The following morning, the council chamber was already occupied by ministers, advisers and mbers of both delegations by the ti Rosalind entered alongside Marek and Nathan.
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows and stretched across the polished floor while servants moved quietly around the edges of the room, placing docunts and fresh ink before retreating to their positions.
Rosalind took her seat without drawing attention to herself, although she could already feel Rowan’s presence from the head of the table.
When she finally looked up, their eyes t briefly before both of them returned their attention to the gathering.
Nothing about either of them suggested that they had spent part of the previous night alone in the garden, and yet Rosalind was painfully aware of him.
Once everyone had settled, Rowan began calmly "Thank you all for attending,"
"This discussion will focus on the reopening and managent of trade routes between Eryndor and rovia. We have all reviewed the preliminary draft, therefore we will proceed directly to the unresolved points."
Several ministers nodded and the discussion soon began.
One of Eryndor’s senior ministers unfolded a docunt and adjusted his spectacles before speaking. "The routes crossing the eastern corridor have historically been vulnerable to attacks from bandits and smugglers. Since Eryndor possesses the stronger military presence in that region, we propose that all rchant inspections along those routes be conducted under Eryndorian supervision."
Imdiately, murmurs spread around the table.
A rovian adviser shook his head. "That places too much authority in one kingdom’s hands."
"It places authority where security already exists," the minister countered with a pointed look.
Nathan folded his arms while Marek leaned slightly forward, his gaze fixed on the docunt still open before them as though weighing every word carefully.
"As crown prince of rovia," he began steadily, "I agree that security along the eastern corridor must remain strong, however, granting full inspection authority to one kingdom creates an imbalance that cannot be ignored, because once authority is concentrated, it is rarely returned without dispute."
His tone remained firm enough to settle the murmurs that followed his words. "We are not opposing Eryndor’s role in safeguarding the routes, we are simply stating that oversight must remain mutual if this alliance is to hold beyond paper."
Nathan then adjusted his posture slightly, waiting until Marek finished before speaking, his voice calr. "From a strategic standpoint," he added, glancing briefly across the table, "shared inspection also reduces the risk of misinterpretation between rchants and guards from either kingdom, since when only one authority governs enforcent, every disagreent becos a matter of bla rather than resolution."
He paused briefly, then continued in a lower tone, "And given the history between our kingdoms, perception matters almost as much as structure."
The discussion continued for several minutes as different opinions were exchanged, yet no agreent was reached.
Eventually Rowan glanced toward Rosalind. "Princess," he said. "What is your view?"
Several heads turned toward her at once.
Rosalind sat straighter, surprised only for a mont before she gathered her thoughts.
"I believe shared oversight would be more beneficial," she said calmly. "Trade between kingdoms depends upon trust, and trust becos difficult when one side holds complete authority over the other."
The minister who had proposed the clause frowned. "With respect, your Highness," he began, "matters of trade administration are significantly more complex than they appear."
The room beca quiet.
Rosalind could already hear the condescension beneath his words.
But the man continued anyway. "These discussions involve comrce, governance and security. They are not just any matters, therefore, such concerns should be left to individuals with greater experience."
The implication settled heavily across the chamber.
Marek’s expression darkened imdiately. How dare the man speak to his sister like that?
Nathan’s eyes narrowed at the minister.
But the minister either failed to notice or chose to ignore it.
anwhile Rowan’s face beca noticeably stern. "Minister Jared, I asked for her opinion..." His voice faded for a mont before returning colder. "Are you implying I do not know what I am doing?"
"That wasn’t what I ant... Your majesty" The minister shook his head.
Rowan’s gaze sharpened at him but before he could say more, Rosalind lifted her gaze to et his. "Your Majesty," she said calmly.
His attention shifted to her.
"Allow ." Rosalind stated.
For a mont, neither of them spoke.
Then Rowan gave a small nod while the chamber grew even quieter.
Rosalind folded her hands neatly together before addressing the minister. "You are correct," she said. "Trade administration is complex."
The minister appeared pleased by her response.
However she continued. "Which is precisely why balance is necessary."
His expression changed slightly.
"If Eryndor controls all inspections, then rovia becos dependent upon Eryndorian judgnt. That dependence may appear convenient today, although over ti it creates distrust because one kingdom possesses authority while the other simply accepts its decisions."
Several people exchanged glances.
anwhile, Rosalind continued without hesitation. "An alliance should strengthen both kingdoms equally. If one side controls every inspection, every approval and every restriction, then eventually the arrangent stops feeling like cooperation and begins feeling like supervision."
The minister opened his mouth in an attempt to protest.
She continued before he could interrupt. "And if resentnt develops, trade weakens. When trade weakens, trust weakens alongside it. Therefore shared oversight is not rely fair. It is practical."
Silence followed, just as the minister looked visibly uncomfortable.
A few mbers of the council nodded thoughtfully and even so of the Eryndorian advisers appeared to agree.
Nathan lowered his head slightly to hide a faint smile while Marek looked openly satisfied.
At the head of the table, Rowan looked pleased and his gaze never left Rosalind.
She had answered without anger, without hesitation and without needing anyone to defend her.
Rowan then cleared his throat. "The princess makes a reasonable point."
Several voices agreed.
The discussion resud and this ti the atmosphere shifted. Instead of debating whether Rosalind belonged in the conversation, people began responding directly to her suggestions.
For the next hour they reviewed routes, tariffs and inspection procedures. So clauses were anded while others were postponed for later review, although by the ti the session neared its end, considerable progress had already been made.
When Rowan eventually closed the eting, people began gathering their docunts and preparing to leave.
Rosalind reached for her papers when one of the advisers paused beside her.
"Your contribution was valuable today, your Highness."
"Thank you," she replied politely.
The man inclined his head before moving away.
Marek approached almost imdiately afterward. "You handled that better than I would’ve."
Rosalind laughed softly. "I doubt that."
"I assure you, I would’ve said sothing far less diplomatic." Marek said. He had been ready to punch the minister in his face had the king not interrupted.
That earned another smile from her.
anwhile across the chamber, Rowan watched the exchange while speaking to one of his advisers. Although his attention appeared elsewhere, he noticed the confidence in Rosalind’s posture and the ease with which she carried herself.
She had changed.
And also grown stronger.
As people gradually filtered out of the chamber, Rosalind gathered the last of her docunts and turned toward the exit. Just before she left, her gaze lifted briefly.
Across the room, Rowan was already looking at her.
Neither of them spoke, yet their eyes carried everything they could not say aloud.
Then Rosalind turned and walked away while Rowan remained where he was, watching until she disappeared beyond the chamber doors.
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