Page 75 of Retrograde

But he came through big-time. They actually had huge surpluses of the grains needed for cattle and animal feed. Which was part of the issue we were facing and why I was so annoyed certain Alphas were trying to flex on this and freeze me out. They were being flippant about people eating other things

And the animals we ate? Could they just suddenly change their diets? Stop being herbivores and needing specific things and maybe just eat tofu?

Fucking morons.

I made it work and then got on the phone with the head prosecutor of Nerthus who I had butted heads with. I was crystal clear that this was his chance to not only make sure I put his missteps behind us, but to secure his future because this was going to be a success.

He was on board. Completely on board and asked if there was a chance for a reciprocal program because Danyl especially had some legal practices that he thought could be implemented well in Thovudin.

Glad he was coming around because I didn’t want to replace anyone else… For a few months at least.

Treena’s dad said to come to him last with whatever was left and he’d handle it and we could make up whatever reason. He didn’t care. He made it clear he owed me a debt that couldn’t ever be repaid with the way I was helping their family and keeping Treena safe.

It was honestly touching, but I told him that I wouldn’t take advantage either so to tell me what he needed.

A dragon aide. He wanted one there or at least someone at court to be intimidating.

I promised I would talk to Belinda and she would find an ancient who would take up the mantle of what elders weresupposedto do and it would benefit both of us. He was beyond thrilled.

“So you’ve had as lovely of a fucking time taking over as I did,” King Galan greeted when I got through to him.

I chuckled darkly. “It’s not a competition, but you still win, Galan. How are you doing?”

“Apparently, I’m mating soon. One of the ministers announced it was a done deal with his daughter.” He sounded so defeated it killed me. “These fuckers are just—some days I wish I was home when it happened—you know?”

“Don’t say that,” I rasped, Treena looking just as upset. “Don’t ever say that, Galan. Okay, now I’m glad I’m in trouble. We can help each other.”

“Yeah, whatever you need, Sagan.” He let out a dark laugh. “Take it all because I won’t have it much longer. She’s horrible and they aren’t even hiding she’ll be queen ruler and I will just—it’s bad.”

“Tell me you have some food surplus or can get me some perishables and I’ll figure out a way to help, I promise.”

He was quiet several moments and then burst out laughing. Likelaughing. Apparently, that was a huge issue for him at the moment and it was intentionally done so the economy was tanking and all blamed on him. It was how the ministers were trying to control him and say he was unqualified to do more than wipe his own ass.

Butwe would need to buy it. We could get it for cheap, but we had to buy it.

Butttttthe royal family of Zeslyn had money and no place to stay. No safe place to stay for most of their family because they were in a war they were winning, just their palace was mostly destroyed a few weeks ago. I called Princess Adelheid and offered one of my castles for them toquietlystay at if they covered the contract with the security company Maple worked with.

She was the “first” child of the king but really had a twin brother. For security reasons, they didn’t know who was born first… Not even the twins. I couldn’t even imagine that, but they rarely spent time together, and—every royal family was pretty much a mess most days.

Being in charge and with that much power was a joke.

Done. They would pay the contract and buy Galan’s surplus.

Like all of it. They just wanted an open invitation and two of my properties so they couldn’t be taken out all at one spot using what happened to Galan’s family as the example even.

Yeah, fair enough, but also ouch.

Princess Vanna—who was cousins with the King of Kenley—desperately needed lumber. Like it was a serious problem for the foxes and something used against them always asking too much since they were a small country. Plus, animal shifters looked down on those who turned into little animals.

Whereas dragons just looked down on everyone.

And Thovudin had the same market problem as Galan with too much lumber currently available. So I talked directly to the CEOs of three different companies and negotiated the deals. They would make more than the current market in Thovudin and deal with transport to Kenley.

However, they would use some of that extra to purchase a lot of their excess rice that Vanna was going to handle with her farmers.

Fornax needed meat, so I got on the phone with Prince Ryu, a black bear and the uncle of the queen who I used to study under. Tjark had a surplus… But they were at war with Fornax.

So that was awkward.