Dealing with the Taxes

True to my word with High Lord Volanti, I switched partners with Lady Brook for the mating event. The time was just after three. I was sitting in a seat on the small amphitheater encircling a sparring ground. Today's mating event was a sudden elimination tournament of the male participants. They walked around like chickens pecking at each other. Each one crowed his own previous victories in the hopes impressing his favorite female. When they were defeated, they walked around listlessly like someone had just cut off their heads.

I found the situation to be quite humorous.

My eyes fell on Lady Brook and Prince Blaize. She was fawning all over him like he was a god and he, judging by the look on his face, was enjoying every second of it. Lady Brook was after all, quite beautiful.

Prince Pharon was also standing by them. He had been stunned when I told him Lady Brook and I were switching partners. At first he protested, saying we had to stay with our original partners, but then he said he'd allow it as a favor to me.

Prince Pharon's recent change in behavior troubled me but not as much as my 'unpaid' taxes. That is why, despite feeling both princes gazes land on me occasionally, my attention was fixed on one participant in particular. He sat on the other side of the amphitheater from me. His long, black hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and his dark eyes would occasionally look at me with annoyance. He knew I was staring at him.

From this distance, if I focused on my eyesight I could somewhat make out his sharp, angular features and soft mouth. I could definitely tell, he put Prince Blaize to shame. However, he was a Night Elf and like the rest of the participants from Nolanar, he was cold towards everyone else.

This male's name Andolan Solathian. He was a Trunk Lord of Nolanar and the Night King's cousin. He had made a fortune off of me over the years and now it was time I reminded him of that fact.

Pushing myself to my feet, I walked over to him.

"I can see why they call her the Cow." One of the females sneered.

Lord Solathian remained silent and watched me with impassivity. I stopped before him and asked to speak to him alone. Slowly he stood and then wordlessly, he walked away from the rest of the participants. I followed after him in silence.

We walked until we were out of earshot of the amphitheater. Finally, he stopped and faced me. Crossing his arms over his chest, he said nothing.

I likewise said nothing, after all he was being rude.

After a minute, he lifted an eyebrow and began walking back to the amphitheater.

"You owe me!" I snarled. Lord Solathian stopped and stiffened.

"I owe you nothing." He said coolly.

"Without me you would have lost your estate and your status." I said hotly. Lord Solathian whirled to face me. I continued, "Those were supposed to be my investments. You waited for me to bid, showing you the best ones. Then you underbid me. Without my bids-"

"They were my decisions. Perhaps you should have been more concerned with record keeping and paying your taxes than bidding for investments." He sneered.

I fisted my hands at my sides, "You know I paid those!"

Lord Solatian smirked, "Maybe, but maybe I've forgotten." I grimaced.

"What do you want?" I growled.

His smirk deepened, "You are my cash cow. It would only make sense for you to become my mate." I let out a sharp breath as he stepped towards me. "Failing that, I don't know-"

"Forget it." I said beginning to walk back, "I'd rather lose the estate."

As I passed by him, Lord Solathian caught my arm, "You won't be able to solve this without me."

I shrugged, "Maybe, but this way the only thing I lose is an estate. Your way would cost me my future. Only a brainless idiot would choose your option."

Lord Solathian's face darkened in anger. Ignore this and tugged my arm from his grip. Then, I left him there.

***

When I got back to my rooms after the mating event, I sat down at my desk and immediately wrote three letters.

The first was to the Night King of Nolanar. I explained the situation to him. I told him that I suspected his Minister of the Coffers to be guilty of corruption and that along with my letter, I had sent the money 'owed' as a sign of good faith. I further requested that he loan Mr. Brickman, my lawyer, a trusted aide to witness the payment to the Minister.

The next letter I sent was to Lady Arethusa, the estate's previous owner. I explained the situation and asked her to deliver my letter to the King.

The third letter was instructions to Mr. Brickman. As part of the instructions, I asked him to begin looking for another estate for me to purchase.

I put the letters in my letterbox. I stared at it for a long moment and hoped my plan would work. Of course, I would have preferred to take care of this personally, but unfortunately, I was stuck here for the summer and I could not just leave to go deal with this. I had to prepare myself for the possibility that the estate was a loss.

Grinding my teeth, I began changing for dinner.

When I returned to my rooms again. I found a folded slip of paper on my desk. Opening it, I read it.

'Dear Lady Adamare,

We have taken care of the issue of the owed taxes for you. We would be interested in discussing a business arrangement with you. If you would be open to this, leave a letter on your desk tomorrow morning with the word yes on it and we will come forward to speak with you.

Sincerely,

The Collective'

I frowned and shook my head. This sounded like another headache.