Kayra's face lit up, but seeing Javier still calm and serious, she held her expression in check.
"But hear this and treat my words carefully, Lady Kayra. I will send help to aid your region, not just to support your troops and deter the invaders, but to help rebuild your economy and perhaps more in the future. But not without conditions."
Kayra fell silent.
Of course there's no such thing as free help.
I know. And as a region that's suffering, I have no choice but to accept this young man's proposal.
I don't have a choice. I really don't have a choice.
I hope their demands… I hope the conditions he sets are something we can meet, something that won't burden my people further.
"First, regarding trade." Javier lifted a report Alf handed him. "According to this, the stretch of land your husband ceded to Garka is now under Garka's control. Which i can do nothing to help you reclaim it for now. That means the only viable trade route left is by sea."
