Page 267 of Sky’s Edge

And Mira remained.

I’d wanted to finagle some kind of casual discussion with Barret about what she’d said about serving the “real king,” but apparently, now was not going to be that time.

So be it.

She was blushing and still hesitant to share her ideas.

It was probably too early.

And now to the matter at hand…

“About that aide,” I began when the door closed behind the other two females.

“You’ll need to start scheduling appearances,” Mira stated. “You’re already working with designers, and it would be beneficial for you to have a being in between you and them to communicate in case you don’t like a design, or don’t wish to work with them. That kind of thing should never come direct from your lips, or your fingertips on a device.”

“Mira—”

“Berg Castle only hosts the New Year’s Ball as their annual big to-do, but it’s an event where the planning starts practically the day after the last ball was held.”

I could imagine.

“You’ll also have your own engagement party to plan, and you don’t have a reigning queen to help you plan it,” she continued. “Not to mention, the wedding. You need to patronize charities. You need to fundraise for them. You need to establish your brand and communicate your mission. Obviously, I see this centering around the arts. But in the short-term, there’s not only the Ball, there’s the refurbishment of the citadel, and you and the king need to be seen. Sky’s Edgians need to be under the impression you’re here, and you’re here to stay.”

I sat quietly and listened to all her words.

And I noted among them there was an abundance of the word “need.”

When she was finished, I didn’t add my own tasks, which included the fact I’d put in notice. It had been grudgingly accepted, along with my boss agreeing it was the right course to promote Lua.

However, for the next month, I was still going to be doing that job along with training Lua to do it.

Only when Mira spoke no more, did I say, “I understand all of this, Mira. But as of now, I’m living with His Majesty. As of now, you know there are other matters that take precedence, so all the royals and future queens will be staying with us too. The king has made the decision not to communicate what’s happening until we actually know what’s happening. However, there’s a good possibility beings will find out I’m here, or we’re all here, and if that comes about, that will have to be handled.”

She inclined her head but said nothing.

I kept going.

“But as for me, this is too soon for them to be forced to digest another big change. Tanyn is king, but he’s been that for only a short time. Now, he’s courting me, officially. Me moving in, having a royal aide, scheduling appearances, patronizing charities and establishing a brand…” I shook my head. “It makes a statement. A statement that will be made, but it’s far too soon to make it now.”

“With due respect,” she replied, “you’re already leaning on Jorda for some of these things, and she has a busy job.”

This was true.

“May I suggest you hire within,” Mira said.

“You mean, find someone already working castle admin and appropriate them?”

“Perhaps,” she allowed. “Or a member of the castle’s servant wing. It’s my understanding it’s established they’re overstaffed. There may be those among them who have higher aspirations. Someone might appreciate the opportunity. You can train them, and I can’t speak for Jorda, but I doubt she’d mind assisting. I won’t either. Internally, and quietly, we can post the job through both arms of the castle’s organization. See what shakes out. This would mean we wouldn’t be hiring anyone new. It would simply mean someone has new duties.”

“This is a great idea,” I said.

She seemed shocked at my words.

I ignored her shock.

She could watch me all she wanted, waiting for me to make some misstep.

She’d learn.