James departed, leaving Camilla in the study, his broad frame disappearing through the heavy door. Lucas had granted him three days of rest, a brief respite before he would lead another expedition to the beastkin tribes. The air in the room seemed to shift, charged with a quiet intensity as Camilla stood, her heart beating a little faster in the presence of the lord.
"Annie, draft an order," Lucas said, his voice smooth and commanding, carrying an effortless authority that sent a shiver down Camilla's spine. His calm demeanor was magnetic, and she found herself stealing glances at him, her cheeks warming slightly.
"Yes, my lord," Annie replied promptly, her fox ears twitching upright as she retrieved a sheet of parchment and a sleek ballpoint pen from a nearby drawer. Her delicate fingers moved with purpose, the soft scratching of the pen against paper filling the room with a rhythmic cadence. Camilla watched, mesmerized by the elegance of the fox-ear girl, her movements precise yet graceful, like a dancer performing a ritual.
"Order Jack in logistics to store the mutton immediately," Lucas instructed, his tone steady but laced with a quiet intensity. "Allocate fifty percent to the grand market for sale, twenty percent to the military, and the remaining thirty percent to the processing workshop for military-grade canned meat." His words were measured, a reflection of a policy he'd crafted long ago, though the extra ten percent for canning hinted at preparations for darker days. Camilla sensed the weight behind his words, a flicker of foreboding that made her pulse quicken.
The room felt heavy with the unspoken reality of power and survival. Lucas's gaze was distant for a moment, as if he could see the chaos that might engulf them all. Camilla's breath caught, her mind racing with the implications of being drawn into such a world, her body tingling with a mix of fear and fascination.
"Yes, my lord," Annie said, her head bowed as she scribbled the order with swift, elegant strokes. She sealed the letter with a wax stamp, her movements deliberate, and handed it to Mina whose presence exuded a quiet confidence. The safety bureau had taken over all message deliveries, and Mina's role was critical for sensitive documents like this.
Mina accepted the letter with a nod, her feline eyes glinting with purpose. She slipped out of the study, her lithe form moving with grace. The strategic weight of the document seemed to linger in the air, a reminder of the delicate balance of power in Sedona City.
Lucas turned to Camilla, his piercing gaze softening slightly, though it still held an intensity that made her breath hitch. "Miss Camilla, what brings you here?" He asked, his voice low and curious, as if probing for secrets. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled, and Camilla felt a flush of warmth at the way his eyes seemed to see through her. Was she a guest, a pawn, or something else entirely in his grand design?
Camilla rose quickly, her skirts rustling softly as she stood, her hands smoothing the fabric in a nervous gesture. "Lord Lucas, I've come to learn," She said, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. "I hope to gain your guidance."
"Learn?" Lucas's brow arched, a spark of intrigue in his eyes. The word hung in the air, unexpected and bold, and Camilla felt a rush of vulnerability under his scrutiny.
"Yes," She said, her tone earnest, her brown eyes shining with determination. "Your management of Sedona City is nothing short of a miracle. In mere months, you've transformed it into a thriving city. These are lessons I must learn." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her awe. As the future lord of Riverden City, she knew her youth and gender would make governing a challenge. The thought of ruling a backward city like Riverden filled her with dread, but here, in Sedona, she saw a path forward—a chance to absorb the wisdom of a leader like Lucas. The idea of studying under him sent a flush of warmth through her, a blend of ambition and something deeper, unspoken.
Her mind drifted to the moment she'd proposed the idea to her father. To her surprise, he'd agreed enthusiastically, practically packing her bags himself. She couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been almost too eager to send her away, as if Riverden's burdens were already too much for him. The memory brought a pang of doubt, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the opportunity before her.
"Learning…" Lucas repeated, his lips curving into a faint, thoughtful smile. The notion was revolutionary for this era—a lord's daughter seeking to study governance under another city's ruler. Riverden City was a key piece in his strategic puzzle, a vital hub linking the Sahara Grasslands. Teaching Camilla could strengthen that alliance, saving him effort in the long run. The idea intrigued him, and he found himself studying her, noting the determination in her eyes and the subtle flush on her cheeks. "That's an enlightened approach," He said, his voice warm, sending a shiver down Camilla's spine.
"Is it… not possible?" Camilla asked, her smile faltering. His silence stretched, and she felt a sinking disappointment, her heart tightening as she lowered her gaze. Had she overstepped? The thought of rejection stung, her body tensing with vulnerability.
"No, it's not that," Lucas said, shaking his head with a soft chuckle that eased the tension in the room. "I have no issue with you learning here. But some matters—sensitive ones—can't be shared." His tone was gentle but firm, and Camilla felt a rush of relief, her lips parting in a quiet exhale.
"Oh!" She exclaimed, her face lighting up with a radiant smile that made Lucas's breath catch for a moment. "Ordinary guidance is more than enough," She said quickly, her voice bright with gratitude. The warmth in her chest spread, a mix of excitement and the thrill of being accepted into this vibrant world.
"Then start with Nicole," Lucas said, his smile softening. "She'll teach you how to manage internal affairs."
"Yes, my lord!" Camilla said, her voice ringing with enthusiasm, her body practically vibrating with anticipation.
"Miss Camilla, it's good to see you," Nicole said warmly, her voice like a gentle caress. Her presence was soothing, and Camilla felt a wave of comfort wash over her.
"Thank you, Miss Nicole. I'll be in your care," Camilla replied, her tone earnest as she bowed slightly.
"You're too polite," Nicole said with a laugh, her eyes twinkling. "Relax, think of this place as home."
"Alright," Camilla said, exhaling softly. The unfamiliarity of Sedona City had set her nerves on edge, but Nicole's kindness was like a warm embrace, easing her tension.
*Creak.*
The study door swung open, and Mina returned, her cat ears twitching as she strode in with Henry, who was panting heavily and clutching a wooden box. They placed it on Lucas's desk with a soft thud, the scent of polished wood filling the air.
"What's this?" Lucas asked, his brow arching as he noted Mina's slight flush and Henry's labored breathing. Had they sprinted back to the castle? The thought amused him, a flicker of warmth in his chest at their dedication.
"My lord, the books are printed," Mina said, her voice serious but tinged with excitement. She'd been delivering the letter to logistics when she'd encountered Henry with the box, and she'd rushed him back to the study, her heart pounding with the urgency of the moment.
"Oh?" Lucas's eyes lit up as he opened the box, revealing two slim volumes. He lifted one, his fingers tracing the smooth cover, and flipped through its ten pages. The text was simple, filled with common words of the era, accompanied by crude woodblock illustrations. It was a literacy primer, a humble yet revolutionary step toward education.
"Well done," Lucas said, his voice rich with approval. "What's the cost per book?"
"Five copper coins, my lord," Henry replied promptly, his chest still heaving from the run. He'd overseen the printing, and the pride in his voice was palpable.
"Excellent," Lucas said, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. The price was remarkably low, a triumph of ingenuity. "And the new ink formula?"
"Yes, my lord," Henry said, lowering his voice as if sharing a sacred secret. "The printing institute discovered a plant that, when soaked in water, creates a viscous liquid. Mixed with ink in precise proportions, it forms the new formula." His words carried a hint of awe, and Camilla felt a spark of curiosity, her mind conjuring images of strange, vibrant plants.
"Does it fade?" Lucas asked, his tone sharp. He leaned forward, his presence commanding, and Camilla felt a flutter in her chest at the intensity of his focus.
"No, my lord. We've tested it thoroughly," Henry assured him, his confidence unwavering. He knew Lucas's standards—any innovation had to be flawless.
"Very good," Lucas said, leaning back with a nod. He turned to Annie, his voice calm but authoritative. "Annie, select a shop on the commercial street for a public library."
"Library?" Annie blinked, her fox ears twitching in confusion. The word was unfamiliar, and Camilla's curiosity piqued, her heart racing at the thought of yet another marvel in Sedona City.
"A place to store books," Lucas explained, his voice patient but firm. "Citizens can borrow books with their identification cards, paying a deposit. Books can be sold, but only to Sedona residents with IDs, and each person is limited to one copy per title." His words painted a vision of controlled knowledge, a system to empower his people while guarding his influence. Camilla's breath caught, her mind reeling at the audacity of his plans.
He continued, outlining the library's operations, his voice steady and commanding. Books wouldn't be sold as commodities yet—merchants might peddle them to other cities, reaping profits that belonged in Sedona's coffers. Newspapers, however, were the true prize, a tool to shape narratives and control rumors. With the new ink formula slashing costs, printing presses could soon churn out papers, cementing Lucas's influence.
"I understand," Annie said, her eyes wide with realization. The library was a bold, brilliant idea, and she felt a surge of pride in being part of it.
"Handle it," Lucas said, his tone warm but firm.
"Yes, my lord," Annie replied, her voice steady with determination, her fox ears twitching with excitement.
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