Regina
"There's been unrest at the docks, Your Grace," Luca, my aide, said. "All shipmen are threatening to initiate a protest, which could delay all our trade."
It was just a day before the funeral, and my enemies didn't wait a single moment to start their play.
I put away the documents in my hands slowly. "Explain."
"Your Grace, the shipmen are in uproar. They've returned from their voyage, but still haven't received their due. They were promised half before setting sail and the rest upon return, but the merchants in charge have not even paid them the part promised before sailing. And stated vague reasons for the delay, the sailors still took the sail, thinking they would get all the money on their return. Yet they are being told to wait without any proper reason. They are enraged, and their families are waiting. They are set not to carry another cargo till this issue is resolved."
My fingers curled around the edge of my seat.
"Which merchant?" I asked sharply, though in my heart, I already knew the answer.
He lowered his voice. "It's 5 merchants involved, but their head is Merchant Arven, Your Grace."
Of course. Arven, one of Jasper's hounds. Just this trade alone is not enough to cause a crisis, nor does Jasper have the power to create a crisis that big, but it was enough to ignite a flame that could reach me.
So this was Jasper's tactic? Disrupt the southern duchy's trade, incite disorder, and cast doubt on my rule. If the port fell into chaos, it would be said that I, a woman, could not command the sea.
I called for parchment immediately and dictated a new order. To put an end to such disruptions forever, I need to announce it to them.
"Prepare my carriage."
I stepped out of the carriage, the wind whipping around my cloak as I strode towards the docks. Crowds of sailors were gathered, their voices loud with frustration and hunger. I could see it in their eyes; this wasn't just about money. It was about dignity. Their hard work. And their families.
As I stepped out of the carriage and approached the gathering, the sailors quickly took notice. Their chatter quieted, backs straightening in a show of respect. They bowed their heads politely, but I could sense the hesitation. In their eyes, I was unknown. The Grand Duke treated them fairly, but me? They were wary, their guards were up, unsure if I would turn a blind eye like so many nobles who favor their own kind.
They parted for me without a word.
Inside, a huddle of men stood stiff near the merchants' wall. Sailors, eyes set in a mix of fury and fatigue. In the middle stood Harlon, the dock union's voice, and beside him, Arven's man, pale and stiff-backed.
He gave me a respectful nod but stood firm. "We are glad to have your presence, Duchess." He began, "I trust you've heard the matter already. We demand respect, and we demand justice. We've grown tired of repeated empty promises to keep us quiet."
The men behind him murmured in agreement, their gazes fixed on me.
Harlon continued, "We carry the weight of the merchant's fortunes on our backs. Without us, their wealth would dry up. Yet every time, we're dismissed, made to wait, to beg for what we're owed." His voice hardened slightly. "We don't seek more than what is fair. We demand respect."
"Merchant Arven refuses to pay," Harlon continued. "The others, too, are not even paying half the amount. Just enough to feed their families." His jaw clenched. "Still refused."
Arven's man opened his mouth to argue. I raised a hand. He closed it.
"I will pay on behalf of Sir Arven today", I paused to see the brief relief in their eyes before I turned to Arven's man and continued, "he will be billed by the grand duchy to pay the dues to us in 2 days, any delay and his assets will be sealed accordingly."
Arven's man opened his mouth to speak, but was visibly shaken to say another word. Any nobles who committed tax fraud were treated in the same manner, so he knew I was not making idle threats.
I smiled as I said, "Go back and tell your master."
He nodded hurriedly and ran back, clutching his hat. Then I turned to the sailors.
"We appreciate your decision on this matter, but" he hesitated before saying, "This is no guarantee it will not keep happening."
"I have that taken care of as well." I smiled as I gestured to my aide to read out the parchment in his hand.
"All registered merchants operating under the Southern Duchy are required to pay 50% of the agreed wage upfront, and the remaining upon voyage return. Failure to do so will result in your trade being deprioritized. Other orders, those offering higher returns, will be granted access first."
I let the words settle.
"Effective immediately," I said, voice even, "any vessel leaving Southern Duchy ports will provide documented evidence of a fifty percent pre-departure payment. And a check will be submitted for the rest of the payment to the Southern Duchy by the merchants that the sailors' union will have access to upon return. This way, even the other half of the payment is guaranteed to you, and within two days, it will be liquidated into coins that can be distributed to the sailors."
A murmur swept the room, and nods of approval followed, wanting to hear more.
"If a merchant defaults," I continued, "his future cargo will be deprioritized. Other contracts, those who have paid and followed the procedure, will take precedence."
Harren blinked. "We… we can refuse?"
I nodded once.
I turned, eyes grazing over the sailors. They looked doubtful, like it was too good to be true, but they don't realize the power they hold here.
"Every day lost at sea is gold lost at court. In the south, no merchant can afford any delay; they will have to comply. Rather, even the merchants will benefit as they need not trouble themselves with multiple payments; once the initial wage is settled, the remainder is secured with the duchy's trade bureau and swiftly handled upon the sailors' return instead. They save time too. You now hold the leverage."
One of the older men let out a breath that sounded almost like a laugh. It spread quickly, rough voices exchanging curses, relief, and something near admiration.
The announcement rippled through the port like a wave. Harlon smiled as he took the parchment in his hand as if it were a treasure of gold.
He tipped his head to me in respect. "You've given us leverage, Your Grace."
"It is only what you deserve. The South's wealth and glory stand upon your labor. After the imperial palace, none rival us in riches, only because of our trade. You deserve your fair share of the reward."
Hearing her words, the sailors exchanged glances, their faces softening with pride. A few offered respectful nods, while others lowered their heads in gratitude.
"May your rule stand strong, Your Grace," Harlon spoke for them all.
As I turned to depart, the men stepped aside, offering me a path, their earlier caution now replaced with newfound respect.
I could see the sun setting in the vast sea, and I knew it would be unwise to travel back to the duchy. With my enemies watching my every move, it would give them a perfect chance to attack me and blame it on thugs.
As I stepped into my carriage, I advised the coachman to turn towards the west road, leading to the Diam Inn, frequented by the nobles, to stay for the night.
The issue was taken care of, but something didn't sit right. It had resolved too easily.
A disruption at the southern docks, just as I returned to court… the implications were calculated. But it's too simple.
There was no doubt that Jasper was behind this. He was either testing the water or was too arrogant and underestimated me.
By the time the carriage pulled up to the well-lit inn, the moon had begun its slow climb across the sky. Watching the crest of the knights, the innkeepers immediately showed me the way to my chambers.
A maid was assigned to assist me with the bath. Once bathed, I slipped into a fresh nightgown.
I kept the room dim, curtains parted just enough for moonlight to trickle in. My sword leaned against the wall. My gown hung neatly across the chair. I lay in bed with only a thin linen shift, skin still damp. And yet sleep wouldn't come. It was quiet and peaceful for a while till it wasn't.
If Jasper meant to cause chaos, it should've unraveled more.
A test? Or a distraction?
My thoughts were still sifting through it when I heard it.
A whisper of movement. Not the wind. The kind of sound made by someone trained to erase it from the common room in front of my bed chambers
I swiftly moved and blew out the candle near the window. The signal, my knights would understand as they guarded me.
Three shadows entered not long after, careful not to speak. Their boots made no sound on the wooden floor.
Assassins. I could almost chuckle at the irony of it. So this was the plan?
The first came fast, straight for the bed. However, I was not in it anymore.
I moved before he reached me, cutting low through his thigh and across his throat in one smooth motion. Blood spattered the sheets. I caught his body before it fell and used it to shield the blade from the second assassin.
The man struck, too slowly. My knife drove into his ribs.
The moonlight coming through the window was the only source of light. The third paused at the doorway.
He assessed me briefly, thinking. Then he attacked once, fast, brutal, but too predictable. It was always common for a man to underestimate a woman and apply all force to strike to win; that was their biggest mistake. You just have to be smarter to win.
I slid under his swing, slashed across his back, and when he turned, I drove the blade up beneath his chin.
Silence.
Three bodies now stained the moonlit floor.
My nightgown clung to me like a second skin, slick, heavy, red.
And then, I felt it.
A gaze through the window. But I didn't turn. I gripped the dagger in my hands and threw it with trained precision as I turned sharply to face him.
It whistled past him, embedding deep in the wooden wall beside his face.
He didn't flinch.
He stood at the edge of the roof. Masked. Cloaked in black. His face was hidden, except for his eyes.
Just Watching. Observing.
Not wide in shock from watching a woman kill.
Instead, slowly, he turned his head. Looked at the blade. He pulled the dagger free.
I took one step closer to the open window, hands bloodied but steady.
"I hope you're not a coward," I said quietly. "If you decided to watch instead of running away, at least have the spine to fight."
I wanted to provoke him, draw him closer. My knights were almost here. He had seen too much. He was a threat.
But that didn't work on him, despite his face being covered, I could feel it, and he smiled. A cold, amused smile. And his eyes flickered with amusement, and fascination…which can never go well.
Then, silently, he tucked the dagger into his cloak and disappeared into the darkness.
While I stood there, unmoving. He took the dagger…
He had seen too much.
My knights stormed in moments later, blades raised, breath sharp.
"Your Grace!"
I didn't answer. I was lost in thought. If he wanted to kill me, he could have attacked when my back was turned to the window.
He hadn't come to kill. And if he were with Jasper, he would have definitely killed me when he had the chance. But what he saw today? It could ruin everything.
Still, I reminded myself, no one would believe him. Not yet. Not without proof.
But I need to be more careful now.