Odeon and Chang chose to join her, the others decided to rest. Brady called servants to show them to their rooms, then said, "Your Excellency has not had servants before?"
"No … it shows?"
"It does. Servants are addressed and referred to by first name, not by an honorific and last name."
Cortin didn't like that; if she used first names with a person, she expected to be referred to that way herself. Still, she didn't like to defy custom in public, and while the servants might work for her, they weren't part of her team. She inclined her head in agreement. "As you say, then, Matthew. My apologies if I offended."
"No offense, Excellency. You wished to see your work area first?"
"Please—and brief me on the rest of the place as we go, if you would."
"Of course," Brady said. "If you will follow me?" He led them through a doorway to the left of the broad, sweeping entrance stairs. "The entertainment areas and public offices are here, on the main floor; living quarters are on the upper floors—private bedrooms and baths, common eating and recreational facilities, including an excellent library; and the work area is below ground. Servants' quarters are in a building behind this one."
"Sounds nice," Cortin said appreciatively. "I do have an honest-to-God dungeon, then?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"I'm new to Royal circles, Matthew—is it usual for members of His Majesty's Household to have households of their own?"