Chapter 27
Twenty-seven
Edwin
Three long days passed, and I was exhausted to my marrow.
Part of it was the work—having to rescue what we could and demolish what needed to be rebuilt. We were all doing sixteen-hour days to keep up with the ever-changing list of what needed replacing, repairing, and rebuilding.
I had been to my house twice, once to drag anything worth salvaging to the second story, which hadn’t been touched by water, and carefully situate the items to dry out.
The second time, I’d gone in to check everything was secure, and I’d spent a good hour in front of my bookcases, crying.
Not only had my books been utterly destroyed by the water but the bookcases themselves were now hopelessly warped.
I’d spent three bonuses having those shelves built, and the loss of my whole library hurt.
Seriously hurt. I only kept the damaged books in place so I could make myself a list. Although how I’d replace some of the books, I had no idea, as several series were no longer in print.
Between all the work, I sat with Prince James at least twice a day to make sure he ate.
I was very worried about him. He just didn’t make taking care of himself a priority, and he wouldn’t eat regularly unless I was with him.
Getting him to sleep every night was another battle entirely, and to be honest, I didn’t know if I was winning.
He prioritized people’s needs over his own. Often to his own detriment.
In my fugue of exhaustion, it took me a day or two to realize things had visibly changed with the populace.
The average citizen had many a scathing remark to say of the royal family—except for Prince James, Princess Helena, and Prince Royce.
About the three who were visibly helping and trying to make things right again, people sang their praises.
The other half of the royal family? Scum.
I rather shared the opinion.
The Wrath had done several other things, but one of the more subtle shifts was that of power. It became increasingly obvious people were coming to Prince James because he would get things done.
Take now, for instance.
Prince James had encouraged Marquess Marrable to step outside with him on the patio so they could discuss a new bill. Or rather, a revised bill Marquess Marrable had brought with him.
I followed them out because it was my job, and also because I trusted Marquess Marrable about as far as I could punt him. At twice my size or more, I’d leave it up to the imagination how far he’d actually go.
The Marquess sat there all smiles, a teacup in hand, the polite double-talk of the palace coming easily from his lips.
“I hope you can understand and indulge me,” he said to Prince James.
“It seems silly to take this amended bill all the way through council when all I really need is to change the date on the bill and the address of the organization’s office.
It’s a minor department, really, and I only took charge because no one else was willing to.
I just need a single signature from you, and the amendment is passed. ”
He sounded reasonable, which was precisely why I didn’t trust him.
A date and address change? That was all?
Granted, bills had been amended for these sorts of details before, but generally only as a strategy to clog up the council and buy time for some other bill to be announced.
There wasn’t a precedent for what Marquess Marrable was doing.
Prince James wore a polished smile even as he passed the bill to me. “I do understand. Especially with all of us so invested in rebuilding right now, it seems wrong to bring people into council for something minor.”
“Exactly! I’m so glad you understand me.”
I opened the bill and started speed-reading through it. Those countless hours and days spent reading romance books stood me in good stead when it came to speed-reading. Not that I tried to speed-read my romance books, but being naturally fast came with the territory.
I read through the bill and realized two things very quickly.
One, this bill was specifically for the northeastern road repairs.
Not much trade went along that area of the country—the sea route was much faster—but it was the king’s duty to keep all roads in the country in good repair, so the Transportation and Highway Department had been founded.
Especially with the recent damage all coastal roads had undergone because of the Wrath, this department would be busy.
Second thing I realized was this bill hadn’t just amended the date to “refresh” the department or changed addresses by moving the office farther north of the capital. It had deleted a very important line.
My face didn’t show anything, or at least I hoped it didn’t, but inside I fumed.
Marquess Marrable had clearly come here thinking to take advantage of Prince James’s supposed lack of political experience, to get him to sign something that would cause nothing but trouble down the road, all so he could empty the department’s coffers into his own pockets.
The absolute gall of this man burned me.
“I have traveled that very highway north to Berengar recently,” Prince James mentioned in a casual tone. “The roads looked rough and weren’t the best for travel, so I do want those attended to sooner rather than later. I’m glad you brought the bill to my attention.”
Marquess Marrable’s smile twitched. “Oh, you were, uh, aware of the state of the roads?”
“Indeed. It’s on my list of things to attend to, it’s just been delayed because of the Wrath.”
“Oh, of course, of course, understandable.”
Prince James tilted his head so he could see my face. “Edwin, something amiss?”
Perhaps I didn’t have my expression as under control as I thought. I tried harder. “One thing, Your Highness, troubles me.”
“What is that, pray tell?”
“Something in the bill is missing. Where does it say you need royal oversight and signature for the commencement of any construction projects? The way this reads now, it sounds as if the department can make its own judgements, decisions, and budgets without any other oversight than their own.”
Which was fucking illegal, I might add.
Marquess Marrable paused, then deliberately placed his teacup back down and gave me a look I couldn’t decipher. Flustered, perhaps? His fidgeting fingers on his watch chain gave me such an impression.
“I fear you’ve misread it,” he finally said.
I knew how to play this game and smiled. “That’s possible. Will you point out to me the page and line saying there is oversight?”
He didn’t take the bill when I offered it to him. “I assure you, it’s there. All I did was change the address and date, as I’ve said—”
“Then it should be no trouble at all to point to the clause? Since it all reads the same.” My smile didn’t waver, my tone still polite.
“I—well, I’d have to look at it, but I assure you, it’s there.”
“Then look at it.” Prince James also smiled, tone encouraging. “Just for my peace of mind. Let’s make sure a clerical error hasn’t happened.”
Oh, nice! Giving the man a polite out would both put him in his place for trying this buffoonery and let him save face so he didn’t become an outright enemy. An untrustworthy noble was better than an enemy.
Marquess Marrable was clearly not eager to look through his own bill. He took it with vast reluctance and made a show of flipping through the pages.
“I, ah, well, I can’t seem to find it in a glance. But I do promise you it’s in there. Like I said, all we did was change the date and address.”
Prince James took the folder from him but immediately passed it to me again. “Edwin, look for it once more.”
I took the bill, but we both knew I wouldn’t find the line. Still, I made a show of reading, but more carefully this time. What else was this piece of shit trying to get by with? Oh-ho, the budget had increased, too. Almost double what he was allowed. The audacity of this man.
Marquess Marrable shifted audibly in his seat. “Surely he can’t scan a full bill in a few minutes.”
“He can, in fact. Edwin’s an incredible speed-reader. He can read four pages a minute—”
“Six,” I absently corrected while I flipped a page.
“I do stand corrected, six. He loves to read, you see. Most of my staff are quite quick when it comes to reading, but Edwin puts them all to shame.”
Why did this man love to brag about me so much? He was incorrigible.
I closed the bill and shook my head. “I’m sorry to report that somehow, the line of royal authority was not copied into the amended bill. Also, I found a second clerical error. For some reason, the budget was changed to twice the amount allotted.”
“Dear Melah, how problematic.” Prince James took the folder from me and handed it directly back to Marquess Marrable with that gentle, charming smile of his.
“It seems your clerk needs someone to double-check him. Do make those adjustments and bring the bill back to me. I’ll happily review it again. ”
Flushed now and caught out, Marquess Marrable cleared his throat. “It seems I was too hasty. I’ll make sure things are corrected and brought back to you. Thank you for seeing me, Your Highness. I’m sorry it was a waste of your time.”
“Not at all. Because of you, I’ve been reminded of the state of the coastal roads. I’ll be sure to keep a close eye on their repair process.” Prince James’s smile turned a little evil around the edges.
Flustered, Marquess Marrable gave him a quick bow and then took himself away, nearly speed walking. I tsked the man as he left, shaking my head at him. So greedy, that one, and the insult to think Prince James would fall prey to such a tactic.
“He’s such an asshole,” I muttered, mostly to myself.
Prince James snickered. “I cannot agree. Assholes have uses.”
I was startled into a laugh and had to bite it back.
Tilting his head back, Prince James gave me a warm smile, which did funny things to my insides. “I’d truly be lost without you.”