In the Dining Hall of the Duke of the West:

"... It was on a cold and foggy morning, when dew still covered the grass, that I spotted the boars. They were hiding among the bushes, their eyes shining with wild fear. I prepared myself, feeling the familiar weight of the bow in my hands and the tension of the string against my fingers. As I released, the arrow sliced through the air like lightning, hitting the boar's chest. However, it wasn't a fatal blow. Startled and wounded, the boar fled, disappearing into the dense forest. I then spurred my horse, the sound of hooves pounding the ground filling the silence. I chased after the boar, following its trail of blood until I found it. But it wasn't me who delivered the final blow. Your father was there, next to the dead boar, with an arrow piercing his skull. He just laughed at me, saying I was too slow," Baron Lester spoke, his voice laden with joy and nostalgia.

"I hated hunting with your father because he always came out victorious, but at the same time, I miss those times," Baron Lester continued, now with a despondent expression. "He was a great man."

The Duke of the West, ever serious, then said, "Yes, the war was brutal for all of us. I remember your son also died in the Siege, along with my father."

Baron Lester, remembering his deceased eldest son, lowered his head and took a sip of his wine as he looked at the sunlight streaming through the window and said, "Yes, but let's not spoil the mood of this beautiful morning by talking about sad things. I heard that the duchess has given birth to a healthy baby boy. I must congratulate you on your third child."

The Duke nodded, acknowledging the compliment with a slight nod of his head. "I appreciate your words, Baron. My son is indeed a blessing to my house."

However, Baron Lester's demeanor changed slightly, and he sighed before continuing. "Meanwhile, my own son has yet to give me any grandchildren to carry on our lineage. It's a concern that weighs heavily on my heart."

The Duke then spoke, "despite your son's little success in this area, I heard he has had much success in others. For example, trade. Even in my territory in the far west, the fabrics traded by your house are famous. It's a testament to your skill and acumen."

The baron then, with renewed enthusiasm, spoke, "Trade with the Kingdom of the Tykuasy Islands in the east has always been difficult because they were self-sufficient. However, my son managed to find an item they desired. Since then, trade has become much easier. The fabric they produce there is of the highest quality. It sells like a miraculous elixir in times of plague."

Curious about the mysterious item that facilitated trade between the Kingdom of the Tykuasy Islands and House Lester, the Duke of the West thought about asking. But quickly changed his mind. This item should be kept a secret like a manuscript of the path.

Realizing that Baron was on the verge of starting another of his nostalgic narratives, the Duke interrupts, "Please, could you tell me what motivated you to summon this meeting?"

A brief silence follows. Baron Lester, who had been postponing the main subject, finally speaks up, "As Your Grace must be aware, many of the nobles are being harmed by the policies recently implemented by the Duke of the South. After a concise meeting among the nobles of the southern merchant core, we decided to appeal to the royal family. So invitations were sent for the Nobles' meeting. I imagine you have received the letter. However, as House Anhanga is distant and not greatly affected by the new taxes, we did not expect Your Grace to attend personally."

The Baron, with a shrewd look, leans towards the Duke and asks, "Your Grace, the nobles' meeting is approaching. Could you give us an idea of your intentions for this meeting? How does House Anhanga view the current situation?"

The Duke, with a friendly smile, responds, "Baron Lester, I understand the difficulties the nobles you represent are facing due to the policies of the Duke of the South. I am willing to help, but as you must understand, every help comes with a price. I am willing to negotiate terms that are mutually beneficial."

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The Baron, a veteran of decades in politics, quickly realizes that the Duke is fully aware of the desperate situation of the faction he represents, not as calm as he tried to make it seem. He knows that the Duke will ask a high price for his help. Determined to take the reins of the negotiation, the Baron steps forward.

"Your Grace," the Baron begins, "our faction from the south has much to offer. We are willing to provide cereals and raw materials to your territory at half the market price. Furthermore, we can guarantee manufactured goods at three-quarters of the usual price. I believe this is a fair and mutually beneficial offer."

The Duke, with a radiant smile, replies, "While cereals are not as abundant in our territory as in the south, we are not lacking in raw materials. We have always had abundance in the west. The only offer that truly tempts me is the manufactured goods that the south trades. However, a 25% discount is insufficient for the help I am willing to offer."

A brief silence follows, broken by the Baron: "So, Your Grace, what would be a fair price for your help?"

The Duke expands his smile and replies, "Despite the resources of the west, we have always been limited in the matter of alchemist masters. Whenever we need more complex potions, we have to rely on the alchemist masters from the south." He pauses briefly, watching the Baron's face darken. "A fair price," the Duke continues, "would be for one of the alchemist masters from the south to travel to the west to train some of our own alchemists."

The Baron, clearly irritated, retorts, "That price is exorbitant! Even if I agreed, the other nobles of the southern merchant alliance would never accept. What you are asking for is absurd!"

The Duke's smile disappears, replaced by a serious expression. He responds firmly, "If they want my help to face the Duke of the South, they will have to offer something of real value to me."

The Baron squirms in his chair, a clearly visible internal struggle on his face. He looks at the Duke, his eyes sparkling with determination, and speaks through gritted teeth, "I... I will try to convince the other nobles to pay this price. But I cannot guarantee anything."

The Duke, in turn, smiles again, a look of satisfaction in his eyes. He inclines his head towards the Baron and says, "With the veteran Baron Lester leading this negotiation, I am sure the other nobles will understand the importance of this agreement."

The Duke seemed like he was going to continue speaking, perhaps to add another condition or to clarify a point, but he is interrupted when the massive wooden doors of the dining hall open with a bang. An old, hunched man enters the room, his presence immediately drawing the attention of the two men. The conversation between the Baron and the Duke is abruptly halted.

The old servant, Darren, who had entered the room, takes a few steps towards his master, the Duke. With a calm voice, he speaks, "I apologize for interrupting Your Grace, but I have important news."

These words are followed by silence. The Duke, with an expectant expression, waits for his old personal servant to continue and reveal what the news is. However, after a brief silence, the Duke realizes that Darren believes this news should not be known to the Baron. So, with an almost imperceptible movement, the Duke makes a small gesture with his hand for Darren to approach.

Recognizing the signal, Darren, with the Duke's permission, approaches. He leans towards the Duke's side and whispers something in his ear with a very soft voice. Meanwhile, the air around them mysteriously ripples briefly.

The Baron, noticing the movements of the Duke's personal servant and unable to hear what he was whispering to the Duke, asks, "Is there a problem?"

The Duke, who unconsciously already had an extremely serious face because of his servant's words, suddenly remembers his guest, the Baron, when he hears his words. He then gradually returns to showing a calm expression and says, "A problem has arisen in my territory. I will have to return there and cannot attend the nobles' meeting."

The Baron stands up and, agitatedly, asks, "Are you really leaving the capital at such a critical moment? What about the agreement we just made?"

The Duke then replies, "The problem that has arisen in my territory requires my personal attention. As for the agreement, we were just negotiating the terms and haven't finalized anything yet."

Despite the Baron's displeased face, the Duke continues to speak. "I will have to bid farewell to your pleasant company, Baron," he says, already moving towards the exit of the room. "However, I can leave one of my knights to represent me in my absence at the nobles' meeting."

He pauses, looking back over his shoulder. "I know that my representative's words will not carry as much weight as my personal presence at the meeting," he admits. "But I believe it would still be a help that you would be interested in."

With that, the Duke leaves the room, leaving the Baron with his thoughts. "And as for the terms of a new agreement," the Duke adds, "you can discuss that with my personal servant, Darren."

The room falls silent as the doors close behind the Duke. The Baron is left alone with Darren, the Duke's personal servant, and the prospect of a new agreement to be negotiated.