The bustling manor of Lord Alistair, the Royal Merchant, was a stark contrast to the quiet, disciplined atmosphere of the castle. It was situated near the marketplace, where the sounds of trade and the smells of fresh produce and livestock filled the air. This was the heart of the kingdom's economy, and Eamon felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension as he approached the manor for his first lesson in commerce.

Inside, the manor was equally lively. Servants moved quickly, carrying scrolls, ledgers, and various samples of goods. Lord Alistair, a tall man with sharp eyes and an air of efficiency, met Eamon at the entrance. His demeanor was one of stern authority, the kind that made it clear he was not a man who tolerated incompetence.

"Your Highness," Lord Alistair greeted with a respectful bow. "Welcome. Today, we shall begin your education in the lifeblood of the kingdom: trade and finance."

Eamon nodded, his gaze wandering around the room. It was filled with ledgers, maps, and charts, each depicting different aspects of the kingdom's economy. Lord Alistair’s two sons, Edwin and Harold, stood off to the side, each holding a ledger and looking eager to impress their father.

"Your Highness," Lord Alistair began, "trade is the backbone of our kingdom's prosperity. Without it, our people would starve, and our coffers would be empty. To rule effectively, one must understand how to manage resources, currency, and trade routes."

He led Eamon to a large table covered in maps and documents. "These," he gestured to the maps, "are the primary trade routes in our kingdom. They show the flow of goods from one region to another. Understanding these routes is crucial. For example, grain from the eastern farmlands must reach the western cities. If these routes are disrupted, it can lead to shortages and unrest."

Eamon leaned over the table, studying the maps. Lines crisscrossed the kingdom, marking the paths taken by merchants and traders. Each route was annotated with notes about the types of goods transported, the frequency of travel, and potential dangers.

"One must also understand the concept of supply and demand," Lord Alistair continued. "When a commodity is scarce, its value increases. Conversely, when there is an abundance, its value decreases. A ruler who can control the supply of essential goods can wield great power."

He picked up a ledger and flipped it open to a page filled with numbers. "This is a record of the grain supplies in the kingdom. Notice how the prices fluctuate with the seasons. In winter, grain is scarce, and the price rises. In summer, the harvest floods the market, and the price drops."

Eamon nodded, trying to absorb the information. It made sense, in a way, that the availability of goods would affect their value. But there was a complexity to it that he hadn't anticipated.

"Now," Lord Alistair said, his tone growing more serious, "there is also the matter of taxation. The crown imposes taxes on goods to fund its operations. Too high a tax can stifle trade, while too low can leave the coffers empty. Finding the balance is the key."

Eamon glanced at Liora, who was standing quietly by his side, her eyes wide with concentration. He wondered what she thought of all this. Did she understand the significance of trade and economy? Did she know how these concepts affected her daily life, even in small ways?

As Lord Alistair droned on about tariffs and trade agreements, Eamon's attention began to wane. His eyes wandered around the room, catching sight of a shadow near the doorway. At first, he thought it was nothing, but then he saw a flicker of movement. Someone was listening.

He squinted, trying to see more clearly. It was a girl, half-hidden behind the doorframe. She was watching the lesson intently, her eyes darting back and forth as if she were taking mental notes. Eamon recognized her—she was Anwen, Lord Alistair's daughter.

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Lord Alistair hadn't introduced her during the initial greetings. In fact, he had made no mention of her at all, focusing solely on his sons. Eamon watched Anwen for a moment, noticing the look of determination on her face. She was clearly interested in what was being taught, yet for some reason, she was not allowed to participate.

"Your Highness?" Lord Alistair's voice broke through his thoughts. "Is something the matter?"

Eamon blinked and quickly turned his attention back to the lesson. "No, my lord. I was just... thinking."

Lord Alistair raised an eyebrow but continued with the lesson. "As I was saying, one must also be aware of the concept of credit. Merchants often trade on credit, promising payment at a later date. This practice can be risky but allows for the movement of goods without the immediate exchange of currency."

Eamon nodded along, but his mind kept drifting back to Anwen. Why was she hiding? Why wasn't she allowed to learn alongside her brothers?

As the lesson came to an end, Lord Alistair dismissed Eamon with a bow. "We will continue tomorrow, Your Highness. I trust you will review the ledgers in the meantime."

Eamon nodded politely and made his way to the door. As he stepped into the corridor, he glanced around, searching for Anwen. She was nowhere to be seen. He frowned, a sense of curiosity gnawing at him.

"Liora," he whispered as they walked down the hall, "did you see that girl watching the lesson?"

Liora nodded hesitantly. "Yes, Your Highness. I believe she is Lord Alistair's daughter."

Eamon's frown deepened. "Why wasn't she allowed to join?"

Liora hesitated, glancing around to ensure they were not overheard. "I... I don't know, Your Highness. But... it is not uncommon for daughters to be kept from certain knowledge."

Eamon felt a surge of frustration. It wasn't right. He knew Anwen was interested in what was being taught, and yet, she was being denied the chance to learn.

That evening, after the lessons had ended and the manor had quieted down, Eamon decided to take matters into his own hands. He slipped out of his chambers and made his way through the corridors, heading toward the section of the manor where he had seen Anwen earlier.

He found her in a small alcove, sitting on a window ledge with a book in her hands. She looked up, startled, as he approached.

"Your Highness!" she exclaimed, quickly standing and bowing. "I... I didn't expect—"

Eamon raised a hand to stop her. "It's alright," he said quietly. "I saw you listening to the lessons today."

Anwen's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she looked away. "I... I only wanted to learn," she admitted. "But my father... he doesn't think it's necessary for me."

"Why not?" Eamon asked, genuinely confused.

Anwen hesitated, biting her lip. "He says that my place is elsewhere. That I don't need to know about trade and finance. He teaches my brothers because they will inherit the business, but for me..." She trailed off, a bitter look crossing her face.

Eamon felt a surge of anger on her behalf. "But you're clearly interested," he said. "And you understand more than most. Why shouldn't you learn?"

Anwen shook her head. "My father has traditional views. He believes that a woman's role is to manage the household, not the affairs of trade. And my brothers... they mock me whenever I try to suggest anything."

Eamon clenched his fists. It was the same narrow-mindedness he faced with Sir Cedric, but in a different form. "You deserve the chance to learn," he said firmly. "Just because you're a girl doesn't mean you should be kept from knowledge."

Anwen looked at him with surprise, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. "You... you really think that?"

"Yes," Eamon replied without hesitation. "Knowledge is for everyone, and if you want to learn, then you should be able to."

Anwen's expression softened, a mixture of gratitude and sadness in her eyes. "Thank you, Your Highness," she whispered. "But I don't know how... how to learn without my father finding out."

Eamon thought for a moment, his mind racing. He knew he couldn't openly defy Lord Alistair, but there had to be a way. "Listen," he said, lowering his voice. "When I'm here for lessons, you can listen in. I'll make sure to leave my notes somewhere you can find them. And if you have questions, I'll answer them."

Anwen's eyes widened. "You would do that... for me?"

"Yes," Eamon said simply. "Because it's the right thing to do."

Anwen nodded, her eyes shining with a mixture of hope and determination. "Thank you, Your Highness. I... I won't forget this."

As Eamon walked back to his chambers, he felt a sense of satisfaction. He had taken a small step toward challenging the narrow views that seemed to bind those around him. Anwen deserved to learn, just as much as he did, and he was determined to help her do so.

The next day, as he sat down for his lesson with Lord Alistair, Eamon couldn't help but glance toward the doorway. He knew Anwen was there, listening, learning in secret. And in that small act of defiance, he felt a glimmer of hope that things could change, that knowledge could be a weapon against the chains of tradition.