Chapter 192: THE CITY OF A THOUSAND CANALS
The city of Meridoss never truly slept.
Even as the sun began its descent toward the western horizon, the canals remained bustling with small boats carrying silk, spices, and crystals from every corner of the Emerald Union. Stone bridges, arching gracefully over the water, were packed with merchants hawking their wares at the top of their lungs. One by one, oil lanterns were lit along the banks, their glow reflecting off the rhythmic ripples of the water.
The black SUV carrying Rumina and her entourage pulled up in front of a grand inn—a three-story red-brick building adorned with wrought-iron balconies overflowing with hanging flowers. A golden sign above the door shimmered in the late afternoon light, inscribed with the name: The Gilded Swan.
Rumina was the first to step out, followed by Raveena, Caelus, and Ramirez. The inn’s porter—a young man in a crisp white linen uniform—froze at the sight of the horseless carriage. His eyes bulged and his jaw slackened, but years of professional training forced him to snap his mouth shut and hurry forward to assist with the luggage.
"Welcome to The Gilded Swan, Milady," he said with a practiced voice, though his eyes kept darting back to the SUV. "How long will you be staying with us?"
"A few days," Rumina replied curtly. "Two of your best rooms."
The porter nodded and began hauling their leather trunks. Ramirez stood by the vehicle, his eyes scanning the perimeter—not out of suspicion, but out of ingrained habit. Caelus stood beside Raveena, his hand hovering hesitantly near her small travel bag.
"Let me help you with that," he said finally.
Raveena turned, slightly startled. "It’s fine. It’s light."
"I know. But let me."
Raveena handed him the bag. Their fingers brushed for a fleeting moment—brief, almost imperceptible—but it was enough to make Raveena look down and Caelus turn away, suddenly feigning an intense interest in the inn’s architecture.
From the corner of her eye, Rumina caught the exchange. Good grief, she grumbled internally. Youth these days.
They entered the lobby. The Gilded Swan lived up to its reputation as a high-end establishment. White marble floors stretched beneath their feet, while high ceilings were decorated with murals depicting merchant fleets at sea. Oil lamps scented with spices cast a warm, inviting glow. The guests lounging on red velvet sofas seemed to hail from every corner of the world—merchants in silk robes from the East, dark-skinned traders from the South, and even men in strange attire who likely hailed from distant archipelagos.
The innkeeper, a middle-aged woman with silver hair tied in a tight bun and a smile a bit too wide to be entirely sincere, greeted them at the reception desk.
"Welcome, Lady Sudrath," she said, her eyes moving rapidly to assess their clothing and jewelry. "Two of our finest rooms, as requested. Numbers 7 and 8, second floor, overlooking the canal."
Rumina nodded, counting out gold coins from a leather pouch. "Have breakfast delivered to the rooms. Do not disturb us unless it is urgent."
"Of course, Milady."
They ascended to the second floor. Room 7 was for Rumina and Raveena—spacious, with two large beds, stained-glass windows facing the canal, and a sturdy teak desk. Room 8 was for Caelus and Ramirez—smaller but equally comfortable, with one large bed and an extra cot in the corner.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Raveena collapsed onto her bed. "Finally. Every bone in my body aches."
Rumina set her bag on the desk and began organizing her documents. "Don’t get too comfortable. We are here for business, not a holiday."
"I know, Sister." Raveena rolled over, staring at the ceiling. "But can’t I enjoy this a little? This city... it’s so different."
Rumina paused, glancing out the window. The canal below was teeming with life. Merchants bartered, and children ran along the water’s edge. It was warm, crowded, and vibrant.
"Different," she repeated softly. "But Northreach is better."
Raveena smiled. "Is that because Brother Rianor is in Northreach?"
"It’s because Northreach has electricity." Rumina returned to her papers. "Now, I need to contact a few associates. You can rest or go for a walk, I don’t care. Just don’t go too far, and don’t go alone."
"I’ll ask Caelus."
Rumina didn’t respond, but the corner of her mouth quirked up.
As evening approached, Raveena and Caelus strolled along the canal bank. Ramirez followed behind at a discreet distance—close enough to protect, far enough not to intrude.
The oil lanterns flickered to life, casting golden shadows upon the water. Stalls along the road sold everything imaginable—silks from the East, silver jewelry from the South, and spices in small burlap sacks that emitted sharp, pungent aromas. Exotic fruits were piled high in woven baskets—purple mangoes with bright orange flesh, golden pomegranates with seeds that glittered like gems, and honey-guavas with a scent as sweet as their name.
Raveena pulled out her notebook and began to write. Air temperature... twenty-three degrees. Humidity... seventy percent. Vegetation... tropical, dominated by fruit-bearing plants. Architecture... red brick, wrought iron, influenced by—
"You aren’t even enjoying the view," Caelus interrupted. "You’re just taking notes."
Raveena smiled, her pen never stopping. "This is how I enjoy it."
They stopped in front of a small stall selling woven jewelry. Leather bracelets adorned with colored stones were hung in neat rows—ruby red, emerald green, amethyst purple, and sapphire blue. The stall owner, an old woman with white hair and a toothless grin, invited them to browse.
Caelus picked up a bracelet with a pale blue stone. The color was soft, reminiscent of a spring morning sky. He stared at the stone, then looked into Raveena’s eyes.
"This... the color matches your eyes," he said softly, almost in a whisper.
Raveena was taken aback. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, contrasting sharply with her black hair. She looked down, momentarily speechless.
"How much?" Caelus asked the merchant.
"Three silver coins, young master."
Caelus paid without haggling. He handed the bracelet to Raveena. "For you."
Raveena accepted it with a slightly trembling hand. She slipped it onto her left wrist—it fit perfectly, as if it had been made specifically for her. The blue stone sparkled under the lantern light.
"Thank you," she whispered.
They stood by the canal, watching the water reflect the city lights. Neither spoke. But their hands, hanging at their sides, slowly drew closer. Their pinky fingers touched—lightly, barely a sensation.
Neither of them pulled away.
From a distance, Ramirez watched. His weathered face remained stoic, but his eyes softened. The young prince is finally growing up, he thought.
Night fell. In Room 7, Rumina was still buried in her documents when Raveena entered. The girl sat on her bed, fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist.
Rumina glanced over. "Caelus bought that?"
Raveena jumped. "How did you know?"
"From the way you’re looking at it." Rumina set her pen down, turning fully toward her sister. "Do you like him?"
Raveena looked down, her cheeks reddening again. "I... I don’t know. He’s different. He isn’t like other arrogant princes. He... he actually sees me. Not as a mage, not as a Sudrath. Just as Raveena."
Rumina listened, her face expressionless. But in her heart, she sighed. My sister is falling for a prince from a kingdom we have so much trouble with. Brilliant.
"Listen," she said finally. "I won’t forbid you. You’re old enough to make your own choices. But remember—he is a prince. His family has principles very different from ours. Are you ready to face that?"
Raveena remained silent, her eyes fixed on the bracelet. "I don’t know, Sister. But I don’t want to think about politics right now. I just want to... feel this. Just for a moment."
Rumina stared at her sister for a long time. Then she stood up, walked to Raveena’s bed, and sat beside her. She reached out and squeezed Raveena’s hand.
"You deserve to be happy," she said softly. "We all do. So enjoy this. Just for a while. Then we go home and we fight."
Raveena looked at her sister. Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled. "Thank you, Sister."
Rumina didn’t say another word. She only held her sister’s hand tighter.
In Room 8, Caelus sat on the small balcony, gazing at the canal below. Ramirez sat inside, his sword resting across his lap.
"You like her," Ramirez said suddenly.
Caelus didn’t answer.
"Princess Raveena. You like her."
"I only... want her to be safe." Caelus’s voice was low, nearly swallowed by the sound of the flowing canal.
Ramirez didn’t push. He simply nodded slowly, his eyes on the young prince’s back. You’ve grown up, he thought.
The next morning, Rumina was ready before sunrise.
She wore a simple yet elegant gown—deep blue with silver embroidery on the collar, enough to signal her status without being ostentatious. Her hair was pulled back in a sharp bun. In her hand was a leather briefcase containing the Maglev rail proposal, letters of authority from Duke Lucian, and a sample of pure mana crystal—her ultimate weapon for the negotiation.
Raveena was still asleep when she left. She left a small note on the desk: "Going to handle business. Don’t go anywhere."
She went down to the lobby and hailed a carriage—not the SUV, as she didn’t want to attract more attention than she already had. The carriage took her past the canals of Meridoss, which were beginning to bustle with morning traders, toward the merchant district in the city center.
Madam Vernazza’s office was located in a three-story red-brick building with a small tower at the corner—the headquarters of the trade syndicate that controlled a third of the commerce in Meridoss. Two uniformed guards stood at the door, hands on their sword hilts.
Rumina stepped out of the carriage, staring at the building. This is it, she thought. My battlefield.
She stepped inside.
In Iron Hearth, thousands of kilometers to the north, Lucian Sudrath opened his eyes.
Pale morning light pierced the windows of his chamber. Beside him, Aurelia was still asleep, her breathing steady. Lucian watched his wife for a moment before rising quietly, careful not to wake her.
He walked to the window and looked south. Snow fell thinly, dusting the rooftops and streets. But in the distance, smoke already billowed from factory chimneys—a sign that Iron Hearth never truly slept.
Three months, he thought. We will be ready.
He turned, grabbed his cloak, and stepped out. Today, he would summon Riven and Roland. Today, the preparations would begin.
In Meridoss, Rumina stood before the reception desk at the trade syndicate building. A young woman with black hair in a neat braid looked up at her with a professional smile.
"How may I help you, Milady?"
"I am here to see Madam Vernazza. My name is Rumina Sudrath. I sent word ahead."
The woman checked a large ledger. "Ah, yes. Madam Vernazza receives guests after lunch. You may wait in the lounge."
Rumina nodded, hiding her disappointment. After lunch. Three hours away. She walked to the lounge—a small room with velvet sofas and a window overlooking the canal. She sat down, placed her bag on her lap, and waited.
Patience, she told herself. A negotiation begins with patience.
Outside, the sun continued its climb. Meridoss grew louder, more vibrant. And inside that waiting room, Rumina Sudrath waited, rehearsing every word she would say, every figure she would offer, and every smile she would give.
The trade war was about to begin.
And she was ready to win it.