"Just what are you trying to do, Acrisios?" Isadora stormed into the king's office, face flushed with rage and discontent.
A pair of maids swarmed at her side, waving handkerchiefs and fans as if their lives depended on it.
Acrisios looked up from the parchment in his hands and focused on his wife's expression. Even though he knew his actions made her angry, he simply didn't care.
His voice was calm and unwavering as he responded. "Fining the Maoruns. They shall pay for their actions or lack thereof."
Isadora almost popped a vein. "You plan on punishing inactivity? My family did nothing wrong."
It was an absurd move. Punishing a family as powerful and supportive as the Maoruns on such weak grounds was bound to rally the nobility against the king. Although Blackwater was a monarchy, not an autocracy. The nobility still held sway in the country and would revolt against such a tyrannical move on the king's side.
Still, Acrisios nodded without missing a beat. "That's exactly what I'm planning, my dear. They knew the gravity of the situation we are in, and they waste time nevertheless."
"My family was researching your runes, Acrisios." The queen hissed, motioning for her maids to make more wind.
The king's expression slightly cracked as he heard his wife. "Don't bring up such lies, Isadora. I know fully well what your family is after."
As if waiting for a chance to change the topic, the queen raised an eyebrow. "So, you're spying on my family as well?"
"Yes, I am. And it changes nothing. Your family will pay me back."
"That's illegal."
"Illegal, ha." Acrisios laughed. "I am the law in my country, my dear. Don't forget that. Besides, there's nothing the Maoruns can do to weasel out of this. There isn't a single noble family that would side with them, given their actions."
"They supported your ascension instead of that spineless bastard - your brother." The queen almost shouted.
"And that makes it fine to try to lead me by the nose? Me?"
Isadora silently shook her head, looking at the seated king with a disappointed look.
"The door is behind you, my dear. If you have nothing else to bother me with, please return to your quarters. Theodos is anxious to enter my office."
It was a clear dismissal, but the queen sighed and opened her mouth as she shooed her maids away. "There is something else, as a matter of fact. Why did you allow Ayla to leave the capital?"
The king raised an eyebrow. "She wanted to go to Eredar to learn more about Mastaba."
"And you believe her?"
"No. But Ayla must have a reason to go there. Besides, whatever she does there will help me eventually."
Isadora crossed her arms, taking a seat opposite Acrisios. "Oh?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "How so? How would our daughter leaving the capital help you?"
The king paused and focused on his wife. He wasn't surprised by his wife's sudden change of attitude. Isadora was extremely good at separating personal feelings from more important things, such as their daughter.
"Quite simple, actually. If more nobles interact with Ayla, then I will have more marriage options to choose from. But that is the weakest boon. If Ayla manages to forge friendly relations with foreign noble families, it would be the best outcome."
"Foreign?" The queen asked, raising an eyebrow.
"So you don't know, huh? Well, Ayla will be leaving for Eredar soon - to look for Remnant Masters, from what I've been told. Either way, she will leave Blackwater for about 40 days."
Isadora nodded her head, understanding the situation. "So you plan on using Ayla's future connections? Well, it's not as if I would object to that."
Suddenly standing up, Isadora turned around and left the office, but not before leaving a slip of paper on Acrisios' desk.
The king glanced at the paper without much emotion before placing it into his pocket. "Let Theodos in." He said to the guards outside.
A moment later, the councilor entered the office looking drained with bags forming under his eyes.
Despite this, Theodos moved and acted as expected of someone in his position. "My Lord,"
Bowing deeply, the man procured a small stack of papers and placed them on the table.
"These are the most recent reports of active soldiers within the Capital and all Division members under Your Majesty's direct control."
Acrisios nodded with a frown and shifted through the papers. His frown deepened as his eyes read line after line, and eventually, his expression turned bleak. "That's it?"
Theodos faintly nodded. "I am afraid so, Your Highness. A lot of soldiers retired these past few years, and there are fewer and fewer new recruits each year."
"Why is that?"
The councilor thought for a moment before replying, but Acrisios could tell he was unsure just by the tone of his voice. "There are several reasons, but I believe the main one is people opt to attend the Academies rather than the army. The prestige that follows after graduating from a mage academy is harder to match in the army."
Acrisios leaned into his chair and sighed. "Seems like better pay isn't quite enough to attract new blood into my armies."
"With all due respect, Sire, people want social positions just as much, if not more, than a better salary."
Tapping his fingers on the oak desk, the king sighed again. "There isn't much we can do to quickly pad the numbers of my armies, right?"
Theodos shook his head. "Besides employing our reserve battalions, I'm afraid not, Your Majesty. This isn't a problem that can be solved by throwing money at it."
Just as the councilor said his words, a smile broke on the king's face. "Just like every other problem that plagues my country, huh?"
"I'm afraid so, Your Majesty." Theodos begrudgingly agreed.
The king placed a hand over his forehead and eyes and leaned his head on the chair's backrest, taking his time to think of a solution.
"Contact the academies and summon their headmasters. I shall meet with them to see whether they can offer some help in this matter... Also, take this and send it to the Maoruns." Acrisios said as he handed the royal fine to his right-hand man.
"Right away, Your Majesty." Theodos quickly nodded and turned to leave the office but was stopped.
"Actually..." Acrisios straightened himself and placed both elbows on his desk. "What are the chances of requesting the aid of Enrilth Keep? Those old Recens certainly could boost my armies' prowess.."
Theodos paused and turned around. He looked weirdly at his liege, almost as if wondering if Acrisios was serious or not.
"Minimal chances, Your Majesty. The Recens fervently refuse to partake in politics."
Despite this answer, the king continued unabated. "Will their answer be the same if it's a matter of national safety? We're defending our kingdom, after all."
The councilor paused as he thought about this. "They might agree if this is the case, Your Majesty. They might lose what little freedom they have if Blackwater were to fall. No one can say for certain those barbarians up north would sign the same deal with the Recens."
Acrisios nodded, seemingly pleased with this response. "If that's the case, summon Enrilth's leader as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."