“Lady Boivin, would you like me to bring you some tea?” The question broke Ligeia’s concentration. Her gaze hesitated over the numerous papers in front of her before she looked over at the door. A fidgeting servant was smiling at her. Ligeia paused before nodding. She lifted her hand and waved for the girl to go away without even responding vocally.
Ligeia was too busy to be distracted. She had been sitting in her office for hours. A new stream of complaints had come in about the taxes and Ligeia was now balancing the royal purse once more. Each time she did so though, it seemed that higher taxes were needed. Ligeia knew that the commoners wouldn’t like that, and for fear of a revolt, Ligeia continued to start over and balance again. However, the only other solution would to cut some expenses, the most obvious area being the paycheck for the nobles. However, nobles would not enjoy that too and it would easily jeopardize Ligeia’s position.
The woman sighed, leaning back in her chair. She looked away from the papers to stare out the small window that looked over the courtyards. It was a rainy day, the skies gray and gloomy. A couple guards were out and about for a walk. Afternoon was just setting in but Ligeia felt as if it was late evening. She had been up since early morn. Ligeia couldn’t stay asleep due to her worries about the state of the finances. Even though she didn’t want to admit it, Ligeia was coming to the conclusion that she needed help. An apprentice or even just an assistant would come in handy. Someone that knew how to organize papers and do simple calculations.
Ligeia tapped her fingers against the edge of the desk. She wondered if it would be any use to go ask the king to provide her with someone. Ligeia feared that if she was to do so, he would view her as incompetent. However, she wouldn’t be able to hide that she needed more help than a servant giving her tea for long. Ligeia shifted in her chair before leaning forward. She aimlessly began to straighten her papers. Once the desk gave the appearance of being orderly, Ligeia stood up. Her muscles ached and she placed a hand on her hip. A pain shot through her bones before fading away. She had been sitting in the wooden chair way too long. A walk was in order.
As she went over to her doorway, she glanced around her office. It was filled with papers, books, and tools. Obviously due for cleaning. She shook her head, placing a hand on her forehead. A headache was beginning to pound it’s way into her temple. Ligeia stepped out, shutting the heavy door behind her. Reaching into a deep pocket hidden by the ruffles of her dress, she pulled out a key ring. Ligeia locked the door. It was unethical to leave it unlocked where servants could easily read about the state of the finances. As she began down the hall, her gaze met with the servant from before. The servant was holding a tray with tea. Ligeia passed the confused servant, she explained, “I’m going for a walk. Give the tea to someone else.” She didn’t bother to see how the servant reacted and started down the stairs to the main area of the palace.
Pulling up her skirt to avoid tripping, she watched as she passed each step. As each one went by, her thoughts began to wander away from finances to other matters. She hadn’t seen any of her friends or family for some time. Ligeia had been too preoccupied by her work. She had gotten numerous invites for dinner or tea from her good friend, Robin Chaput, but she hadn’t responded. She hoped that Robin wasn’t feeling too hurt, but he knew that her work took number one priority in her life. She had also turned down her older sister’s invitation for a visit. Something that surprised Ligeia was that her older brother, Galen, hadn’t contacted her in weeks. She assumed he was busy with work, but it was unusual for so much time to go by without word. Ligeia’s thoughts were distracted as she reached the last step. Walking out into the main lobby of the palace, she glanced around.
She turned towards the doors, but then decided against it. No need to go walk around in wet weather. A walk indoors would suit her fine. Ligeia began down the hallways. Her gaze lazily trailing over the walls and artwork. Now and then she would pass a servant and the occasional worker.
