Chapter Twenty one

Alora was really eager to see how business was going in Arran that she made sure she wasn't going to be the one to make them go late. 

"You seem really eager about this business thing sis." Zayen rolled his eyes. "What's there in business? It is something everyone can do."

"Exactly Zayen. Tell her and Diego, Zayen. She should have come to learn how to fight instead." Aero backed Zayen up. 

"It isn't ladylike to carry swords to fight." Ira replied to Aero as she placed the rim of her cup on her lips. "It doesn't show any elegance in it." 

"Well who told you that you could only fight with swords? There are different weapons she could use. Like fans and more." Aero smirked at Ira who just faced her food to eat, ignoring him.

"All Ira was saying is that, it is unladylike to fight. Business would be much better because it would increase her interaction with more kingdoms." Diego said proudly. 

"Yes. It will also let her learn all she hasn't learned yet about other kingdoms. I support her learning business." Ira said softly. 

Aero was about to speak when Dean faked a cough. "The girl has decided what she wants. You can't force someone to do what they don't want to do so the four of you should give this matter up. She is learning business and that is final. You are all grown ups." 

"Well Zayen is still a kid." Alora giggled and Zayen chuckled. 

"He is no kid again. He is already spending time with the lady of his dreams, isn't that true Zayen?" Ira teased. 

"Aunt Ira." Zayen shot and she only laughed gently. 

"He spends his hours chatting with Alora's best friend instead of finding something to do." Ira continued. 

"Is that true Zayen?" Ruger looked at him surprised. l

"So you don't know father? The two are in love. It's not once I had to leave my room for them to keep on chatting for hours like they don't have what to do." Alora sighed. 

"Well I don't see why you shouldn't get married to her immediately when she is eighteen." Ruger dropped his fork and Zayen looked at him with a surprised expression. 

"Really father?" Zayen asked in disbelief. 

"Yes. But of course she would have to prove she is worthy of the title, the next first lady once you take over my position." Ruger stood up and walked to Alora, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Have a nice day sweetheart."

"Thank you father." Alora smiled. 

"So the girl would be tested very soon before I give my approval of her being your given wife, or I'll have to look for another lady for you. You will be twenty one very soon anyways." Ruger said as he walked out of the dining hall. 

"Well you owe me a thank you." Ira stood up and walked out of the hall. 

"Me too." Alora giggled and followed Diego who was walking out of the hall already. 

~

The carriage of the third Lord stopped at the entrance of the market and people paid their respects to him. Alora noticed this side of the market, she hadn't been there. 

"Is this the same market father brought me to?" Alora asked him and he nodded. 

"Yes it is. We have only one large market in Arran. The market spread out to almost half of the whole kingdom." Diego explained and Alora looked at him with a shocked expression. "Minus farmlands that is. You know we have different things we manufacture so we need a large amount of land to carry them out. The gold, copper and silver factory is one of the largest factories in the whole kingdom. Then the silk factory and in the silk factory, we have the cloth manufacturing industry too." 

"Wow, that is a lot." Alora said as they walked towards the silk factory. She wasn't surprised at how big the place was. Different colours of silks were arranged beautifully. Some people were passing some of the silks to the cloth making side while others were taking it to the silk store. "Wow. I love the way things look here. This is getting more interesting." 

The last sentence made Diego laugh. "Well business is interesting as long as you see something that interests you. Almost all the kingdoms buy silk from us. Arran is the top kingdom on the rank of kingdoms I hope you know." 

"Yes, because of its large business partners. We are part of the top ten richest kingdoms too. That is why we have many allies I can guess. Things must be really cheap here in Arran." Alora admired the whole place, still standing on a spot. 

"Things are cheap to the citizens but the selling price is really different to other kingdoms." Diego explained and her lips formed the shape 'o'. 

"Good morning to you, Lord Diego." A masculine voice called from behind. One could tell the voice belonged to a young person. 

Alora and Diego turned to see the young man just of the same age as Zayen standing behind them. He had many guards behind him and Alora could tell he was here for business. 

"Good morning to you,  young prince Ilyas."