Chapter 61 Fractured Ambitions
Back on the street, Daisy slumped to a crouch, defeated.
She wrapped both arms around her head, as though she could squeeze the turmoil into silence.
This is all Sadie’s fault. Had she not saved Alexander, General Hawke might have chosen Neville again.
Never mind–what’s done is done. If Neville is ruined, I still have Father, Adonis, and Oliver. Surely those three won’t stumble next.
While Daisy was brooding, a woman passed by with a basket of reed leaves. The sight yanked her back to the summer after that year’s Midsummer Festival, when unending storms drowned Aurelia Province.
Her father had offered a brilliant flood–control plan, earning Gregory’s praise; he was elevated to provincial secretary and soon recommended to the court.
In only a few months, Daisy would rise from a magistrate’s daughter to a provincial secretary’s child, and the thought steadied her racing heart.
As she watched children scramble for fallen pastries on the ground, another idea leaped into her mind.
She remembered that, after the floods, Aurelia Province had been left destitute; grain prices soared, and many residents starved.
If I warn Oliver to stockpile grain ahead of the deluge, we could make a fortune when famine strikes. What if Oliver managed to become the richest man in Aurelia Province before the year was out? The possibility made Daisy’s heart flutter.
She pictured herself draped in silk, her hair pinned with gold and silver, gliding into the grand parlors of Aurelia Province’s elite as the provincial secretary’s daughter, a dazzling young lady whose name everyone would remember.
That vision swept away every trace of discouragement, and she spun round and raced for home.
Sadie went back to the Gates Estate and had barely stepped inside Pine Manor when she nearly collided with Agnes.
“Miss–Sadie, you’re back.” Agnes curtsied. “The estate has just delivered baskets of fresh reed leaves. Lady Talulla asked the kitchen to prepare a few hearty dishes tonight.”
“Then I suppose I am in for a treat,” Sadie said warmly.
A soft spring breeze carried the clean scent of reed leaves through the corridors, hinting that summer was close. As Sadie walked beneath the covered walkway, memories of the summer from her previous life drifted across her mind.
That year, Aurelia Province had been struck by a devastating flood.
Every official, high or low, was ordered to help fight the rising water. Sadie had ached for her father, before dawn and returned long after dusk, exhausted.
eft
Determined to lighten his burden, she scoured the bookshop for every treatise she could find on flood control and pored over them until patterns started to take shape.
While others threw up their hands, she voiced a bold idea – divert a portion of the flood into Dwarven City’s
Chapter 61 Fractured Ambitions
Seven–Gem Canal.
Her words had barely left her lips before her father lashed out, calling the plan suicidal and warning that Dwarven City would drown.
Yet, no better solution existed. In desperation, he submitted her hand–drawn map and proposal. As expected, the other officials ripped it apart.
At the final hour, Zephyr stepped forward and said they ought to give it a try.
The gamble paid off. The Seven–Gem Canal mitigated the flood’s fury, and when the waters receded, the widened channel made shipping swifter, thereby lifting commerce along both banks.
Because of her strategy, Gregory promoted her father to provincial secretary, setting him on a painless rise through the ranks.
Katy trailed behind like a mischievous kitten. “I’m craving for this year’s festive food, Miss Sadie. Please, will you hide some for me tonight? The heavens will surely reward your kindness!”
“Sure,” Sadie murmured, amused.
She lifted her gaze, thoughts already elsewhere.
In that previous summer, many villagers had starved when the floods ruined the harvest. Perhaps in this life she could prepare sooner, persuading the authorities to bring in extra grain from neighboring cities. It would be a small act of mercy, yet it would be mercy nonetheless.
The challenge lay in convincing the officials that another flood would strike in barely two months.
“In a few days, I intend to visit Mercycloud Monastery to offer prayers,” Talulla announced over supper. “Sades will accompany me. Zephyr, you will escort us.”
“Grandmother, I am swamped with paperwork these days,” Zephyr replied.
Talulla bristled. “Busy with what? What matter in High Court could possibly outweigh the safety of Sades and me?” She drove the point home. “Enough. It is decided.”
Sadie lowered her gaze to the dishes and ate in silence. If Zephyr joins us at Mercycloud Monastery, perhaps I can hint that Aurelia Province will face a flood.
On the morning they set out for Mercycloud Monastery, Eleanor joined the procession.
Sadie leaned against the carriage window, watching her mother accept a maid’s steadying hand before. climbing into another coach.
Every year at this time, Eleanor made the pilgrimage, though Sadie never knew whether she prayed for blessings or honored the dead.
Talulla stepped into the coach and smiled. “Sades, you look lovely today.”
Sadie laughed softly. “Grandmother, you sent two maids before dawn to dress me for a full half–h course I look presentable. But why must we be so grand?”
Of
Talulla’s smile turned mysterious. “You will understand once we arrive.”
Outside, hooves drummed on the road. Sadie looked out and saw Zephyr approaching astride a stallion.
Chapter 61 Fractured Ambillons
Talulla had outfitted him just as carefully. A new scarlet brocade robe set off his tall frame, while a wide gilded belt traced his narrow waist.
Every influential household in the county coveted him as the perfect son–in–law.
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