32 Different Interests

***

Avolire Castle.

Redfair.

"So, the war has started, huh?" asked Sera.

The woman stood gracefully in the assembly room of Avolire Castle, where all the officials and members of the Lorelei house were gathered.

They all knew the war in Northcrest was raging due to the information provided by the scouting soldiers. Caspian sent two soldiers with purple lotus banners to the land, confirming the condition of the place.

The scout soldiers they sent had returned with the latest news about Athalaris' war with Archibald.

"How significant is the war?" asked Sir Mathias.

"We saw Athalaris' soldiers seem to be having a hard time pushing their way into Downfall City," the scout soldier replied.

"Downfall City is south of Northcrest. You could say it's the first city to enter the land," explained Lord Arnold, heir to House Lorelei.

"What is the distance from Downfall to Wintercrest?" Caspian asked his son.

"If it's normal riding without an army, it takes two weeks. However, it's different if you're at war," Arnold replied, knowing well the contours of the land and the region's environment, even though he had never fought against Northcrest soldiers.

Caspian turned his face forward again, looking at the two scout soldiers kneeling obediently facing him. The middle-aged man invited the two soldiers to leave the Avolire Castle assembly room.

Now, only officials, House Lorelei's family, and Caspian were in that place. They had gathered suddenly because they wanted to discuss something, one of which was related to information about the war in Northcrest.

"Do we need to send soldiers to Northcrest as well?" asked Caspian, surprising Sir Mathias.

"Sending troops is the same as declaring war with Archibald. Let Telmarath do it, not us," Sir Mathias replied.

"But Archibald may also realize that the Lorelei are on Telmarath's side. They might also see us as enemies," Arnold added.

"The Lorelei and Archibald have never been at enmity with each other. That's just their perception," Sir Mathias replied.

Sir Mathias walked forward, standing right in the middle of Avolire's assembly hall with his head pointed forward, looking at his lord seriously.

"Do not make hasty decisions, My Lord. Archibald is the largest grain producer in all of Athalaris," Mathias emphasized.

"We still need the Archibald, especially in their trade. If we go to war to help Prince Edmund, they will cut off the trade route to Lorelei," Mathias continued.

Caspian was silent, his head spinning wildly, trying to think of what the Lorelei should do in a moment like this.

As the leader of House Lorelei, he knew very well how war was always bad for the economy and trade. A long-lasting war would make the people suffer, let alone a war against a food supplier like Archibald.

The middle-aged man looked towards the left front, seeing Sera standing next to Lady Grace, Sera's Mother.

"Sera," Caspian called.

Sera turned her head in response to Caspian's call. She smiled and nodded her head.

"What do you think about this matter?" asked Caspian.

Caspian and Grace's daughter was stunned into silence, then could be heard taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly.

She angled her body forward, directly facing Lord Caspian.

"Before I answer my thoughts about that, let me ask you something, Father," said Sera.

"What is it?" asked Caspian.

"Tell me, why did you accept Hildemar's request?" asked Sera.

Caspian gasped, his eyes widening as his daughter asked him such a question. The middle-aged man turned his head to the side, watching Arnold intently.

Arnold and Caspian were the ones who made the decision regarding Hildemar's request without the participation of Lady Grace or Sir Mathias.

According to them, making that decision was tantamount to taking away the future of House Lorelei. Arnold thought that if Lorelei wanted to remain in Athalaris, he should side with the ruling House, Reingard, represented by Hildemar.

For Caspian, however, the request was tantamount to a collection of promises. Lorelei helped Hildemar defeat Adelheim. In return, Howard Hildemar would marry Sera to Edmund.

Several things happened. Hildemar broke his promise by marrying Melissa to Edmund. However, Hildemar knew that Caspian was fickle and easily persuaded.

He used his power to offer the White Coast territory to Lorelei. The territory wasn't rich, but it was enough to add to Lorelei's tax wealth.

In the end, Caspian throws away Lorelei's betrayed pride just so Lorelei's tax wealth can increase.

"Of course, to make you happy. Marrying Alexander is every woman's dream in Athalaris," Caspian explained.

"Not all of them. Do you know whether I'm happy now? Do you know how guilty I am for causing the war in Northcrest?" asked Sera .

"Sera. Don't start that debate," Arnold insisted.

"No, Arnold. It's important to realize war is not a game of board and pawns!" declared Sera loudly.

"Innocent people die, homes are destroyed, dignity falls, grudges are born. Those are the consequences of war, even a war with such a small area," Sera emphasized.

"So, do you think we shouldn't send our troops there?" asked Caspian, trying to ensure.

"Yes, it's even better if there's no war there," said Sera.

"Prince Edmund is Prince Alexander's older brother. Isn't it normal for an older brother to try to save his imprisoned younger brother?" asked Arnold.

"It is. It's the right thing to do in a family, but did you ever think about why Alexander was imprisoned? It was his own fault. He deserved it!" shouted Sera.

"Then, if you ask me if I'm happy because I will marry a prince? I will answer. I am not happy!" said Sera.

"I am a respectable woman, the First Lady of Lorelei. How can I be matched forever with a scoundrel prince like him?"

"Enough, Sera! We're not gathered to listen to your thoughts," Caspian said angrily.

Sera was startled, then fell silent with her sharp eyes fixed on Caspian and Arnold. Sir Mathias smiled, delighted to find Sera expressing a different opinion from her father and brother.

"I see. You accepted Howard's request because you wanted to take control of the White Coast lands, right?" Sera asked.

"Be careful, Father. If you attack the White Coast, Heimrich and Mathilde might unite against a common enemy," Sera replied.

Without thinking, Sera walked away from the assembly. Lady Grace walked after Sera while Caspian, Arnold, and the other officials were still in the room.

"Should I be afraid of that possibility?" asked Caspian, looking at Arnold.

Arnold probably knew very well the nature of Heimrich and Mathilde. The two houses fighting for the title of ruler of the White Coast had never been on good terms for years. It was unlikely that they would unite against Hildemar.

The heir of House Lorelei shook her head, "It's impossible. I think House Mathilde will side with us."

"Promise him as the ruler of the White Coast. Then, he'll support us and fight against Heimrich," Arnold replied.

"Very well. When the day comes, I will go to Mathilde to discuss this," Caspian said.

The assembly in Avolire Castle's assembly hall came to an end. The officials began to walk away, as did Caspian and Arnold.

But it was different with Sera. The woman locked herself alone in the chamber while lamenting the sad news that had befallen her.

She would be the cause of the loss of thousands of people in the war between Telmarath and Northcrest. While she was contemplating, the memories of when she was at Calden Castle came back vividly to her mind.

But it would be difficult for Sera to escape again. Her chamber was heavily guarded, as were the guards around the castle. Her escape would not be as easy as before.

Lady Grace was still behind the door of Sera's chamber, worried about her daughter's condition.

"Sera. Are you alright?" she asked.

"Leave me alone."