After the night talk with Raftin and a night's sleep, Felmer woke up and saw his father and uncle leave with the convoy for the meeting. He watched them leave from his room and went down to eat breakfast.
"I hope this meeting turns out to be somewhat useful," Melfer said as he sat.
"We will find out when they come back," Felmer responded.
"When's the competition?" Flexin asked.
"Next week, the day after they are expected to come back," Felmer responded.
"You have enough time to prepare yourself," Emilia said.
"Yes, we will try," Melfer responded.
In the meantime, Felmer and Melfer spent their day practicing and improving their techniques.
This meeting was an early one and especially called for Raftin. They had their doubts, but still decided to attend it.
The journey was a long one. They attended the meeting, met with the representatives of the kingdoms, and after a week's expedition, they were back in their country.
The day they returned, so did their cousin Elna.
Felmer and Melfer stood on the gates of the mansion and awaited the arrival of the convoy. They were meant to greet their cousin.
"Why are we here again?" Melfer asked.
"To greet our cousin," Felmer replied.
"I have heard that they have changed the rules of the competition this year," Felmer said.
"Yeah, mother told me. I asked her why, and she said that competitors are not meant to know; only the organisers and the top brass of the government know about it. It's a government-administered competition after all."
"Oh…Well, we can't do anything, can we?"
"No, we can't," Melfer said, and then they heard the voices of the people grow loud, outside. "It seems they have arrived.
The convoy entered the mansion and rode one of the horses, Elna. She got off, walked forward, and Felmer bowed.
"Nice to see you after a long time," Felmer said with a seemingly fake smile.
"Same for me, young master," Elna spoke with a lovely smile and bowed back.
His uncle and father were behind her. Raftin went inside swiftly, Marnis followed, and the two of them rushed inside. Something was a bit off.
When they entered, Elna walked towards Emilia, and they hugged each other. Elna picked up Anna and kissed her forehead. Then Felmer entered, and she grabbed him and hugged him.
"How are you? My little cousin." Elna said as she hugged him tightly.
"I am…Fine."
"Did you miss me? I for sure missed you a lot." Elna said and grabbed Felmer's cheeks.
"Who knows?" Felmer said.
"Hmmm…That's not how you meet a long-gone relative."
"Well…" Felmer said.
He stepped back and followed his father.
"Where are you going?"
"Father seems to be calling me."
"I bought some gifts for you," Elna said.
Felmer immediately turned. "What gifts?"
"You turned fast. Uncle seems to be calling you. Go," Elna said and smirked.
Felmer sighed and went to where his father did. Melfer followed him.
Marnis and Raftin were chatting when Felmer entered the room. They seemed worried and a bit angry.
"Felmer…" Marnis said as he saw Felmer enter the room. "Tonight, an emergency meeting has been convened. Be here at the time, and you will participate as well. Melfer, you will be with Irnik."
"Yes, father," Felmer and Melfer responded.
Then the two of them went back and began to chat with their cousin.
The time went swiftly, and night came. At sunset, numerous nobles and ministers began to arrive in the city and entered the meeting hall.
"Go take your seat, the meeting will begin in a brief moment." Captain Irnik said to Felmer. Felmer nodded and went to his seat.
All the nobles and the ministers sat, and the meeting began.
"I attended the meeting of the committee. The Falvarians decided to stop their attacks on us and accept a ceasefire." Raftin stopped.
"That sounds good." The minister of internal affairs spoke. "What did they say?"
"But…they have a demand." Raftin stopped.
"What demand, Lord Raftin?" The chief of the shore village asked.
Raftin took a deep breath. "They demand that the main branch of the Gorbin family will not rule from now on. If this is accepted, they will stop all kinds of attacks on us and open trade. I…Accepted."
"What?" The minister of finance was shocked.
"You accepted without asking us?" The chief of the southern village asked.
"We had no time." The minister of foreign affairs replied.
"You could have sent a messenger at least." General Ednita responded. "This is totally wrong and unfair."
Marnis looked at his cousin. Raftin was worried. His intentions were true, but due to difficult circumstances, the meaning of this decision changed.
"This proves that the branch family is greedy for power. You are showing your true colours after Lord Emairis's death." The chief of the eastern village said.
No one liked this decision. They all wanted to be informed beforehand. But now everyone thinks that Raftin was greedy, even though he wasn't.
The hatred and voices were getting loud when Marnis stopped them.
"Gentlemen, relax. We can think about it later. We don't have time to fight among ourselves. I have no problem as the heir. He is ruling fine, and the people have no problem. This meeting has ended, you all can leave." Marnis said, and he, alongside Raftin and Felmer, left the hall.
Everyone demanded answers, but the leader and the heir had nothing to say. Marnis wanted to avoid civil war at all costs.
"Bullshit!" Felmer said as he, Raftin, and Marnis entered the house.
"Felmer!" Marnis called him as he entered the hall of the house.
"What do you mean you are okay? Do you think the people will like it?"
"We will come up with something," Marnis replied.
"Come up with what? We will lose our social status. We are the main family." Felmer's voice grew louder.
"We can't fight with each other." Marnis was angry as well.
"We are the rulers, they aren't! The people will lose their trust in us!"
"What the heck do you want to say?" Marnis shouted and banged his hands on the table.
All the members of the family looked at them. They were all worried. They watched the son and the father fight. They saw two heirs fighting.
"I am trying to say…We must not sell our right to rule to tyrants in the name of peace." Felmer said. "We both know how trustworthy those Falvarians are!"
Marnis was left speechless. He knew that Falvaria was lying, and they still wouldn't stop their attacks. They both looked at each other and went in opposite directions.
"Felmer!" Elna said as he left the house and went outside.
Elna was about to follow him, but she was stopped by Emilia.
"Don't pursue him. This matter is beyond us. You should rest."
Felmer strolled through the city. The main family was trusted as the heirs and leaders of Cerfis. They couldn't risk losing their social status. Felmer was right that Falvaria wouldn't stop. Marnis was right that opposing might start a civil war. Both were right in their stance. But the decision was accepted, and Felmer will never look at Raftin as he did before.