The afternoon light moved slowly across the study, gilding the towering stacks of tomes in a warm hue.

Margaret’s gaze lingered on the sleeping Eleanor for a moment before returning to Murphy. "We should return," she said. "Being absent for too long will arouse suspicion."

Murphy gave a silent nod.

The two walked out of the study, one after the other, and down the quiet corridor, leaving the sleeping child and the scent of old books behind them.

When they stepped back into the lakeside banquet hall, the atmosphere had changed from the tense undercurrents that had been present before they left.

Perhaps the Archbishop’s departure had removed the most immediate source of conflict. Perhaps it was the calming effect of Margaret’s earlier composure, or maybe the nobles’ natural talent for adaptation. Whatever the reason, the facade of a joyous banquet had been restored.

The clinking of crystal glasses, hushed laughter, and lilting string music wove together into a harmonious tableau.

Margaret returned to her seat at the head of the hall with graceful steps. She offered an impeccable, faint smile to the few Great Nobles who looked her way before deftly steering the conversation to the upcoming spring hunt in the Southern Territory.

Eleanor had been taken to rest by her lady-in-waiting, Leia, a fact that caused little stir.

Murphy returned to his seat as well.

Almost the moment he sat down, Count Laura, seated not far across from him, raised his wine glass at the opportune moment.

This Southern Count was no vassal of the Temeris Clan. His lands, located in the fertile plains of the south-central part of the Kingdom, were held directly from the Royal Family. This made his role at the banquet more that of an observer representing the Royal Family’s interests—and a powerful noble in his own right—than a direct subordinate of Margaret.

"Lord Melfield," Count Laura said, an eager smile on his face. "I saw you and the Duchess step away just now. Were you discussing some important matter? Today’s celebration has been quite tumultuous, truly unforgettable."

Murphy lifted his glass, which had been refilled, and gestured to the count. His tone was level. "A trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning. You, on the other hand, have come a long way, Count. It must have been an arduous journey."

"Easing the Royal Family’s burdens and celebrating the Little Princess’s birth—how could one call that an ordeal?" Count Laura replied gracefully. He took a sip of wine, his gaze sweeping, as if by chance, over to where Alina was speaking in low tones with another noblewoman.

His daughter, dressed in a tasteful, light blue gown, sat demurely amongst a few other young ladies.

He quickly looked away, leaned slightly toward Murphy, and lowered his voice to get to the point.

"Speaking of which, when my daughter, Alina, returned home a few days ago, she couldn’t stop talking about the hospitality at Monte Castle and your son Kaiden’s kindness. It’s always gratifying when the children get along so well."

He began with personal matters to create a sense of familiarity:

"She also mentioned that the workshops under your rule are a sight to behold—especially your methods for smelting iron and forging steel. They are apparently far beyond what the old workshops in the South can manage. Hearing this makes us old-timers feel both envious and a bit pressed."

Murphy’s expression remained unchanged as he listened in silence.

Seeing that he had laid sufficient groundwork, Count Laura continued, "To be frank, my lord, we’ve recently discovered several new mineral veins within my domain and the lands of a few close colleagues. While I can’t claim the reserves are astounding, they are shallow and have few impurities. Better yet, two of them are right next to the new Southern Water Relay Station built by the Royal Family, which makes transport exceptionally convenient."

He deliberately emphasized the "Royal Water Relay Station," highlighting his connections to the central government and the geographical advantages he held:

"The fine steel of the Northern Lands is now renowned far and wide, but shipping the raw ore from the south is a considerable expense, both in terms of loss and risk. If we could take advantage of the South’s convenience to do some preliminary refining on-site before combining it with the advanced techniques of the Northern Lands... well, you, my lord, can see the potential benefits and security in that far more clearly than I."

He was proposing more than just a simple trade; it was a collaboration that hinted at integrating the supply chain. By implying they could leverage the Royal Family’s infrastructure, his offer was both tempting and seemingly sincere.

Murphy’s gaze seemed to flick briefly toward Alina, who was sitting quietly in the distance, before returning to Count Laura’s face. He mulled it over for a moment before speaking. "Your daughter is well-mannered and educated; Kaiden did indeed mention her. As for the mines and workshops... the South is rich in resources, and the water relays are accessible, which is certainly an advantage. A partnership is not out of the question, but the specific details of its operation would require careful consideration."

He had neither refused outright nor agreed eagerly. His response was perfectly measured.

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Count Laura’s eyes. He knew he had secured the first step.

His smile deepened as he quickly added, "Of course! A matter of this magnitude cannot be rushed. Once the celebration concludes and I’ve returned to my lands, I will immediately have my people prepare detailed survey maps and ore samples from the veins. If you’re amenable, my lord, I can even arrange for guides. You would be welcome to send your most capable agents south to inspect the sites at your leisure. Everything will be arranged at your convenience."

"I appreciate your thoroughness, Count." Murphy gave a slight nod. "I will give it consideration upon my return to the north."

"I await your good news." Quitting while he was ahead, Count Laura didn’t press for further details. Beaming, he raised his glass again. "May the ores of the South find a harmonious union with the furnaces of the North. And may the friendship between our children, like this fine wine, only grow richer with time."

"You are too kind, Count," Murphy said, raising his own glass to meet the other’s.

The two crystal glasses touched lightly, letting out a clear, pleasant chime.

Completely satisfied, Count Laura sat up straight, as if he had just completed a vital social mission. He then turned to a Viscount on his other side and began discussing the price of wool this year.

Murphy slowly drained the wine in his glass.

He set down his glass, his gaze drifting to the sunlit landscape of lake and mountains outside the window.