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Benno did not particularly remind Myne of anyone she knew in her life before. Her mother was a striking figure of eccentricity the likes of her current life would never know and while she had decent friends, she didn't have older mentors or siblings.
But perhaps the reason why Benno reminded Myne so much of her old life was because around him, she felt like she was being treated like an adult. Perhaps not an adult – Benno would probably be horrified if she said such a thing to him. However, being able to speak to an adult and have him take her profoundly seriously – knowing a person who could praise her at the same time as dragging her foolishness across the coals. She didn't pretend to be the daughter or the young friend, she didn't fumble through the awkwardness of a short lifetime of experience in a child.
She was just. Herself.
“He's been spreading too much in these parts lately.”
Myne's ears pricked up. She didn't dare to look from her table in the library, but she recognized the voices of noblemen easily at this point.
“I'm so tired of merchants who think they're on the level of nobility. I appreciate their work, but when a man like him keeps pushing himself into our spaces, even I feel something must be done.”
“Indeed. Was there any talk of new taxes, lately? I know that there's been concern about merchants settling after having given up their citizenship. It seems a perfect way to ensure a more proper conduct.”
“Indeed. Benno's products are certainly lovely, but we can't turn a blind eye.”
By the time the noblemen of the clergy walked past the library, Myne had already hidden herself behind a stack of books. Peering from around it, she took her stance.
“Taxes?” Benno said, incredulous annoyance in his voice. “I understand that I can't expect to ask where your ideas come from, but I would be a fool if I didn't ask where you'd heard such rumors.”
Myne shrugged, impish and sweet. “I have my sources.”
Staring down at her with folded arms, he snorted. “You were eavesdropping in the church.”
“No, I wasn't,” Myne said. It wasn't really a lie if it was an accident.
“I thought I told you not to get involved in anything that would raise their ire,” he groaned. Myne, kindest of all in her own head, poured him another cup of tea. “Tea is not going to fix this!”
“They don't know I heard it,” she said. “But I thought you should know that there are nobles who are maybe sort of trying to target you specifically!"
“I know that much of the nobility doesn't care for me.” Despite his protests, he still gladly took the tea. She'd been experimenting with new blends to pitch to him, and Benno seemed too happy to concede the chance. “However, I don't have many options if they're going to enact greater taxes on merchants remaining too long in individual towns.” He snorted. “This isn't the first time something like this has happened, either. If you're so concerned about this, perhaps you don't have enough work at the church.”
Myne slid down her chair under the table. “Don't remind me about them.” But she drew herself back up, too aware of the seriousness. “I don't think it's wrong for me to be concerned if it means you'll be leaving for months on end.” Even though she ideally had the Devouring under control, she couldn't predict the next day. Month. The next year. She grit her teeth together.
At least her family was here. At least Lutz was here. And the orphans in the church, her charges, her peers. But Benno. What was he, if not a peer. If not a friend, an ally. One of her greatest allies against nobility and its cold clutch.
And -
What would it mean if she simply let a dear friend be run out of his home.
“If you had less holding in your name, would that potentially reduce the planned tax?” she asked.
“Perhaps, but there's no saying until they put out the official documentation,” sighed Benno. “There are a million ways they could take a planned hike.”
“Is Lutz in a position where he could take some of your holdings?” Myne asked.
“You can't be serious,” he muttered.
“I can't,” she said. “Since I'm a member of the clergy and I have a tax on my takings already. Anything in my name would simply be taxed even more than what you currently deal with. But Lutz has partial ownership of my business, and you could sign him to some of your patents and shops as your apprentice.”
“That's considered tax evasion, Myne,” he said.
“Is it really tax evasion when none of the money is actually going to our community,” she asked, fluttering her eyelashes. “Maybe once it does, I'll feel bad about this, but right now.” Myne hummed. “I don't think I care much at all!”
Benno shook for a moment before he burst into a boisterous laughter. “Fine. Fine! If I must, I'll do what I must.” He put a hand forward and she took it to shake. “I'll remain here no matter what must be done.”
On your side – on both their minds.