reached him, immediately settling and drawing me onto his lap. My own mother and Camellia were rarely out of reach of one of their Chosen, and I was more than happy to use their example in this case.
"Sit, gentlemen, please." I watched them with Owen's arms banded loosely around my waist, Cosmo joining us at my side.
Daniel Farraque remained standing, moving away from the chair for Lady Prudence to seat herself, and his eyes were fastened to me in a cold examination. Perhaps the council had not briefed him in charm. That suited me fine.
"I take it you've had adequate time to make your decision, Your Highness," Lord Roderick said, with a cursory nod of his head.
I sucked my teeth, debating on if it might be more enjoyable to say I hadn't, and then decided it would be better to have the council out of my hair sooner rather than later.
"Lady Prudence has the position of my steward; she is exactly what I was looking for," I said, turning and nodding to Rebecca. "Thank you Magistrate Sanders for the introduction."
Rebecca dipped her head in answer but she was stiff, her eyes trailing to the councilmen, awaiting retribution no doubt.
"She is…" Roderick's son sputtered and gestured to the older woman, who smiled beatifically back at him. "She is elderly, and a woman."
"I am, indeed. Well spotted, Jonathon," Lady Prudence cooed as the men of the council stirred irritably in their seats.
"She is therefore perfectly suited to anticipating my needs," I said. "However, she is not well equipped to maintain all areas of the grounds and estate. We both understand that," I said with a nod and a smile at Lady Prudence. "So I should like it if Daniel Farraque were to remain in position as a second steward."
"He should be head," Sir Speares cried.
"I don't see why either need be in charge of the other if their domains are clearly divided," I said with a shrug. "However, if you object, Mr. Farraque, I'm sure we can find someone else to assist Lady Prudence."
"He does not—"
"I don't object, Your Highness." Daniel bowed with the words, cutting off Lord Roderick and speaking at last. He had a rasp in his voice, an almost gentle whistle in the low notes. It was a pleasant sound with a bland delivery, and I wondered who the man in front of me really was.
"Is there…is there something we might do about the barn animal?" Lord Roderick scoffed.
I frowned and then looked on Owen's other side to discover a raccoon had joined us, sitting on its hind legs and shaking its hands at Owen.
"Sorry," Owen murmured to me. "Shoo. No, not now."
I pinched my lips between my teeth but it was no use, a giggle rising. The raccoon was urgent, although respectfully silent as it glanced over at the rest of us. I twisted on Owen's lap and reached into his pocket, pulling out the handful of seeds and nuts he always seemed to carry.
"They come because they know you have food," I murmured.
"I have food because they always come," Owen corrected, but the raccoon was appeased as I spread the treats out on the log, gifting me with a chitter of thanks.
I looked up again and found a mix of amusement and horror on the faces watching us. "We are in his domain, really," I said shrugging.
Lord Roderick scoffed and released a beleaguered sigh."Your Highness, I appreciate your energy and tenacity, it speaks well of your ability to rule. However, we in the council have the highest duty of making your work easier with our counseling.”
"I don't see how it should be easier for me to make a decision than for you to finally accept it, Lord Roderick. I'm not in the habit of finding independent thought taxing," I said.
Cosmo choked on a laugh and Lady Prudence snorted, making Rebecca Sanders's smile appear at last. And still Daniel was impassive, only studying, and not in the pleasant way Cosmo always managed. He left me feeling like a bug under a magnifying glass, and I wondered if he planned on angling the lens to burn me.
"Of course, Your Highness," Lord Roderick said. "Naturally, you are in charge of your own household."
"Lord Roderick, I am the princess inherit," I said softly, watching the older man stiffen in his seat. "My influence extends beyond this palace. I am not here to holiday in the north, I am here to see to my people's needs now that I find them neglected."
Owen's