Chapter 19:
The Villainess Visits the People
MIGUEL HAD SUGGESTED visiting the citizens of the region to quiet their fears, but after some discussion, Claudia agreed to do the same for the refugees as well.
Virgil accompanied her the entire time. Since he governed the region alongside his father and would eventually inherit it, he thought it best to make an appearance—much like when the townspeople confronted them on the road. He attended as heir to the dukedom for their visit, while Claudia did so in multiple capacities: as Virgil’s sister, as the crown prince’s betrothed, and as A Priori. They went to see the central part of their territory, then the north and south, and finally east and west.
The people were unified in their concern about the refugees’ stay, reasoning that their presence could threaten public safety and that supporting them required tax increases. As much as the Lindsays’ people were willing to help others in need, they felt they were getting the short end of the stick. Ultimately, their main issue was the threat posed to their livelihood.
Claudia had borrowed the same sentiment Carlo had conveyed to her before: “As important as it is to help others, please look after yourselves first. You cannot take care of others if you haven’t taken care of yourself. There’s no need to sacrifice yourselves. If something is too difficult to face, then you needn’t face it. Prioritize your own well-being.”
If they wanted to help after ensuring they were in a stable place, she hoped they would answer the call and lend a hand.
Virgil stepped forward after her heartfelt plea to deliver his promise that they would protect their people’s livelihood. They concluded by being completely transparent about what they wanted from their people: assistance in this endeavor, but never sacrifice. They repeated that point multiple times. It was the duke’s duty to ensure no sacrifices were made. Both Claudia and her brother spoke sincerely, and their words had a palpable effect on their people.