Reincarnated as the Only Human

Plopping down into one of the other available seats, Fenkar swirled the brandy around inside of her crystalline glass, staring at the reddish gold liquid to gather her thoughts before laying them bare, turning her gaze towards Leonisa as she asked a question.

”What exactly have you been working on, Leonisa? It’s unlike you to be so... focused. Especially when we all know what this meeting is for.”

The Lionkin just smirked as she continued to write down whatever it was that had her attention right now, though she did respond to the Wolfkin even as she worked, showcasing her ability to multitask.

”Some of us, Fenkar, actually do have paperwork that needs to be done at reasonable times. Shipments are being made, traveling merchants are requesting permits for residency, towns and villages need support...”

Finishing with the current paper, Leonisa looked up at Fenkar and accepted the glass that the Wolfkin had placed before her, sipping on the strong alcohol and switching her gaze over to Renna for a moment as she drank in her curves from afar.

”As for what we are here for... yes, I very much want to start, but there are other things that need to be done first. Chief amongst them being a more... personal, private event. You both are aware of the villages I manage up to the northwest, correct? The region around the Jaded Mountain?”

Both Renna and Fenkar nodded, with the Nymph taking on a more serious expression while Fenkar remained the same; I was out of the loop, but realistically I had nothing to do with this sort of conversation, right?

”There have been reports of a bandit stronghold getting set up on the side of the mountain itself, perfect for launching raids down into the villages and on those two major roads that lead towards Birchan. Got word of it right after my two lovely wives set out for their own tasks, so...”

Suddenly she turned towards me, and I felt a chill snake down my spine as her grin widened, the Lionkin’s eyes remaining neutral even though she had such a joyous expression on her face; the words that spilled out of her lips made that chill worsen too...

”I had an idea. Our wonderful Queen has been dragging her feet in regards to the situation of a certain Deerkin, both because there are other, more pressing matters but also because she is testing you and your family. She wants to see how badly you want it, if you need it.

I am, of course, talking about Rhefia, daughter of the storied soldier Camara, and your current wife. The one who has managed to sire a daughter that looks damn near identical to herself, just with hair as white as snow... and otherwise just being a lighter version of her Dama.”

Fenkar didn’t do anything besides shrug as she glanced at me, while Renna let out a sigh and tapped her fingers against the arm of her seat, looking between Leonisa and I as she mulled over what was going on and how to best proceed.

”Now, I am also going to put this forwards first. I don’t particularly care for the personal politics of the Royal Family. I serve them, but my immediate priorities always are going to be our people. This, to me, makes what happened with Rhefia... an intriguing case. One that I want to help solve.

You see, because she fled and remained out of public perception for so long, most have forgotten about her. Those that remember her only remember the budding prodigy that everyone was hopeful of. So if she were given a task to complete that was of great importance...”

”She could showcase her loyalty to the Queendom, her talents and skillset, and help the people all in one. Public perception becomes even better than before, and the Queen has no choice but to drop the weak charges levied against her for fear of upsetting the populace. Control the people to control the Queen.”

Leonisa nodded, her grin now spreading to her eyes as she glanced at Renna and said ”That’s correct. She was elected all that time ago because of her ability to please the populace. Everyone has been happy in recent times, so she continues to reign. Her sisters might have been better for us, but she was better for everyone.”

”Eh, Volita could have been a fine Queen, but I’m not complaining.”

Both of the Duchesses looked at the Magistrate with a raised brow, before Leonisa chuckled and added ”You are old enough to have remembered all of them as Princesses, aren’t you?”, which made Fenkar growl as she pointed her finger accusingly at Leonisa, who just raised her hands in mock surrender.

”So you want Rhefia to get rid of those bandits to earn her freedom back? I suppose that would be thanks to you putting in a good word for her? I believe Magistrate Augustia was looking to make use of Rhefia as some sort of political tool, but I’ve quietly turned her offers away.”

That made me look at Renna in shock, the long lost memory of the gorgeous Boarkin woman who had offered a way to help my wife earn her freedom again blossoming into my mind, only for me to now realize why I had forgotten it; she had never come to find me again after the Harvest Festival.

”Yes, she wanted to make use of Rhefia to help secure some of her own things and maybe get her freedom too. It was... shaky at best, for Rhefia anyways; Magistrate Augustia would have gotten far more out of it then Rhefia would have, so I turned it down.”

”Without-”

”I turned it away because it was completely and utterly lopsided, Astra. Besides, no offense to her but the word of a Duchess weighs far more than a Magistrate’s does, no matter how storied and loved they are.”

Renna was quick to say that, comforting me a little but still making me purse my lips as I stared at her for a few seconds, though Leonisa saying ”The weight of both Duchesses asking the Queen to drop the charges is a guarantee, so perhaps it was for the better.” drew my eyes back to her.

Sipping on her brandy again, she was about to say something before smiling wryly as Fenkar jutted in, saying ”And me too, might as fucking well. Extra vote of confidence will always help.”, which made me feel a little warmer since maybe finally Rhefia could come back to the city she had been born into.