The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 684: Projecting Power

That dinner was the start of the good days, as far as Dominic was concerned.

In the mornings, he reviewed paperwork in his office, and had a meeting with all the advisors.

In the afternoons, he made more weapons in the forge, then spent quiet evenings in.

For over a month, nothing broke that quiet routine, and Dominic was certain that they were finally finding their groove. The airship docks had made their third delivery, and the Duchy’s coffers were flush with cash.

Out of town, the farms were taking advantage of a few dry days to pick some of the root vegetables to keep the market full of fresh produce, and the wet season was beginning to fade, with the crops nearing full growth.

Once those were up, and the new pulse crop silos were filled, the Duchy would be able to assess their output and sales potential for the season.

Dominic had, on the advice of Advisors Jack and Jenna, refrained from making any large sales to the Merchant’s Guild in advance of the harvest. It was common for them to buy the crops while they were still growing, and then the farmers would have some income coming while they waited.

It meant less money later. But normally, it was only needed because of tax collections that didn’t match with harvests, and Dominic hadn’t ordered one yet.

Today was a big day for Wistover. Not as a city, but because it was the King’s birthday, a national holiday.

That meant that Dominic and Alexis would be expected to either send a gift home, or go visit the Capital for the celebrations to deliver their congratulations. At first, Alexis had wanted to send a gift back home, but after advice from her Royal Guard, it was decided that they would go in person.

The politics around Wistover Duchy were still murky, and making a personal appearance, obviously pregnant, and obviously doing well, would make a statement that the Duchy was growing into the power of its title.

There were also other Nobles for Dominic to meet.

He hadn’t really spent any time around other Cygnian upper nobility, other than their children at the debutante event, and getting to know them would be vital to the export prospects of Wistover Duchy, and Stansia Province as a whole.

Which also meant that he needed to collect a few of the Stansia Province Nobles this morning, as they wouldn’t be able to get to the Capital on their own, and Alexis didn’t want the other high Nobles to think that they were as isolated as the map suggested.

"Alright, we’ve sent mages to Lympsbury, Causter and Wistfield. The Earls are each bringing two Counts and a retinue. That should be manageable for transportation at the other end, unless you want to put on a show." Alexis noted.

Dominic shook his head. "I think that simply arranging ground transport should be fine. How about we just use the ones here at the Manor? We’ve got trucks to bring everyone, and if we drape a Stansia Province banner on them, we can show a united front."

"Not bad. I was going to say to have them all fly the Duchy banners, to project power.

But coming as representatives of the Provinces reminds everyone that you’re also the Governor. Remember that while the position holds immense actual power, to the old Noble Families, it will matter less than the title of Duke, which is hereditary, and not easily revokable." Alexis reminded him.

Dominic nodded. "And I need to keep my eyes open for the young heirs of Castle City, Darden and Skipington, as well as the new Marquis Burton. According to Lord Blackwell, it’s important that I build relationships with the next generation of Counts and Earls in the region closest to Stansia Province.

Did I mention that all these political meetings give me a headache?"

Alexis smiled and patted him on the shoulder. One way or another, he was destined for it. The longer that she spent around the residents of Wistover, the more obvious it became that Dominic could have settled anywhere and attracted an army to himself simply by announcing his lineage.

The fact that they were married, and Wistover became a powerful Duchy instead of the hub of a civil war, was simply a fluke of fate.

Alexis sent for the trucks, the matched locally made buses that were the public transit vehicles in Wistover, she noticed someone else joining them. A small blonde in a fancy silk dress.

"And you are?"

Amie winked at her. "Good to know that I haven’t lost my touch. For the purposes of this trip, I am the youngest daughter of the Baron of Skipton River, a border Barony between Stansia and Kinewen Provinces. On the river, as the name implies.

There is no fear of them arriving to counter your argument, they all died in the flood helping their people escape to Wistover, and this face is that of their daughter.

I will be your lady in waiting for the day, a final safeguard against attacks that might sneak past your guards."

"You know, it’s just uncanny how well you can change your appearance. If you weren’t limited to being roughly your own size, we would be in trouble."

Amie nodded. "Give me some time. With the help of the Trolls and the Witches, I’m beginning to recover from my old injuries. I tell you, it’s not easy to find anyone who knows how to treat the ailments of the less common magical species."

Amie was wearing a bright blue mage class trade skill core that Alexis knew was not her own. Hers was a very dark red, blood soaked, and a bit evil looking. This one would cause the others to assume that she was nothing more than a level four or five mage Acolyte.

A minor Noble would be proud of that at her apparent age, though it wasn’t all that impressive.

It also wouldn’t threaten anyone brave enough to try to assassinate the Princess. But if there was an actual threat, the Doppelgänger would be a reliable defender.

"Are you sure that we should take the buses?" Commander Wilkes asked as the buses were brought over.

"Of course. We’ve tagged them with the banner, and hung curtains on the windows. They don’t look as much like public transit now, and they will remind all the Nobles we pass on the way in that we make state of the art magitech vehicles.

Bringing any sort of transport that we didn’t make ourselves would be a disservice to the Duchy." Dominic countered.

They were still hard not to see as stretched light transport vehicles designed for off-road use, though.