Maria's POV

[Invitation: Tea Party]

Maria sat at her ornate mahogany desk, the quill in her hand moving swiftly across parchment as she penned letter after letter. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, a stray lock of raven-black hair escaping from her neatly pinned coiffure to brush against her cheek.

Nearby, one of her secretaries, a petite woman with nimble fingers, carefully folded each completed missive and pressed the house seal into warm wax, leaving an elegant imprint. Without pause, couriers awaited to dispatch the letters throughout the city and beyond, their boots echoing against the marble floors as they departed.

Since her abrupt return, Maria had scarcely found a moment to rest. Awakening from the strange journey, she was immediately plunged into overseeing the city's reconstruction and rallying support from the neighboring provinces.

Her uncle had departed for the capital yesterday, ostensibly to petition aid from the Emperor's court. Yet Maria held little confidence in his mission.

'At best, he'll squander our coffers and return with a few more bastard children,' she mused wryly, a thought echoed by her guardian.

Finishing yet another letter, Maria set down her quill and flexed her cramped fingers. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself a brief rest, drawing in a slow breath to steady her weary mind before the next meeting demanded her attention.

"Are you well, my lady?" came a gentle inquiry.

Maria opened her eyes to see the Minister of Commerce gazing at her with paternal concern. His long white beard nearly grazed the surface of the desk, and as he leaned forward, the very tips dipped into a stray inkwell, causing a small blotch of ink to spread across the polished wood.

A flicker of amusement danced in Maria's eyes. She wasn't sure whether to suppress a laugh or express dismay at the unintended mishap. The dignified minister appeared oblivious to the inky stains now coloring the ends of his beard.

"I am quite alright, Minister," she replied, mustering a reassuring smile as she placed a delicate hand over her eyes momentarily. "Perhaps it's best we proceed to the Assembly Hall."

"Indeed," he agreed, straightening with a nod. The motion caused a few droplets of ink to drip onto his embroidered robe, though he seemed not to notice.

Several aides, having observed the minister's predicament, hurried forward. "Allow us to assist you, sir," they offered, producing handkerchiefs to gently dab at his beard and attire. The minister chuckled good-naturedly, waving off their fussing with a wrinkled hand.

Meanwhile, Maria gathered the remaining letters and handed them off to her attendants. "Ensure these are delivered promptly," she instructed. The aides bowed and swiftly moved to carry out her orders.

Exiting the study, Maria and the minister traversed the grand corridors of the manor. They stepped outside into the bustling avenues of the Noble Quarter.

The Assembly Hall loomed ahead, an imposing structure of classical beauty. Its facade was adorned with majestic columns and intricate sculptures. Constructed entirely of gleaming white marble, the building was a testament to artistry and engineering that seemed almost out of place.

'How do they possess classical architecture here when there's been no Greco-Roman influence?' Maria pondered, her gaze tracing the elegant lines of the edifice. 'Could others from my world have found their way here before?' The notion sent a ripple of intrigue through her mind.

Traditionally, the Assembly Hall served as the epicenter of local governance, where the Governor, ministers, and esteemed councilors convened to shape the fate of their province. However, the Governor had never once stepped foot within its hallowed chambers. Instead, the responsibilities had fallen to the Vice-Governor despite her position lacking official recognition within the Empire's legislative framework.

Maria and the Minister slipped through one of the assembly building's rear entrances, an unassuming doorway known to few among the city's nobility and workers. This discreet passage allowed them swift access to the upper levels, bypassing the bustling corridors filled with dignitaries and officials.

"It has already begun," the Minister murmured as they approached the heavy oak doors. The muffled sounds of debate seeped through the thick wood, indicating that the session was well underway.

"Indeed," Maria replied, a determined edge to her voice. She signaled to her guards, who promptly stepped forward and swung open the grand doors to allow her entry.

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The assembly hall unfolded before them, an imposing chamber with vaulted ceilings and ornate carvings adorning every surface. It was divided into two distinct levels. The lower level was theoretically open to any citizen, though in practice, it was populated almost exclusively by nobles. Their role was to present governmental issues and engage in discourse with the executive officials.

The upper level was reserved for the government's executives. Seated at the center, where the Governor himself should preside, was the Vice Governor, her presence a testament to the current state of affairs.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Maria's voice rang out as she stepped into the hall, commanding immediate attention. "I understand today's discussions are already in progress, but I must request a complete change to our agenda." Though her words were framed politely, everyone knew that the Governor's authority or, in this case, the Vice Governor's, was absolute within these walls.

A ripple of discontent passed through the gathered nobles. Murmurs and sidelong glances betrayed their dissatisfaction, whether due to the abrupt change or her perceived tardiness. Yet, protocol demanded they hold their tongues.

"What will be the new agenda?" a voice inquired from below.

Maria scanned the assembly to locate the speaker. Amidst the sea of finely dressed individuals on the first floor, her gaze settled on an elegantly poised figure seated with composed confidence. Clad entirely in black attire accented with gold embroidery, he sat with one leg casually crossed over the other, Franco de Bastille.

Franco was among the few who never graced her gatherings, a conspicuous absence that spoke volumes. The Count of Bastille's family had been vassals to the Duchy of Hafenstadt for at least three centuries. Yet it was no secret that the Bastilles harbored ambitions far exceeding their current station, patiently awaiting the opportune moment to usurp the position held by Maria's own house.

'It's like nurturing a serpent within my own home, waiting for it to strike,' Maria thought, a chill running down her spine as she met Franco's penetrating gaze.

Maria took a steadying breath as she addressed the assembly. The grand hall of the council chamber was filled to capacity, a sea of noble faces gazing up at her from the first floor.

"Our agenda today will focus on the recent Monster Rush and the actions we must undertake as a governing body," Maria announced, her voice clear and resolute. Her words echoed throughout the chamber, drawing immediate attention.

"With the last attack, our southern defenses have been compromised," she continued. "Furthermore, the villages surrounding our city have been utterly ravaged. Therefore, our primary proposal is to expand the city walls and establish a new quarter to the east, bringing these displaced people within our protection."

A murmur swept through the assembly, quickly increasing into objections from the nobles below.

"This is unacceptable! You're proposing to bring more vagrants into our city?" one nobleman scoffed, his bejeweled hand gesturing dismissively.

"Crime will skyrocket!" another interjected, his finely embroidered robes rustling as he shifted indignantly.

"And where do you expect us to find the funds for such an undertaking?" a third demanded, his brow creased with scornful skepticism.

Voices overlapped in a chorus of dissent. Maria held her ground, her gaze unwavering as she surveyed the crowd.

From among the crowd, a noble allied with the Bastille faction rose to his feet. "Will you raise taxes, then?" he challenged openly. "How do you propose we pay for the expansion of the walls and the relocation of this... rabble?"

"Though you may dismiss them as 'rabble,'" Maria retorted, her voice cutting through the clamor like a blade, "these people toil in your factories and staff your businesses. Should they perish in future attacks, will you yourselves take up their labors? Will you allow your enterprises to wither and die?"

Her words hung heavily in the air. A hush fell over the assembly as nobles exchanged uneasy glances. Maria's gaze swept across the hall, noting the flicker of uncertainty in their eyes.

"Therefore," she continued, "it is imperative that we act now to secure the safety of our city and its inhabitants."

A resounding thud echoed as she struck the mahogany lectern with the flat of her hand, silencing the remaining murmurs.

Throughout the discourse, Maria was acutely aware of Franco's gaze upon her. His steely eyes assessed her every move, measuring and judging with a predator's patience.

Hours wore on as the assembly delved into heated debates. Proposals were dissected, defenses scrutinized, and counterarguments volleyed back and forth. Discussions ranged from strategies to fortify the city to the obligations of each noble house in contributing to security.

"We need not invest further in defense," one noble declared dismissively. The Templars will protect us." This sentiment was repeated frequently, a convenient deflection that undermined Maria's calls for decisive action.

Yet, Maria perceived that few truly believed in that hollow reassurance. Instead, it served to weaken her position, a tactic to stall and evade responsibility.

As dusk approached, the day's deliberations concluded with little resolution, leaving Maria with many new frustrations and a throbbing headache.

But she possessed a weapon the nobles had yet to confront, a means to shift the balance in her favor.

Once the assembly hall emptied and only she and her trusted secretary remained, a third figure emerged from the shadows, a discreet envoy sent by her new acquaintance.

"These are the points discussed today," Maria said, handing a scroll to the envoy. "And these are the names of those who opposed bringing the villagers within the safety of the walls."

The secretary glanced over the parchment, his expression apprehensive. "Are you certain about this, my lady?" he asked, his tone edged with concern.

Maria's lips curved into a confident smile, her eyes gleaming fiercely. "Absolutely. Publish it in tomorrow's paper. Let the nobles discover how hard it is to fight against public opinion."

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