By lunch, they had found solutions to all of the obvious, and some not so obvious, issues. Even Baron Amos was taking notes by the time that Tutor Lucy was finished her lesson on budgeting and operating a Manor and estates.
Dominic wrote out a fresh copy of the plan with none of the corrections or errors that the original had, while Lucy also wrote out a copy, though for what reason, Dominic wasn’t certain.
"Are you planning to get input from someone?" He asked as she continued to write.
The Tutor shook her head, and a small smile added wrinkles to her face.
"No, I’m making up a new plan. One that’s completely awful and inhumane to the residents. Leave it here on the table, and I am quite certain that by the time the reports are turned in, either spies for the Royal Family or one of the other competitors will have a copy." She replied.
"Oh, that is evil. I like it."
"Did it never occur to you to try to get an advantage from the ideas the others are coming up with?" Amos asked.
Dominic shook his head. "The only one I think might come up with a better plan is Lord Thorvald, and I’m not certain that he’s actually taking this process seriously. I have a suspicion that he’s got a thing for Princess Josephine, and he’s not actually trying to marry Princess Alexis."
Lucy sipped her tea. "What gives you that impression?"
"His reaction when she slapped him. He struggles to tell the twins apart, but he was totally into it when he realized what one he was talking to." Dominic replied.
The older pair looked at each other with amusement, then back at Dominic.
"You’re sure that he’s not just a masochist? He’s a bit of a simpleton." Amos asked.
Dominic shook his head. "He’s not dumb. He plays the buffoon to put people off guard. He thinks it’s funny to get away with ridiculous behaviour because of his reputation. He’s actually the only one who noticed the little details during our meetings."
Lucy frowned. "If that’s true, it could be problematic. The Nobles who have mastered that level of subterfuge don’t learn it for no reason. He’s the third son of a Duke in West Keria, he’s got power behind him, as long as he doesn’t push things so far that his father disowns him.
The Marquis is a strong contender just on his own skills. But I do get the feeling that the other Cygnia Nobles were only considered as a show to make up numbers.
A younger son of a Baron? Or even the spineless son of Count Herthamia? Those aren’t serious contenders for the Princess’ hand. It’s really a contest between the three of you, and I’m not sure that I understand why you were chosen.
I get that you have some level of Royal blood in you, so you’re suitable for the lineage, but even your accomplishments as a Gunsmith aren’t enough to elevate your status to that level.
Dominic shrugged. "I have suspicions, but the walls have ears."
Then he wrote the words ’Stansia Province’ on a spare bit of paper and let the other two read it, then burnt it with the [Create Campfire] spell.
The tutor smiled as she realized what Dominic thought the reason was. But Baron Amos shook his head.
"That’s a risky move." He said.
Dominic nodded. "It is. But I think that it’s the most likely reason."
Stansia Province was once southern Wavemates. Sending Dominic back with Princess Alexis to rule a portion of the territory would give the King a way to show that he cared for the people of the region he annexed, without having to actually do anything for them.
Amos looked at the uncommon, [Clay to Steel] made pistol still sitting on the table.
"I don’t suppose you would sell me this one for gold? I’ve got plenty of that." He asked.
Dominic nodded. "Of course. They were made for just that reason. I’ve already given them to all of Princess Alexis’ Royal Guards."
Amos laughed. "No wonder you’re considered the fan favourite to win. The Royal Guard all seems convinced that you have a secret that will give you a last-minute push ahead of the competition.
But if you’ve been arming the Royal Guards, it is hardly surprising that they have a better opinion of you."
Dominic chuckled. "Well, with what Tutor Lucy has taught me, plus my experience from the forge, I don’t think that the guards in my hypothetical situation will be struggling to match up against any enemy that they face."
Lucy shrugged. "It’s a compelling argument. Remember what happened in Skipia. The new King was a coward, but one of his Dukes commanded enough military might to fend off an invasion, and then when he was snubbed in the post-war rewards, he married to become a Prince of Flokwar.
He came back with an invading army, and nobody raised a blade to resist."
Amos tapped the table as he counted out gold to buy the pistol from Dominic.
"You have a point. Military potential is a major consideration. They already lost a number of top minds to other nations this year. Losing a top gunsmith and growing Sorcerer is a recipe for disaster if he holds a grudge.
There is no downside to showing him favour, even if he doesn’t win."
Dominic hadn’t looked at it that way. If they valued his skills and his lineage, there was no downside to giving him false hope of advancement to keep him loyal to Cygnia. But Dominic got the feeling that this wasn’t as false of an option as the Baron thought.
If the courting process was a false hope for him, there would be better competition.
Dominic finished the rewrite and put both the final copy and most of the initial drafts into his storage cube. He would deliver them personally, and then he wouldn’t have to worry about any sort of false accusations about his plan.
At most, he would only have to wait until tomorrow morning’s briefing to make the delivery, which was still a full day early. If there was a trick to be played, it would most likely come in the last few hours before the meeting, when everyone would be nearing completion of their plans.
Making accusations when your opponent still had an entire day to remake their plans would not be nearly as effective, and it would only warn them that someone in their staff was compromised.