Willabelle gathered the parchment and set it down on the edge of the desk. The room was filled only with the sound of the quill scratching against paper and the faint crackle of the candle. Silence reigned for a while; as I marked the maps, she stood beside me like an invisible shadow.
"What's the nobles' reaction?" I asked without lifting my eyes from the page.
Willabelle pulled one of the files and opened it.
"Most remain silent. Yet some will not take kindly to the reduction of taxes. Especially the newly appointed fief lords, they fear their own share will dwindle."
I raised my brows, humming thoughtfully.
"The greed of nobles is hardly surprising. Instead of opposing them head-on, we'll draw some to our side. Bring me the names of the three wealthiest fief lords. We'll grant them special privileges, but in return they'll be responsible for infrastructure investments."
Willabelle nodded.
"In that way, they won't complain and the burden will be shared."
