The room remains silent, with only the sounds of idle chatter can be heard from the corridor. The room was decorated plainly painted in gold and white, and the only furnishings are a table with a map covered in glass and a chair of significant decoration.

The silence was broken by loud knocking and the following rough opening of the door. The noise captured the occupant's attention.

Annabell enters with poise and hurriedly closes the door. Ariel looks at her and scoffs. "Well, well, It seems someone decided to show up."

Annabell smiled mischievously and spoke. "I missed you too." Ariel sputtered and said, stuttering. "W-what? S-shut up. Who would miss you."

"I would!" Jane spoke up, raising her hand, prompting Annabell to hug her in delight.

"And besides, weren't you the one sulking when she left?" Jane spoke teasingly.

Ariel reddened and spoke annoyed, "Because she just left, without even saying goodbye." She ends in a whisper.

Arin watching the situation shakes his head and coughs, capturing their attention. "As enjoyable as this is, This is not the reason we are here." The room tensed, the occupants nodding gravely.

Annabell sat on one of the chairs and spoke firmly. "There have been two cases of sabotage within Caehal,"

She raises one finger. "The first one was caught spying on our estate during one of Charles lessons,"

She raises another finger. "and the second one was caught supporting crime syndicates, The syndicate's whose main business was the smuggling of Caellum." She gestures at her bracelet

Jane spoke seriously as well. pushing a letter forward. "Such cases have also been observed on our side, a letter was sent from father, it explained an organised peasant revolt, It was crushed before it started,"

Jane pushes through a book from her lap. "Though evidence has been uncovered that it was under monetary support."

Ariel drumming her fingers, spoke irritated. "My father has sent letters expressing concerns over the presence of the hostile elements within our borders. The latest of such exploits involve the murder of a local noble."

Arin shakes his head gloomily, and he took the pieces of evidence presented and proceeded to examine it. He slumps, tired on what seems another bout of troubles.

He spoke fatigued. "I see, then has there been any evidence of movement? Do we have any leads? Is this an organised movement or unrelated operatives?" He massaged his forehead, seemingly in pain.

Annabell smiles menacingly. "Well, I would have thought John Agrod has been moving against me." She looks at Ariel, questioning.

Ariel waves her hands dismissively. "Oh please, My father doesn't need such petty tricks. After all, we all know who's going to succeed, my dearest husband," Ariel moves closer towards Arin.

She massages his shoulder, leaning her bountiful bosom on his back, eliciting a contented sigh.

Jane replies sweetly with a terrifying expression. as she cracks her knuckles, "Please sit back down, Ariel, Or ill have you sit down."

Ariel cringes a bit and moves back to her seat and spoke hoping to change the subject. "Well, anyway, I'm sure Father wouldn't do something so provoking without consulting me."

Annabell smiled at her and spoke accusingly. "That's what I thought too, but it wasn't the first time he would have done so."

Ariel looks at her with irritation from Ann's continued insistence on her family's involvement. "The actions of Abigail were done without our authorisation,"

She slams her hand in anger. "She has been exiled from the family and the Agrod lands. How is that not enough proof of our innocence?"

Annabell raises her hand placatingly. "Calm down Ari, all I'm saying is that your father isn't exactly the most trustworthy man.

She gestures around the room, "And it is in our best interest for us to keep that in mind."

Arin spoke placatingly. "It is as she says. The fact of the matter is, we are unsure of the source of these disturbances. For all we know, these could be unrelated events."

Arin grabs both of their hands, hoping to mediate and spoke calmly. "It is best to keep an open mind, and we wait for new information to come" The three women nod, acknowledging his words.

Arin shook his head and then spoke with worry. "Unfortunately, this isn't the least of our worries," That captures the room's attention.

Jane, who remained silent through the encounter, spoke in distress. "What could be worse than that?"

"There have been letters sent from Germania. A delegation is on its way to negotiate for an alliance against the Franks," Arin pointed towards the map. Opening the drawer, he took out soldier sculptures.

"The recent issues arose when United Britannia's armies fell at Brittan Bridge," He topples one at a bridge built in a strait.

"The Nix's alliance with the Franks has resulted in significant casualties for Germania." He dragged the soldiers around, signifying movement as the germanian soldiers trapped between two armies.

Ann nods her head, "I have heard of the situation from the little gossips through trade, but I was unaware the situation has devolved to this."

Jane taps her chin, thinking. "Have they tried with Moskva?" Jane points towards the large landmass east of Germania.

Arin shakes his head. "My sources tell me, Moskva is in a state of civil war. The current ruler is fighting off his brothers."

Ariel responds, waving her hand dismissively. "So, there is hardly a chance for them to agree. Even so, I don't understand, Why you are worried. If you wish, you can just decline any form of agreement."

Arin sighs and spoke tiredly. "That's what I thought too until they called upon the favour owed by Siegfried to the Germanian royal family, they started negotiation of marriage between the princess and my son. " After explaining

Jane and Ariel look at him weirdly. "Marriage? So wha-" they were interrupted with a shout.

"Marriage!" Ariel shouts aloud, standing up. Arin replies, his head still rested on his arms.

Jane and Ariel look at Ann, shocked at her reaction.

Ann sits back down and explains with exasperation, "The Germanian king's heir and only family is princess Adelaide." She massages her forehead, hoping to alleviate the oncoming headache.

Ariel and Jane looked shocked. If that's true, then anyone who marries her would change the balance of power within the nation.

Marrying into the Germanian royal family will give them the right to claim the kingdom.

The two women whisper "Fuck", and both remained silent

"What do we do now?"