But now, staring at his threadbare bundle,
I wasn't so sure.
The steward's seal passed into his hands.
He straightened his spine and swept an arm toward the carved beams and painted pillars I had built for the estate:
"Rosewood and gilded dragons! This kind of gaudy excess is exactly why the estate has gone to ruin! Tear it all down within three days!
"Replace every piece with jade panels, carved with cranes, to reflect the dignity befitting a princess's household!"
I swallowed hard.
Swapping everything for jade would cost ten times what the rosewood and gold had.
The house steward winced:
"Sir, we don't have enough silver for that."
"How can the Crown Princess's Estate not have enough!"
Elmer Dickerson's brows drew together like a blade.
"Sir, the treasury has always been managed by the prince consort. Everything was under his control."
"Ha."
Elmer's expression shifted to one of grim understanding:
"The entire estate's wealth was in the hands of someone as base as Andrew? Andrew, you've treated the princess like she doesn't exist!"
"Guards."
Rosalind's voice was ice:
"Hand over the prince consort's treasury keys to Mr. Dickerson Sr."
I stared at her.