"Days. Weeks. Depends on what keeps breaking," Dimitri said grimly.
Elara ate her portion of bread and meat and observed her household. Exhausted. Frustrated. Overwhelmed by the scope of work required.
But no one had quit. No one had demanded to go back to the palace. They were complaining, but they were staying.
"Listen," she said, and the conversations died down. "Tonight is going to be uncomfortable. We're sleeping on floors. The plumbing barely works. The kitchen is non-functional. But tomorrow we start fixing things systematically. I'll clean more rooms with magic. You'll repair what can be repaired and list what needs replacement. We'll establish routines for cooking, cleaning, security. It will get better. But tonight is just survival."
"How inspiring," the hawk knight muttered, but he was smiling slightly.
"I'm not here to inspire. I'm here to manage expectations." Elara stood. "Get whatever sleep you can. Tomorrow we work."
