The room stayed quiet after Ella’s words; she allowed the question to linger in the air between them for a few seconds.
"Do we call this an alliance?"
Morena didn’t want to answer right away. Blinded by possibility, she had to consider many things. This deal didn’t just involve her own life, but the life of her entire house.
Her father, sister, and even people like Adolf and Hark, who had served her loyally so far, would be implicated if the deal went south.
She leaned back against her chair, eyes steady on Ella, biting her lower lip just slightly as she thought. The woman’s tone was confident, even playful, but the weight of what she asked wasn’t something to toss around lightly.
Morena collected her thoughts and spoke at last, breaking the silence and causing a shift in the lady’s appearance.
"Coins and supplies are what you’ve offered. But those are just words. I need more details first, at least the basic stuff. If merchants won’t enter the city, how do you plan to guarantee what you’re offering?"
Ella’s brow rose for a split second, as if she wasn’t expecting Morena to ask more questions—as if she was expecting her to just accept the deal. But it was quickly replaced by a faint smile, as if she was glad she did.
She lifted her cup and sipped slowly, the wine nearly gone from how much both had drunk so far.
"You’re not wrong. The larger caravans avoid the gates, that much we both know. But not all merchants are equal. The smaller families still need coin, even if they have to risk a little to get it. I’ve already been in contact with a few from the villages east of the city. They’ll sell directly to us; discreetly, of course."
Morena raised a brow at the lady’s words. Adolf had been looking for such a merchant himself, a contact to get supplies from, even with the gates being avoided.
But he had yet to be able to find anyone willing to take the risk. Yet she had already achieved that? Maybe Morena, no, everyone, had underestimated House Brenle a little too much.
"Grain, dried meats, fresh greenery. Enough to keep a house supplied."
"What about inspections? I may have men, but we can’t stand against the church openly. They’re much larger than both of us combined, and standing against them would be declaring open war."
Ella’s shoulders lifted slightly in a shrug, her green eyes holding Morena’s gaze without wavering.
"I’ve thought about that too. You don’t need to worry about the inspections, at least not for the supplies. Everyone has a price, Morena. Even the church’s white sashes."
Morena tapped a finger against the stem of her cup. It wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t a guarantee either.
While bribery could buy them some time, it wasn’t a crutch they could rely on constantly. Still, it was more than most nobles in the city could claim.
"Suppose you can get the food. What exactly do you expect of me? Of my house? You wish to use my soldiers, that much is true, but why?"
Ella set her cup down and leaned forward, her face close enough to Morena’s that she could feel the warmth of her breath.
"Strength and presence. We need to ensure that the people can see soldiers who aren’t wearing the church’s robes. If your men patrol the markets, stand at the gates with merchants, escort caravans when needed, it sends a message. That there’s still order beyond the church. That someone is still protecting them."
Morena narrowed her eyes slightly, but she didn’t pull her face away.
"You want my soldiers to stand in the open. That puts all of the church’s attention on me."
"Not if it’s framed correctly."
Ella countered quickly.
"Just say you’re helping them search for the heretic like they want. Besides, patrols in the markets are no different than what your men already do in the city. All we change is the amount."
Morena almost scoffed at her words. It was playing with fire, using the church’s own words against them, and on top of that, profiting from it? But it was true. Framed the right way, her men wouldn’t look like defiance, just duty.
Plus, in the eyes of the people, her house would be the hero they wanted.
It would raise the reputation of her family greatly, and they could benefit from it if this worked out.
"And you truly believe this will work?"
Ella tilted her head, lips curving faintly.
"It’s not perfect, but I wouldn’t come to you with empty hands. Think of it as my gift to you, because I find you interesting. The church doesn’t care about excuses; they care about results. As long as they have no proof of disloyalty, they won’t risk a fight with both our houses at once. Not while they’re busy trying to choke the rest."
Morena considered her words carefully.
Ella wasn’t suggesting open defiance; she was suggesting survival, the way nobles always had. Using excuses and fake fronts to move things in the shadows was the way of a noble.
Morena set her cup down.
"Coin and supplies on your end. Soldiers and presence on mine. And together, we keep the city from tearing itself apart under the church."
"Exactly. But more than that, we make sure it’s our names the people remember. Brenle and Ravenscroft."
Morena let out a low breath.
"Then let’s speak plainly. How do you propose we put this into writing?"
Ella’s smile widened, pleased.
"Trade contracts. Nothing more. Your men escort my merchants. In return, supplies are delivered directly to Ravenscroft stores at a lower rate. No one questions it, and on paper, it’s nothing more than commerce."
Morena nodded slowly.
It was an underhanded method, but it kept matters clean and untraceable.
"My steward will draw the papers," Ella replied. "Yours can make adjustments. We exchange drafts within the week. Once signed, we put it into action."
"You seem very sure I’ll agree."
Ella’s smile curved faintly, her green eyes catching the light.
"I am. Because you’re not foolish enough to refuse a lifeline when it’s right in front of you."
How cunning— or was it arrogance? Seeing herself as a lifeline that Morena couldn’t deny. Well, she wasn’t entirely wrong. At least about the part where she was a lifeline.
"Fine. We’ll exchange drafts. I’ll have Adolf handle the adjustments. Within the week."
Ella’s expression softened, satisfaction clear in the gleam of her eyes. She pushed herself forward before Morena could rise from the chair, and their lips met.
Morena’s eyes widened in shock at the lady’s sudden forwardness. She had picked up on the hints before, the tone of her words, but she didn’t expect her to just outright make a move.
She couldn’t help but sink into it for a second before remembering the context and pulling away.
"What was that?" The rıghtful source is 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽
Morena’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was firm; her eyes narrowed at the lady.
"Sealing the deal, that’s all~"
Ella chuckled softly as she leaned back in her chair, licking her lip slightly.
Morena shook her head and pushed back her chair, standing up.
"I think that’s enough for this discussion. I should return."
Her voice left no room for objection, her body already moving to leave.
Ella rose with her; she frowned a bit, regretting her sudden action. She hoped it hadn’t ruined anything, but she couldn’t help herself.
"Of course. I’ll send word when the drafts are ready."
Morena inclined her head once in parting.
"Then I’ll be expecting it."
She turned toward the door, her steps steady. Ella’s gaze lingered on her back, a mixture of emotions in her eyes.
And as Morena left the estate, slipping back into the waiting carriage, her thoughts were already moving.