"After Earl Royce's unfortunate death, Lady Rhaella helped her elder sister, Lady Rhea, swiftly stabilize the situation in Runestone."
Oggian, the Master of Whisperers, was the first to offer his opinion.
"Moreover, Lady Rhaella is fair-minded and highly capable. She is certainly qualified to serve as Master of Laws, so I approve!"
"As a fellow woman, I naturally support Lady Rhaella as well!"
Lady Florence also voted in favor.
Naturally, no one else objected. Just like that, the Small Council expanded from seven seats to nine, adding a Master of Trade and a King's Right Hand.
With two Hands of the King taking turns presiding over the Throne Room, the Small Council became far more efficient at handling the kingdom's daily affairs. Danyla could once again comfortably leave everything in their hands.
Tyland Lannister and Rhaella Royce officially took up their posts a week later. With its strength greatly increased, the Small Council began arranging the excavation of the new canal and the construction of two Dragonstone Avenues.
"What could possibly have our shrewd and capable Lady Florence so troubled?"
The newly appointed King's Right Hand, Earl Beesbury, could not resist teasing Lady Florence when he saw her troubled expression at the round table.
"Ah! The Royal Treasury has been emptied of cash lately. I don't even know where to find the money to pay the workers digging the canal and laying the Dragonstone Avenues."
Lady Florence's words startled Earl Beesbury.
"More than eighteen million Gold Dragons have been spent already?"
"Deploying the five Great Dragons alone cost us five million Gold Dragons in fees to Holy Flame Island."
"We also paid Holy Flame Island three years' fees in advance for the Dragonkeepers and priests tending the Great Dragons, the island's craftsmen helping forge dragonstone, and its maesters and engineers