Aegis lay sprawled on her bed, surrounded by papers that looked suspiciously official for someone who'd been a commoner three months ago.
Supply lists. Contractor estimates. Material costs. The kind of bureaucratic nightmare that made her miss the days when her biggest problem was not dying from a mystery illness.
Eight men stood in her dorm room, shifting their weight awkwardly. Laborers she'd hired yesterday right after beating Kanna—workers who knew stone and wood and actually gave a shit about doing the job right. They smelled like sawdust and honest sweat.
"So the east wing needs full reconstruction," Aegis said, squinting at one of the papers. "Really? THAT much gold?"
The foreman—a grizzled guy named Jensen with hands like tree roots—nodded.
"Aye, milady. Frame's salvageable but the walls are gone. We'll need fresh timber, stone for the foundation, proper roofing materials. Glass for the windows alone will run you two thousand."
"Jesus. Windows are expensive."
