Not Just Her Ass Is Tapped

The merchant sauntered over to the exchequer in the treasury. Flashing the sign was enough to let the merchant through the walls of stoned and armed guards. When at the center the merchant was dazzled by the glitter of gold and gems all around, wealth, accumulated by centuries of plunder.

Though, much of it was merely lead now, with a thin layer of real coins on top, the treasury of the whole country, and not just Belinda's personal assets, could pay for the ridiculous request.

Still, the coins alone were not enough, and so at a rate of 20% at best the crowned jewels, spices, furs, scents, and pearls was pawned off to the new richest man in all the land.

The treasurer passed out after the merchant wheeled the last cart out, piled high and groaning under the weight, thinking that the kingdom could no longer afford a single cabbage, and prayed no further expenses would be incurred, lest his own theft be revealed as well as the bankruptcy of the kingdom.

Belinda so admired her new gown the laundresses knew she'd pay no attention to her other clothes, and so took the opportunity to removed every remaining scrap of satin or cloth of gold from her drawers, dresses, and bed, replacing it with cotton and linen of similar cuts and colors.

They hardly slowed when the castle shook violently, dust falling from the rafters, though the swaying subdued soon.