The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 506: Reserved Magical Ladies

One thing that Dominic did immediately notice was that the ladies of Shersdonia were much more reserved than the other Noblewomen who had come to attend the event.

Not in fashion. Though they mostly wore fully covering dresses suitable to a desert climate, that was also common with the ladies of Axbridge. But they were not loud, arrogant or even as cheerful and exuberant as the other Noble ladies.

His first suspicion was that it was just while they were under supervision. But when a maid came to inform them that there were rooms being made ready, the Matrons in grey all left to check them, and the girls’ attitudes didn’t change at all.

Trionne and the two young men were the only ones left when the older women left, but the Techno Witch didn’t seem at all interested in them, which left Dominic to juggle both groups.

"Ladies, my apologies for the small space, I wasn’t expecting so many guests. If you would like to take a seat in the next room, there are plenty. And a fireplace, should you wish to stay warmer.

Advisor Trionne, would you like to move to a larger venue?"

The old woman sighed as she finished her tea. "Alright, I suppose that I am required to socialize outside my official duties."

Dominic helped her to her feet with a smile. "I’m sure it won’t be that bad. If nothing else, your position will help them impress a potential husband if you put in a good word for them, so they have to be nice to you."

Trionne gave him a mischievous grin. "Oh, they have to be nice to me anyhow. Centuries ago, the King gave me permission to turn anyone who irritates me into a zombie."

"I would appreciate it if you would refrain from that while you are here. Zombies upset the trolls. Perhaps a solid spanking to keep them in line?"

The debutantes gave Dominic matching horrified looks, while the old woman cackled with joy.

"Oh, wouldn’t that be a sight? You hear that ladies, you will behave, or I will find you a good husband who believes in spankings to keep his wife in line."

The old Techno Witch was definitely a little crazy, but the debutantes were on their best behaviour as they followed her down the hall behind Dominic.

A few of the younger men from the Capital Academy stopped to watch them walk by, unaware that there had been more arrivals.

"Gentlemen, these are the ladies of the Shersdonia Royal Palace. They will be joining the festivities momentarily, as we are preparing rooms for them." Dominic called.

"Ladies, it’s a pleasure to meet you. We will be looking forward to your official arrival."

The larger sitting room was much better, and Dominic noticed that the ladies were immediately drawn to the magitech controls for the fireplace.

"It’s fed off the house’s central storage crystal, that is just a control panel for the fireplace activation level. It’s a common setup for Baronial Manors and other large houses here in the Duchy.

If you happen to find a match here, and the house doesn’t have a similar setup, the Techno Wizards in town sell them."

One of the girls giggled. "Of course, Your Grace. Fortunately, some of us are Techno Wizards as well. Or Techno Witches, if an outdated system needs repair."

Dominic was about to say more when the staff who had accompanied them returned, and the girls all straightened their postures.

"Ah, welcome back. Does the Duchess have their rooms prepared?"

The largest of the women in grey nodded grimly, and spoke in a gravelly voice made harsh by years of heavy smoking or ailments.

"Indeed. The housing is limited, and they will be bunked four to a room. However, she promised that additional housing was being built."

Dominic nodded. "I am arranging it this afternoon, and with a full team on it, we should have housing in the next few days, waiting on any furniture that we cannot easily make locally."

They actually had a lot of it in the Merchant’s Guild warehouse, but it was best not to get hopes up too high.

"Girls. Follow."

The debutantes curtsied and rushed out after her, while Trionne rolled her eyes.

"The Matrons of the Palace tend to get uppity. They forget that just because they raised the girls from infancy, it doesn’t give them any sort of rank over them once they come of age.

However, I despise dealing with them, so I don’t stop it."

Dominic called for more tea, and a bottle of Rum. "Given your aversion to people in general, how did you end up as the Envoy?"

She smiled gently at him. "Oh, it’s not that I’m a misanthrope, I just despise snivelling young humans. Three hundred years of their nonsense will do that to a woman."

"Ah, I hadn’t realized." Dominic replied carefully.

Trionne shrugged. "It’s common enough among long-lived Techno Witches. But I won’t let my personal feelings sabotage a trade deal, or make any rookie mistakes, which is why I was chosen.

I must say, though. This place is nicer than I remember. I haven’t been here in some time, and you’ve made upgrades.

I like the housing around the back gardens.

The meetings here used to feel somewhat clandestine, held in the sub-basement under candlelight. But this setup with the villas in an arc around the central garden gives everyone their own space, and we can bring more people with us.

If I had known, I would have called for more staff than the two Acolytes who will take notes for me.

Where did they go, anyhow?"

"They’re in the corner."

"Right you are. They’re exceptionally well-trained, I forgot that they were here."

Dominic smiled along with her comments, but one thing echoed in his brain. There was a sub-basement in the Manor, a hidden space that he had yet to find.

Presumably, it held many secrets, and might hold some sort of treasures. Though, why nobody had mentioned it to him before was a mystery. There had been many here who had been guests of the Earl, so they should have known about the space if they were here for meetings.