Chapter 101: Ch. 101: Winter's Gambit

"Emma, can we- can I have a word with you?" I stutter over my words after a sleepless evening back at the palace.

"Yes, your highness," Emma answers.

Mourning the loss of a decent stipend has made for a long, trying night. I have bags under my eyes and sluggishly prop my head up as I stare at Emma with some guilt.

"You're my official playmate, you remember that right? We've been through thick and thin, and weathered many storms and assassinations together. I feel as if we have 100 years of history behind us," I begin warmly, hoping to ease into the topic at hand.

It wasn't as if I thought I would be getting Julia's 10,000 gold coin stipend, but even a fraction of that would have done wonders for me.

"Since Duchess Taylor is still in charge of paying out the royal stipend you have no money to give me." Emma ended the conversation rather quickly, my sheepish look her answer.