Alden watched with bated breath as his mother examined the papers and saw two intricate blueprints. One depicted the Heavy Plough, a tool promising to greatly increase crop yields. The other was labelled "Seed Plough," designed for efficient seed planting. Mary's eyes widened with fascination as she studied the schematics.

Her attention shifted to the technical specifications explaining the tools' superiority over existing farm equipment. The Heavy Plough, with its metal blade and mouldboard, could cut deeper into the soil, breaking up compacted earth and burying weeds more effectively than the traditional Ard. This innovation promised to improve soil aeration and fertility while drastically reducing the labour required for subsequent tillage.

The Seed Plough, equipped with a seed hopper and a mechanism for even seed distribution, was designed to ensure seeds were planted at the correct depth and spacing. This would lead to better germination rates, more uniform crop growth, and ultimately higher yields. The blueprint highlighted the efficiency and precision of the Seed Plough compared to the manual scattering of seeds, which often resulted in uneven plant density and wasted resources.

Looking at Mary, Augustus couldn't help but shout, "Mother, is this a magic weapon?"

Intrigued by Augustus's exclamation, Frederick's attention turned to his wife.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Mary took a deep breath and addressed the room. "This is no magic weapon, Augustus," she began with a gentle smile. "These are tools designed to help farmers."

Disappointment washed over Augustus at Mary's response. Frederick, however, was intrigued by her reply. “What kind of tools?” he asked.

Mary passed the papers to Frederick. “Ingenious concepts," she mused, "but their practicality remains uncertain."

Frederick took the papers, his eyes narrowing as he studied the designs. "Fascinating," he whispered.

“Where did these come from?” asked Frederick.

With disappointment evident on his face, Augustus gestured towards the carpet. “Alden picked it up from there.”

All eyes turned to Alden, who was innocently twirling a spoon in his mouth.

Mary chuckled, seeing her son’s antics. Turning to Olivia, she asked, “Olivia, did you see anyone discarding it?”

Olivia shook her head. "None that I observed, my lady," she answered.

Frederick continued to scrutinize the blueprints, his interest growing. "These blueprints are remarkably detailed and thoughtfully conceived," he noted. “If they work as intended, they could significantly improve our agricultural productivity.”

Mary nodded thoughtfully. “But how do we test them? And who created them? We need to find out more before investing resources.”

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The family finished their breakfast, and everyone dispersed to their daily routines. Alden, feeling a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, knew he had to be patient.

Days went by, and Alden settled into a routine. Every morning, he would slip into his brother’s study, poring over books and scrolls, expanding his knowledge. Alden occasionally accompanied Emily to the village and the farm. In the village, Alden would listen intently to the conversations around him, hoping to catch any news about the new tools.

Weeks transformed into months, yet there was no news about the ploughs. Alden's third birthday came, marked by a small celebration with his family and Uncle Charles, who was preparing for another expedition. The celebration was warm and filled with love, but Alden couldn't shake the growing impatience within him. He had hoped to hear that his designs were being tested, but the lack of information cast a shadow over his spirits.

He had hoped to hear that his designs were being tested, but the lack of information cast a shadow over his spirits.

One brisk spring morning, Alden and Emily made their way to the market at Central Plaza. The air was filled with the rich aroma of baked goods and the lively chatter of people. Alden's eyes scanned the stalls, his ears tuned for any mention of the new tools. This had become his instinctive behaviour now.

Alden tugged at Emily's sleeve, directing her towards Lila's stall. The shopkeeper's face lit up at the sight of him. "Ah, young Alden!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. "What brings you to my humble shop today?"

Alden grinned up at her. "Candy," he replied, his voice brimming with anticipation.

Lila's laughter filled the air. "You've come to the right place, little one." She reached under the counter and pulled out a small tray of brightly coloured candies. "Here, try this one. "

Alden eagerly accepted, popping it into his mouth. The sweet flavour burst across his tongue, and he beamed with pleasure. "Delicious!" he declared.

Emily smiled, watching the interaction. "Thank you, Lila," she said. "Alden always looks forward to your treats."

As they chatted, Alden’s keen ears caught snippets of conversations from the surrounding stalls. He heard people excitedly discussing the new ploughs the baroness had distributed to farmers for the spring sowing.

"Have you seen the new ploughs?" one villager inquired. "The baroness truly outdid herself this time.

Another responded, "Indeed, I've heard Mr. Tolland was instrumental in their creation. He's spent countless months perfecting their design."

A third villager chimed, " Rumour has it the baroness plans to distribute more of them.”

Alden's ears perked up at this news. A surge of curiosity and anticipation coursed through him. He desperately wanted to witness the ploughs in action.

Grasping Emily's sleeve, his eyes wide and pleading, he said, "Emily, let's visit the farms. I'll share candies with Anna and Samuel," he insisted, knowing that during the spring season, most of the children would be helping their parents in the fields.

Emily sighed, understanding the futility of resistance. She knew there was no way to dissuade him. "Alright, Alden," she conceded, her voice tinged with resignation. She purchased more candies from Lila and then turned toward the farms.

Alden's heart raced with excitement as he approached the fields. He spotted the new ploughs immediately, their sleek design and efficient movement a testament to the ingenuity behind them. The farmers guided the oxen with practised ease, the ploughs cutting deep, even furrows into the rich soil, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

He ran ahead of Emily, clutching the candies tightly in his small hands. As he reached the fields, the children noticed him and began to gather around, their faces lighting up with curiosity and delight.

"Alden!" Anna's voice rang out, her eyes sparkling with recognition.

A wide grin spread across Alden's face, "candies for everyone!" he announced, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

The children's hands reached out eagerly, their laughter and chatter mingling with the sounds of the farm. As they enjoyed their candies, Alden watched the new ploughs in action, marvelling at the smooth efficiency with which they worked. The soil turned over easily, making it easy to remove weeds and pebbles and layering it level.

As Alden watched the farmers use the Seed Plough, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The plough moved smoothly, depositing seeds with precise spacing and depth. He could see the farmers' approval in their expressions as they realized the efficiency of the new tool. It was working just as he had envisioned.

Back at the manor, Alden's mother, Mary, was still curious about the origins of the blueprints. She discussed the matter with Frederick in their private chambers. "It's strange, Frederick," she said, frowning slightly. " Such ingenuity and foresight are uncommon among our artisans."

Frederick looked up, his brow furrowed in agreement. "Indeed, Mary. I've exhaustively inquired among our skilled craftsmen, but no one recognizes these designs."

Mary sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "The farmers are loving the new ploughs," she noted. "And a few merchants have already shown interest in the Seed Plough. They're eager to strike a deal."

Frederick reclined in his chair, his gaze distant as he pondered the implications. "Indeed," he affirmed. " The Merchant Guild's approval of the Seed Plough patent for the Silverfield family is still under review. After the confirmation, we can initiate negotiations with the merchants."