Chapter 21: Believe me, I know

I had no chance back there, Rishe thought, idly sipping a cup of tea. She'd shed the ridiculous jewels and changed into a plain, serviceable gown that was easier to move in. She was sitting in her parlor in the detached wing with a plate of fresh-baked cookies in front of her, but she couldn't even summon up the energy to try one.

I admit, I was nervous, but I thought I maintained my composure well enough. Yet he still saw through me. I lost that round, no doubt about it.

The truth was, she'd never beaten Tully. Not even in her subsequent lives, when she knew what to expect.

Around her, her maids chattered among themselves.

"He finally proposed!"

"Wow, I'm so happy for you!"

The girls had finished their studies for the day, and they too were clustered around drinking tea. On most days, Rishe would join in. Today she barely heard them.

"Aww, I hope I meet a man that wonderful someday!"

Maybe he was simply being cautious? He doesn't jump into deals that look too good to be true. Still, did he really read the desperation in my face? He's a gambler at heart. This isn't like him.

After much thinking, she only had one conclusion: He didn't choose me, and that's a fact.

Rishe sat in quiet dejection. Without the trading company's connections, she couldn't appeal to powerful people, and she couldn't prevent the war. Without that, her happy life wouldn't last. And as loath as she was to admit it…Rishe hated being met with Tully's disapproval. She'd wanted to take her old boss for everything he had.

Also, something he said was still bothering her. That couldn't have been an accident…could it?

"Speaking of weddings, what about you, my lady?" one of the maids asked.

"How did His Highness propose to you?"

"Oh, I've been wondering too!" chirped another. "All the girls in the city are dying to know!"

He said specifically that he'd be staying in Galkhein over the next couple of days. He even told me how to find the name of the inn.

"My lady?"

The maids gave her concerned looks as Rishe began to smile. "I'm so sorry. I'm feeling a bit indisposed. I think I'll retire for the night."

The maids all chimed in with concern. Rishe waved them off.

"No need. I'll join you for tea another day. I won't require dinner this evening either."

"As you wish, my lady. We'll be sure to let you rest."

"And we'll have plenty of tea ready tomorrow morning!"

Rishe thanked the girls for their understanding, then went to her chambers and locked the door. In her hands were a few packets of herbs.

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"You're in fine form tonight, sir."

Kaine Tully strode down the streets of Galkhein's capital, flanked by his employees, who commended him on his festive enjoyment of the local spirits.

He was in a good mood, his shirt half-unbuttoned, nearly humming with pleasure as he said, "Galkhein has wonderful liquor. We should buy up the whole store to sell up north."

"Why would we do that, sir? You'd just drink our profits down before we even got them in the wagons!"

"Yes, yes, hilarious. Not wrong, though." He laughed with his men as they made their way back to the inn. He'd have preferred to bring a woman or two back with him, but he had his reasons. "Say, I'm still thirsty. Another round? I'm sure the tavern floor can pull a decent pint."

Indeed, raucous voices floated from the taproom. The mood seemed to be good tonight.

"Sir, I've been thinking…" One of his employees was so drunk he could barely stand. "That was the Galkhein crown princess! I can't believe you just blew her off!"

"Working with royals is bad business, you dolt. Believe me, I know."

"Isn't she fifteen? What did she do to you?"

Tully snorted, swinging open the door to the inn. "Listen, that little girl is—"

"Welcome back, Mr. Tully."

That voice sobered him instantly. Tully forced a stiff smile. Sitting poised at a table was Lady Rishe, the future crown princess.

"Thank you for your invitation," Rishe purred. "So very kind of you."

It took a lot to surprise Tully, but the sight in front of him caught him completely off guard. He'd predicted she would come, but not so soon. He thought she'd disguise herself, but he truthfully had not anticipated the mousy brown of freshly dyed hair.

No, that wasn't what surprised him. What drew him up short was the score of unconscious men seated around her, half-full mugs still gripped in their hands.

"Would you care to join me for a drink, Mr. Tully?"

Tully had to clear his throat several times before he managed to ask, "What happened to those guys?"

"Oh, we bet on who could hold their liquor, and they lost." Rishe grinned and tilted her glass.

"Don't worry, I'm not here for drinking games. I was hoping we could continue our discussion."

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The inn Rishe sat in was near the imperial palace. She'd asked the innkeeper to clear out everyone who'd passed out. The onlookers of the drinking game were gathered around excitedly.

"Ya sure can hold your liquor, missy! I couldn't challenge ya since I don't drink, but lemme treat you anyway for putting on such a good show."

"Why, thank you," Rishe said.

"Here, try this! The chicken with melted cheese goes great paired with wine."

"This is delicious!" Rishe said. "Thank you."

Rishe looked with satisfaction at the food and drink piled on the table. She wished she could relish her victory, but her adversary sat across from her, watching her coolly.

When their eyes met, Tully offered a crooked smile. "Well, I certainly wouldn't have anticipated that you'd drink my men under the table while you waited. What a fool I was."

"Oh, they were your employees?" Rishe asked, her voice airy. "We were having such a good time, though I admit we got rather carried away."

Naturally, Rishe knew who they were. During her time working with the Aria Trading Company, Rishe had beaten all of her coworkers at a drinking game at their very first banquet. The ones she'd competed against tonight were the very same people.

Tully wore the same look then too.

Rishe had been brought up at court—she had a high tolerance for spirits.

"Drink?"

Tully accepted the glass she pushed toward him, eyeing her. "You did a fair job with your hair."

"Thank you. The color does stand out—I figured this would be easiest." She'd dyed her hair chestnut brown with the herbs the knights picked on their journey to Galkhein. It would wash out easily with hot water—very useful for temporary disguises. "I'll trade the recipe for the chance to do business."

Tully laughed. "Nice try." He leaned forward on his elbows, eyes glinting. "You can do better than that. And I suspect you will."

Rishe let that wash over her. His surety made her nervous. What did he know?

"Shall we open negotiations, my lady? First, a toast."

"Please address me as you would anyone, the disguise is worthless if you keep 'my lady-ing' me. Besides…" A pause. "Hearing it from you is odd."

Tully gave her a quizzical look. "Well, okay. If that's what you'd prefer." He raised his mug, and Rishe clinked hers against it. Tully drained half of his in one go, letting out a long breath.

"Just 'miss,' then. Anyway, stop with the charade. I know this isn't about a dress."

"Yes, tricks don't work on you, it seems."

"Glad that's been established." Tully drained the rest of his drink. "My instincts tell me you aren't a customer. You're a potential partner."

So he had lured her out here. Once again, Rishe felt how truly out of her depth she was. But she had no choice but to get him on her side. He had once been her boss and her ally, but now things were different.

"Tell me every little detail about whatever moneymaking scheme you've concocted."

"Mr. Tully."

"I'm not agreeing to anything until I know exactly what you're doing. Despite how I look, I'm very good at my job. Whatever you hope to bring in, I can double it."

"Mr. Tully."

"I'll come up with the perfect strategy. Now, tell me—"

"I cannot."

He gave her a sharp look. "What?"

"I cannot disclose my plan. Nevertheless, I want to be able to depend on the Aria Trading Company when the time comes."

His mouth twisted into a grin. "That's quite a bold ask, miss. You want a handshake deal based on…what? Promises and starshine? I don't do that sort of business."

"You'll be well compensated, of course."

"You're expecting me to go in with you for the potential of profit?"

Rishe wished she could blurt everything out—tell him that in the next few years, her husband-to-be would kill his father and throw the world into turmoil.

Obviously, she held her tongue.

"Listen, miss. When I decide whether to go into business with a person, I mostly go off my instincts. But I also emphasize—"

"Previous results and track record, correct?"

Tully looked stunned. She had completely caught him off guard. "How do you know…?"

"I'll sell something in the city. If it is well received, and you judge me worthy of your time, can we talk?"

Tully stared at Rishe a moment before he burst out laughing. "Oh, go on. A gamble? Now that's how I like to do things!"

Believe me, I know. Next you'll tell me to hit a profit goal in a specified time frame.

"You've got one week. I look forward to seeing what you come up with, miss."

Rishe smiled, emptied her glass, and then stood up. "We have an agreement, then. Thank you for your time. Ah, and when your people wake tomorrow, give them this."

Tully held up one of the little packets of herbs. "Oh? What's this?"

"They'll find out," Rishe said and made her exit.

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