*Year: 18900, Month: February Day: Wednesday Morning*
A loud knock on the door startled Ethan awake. He groaned as he lifted his head from the desk. "Guess I fell asleep," he muttered to himself. "Come in," he called out to the person on the other side of the door. The door creaked open, revealing one of the maids.
"My lord, Lady Seraphina is downstairs waiting for you to join her for breakfast," she informed him.
"Thank you, you may go now," Ethan replied before standing up and making his way downstairs to the living room where Seraphina was patiently waiting for him.
As Ethan descended the grand staircase, he caught sight of Seraphina in the morning light. Her fiery red hair seemed to glow, making her the point of focus in the immaculately decorated room. She sat elegantly at the breakfast table, idly tracing the intricate designs on her teacup.
"Good morning," Ethan greeted as he took a seat across from her. His voice broke the silence that had settled in the room, hanging heavy like the scent of well-aged mahogany furniture.
"Good morning, Ethan," she replied, her tone warm and inviting. "I hope I haven't disturbed your rest."
Ethan shook his head, brushing a hand through his brown hair. "No, I appreciate the wake-up call."
A soft smile curled up on Seraphina's lips as she poured him a cup of tea. The gentle clatter of porcelain against wood added rhythm to their conversation.
With the first light of dawn seeping through the windows, a calm presence glided into the room. Gaia entered gracefully, her robes trailing behind her like whispers of ancient knowledge. "Good morning to you both," she greeted with a peaceful smile, picking a single seed from a nearby bowl as she chose a plate and loaf of freshly baked bread for her breakfast.
Sitting down at the table with gentle movements, the rustle of her robes blended harmoniously with the soft morning breeze that wafted through the room.
"I have finished my task," Gaia announced in between bites of warm bread, each word filled with a sense of achievement and purpose. Ethan arched an eyebrow slightly, his green eyes meeting Gaia's serene blue gaze. "Well done. After you've eaten, meet me in the study for your report," he directed firmly, indicating without words that business discussions could wait for later.
After breakfast drew to a close, Ethan gracefully excused himself from the table, leaving Princess Seraphina and Gaia engrossed in their conversation. Making his way to his study, he entered the room with purpose, his eyes immediately drawn to the detailed map spread out before him—a blueprint for the empire he envisioned crafting.
As Ethan settled into his seat at the sturdy wooden table, meticulously studying the intricate lines and markings on the map, Gaia entered the room with a serene presence that commanded attention. "I am here as you summoned me," she announced softly as she approached him.
Motioning towards a chair opposite him, Ethan gestured for Gaia to take a seat. "It comes at a considerable price," she remarked, her voice carrying a weight of caution as she elegantly seated herself at the far end of the expansive study table. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the room, adding an air of mystique to their serious discussion.
Ethan's gaze met Gaia's unwaveringly. "The cost is not just in gilla but in trust and commitment," he replied evenly, his tone reflective of the gravity of their impending decisions. The flickering flames illuminated his features, emphasizing the determination etched into his expression as they delved into matters that would shape their fates in this fantastical world.
Ethan's voice was stern and commanding as he demanded, "Tell me, what did she say?" Gaia took a deep breath before explaining the situation and the options. "There are currently four small villages in this region. To build a wall around these additional villages, your only options are to buy them or overthrow their mayors by force."
Ethan turned to Gaia with a probing question. "What is the cost for this endeavor?" he asked. Gaia responded, "It will be 450 Gilla per village if we go through negotiations. However, if we have to take it by force, the cost will depend on how quickly we can defeat them and what resources we will need for the fight." She clarified the cost situation for Ethan.
Ethan's brows furrowed at her words, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. He had anticipated a hefty cost, but 450 Gilla per village was a substantial amount. His mind began to calculate, assessing the potential risks and rewards of both options.
"Very well," he finally said, "We will negotiate first. I'm not keen on causing unnecessary conflict."
"Understood," Gaia acknowledged, making note of Ethan's decision. Her words echoed in the silence that followed, hanging in the air between them like fine threads of destiny weaving their future path.
As they delved further into their discussion, intricate strategies took shape on the elaborately marked map spread across the table. Each village, each trade route, each negotiation strategy meticulously discussed and debated upon.
The sun had already begun its descent by the time they concluded their meeting. With final decisions made and strategies set in place, Ethan found himself feeling oddly exhilarated. The weighty responsibility of empire-building was balanced with a sense of exhilarating anticipation for what lay ahead.
Rolan enters the room, interrupting the conversation. "Looks like I missed out on the party," he says with a smile as he walks in. "I just finished sending out invites to all of our luitenants. They should be arriving shortly," he adds while standing behind Gaia.
"Good," Ethan replied, his gaze shifting from the map to meet Rolan's eyes. "We'll need all hands on deck for what's coming next."
Rolan, noticing the serious undertone in Ethan's voice, frowned slightly. He was used to their leader's calculated demeanor, but there was an extra layer of intensity in his eyes now. He didn't question it, however, instead choosing to nod in agreement.
"Understood," Rolan acknowledged. His gaze shifted towards Gaia, offering her a polite nod before he excused himself from the study.
Left alone again with Gaia, Ethan fell into a thoughtful silence. His fingers traced the penciled lines on the map representing their planned expansion. Four villages... four potential stepping stones toward building his empire.
Meanwhile, Seraphina had been left to her own devices for much of the day. She chose to spend her time exploring the beautiful surroundings of Havenwood. The scent of pine and fresh earth filled her senses as she walked through the lush forest, relishing in the freedom it provided.
Occasionally, she'd glance back towards the mansion where Ethan was undoubtedly still plotting their future ventures. A sense of envy washed over her at these moments—an envy for his determination and unwavering resolve.
As dusk began to settle over Havenwood, Seraphina made her way back. She entered just as Ethan stepped out of his study, stretching out apparent kinks in his neck after a long day of strategizing.
Their eyes met across the corridor, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away —the looming expansion plans, the political intrigue— all of it was forgotten as they shared a silent exchange.
Ethan couldn't ignore the spark that ignited whenever he was near Seraphina— an unfamiliar warmth that contrasted sharply with his usual pragmatic demeanor.
Their blossoming bond was still undefined —a raw element yet to be categorized— and in the midst of empire-building and strategy, it made for a fascinating distraction. However, Ethan was well aware that such distractions could be dangerous.
*Year: 18900, Month: February Day: Wednesday Evening*