They were born the only child in a family of immense wealth that had gained the ire of the local populace, and was taken from that place while still young and impressionable. The family were not killed, the local populace didn't want them to be able to have THAT much of an escape. Worse, the child, raised in a humble, poor, community with love, kindness, and knowing the values of a family that cared, was sent back to them older, and created a change their birth family could only gasp at but could not undo. -- Anon Guest
Immeryne was four when the revolution invaded her castle home. They remembered looking up at a crowd of angry people shortly before the fancy lady scooped them up and shielded them with her body. The story they were told later was that the fancy lady was her mother, and fully willing to die to protect Immeryne. So was the man who had fathered her.
That was what lead to the truce.
They took Immeryne away, that day. Out into the wider lands with plainer buildings and simpler fare. Out to places the Archduke had never seen and was too afraid to go. He would spend his days knowing that the penalties he insisted on delivering to the peasants would also descend upon his single and precious heir.
With Immeryne hostage, the taxes were fairer. The tithes less strenuous. The water was both made clean and kept clean. Even the healers were cheaper to visit. And those who fell on bad times had ready help. All because the Archduke had no idea where Immeryne was or how well they were cared for. Rarely before had a lord had so much concern for the health, welfare, and prosperity of his peasants.
Immeryne, meanwhile, was taught the important things. Love, caring, how to find and make what they needed. Skills in lieu of diplomacy. How to read people as well as how to read books. And most importantly, how to ask the right kind of question, as well as how to truly listen to the answers.
The Archduke's people honed Immeryne like a knife. Shaping them in ways that spoiled nobility would never do.
When it was Immeryne's turn to take the crown, they returned to the palace. In traveling leathers and a lot of road grime. Nevertheless, the Archduke knew them at once.
The relief with knowing his heir was hale and hearty was also balanced with the knowledge that Immeryne knew little of Noble behavior. The Archduke wasn't even certain if they knew how to eat with cutlery. Regardless of how he felt, Immeryne was the legal heir, and his time on the throne was done.
The peasants did not need to hold another heir hostage in that realm again.
[Photo by Megan Watson on Unsplash]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
Send me a prompt [36 remaining prompts!]