Chapter Thirty-Five - Promotions

“Who are you looking for?” Carla asked the leader.

“I felt something inside the bakery and then it was gone.” The leader answered.

“What he you feel?” Carla followed up.

“Another person who could use magic.” The leader explained, “When you are as powerful as I am, you can sense when someone else in the area can also use magic. If there is someone else here that can use magic, that might be a problem.”

“People are happier now. Life is better. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to ruin that.” Carla thinks out loud.

“Some people just aren’t happy, no matter what life is like.” The leader follows up.

“Are you happy?” Carla asks the leader.

“No. No one who leads is happy.” The leader explains.

“Why not?” Carla continues.

“Because you always have to keep an eye over your shoulder.” The leader answers.

“Maybe this person who can use magic just wants to be left alone.” Carla suggests.

“That might be true, but I have to know for sure.” The leader says.

Carla felt sorry for the leader. He had all this power, but he wasn’t happy. He could do anything he wanted and yet, he is fighting this war, trying to save everyone. Carla and the leader continue their tour. Carla is impressed with how different everything is. Everyone does seem to be happier.

“I want to help,” Carla offers, “What can I do?”

“I’ll tell you what, you can lead the staff that maintains the castle. If you prove you can handle that, I’ll give you something more challenging.” The leader offers.

Carla wasn’t sure what to say. She knew the entire staff that maintains the castle because she was part of that staff. The others are likely to resent her getting a promotion over them. Furthermore, the person who oversees the staff now probably isn’t going to like being replaced.

“What is the person that does that job now going to do?” Carla asks.

“We’ll find something for them to do. You don’t have to worry about that.” The leader assured.

When Carla returned to the Castle. The person in charge of the staff gathered everyone together. He explained that he had just been given a promotion that was effective immediately and introduced Carla as his replacement. Carla then got up to address the staff, but she wasn’t sure what to say.

“Thank you. I am honored to accept this responsibility. I know that you will do continue to do an amazing job. Back to work everyone.” Carla announced.

“To the point, I like that.” The leader approved, “I am aware that these people are going to try and stab you in the back. Handle it the right way, and you will have a bright future.”

“How do you know?” Carla asked.

“Because I know people.” The leader answered. Carla knew the leader was right. She was one of them and not all of them liked her. She needed to weed those people out fast.

“I won’t let you down.” Carla promised.

“I know” the leader agreed. After saying that, the leader left Carla to take care of other matters. Carla was left alone with her thoughts. Maybe she was wrong? Maybe she could fulfill her ambitions here in the past. The leader of the entire empire noticed her. She is being given a chance to show everyone what she can do.

Once Carla assumed control, little things started to happen just as the leader predicted. By themselves they were no big deal but accumulated, they added up. It didn’t help that the staff was uncooperative in identifying the ones responsible. It took Carla weeks, but she finally figured out who the culprit was. Once she did, she assembled the staff.

Once the staff was assembled, she called out the offending staff member and informed her that she was being transferred. Once the offending staff member was gone, Carla started giving little rewards in recognition for well-done jobs. Over time the staff started to like Carla being in charge.

One day Carla got a visit from the second in command.

“We have not been able to locate the princess yet.” The man informed Carla, “We are certain she is still here somewhere and that she has disguised herself. She may even have had help. Once we capture her, we are going to send her to the other side of the empire where no one knows who she is. We will give her something to do, and she will be able to lead a normal life there. We think you can help us find her. You have done an outstanding job. Find the princess and your future will be secure.”

“How do you know I can find her?” Carla asked.

“Because we now know that she was the other girl that was with you when we found you the night, we liberated the people here. The leader would like to speak with her.” The man explained.

Carla wasn’t sure the man was telling the truth about what would be done when Gina was found. However, she couldn’t deny that they are being treated more than fairly and that everyone was generally happier now that these people had come. Maybe Gina would be better off on the other side of the empire, leading a normal life.

“Okay, I will do what I can to help find the princess.” Carla promised.