The inside of the mansion isn’t as decorated as the outside. The patterns probably left by the previous owners are the only thing that I would count as fancy here. The mansion is loosely decorated with painting, mainly those depicting that of victorious battles and knights swearing oaths, and carpets.

I was led to the waiting room before Kai excuses himself to change. His cavalry companions also made their leave when we arrived at the mansion, citing the need to prepare for the next deserter hunt. I was left alone in what I assume to be Kai’s office with Ulrike, who is currently staring with her eyes narrowed at a life-size painting of a blonde female knight, a dame as some might call her.

“What do you think?” I strike a conversation.

“Think about what?” She gave me a simple reply. Her bad mood is apparent through her annoyed face. My guess is the weird looks which the populace had been giving her as we made our trip here.

“The painting, of course.”

“Nothing about it.” She shrugged. “I simply found the idea of dame or damehood to be ridiculous.”

“Really? Isn’t it fine and rare? After all, in a feudal nation like this, a damehood is no small achievement.” I said as I shifted slightly in one of the chairs provided in the room. Ulrike opting to stand.

“Sir Leonhard, you already know how I feel about this kind of things. I can even see it in this painting.” Ulrike sighed.

It is true, Ulrike never liked the idea of calling the same titles differently between man and woman. She once told me that “if a man and a woman have achieved or inherited the same rank of titles then call them by the same. If not, then they do not have the same power from their titles.” She had read her own fair share of books during the time she’s with me.

I look at the portrait again but more in detail. The dame is beautiful as painting often depicts lady. She is standing with both her hand on the pommel of a long sword that is standing on its blade. She is relaxed with a faint smile while in her full plate armor.

“It sure stands out from the rest.” I finally said. Stands out, not in the sense of a dame among knights but in that she is not depicted the same way as other male equivalents. She is beautiful and peaceful, while others are very much depicted with this ruggedness that comes with battles.

Ulrike nodded. She has a habit of not talking much in the presence or house of others. It is part of her discipline as a bodyguard. We remain silent until Kai finally returned. He had replaced his combat attire entirely. His plate armor replaced with a simple shirt, belt, and a purple cloak. His helmet replaced by a hat that sports a long white feather and a Bronze Pentagonal emblem that signifies his rank, Baron, among the nobilities - one of the countless leftover cultures from the Lanvastan Empire that ruled most of the known nations centuries ago.

“Thank you for waiting, if you don’t mind, I would like to get to business right away.” He eyed Ulrike slightly. It is enough for Ulrike to excuse herself to outside of the room.

“Well then, Sir Kai, I suppose you want to talk about the food situation?” I said as he sat down behind a well-polished wooden table.

“Please, just Kai. As much as I strive to follow the ideal of nobility, this I could never get accustomed to it.” He explained. “That is not important. I wish to discuss the deal with you.”

I wanted to argue that I have lived with nobles who will take offense from simply hearing that for a good portion of my life, but I digress. I also have no wish to anger someone who is both in charge and my potential brother-in-law.

“Very well, so what part of the deal do you wish to alter?” I close in on the other side of the table.

“The fact is, I find the price quite high, much too high, for essentials such as grains.”

“I believe the deal is that you would pay one Fortas for every 3 pounds of grain we deliver, as well as the same for 6 gallons of ale,” I replied. The ale is the cheapest kind which is extraordinarily popular with the poor, even though it is weak enough to gain the name of Strong Water.

“Indeed, but the regular price is one Fortas for every 5 pounds of grain or 10 gallons of ale. I understood that the situation which we are currently in isn’t our proudest moment, but I still find that price to be unreasonable.” He stares at me.

“I see, so what would you say to be a reasonable price then?” I asked.

“I would say in the middle. One Fortas for every 4 pounds of grain or 8 gallons of ale. I understand that you merchants are not here to do charity.” He replied quite quickly. I am sure he had prepared for this for when people are asked to give a price that is reasonable; it takes more than a while.

“... And Kai, what makes you think that I have the power to alter such a deal? This deal is done by both of our fathers.”

“Because you are here.” Kai makes a slight hand gesture towards me. “During your management of Eadral port, I believe that you also took the job of representing your family as well as making deals.”

He has a reliable information web. I was indeed given the right to discuss deals on behalf of my family. Now, the most tricky part of this whole negotiation is doing a deal which both parties are satisfied to a point that it does not brew many negative feelings. If I did this poorly, I would lose much more than just my current standing in Fortra.

“Then you must also know what my reply to this then,” I said before laying back on my chair.

“You will not agree,” Kai answered.

“You are correct. This deal, made by both of our fathers, contains what they both believe to be the best or at least an agreeable value for both parties. I found there to be little to no reason to change this.” I added. “I think you know the reason why the price is high right now.”

“The fact that these essential supplies are in massive shortages due to the effect of the war.”

“Not only so, while the war has ended, but the conflict and the internal turmoil also has not. Many power holders still oppose the current king openly, even violently. As a direct result, there is not only a massive shortage of farmers but also the safety of the merchants is in question. Lastly, the most basic problem of them all, Fortas is a lot less desirable than our Idean. You see, during the time of Civil War due to shortages of rare metals, the Fortas that had been minted became smaller and contain less gold.” I leaned my face forward. “Please understand the universal law for merchants, the higher the risk the higher the return.”

Kai nodded. He had an excellent expression for diplomats; it is completely devoid of anything. As much as I like the fact he is able to understand my logic, he presented himself to be much harder to deal with than your typical headstrong noble.

“What do you want?” Kai abruptly asked.

“Please clarify that,” I replied. I am sure he is not trying for a bribe, at least he did not strike me as someone who would attempt it.

“What do you want in exchange for lowering the price?” He answered. This is quite an interesting proposal. If I can use it well, it could prove to be worth a lot more than it costs.

“...” I remained silent. The most likely choice would be the land deed to set up a trading post and while I have studied the places which I wish to set up trading posts there is none I wanted in Linvart. Linvart is not only settled on the coast but also next to River Kiam which runs all the way down to Lake Trium, one of the two major lakes in the kingdom, and to the east at the major city of Carrel. This connects Port Isal to a vast majority of cities and trade centers to the south and east, meaning that setting up a trading post in Linvart and most of the subsequent cities to the south and east are essentially much less useful.

“Allow me to sleep on it.” I finally said.

“Of course. Now with that over I would like to hear your opinion about my sister, Siara.” He changed the topic.

“My apologies, I have yet to have the pleasure of meeting her.” I tried to wave it off.

“But you must have heard of the rumors of how unruly she is.” Kai brought the conversation right back with a smile.

“Today is the first day that I am here, as such I am afraid that I lack the time to learn much about anything in this nation that is not in the books.”

“Is that so?” He leans back and stares into my face. “For someone who just arrived, you sure know a lot about the power holder of this land.”

“A merchant must know about where he put his investment. I am no different. I might have an understanding of general events, I wouldn’t have any knowledge of specific person apart from the rulers of the land.”

“Then let me tell you, not as the governor of this city, not as the commander of my troops, but as the brother of Siara. The rumor about her is in no way flattering. Unruly, wild, and in no way resembles a lady. Those are as true as they are false. She does not follow the courtly ways since she was young. She much prefers riding and running across the field over poetry. However, she is by no way as uncontrollable or self-centered as they say.”

“She has trouble with people she is betrothed to,” I concluded. “The reason why you are explaining this to me now and that she is betrothed to me is that no noble wants to take her in as their bride.”

Kai was taken back slightly. However, his face shows that he is more impressed than shocked.

“Indeed, after all, how would you ever expect her to act as a wife living in a mansion of a house calmly?” Kai shakes his head with his eyes closed as if he is reminiscing a good memory. “Anyhow, I assume that you had a lot of experience with those like her in the Republic.”

“Have I met types like that you describe of, yes. Have I had a lot of experience working or living together with one, no.” I specified. “The Republic allows females to take upon the same job that is traditionally male, that doesn’t mean those at the top of the power hierarchy accepts it. Not to mention the Republic itself is a part of the Kingdom of Levania. Though our autonomy is high, we are still influenced heavily by them.”

“Oh, how about the bodyguard you had there then?”

“To me, she is practically family. She has been with me long before I took over Eadral Port.”

Kai nodded in understanding before proceeding to end the conversation. “I will entrust you with my sister then. Ah, just look at the time, I hope you will enjoy your stay here.”

I did not know what I have said invoked him to entrust his sister to me and I don’t believe I would find out for a long time so I bid my farewell before joining Ulrike outside. It seems that this marriage is more set in stone than I had hoped. Then again, the whole situation here is messier than I wanted.