Kapitel 82: Self-worth
The Drawing room
Aden's Castle, Greenfields.
…
"The Shipwright is requesting additional timber for the repair of Tyline, Milady." Miss Sarah said to Iris who sat writing what should presumably be a report.
"He mentioned something about a portion of the galley's inner walls rotting and needing replacement."
"How soon can that be addressed?" The princess asked without looking up.
"Maybe in a few days, milady. A large majority of the serfs have already been allocated for other duties so it would take some time to find people available for the task without disrupting something else."
"Really?" Iris paused with a sigh. "I thought about a hundred serfs were freed up with the completion of the first phase of the residential complex. So what happened?"
"The young master took them away to Redwater nine days ago to begin the construction of additional cement and clay-firing kilns and the opening of another clay pit somewhere south of the stronghold. He mentioned a shortage in raw materials needed for the construction of the road connecting Redwater and Greenfields."
"Really?" Iris sighed again.
"Yes, milady."
"That aside, what about the supplies that were supposed to be purchased last week? Any news yet regarding those?"
"Yes, milady." Sarah nodded. "A messenger pigeon from captain Steins returned last night. It appears the Voria, Spirit and Liberty under his command are already on their way back with the previous orders."
"And the Ichor and Nightswan?" Iris asked.
"Well, the captain of the Nightswan sent a message back that the ship would have to stay another night at Mardonnes. There might be a slight delay in procuring everything ordered. As for the Ichor, we haven't received any news yet."
Iris paused for a moment in thought before giving a slight nod.
"Alright then, when you do get any news please do well to inform me in time."
"Yes, milady."
The princess-turned-manager sighed again as she leaned into her seat. She rolled her shoulder to get rid of an ache troubling her before leaning back to continue writing.
Sarah worriedly peered at Iris's slightly pale face and puffy eyes. She hesitated slightly before speaking.
"Why don't you take the day off today, Milady," She said clasping her hands together in front of her.
"I know it is not my place to say this but please look after your health, your highness. You are still our crown princess, after all, your well-being remains paramount among all other things."
Iris paused at those words before sighing wearily. A conflicted smile crept up her face.
"Thanks for the concern, Sarah."
"But I can't. I won't because I am the princess slack off while others are working so hard for my household's revival. I have to work harder, hard enough to prove myself worthy of the care and concern you people have shown me, enough to justify the risks being taken by everyone to salvage my family's situation."
"It's my duty, I can't ignore this."
Sarah stared at the headstrong princess for a brief moment before shaking her head with a sigh.
"I guess you are right, milady," Sarah said pulling back a strand of hair behind her ear.
"The risks the Lord and Marquess have taken to restore your family needs to be justified, but you mustn't overdo it. You being the princess is already enough justification for their support, one that they might gladly accept regardless of what you personally can contribute to their efforts."
"So, I don't see the need for you to tarnish the good Von Greifenberg name just to prove this. I mean, what would the world think if they found out that the crown princess of Algrim was worked to the bone just to prove whether or not she was worthy of her vassal's support. We would be rendered to nothing more than a laughing stock while the remaining nobility would look down on the lord as a tyrant."
"Please remember this, milady, the greatest justification you can offer is already here," Sarah said with a meaningful stare.
"You, yourself, your identity, there is nothing more valuable you can ever offer, so please do well to protect it, your highness."
Iris stared back at the Headmaid for a few brief seconds before letting out a relenting sigh.
"Fine."
"Thank you, milady."
"But first we have to finish these tasks and settle these accounts. There is no way I am leaving this half done."
"Yes, milady." Sarah nodded with a small smile.
The two continued their assigned tasks for several more minutes.
"Anything else?" Iris asked several minutes later.
"Yes, milady. There is a little issue with the young master's arrangement of assigned tasks to the artisans from Ilpedro." Sarah nodded placing another sheet of paper in front of Iris.
"The two carpenters that were sent to the harbour to assist with the ship repairs and the construction of additional piers seem to be insufficient to meet the time frame the Lord stipulated, a conflict broke out between the ropemakers and weavers over the hemp stores, the potters at the kilns sent a complaint that the task of making bricks is unbefitting for their unique skillset and demand a suitable task, while the wheelwright, tanners and shoemakers are still expecting specific tools and supplies to continue working, here is a list of what they are requesting."
Iris collected the list and glanced through an array of items, most of which she couldn't identify but assumed relevant.
"The carpenters at the workshop are still busy with other projects so the harbour would have to wait, separate the hemp supplies for the ropemakers and weavers and cross-check this list with last week's order. If there is anything that was not on the previous list, add it to the next order when captain Steins returns with the shipment." Iris replied returning the list to Sarah.
"What about the potters at the kiln?" Sarah asked.
"Ignore them. It's Levi's fault for indulging these artisans too much, if not why on Anno would mere craftsmen dare question the orders of their lord."
"Understood, milady." Sarah nodded.
Iris stood up and stretched her body, the sound of popping joints could be heard.
"Anything else?"
"Yes, milady. The Lord sent the names of the captured knights he deemed qualified to be assigned as teachers in the school. I need you to select the individuals that would eventually be chosen."
"Oh, okay. Hand me the list then."
Sarah handed Iris another slip of paper.
The princess glanced at the names and the scores written next to them. Aware that the scores were results of an academic evaluation that Levi issued, Iris didn't think too much and just chose the two highest-scoring individuals.
Aden could have chosen the names himself but he decided to leave that to Iris. She was aware of his good intentions and made a mental note to mention this to her mother when next they met which should be later in the evening.
"These two should do," Iris said marking two names with a charcoal nib before passing the list back to Sarah.
"Yes, milady."
"I guess that's all for today?" Iris said walking towards the window
"Yes, milady."
"You may leave then, thank you"
"Yes, milady. Please take care of yourself." Sarah replied with a respectful curtsy.
Hearing the door close behind her Iris glanced downwards at Javi running around in the castle courtyard.
The little girl had an oddly docile, white and blue coloured bird in her arms as she ran around giggling. Her sonorous voice echoed in the otherwise quiet castle.
Iris glanced at the blue-tipped falcon in Javi's arms and her eyes narrowed slightly.
The princess had always suspected Levi's true intention for purchasing the birds in excess before the battle of Redwater, although the Marquess had justified the purchase with a real necessity, it still appeared somewhat fishy to Iris.
Anyways, somewhere along the line, the young master had somehow managed to tame one of the more docile males before gifting it to Javi.
Although the little girl explicitly asked for a female since they were much flashier, it seemed that even the apparently all-knowing Levi faced some problems in subduing the more aggressive females.
Still, it was a marvel knowing that the young master managed to do even this much, only the royal ancestors know what hell the poor animal had been through though. Given the young master's forceful methods, it most probably isn't something the now-apparently brain dead bird would want to experience again.
Iris stared blankly at the frolicking Javi before snapping out of her daze as the little girl excitedly ran off somewhere.
Her gaze followed the girl as she jogged out the castle gates and unto the main road with a Royal blue-tipped falcon in her embrace.
There at the end of the street was a column of seven horse riding in the direction of the castle.
Levi was seated on a black horse in front of the group as they rode forward at a leisurely pace. Even from a distance, his gaze appeared softer than usual as he watched the little girl run to welcome him.
"He's back," Iris muttered.
She regarded the young master as he dismounted his steed to receive the incoming Javi.
Watching him fiddle with the child's hair before raising her unto his shoulder, a rare smile gracing his face, Iris fell into thought once again.
"My Identity." She muttered staring intently at Levi in the distance.
Memories of her father's reassuring smile flashed past in the back of her mind. A wave of loneliness flowed over her.
As if feeling her intense gaze Levi glanced at the castle, but given the distance and lighting, Iris was sure she was well hidden from view.
Nonetheless, she repeated, her gaze held a hint of resolve.
"My identity,"
"How much is that worth to you,"
"Marquess Levi?"
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
Raven_Aelwood
Raven_Aelwood Hi, dear traveller.
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