Chapter 404: A Burden Not Her Own
Lyria's POV
"An' what d'ye fink, Zachary?" Helen asked. "D'ye truly believe what ye're sayin'?"
Zachary's jaw tightened.
"I believe what I 'eard," he said. "I ain't sayin' I know everyfin'. But I know what I 'eard."
Helen shook her head slowly.
"I fink ye just want ter blame the princess," she said. "It's easier ter blame someone than ter look at the truth of fings, ain't it?"
Zachary opened his mouth.
Helen continued before he could get a word out.
"Tell me somefin', Zachary."
She planted both hands upon her hips.
"Ye're a commoner, same as the rest of us. What 'ave ye done ter 'elp yerself? What 'ave ye done ter make fings easier fer the princess? Or fer anyone at all?"
A murmur moved through the room.
Zachary's expression hardened, but he did not immediately answer.
A patron near the back spoke up instead.
"'Ow are we supposed ter make fings easier fer 'er?" he asked. "We're nofin' but common folk. What can we do?"
