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Title: Hook, Line and Sinker
Inspired by: Chapter 10 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, OCs
Wordcount: 713
Rating: General
Five Years Ago
"Are you aware that the Lord of Sui is using the people's property in an attempt to bribe me? Don't you think that's foolish?"
My eyes zoomed in on Lord Ruiz of Rid province, carefully studying his reaction. The middle-aged man's pudgy face turned a sickly puce color, and he sweated profusely, using his hand to wipe away the beads forming on his forehead.
"Indeed, Your Highness. Th-that is disturbing news…" he stammered, his guilty, beady eyes not meeting mine.
Our trip to the Castle between Sui and Rid took about three weeks of journeying. I took my time enjoying the sights, imagining all sorts of punishment I would mete out to the warring Lords of the two provinces. My cute brother, Zen, though mutinous, thoroughly enjoyed the sights and the leisurely stopovers in between. And despite my own subtle bribery of peasant food which he has not tried yet, or the occasional hunting for game on our way to the Castle I am building, I knew he was still a bit resentful of my earlier reactions to the innocent envoys. He thought I could have done more to mitigate the suffering of the people. Or even use the influence I have to immediately put the two Lords in prison.
Privately, I was as anxious as him, too. But, the hour will soon be at hand; debts would be collected soon. The stage I had set would soon arrive at the climax. I intended to see their case handled carefully and the Lords' punishments given due.
We stopped at Rid first, and Lord Ruiz hastened to welcome us on short notice. I deliberately delayed the news of my arrival- one easily makes blunders when they are taken by surprise by the enemy. No sooner had we removed our coats in the receiving hall that I decided not to beat around the bush and went in for the first strike.
I smiled innocently before I continued, "What benefit would I get from a land where all the people have lost their power?"
"T-that's something that a foolish person would certainly come up with, Prince Izana." Lord Ruiz took out a silk handkerchief to wipe his sweaty face, fanning himself with his free hand. His skin color turned puce every second that passed, horribly aware of the underlying hints I gave him.
"A Lord who tortures his people like that should just be shot behind his back and die."
I gave him a winsome smile, taking note of the subtle step back he took. He seemed to shrink in size before my presence.
Zen, who was originally clutching the hem of my shirt behind me, made a movement. I felt his hand let go of his hold. Stealing a glance down, I saw him with his huge eyes fixed back at me with a serious expression. I could see a hint of understanding dawning in his eyes.
Lowering my eyelids, I flashed him a quick ssshhh gesture, one finger held up next to my lips before facing Lord Ruiz again to talk about his future plans for his people. I was most certainly curious to hear what he has to say next.
The two lords both thought they were losing favor with the Wistalia family, ceasing their bribing actions and changing their strategy by resorting to illegal ways to raise money and pay tributes to my person. With the help of a handful of retainers sworn to secrecy, they began to gather enough damning evidence to mount a case against the two Lords as I continued my inspection of the castle I was building. Indeed, I was merely counting the days and hours until I could stop the farce and put a conclusion in the report for Her Majesty.
That exercise was hard and unsavory, and yet, I did not want my mother to sully her hands in handling this case personally, nor did I want my younger brother to be involved in it, too. I was glad he was not old enough yet. Still, I was a tad worried the whole business of Rid and Sui's internal quarrels might scar him.