rebuild. We need to create a new room for the Empire's wealth. The people are thriving now that the forest people have opened trade." The Elder Advisor offered with a bit of a smile. His eyes gleamed with greed for the future.
"We will need to use that wealth to help our people build better lives. The village just outside of town is in need of more guard. There are some better things to spend some of those riches on than to build a bigger room to house them." Clovis replied, his mind drifting to the people who were not prospering. Yes, the city folk were doing well but… the forest children. The Advisors frowned and looked at eachother behind his back.
"Sir, I think we should focus on preparing our militia in case the treaties with Shadow Vale fall apart." This comment was met with a rather annoyed glare.
"I trust my sister and my brother in law to keep the peace. The state of our people is just as important as our army." Clovis replied as he kept walking toward his home. There just ahead on the road they were travleing he saw two people moving toward him, laughing as they went.
A twinge of annoyance nipped at his heart as he recognized her fair hair glittering in the sun. The gentle way she walked with confidence and grace announcing who she was without being able to see the details of her gilded eyes, like sunlight pouring through a fall leaf. He quickened his pace to meet her sooner, near the gates to what he hoped would one day be their shared home.
"Fourth Prince." Kyera greeted curtsying eloquently as her companion bent at the waist and bowed lower than the Lady to their Prince. Clovis nodded reaching for her hand he brought it to his lips. The soft warm skin of his lips brushing over her delicate hand.
"Lady Kyera, I hope you were not rushed in your business. I trust all is taken care of?" He asked and Kyera nodded turning to Lazren.
"Yes, Captain Lazren and I managed to gather a few men to escort us on our little mission. Most of them are off duty so there will be no trouble in doing so." Kyera offered with a smile. She thought this was a good thing but the Advisor bristled.
"Off Duty? I… have they been cleared to work more? I mean their wages are set for the time they are scheduled. Such extra hours and pay will require reworking of the budget. Surely even a girl like yourself would understand the state of such things." The Advisor chided her and Kyera looked back at him, raising an eyebrow. Clovis however, his eyes hardened as he looked over at the Adviosor who had thought to speak so carelessly to his wife to be.
"I suggest my Advisor watch his tongue when speaking to the lady. She is above your rank." He reminded him none too gently. There was a stoney quality to his tone. "Unless you would like to threaten that peace which you see as so tenuous between ourselves and the Kingdom of the Shade."
"I, sir certainly I have no intentions of… My Lady please forgive me. I did not mean.." He began to stumble over his words as anger flared in his heart. Being forced to apologize to a forest girl that was only noble by whim of that Shadow Vale prince. She smiled graciously, making his stomach sick with annoyance.