Two-Faced (Assassin at Court Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

and took my hands in his. “Call me Zander, My Lady.”
                  I quickly snatched my hands back. “Fine, Zander. Then call me Skyler.”
                  He grabbed my hands again. This time he tightened his grip. It was not bruising, but he held my hands within his firm enough so I could not so easily escape a second time. He was back to peering into my eyes straining to see past the mask. “Alright, Skyler, please tell me what a Lady of the House of Alastair could possibly have experienced in life to even have the word lowly in her vocabulary and to carry such dark shadows beneath her beautiful green gaze.”
                  I squared my shoulders and stared right back at him. “Alastair is a House of lesser nobility in a provincial town. We live more like the common people than the nobility. While the High Noble Houses gorge themselves on excess and frivolity, we along with the common people must work ourselves, in many cases to the death, just to provide the most basic of needs for our families. And even then, we are faced with sometimes going without or making hard decisions just to be able to eat.”
    The Prince had the decency to look away in quiet acknowledgement. “The reformation treaty signed by the House of Roth and the Common People after the civil revolt was supposed to change all of that,” he said limply. The excuse was lame even to him.
                  I knew I should probably change the subject before I said something offensive or worse treasonous, but I have never been one not to voice my opinion. “Sure it eradicated the strict caste system of old times, but the problem of the kingdom’s resources and wealth being concentrated in the hands of a few was never really solved. The oppressive conditions the lesser nobles and common people were living in only marginally improved. “
                  To my surprise the Prince nodded in agreement with me from across the table. “If you had the power to make a real difference, what changes would you make?”
                  “Seriously? You want to know?” I asked in astonishment.
                  He squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Yes, I want to hear what you have to say.”
                  “Well for starters I would redistribute the resources in the kingdom. I am not naïve enough to think that the High Nobles will relinquish their high society stations and extravagances. However, with enough push from the Royal Family, the High Nobles could be persuaded to relinquish control over the shipping industry. It turns them a decent amount of profit but it is not Anthame’s most lucrative industry. As long as they retain control of the mining industry, our export of coal and precious stones to neighboring lands will more than keep their pockets lined. Control of the shipping industry could be turned over to the lesser nobles and common people to create a thriving merchant class. The rich would stay rich but the poor could have a real chance to improve their quality of life.” I stopped short when I realized the Prince was staring at me with a peculiar look on his face. The emotions behind the look I could not exactly pinpoint. “Did I say something wrong?” I asked him tentatively.
                  He brought my hands to his lips and kissed them. “Quite the contrary, My Lady, Skyler he corrected himself. You are refreshing . It is not every day a Lady speaks her mind so openly and brilliantly.”
                  I snorted at his last comment. “I’m not defending ignorance but can you blame them? Noble women may enjoy greater comforts than common women but the societal constraints placed on them ensure that they are far less free to speak their minds, educate themselves, or do anything besides marry noble Lords and breed heirs.” The Prince picked up on the condemnation that crept into my voice.