'Do you accept this new responsibility?'

By the time the key persons that the Council's been waiting for arrived, it was already past mid-afternoon. Amelia had fallen asleep and missed lunch. When Constance tried to wake her up to eat, she said her stomach didn't feel so well.

'I should've eaten something,' she thought as she hid the sounds of her growling stomach.

"I am honored to be in the presence of the duchy's esteem council, but I feel rather out of place. Is it really necessary to fire the former Master of Trades? I am but a simple businessman. I left Toutis because I didn't like the politics. I don't wish to endanger my family by taking on this position."

"You humble yourself too much, Mr. Beauchant. No one here considers you a simple businessman. And I apologize for your discomfort. I just wish to fill my Council with more than capable people to deliver the best that Osmeans deserve. But I won't harbor any ill thoughts against you or your family if you wish to decline."

"Thank you, Duchess…" Lycken wiped the side of his face, adjusting himself on his seat. He looked like someone stalling to politely reject her offer.

"Though I would like you to consider after the council is over. You might learn a thing or two that would change your mind." Amelia smiled at him. She became friends for a moment with Count Brante's daughter, Lady Irene, and would want to continue such relationship. But the threat that her father is posing to be is something she can't overlook. "Since we are in the topic of trading, I'd like to say a few points that was reported to me a while ago…" the duchess continued, and everyone was eager to listen.

Amelia discussed the progress of the new projects at Fayburgh, as well as the result of the new fertilizer that she has been working closely with the Keep and Ayland to produce bigger and higher yields for the next harvest season.

Next, she also gave emphasize to the reports regarding the merchant and mercenary guilds that have popped up in some places in Osmea.

"It has only come to my attention recently that there has been an increase in merchant activities and trades within Osmea, especially in places near the border of Thuenia. I remember only signing one permit for it, but on my way to Fayburgh, I've seen at least two more."

"Well, the nobles in-charge have the last say on who enters and who goes in their territories." It was Lycken who answered. "The increase of merchant guilds has a positive effect on the small businesses that couldn't find a proper market locally and don't have enough capital to bring it outside of the duchy too. However, I have some concerns about some small, third-party traders."

"Let us hear it, Mr. Beauchant."

"As we are an agricultural land, it is given that most of our people will be trading produce. It has come to my attention that there are people taking advantage of the lack of merchant guilds elsewhere. They purposely lower the cost produce per trade because they said that they'd be adding the expenses of bringing the items to the where the guilds are, and if the trading cost is too high, the guild wouldn't take it and it'd all be a waste. Since we formerly don't have a proper guild to regulate the trading and selling of certain items, some are too ignorant to demand their fair share. Small farmers are forced to agree because they didn't have any venue to sell it to, but when it comes to the market, the costs are twice, some even thrice, the price they bought it for."

The duchess arched a brow and looked over her advisor. "Are you aware of this?" she asked. As she's busy running her duchy, she leaves the management of the palace to her advisor and just signs the documents for the budget once she sees that it's within the allocated amount.

"Well, I've heard the head chef mentioned something about the slowly increasing costs of local produce." Vance answered. The head chef is the one in-charge of budgeting for food and other expenses related to its which Vance double checks before giving her the papers to sign on.

Amelia's brows furrowed. "How long has this been going?"

"I wouldn't say for a while. Prices depends on the availability of products, which can also depend on the season. It was subtle at first which was understandable since we're entering the winter season and we've stocked up some produce to be a contingency for when the other duchies need our help."

"Yes, yes…" Amelia nodded.

"But lately it's become too apparent. I handle anything related to money in our household, so I am aware of the changes in staple expenses. I don't mind the increase since I have money to spend, but it worries me when I hear our servants talking to each other about how the cost of living has increased as of late."

"Are you meaning to say that an increase of merchant guild is advisable?"

"They will help regulate sales and maintain a standard for quality goods, as well as help stabilize our economy by slowly diminishing the need for third party negotiations. When I first came here, I was surprised that the duchy doesn't have an established guild, whether it be merchant's or craftsmen's."

"As far as I know, the reason that there's no such guilds in Osmea are to prevent the monopoly of goods and the possibility of corruption along the way. Though I do agree with Mr. Lycken that the guilds would be able to stabilize the duchy's economy by maintaining the integrity of trading practices in a certain industry. We might be the oldest duchy, but we are also the poorest. It's the only flaw that I will blame the former rulers of Osmea of. As mentioned, we are an agricultural land producing more than enough for our own people even in the harshest of winters. But alas, our former rulers were too kind and soft." It was Jude Colt who spoke, and everyone understood what he's getting at.

Just like how Thuenia monopolizes the use of the port, if Osmea monopolizes the trading on agricultural produce and other items, they'd stand side by side with Alexander's duchy. But as Jude Colt said, alas, her ancestors were too giving.

"Before we go deeper into this topic, I would like a detail report about this." Amelia said, shuffling some papers in her hands. "Thank you for bringing up this issue, Mr. Beauchant. It is nice to have a fresh set of eyes in the Council." She smiled sweetly at the man, and he bowed his head, smiling back at her. Amelia just hopes that being acknowledged would make him feel like he's a made difference and could be of service to the duchy. Lycken seemed like a man who has a heart for the masses. "Oh, before you decline my offer for the position of Master Trader, I'd like to ask you to help Mr. Colt with this matter. I think the both of you will work perfectly well together."

Lycken contemplated for a moment before he finally said yes, and Amelia did a brief happy dance in her head.

Now on to the next topic.

"Sir Lewis Grafton…" She turned to face the knight who has been quietly seated across Marchioness Maud. "I know you've heard about this, but I have called you here to be the new guardian of the northern and western borders which formerly belonged to Marquess Charlis. Do you accept?"

"As a Knight Commander, I am prepared to lay down my life to serve the best interest of the people of Osmea, but before I accept, I would like to know the details as to why Marquess Charlis was stripped of this responsibility."

Amelia let out a discreet sigh. "To say that I took away this role from him because he didn't attend the Council this morning would make me seem like a child having a tantrum. But I prefer that perception than everyone knowing the more alarming reason I did so."

"What do you mean?" It was Maud who asked. She tried to subtly defend the Marquess earlier.

"It has come to my attention just last night that my dear aunt's husband has been diligently working with Marquess Charlis and have started to work on the production of weapons that's deadlier than swords. Walton's been going in and out of the duchy in the premise of his business when in truth, he's been smuggling iron into the duchy through the eastern border." Amelia looked around and everyone was in a standstill. Even her advisor hasn't said a word.

Ancel slipped a note last night after her ladies-in-waiting bade her good night. It was from Reignold saying that one of his men in George Waltons' close circle mentioned that it slipped his mouth and said he's currently developing a new kind of weapon that would be deadlier than swords if used skillfully. Amelia didn't have the time to confirm it, but she knows Reignold Whitt. He won't haphazardly give her information without basis.

"Weapons? What for? If he's introducing a new kind of weapon, could it be he's simply trying to expand his business? A new kind of weapon, much like a machine, takes years of trials and errors." Count Royfield broke the silence.

"I won't take my chances whether this is a baseless tip or not, this needs to stop whether he's trying to expand his business or using it for personal gain. We're in a long-time peace treaty with our neighboring kingdoms and what would happen if they knew that we're smuggling iron and manufacturing a new kind of weapon? The last war was decades ago already, we don't want to initiate another one."

"The duchess has a point," Maud spoke. "This is not something we can sweep under a rug. I will try to find out more about this. If this has any truth to it, I will personally bring this matter to light."

Amelia only nodded then turned to face Lewis again. "So, do you accept this new responsibility?"

The knight's eyes shifted from one council member to the next, his hands together on the table with his thumbs rubbing against each other. After a short pause, he stood up and said he will accept, putting his fist against his chest. "I am honored to be entrusted such important task by the Duchess."

"Thank you, Sir Lewis. We will discuss the details with you further. Marchioness Maud will be happy to assist me, right?" Amelia smiled at the Marchioness who reciprocated with another smile.

With that taken care of, it was off to another topic.

Only two remained. Her engagement to Alexander and her possible relation to Vance.

Amelia exhaled discreetly while scanning through the documents in her hands, though nothing registered in her mind. Honestly, she would rather end the meeting now than discuss the two topics, but if she didn't discuss it, it will only float about in her head.

The torture!

"So…" she started, stacking the papers on one side. "I think it's only proper that I announce to everyone here… and shed some light into some of the rumors that has been circling around for months." Amelia said, her eyes at the end of the table where no one was seated. "I… regarding the Duke of House Clement… We… I was proposed to… by him… months ago."

"Proposed, as in ask your hand in marriage?" It was Lycken who clarified so Amelia was forced to look at him. The others just looked at her, not even surprise of the news.

"Uhm… Yes. He asked to marry me."

"And you decline, right?" It was still Sybil's father who spoke again.

"I… well… I did some thinking about it and have decided to… accept." Lycken's mouth gaped, and Amelia gulped. She lied. She only did the thinking after she said yes to the duke. "I won't be making public of this, but my council deserves to know. It's also the reason why I only want people I trust and who trust me to be members of the Council. This is a lot to take in, I know—"

The duchess's speech was cut off when Maud said, "I want to say I'm happy for you, duchess, but I don't think this is a cause for celebration. There's an issue regarding George Walton's weapon business, then there's your announcement. The two combined is…" She let the words hang and everyone understood, "What I'm saying is, as your trusted tactician, if this becomes public, the people who are against the two of you might come together, tie both facts and really initiate a war. Though I am sure that you've thought this far too."

"I was confident that we can talk our way to be together, but now that I know about my aunt's husband's current hobby, I'm not so sure anymore. Did I, perhaps, made a grave mistake?" Amelia sounded pleading.