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She shook her head and turned away, only to see the outfit that had been in her mind on a mannequin in front of her.

It was better, in fact, with a black shirt, and a forest green leather jacket.

The long snakeskin skirt had a green underskirt, and it was wide enough that it would be easy to walk in.

There were even matching half boots to go with it.

A wave of dizziness made her abruptly sit down. Thankfully, a chair conveniently appeared for her.

“Are you all right, madam?” Digger asked with concern. “You must be careful! You will eventually get used to the castle's magic, but there is an adjustment period.”

The castle wanted to please her. From what she’d heard, it hadn't responded to anyone else since the death of the last lord.

Unfortunately, she was the power source. In its enthusiasm, it might easily drain her dry.

“You mustn't be concerned that the castle will deliberately harm you. It has a good idea of your limitations. That's not to say that it might not be... enthusiastic. It's been a little while since it's had an ability to express itself.”

“Nothing is free,” Zelda sighed. There must be a price for all this power. Since she was feeling better, she cautiously stood up. It was time to get dressed and face the day.

The dress fit perfectly and was very comfortable. Fastest shopping trip I have ever made, she thought with satisfaction. A glance in the mirror told her that it was very flattering.

Her uncle grunted when she joined them for breakfast. “Good choice,” was all he said.

It was high praise, coming from him.

“Thank you,” she said, and then filled a plate with last night's leftovers. It seemed the castle had been content with warming the meal. She appreciated the power conservation.

The steward poured her a cup of tea. “Shall we go over the account books after breakfast?”

She suppressed a sigh. The last thing she wanted to do was deal with that, but there was no getting around it. She had to take a complete inventory to see where they stood. “Of course. By the way, have you heard of a creature named Digger?”

“Digger?” The steward's brows furrowed.

“He claims to be a rock chuck.”

“Oh! That would be the castle consultant. He must have taken over from his father, Fatty.”

She blinked. Rock chuck names were very to the point.

“They are wonderful historians and experts on everything about the castle. You should find him very useful.”

He hesitated. “Speaking of taking over... I'm getting up there in years. At some point, I'll have to look around for a replacement. I have a candidate in mind...”

She raised her hand. “You can tell me about your nephew or grandson or whatever later. Let's focus on the books today.”

She dutifully listened as the steward explained what she needed to know about the castle's finances.

They made some money in rent from farms and shops, and some token taxes were paid by the village.

Otherwise, the castle didn't have any businesses or assets other than the land it claimed.

They were going to have to do something about that.

“We are going to need a lot more supplies, and we'll need to hire staff. A decent cook, a maid, stable hands... it's expensive to run a castle.”

“Unfortunately, we're in an isolated area and we don't have enough men to send out raiding parties.”

Zelda blinked. “You think I should start my reign here by raiding the neighbors?”

“Your father would. It's tradition.”

“My father slept around and dropped bastards everywhere. Should I cling to that tradition too?” she asked acidly.

The steward cleared his throat.

“Speaking of illegitimate kin, what are these large payments for? No wonder you don't have anything in the treasury.”

“Um... your father had debts. He was extravagant. Very generous with his friends and allies.”

“Let's take a look at that, then. Debt can drag us down faster than anything.”

She ought to know; her mother had also been extravagant. It had taken years after her death to get out of debt.

Zelda was annoyed to see that the debts were substantial, but... “Thankfully, I've trained as a merchant. We’ll be able to get some businesses up and running soon, but that all takes time. Meanwhile...”

She was about to mention selling off some of the closet full of clothes her ancestors had left behind, when the castle came up with another solution.

Gold, silver, and copper coins rose out of the table. They blinked.

“Your father's hidden treasure,” the steward whispered.

Zelda was impressed, but also annoyed. “If he had all that, why didn't he pay his debts? This should cover most of it.”

The steward looked at her as if she had two heads. It was as if practicality were foreign to him. It probably was, in his boss, at least.

“That is going to be a problem,” her uncle said. “It's going to draw people, once you start paying out gold. The defenses will be urgent. Where are the gargoyles?”

The steward looked pained. “They left after the Lord died. I expect they will come back now.”

Zelda tapped her nails on the table. “I need to make a list. Staff, supplies...”

“More soldiers,” Uncle Tank put in. “Weapons, battle rams...”

Zelda nodded. It was going to be a very long list.

A knock sounded on the door. Before anyone could get up, it was rudely flung open. A young woman flounced in. Possibly sixteen, with black hair and a beauty mark beside her nose. She had goblin features, but her skin was human brown.

“You!” she said dramatically, her gaze fixed on Zelda. She looked ready to spit cobras.

Zelda was distracted by the girl's blue and purple dress. It had ruffles and oodles of beads. It also rattled when she walked, like a black mountain rattlesnake. Was the poor girl blind?

“Lady Divine,” the steward said calmly. “I see you've come to greet the lady of the castle. Lady Zelda, may I present your half-sister, Lady Divine?”

The ladies sized each other up. They both had black hair, and Zelda's beauty mark was beside her mouth, at the corner of her lips.

Zelda had paler brown skin, but they shared little features other than that.

Zelda took after her mother, and it seemed as if her sister looked like her own mother as well.

Two girls. Her father must have been so disappointed.

“What are you doing in my castle?” the girl demanded.

“Are you kidding me?” Uncle Tank said in disgust, and in more vulgar terms. The girl's audacity was pure goblin, but on an unprecedented level.

Zelda's uncle was known for his iron-fisted approach, and those who dared to challenge him often found themselves swiftly dealt with.

However, today was different. He was allowing Zelda to take the reins and assert her authority.

It wouldn't do to undermine her on her first day in charge. He was considerate like that.

Zelda raised an eyebrow at the girl's audacity. “Your castle? Were you living in the barracks? Because I didn't see your room.”

The girl bristled at the insinuation that she had been sleeping with soldiers, but she chose to ignore the question. “I have as much right to it as you do. I am my father's daughter!”

The steward, who had been silently observing, coughed. “You are his mistress's daughter, you mean. There's some question about...”

“How dare you! I have the family birthmark,” she hissed, as if that settled the matter.

“It's drawn on,” he said flatly.

“How dare...!”

Zelda couldn't fathom where the girl found the nerve to act this way.

Was it all a grand bluff? Did she think she could muscle her way in just by making a scene?

Zelda had seen spoiled children behave like this before—first came the shouting, then the tears—but she had never witnessed it from a nearly grown woman.

Had she never been disciplined as a child?

There was a simple way to settle this. Zelda sighed and made a ‘bring it’ gesture. “Let's see it then.”

Lady Divine frowned, clearly thrown off her stride. “See what?”

“Your magic,” Zelda said casually. “I'm surprised you left the castle in such a bad state when you could do something about it.” She waved a dismissive hand. “I haven't been here a full day, and you can see how much has changed. Can you do that?”

Lady Divine raised her chin defiantly. “I haven't had a reason to. I live in the village in a very comfortable house with my mother and her husband.”

Zelda had to admire her acting skills. The girl didn't even blush.

Feigning boredom, Zelda said, “Then what are you doing here? I'd love to chat, really, but we're in the middle of a business discussion. Come back tomorrow.”

They both knew that Zelda wouldn’t be available.

Realizing her plan wasn't working, Lady Divine switched tactics. Huge tears welled up in her eyes as she prepared to unleash her emotional assault.

Zelda held up a hand. “Let me stop you there. I'm not interested in your fake tears. I'm sure they work very well on your mother and possibly any fool who fancies you.”

“Clearly, they work on your stepfather, or he would have whipped the stupidity out of you a long time ago.”

Lady Divine gasped in outrage and began to sputter.

Zelda continued, undeterred. “Unfortunately, I'm a busy woman. I don't have time for sob stories. The steward will see you out.”

She looked pointedly at the steward.

Taking his cue, the old man stood up. “If you'll follow me, my lady.”

There was hissing and a predictable scuffle. Finally, the steward managed to pull the girl out the door and presumably escort her out of the castle.

“Well done,” Uncle Tank said, his big goblin incisors flashing yellow. “You've dealt with your first annoying visitor! I'm relieved you didn't get all girly and try to make friends.”

Zelda laughed. “You taught me better. Although we might have to station a guard at the door. Clearly, we need to screen our visitors better.”

Her uncle scowled. Both of them were thinking how much difficulty the steward had with removing the small girl. Her uncle could have handled it if it had been someone stronger, but what if he were busy?

And then she remembered the castle. Of course! “Do me a favor, and don't let her in next time,” she said out loud to the castle. “In fact, nobody should enter without permission.”

At her uncle's curious look, she pointed upward. “I'm talking to it. The castle, I mean.”

He grunted. He didn't question her, but he said, “I'll tell the soldiers not to let anyone in without checking with one of us first.”