Chapter 324: Most dangerous citizens.
Sienna was sleeping, but the household was alive with warmth and chatter. The kitchen had been expanded recently, its walls lined with polished stone and shelves stacked with jars, baskets, and kitchen equipment. Now, the air inside smelled like boiling sugar and strawberry syrup
Mrs. Miller presided over the scene, sleeves rolled up, stirring a large pot of rose petals, strawberry syrup and honey until the mixture thickened into a jam. The fragrance was intoxicating--sweet, floral and faintly wild.
"This will sell well," she declared, her voice firm with the confidence of someone that had been doing business for a while. "Rose-honey-strawberry jam is the first of its kind. Nobles will pay dearly for it."
The falcon relatives bustled around her, each with a task. One washed jars, another ladled jam, while the younger children sealed lids with wax. The children who had classes hovered near the traditional fire stoves, half-studying their online lessons on glowing tablets, half-listening to the adult’s gossip.
Glory academy was still closed, and though they could attend new schools, they had all chosen to finish to the term from home and go to a new school the following year. Most wanted to return to the Glory academy, provided the new atmosphere was healthy.
The conversation among the adults shifted when aunt Selra leaned in, lowering her voice as she pounded rose petals by hand. "Have you all heard about Numia’s family? She boasted to them about her close ties with the royals and shared some images of the queen and other royals who have visited before. Now, suddenly, they are in the mood to make up with her and they want to visit." She rolled her eyes. "Her parents claim they are worried about their pregnant daughter, but we all know it’s the lure of the royal family and closeness to nobility bringing them here."
The room erupted in knowing laughter. "Worried, ha!" Linera scoffed. "They are worried about missing out on prestige, that’s all." She leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. "I have even more interesting gossip to share. Last night, Sienna slept at the Veythar estate and not because she was learning how to manage accounts. It was because she was making her mother-in-law count beans! You should have seen Lady Cadelaria’s hands and eyes when she left that room. The woman nearly fainted from indignation."
The memory sparked a ripple of amusement. Even Mrs. Miller chuckled, though she tried to hide it behind her ladle. "Sienna had her ways," she admitted. "Sharp as a blade, that girl. She doesn’t let anyone trample her."
Just then, a shadow appeared in the entrance and Princess Lina slipped inside. She had taken her second bath of the day and changed into a different gown. This one was light blue, with shimmering silver threads in the sides. After everyone admired the dress, she covered it with a long winter jacket of the same color. Even her boots were light blue.
She gasped, eyes wide, eager as a child at a festival. "Did I hear correctly?" she asked, settling in a chair near Mrs. Miller. "Sienna made Lady Cadelaria count beans all night? Tell me everything!"
The women froze for a heartbeat, then erupted into chatter. Lina plucked petals from roses, dropping them into a pot of clean water. She didn’t behave like a princess, but an ordinary member of the family as she indulged in gossip. Her jeweled fingers looked out of place however.
Linera, delighted to share the story she had been holding in all night launched into the tale: how Sienna had coaxed Elias into taking her to the estate. How she had ordered Lady Cadelaria’s attendants out as if she owned the house. How she questioned her mother-in-law and declared she was to count beans.
Lina laughed so hard she nearly fell into the pot of jam. "Oh, I must start following Sienna everywhere to avoid missing out on such entertaining moments."
The children giggled, their lessons forgotten. while the adults lowered their voices.
"Cadelaria must have porridge for brains," Grandma Byra muttered, "She thinks being noble will shield her from the consequences of her actions. But Sienna’s shadow looms larger than nobility. She doesn’t care how high your position is. If you wrong her, you must pay."
Princess Lina, still laughing, wiped her eyes and leaned closer. "You know," she said, voice drooping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Sienna terrifies half the court. They say she is more of a beast than a real beast, and she has the temper of a storm. If you annoy her, she will dig up all the dirty things your ancestors have done and fight for justice, set you up, send women to your spouse or suddenly fall ill. Basically, she will find a way to screw you. Making someone count beans? That’s genius. I will try it next time I have to punish someone."
Mrs. Miller smiled faintly, pride flickering in her eyes. "She did not take after me. And she certainly didn’t take after her father. I taught her to endure, and she has taught me that fairness is not about grand gestures. It’s about the small things that hurt the most. I am sure slapping Cadelaria would have been far more acceptable to her than forcing her to count beans. The thought alone is humiliating."
The jam bubbled, thick and golden, filling the air with sweetness.
"Do you know that the King and couriers compile a list of the most dangerous people in the empire and rank them?" Lina’s eyes sparkled as she shared some inside news. "It was updated recently and Sienna was added to it."
Gasps went around in the kitchen.
Lina laughed. "It is the first time a human has been added in sixty years. My great grandfather sent a warning to the younger generation of our family and lion tribe not to cross her. Nobody that does has a good ending. I am worried about what she plans to do to my mother." She looked around, "Does anyone here know what she is up to? I will pay good money."
They all remained quiet. And then, Mrs. Miller slapped Lina on the head lightly. "If you are here as a guest and friend, you are welcome to stay. If you are here as a spy, I will throw you into the hot jam."
Lina huffed, rubbing the top of her head. In her whole life, it was the first time she had been hit, even if it was a light tap. And she says her daughter did not take after her! Where has she seen a commoner daring to hit a royal apart from crazy Sienna?