The air within the orphanage had never seemed inviting or warm, but a sinister type of aura overflowed beneath the surface, making the mood less than pleasant as the children walked to the location of their next trial.
Their attendants all accompanied them this time, with Sir Lionel and Sister Anya leading the line.
Notably, the ogre nun was nowhere to be seen.
Eventually, they reached a large brown double door, erudite and elegant, the stained finish rather dark but natural.
Anya pushed open the doors, the heavy wood swinging open easily with her uncommon strength, revealing a grand but modest library room.
Tall shelves spanned the left and right, at least ten lined on either side of the center area. The center area where they had all walked in from, was a clear space with only a single long table and 10 chairs, similar to the dining room setup. Closer to the shelves, there were various lounging chairs flanking left and right.
After the doors shut behind the last child, Beckham, Anya had all the children line up side to side between the door and the table, their attendants standing behind them. Sir Lionel stood beside Anya, cane poised perfectly centered, his stern expression like stone.
Manon blinked as a new window appeared, sparing a glance at Colette as it did.
[New Mission: The Eyes of Nobility]
[Objectives:]
[Pass Sir Lionel's Test]
[You will be given a role to play in a political meeting]
[The goal is to compromise a deal]
[Maintain the dignity of a noble in order to succeed]
[For each appropriate response, 1 point will be noted.]
[For each inappropriate response, 2 points will be deducted.]
[Maintain at least 5 points to pass.]
[Points will only be revealed at the end of the day when rewards are granted.]
[Reward: TBD]
[Failure: -10 XP with Sister Anya and Sir Lionel]
…TBD? Manon wasn't exactly motivated. That was until she was reminded of her current AP with Anya. 9.
She didn't think -1 was an option here.
"You were all tested yesterday to act as a noble in public. Now, you are to act as a noble in private." Anya announced, her voice echoing throughout the room. Her hands were clasped in front of her as per usual, a rosary wrapped around her gloves. "Each of you will be given a role to play. So conduct yourself properly as if you were that title." The woman sauntered over to a large upholstered chair near the end of the table and took a seat. Sir Lionel took over from there, pacing menacingly back and forth as he continued the test explanation.
"It has come to my attention that some of you are rather…frightened by what happened to your fellow orphans." The man chuckled, an unamused sound that came from the back of his throat.
"Regardless, I do not intend to console you. I intend to ensure you understand your positions." He paused in front of Beckham, the boy's eyes cast downwards as he tried not to meet the man's gaze. "The fact you are here is a privilege. Do not waste it."
Sir Lionel seemed to sneer before moving back to his original position.
"Now, I will give each of you a title. You will be shown to your seat." His narrow eyes flitted over to Beckham again.
"You, Emperor." he pointed his cane at the blonde boy, who looked up as if being awarded a gold medal. His eyes wide and sparkling as his attendant led him to the seat at the end of the table reserved for the highest rank.
Beckham even shot Remy a smirk as he went, one Sir Lionel didn't care to address as he was on to the next child, standing in front of Colette next. The ginger girl looked him in the eye, gaze unwavering. Lionel seemed to raise an eyebrow at this but continued.
"You...Marchioness." He spoke, his cane on her shoulder as if appointing her. The girl glanced at Manon with a nod, before Clare whisked her away, sitting to the left of Beckham. Sir Lionel wasted no time, though, his cane only sliding over to point to Remy next.
"Count…and…." His eyes slid over, not the cane this time as they landed on Manon. "Duchess."
Manon had only just received a crash course in noble titles 20 minutes prior to this event via Colette. Just as Colette had said, she had received the Duchess title; she was now the 2nd most powerful noble among the children. Remy snickered as if he were annoyed, his attendant leading him to his seat- ironically right next to her own.
Maria led Manon to her seat, the one to the right of Beckham. She had to be put into the chair as it was a tad higher than the dining room ones. This made Beckham and Remy snicker again. Manon's brown eye twitched as she resisted the urge to sneer at them, situating herself.
It was then that she realized that each child had one sheet of paper in front of them. Her eyes squinted as she went to read it.
….
…
..
Winter Preparation Meeting
Role: Duke/Duchess
Assets: 23.4 Trillion Thions
Liquid: .5%
Fief Needs:
7M units of fur hide (200 Thions per unit median price)200M winter rations (50 Thions per unit median price)
Other Notes:
Has the ability to acquire supplies on their own for the main fiefdom without help or help all fiefs including the capital. Not helping other fiefs/capital may result in poor relations with the other nobles and the emperor.
…..
….
…
Manon remembered Colette mentioning this, though she did not know the specific details on the other role's pages to tell her as well. But it was safe to assume the others had some sort of circumstances.
Her eyes nearly popped out of her sockets at the number on her page though. Based on what Colette explained, 23 Trillion Thions would be 2.3 Trillion USD where she was from. She was essentially given a great deal of power, and had to decide if she would share it or keep it for herself. Why would she even consider sharing wealth like that, though??? No- just how did one acquire wealth like that?
Manon tried to calm her racing heart- reminding herself this was a test and not free money to take home.
When she looked up, Remy to her left was already speaking as Sir Lionel took a seat on a chair at the opposite end of the table, his form not that visible out of the corner of her eye as he was on her left. But she saw him when she turned to glance at Remy.
"I think we should go over our assets." The grey haired boy said smugly, leaning back with his arms crossed. Manon knew this trick as she saw his eyes slide over at her paper. She swiftly swiped it away from his prying eyes with a scowl. He gave her an innocent look, a dimpled grin sliding on his face. Again, that scar over his eye…why hadn't anyone said anything about it…
"I have 70 billion Thions." Colette said first, but did not mention the liquidated assets. Manon looked her in the eyes, the ginger's pale blue ones staring back at her. Her coppery brown lifted just a little, and Manon looked away with a knowing smile.
They were nobles. They were not meant to disclose everything. Only what was necessary. Manon looked at her sheet. She could in fact share this number, but it would not be very good to. She feared the others would immediately demand assistance. So she spoke up next.
"I have enough to last through the winter." She said, sitting up straight. Remy and Beckham looked at her, bewildered, but Colette looked down with a small smile. The brunette girl tentatively watched Remy's AP change. 20>22. The response was safe. Better than that. She thinks she's got a hang of how Remy operates now.
"Ah, you're no fun, Mammoth. I've got 45 billion. But I also produce game meat and probably have the most produce reserves." Remy sighed, shaking his head before turning to Colette. "Since my title is lower and my fief is the smallest, I can get by if I just sell a bit. Want to buy rations from me, Marchioness?"
Colette looked up at him, smacking her lips. Manon thought Remy was being a bit too….insolent? If his rank was lower shouldn't he show more respect towards Colette? Or was Colette letting him get away with too much?
But before she could call Remy out, Beckham finally spoke, a wide smile on his face.
"No need. I'm the Emperor, and I command you to share your rations with the other fiefs!"
"..."
"...."
"...."
Manon had just witnessed the corniest goober thing she had ever fucking seen in this game. Her face held a befuddled expression, her mouth partly open as she stared at Beckham along with Remy and Colette.
Beckham certainly wasn't the smartest tool in the shed- however this was something else entirely.
"How much will you pay me, your majesty?" Remy said after the awkward silence dissipated. Manon couldn't take it anymore as Beckham opened and closed his mouth like a fish.
"I- I have enough. But I don't need to pay. I'm the Emperor!"
Bang!
….
Manon's head hit the table with a thud that made all the children turn to her. Her arms caged her face in as her shoulders shook.
Manon couldn't breathe, holding her breath as she tried not to laugh aloud too much, her lips pressed together.
Colette had to reach over and knock on the wood of the table for her to finally sit back up, her face in her hands.
After more silence and Remy stifling his own laugh behind his palm, did Manon finally relent, wiping away the tears accumulating under her right eye before letting out a calming breath.
"Your…Majesty." Colette began first- Remy nearly spitting beside Manon. "You cannot simply make demands. We are loyal to you- but we are also our own leaders. We must compromise on this." The ginger urged. Manon nodded as she sobered herself, looking up only to see Beckham's face red and furious.
"If you all don't listen to me and do as I say- I will have you all arrested for treason. That's my final statement. Do as I say or else."
….
….
….
"Marchioness, what deal can you offer?" Manon spoke first, surprising Colette it seemed, as the ginger flinched ever so slightly but kept her composure. She smiled at Manon with a small nod.
"I have familial connections with merchants from the country south of us. I can get a deal that's at least 40% lower than the current rate for rations and hide- if the Duchess agrees to help partially finance supplies for my fief as well." Colette said confidently. Manon nodded. How big could the fief be? She could save billions potentially. And she did not mind partially contributing.
"How much of a contribution would you want?" Manon asked, taking her aback again. Even Remy leaned forward, bemused. His AP flickered. 22>24. Colette momentarily paused, leaning back.
"Oh..Well…my fief requires 6 Million units of hide and 160 Million rations…what about sponsoring 70%?" Colette rushed the words out, her demeanor still poised but Manon was just surprised she hadn't considered this question. Was she just going by the script? Manon set that thought aside as she crunched the numbers.
Hide was 200 Thions, rations were 50. So Colette was essentially asking for 3.9 billion Thions in return for…Manon's eyes flitted upwards as she thought about her own costs, her eyes seen rapidly looking back and forth whilst her blue one remained covered. The calculation only took a few seconds.
"If I accept, I would pay 10.7 Billion with the discount you're offering to secure. However, if I buy it on my own, I spend 11.4 Billion, which I can afford. So really, I am only saving less than a mere billion Thions I could use for something else.." Manon contemplated aloud. It was a deal that served Colette more than her, but that was a given since Colette had thrown that number out randomly without thinking first. Colette had not disclosed her liquid assets but she assumed they were something like less than 10 billion or less to which it would be catastrophic to spend almost half of it in one go. She turned to observe Remy beside her and Sir Lionel at the end of the table. Lionel looked rather stoic whilst Remy held a smooth grin on his face.
"But for the sake of cooperation, I will accept that deal, Marchioness." Manon said pleasantly, not wanting to take up too much attention. Remy smacked his hand onto the table with a sigh.
"You've interested me. I want in on this deal." He declared, leaning over the table. The trio all but ignored the de facto Emperor who was fuming in his seat as they colluded.
"What will you offer?" Colette asked, looking in between Manon and Remy. Remy's dimpled grin widened further if at all possible.
"I'll supplement rations; I have enough meat and crops for several countries. 40% for Marchioness if my discount is secured, and 50% for the Duchess if you pay for all my hide. I need 2 Million units." He turned to Colette again, "I believe your 70% sponsorship was a bit steep. With my help, I'm sure you can lower that request to 50%. Wouldn't that be best?"
Manon was beginning to like this annoying guy. She nodded thoughtfully. This would bring her total costs down to 5.9 billion- near half of what she would have spent on her own. Was this the benefit of working with others? In fact- this deal was very much in her favor now.
"Sounds good to me." Colette said first, followed by Manon nodding. It was only after the three children agreed that Emperor Beckham spoke once more.
"Um…I would like to join this deal…the capital has a lot of people and-"
"That will conclude this game." Anya suddenly spoke, standing up and walking until she was behind Beckham. She patted his head, making the poor boy flinch under her gloved hand. A smooth smile adorned her pink lips.
"I believe we all know how things go when a tyrant is in power. So let this lesson stick with you: Power is only power if you have something others want. Money…" She looked at Manon. "Resources.." She looked at Colette, before finally letting her icy gaze land on Remy. "Or maybe connections."
Manon felt a chill go up her spine. Not down. Up.
If anything, those roles should have been switched?
Colette had the connections and Remy had resources.
Something was…wrong.
Manon studied the number above Anya's head. It remained unchanged. Frozen at 9.
"Let's break for lunch. We will conduct the semi final round in the late afternoon." She said sweetly, her hand falling off of Beckham's head gently. The blond boy let out a relieved breath as she walked right out of the room side by side with Sir Lionel, who hadn't made a sound. Not to be submissive, but as he seemed to be thinking. Manon checked his AP as well before she choked on her spit.
29??
….
…
…
The children filed in a single line on the way to lunch with Maria leading instead of each attendant watching them as they had left to prepare the meals.
So it was ridiculously easy…too easy- for Manon to be pulled aside by Remy who was behind her, whisked away into a dark room without Colette even noticing.
She wasn't afraid as the boy flicked on a lamp seated upon a small desk- but as Remy's haunted gaze met hers, more dead serious than she had ever seen him, she thought maybe she should be.
..
"You should be very careful from here on out."