The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

The packet of papers that Noble received was sealed as it always was.

Noble found it amusing because no one would be able to unseal the papers when they were in the Memory located in her Soul Sea.

And if she unsealed them, would her husband tell on her? Probably not. Even if he did, the government would just find a new courier.

'That's actually a reason to open it even if I don't read what's inside,' she chuckled to herself.

"Thank you," Noble took the communication and put them with the note from her mother.

Then she dismissed both precious messages to be transported with her.

Her next stop was two floors down. At least it was in the same building.

Noble would add the written approval or preliminary contract to her Memory and be on her way. That would be enough to give to Clan Song to set up a meeting to finalize everything.

There was only one problem.

"You cannot have that location." 

The man behind the desk didn't blink when he spoke. Zeth had been very serious the last time they met about this subject so had no reason to believe he was joking. 

"Why not?" Noble found her voice after a moment of shock.

"It is not within the government's budget." The clerk folded his hands on the desk.

"Is there anything I can do? If the gap is small, then I might be able to use other funding in this project to cover the deficit." Noble hoped it was a small rounding error.

"That would be a misappropriation of funding." Zeth shook his head.

"I can put in my own money." The professor watched the man's expression sour.

The government agent frowned. "That would make you part owner in a government facility." 

"And that is against regulations." Noble filled in the blank. "I see."

It had taken her months to pick the location. What Bee Two had said was true—it was the perfect spot!

"Why wasn't I told this when I began my search? I was led to believe I could have any place that wasn't already claimed."

While there had been a budget, it had been so large that Noble hadn't considered that she might go over it.

"I don't know what to tell you. When I submitted the location to Song, they came back with a price. I negotiated as much as my job would allow, but it is better if you pick another place." The clerk shrugged.

It was tempting to throw a fit, call the Chancellor, or do a number of things to get her way, but it all seemed very childish.

After all, if the government could negotiate with Clan Song, then there was a bit of wiggle room. Noble just had to be creative.

"You have a fund for those who want an advance on their salary. If instead of giving money directly to me, you put it in the funds for this property, then can we make the two ends meet?"

Noble did extra jobs for the government all the time including the courier position she was currently handling for Fort. It might take her a little time and a few odd favors, but she would repay the debt in no time.

Zeth ran his fingers through his curly hair. "Let me get this straight. You want to pay the Government to work for them so that that funding will be added to the property acquisition budget? That is highly unorthodox!" 

"But can it be done?" Noble held her breath.

"I would have to check, but I think so," the man clicked away at his data pad.

"Great! Get the documents drawn up." Noble clapped her hands.

It hadn't been ideal, but there were worse ways to settle an issue than a little unpaid overtime.

The agent looked at her incredulously. "I will move forward once I get permission. If you have clout with Clan Song, I recommend that you try to get any concessions from them that you can."

"I will do that, thank you!"

While she would love to wait while he ironed out the details, she needed to get back to Bee Two and then home to make dinner.

Time was slipping away like sand. "I can pick everything up on Friday when I come again."

"I'll see you then, Master Noble. But remember what I said. You don't want to owe more than you have to."

Zeth pushed up his glasses to punctuate his point.

"I understand. Thank you."

Noble shook the man's hand before running from the room. Something was finally off of her long to-do list.

She would look at all the details of the contract later, of course, but for now, she would push the issue aside for the next one.

'So many balls in the air and so little time.'

Was this how a circus clown felt?

No, a clown would have more sense than to take on so many projects.

Waiting for the elevator, Noble tried to prioritize what she could realistically finish with what was left of her day.

When the elevator opened to receive her, she only barely registered what was being said before a familiar face came into view. He was speaking to a young woman in a grey suit in a hushed tone.

"I still cannot believe he is gone…oh hello, Master Noble!"

Venster scooted back to make room for the newcomer.

"It's good to see you!" Noble let the rest of her thoughts leave her head as she greeted her old friend. "It has been too long."

"Indeed it has. How was the move to Ravenheart? Seamless, I hope!" The congenial Awakened smiled.

"Seamless isn't the word I would use," Noble thought about her particularly rough first day in the citadel, "but overall I think we are adjusting well. I have opened a Dreamer Academy to assist those who wish to become Awakened."

"So I heard." Venster nodded knowingly, "It is quite the undertaking, but the Boss thinks you are doing splendidly."

Noble was happy to hear that her work was being well-received, but their ride down was short and Noble did not want to waste it on self-praise.

"How is Crestfall?" The professor was keenly interested in her former second home.

"Emptier without you, but still thriving. The wall is complete and Hamish and Catphine are wonderful stewards whenever Saint Jet is away." Venster's enthusiasm warmed Noble's heart.

"I'm so glad. Crestfall will always have a part of my heart."

The door opened and the woman in the grey suit excused herself, but not before patting Venster on the arm.

"You two enjoy catching up, but don't forget about me, Venster. I want to hear every detail about what happened very soon."

"I'm sure you will find me the first chance you get to pump me for information," Venster waved to the woman as she left.

The door shut and Noble looked at the Chancellor's assistant with a question clearly written on her face. "What was that about?"

"Ah, I suppose you haven't heard the news yet. Why would you? I doubt you even knew the man."

"Man?" Noble furrowed her brow as she tried to remember what Venster had said when she was getting on the elevator. "Someone is gone?"

Venster pursed his lips as he shook his head.

"Not just gone. Dead. His name was Master Yosh."