Xander's gaze was firm, and he said, "Precisely because Trevor was just promoted, he should take advantage of the situation to train himself. Although Aeridon is a bitterly cold place, if the border market is managed well, this will be a great achievement. As for the hardship—compared to the hardships he bore last year in the Thirteen Tribes, this little bit of difficulty is nothing to him."

Xander turned around and took Athena's hand. "Tomorrow, I will go to the palace to recommend him to the King. The King is already satisfied with his assignment, so I don't think he will reject it. With him stationed in Aeridon, and another team of guards transferred, if Richard and his gang want to do anything in the border market, they will have to consider it carefully."

Athena looked at the gleam in Xander's eyes, and all the doubts in her heart completely melted away. "That's great, I'll write a letter to Uncle Trevor right away so that he may prepare. But…" She paused slightly, "Uncle Trevor is obstinate and principled, and Lord Richard has been entrenched in Aeridon for many years. I'm afraid he will make things difficult for him."

"I thought of this a long time ago." Xander's mouth curled into a cold smile. "I will have people from the inspection team go to Aeridon in advance to take care of things and secretly clear out the group of Richard's accomplices. By the time he assumes office, we'll have smoothed the way for him. Let him see our sincere commitment to making the border market a success."

Hearing all this, Athena was relieved.

This trip to Aeridon would take at least a year and a half, and there was still a month before the departure date. Reflecting on this, Athena decided to return to Perkins Manor and seek her maternal grandfather's opinion. The next morning, Athena took two boxes of freshly baked shortbreads and went to Perkins Manor in a carriage. As soon as the vermilion gate of Perkins Manor opened a crack, she heard a familiar hearty laughter coming from the courtyard. Athena walked in with the food box and saw Kurtis standing in front of the Solar, leaning on a cane. He was talking, nodding, and smiling at the ladies, while Trevor stood aside, his face like an icicle under the eaves, exuding impatience.

"Grandpa!" Athena shouted and walked forward quickly.

When Kurtis saw his granddaughter coming, he smiled so that his eyes narrowed into a slit. "Athena, you've come at the right time. Come and help Grandpa see which of these girls is more suitable for your Uncle Trevor."

Athena then saw clearly that several ladies were sitting in the Solar, obviously there for matchmaking. She immediately understood and looked at Trevor with a suppressed smile, "Is Uncle Trevor getting married?"

"What this or that!" Trevor opened his mouth before Athena finished speaking. "Dad, how many times have I told you, I have no intention of getting married at all. I'm busy with border affairs right now, so how can I have the mind to consider these things?" he complained.

"What do you know!" Kurtis tapped the ground with his cane and said in a deep voice, "It's because you are careless that you need a woman who knows how to care for you! Last year, when you went to the Thirteen Tribes, if the accompanying nanny hadn't reminded you, you would have forgotten to bring your cotton coat! If Athena hadn't been thinking of you now, do you think the King would have promoted you to Vice Minister so quickly?"

Kurtis then turned to Athena, his tone softening somewhat. "Athena, you be the judge. Your Uncle Trevor is almost thirty years old, and his peers' children are all old enough to run errands. He, on the other hand, does nothing but obsess over military affairs and official duties, living like some kind of ascetic."

Athena was amused by Kurtis's words and burst out laughing. A lady in a lotus-root pink dress said in a clear voice, "General Trevor is working hard for the country, which is a blessing for the Grand Luminary Empire; how could he be an ascetic?"

Trevor was choked by these words, and his face became even more ugly. "Thank you for your kind words, but I have made up my mind. In this life, I only have the ambition to serve the Kingdom, and I have no intention of starting a family for the time being."

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the ladies present were a little embarrassed. Kurtis was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, and was about to get angry, but Athena quietly pulled his sleeve.

"Grandpa, Uncle Trevor, let's talk inside. I brought the shortbreads you love to eat," Athena said with a smile to smooth things over. She then smiled at the ladies, "It's not a good day today. I'm afraid I'll have to let you ladies make a trip in vain. I will definitely visit you to apologize another day."

The ladies hurriedly rose to their feet, demurring, "You do us too great an honor."

Seeing this, Kurtis knew that his granddaughter must have something important to say. "Very well," he conceded, seizing the opportunity to bring the matter to a close. "It's bitterly cold today. You may take your leave now. I will pay you a visit another day."

After seeing the guests off, Kurtis leaned his cane against the corner of the wall. He sat down, huffing, "Tell me, why don't you want to get married? What exactly do you want?"

Trevor stiffened his neck and didn't say a word.

"Grandpa, I'm here today to discuss some serious matters with you and Uncle Trevor." Athena gestured for the maid to serve tea and shortbreads. She explained the need for a person in charge of the Aeridon border market in detail. "His majesty and my husband both believe that Uncle Trevor is the best candidate, but this matter is very difficult, and it requires Uncle Trevor's approval," Athena said.

As soon as Trevor heard there was a job, his eyes lit up instantly. "The Aeridon border market? Trading with the Thirteen Tribes? I'll take this job!"

But Kurtis frowned. "Aeridon is remote, and Lord Richard's people are lingering there. I'm afraid it will be dangerous if you go."

"It is precisely because it is dangerous that someone should go," Trevor said. He straightened his back and continued, "Last year in the Thirteen Tribes, I discovered that they have a great demand for goods from the Central Plains, but they are used to being scammed by smugglers. If an official border market can be opened, it will not only benefit the court but also allow the people on the border to live a stable life, which is a good thing."

Athena saw that Trevor agreed readily, so she also mentioned Xander's arrangements. "My husband will send an inspection team to clear out the smuggling forces there in advance, and when you assume office, you only need to focus on managing border market affairs, and can directly submit confidential reports back to the capital should there be any developments."

Kurtis looked at the sparkle in his son's eyes and finally nodded. "In that case, go ahead. Just be careful of everything. Richard and his group are very insidious, so don't fall into their trap."

"Don't worry, Dad." Trevor bowed and saluted, "Your son will definitely handle the assignment well and will never disgrace the Perkins family."

Athena looked at the father and son, and the weight she had been carrying in her chest finally lifted. She suddenly remembered the matchmaking scene just now and couldn't help but tease, "Uncle Trevor, don't rush to refuse marriage. Maybe when you come back from Aeridon, you will meet a girl who suits you?"

Trevor's ears turned slightly red, and he turned around and walked out. "I still have official duties to attend to, I'll go and get busy."

Looking at his fleeing back, Kurtis and Athena looked at each other and smiled.

During the early morning court audience, when Richard heard that the candidate for Aeridon had been decided, his face turned livid with anger.

"Your Majesty! Your subject has an objection," he addressed. Richard walked out of his position and said to the King, "This Trevor is the biological uncle of Mrs. Cavendish. The Prince Regent is using his power to seek personal gain for his relatives! Aeridon border market is so important, how can it be handed over to such a person who gets to the top through nepotism?" His voice was loud and dripping with sarcasm as he said, "Trevor is just a newly promoted vice minister, who has neither the merit of expanding the territory nor the ability to manage border trade. Why should he take on this important task? In my opinion, the Prince Regent must be practicing favoritism and perverting the law, and treating the important task of the country as a favor!"