The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 504: From Shersdonia

In the Royal Palace of Shersdonia, the King set down his daily reports with a smile.

The last of the wandering Dagos Royals was dead at the hands of the Butcher of Wistover. Things were coming along very well, and it was almost time to move on to the next phase of his plan.

"When the Cygnia throne requests an envoy, prepare one. Nothing less than a Duke, but no undead.

Oh, and send some of the debutantes as well. Wistover is a wonderful place for a young Techno Witch or a budding Necromancer to grow into her own. They won’t lose out, marrying one of the lower Nobles there." He informed his advisor, his voice a low rasp that chilled the blood.

"Yes, your highness. We will see that it is done."

Dominic looked up from his work as he felt a chill run down his back. Was someone plotting against him?

Silly question, of course someone was. He just didn’t know who.

Alexis set her head on his shoulder as she read the reports over his shoulder.

"You’ve been busy lately. Do you have the latest finance reports?"

Dominic gestured to the pile of reports to be sorted. "I have them, I just haven’t gotten to reading them yet. I’m a bit scared to see how much we’ve been spending lately.

I did send out two more convoys of magitech fireplaces today, though. That should help keep things funded. If there are more funding needs, I will figure something out.

The airship is already on its way back. They loaded up with sheep and a farm family, then were turned back by the storm.

As soon as they got past the border, the winds started to get too high even for our new airship design to fly safely. Or perhaps it was about the rain. It’s not clear from the radio report, but they say that they’ve got enough cargo that they can provide a proof of concept report to the Guild."

Alexis smiled. "Rill has been so excited about that airship. You would think that we promised him a puppy and then made him wait to pick it up."

"So, we probably shouldn’t keep the first one for the Duchy, is what you’re saying?"

"He would definitely cry.

But there is one more thing that I thought I should add to your pile of reports.

Baron Dax seems to have a particular fondness for Princess Min of Amerton. She might be the most minor possible Princess, from a tertiary branch of the family, but Amer still counts her as a Royal.

So, they will be expecting a full Royal wedding.

Oh, and you need to do something about Poppy. That girl stresses me out. I can’t decide if she wants her brother to take another concubine or not, but he keeps dumping her on me, and I’m not spending another morning discussing dishware and makeup."

Dominic laughed. "I will take care of it. She’s an excellent hostess, but she’s a bit intense. Are there any others that you think might be an issue, or who need special attention?"

"Abe and Melissa, that girl from the Academy. They need to be married sooner than later, or someone is going to end up with a questionable birthdate."

"Oh? I’m surprised nobody told me yet."

Alexis rolled her eyes. "I found out from Dave, who was speaking with the veiled maids. Did you know, the trolls still get upset when they take their veils off? They don’t have a name for them when they can see their faces, and it confuses them.

But the trolls love to gossip, and they know everything that happens around the Manor. Apparently, Potato has realized that he can bribe Larry with soup ingredients to borrow an upstairs bedroom in their barracks."

Dominic laughed. "Well, his is also a chef for the Regiment, it’s only natural that he’s friends with Larry. What did Ingrid say about it?"

"She thinks they make a cute couple."

"I will put them first on the list. Arranging a Royal wedding could take some time, but I think there is usually a delay anyhow, right? So that we can send out the invites and such?"

Alexis nodded. "Amer likely won’t even bother to send anyone, unless it’s her parents, and we’ve got everyone who will likely show up for Baron Dax already here in the city except his own parents. So, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get the guests here."

A twist of magic and the ringing of a bell caused them both to turn. Alexis had her sword in her hand, and Dominic had his claws out. But then the bell rang again, and Dominic realized that someone was requesting permission to open a portal.

Reaching across his desk, he picked up the tarnished brass bell left behind by his predecessor, and rang the bell in return.

A portal opened, and a waft of stale air came through before an aged Techno Witch stepped through, holding a device in her hand.

"Your Grace, I am Trionne of Shersdonia, Duchess Dowager of Shersdon, and advisor to the King." She announced, barely more than a whisper.

"Greetings Duchess. Please take a seat, might I ask what brings you here today?"

The old woman smiled as she hobbled over to a chair, using a long staff as a walking stick.

"His Immortal Highness has requested that I come to serve as his emissary. Or he will in a day or two. I didn’t feel like waiting."

Alexis pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stave off an imminent headache.

{I will arrange rooms in the Manor for an Envoy team, } she whispered, then exited the room, leaving Dominic to deal with the Techno Witch.

That woman’s magic creeped her out, but the prospect of an envoy from a nation they had no formal relations with suddenly showing up in Wistover was enough to make her head hurt.

She needed to send a message to her father and find out what was going on before more people started to show up.

And then she needed to get the team to start on plans to expand the housing in the Manor. Whether it went on top of the existing housing or used up some of the back fields, she didn’t care.

But they desperately needed more housing.