Setia sat covered in papers. The wedding preparations were in full swing and the bottom in the chest she brought with herself was pretty visual now .
Tendred gave her a list of creditors, at the sight of which her legist whistled with admiration. Setia ordered letters to be sent out and everyone eagerly came to collect the money, happy that their prince had made such a wise and wealthy choice. Setia made sure that everyone knew who paid off the debts, she decided that this way she would gain the favor of the locals.
Merchants and craftsmen were bowing in unison, thanking her for settling their debts and offering their services. After a thorough analysis, she had a complete picture of the income of Emfer and its 4 villages. The income was modest, Bentor helped her understand how books were kept, how much money was spent on castle maintenance, fortress repairs and servants. As it turned out, the Grand Duke employed two maids, a cook, one stable boy and Tiomr. He was hiring 10 men to defend the entire fortress. A few years ago, he could afford more service, but the debts were increasing every year and he had to save on everything. At Setia's request, Bentor carefully examined the books, looking for inaccuracies and the source of the debt. After a week of work, he limped panting to her chamber.
"Lady - Bentor smiled and tilted his head slightly - your servant probably deserves a reward."
He said in his humble voice and looked meaningfully at the chair.
"Sit down, we'll see about the reward - Setia looked carefully at the legist - What did you find?"
"Well, at first glance everything in the books is correct, but after carefully checking each amount - Bentor pointed to the column of numbers - it can be noticed that the amount calculated in the final sum of expenses is overstated by an average of a dozen arenas." "Here, - he moved his finger to another place - here and here too. The same applies to any larger amount. When you add it up, the prince loses about four to five hundred arenas this way every year. Which has added up to quite a fortune over the last few years."
"Who is responsible for keeping the books?"
"Marwin, my Lady." Bentor wiped his forehead and lowered his eyes
"Who else knows about this?"
"Just me and you, lady Setia."
"Bentor - Setia stood up, thought for a moment and then said - don't tell anyone about it. I generously reward people who are loyal to me. If my plan works, you'll be a rich man."
Bentor sighed softly, stood up and, bowing as much as his body would allow, replied
"Your humble servant." Then he left the chamber.
Setia walked briskly to the kitchen where the guards were resting. With a wave of her hand, she summoned the two she had hired in Kalimin.
"Bring Marwin to the dungeons, but discreetly. Tell him that Lady Setia urgently needs his advice."
The men nodded and without a word went into the city to the legist's office. Setia went down to the basement through a side door, it was rather empty. Tendred didn't have many convicts, and besides there would be no one to guard them, she thought bitterly. From the main room, which was planned as a place for guards, there was only one passage leading to a wide corridor. There were five cells along the way. Only one was occupied at the moment. Setia came closer, looked through the barred door and, to her surprise, saw a familiar musician in a pitiful state.
"Atnar? What are you doing here?" She didn't hide her surprise.
The musician wondered for a moment who was talking to him, then he jumped up and walked to the grate.
"Lady Setia, are my eyes deceiving me?" His voice was hoarse and his clothes were dirty. His whole figure was rather pathetic. There was quite a stench coming from it too.
"Why are you here?" She asked, shocked by his appearance.
"Oh - sighed the musician - it's a long story."
"Then make it short. - she quickly cut off his poetic tendencies - I don't have that much time."
"I'll make an exception for the great lady. I was unlucky at cards, things got messy and after an argument with a certain greedy villain, whom I accidentally stabbed, I ended up in these luxurious rooms." He gestured to her the stone floor and a pile of dirty straw in the corner, as well as one bucket smelling of feces.
"How long have you been here?"
"I lost track of time, but many days passed filled with hopelessness."
"One moment Atnar." Setia returned to the guardhouse, found a bunch of keys hanging on a peg next to the entrance door and returned to the cell. After a short while, she found the right key and opened the barred door.
"You're not leaving Emfer until I'll give you permission, and you're not allowed to wander around the city."
"I see that you will truly be the mistress of Emfer." - Surprised Atnar bowed low.
"I am greatly obliged to you."
This whole procedure was interrupted by the entry of Setia's guards along with Marvin.
"You called me, Lady Setia." He said in his tired voice.
"Oh is it about this good-for-nothing scumbag?" He pointed his finger at the musician.
"Yes, how long does he have to spend here?" Setia put on an indifferent face.
"Injuring a person in a street brawl is punishable by 3 months."
"I understand, - Seia said to her guards - hold Marvin down."
In the blink of an eye, the guards caught Tendred's legist , who was unable to utter a word from shock.
"Put him in a chair and tie him carefully" Setia instructed and Atnar stood with open eyes watching the whole event.
"No, his hands should be in front, tied to the armrest, like this."
"What are you talking about - Marwin was pale - what have I done? This is a violation of the citizens' rights! I demand to speak to the prince!"
"Leave us - Setia ordered - take Atnar with you, let him wash, change his clothes and wait until I return."
"Yes, Lady Setia." The soldiers bowed and led the shocked Atnar out of the dungeon, closing the door behind them.
The room was lit by an oil lamp, so everything that stood further from the table was sunken in darkness. Marwin was silent and did not take his eyes off the future princess. Setia pulled out a dagger from behind her boot and was pleased to see Marwin's eyes getting bigger. Without a word or explanation, she walked up to his left hand and in one swift movement moved his fingers aside, leaving the smallest one on the armrest.
"Lady, what are you doing? No, I'm begging you... - Marwin was terrified and muttered in shock.
"Don't move or I might cut off more than I intend to," She put the blade to his finger
"No, please, by Haleon… prince where is he …."
Setia calmly and precisely cut off the smallest finger. The sound of cracking bone and then Marwin howling in pain filled the room while blood was trickling from his finger.