Chapter 180: Elias’s duties were her duties.

Sienna did not stick around to see the continuation of Numia’s schemes. She had a full schedule for the day, and the first task was filling in for Elias. Timothy was playing the role of her assistant, and he was taking her to inspect the newly opened silk weaving factory of the fox tribe.

It was supposed to be special silk, the kind spun from threads of red silkworms which were rare. Most of the material was used for the royal family, but Elias had found a way to get his hands on some worms, and he was pushing for the law to allow Fox silk, as he had named it, into the private sector.

She showered, hugged the children and left with Timothy and some guards, in a Linkin 300.

Timothy explained the protocol to her during the flight, sighing whenever he noticed that she was about to sleep off.

"Lady Sienna...." he called tentatively.

Sienna sighed. "I already got the basics Timothy, I am supposed to smile, nod and pretend that I care about the fabric while secretly wondering if my children are destroying my house."

Timothy’s ears flopped. "This is a very serious trip Lady Sienna, you have to look interested. We will be accompanied by two inspectors sent by the royal family. The factory will employ three thousand beast men in future and half will be foxes. We need to impress."

Sienna waved her hand, "No problem. I know what to do. I just can’t believe that this is part of Elias’s daily life. Tomorrow, I am inspecting a cheese factory. The following day I have to break ground or sea at the new fox tribe fishing grounds. I also have to make an appearance at the tribal hall for the graduation ceremony of the fox cubs." She yawned. "At least there are no meetings, right?"

Timothy didn’t respond.

Sienna turned her head, suspicious eyes lingering on his twitching nose. "Right?" She increased her voice.

Timothy turned and looked out of the window. "Oh look, a cloud!"

Sienna growled.

**** 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

For the tour, the interim ladies of the fox council were also in attendance. Most of the faces were new, as the old ones had been replaced on the Elias’s order a week ago. This included Madam Benita and all her supporters.

The number had been cut down to ten, and all ten had assembled, their coats gleaming, their expressions ranging from polite disdain to outright suspicion. Just because they were new, did not mean they all loved Sienna.

And yet, they still showed her the appropriate respect she deserved, bowing as they exchanged greetings with her. One even offered a hot cup of cinnamon tea with honey, which Sienna had prepared on a live stream once.

"A fan?" She asked.

The young fox beast woman blushed. "Something like that."

The manager of the factory, and head artisan, pushed the woman aside. He was a broad shouldered black fox, with a wide grin and bushy tail. He bowed deeply, "Matriarch, you are welcome. We are honored to have you here."

Sienna gave her best nod, the kind she had practiced with Timothy and then in front of a mirror. "I am delighted to be here. Please, show us your wonders."

The group left the parking area, and moved through the factory in stately procession. It was very clean, smelled like herbs and dyes. Workers demonstrated how the red silkworms spun threads that shimmered like red moonlight. Sienna leaned in, genuinely impressed. "Do they glow at night? Because my cubs would love pajamas that double as lanterns."

The manager chuckled nervously. "Sadly...yes. That is why we don’t use them for pajamas. This kind of silk is used for ceremonial robes and formal wear. Many would love to use it in the entertainment business but that is still forbidden. You can find fakes on the market though, they are common."

Sienna smiled. "I still want a pajamas for my cubs as soon as you can get around to it. Print some small foxes and bees on them."

The council ladies exchanged glances, some amused at her openness and others horrified at how casually she was making the order, forgetting that this silk was still reserved for only royals. The fox lord had not yet received approval to sell to ordinary people. Even if he did, pajamas for children were a waste of material.

One of the ladies on the council was Jacky Twindell, Lady Cadelaria’s cousin. She had survived the council purge because she was out of the city when it happened. Just as she had been away when Sienna and Benita clashed.

Throughout the tour, she kept whispering to her neighbor, sneering whenever Sienna spoke. She wrinkled her nose dramatically when Sienna was near her, as if Sienna carried a foul odor.

Sienna noticed but ignored it at first, because the royal family’s inspectors were around. Whatever troubles the fox tribe had, she thought they should handle them in house. So, she acted as if everything was normal, smiling and waving as she ashed about dye techniques.

Finally, as they entered the dyeing chamber, Jacky pinched her nose and exclaimed, "Oh heavens, what is that smell? Is it...our matriarch?"

The group fell silent. Even the red silkworms seemed to pause mid-spin.

Sienna blinked, then looked down at herself. "I smell like honey and citrus. That’s practically perfume."

Jacky sniffed exaggeratedly.

Sienna thought to herself, For a fox, she looks more like a mouse with that overly sharp nose, Even her red fur is thin and her legs are small and short. If she knew this, she would twitch less and show off less.

Jacky said loudly, "No, it’s earthy. Like someone fat rolled in grease and forgot to bathe."

Sienna clenched her jaw. Timothy had advised her not to hit anyone or hurl insults, but she had been attacked first. Wasn’t it fair for her to fight back?

Timothy ears stiffened. "Nonsense! Lady Sienna smells better than half of the noble ladies I have met and I have met many in my line of work. Lady Twindell, you reek of jealousy and arrogance. This is an official trip, with official inspectors of the royal family. Whatever grievances you may have against Lady Sienna Veythar because of the decision of the queen, now is not the time to air them."

Two lion beast men, the royal inspectors, turned around and glared sharply at Jacky Twindell. Their claws made an appearance. Their towering figures loomed like messengers of doom. "You have a problem with our queen. Do tell."