Eric invited Frank Rovers and a few other elderly and young people to Castermere mansion as the representatives of the people belonging to both the villages. He had already made the announcement as the temporary ruler of the territory, but he still needed everyone’s cooperation to make it work.

He had gathered them all at the library, everyone had their tea and refreshments before taking a seat at their respective chairs. The table was divided into two parts, at the left side were Hillford people with Frank Rovers closest to the head of the table facing Earl Castermere and Lysanne and the people of Lowmere were seated on the right.

Eric stood behind the chair at the head of the table with his two little assistants at his sides and Drac standing behind him with his hands at his back.

Eric glanced at the gathered crowd once before he smiled.

"Thank you all for coming at such short notice." Eric said and the people straightened up.

"I know what I said might have sounded a little impulsive back then that’s why to explain it better, I had you all summoned." Eric explained.

"The river’s problem would be solved if you continue dredging regularly and meanwhile, it is the time that Lowmere’s dry fields would once again start getting water so, I’d suggest that you start working on the farmlands." Eric addressed the Lowmere side.

The farmers on the side nodded, excitedly and Eric then faced the Hillford.

"As for Hillford then, I’d request you to lend a hand in the endeavour."

One of the Hillford farmers frowned, "I’m sorry but-"

Frank raised his hand, stopping the young farmer from blurting out anything unnecessary.

He simply said in an even tone, "We understand, Your Highness. We will do what is required of us."

Eric smiled, "I hope you’re not just saying this to ease my mind, Mr Rovers."

Frank turned his gaze on Eric noting that Eric meant what he said, he wanted Hillford to play nice.

He nodded in response and Eric then turned to Lowmere, "And I’ll request, Lowmere to not hold any grudges and keep up with the condition of the river from both sides since, it’s both of your responsibility."

The Lowmere people nodded, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Eric then glanced at his two assistants who were each carrying a bundle of papers in their arms. He gave them a nod and the two quickly nodded back and then started going over each side handing the papers to the people.

"This is my plan for the Spring Festival." Eric started and waited till everyone had the plan.

Frank glanced at the plan briefly, watching as there was quite an elaborate idea written there along with the sketches and there was a list of games.

"What’s this?" One of the farmers from Lowmere asked.

"I did say that we will have the tournament for the Spring Festival, didn’t I? This is the plan that I made for that."

"And what should we do after that?" Frank asked.

Eric glanced at him before running his eyes through the faces of the people that had varied expressions.

"The tournament will be held on the last two days that I will be here." Eric announced.

The people looked visibly surprised at that and Thaddeus spoke up, "But, that’s less than three days from now, Your Highness."

Eric gave him a sheepish smile, "I know, but I have limited time with you all so, I want to do the best of what I can to make sure everyone is happy."

The people were silent for a moment before a young farmer from Hillford asked.

"But... with dredging and restoring the farms, how can we prepare for the Festival, Your Highness?"

Eric chuckled, "You don’t need to worry about that, I just need a few volunteers in these three days who would work with me and Drac while we set up everything."

Everyone’s eyes widened and Frank cocked his brows.

"You will personally work?"

Eric tilted his head slightly, "Didn’t I get into the water and work with you all while dredging?"

Frank didn’t say anything at that while the people exchanged glances, excitement and anticipation started appearing on their faces.

"Now, shall I explain what exactly I have planned?" Eric asked and the people gave nods.

Frank observed the Prince and even the supervising panel who were seated at another table watched Eric as he pointed at the different places in the paper while explaining. The twins ran back and forth, assisting and the people nodded and smiled occasionally at certain parts.

"He looks excited." Hasik mumbled and the one who sat closest to him nodded.

Drac glanced once at the panel before turning his gaze on Eric. Drac had been with Ocean enough to know his certain habits.

Gathering people in library for briefing.

Standing behind the chair at the head of the table and never taking a seat while addressing the people.

Distributing the plan to everyone before starting.

Getting the views and opinions of the gathered people and then presenting his perspective.

Eric was following the same technique as Ocean but it still was different. While Ocean’s range of planning and briefing went up to the scale of deciding the future of the kingdom or a war. It had the intensity and the depth with somewhat darker aspect that Drac felt because of the topics in question.

However, with Eric it was like a whole different thing. He wasn’t planning a war here, he wasn’t even deciding the future of the kingdom. He just looked like an excited kid explaining the game to his fellow players. His bright energy was completely opposite to Ocean’s intensity.

Drac had no preferences whatsoever, but he liked being in Eric’s light as much as he liked being in Ocean’s presence.

Once Eric was done explaining, the people seemed just as excited as Eric.

"We will surely volunteer, Your Highness!"

"I can’t wait for it!"

Eric smiled watching their reaction before he saw Lysanne fidgeting and then raising her hand.

"Do you have something to say, Miss Lysanne?" Eric asked and Drac’s eyes fell on the new student he had recently taken in.

"Y-You said anyone and everyone could participate, does that include women as well?"

The men looked at her including Thaddeus.

"Lysanne," he sighed, "you-"

"Of course." Eric beamed making her eyes widen.

"I guess, I’ll make it clear here," Eric said as he grabbed a pen and wrote down the line next to the earlier ambiguous seeming sentence.

"Anyone and everyone, regardless of their gender and class can participate."

The people were a little skeptical about this but they had nothing to say, the Prince seemed to excited for this and besides, he had done what they couldn’t in months. He had helped find the problem and had been solving it personally with them. They had never heard of a precedent when a royal member would enter the muck themselves and start shoveling.

So, they were looking forward to these games.

"With this I conclude the meeting," Eric announced and then looked at the people.

"I want you all to go and share this news with the people."

"Your Highness," one of the farmers spoke up.

"Yes?" Eric asked.

"This place that you have mentioned in your plan... The venue..." He pointed at the sketched map on the paper.

"Yes, that’s where the volunteers should gather. The games will be held there." Eric announced.

The villagers exchanged looks, the place that Eric selected sat between the two villages and it had been a place of dispute as well.

"The work will begin tomorrow morning, so, I hope to see some familiar faces there." Eric said.

The people started shuffling to their feet one after other and Eric glanced Frank who was also getting up.

"Mr Rovers, can you stay back for a moment?" Eric stopped him.

Frank looked at him and then at the Hillford people who also paused along with Earl Castermere and Lysanne.

"Ah, the rest of you could leave." Eric said with a smile at them and then turned to the twins.

"Leo, Nico. You are such great helpers for me. Since you worked a lot, get some break and have some snacks, hm?" Eric suggested.

The mention of snacks made the kids light up and spoke in unison, "Yes!"

Eric watched them shuffle out behind their sister who glanced back once at them before closing the door behind her.

Eric waited for a moment and then turned to Frank.

"Once I return, I will ask His Majesty to let me deal with the problem of Marquis Glines’ territory." Eric spoke, "Meanwhile, close the artificial channels you have dug up."

Frank’s eyebrows furrowed and he averted his eyes, he remained silent for a moment before he said, "Please give us some more time."

Eric sighed, "I can’t, as the summer comes by the river might thin again and people of Lowmere who would have tended to their farms by then would be struck with another drought like situation."

Frank pursed his lips and Eric leaned in, "I understand your concern, but if you stretch it any longer, it will cause trouble between both the villages again... And I’m afraid then it won’t be easy to mend that crack then."

Frank left after giving an ambiguous response to Eric but his mind was in a turmoil, he would need to convince the others to do this and he had a fair idea of what the reaction would be. He just hoped that the future that Eric was trying to build for them wouldn’t crumble because of their feud and differences again.