***
Outside Calden City.
An area near Grassfort City.
"I wonder why you brought me along on this trip?" asked Joanna.
"If I left you there, you would starve to death in a week without food or water," Quentin replied.
"There are a few things I would like to talk to you about. It has to do with my trade plans," Quentin replied, looking at Joanna with a firm look.
Joanna remained silent, with her eyes focused on Quentin for a moment. Last night, she had no idea that Quentin was the mysterious man she had been talking to.
Now, before Joanna. Quentin introduced himself not as Prince Athalaris but Lord of Helferich.
"Your trade plan?" asked Joanna, curious.
"Our purpose now is headed to the village of Sideriver. I have an important guest waiting for me there," Quentin replied.
"The both of us will discuss many things, especially trade between the two lands," Quentin explained.
"So, what should I do?" asked Joanna, curious.
"You just need to use your trading skills to sell my goods and spread them around the place. Use your merchant networks to expand your trading scope," Quentin replied.
"Then what's the benefit for me?" asked Joanna, squinting her eyes as she continued to look at Quentin.
Quentin stayed silent for a moment. He seemed to be sitting on a wooden chair prepared by the soldiers earlier, with a wooden table filled with pastries and a bottle of wine. He sat right next to Joanna, who also sat before him.
Joanna was still glued to the front, watching Quentin's face intently. Quentin could be heard sighing, then exhaling slowly.
The direction of Quentin's head moved to the right side, looking across the vast savanna field where Grassfort City was standing with the bustle of the city folk.
Horse-drawn carriages with goods passed through the southern gate of Grassfort City, a city famous for its cuisine, historical buildings, and copper mining products.
The House of Hayford ruled Grassfort, a loyal House that always stood by Helferich. During Helferich's wedding celebration, representatives of House Hayford came as invited, presenting gifts and welcoming Helferich's new leadership.
"It's not as big as Gardenhill, but you'd be interested in ruling among those people, wouldn't you?" asked Quentin.
"So, you will give the city to me if I succeed in carrying out your trade plans?" asked Joanna.
"Of course not! Grassfort will refuse if the leader is not Hayford. You will rule your own land, Gardenhill," Quentin explained.
Quentin reached forward with his right hand, grabbed the glass of wine, and downed it in one gulp. Joanna did the same, tasting the flavor of the wine that was better than the drink at the tavern last night.
"But Gardenhill is owned by Hildemar. How can I get control of it?" Joanna asked.
"That's easy. All it takes is a weakening economy, make the people starve, and ensure the spark of rebellion doesn't go out," Quentin replied.
"Once that happens, you can appeal to the people of Gardenhill and stage a rebellion against Hildemar," Quentin explained, nodding as his eyes briefly met those of the servant beside him.
"Taking advantage of the hunger to seize the throne. I never thought about that," said Joanna.
"Because you never thought," Quentin replied, making Joanna squint her eyes.
Quentin reached forward with his right hand, grabbed the cookies on the wooden table, and brought them to his mouth.
It was savory, crunchy, and sweet. The cookies made by the servants at Helferich never disappointed Quentin.
"I think that's something I can tell you," Quentin replied, smiling as he chewed lightly on the pastry in his mouth.
"So what do I do now?" asked Joanna, confused.
"You return to trading as before. I want you to return to Calden Castle next month when everything is ready," Quentin replied.
Quentin looked at the soldier standing behind Joanna's back. The Lord of Helferich spontaneously nodded his head, signaling the soldier to give something to Joanna.
The soldier cleared his throat as he nodded. He walked over to Joanna's chair and placed a cloth bag full of coins.
Joanna gasped in surprise, reflexively looking back to see the soldier in black armor with a maroon coat placing the cloth bag beside her.
"What's this?" Joanna asked, refocusing her eyes forward and staring at Quentin.
"Your supplies. Consider it a down payment for supporting my trade plan," Quentin replied.
"When you arrive, I expect valuable information from you, Joanna Adelheim," Quentin replied.
Joanna smiled. She reflexively stood up from her seat and kneeled directly before Quentin, the man sitting back with his legs crossed.
"I-I will follow your orders well, Mr. Quentin," Joanna stated.
The woman's heart felt happy and grateful to find Quentin so kind to her, especially when he handed her a cloth bag full of coins.
Joanna was initially skeptical about how she could live on pennies, but God still seemed to love her. He provided the best way to change her life through devotion towards Quentin.
The more she obeyed Quentin, the more money she could receive. If wealth had been obtained, then Joanna would easily get everything, one of which was her royal status.
"Give her a ride," Quentin pleaded.
The soldier behind Joanna nodded, fully understanding what Quentin was saying. He took his horse and instructed Joanna to go with him.
"See you soon," Quentin bid her farewell.
Joanna cleared her throat, smiled widely, and left the place. Together with a soldier, she rode out of the southern area near Grassfort City towards Calden City.
From the direction of the carriage, the window curtains were slightly open. Arabelle peeked through the gap in the curtain and found Quentin no longer accompanied by Joanna.
Arabelle's carriage door was open. The woman stepped down the small stairs of the carriage, walking up to Quentin.
Arabelle's arrival caught Quentin's attention. Quentin stood with a cold expression, both hands holding two glasses, one glass for Quentin and one glass for Arabelle.
"What have you two talked about?" asked Arabelle, curious.
"Just some small talk about trade," replied Quentin.
Arabelle accepted the glass and took a slow sip. Quentin did the same until the wine in both glasses was completely gone.
"Didn't you say that she was the last descendant of House Adelheim?" asked Arabelle.
"Are you surprised to hear that? She is indeed the last descendant of House Adelheim," Quentin replied.
"How can you be certain?" asked Arabelle.
"All the descendants of House Adelheim are being hunted by Lorelei and Hildemar. If she says it with such confidence, you can be sure she's right," Quentin replied.
"I didn't expect that," Arabelle explained.
Quentin was silent for a moment. He stood up straight, staring at the road that connected the city. From the road, the man could see the arrival of a group of soldiers. A middle-aged man seemed to be leading the group of soldiers.
They stopped riding their horses, dismounting while kneeling obediently to salute Quentin.
"Welcome to Grassfort, Lord Quentin," spoke Toman Hayford, Lord of Hayford.
"Thank you for taking me, Lord Toman."