Pain(1).

''I have a new approach,'' Nila spoke her mind mind brewing with ideas.

Darius raised an eyebrow. "New approach?"

"Yes. You've seen how Navaria thrives on trade rather than alliances. They've managed to avoid entangling marriage alliances because they're an economic powerhouse. Selene could achieve the same."

Darius frowned thoughtfully and glanced over at Cyrus, who looked intrigued. "Trade?" he mused. "We don't have as much in terms of established trade networks, though. Selene's resources have mostly stayed within our borders."

Nila nodded. "That's exactly my point. By leveraging what we have in abundance, be it metals, herbs, or unique crafts and offering those to neighbouring kingdoms, we could create a mutually beneficial situation. They get access to something rare, and we secure alliances based on trade agreements rather than marriages or wars."