Elysian smiled fondly as he watched Bran eat with gusto, his appetite seemingly insatiable.

'He hasn't changed, even though his body just underwent such a transformative change that even his mother is still in shock. Despite shedding all that fat, his appetite remains as formidable as ever.'

The young noble's eyes then turned to his other companion, Osric, who was eating silently, his manners impeccable and his poise unwavering. This demeanor stood in complete contrast to his usually ferocious and fiery temper.

'What an odd pair. The two are complete opposites. Then again, is that really so surprising? I've always been a magnet for such weird personalities.'

"Young master, why aren't you eating?" Bran asked, noticing the younger boy's observant gaze before looking at his food greedily.

Elysian scowled, shaking his head. "Don't you dare eye my food, you big oaf. That's yours, and this is mine." The young noble took a bite and began eating in earnest.

Before long, Amara arrived. This time, instead of Thomas, she was accompanied by a middle-aged gentleman Elysian hadn't seen before. At first glance, Elysian noticed that this man was unlike the thugs who typically surrounded Amara as her security detail. He wore a clean, well-kept suit usually favored by wealthy merchants. However, unlike the ostentatious attire of most rich traders, his ensemble was simple and refined, exuding taste rather than screaming of wealth.

The man's presence was enhanced by a charisma rarely seen in this part of Ironspire, or even among the nobles Elysian was accustomed to. There was an air of quiet confidence about him that instantly commanded respect.

Intrigued by this new arrival, Elysian found himself wondering about the man's identity and his connection to Amara. The young noble's curiosity was piqued, and he made a mental note to observe their interaction closely.

"I apologize for being late, young master," Amara said, bowing respectfully. Though the gesture seemed more for their guest's benefit, as such tardiness was commonplace between them and hardly warranted an apology given their close relationship—or perhaps more accurately, their friendship.

Elysian merely nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes fixed on the man beside her.

"I'd like to introduce you to Matthias Valfort," Amara gestured to the man. "Matthias, this is Elysian Ironheart, son of the baron and my business partner."

"Ah, young master," the merchant bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to meet you."

Elysian regarded the man for a moment without reciprocating the courtesy, allowing tension to build slowly. As Matthias glanced up, perhaps wondering if there was a problem, the young noble's face broke into a smile. "I'm pleased to meet you too, sir. Any friend of Lady Amara's is a friend of mine." He gestured to an empty chair. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, young master," Matthias nodded, smiling as if the previous moment of tension had never occurred. As he settled into his seat, he continued, "I was intrigued by the sudden uptick in business in Ironspire and wished to meet the hidden hand behind it all." He paused, giving the boy an assessing yet thoughtful look. "I must say, I was surprised to discover it was you, young master."

"Is that so?" Elysian remained observant, curiosity piqued as to why Amara had introduced this person and divulged their partnership without prior notice. He didn't blame her, though. He trusted her competence implicitly and knew there must be a good reason behind it.

"By the way, Matthias is a merchant who handles all the goods we acquire from our activities," Amara began, but Elysian smoothly interjected.

"Before we delve into business, why don't our new friend order some food?" Elysian suggested, his smile disarmingly charming as he glanced at Amara. "You too as well, my lady."

"It's quite alright, young master," Matthias hurriedly replied. "I'm not hungry, I just—"

Elysian cut him off gently but firmly. "I insist, sir. It would be rather awkward if my friends here were eating ravenously while you abstained." He chuckled, attempting to ease the tension, though his laughter seemed to add a subtle layer of discomfort to the atmosphere. "Besides, I'd like you to sample the exquisite cuisine here at the Silver Feast. Our lady here is the proprietor and ensures the quality of every dish. Isn't that right, my lady?"

Amara studied the boy for a moment, assessing his actions before letting out a soft chuckle and nodding in agreement. "The young master speaks truly, Matthias. It would be an honor for me if you were to taste our fare. Your extensive experience sampling cuisine from many places would provide invaluable insight."

Yielding to their persuasion, the merchant acquiesced, happily perusing the menu before placing his order. Meanwhile, Elysian observed their interaction quietly, his keen eyes missing nothing.

He noticed the friendly and seemingly close rapport between Amara and Matthias, which spoke volumes about some shared history. It wasn't romantic—there was no hint of that particular undercurrent in their exchange—but it suggested a close working relationship or some other significant association. Given Amara's usually discerning nature, this spoke highly of Matthias' character and trustworthiness.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

As the conversation flowed around him, Elysian's mind worked furiously, piecing together the puzzle before him. He wondered about the exact nature of Matthias's role in their operations and what new opportunities—or challenges—his presence might bring.

"So, Mr. Valfort," Elysian said, his voice carrying a mix of youthful curiosity and subtle authority, "I'm intrigued to hear more about your experiences in the merchant trade. How did you come to specialize in handling goods of... shall we say, diverse origins?"

The arrival of their food provided a brief interlude, the rich aromas wafting through the air and adding another layer to the complex dance of personalities and intentions unfolding at the table.

"Please, help yourself, sir," Elysian gestured towards the food as Matthias took his first bite under the watchful eyes of the young noble and Amara. "What do you think? Does it meet your approval?"

Matthias' face lit up with an expression of delight, as if he had just tasted ambrosia from the heavens. Elysian smiled, fully aware that this reaction was somewhat exaggerated. They all knew this was part of a performance, a courtesy aimed at building a relationship and fostering connections.

"You're absolutely right, young master. This is truly exquisite," Matthias said, glancing at Amara. "My lady, it seems you've established one of the finest restaurants in all of Ironspire. Thank you for allowing me to savor something so delectable—it truly reminds me that I'm finally home."

Elysian's eyebrow arched at this last statement. "Finally home? Are you not a resident of Ironspire, sir?"

Matthias sighed, a touch of melancholy coloring his expression. "No, I'm not." He looked at the young noble, a small smile playing on his lips. "In fact, I'm here specifically to meet you."

"Me?" Elysian asked, pausing mid-bite. He set down his utensils, giving Matthias his full attention. "You honor me, sir, but I'm curious—what brings you all this way just to meet me?"

The air in the room thickened with anticipation as Matthias smiled, taking another bite of his food. He savored it slowly, mirroring Elysian's earlier tactic and leaving the young noble waiting. "Is that even a question, young master?" He chuckled, setting down his utensils. "Well, let's see."

The merchant paused, clearly relishing the attention. "I've recently come into possession of a substantial amount of... goods." He emphasized the word 'goods,' implying their less-than-legal nature. "Now, an uptick isn't surprising given Ironspire's current chaotic state. But—" He smiled at Elysian, his look knowing and pointed.

Elysian, quick to interject, cut him off. "As you said, Ironspire is in a state of chaos," he arched an eyebrow in challenge. "This is merely a natural consequence as unfortunate events take their course."

"But," Matthias emphasized, dismissing the young noble's words, "this isn't just an uptick. It's a surge. No, more than that—it's a flood."

Matthias glanced at Amara, whose face remained impassive despite the potentially damaging assessment. Elysian noticed this and chose not to argue, allowing the man to continue.

"What's more," Matthias went on, his grin widening, "the source of this flood isn't multiple streams, but a single, powerful current." His eyes locked onto Elysian. "And that current flows from your direction, young master. That's why I'm here—to meet the patron who's so dramatically increased my profits and, hopefully, to establish a beneficial relationship."

He glanced at Amara again. "Fortunately, this beautiful lady is already a friend, which bodes well for our potential partnership." Turning back to Elysian, he concluded, "I believe we could get along quite well, young master."

Elysian leaned back in his chair, his mind racing behind a carefully composed expression. He took a sip of water, using the moment to gather his thoughts.

Elysian's eyes flickered briefly to Amara, searching for any hint of her thoughts on this development. She remained inscrutable, her earlier smile now a mask of polite interest.

'Now, I can finally see the full picture.'

With this realization, Elysian's demeanor shifted. He laughed enthusiastically, this time without the previous veneer of hidden intentions, but with a genuine warmth of friendly reception towards the man before him. "As I said before, a friend of Amara's is a friend of mine."

Matthias beamed, his smile equally genuine. "It's an honor to be considered your friend, young master," he chuckled, raising his wine glass. "I'd like to propose a toast to that."

"Though mine isn't wine, I gladly accept that toast," Elysian replied, raising his own cup in acceptance before taking a sip. "May we have a fruitful and harmonious partnership for years to come, good sir."

From that point on, the conversation flowed smoothly, free from the earlier tension and subtle maneuvering. They spoke in good-natured tones, though they steered clear of any serious topics or business-related matters. It was clear that this gathering was focused more on nurturing their newly formed relationship.

Elysian, content to be led for now, followed the flow that Matthias had set. He understood that the specifics of their potential partnership would be better discussed by Amara at a more convenient and appropriate time. This was about building trust and rapport, the foundation upon which future dealings would be built.

As the time progressed, Elysian found himself genuinely enjoying Matthias's company. The merchant regaled them with tales of his travels, peppered with witty observations about the various customs and characters he'd encountered. Amara, too, seemed to relax, her usual guardedness giving way to genuine laughter at Matthias's more outrageous anecdotes.

Despite his apparent youth, Elysian held his own in the conversation, his quick wit and insightful comments earning approving nods from the merchant. He was careful, however, ever so observant and assessing even among friends.

As the meal drew to a close, Elysian felt a sense of satisfaction. He had formed a high opinion of the merchant, and it seemed the sentiment was mutual. The young noble found himself deep in thought about their interaction as Amara escorted Matthias out for the day.

"I know you have plenty of questions," Amara said as she re-entered the room after seeing the man off.

"Indeed I do," Elysian glanced up, watching the woman as she returned to her seat. "He's a peculiar man, and frighteningly smart." When he noticed Amara raise an eyebrow, he added, "What?"

"I'm just surprised you used those words to describe Matthias," Amara said, chuckling as if hinting at the irony of the boy's statement. "Those very words describe you more than him."

"Do they?" Elysian pondered for a moment before a laugh escaped his lips. "You might be right. They do describe me well," he refocused his gaze on the woman. "Which brings me to another point. It seems to me that you know that man quite well. Very well, in fact."