Lila handed them over, one by one, to the trembling girls before me. I rose slowly to my feet, ignoring the protest in my legs.
"Did you truly think," I asked softly, "that sending me squiggles would go unnoticed?"
One girl burst into tears immediately.
"We—we were nervous—"
"Silence," I said.
They flinched.
"Did you truly think I would forget your names?" I continued coolly.
I looked at them, one by one.
"You are noble daughters of shop owners. Therefore, your punishment is simple. I will seize your parents' shops for three months."
Their faces went white.
"Greed," I said calmly, "is a noble's favorite sin. When your parents discover their businesses closed, they will punish you far more thoroughly than I ever could."
They collapsed to their knees, sobbing.
I smiled faintly. "Have some cookies. They are quite good."
Guards stepped forward and dragged them away despite their cries.
[Elegant,] Nero said approvingly.
[Economically devastating. I'm proud.]
