“How do I look, Nayla?” asked the Elf King.

She glanced him over, ledger in hand, and said, “Majestic as always, my King.”

He checked his blue robes, brushing off some imagined dust. “Are you sure? I need to look my best for this meeting.”

Nayla tilted her head, then with slight hesitation, parted the King’s long silver hair at the front. “I think this looks better, my King.”

He turned away, exhaling softly in relief. “Excellent. Let’s get this done,” he said, knocking on the large door.

The door creaked open immediately, revealing a lavish room filled with marvels of gnomish invention. Gears, wires, and contraptions gleamed in the light. The Elf King couldn’t help but let out a quiet “ooh” and “ah” as he surveyed the wonders around him.

“Welcome, Your Highness! It’s an honor to finally meet you,” said a gnome wearing a golden hat, reaching up to shake the King’s hand.

The Elf King knelt slightly to return the courtesy, saying, “Thank you, Mr. President. I’m thrilled to be here.”

“I'm glad! Let me show you around. We’ve prepared this display room especially for you.”

The trio walked along a plush carpet, stopping at various inventions encased behind ropes and glass boxes.

The gnomish president opened one of the displays and pointed to a metal box. “This is what we call a fridge. It keeps items cold indefinitely.”

“Remarkable,” said the King, intrigued. “Could every family in the kingdom afford one?”

The gnome shut the refrigerator and replied, “Of course, for ten gold coins per unit, all thirty million residents of your kingdom could have one within a few years.”

“Ten gold coins...” the King mused. “Nayla, what does that equate to for the average family?”

Nayla flipped through her ledger hurriedly, then looked up. “That’s about ten years' worth of income for most families.”

The King nodded thoughtfully. “Certainly a luxury item. What’s next?”

They moved further along the display until they reached another invention. The gnome picked up a cup and twisted a knob on a barrel-shaped device with coils inside.

“This,” the gnome said, handing the King a cup of water, “is a condenser. It makes water from thin air, no magic required.”

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The King drank from the cup, smacking his lips. “Absolutely refreshing. This could ease many hardships in the south. How much?”

“Thirty gold coins per unit,” the gnome said with a smile.

The King glanced at Nayla, who stared blankly at him, lost in his purple eyes. He gestured for her to take notes, and she snapped to attention, scribbling the details into her ledger.

“The next item,” the gnome continued, unveiling another box, “is called a washer.”

The King lifted the lid and peered inside. “It washes... clothes?”

“Yes, Your Highness. You catch on quickly,” the gnome replied with a grin.

The King let the lid drop with a clang. “Should I even ask the price?”

The gnome bowed slightly. “This one is fifty gold coins.”

Sensing the King’s growing discomfort, the president gestured to a set of chairs. “Please, have a seat.”

The two leaders sat at a small round table. The King ran a hand through his hair, straightening up. “I want to bring these goods to my people. Is there any way to make them more affordable?”

The gnome stroked his large nose thoughtfully. “I’ll be transparent with you, Your Highness—no, Alaric.”

The King raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

“Our republic is too far from your kingdom to ship these goods at a reasonable price. Before, we could’ve moved them through the beastman lands, but the situation there is treacherous,” the president explained.

The King’s face darkened. “Hm. There have been so many domestic issues lately. I’m not fully briefed on the southwestern border conflict. Nayla?”

Nayla sifted through the massive book she carried, visibly flustered. “I, uh...”

Alaric’s expression grew stern. “I value honesty, Nayla. Out with it. Whatever you say to me, you can say to Rindle.”

She hesitated for a moment before blurting out, “The first regiment is currently laying siege to the settlement known as Hornreach. Most of the border skirmishes have ceased.”

Rindle, the gnome president, frowned. “I thought you were fighting a defensive war, Alaric.”

The Elf King folded his arms, deep in thought. “I thought so too. It must be my son...”

He tapped his fingers against his arm, then turned sharply to Nayla. “I want him back.”

“When, my King?” she asked.

“Today.”

“I’ll inform his guardian Sylphs immediately,” she replied as she closed her eyes to concentrate.

Rindle spoke up and said, “I hate to add more stress to your plate, however, I must urge you. If a resolution is not brought soon, I’ll have to accept another contract with the city states to the east.”

With a focused gaze the Alaric asked, “How much time can you spare?”

“Till the end of next month…”

Alaric frowned and shattered the arm to his chair. He looked down at the mess of wood and spinters on the floor, and said, “Appologies…” He then gazed up at Rindle.

“I understand your position. For you gnomes, time is money.” He then stood up and shook his hand again and stated, “I must leave now, and I shall have your answer soon.”

Rindle smiled widely, receiving his shake with both hands and said, “I look forward to it!”

As the two cleared the room and the door shut behind them, the king pressed his thumb to Nayla’s head for a breif moment.

Her eyes went wide and she said, “Understood, but why summon them?”

He turned his back away from her and said, “There’s something a stir, and the kingdom may be turned upside down in the process. I need everyone present.”