Hugo stood worn and weary in the Great Hall of Lothian Manor, but for the first time in his life, he felt genuine pride as he looked upon the results of his efforts in what had once been the center of Lothian Power.
Hugo had gratefully thrown off the mantle of Dame Sybyll Hanrahan's proxy as soon as Owain issued his challenge to a trial by combat. Once the fighting had ended and Ashlynn withdrew from the Great Hall, however, he'd picked back up the mantle of Steward when he stepped in to help Isabell take control of the aftermath of the battle.
"Leave the domestic side to me," Hugo had offered. "I know the staff and the things that need to be done before the morning's feast. You have enough on your plate just keeping the manor secure and handling the, um, the guests," he'd said as he watched the lords, ladies, knights and children milling about the Great Hall in various states of shock, denial, fear and confusion about what had happened that night.
