The next few days were filled with a whirlwind of discussions, plans, and the subtle tension of secrecy. Liora sat by Eamon's desk, a faint frown on her face as she read the letter her cousin had sent. It was brief and to the point, detailing the struggles he was having with his new business venture with Anwen. The arrangement, while promising, was proving to be far more difficult than anticipated.

"Anwen's father watches her like a hawk," Liora read aloud, glancing up at Eamon. "She's unable to meet with my cousin regularly, and when she does, it's rushed and inefficient. He says that if things continue like this, the whole enterprise might fall apart."

Eamon leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I expected this to be a challenge, but not to this extent," he said. "Anwen's father is a traditionalist. He likely sees this as a foolish distraction from her duties as a lady."

Liora nodded, setting the letter down. "Anwen is trying her best, but she's constantly being watched. My cousin is worried that if they don't find a more effective way to work together, they'll draw too much attention, and it could cause problems for both of them."

Eamon crossed his arms, staring out the window as he considered their options. "We need to find a way to give Anwen more freedom," he mused. "But how? Her father's influence is significant, and anything we do needs to appear... natural."

Liora was quiet for a moment, her mind working through the possibilities. "What if," she began slowly, "what if we brought Anwen here, to the castle?"

Eamon turned to her, intrigued. "Go on."

"If we can find a way for Anwen to be here under a plausible pretense, it would give her more flexibility," Liora continued. "We could arrange her duties in such a way that she has free time to work with my cousin. And... we could involve her in the secret lessons."

Eamon raised an eyebrow. "Involve her in our lessons?" he asked. "That's a significant step."

"I know," Liora admitted, "but Anwen is clever, resourceful. She has a natural talent for trade and strategy. If we can teach her more, she could become an invaluable asset to us."

Eamon drummed his fingers on the desk, considering the idea. Bringing Anwen to the castle would be a bold move, but it might also be the only way to ensure she could continue her work without constant interference. And if they could further educate her, she could become a key ally in their growing circle.

"How would we do it?" he asked. "We can't simply take her away from her family without a reason."

Liora hesitated before answering. "We could ask your father," she suggested. "He has the authority to take someone under his care for various reasons. We could present it as an opportunity for Anwen to learn more about court life, to gain experience that would benefit her family. If Sir Alistair sees it as a chance to elevate their status through the prince's favor, he might agree."

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Eamon nodded slowly. "It's a gamble," he said. "But it's worth a try. If Anwen's father sees this as beneficial, he may relent."

He stood up, determination settling on his face. "I'll speak to my father," he said. "If we can get his approval, we'll have the foundation to make this work."

Liora watched as he crossed the room to the door. "Are you sure it's wise to involve Anwen in our lessons so soon?" she asked. "What if it backfires?"

Eamon turned back to her, his gaze steady. "Anwen is already taking risks by defying her father's expectations," he replied. "If we can provide her with the knowledge and tools she needs, it will only strengthen her resolve and ours. But you're right; we need to approach this carefully."

With that, Eamon left the room, heading toward his father's quarters. He knew this would not be a simple conversation. King Cedric was cautious when it came to matters of court and alliances. But Eamon also knew his father valued practicality and the potential benefits of new connections.

He found his father in his study, engrossed in a pile of documents. King Cedric looked up as Eamon entered, his eyes weary but attentive.

"Eamon," the king greeted. "What brings you here?"

Eamon took a deep breath, stepping forward. "Father, I wanted to discuss a matter concerning Sir Alistair's family."

King Cedric set his papers aside, leaning back in his chair. "Go on," he said, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

"Sir Alistair's daughter, Anwen," Eamon began, carefully choosing his words. "I believe she has potential beyond the typical expectations of her role. I was considering... taking her under my care for a time, to provide her with an opportunity to learn more about court life and management."

The king's expression was inscrutable as he listened. "And what would Sir Alistair say about this?" he asked. "He is a traditional man, not one to easily agree to such arrangements."

Eamon nodded. "Yes, but he also values the status of his family. If we present this as an opportunity for Anwen to gain favor and experience that could benefit their house, he might see the value in it. And by bringing her to the castle, we can oversee her education and ensure that she grows into a valuable ally."

King Cedric studied his son for a moment, his eyes searching Eamon's face. "You have thought this through," he said finally. "But tell me, Eamon, why are you so invested in this girl’s future? What do you stand to gain from it?"

Eamon met his father's gaze steadily. "I believe that surrounding ourselves with capable people, regardless of their background or gender, will strengthen our kingdom. Anwen has shown potential in trade and strategy. If we nurture that potential, it will benefit not only her but also the realm."

The king remained silent for a moment, considering Eamon's words. Then he sighed, rubbing his temple. "Very well," he said slowly. "I will speak to Sir Alistair. If he agrees, Anwen may come to the castle. But understand this, Eamon: the court will watch this closely. You must ensure that this does not backfire."

Eamon bowed his head. "Thank you, Father. I will handle this with care."

With the king's reluctant approval secured, Eamon returned to his chambers, where Liora was waiting anxiously. "What did he say?" she asked the moment he entered.

"He agreed," Eamon replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But it comes with conditions. We need to be careful."

Liora let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "That's a relief," she said. "Now we just need to hope that Sir Alistair agrees."

"He will," Eamon said confidently. "We'll make sure of it."

Over the next few days, King Cedric approached Sir Alistair, presenting the opportunity as a chance for his daughter to gain favor and learn the intricacies of court life. At first, Sir Alistair was hesitant, but the allure of having his daughter under the direct care of the crown prince proved too tempting to refuse. With the deal struck, Anwen was granted permission to move to the castle.

When Anwen arrived, Eamon and Liora met her in the courtyard. Her expression was a mixture of bewilderment and defiance. "I can't believe he agreed to this," Anwen muttered as she dismounted her horse.

Eamon smiled. "We made it seem like it was in his best interest," he said. "Now that you're here, we can make sure you have the freedom you need."

Liora stepped forward, her eyes warm. "We also want to include you in something... something important," she said.

Anwen raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Eamon glanced around, ensuring no one was within earshot. "It's time you joined our circle," he said. "We have lessons, secret lessons, where we learn things not meant for us. And we think you could benefit from them too."

Anwen's eyes widened, a spark of curiosity and excitement lighting within them. "Secret lessons?" she repeated, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm in. Tell me everything."

As they led Anwen into the castle, Eamon felt a sense of accomplishment. They had managed to give Anwen the freedom she needed, and in doing so, they had gained a valuable ally. With her addition to their circle, they were one step closer to building the future they envisioned—a future where knowledge was not a privilege, but a right for everyone.