Pffft. She didn’t need me coaching her. Helena was doing just fine on her own. Only her nerves told her otherwise.
I smoothly continued. “On the next page, you’ll see the proposed design. This two-tier structure will keep much of the higher sprays from impacting the businesses closest to the docks. The wharf section has constant water and debris being washed up into the streets. This design will prevent that and keep the area much safer.”
Another desk light turned on.
“Yes, Marquess Emanuel?”
“Is that why the budget is now so much higher for this project? Because you’re changing the design?”
“In part. The bulk of the budget is safely removing the walls, to be honest. We have to be quick, for obvious reasons, so it demands a lot of manpower. The proposal is to rip out the old seawalls in sections and replace them immediately with the newer design. If done according to schedule, we’ll have a completely new seawall in four to five weeks, and this plague of a problem that’s been lurking over our heads will finally be dealt with.”
I waited for people to look over everything, expecting more questions.
Without permission, Count Eugene Blekinsopp spoke. “Prince James, your desire to protect your own business is transparent in the extreme. We all know you have a warehouse in the market district.”
I looked at the idiot and had to wonder what this soggy, moldy baby carrot thought he was doing. I knew he was one of Victor’s lackeys, but seriously. Didn’t he realize what he’d just said?
“So you do agree the seawalls are in such poor condition that my warehouse is in danger?” I gave him a sweet smile. “I’m so glad you agree this is a very dangerous problem.”
Caught out, Count Blekinsopp only managed an “Uhhh…”
Everyone around him gave him a look ofyou fucking moronbut chose not to say anything. He’d obviously been trying to undermine the reason why I was pushing the walls, but no one was naïve enough to go along with his words.
Speaker Stanhope sighed and ignored him. “I think we can call for a vote, Your Highness.”
“I agree. All in favor?”
Again, all the charms were hit, and this time Speaker Stanhope smiled in satisfaction, much like the cat who had licked up the last bit of cream.
“Twenty-eight in favor, two abstained.”
Now I did do something of a double take. Wait, even two of the cronies had switched sides for this vote? Then again, everyone had businesses in the market district, so it made sense they were worried enough to throw Victor to the side for this issue. Ha! Well, that had gone over far easier than I’d thought it would.
“I have no other agendas for this session,” I informed Speaker Stanhope formally.
“No other agendas were submitted for this meeting. This meeting is adjourned.” She banged the gavel. “Our next meetingis next month, on the registered day and time. Session dismissed.”
Helena bounced out of her chair and gave me a quick hug. “All three proposals passed!”
“Helena, you knew it would.”
“I knew you were doing everything you could to make sure they did pass, but this is the first time I’ve seen things actually getdone.”
“Ah. Quite. I made it personal. People always move faster if it’s more personal.” I did hug her back, enjoying her visible enthusiasm. “You were splendid. I don’t know why you were so nervous.”
“I thought there was a lot more to it,” she confessed. “I’ve never been in council before. Victor always complained about how formal, stuffy, and difficult it was, so I thought there was no way I was ready. It’s really not, though. Victor’s just…” She sighed.
The sigh was a statement in and of itself. Incompetent? Check. Stupid? Check. Incapable of handling anything? Check.
King Patrick rose and patted his daughter on the back. “You did very well. James, I’m proud of you too. Truly, I’ve seen less work done in more time, so what you’ve managed is impressive. I can’t wait to see how your projects complete themselves. Unfortunately, I need to go. I’m almost late to my next meeting, but we’ll celebrate your wins today.”
“Thank you.” Helena smiled so large at her father she had dimples. She even got a hug in, which made him happy, and then he was off.
“Come,” I urged her. “Let’s spread the good news, get people moving, andthenI think we have earned a treat.”
“Oh, can we go to the bakery at the wharf again? The one with the flaky apple dumplings.”
“Those were splendid, weren’t they? Let’s go.”
