82. Capitol I

Sienna watched as the portal sent them through to the Capitol. There were already royal attendants in place to receive them.

"Welcome to the capitol, Count Edmund of Natar!" The sycophants then noticed Erenia. "Welcome to the capitol, Lady Erenia Kenarias."

"Glad to be here." Edmund smiled at the court's sycophants. There were many eager to please him. After all, he was rich, and his wealth meant he could shake the balance of power. Erenia merely smiled. Edmund didn't hold them close, even though their relationships was probably already whispered in the city. After all, if a lady lived in the mansion of another count, the presumption was they were fornicating.

But given Erenia's beauty, no one was truly surprised. Edmund knew some of the Lords and Counts probably cursed that they didn't have the opportunity to lay their lands on the beautiful lady.

"It's such short notice, my Count." The attendants said.

"No matter. I came to do research, along with my entourage. It's alright if the King and Queen isn't free to see me. I wouldn't want to take up their precious time."

At that moment, a familiar face emerged. Edmund smirked.

"Chancellor Emmet!"

"Welcome to the Capitol, Count Natar and Lady Kenarias. What brings you here?"

"They should not have bothered you! We only came for research, and for my two beautiful companions, shopping!"

Chancellor Emmet smiled, but Edmund felt the it wasn't genuine. "I heard you two have a very close relationship."

Edmund laughed, and leaned closer. "She's a beautiful woman. I wouldn't let her out of my hands if I had the chance."

Chancellor Emmet's smile was genuine, this time. "The Crown looks favorably on your partnership. The Kenarias land certainly needs an able administrator to restore it to its past glory as a land of valiant knights and war horses. Naturally, Kenarias's tax payments-"

Erenia paled. The issue of the Crown's Taxes was something they've postponed for a while. Edmund shrugged. "It would be a great help if we could have the records on the outstanding collections."

Chancellor Emmet smiled. "No issue at all, I'll have the collectors deliver the documents as soon as possible."

Inwardly, Edmund knew that Chancellor Emmet was going to be a pain in the butt. He'd have to find ways to deal with him, one way or another.

***

"Edmund." Erenia whispered as they were settled in the most luxurious guest rooms in the palace. Edmund was fairly sure that Aida's position was already something they suspect. After all, why would a beautiful woman be in the Count's entourage, if not as some kind of companion? "-the tax issue-"

"I'll look into it. The Chancellor has some cards he hasn't played yet. I estimate the estate owes the crown about 25,000 gold. Don't speak a word of the sum."

Erenia nodded. Ever since her ex-husband's descent into drugs, they've missed all tax payments to the Crown. It was a matter of time this came up. "-I shouldn't have come."

"It doesn't make a difference." Edmund said. "The Chancellor would've sent me a letter about it sooner, or later."

Erenia paused and closed her eyes. She was thinking. "That's true. The man is too shrewd with our state's finances."

Edmund stretched, and looked at Aida. Aida seemed to have something to say. "Aida?"

"Ah- yes. I was thinking- are any of the senior members of the royal family or nobles sick in some way? With my powers, I could possibly assist to win you some favors."

"Oh." Edmund thought. He didn't remember anyone in the game that was sick, but that wasn't too hard to find out. He made a note to remind his agents. Scoring political points and winning favors was part and parcel of his role. "But let's just go have a good time. Want to start checking out the fashion stores?"

The mature lady stood. "I suppose we have an image to keep up."