***
Calden Castle.
Lanercoast.
"So, that's it, huh?" asked Quentin.
The man sat on the throne of Calden Castle, reading out a letter that had just arrived from Castlebourne.
It was sent by a spy hawk inside the castle, someone who knew what King Otto and Prince Edmund were working on.
"A foolish act. He's just making the situation difficult in the south," Quentin complained.
The man stood up and stepped over to a candle burning on an iron pole close to the throne chair.
He burned the message to wipe out any trace of information from the spy hawks in Castlebourne.
"What does the letter say?" asked Arabelle.
"Castlebourne's army of 30,000 men is marching towards Northcrest," Quentin replied firmly.
"What? Are they trying to cause a new conflict?" asked Arabelle, shocked.
"They think House Archibald has arrested Prince Alexander. A misunderstanding that could potentially lead to an inevitable major war," Quentin replied.
Sir Dorren and the others tried to think if there were any negative effects that Helferich could have as a result of the new war that Prince Edmund was about to start against the North.
Quentin was silent, lost in thought as to what steps he could take in this conflict.
Quentin had to gain an advantage from the conflict between Castlebourne and Archibald as much as possible.
"Bring the Athalaris map table to this chamber!" commanded Quentin to the soldiers standing guard in the chamber.
They nodded. Two soldiers hurriedly left the place, stepping into the warehouse to take Quentin's desired object.
"What will you do, Prince Quentin?" asked Sir Dorren.
"Northcrest is a fertile land with vast farmlands. Almost 70% of the food in the south is supplied from the north," Quentin replied.
"This battle will make the people in the south starve even more," stated Quentin.
The door to the assembly hall opened, revealing two soldiers who were seen carrying a wooden table with a map of Athalaris.
They placed the table right in the center of the assembly room to draw people's attention to it. Quentin spontaneously stepped forward right before the table.
Some areas were controlled by other major houses, but Quentin's attention was focused on two regions bordering each other: Lanercoast and Northcrest.
"Most likely, Castlebourne's troops will be camped around Tregaron. That will make it difficult for merchants from the north to cross the Trade Trident," Quentin explained.
Arabelle stepped forward, as did Sir Dorren. Now, there were three people around the map table.
"This will be our chance to be respected by the other great houses. We will make a deal with Archibald," Quentin replied.
"We've never had a bad relationship with them. A good deal will likely be done smoothly," stated Sir Dorren.
"But how can we get to Archibald? Castlebourne has blocked Oakenport. It is difficult for us to cross it," revealed Arabelle.
Quentin stretched his hand forward downwards, pointing to a river that divided the two territories, the Hallen River.
"I want to build a bridge connecting Lanercoast and Northcrest," Quentin replied.
"But if you build a bridge there, House Hartwin would not be happy about it," Sir Dorren revealed.
"I don't care. The bridge is important for a new trade route, a sign of the beginning of an alliance between Archibald and Helferich," Quentin insisted.
"If Hartwin doesn't like it, he can come here and talk to me in person!" retorted Quentin indiscriminately.
"Send a raven to Archibald. Tell him Helferich has requested a meet at the Hallen River," Quentin insisted, glaring at Sir Dorren.
"We must maximize the momentum of this time somehow. We cannot afford to remain silent and do nothing," declared Quentin.
"I will, Prince Quentin," Sir Dorren explained, walking backward back to the line of officials at Calden Castle.
On the other hand, Quentin was still standing before the Athalaris map table, with Arabelle by his side. He turned his attention to the south, gazing at Avolire.
"Is there any latest news about Lord Caspian's decision on Lady Sera?" asked Quentin.
"So far, we have not received any information from Avolire, Prince Edmund," Sir Dorren replied.
The door to the assembly room opened, revealing Sir Colton, who came alone with a grumpy face, "Who are you to give an order to Sir Dorren?"
Quentin drew his eyes up, staring ahead at Colton, who just arrived, "Lord Edgar is ill. I'm trying to make sure his leadership is alright."
"You cannot do that. I am Lord Edgar's advisor. I have more right to decide about Helferich and Lanercoast!" insisted Colton.
"You have more right? What makes you think I don't? I am the heir to House Helferich, Lady Arabelle's husband, and the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Athalaris," Quentin retorted, stepping around the place to get right into Colton's face.
"Lanercoast is not Athalaris. You're not the official heir yet, so you have no right to rule!" Colton insisted, pointing at Quentin harshly.
"Then what can you propose from the conflict between Castlebourne and Archibald?" asked Quentin.
"We must not interfere with their matters. We must remain focused on the lives of the folk in Lanercoast," interrupted Sir Colton.
"Haha. That's the dumbest line I've ever heard!"
"What do you mean, Quentin?" asked Colton, furious.
Quentin returned to the Athalaris map table, ordering all the officials to come closer so they could see what he had to say.
The man began to explain the impact of Castlebourne's conflict with Archibald, such as the blockade of the Trident Trade, the lack of food supply, and the impact of starvation that could occur.
He also explained his proposal, which was useful in reducing the impact of starvation, at least in the Lanercoast land.
If they could ensure starvation did not occur in Lanercoast, Helferich could trade with other commodities.
"That is a detailed explanation of my plan to save Lanercoast. My plan is better than wimps like you who won't do anything!" threatened Quentin, chastising Colton.
"I've worked with Lord Edgar for a while, Prince Quentin. However, I must admit you have a better eye for the situation," Sir Dorren praised.
"I think his plan will have a good impact on Lanercoast," revealed Arabelle.
The two of them and the other officials agreed with what Quentin had said. They wanted to be free from the threat of starvation, and one way to solve it was by working with Archibald.
"Lord Edgar will definitely disagree with your proposal!" reproached Sir Colton.
"That's all right. At least I'm trying to save Lanercoast from starvation due to the conflict between the two houses," Quentin replied.
Colton felt exiled. He walked out of the assembly room feeling resentful. Quentin could breathe a sigh of relief.
"Today's discussion is over. All of you may leave," Quentin pleaded with the Calden Castle officials.
Arabelle walked over to Quentin, holding the man's hand, "Come on, we need to see Edgar."
Quentin cleared his throat, nodding with a slight smile on his face. He walked with Arabelle out of the assembly room and up the stairs until they reached the fourth floor of Calden Castle.
There was a soft knock on the door. A servant opened the door to Edgar's room and saw Edgar lying on the bed with a pale face.
Arabelle stepped closer to the bed, crouching while holding Edgar's cold hand.
His body temperature was rising, his appetite was decreasing, and he was shivering from the cold. Quentin walked over to Arabelle with both eyes gazing intently at Edgar.
"Quentin," Edgar greeted softly.
"I am here, Lord Edgar," Quentin replied.
"Do my duty for a while. I agree to all your decisions," Edgar stated, speaking with a faint look and staring at Quentin, who would become the future Lord of Helferich.
Quentin reached his right hand forward, touching Edgar's right chest gently, "I will not disappoint you."
Edgar said yes. His breathing sounded ragged with both eyes closed. Quentin was drawn to the side, staring at a bottle of wine with an open cap.
"Until he recovers, don't let him drink wine yet," Quentin pleaded.
"Don't. Wine always gets me in the mood for recovery," Edgar stated.
"You've drunk quite a lot for a sick man like you," Quentin interjected.
"I'm only tired. Don't worry about me; put the wine back," Edgar replied.
Quentin was silent for a moment, then agreed to what Edgar said. The man put the wine back on the wooden nightstand.
The man looked saddened at Edgar's condition, but it was necessary to further his ambitions. He only needed to do a few things to ensure Edgar's condition worsened without Arabelle knowing.
A female servant, the one who had served as Edgar's wine pourer last night, walked inside.
Both maids' eyes were focused on Quentin, and Quentin only silently responded to the woman's eyes.
Quentin crouched down, whispering something in Arabelle's ear, "Come. We should let Lord Edgar have a good rest."