Severan led the group of nobles through the grand corridors of the castle, their footsteps echoing against the ornate walls. As they walked, his attention was suddenly captured by the sight of his sister, Ayla, approaching from a side corridor. Her regal presence commanded attention, and Severan felt a sense of relief at her arrival.
"Oh, sister," Sevran exclaimed. "Were you going to watch me train?" He said with a smile.
"You just missed it, I'm afraid."
Urul, behind him, trembled with excitement, much to the princess' dismay. Though, her eyes didn't linger on the bastardly viscount. She had more pressing matters.
"Severan," She called out, her voice as calm as she could muster. A trace of anxiousness could still be felt. "We must speak."
Urul, ever persistent, attempted to approach Ayla, but Severan raised his hand, a gesture to halt the viscount's advances. He turned his focus to his sister, his expression poised yet attentive. "Is it something urgent?"
"I'm afraid so." The princess nodded, causing Severan to sigh.
"Can it wait for an hour?" He asked finally, looking at the group of nobles behind him.
Ayla took a moment before nodding. "It could, but please hurry, Severan."
Severan nodded and walked away, torn between the pressing matters at hand. Ayla's urgency lingered in his mind, yet the presence of the nobles and their requests could not be easily ignored. He needed to hear their pleas and let them know his stance on the matter of Wailmastaba.
As the nobles gathered around him, their voices filled the chamber with a symphony of self-interest. All of them were trying to lobby him to offer an unfair advantage to one single noble family, much to the detriment of the others.
The noble youths talked about paying more taxes for who knows how long if only Severan were to help them win the competition.
"I'm afraid I cannot help you with this matter," The prince started, taking a glass of wine from a nearby servant and addressing the nobles. "Father's orders were clear and absolute. I will act as a judge of the Royal Family to ensure a fair competition takes place."
"I believe we all know that, your Highness." A noble lady started, smiling lightly behind her high-necked dress. "All we ask for is support from the Royal Family. A few White Divison knights for us to use would certainly equal the playing fields for all of us. You must remember, Sire, that Ducal Families would fight against the lowest of Barons. A completely fair competition would be impossible in this way."
The rest of the nobles nodded, agreeing with the lady, a rare sight. Usually, they would be at each other's throats when talking about the power discrepancy between nobles, but today seemed to be the exception.
Severan nodded as well. "We're well aware of such a problem, which is why the competition wouldn't rely on strength alone. There will be a myriad of tests, most of which will include tactical positioning and information gathering. There will even be games to provide the... weaker families a fighting chance."
The nobles exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement while others wore expressions of discontent. Severan knew this decision would not please anyone, but the prince wouldn't go against his father's word only to satisfy some nobles.
"If that's all, I will excuse myself." Severan stood up and glanced around the group.
Ishvan stood up as well and smiled at the prince. "Your Highness, if I may take a few minutes of your time..."
"Of course, Sir Ato. Please, speak." Severan answered, curious about this exceptional figure he had heard so much about.
"Prince Severan," Ishvan began. "I have a proposition that would interest you."
The young count waved his hand, and a tightly sealed box appeared on the desk.
Severan raised an eyebrow and motioned for a servant to open the box after the rest of the nobles left the reception room. "Oh?"
This was an intriguing find. A Golden Impish Root lay inside the box on a bed of golden hay.
Ishvan didn't wait for the prince to ask questions. "As you might've guessed, Sire, it is indeed a Golden Impish Root. It is a mature, 120-year-old exemplary."
Severan nodded. "It is too valuable to be a gift on such a mundane occasion. So, tell me, Sir Ishvan, what is your proposition."
"Nothing much, Sire. I am interested in acquiring some merchant families, and I reasoned the prince would be able to help me. Particularly, I am interested in the wine-dealing and spice merchants."
"Oh?" Severan leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed upon the young count. It was out of the blue, to be sure, but the prince wasn't sure whether he could be of any help. After all, merchants weren't considered citizens of Blackwater or any other country. At least, that is how they see themselves.
But before Severan could put in a word, the count raised his hands. "I am aware of the peculiar status of merchants, which is why I would only ask Your Highness to introduce me to such individuals."
The prince raised an eyebrow. "Just that? In exchange for a mature Golden Impish Root?"
The count smiled lightly. "Consider it a show of my goodwill. I would love to form a partnership with Your Highness."
Severan fell silent and thought about the proposition. The root would help his cultivation in ways he desperately wanted to improve. Particularly, the improvement to his mana sense and control would make life much easier.
Eventually, Severan nodded. "Very well, Ishvan. When the upcoming meeting with the Internal Affairs Steward will take place, I will invite Sir Ishvan to talk with all the available merchants."
"Wonderful, my Lord." Ishvan seemed genuinely thankful, smiling brightly and standing up. "I would not take any more time of Your Highness' time."
Waiting for the noble to leave the reception room, the prince turned his attention to other matters. "All that remains is Ayla's news."
Whatever she wanted to share seemed important enough she could not share with the rest of the nobles. Not that she has any reason to tell them anything.
"Where is Her Highness, Ayla?" Severan asked a servant that stood silently near the door.
"My Lord, Her Highness, the princess is currently in the meeting chambers with His Majesty, the king."
Nodding, the prince sighed, his thoughts stopping on the king's words two days ago.
'It can't be, can it?'