"I shouldn't be receiving guests."
Killian's voice was flat. He glanced at Darius, his gaze sharp.
"My apologies, Your Highness. Lord Edevan insisted on seeing you. He said it concerns an important matter for the kingdom…"
The silver-haired man patted Darius on the shoulder, smiling casually as he stepped out from behind the knight.
"Ah, I can't stand this misunderstanding any longer. I tried to be patient. But you know, Your Highness, having the kingdom's name tied to ours feels a bit…"
Howarth let out a long breath and glanced at Darius. "…burdensome. Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Howarth Valmare, my younger brother is Sebastian Valmare. We are from the Kingdom of Edevan. So please, stop calling us Lord Edevan."
The silver-haired man finally smiled in relief. He turned back to Killian.
"I've heard the rumors. 'The Crown Prince is confined to his chambers for a week and only allows Josselyn to attend to his needs'…" Howarth said lightly, his eyes shifting to Josselyn.
"Oh, hi Josselyn," he greeted. "I didn't expect to see you here this early."
Josselyn immediately stood from her chair. It scraped softly against the floor.
"I-I…" She stopped. The words stuck in her throat.
Killian leaned back in his chair, completely at ease.
"I needed her to prepare a health tonic for me," he said coldly. "And that hardly concerns you, Howarth. Say what you want before I report this to the King."
Howarth raised an eyebrow, slightly irritated by the threat. He glanced briefly at Josselyn, then back at Killian.
"This is important, Crown Prince. I 'forced' my way in because this is… a secret." Howarth lifted his hand, emphasizing the word with two fingers.
Darius cleared his throat near the door.
"Your Highness, I can escort Josselyn—"
Killian shot him a sharp look. Darius immediately fell silent.
Josselyn lowered her head quickly. The tension in the room thickened.
"I truly apologize," she said hurriedly. "I'll return if Your Highness calls for me again. Excuse me."
"You're simply carrying out my orders, Josselyn."
Killian's single sentence stopped her in her tracks.
Howarth stepped further into the room, his leather shoes nearly silent against the floor.
"Ah, I see now." His tone was casual, but his eyes missed nothing.
The breakfast table. The pulled-out chair. The still-rumpled bed.
His smile widened slightly. "A busy morning."
Killian scoffed.
"If you came just to comment on breakfast, you can leave."
"Be patient." Another voice came from behind him.
Sebastian finally entered the room, his expression as calm as ever.
"Are you sure she should hear this?" he said flatly. "She seems to be holding quite a few of your secrets, Your Highness."
Killian's jaw tightened. Perhaps he hadn't expected Sebastian to turn the pressure back on him.
He rested his elbow on the table. "I'll personally cut off her head if she can't keep her mouth shut."
Josselyn shot Killian a sharp glare. Her hands clenched at her sides until her knuckles turned white.
'Cruel bastard.'
Her chest rose and fell as she tried to contain her anger. The way he spoke about a life as if it meant nothing.
'I almost found him impressive, but he really is the cruelest man alive.'
"You heard him, Josselyn?" Killian propped his head on his hand, a smirk tugging at his lips.
'Ha. I'll make sure you die by my hand first, Killian.'
Howarth suddenly coughed. He looked at Josselyn with interest.
"Wow, I like that look, Josselyn." He sounded almost delighted, his grin widening.
Sebastian cast her a brief glance. "Alright."
Killian lifted his chin, signaling to Darius.
The knight immediately shut the door tightly.
"So?" Killian began, his tone turning serious.
Sebastian stepped closer to the table. "We've heard about Valenroth's dwindling fabric supply."
The room fell silent. Killian narrowed his eyes.
"And what does that have to do with Edevan?"
"You must have heard from His Majesty why we are still in Valenroth," Sebastian replied.
Killian straightened. "Has what you were waiting for arrived?"
Sebastian nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. And it just so happens we heard about Valenroth's difficulties in preparing for winter."
Howarth crossed his arms.
"Winter is only two months away, Your Highness. And Duke Corven is still blocking the southern trade route."
Killian clenched his teeth slightly. "Get to the point."
Howarth smiled.
"I respect Your Highness's decision not to reconcile with him. That's why we're offering a solution."
Killian narrowed his eyes. "And what can you do?"
"The people of Valenroth are not lacking in wool."
Josselyn lifted her head slightly.
Sebastian nodded.
"The northern farms still produce plenty of wool," he continued.
Killian tapped the table lightly with his fingers.
"And?"
"Howarth," Sebastian said shortly.
The silver-haired man pulled something from the pocket of his long coat.
A small wooden tool. He spun it slowly between his fingers.
"A spinning tool."
Killian frowned.
"A spindle?"
Howarth nodded.
"To make cloth, we need thread."
The small piece of wood continued to spin as he spoke.
"Valenroth has plenty of wool. All we need to do is spin it into thread."
Killian watched him closely now, this time with genuine interest. "Go on."
Howarth gestured with the tool.
"The Kingdom of Edevan has craftsmen who make these."
Josselyn watched with curiosity.
"Howarth," Killian said flatly, "you came to my confinement chamber to sell tools?"
Howarth chuckled softly.
"Not sell."
He shrugged.
"Help."
Sebastian added calmly, "If the people have their own spinning tools, they can spin wool at home."
Howarth continued, "There will be more thread available."
Sebastian nodded.
"And the city weavers can work twice as fast."
Killian leaned back in his chair.
"So you want to teach all of Valenroth to spin thread."
"Not everyone," Howarth said. "Just enough."
Darius seemed thoughtful.
"Village women could do it at night," he said quietly.
Sebastian turned to him.
"Exactly."
Howarth spun the spindle again.
"Even children could learn."
Killian stared at the tool for a long moment.
Josselyn finally spoke softly,
"If thread becomes available… the weavers really could produce more cloth."
All eyes turned to her. Josselyn stiffened.
"I-I just—"
Killian did not interrupt her.
"Go on."
Josselyn swallowed.
"From what I've heard, villagers often complain about waiting too long for cloth." She lowered her gaze to the table. "If they can spin it themselves, they won't have to wait for shipments from the city."
The room fell silent again for a few seconds. Howarth watched her closely.
"Alchemist Josselyn seems to understand the people's struggles quite well." His tone was light, almost playful.
But it made Josselyn uneasy.
"I've only heard their complaints."
Killian leaned back casually.
"So what's the plan?"
Sebastian answered, "Edevan can send a large number of spinning tools."
Howarth added, "And a few craftsmen to teach their use."
Killian raised an eyebrow.
"How generous of your kingdom," he said sarcastically.
Howarth smiled. "Friendship between kingdoms is always valuable, Your Highness."
Killian studied him for a long moment.
"And in return?"
Howarth frowned slightly, stroking his chin as if thinking.
"Perhaps… a small reduction in port fees for the tools we send."
Killian was silent for a few seconds. Then a faint smile appeared.
"You're quite bold, extorting the Crown Prince."
Howarth grinned.
"I don't think it's excessive. After all, it also covers the cost of keeping quiet about what we saw this morning."