200 Ch. 199: Patricide

I tap the floor with my boot for good measure and admire the way the light dances off the pearl fastenings of the exquisitely made shoe. The money for these came not from my official allowance, but from my proceeds of engaging in the lucrative coffee business with Prince Amir. Importing the beans is an arduous process, as they must travel from the Old Continent, across the Moor, and through the north's treacherous terrain before making their way to Radovalsk. But it has made me, and by extension Emma, quite rich.

This incident with Augustus has shown me that I need to grow my power more, not just in the capital, but particularly in the outer regions of the empire that I've neglected. However, I don't have time on such short notice to insert spies into the network that transports my coffee beans.