CHAPTER 247: NOBLE CASUAL

Just after dark, the lights in the Manor went dark as everyone but the guards on duty turned in for the night.

Dominic wrapped his arms around Alexis and pulled her into position as the little spoon, which made the Princess giggle.

"You’re incorrigible. You know that we’ve got an early morning again tomorrow."

Dominic kissed her neck. "We’ve got an early morning every morning. But let me tell you a secret. We’re actually the boss of them, if we make them wait, they can’t stop us."

Every fibre of her being urged her to tell him that a Paladin was always true to their word, and a Princess was never more than fashionably late. But in a way, he had a point. If she informed the staff that she would be starting her day at ten in the morning, then that was when her day would start.

Dominic’s voice was soft as he continued. "The public areas of the house look wonderful, the books are up-to-date. The new villagers, farmers and craftsmen are all settling in as well as can be expected. Nothing we need to do in the morning is urgent."

Alexis paused. He was not wrong.

"You’re only telling me the good parts so that you can get some." She reminded him.

"Don’t make me put on the pirate hat and come for that booty."

Alexis laughed and rolled them over. "You did lock the door, didn’t you?"

"And the window, so the soundproofing activated."

Two of the veiled maids came in the next morning to help get the Princess ready for her day, only to find her already in the shower and whistling happily to herself, while Dominic lay on his back and stared at the curtain over the bed.

"Her Highness is in a wonderful mood this morning. Is there some special event planned?" The maid asked Dominic quietly, so she could prepare.

"Nothing major. Please ask the kitchen to have breakfast ready in fifteen minutes if possible, and we will go through the daily lists." Dominic explained.

"It will be ready when you get downstairs, My Lord."

Dominic looked in his wardrobe and realized that he really did need to update so that he could continue to look the part of a Duke. He only had a few outfits that were properly Noble in nature, and while that was enough for most situations, he needed something that was between his old casual work wear and event finery.

Something that he could wear every day without being mistaken as one of the commoners.

Appearances were part of the Duchy’s pride, and the people would lose confidence in a Noble who couldn’t even look like they could afford to manage a Manor.

He should add a trip to the tailor to his list of things to do today so that they could have clothing ready over the next week or so.

The Palace kept clothing in fitted sizes, but now that he was living outside the city, he was not going to find premade finery.

After all, he was the only customer they might have who would need it.

But when he got downstairs, there was already an extensive list of things that needed to be upgraded, repaired or ordered for the Manor, and some of them were going to be very labour-intensive.

Perhaps he could get away with his old Apprentice’s work clothes for a few days after all.

"The chickens need a proper coop built so that they are safe from predators. The perimeter wall needs upgrades, the small tractor has a steam leak..." Dominic mumbled as he read through the list.

Then he nodded. "Alright, I can take care of most of these things today. There is chicken wire in the barn to put up a coop. I will build a low wall around the area, then top it with chicken wire.

The perimeter wall will take more time, but the tractor might be a small thing.

Is there anything else that needs my personal attention?"

"The coal supply is running low. There are a few farmers who are using it in their stoves for lack of dried firewood, but mostly it’s just that they’ve had enough time to start clearing full fields, and the tractors are working full-time." Colonel Wilkes explained.

There were loaded woodsheds at some of the farm houses, but nobody wanted to empty supplies that had been left at a farm they didn’t pick.

So, they were using coal in the stoves for cooking if their house didn’t have any wood left. It worked well enough, Dominic supposed. A bit hotter than usual, but it wouldn’t hurt anything if they were using it in the stove, and not in an open fire pit.

If they were burning in an open fire pit, they wouldn’t be worried about green firewood, they could just grab dead fall from the woods.

So, Dominic went to the tailor’s first, which startled the two competing men who had reluctantly agreed to work together.

"I need casual wear. Something a bit more dignified than what I used at the Royal Forge, and not a Sorcerer’s Robe. Suitable for day to day work." Dominic explained.

Both men’s faces lit up in joy.

They had made a few pieces for the newly arrived families, but almost everyone just wanted bulk cloth, and making custom clothes for the Lord was much more lucrative.

"We don’t have the largest supply of material suitable for finery, but we do have some fine cotton for shirts, and dyes for the canvas and linen that will make pants and a jacket that will serve you well for years." The older of the two tailors agreed.

Dominic saw that they had many bolts of patterned cloth as well, suitable for ladies’ dresses. Those would be in much higher demand than menswear, which was normally just patched when it wore out.

In fact, work pants were designed with a double knee, so that the worn outer layer could be removed and replaced without damaging the pant underneath.

Dominic didn’t expect them to do the same with his, but they actually had a way that looked much more dignified.

It was still a knee reinforcement, but extended all the way up, and in a dark red over the black pants. It was a stylish combination, if Dominic could trust their drawings and the cloth sections they held up for him.

"Alright. We will go with that. At least three pairs, and they don’t have to be the same colours. Then a half dozen cotton shirts. If you have fine linen, and not just coarse, I will take a few linen shirts in white." Dominic decided.

"Understood, My Lord. We will have your order ready by the end of the week." The tailor agreed as he double-checked all the measurements that he had taken of Dominic.

Now, off to the hard work.