There was no choice; with the construction of the castle indefinitely postponed, they could only make do with a few small wooden houses for now. It was a pitiful state to expand nobility, but it wasn't something humiliating.
With a superficial relationship, there wasn't much to discuss. After a few formal pleasantries, they started to get straight to the point.
...
"Baron Katelai, if you want to buy grain, why don't you search for a grain merchant?
If you think they are asking too much, you can directly ask neighboring nobles to buy from them. Southeastern Province has always had a reputation as the kingdom's granary, almost every noble lord's house has a large amount of food stored, they certainly won't disappoint you.
I have moved into my domain just slightly over a month before you, our situations are quite similar, the last season's harvest was a complete failure, and we are only just beginning to sow for this season, where did you think you could buy grain from?"