*Saoirse*
I stared out the car window, looking but not really seeing.
“Don’t forget that we have to go to multiple villages today, so no matter the need you feel to stay behind and help, we aren’t able to,” Queen Lena said, breaking out of my reverie.
“There will be another day to co and offer aid if that is sothing that you are passionate about, but today is just about introducing you to so of the communities and issues we face as a region.”
I nodded at her words, trying to focus myself back on her and our actual surroundings.
Rhys had been away on undisclosed royal business for a couple of days, and it was making more edgy and scattered than normal. It was partly because I hadn’t been able to sleep well since his departure.
The note he had written sat folded in my pocket, but it didn’t offer as much comfort as his actual presence. When Queen Lena asked to learn more about the social welfare needs in Egoren’s poorer rural communities, I jumped at it. While it interested , it was also a way to channel the nervous energy that pulsed nonstop through my body.
“Since you expressed interest, I did find a few of the struggling families willing to speak with you directly to better understand their challenges with poverty, hunger, and access to healthcare,” Queen Lena continued.
I nodded again, turning my attention to her. I wondered how she did it. How did she stay so level-headed and casual when it was her son out on a mission? I thought about asking her, but it wasn’t the ti or place for that conversation. By all accounts, I was sure her answer would be that after the first few, you just get used to it.
I didn’t think I would ever get used to it. Rhys and I usually did our missions together, intentionally or not, so the fact that we weren’t together on this one was even more unusual and uncomfortable. Although, I was sure I knew the reason why.
My hands drifted down to rest on my stomach subconsciously.
“This is the first village now,” Queen Lena announced, and my attention turned back to the car window.
I was amazed to see a village that looked very similar to the one I had grown up in. It amazed because I didn’t think that a village like this would be possible so close to the capital. The area seed so wealthy.
The car ca to a stop. Queen Lena stepped out, with right behind her. As soon as I talked to the first person, I got my wish and completely forgot about my problems and struggles for the ti being.
Everyone I talked to had similar stories of suffering and tragedy, so I couldn’t think about anything but them. I grieved at the fact that all the things they spoke of—poverty, hunger, healthcare, employnt, supplies—were all preventable.
After the first village, we went to another one where all the people had the sa experiences and complaints. It was a blur as we left that village and visited another one. My mind was whirling with the lives I had witnessed, but I couldn’t help but compare it to my upbringing.
I couldn’t let these people suffer the sa way I and my people had.
"How do you do it?" I asked in a shaky voice as I shut the car door behind us and allowed my emotion to show on my face. I had been doing a good job of hiding it around the people. Nobody in that situation wanted to feel pitied. They wanted to feel heard.
I didn’t have to say anything else. Queen Lena knew exactly what I was talking about.
"It can be overwhelming," she admitted, still looking out at the last village we were leaving. "All of this could drive you crazy if you let it. There’s just so much to do and not enough ti in the day. In my experience, starting off small and selecting one group and one issue to tackle produces the best results."
"I have to do sothing about these villages," I said. "I can’t just sit around and do nothing now that I am aware of what they are suffering."
"That’s great. I love to see you passionate and involved," Queen Lena said with a warm smile, putting a comforting hand on my arm. "If that’s the case, I advise that you start by selecting one of these villages and focus all of your attention and resources towards uplifting that community."
"Just one?" I asked. How would I pick?”
"Everything is a domino effect," the queen continued. "If you correct one issue, then you will have more ti and resources to focus on another. Trust , as hard as it is to accept, we cannot tackle every systemic injustice at once. If it was that easy, I would have done it long ago."
"Yes, of course, you would," I said in agreent, realizing that my words could be seen as a dig toward the queen and her actions. "I apologize. I wasn’t trying to insinuate that you weren’t doing your duties. Just a reminder that I am here, and you can use as you wish."
"I understand," Queen Lena said. "And don’t worry. I didn’t take it personally. I will take you up on your offer. I never turn down any help I can get."
"Then you can count on ." I smiled back. "I will pick one of the villages we visited today and work on stabilizing it."
"Thank you."
We rode the rest of the way back in silence. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but you could tell we both had a lot on our minds. I had just declared my aid, but I had no idea how to go about making it happen.
I knew soone who might be able to help.
The queen and I said our polite goodbyes to each other as we were dropped off. I headed straight up to mine and Rhys’ room. Once the door shut, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I wasn’t trying to hide my conversation, but I liked the privacy of being in my room when I felt like all eyes were on now.
Daxton trailing didn’t help either. I’m sure it was Rhys’ order. Daxton seed to be attempting to be sneaky, but it wasn’t hard to notice that he was always walking the halls at the sa ti I was.
"Hello?" Malcolm’s voice ca over the phone line, breaking out of my random thoughts.
"Hi, Malcolm, it’s , Saoirse," I said.
If anyone would have advice on how to revitalize downtrodden communities, it would be this man.
"Saoirse? How are you doing?" Malcolm asked. "I haven’t heard from you in a while. How’s Rhys? Is he alright?"
As far as I knew, telling him about Rhys’ secret mission didn’t seem like the right thing to say to his cousin, no matter what their relationship was.
"We’re good, everything’s good," I said, brushing over his questions. "How is everything there?"
I knew I needed to return the courtesy by asking him that question in return, but I was kind of worried about the answer. Did I really want to know how it was going? Would I be allowed to do anything about it if I wasn’t happy with what I heard?
Luckily, I liked the answer he gave .
"Everything here is great," Malcolm told . "It’s honestly going smoother than I expected or could have ever hoped for."
"Really?" I asked in surprise, but deep down I felt delighted.
"Yes," Malcolm said. "I have to admit that your mother, Nora, and a friend of yours by the na of Aine have been crucial in assisting to stabilize Hunters Glen."
Aine? I knew my best friend was smart, but I didn’t think she would ever put herself forward like that. She was like most of the won in my pack. They did what they were told and followed the misogynistic roots. That was why I had been an outcast.
The aftermath of Blackstone’s attempted takeover must have been severe if it changed the views and core beliefs of the pack mbers. The thought was enough to lift my downtrodden spirit and bolster the confidence that there might be hope in healing the rifts with my pack after all.
If they were letting two won help in taking charge, anything was possible.
"That’s great to hear," I told him, and I ant it. "The reason I called is that I was hoping you might be able to give so advice on how to stabilize a community facing significant strife. I have a project here that appears very similar."
Malcolm and I continued our conversation for quite so ti. He was able to walk through step by step what his plan of action was and how people had reacted to each step. Keeping the people satisfied while drastically changing their lives was going to be the hardest part.
After we exhausted all our questions, we said goodbye and hung up the phone. Soon after, a knock sounded on my door. I walked over and swung it open to see a small boy.
"I’m sorry, ma’am, I was sent to get you," the boy said with a small bow. "There are people here to see you at the palace gates. They are requesting an audience."
"Thank you," I told him. He instantly ran off as I questioned who it could be.
It was hard to think of anyone who would request an audience at the gates instead of just coming in. If they were asking for , it had to be soone I was familiar with. All the thoughts swirling around my head did not bring even close to the reality.
"Mom!" I yelled, running toward her when I recognized her standing just inside the gates.
"Hello, Saoirse," my mother said with a soft smile. She pulled into a hug. For the first ti since Rhys left, I felt a little more whole.
As she hugged , I finally looked over her shoulder and felt my jaw drop in shock.
My mother was not alone. Aine and a contingent of people I recognized as Hunters Glen pack mbers were huddled up behind her. They were all looking up at the castle with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
Looking behind , I couldn’t bla them.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, hugging Aine as soon as my mother pulled away.
"We ca to escort you ho," my mother said, her smile staying strong despite the twinkle that appeared in her eyes.
"Ho?" I said slowly.
"Hunters Glen is holding a lavish harvest feast to celebrate the better days that will dawn for our pack," Aine explained further. "Your mother and I thought that you would love to co."
"You would be right." I grinned.
After making the preparations I needed, we were all off. They held true to their word and literally escorted back to Hunters Glen, making feel like the royalty my new title portrayed.
During our travels, the pack itself must have been busy in preparation. As soon as we arrived, I could see all the work that had already gone into getting it ready. The traveling, celebration, and my return to Hunters Glen were all overwhelming and doing a good job of keeping my mind off Rhys.
As the celebration began, I couldn’t help but think about him. Laughter and singing filled the forest for the first ti in years, making my heart swell with nostalgic joy. Everything had begun to go downhill from the mont my father decided on my arranged marriage.
That tension couldn’t be felt any longer standing in Hunters Glen. It was like a pressure had lifted, and the air was clean and light again. The people were embracing each other and .
All I could think was that I wished Rhys was there to witness the fruits of peace beginning to erge from a place of such bitter sorrows.
I looked up at the moon in the night sky above .
Where was he?
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