my loyal people, to take heed to my word. Humble and gracious as I am, I would never lift a finger to harm you. “Look around you!” I continue. “What is wealth if not a gilded spirit confin - ing us all in a cycle of greed and envy?” My sapphire rings sparkle in the sunlight. What beauty money can provide—no. I must unfortunately stay focused. “I stand before you today as a mere servant of the people—an advocate for mankind!” I lift my hands to the air as I leave my words to weigh down on them.
Silence.
My hands falter. They doubt me, still! This won’t do.
A young woman in the front with brows deeply furrowed rests her hands on her hips before she dares to raise a hand. “But aren’t you still living in that mansion?” Her hand gestures past me to my rolling estate beyond. ‘Tis all I have left, but no man should know this. Or woman for that matter. “Ah, dear lady!” I respond with a flourish. “That is merely a relic of my former life. I have transcended materialism, just as I urge all of you. It stands as a reminder of a life I dared to waste. Let no man fall prey to the folly of wealth.” The crowd murmurs, a whisper of uncertainty filtering through their ranks—more doubt. An unbearably indistinct man steps forward without any particular grace about him. “But if you’re so against wealth as you say, why do you bother yourself with such triflingly lavish outerwear?” I wave a dismissive hand before I truly know what to say. Let not words yet fail me. “What is beauty without purpose?” I gesture towards my finery
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