Chapter 30: man in a woman’s world

POV David

I cursed myself internally as Isz silently passed me another document. God I was a fucking coward. I suppose she was at least still willing to work with me. But everything felt cold and distant instead of that wonderful, relaxed atmosphere we'd always had when working together. We were like two perfect corporate drones, silently and professionally performing our tasks.

I scanned through a document and cleared my throat. "Isz?"

"Yes lord Fulton?" She glanced up from her work. I cringed a bit, i'd ruined it hadn't I? Last night with my absolute buffoonery.

"I'm sorry… about last night…"

She sighed and packed her equipment away. She stood and walked towards the door. "I'll take my leave Lord Fulton."

I cursed inwardly as she shut the door without looking back. I'd burned that bridge badly hadn't I? Could I even repair it? I somehow doubted I could. It just felt… insurmountable.

I had a few meetings later. A couple nobles and a few guild leaders. I'll… focus on that for now. Afterwards I had dinner with Veina. That shouldn't be too unpleasant. I shoved the emotional baggage aside for now and quickly started going through my work. Mostly updates on current projects as well as updates to a few contracts that would expire soon. With the paperwork done for today I made my way to the guest room, I had one of the servants prepare coffee.

I instructed the servants to ask the visiting party if they'd like a beverage before showing them in. With my coffee in hand I stood near the window and slowly sipped. Enjoying the ridiculously overpriced ground beans. Perhaps I could invest in a few plantations? Well… it wasn't like I needed the money. Besides, the climate here was terrible for cocoa beans.

I heard the door open and a noble lady stroll in, shoes clicking imperiously on the oak floor as the servant announced her. "Viscountess Collin Evans Justinian."

I continued to look out the window and slowly sipped my coffee. The afternoon sun reflected off the lake brilliantly. "It's been a while Viscountess… to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Become my concubine. I might even marry you if you ask nicely." She spoke with a noble's authority.

I slowly moved my mug so a small vortex formed. "Are you done wasting my time?" I asked softly.

"What are you on about?" She demanded.

"So this is all you came to discuss? Why'd I even bother to have a meeting with you… leave." I sighed and sipped my coffee again.

She stepped towards me, about to speak when I cocked my head and glared at her over my shoulder. "Leave."

She balked before collecting herself and leaving with a huff. A minute later the servant appeared at the door with her herbal tea. I just gestured for him to do with it as he saw fit.

About half an hour went by before a Knightess was shone inside. She huffed when I greeted her with a nod. "I am Knightess Temur of the royal regiment, a member of the order of the griffon. You would do well to treat me with respect Baron."

"Are you tired Knightess? Perhaps carrying all that attitude around has worn you down?" I replied blithely. She sputtered, red in the face as I gestured for her to sit.

"I hope you are aware that the Prince and I are good friends, let's not mention my relationship to the Crown Princess at the moment." I grinned as I sat and gestured for her to sit across from me. I lounged lazily, crossing my legs and resting my feet on the table. Temur sat, glaring at me. She tersely nodded to my servant when handed her coffee.

"So, what's this pleasant little meeting about?" I asked after finishing off my coffee and putting the mug in the table.

"It's about his royal highness."

"Cadet Vandame? What about the man?" I asked.

She lunged to her feet. "You will treat him with the respect his station is due!"

I raised a brow. "Prince Vandame instructed me to treat him as any other of my officers. I am merely following his own directions."

"What? No! He is your Prince." She insisted.

"What of it? Cadet Vandame made his choice clear when he signed his contract. As far as I can tell he is performing his duty admirably, despite your protests last night." I said.

"You… already know?"

"I knew about your outburst last night by dawn." I replied, remembering the 'pleasant' conversation with Cadet Vandame.

I held up my hand. "No. If you have something to speak about, refer it up the proper chain of command. That starts with Captain Sarrin. However if you feel in any way that she is abusing her privileges you may request a meeting with her commander, Colonel Tullio."

I smiled and gestured for her to leave. This was just a pleasant day wasn't it? I should have had Smith deal with this bitch. She stormed out, throwing her mug on the floor. I looked on in distasteful as the servant cleaned it up. I'll send her an invoice.

Thankfully that was the last of the 'nobles' for today. Now for a meeting with the smithing guild manager, then dinner with Veina. When Irina entered I stood and greeted her warmly.

"Oh, thank you lord Fulton. You didn't have to go out of your way for someone as unimportant as me." She smiled and took the seat across from me and passed me the contracts she'd been holding on to. I chuckled.

"Ms Besser, you are a critical friend of mine on days like these." She nodded as I skimmed over the first few contracts.

"Oh, is this a new furnace design?" I asked while pulling out a few detailed documents.

"Yes. One of my own designs, based upon those you gave us previously. We think it will offer a productivity increase between 3 and 11 percent." She explained before showing what the design changed.

I nodded. "Alright. How soon can you put these into operation?"

"Maybe by mid fall my lord."

"Alright then, let's make a new facility for these Besser steel furnaces." I nodded as I signed my name on the bottom and started looking over the next contract.

"Is this?" I asked.

"A few of our master smiths were intrigued by your ideas my lord, we've been working with madam Noura. We think we have a few promising designs if we can make the facilities." She replied giddily.

"Alright, run me through it."

"Of course my lord." The guild master smiled and started going over everything the documents referenced. I'd moved to sit beside her so we could both reference the documents. We went over everything, the facilities and new equipment required, how to educate the needed labor then we started going over where and how to source the large amounts of raw materials. From there we discussed how large the contracts would likely be and how that would end up affecting production.

I looked over at the guild master as she started explaining some concept of metal heating which was just going over my head. She spoke avidly and with great emotion. It wasn't hard to tell she was heavily invested in her trade and took it very seriously.

We talked for a few hours longer on a few other contracts, but mostly I found the conversation drifted to projects she'd worked on in her past, back when she'd been a mere armorsmith. I glanced outside at the setting sun… Veina would forgive me for being late… probably. It was well after dark before the guild master and I wrapped everything up. I'd made a good choice when I'd chosen her as my contracting partner. Good job past me!