Coldsnap: The Billionaire Alpha's Fated Pregnant Princess (GL)-Chapter 457 - She Who Controls The Stylus, Controls The Room

The tablet in front of me was already synced to the monitor. The note taking interface was intuitive enough, enough that even my limited experience with this world’s technology could manage it.

And if not, Claire had arranged a connection to their Lodestone... thing. That I could give access to take over, since it is listening in on the conversation anyway.

A situation which I almost want to admit to the witches in the room. But I doubt they think anything is at all private within this tower - and if they do, I do not want to be the one to break it to them.

> Besides, I can always claim ignorance of their ignorance later. There really is no great merit in truthtelling for the mere sake of it. <

[ Current Roles & Contributions ] appeared on the screen as I used the stylus to write it out. Allowing each letter form slowly enough for all of them to track what was happening, before looking up from the flat device resting on my arm and waiting for their eyes on me.

"I’d like to begin by stating what I understand about each of you. Correcting me where I’m wrong is encouraged. I’d rather be embarrassed now than ignorant later."

> Yes, lets not think about what I *just* said about telling the truth to them. Hypocritical double-standard is fine. I am a royal vixen, after all. <

"Mr. Webber. You help manage all of the agricultural operations currently underway. Soil health, crop rotation, nutrient cycling. I’m not afraid to admit that I had to look up some of this to understand it more completely. You also practice what has been described to me as kitchen witchery."

A craft I understand as applying intent, making ritual work of even food preparation. Considering that consumption is a part of the natural world, considering the steps involved in it all as sacred enough to respect is certainly a form of mysticism I could believe in.

...It surely has nothing to do with the fact that I too now understand wanting to infuse the meal you are making with extra nourishment and love, thanks to Asha.

Regardless, he’d clearly come with that book of his prepared to talk about yield projections, not mysticism. He inclined his head once, which I take as having no specific notes on what I said.

"I’ll add that your request to try being added to the pack of this Apocalypse System came before anyone actually understood the newest practical benefit. I haven’t forgotten that. If you still wish to try it, we can get to that soon."

A look shifted behind his eyes. The kind from someone whose quiet little bet was being acknowledged and is now waiting for the cards to turn over. Yes, this ability now has much more value than before... if he believes what Martha likely told him about it.

"Dr. Lifton. Mycology, with a focus on fungal applications for remediation techniques and a former career in substrate development. You were described to me as..."

I glanced at the tablet, while taking a sip of my drink, as if checking a note somewhere on it despite having nothing up except the . In reality, I was choosing my words with the care of someone handling glasswork.

"...Exacting in your standards. Which I took as a compliment."

"I am quite sure everyone has used that phrase as an insult. Often paired with witch for the same effect."

"Working alongside you may not always be comfortable, but pushing for the best is the mark of someone who cares that things are done correctly. If everyone aimed for minimally acceptable, your world wouldn’t have so many deep innovations in all sorts of fields. Witchcraft or no."

Her mask and upper face crinkled in a way that I hope means a smile. So... I guess she can surprisingly be bought with not just edible sweets, but listenable ones too. Honestly, I expected her to be the hardest coven mistress to crack, not the easiest!

"Dr. Mei. Particular expertise in plant propagation and selective cultivation, after obtaining your degree in-"

"Two degrees. Plant and Weed Sciences."

> ...Well, good for her. She’ll get along with Dr. Lang. <

"Very well. Noted. Your skills are important to the long term viability of everything that’s being grown here. Not just the first yields, but ensuring we have adequate genetic diversity and adaptability for plants and seeds we recover... in whatever harsh conditions might persist."

"If you had to look all that up, you must research quite fast."

I sketched their names and brief descriptors of tower duties onto the screen, after I deflected Martha’s comment with a wave of my hand. Then I doodled a chicken next to her name, serving as my deepest opinion of her - which drew a chuckle from the man in the room.

"Mrs. Callaway is one of our fauna experts and at least, for me, the primary point of contact I would prefer to have with you all going forward. She brought you all together here, so naturally I trust her to bridge between us."

Trying hard not to think about that ’our’ that slipped in *far* more naturally than I meant it to, even if I’d told the ruler of this place I would do my utmost to help consolidate everything, I make a show of sitting the stylus down before looking at each one as I continue speaking.

"That doesn’t mean I’d reject talks. If you have something you need me to hear, or want me to know, or if you decide you simply like the sound of my voice - or only wanted to come get a look at me for a while. Within reason, I will endeavor to make myself available."

What seemed like a vain statement was not entirely so. As this Dr. Sue Mei has been doing quite a bit of staring at me. Nearly as intensely as the way she’d looked at my son.

> I am more than willing to take the burden away from him by acting as his shield. Though... he will likely be with me at all times for a while. So that means she would stare at us both? <

Perhaps I did not think that through and I merely *was* being attention seeking... just like this glutton that puts me to shame. Watching her pull down her mask to eat the honey candy she’d been orbiting for a while.

Snapping up another piece of the chocolate and wrapping at least three other things in a napkin before stuffing it in what is clearly a specimen bag. With a lack of shame when she catches me looking.

That I found almost respectable.

"Problem?"

...But not entirely. She really does harden quickly when she thinks she is the one in the right, hm? I wonder why that reminds me *so much* of *someone*.