Page 149 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
“As individual civilians of each nation, excepting the Empire of Sands, have been caught in the handling and use of a restricted potion, Servalt, Peldeep, Nilheim, North Sumbria and Drendil would all be subject to a vote of confidence to continue standing on the council for the duration of the investigation.”
Unease swept through the council at that last part, though Their Royal Highness only smiled an amused fox grin. Their Royal Highness was very aware of my intention for calling to motion the vote of confidence, which would force each nation to step back until I had time to further my investigation back home.
“I am in favor of beginning the tax reduction for twelve months starting on the first ofnextmonth,” Their Royal Highness voiced their opinion. “Allowing each trade guild the opportunity to prepare and report moving forward.”
Earl Oakley, moved by his emotions and not his business sense, argued, “But if they’re at fault, they should be punished from the time of the breach of trust!”
“As long as the molten ash vane case is completed before we pass the first sighting date from last summer, there is no difference. They’ll still be penalized for twelve months either way.” Witch Agatha pointed out. “And if it isnotresolved within the year, we will extend it to a two-year penalty.”
There was something to be said for dealing with my peers. If the tax change startednow, going into summer, then each nation would be able to push forward more than their usual commercial sales and take advantage of the new rates with careful planning and consideration for profit. If they set the twelve months’ starting date to last year, then it would cost everyone in time and resources to backtrack receipts and distribution of refunds.
Their Royal Highness stood then, putting to motion each order of business. As expected, no one decided to vote themselves off the council, Nilheim would reduce taxes, and fees would be paid.
Now, I just needed to find the poisoner in time to save my kingdom … from taxes.
CHAPTER 90
Day Drinking, Rufus?
Brownie
Brownie rolled over and threw one arm across her eyes, trying to block out the midmorning sun.
The birds were chirping, the wind was rustling, the city was in full festival mode … and Brownie wanted to go back to sleep instead. She wasn’t feeling the desire to go anywhere, and she didn’t want to speak to anyone—even her fluffy boyfriend.
Sometimes, when things were hard, she wanted a little bit of alone time. That wasn’t too much to ask for, was it?
The longer she stayed in bed, thinking, the longer she realized she was hungry, dehydrated, and in need of the washroom.
Sigh. It was past time to get up.
When she came downstairs, her beastman was in his nonfluffy folk form, leaning back casually in the big armchair beside the banked fireplace. He was drinking a glass of wine, and as much as helookedrelaxed, she could tell from the pinched crease around his eyes as he read his novel that he wasanythingbut. He sadly didn’t have a tail to give away his emotions, but she knew him well enough by now to get a good feeling.
“Day drinking, Rufus?” she asked, having walked up to the commander general of the Dark Lord’s army without him noticing.
Rufus, to give him credit, didn’t spill his wine on the book. Just everywhere else. “B-Bronwynn?”
The glass shook, sloshing liquid onto the hand holding the wine and splattering droplets onto his white shirt and tan vest. He stood hurriedly and placed his book and glass out of harm’s way on a small table beside the chair.
“Don’t stand up for me.” She laughed, pulling out her kerchief. “Here, let me get that for you …”
Brownie stopped because Rufus had lifted his hand and licked the red wine off the inside of his wrist. Her mouth went dry. Drier? She was already thirsty … but this was next level. He had no right to be that attractive. Beastman form or folk form.
“Thank you,” Rufus said, taking her kerchief and running it over his hands. He dabbed at the splotches on his shirt but finally decided, “I’m going to change into something new. Wait for me?”
His golden eyes were still dark with anxiety and a nervousness she wasn’t used to seeing. Brownie nodded. Rufus didn’t wait, rushing to the bathroom to go and quickly change.
It was too bad he didn’t just strip his shirt right there in the lobby. She was still curious about his chest hair.
When the thought crossed her mind, Brownie shoved it away and turned to stare at the book Rufus had been reading so intently.The Wizard Needs a Lady, book fourteen in the Berkshire Belles series.
He really was reading all of Her Eminence Feliwyn’s lurid romance novels! Brownie picked up the book and flipped through it. He had a glowing bookmark with a grimalcat on it tucked into the middle of the novel. To her surprise, there were markings in the book. Paragraphs were circled; dialogue highlighted.
“Don’t leave. Please, Rebecca. I know you thought that I proposed because of the love potion … but the potion was a lie! I was afraid of showing my true feelings too soon, when dwarven culture is so meticulous. I can’t live without you. Food is like dust, water like acid slime on my throat. I can’t cast an air spell strong enough to fill my lungs—because I cannot breathe without you. Please, I will do anything, just … don’t go.”
She flipped through a few more pages until another highlighted section caught her eye.
“From the moment you fell out of that tree and landed on me … I knew.”
