Chapter 51: Don’t Let the Heart Lose Its Warmth
After a full twenty days of recuperation, Yam finally felt that his body had completely recovered.
And once he had fully regained his health, he was drafted like a conscript into the operation to capture rebels within Red River City.
In just a few days, at least a hundred people had been arrested within Red River City.
But how many among them were truly rebels, aside from Monica and Marquis Visen, no one knew.
…
Yam rode on a tall horse, followed behind by twelve guards armed with long spears.
The soldiers marched in two columns, heads held high and chests puffed out.
The residents of Lily Avenue turned pale at the sight of Yam. Many who had planned to go out immediately turned back into their homes, and several shops even shut down in fright.
Seeing the reaction of these commoners, Yam let out a helpless sigh inwardly.
He too had come from the lower class, and before the age of ten, he had never seen anyone aside from members of the Iron Wolf Mercenary Group. His first time entering a city had been when he was thirteen.
Especially in a place like the Gem Territory, he understood all too well the bitter hardships of the common folk.
Now, looking at the way these civilians gazed at him, he suddenly felt that he was no different from those Bloodline Knights in the Gem Territory who had once oppressed others.
Though he felt ashamed, the rational part of him clearly told him that these were things he had no choice but to do.
The three major districts in the southern part of the city were Whitespring Avenue, Lily Avenue, and Red River Avenue.
Each area was populated by different groups: Bloodline Nobles, wealthy merchants of Red River City, and merchant groups from the Red Eagle Territory.
The first group would never "harbor" criminals, so the saboteurs dissatisfied with the Kasein Family could only be found in Lily Avenue and Red River Avenue.
After all, the upper class resented being exploited by the Kasein Family and thus tried to incite the poor in the northern part of the city to create chaos and launch attacks; as for the merchant groups, they had the means to transport all kinds of supplies, some even dangerous, into the city, and naturally posed a serious concern.
As for why Yam was assigned to deal with these "upper-class people" of Red River City, it was simply because he was not from the Red River Territory.
Eventually, he would return to the White Mountain Territory with Baron Ster, so no matter how harsh his current methods or how much resentment he stirred among Red River City’s elites, once he left the city, it would all be written off. In fact, those people might even praise the Kasein Family afterward.
The dealings and operations with the merchant groups on Red River Street, on the other hand, were handled by Atork and Hales.
These two brothers from the Senels Family of Bayor Territory were true Bloodline Nobles.
They understood the weaknesses of the merchant groups and therefore knew their bottom lines, as well as how to negotiate with them.
Entrusting the task to them ensured that the complicated web of relationships behind the merchant guilds would not be rashly provoked, and naturally, the commerce of Red Eagle Territory would not be thrown into turmoil.
And if, in the worst case, the two brothers handled things poorly, they still had the Senels Family behind them. If enemies were made, it would be the Senels Family's enmity, not the Kasein Family’s.
Thus, from the outset, the Kasein Family had placed themselves in an invincible position in handling the aftermath of the attack and abduction of Joshua and Anna.
Yam might not have understood the full intention behind Atork and his elder brother Hales being sent to Red River Street, but he did grasp the reasoning behind his own assignment to Lily Avenue.
Naturally, he also sensed the intent Monica had when assigning him, and that was why he felt ashamed, and even guilty, toward the common people.
The group soon arrived in front of a three-story building.
With a wave of Yam’s hand, the twelve guards swiftly stepped forward, broke down the door, and entered. Screams, cries, and crashing noises quickly echoed from within.
Seeing that their own homes were not affected, the nearby pedestrians dared to inch closer, whispering among themselves.
As a Bloodline User, Yam had enhanced hearing, so the whispers were no secret to him.
Soon, from the murmurs of the crowd, he learned about the family who lived in that house.
The homeowner’s son had once served as a private soldier of the Tinsk Family, the lords of the Red River Territory.
Thanks to that connection, the family had operated a shop and done reasonably well.
But since Red River City fell and their son died in battle, everything had gone downhill.
The shop had closed, and they had survived on their savings for the past half year, naturally fostering some resentment toward the Kasein Family who had conquered Red River City.
A few days earlier, the homeowner had drunk too much and complained aloud in a tavern, drawing the attention of those who were listening.
Normally, such incidents were minor and neither Marquis Visen nor Monica of the Kasein Family would care, perhaps even laughing them off.
But unfortunately, due to the recent attack and abduction of Joshua and Anna, this family ended up on Monica’s death list.
Among the over a hundred people arrested in recent days, most were unlucky like this.
There were only a handful of actual spies and collaborators.
But whether it was Yam, Atork, or the other lords, they all clearly understood that this was merely the Kasein Family’s method of making an example.
They intended to plant seeds of terror, of merciless retaliation, of preferring to kill wrongly rather than let one enemy gox into the hearts of everyone in Red River City, and even across the entire Red River Territory, to ensure that no one would dare betray the Kasein Family again in the future.
Yam could not approve of such methods.
But what he discovered was that his younger brother Akar actually saw no issue with these actions. In fact, he admired them greatly, which led to the first disagreement between the brothers.
…
“I heard you had a quarrel with your brother?”
In the room at the Marquis’s Estate arranged for the Soderbell brothers, Anna brought some fruit as she came to visit Akar.
This was the first time she had come to see Akar since she and Joshua had safely returned to the Marquis’s Estate.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to come, she simply hadn’t found a suitable opportunity.
After all, her status meant she couldn’t just visit Akar casually.
“No, we just had a difference of opinion about some things,” Akar said with a carefree grin when he saw Anna, responding casually without concern.
“Was it… because of me?”
Hearing the slight guilt in Anna’s voice, Akar was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly stood up to reassure her, “Of course not! It was about some of the things Miss Monica arranged. My brother thinks the methods are too ruthless... Hmph, my brother is just too upright and kind, that’s why he couldn’t accept it.”
“And what about you?” Anna suddenly asked. “Do you also think… Monica’s methods are too cruel?”
“Absolutely not.” Akar shook his head. “I actually think her approach is quite good, just like how Sister Lily handled those merchants in White Mountain City back then… I believe Miss Monica and Sister Lily would have a lot to talk about.”
“Sister Lily?” A trace of confusion appeared on Anna’s face, but she quickly understood. “You mean Lily Bole?”
“Yeah.” Akar nodded. “She’s my brother’s fiancée. Lord Baron Ster has already granted the marriage. Once we return to the White Mountain Territory, my brother should be marrying Sister Lily.”
“You’re probably of age too, right? Don’t you have a betrothed?”
“No.” Akar shook his head. “Even if I did, I wouldn’t marry.”
“Why?” Anna looked up.
But the moment she asked, she immediately understood why.
Because Akar was looking at her with burning eyes.
“I’m four years older than you.”
“I don’t care.” Akar shrugged.
“But you should know, my betrothed is Joshua…”
Hearing Anna’s voice grow smaller, Akar’s eyes gradually dimmed, and he merely replied with a nasal “Mm.”
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy with silence.
“I might be leaving here tomorrow.”
After a long pause, Anna spoke again, “Monica is sending Joshua back to Eaglehead Territory; it seems to be the Marquis’s order. I’m going back with Joshua… I won’t be returning to the Gem Territory.”
Akar said nothing.
He didn’t even look at Anna.
After a moment, he suddenly forced a carefree laugh. “Congratulations, Miss Anna.”
At those words, Anna’s heart twisted sharply, a sudden, suffocating pain welling up inside her.
“I…”
Anna looked up at Akar, only to see that he was not looking at her, but turning his gaze toward the small balcony outside the floor-to-ceiling window.
It was there, more than twenty days ago, that he had first seen Anna.
At that time, Akar hadn’t thought much of it, and he certainly never expected that in less than a month, he would be alone with Anna in a room.
It was just that this being alone together wasn’t quite what he had imagined.
As Anna looked at Akar’s profile, she felt that this face, not conventionally handsome, possessed a peculiar kind of charm. Finally, she couldn’t hold back and asked, “Have you sworn fealty to anyone?”
“No.” Akar shook his head. “My brother swore fealty to Brother Giggs… oh, that’s the eldest son of Baron Ster. My father and I haven’t sworn fealty to any lord, though for now, we serve the Bole Family under Baron Ster. He granted fiefs to me and my father. But truthfully, my father and I haven’t sworn fealty to him.”
“Then…” Anna hesitated for a moment, then, as if making a decision, suddenly asked, “Would you be willing to swear fealty to me?”
Akar turned his head, looking at Anna with eyes full of astonishment.
“Even if I can’t give you a fief, and can only offer you the title of a Household Knight, in the name of Anna Billy, would you be willing to swear fealty to me?”
…
Yam finally finished his duties for the day as night fell, dragging his exhausted body back to his room.
The moment he opened the door, he saw Akar packing his belongings.
“No need to rush. We still have a day to rest tomorrow, we’re not heading back until the day after.” Yam smiled, suddenly overcome with the real sense that his younger brother had grown up. “But are you really fine with your injuries? Shouldn’t you rest a bit more?”
“Brother.” Akar stopped what he was doing, then suddenly turned around and looked at Yam with a serious face. “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?” Yam suddenly sensed a very subtle atmosphere.
“I swore fealty to Anna.”
“You’re insane!” Yam’s expression changed drastically.
“I’ve already informed Baron Ster, and I’ve returned Fisher Village to the baron as well.”
“You…” Yam’s face looked rather unpleasant. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“I do.” Akar nodded earnestly. “I’ve never felt as clear as I do now. I know exactly what I want, and… I’ve sworn by my bloodline, just like you did when you swore to Giggs.”
Yam’s face immediately darkened.
But he knew clearly that from the moment Akar had sworn fealty, he could no longer stop him.
At that moment, he suddenly found himself somewhat resenting that his younger brother seemed to have grown up.
…
“Monica.”
Monica, who had been busy handling affairs in Red River City, looked up when she heard the voice and saw Anna walking through the door.
A sweet smile appeared on her face. “Sister Anna, coming to see me this late, what’s the matter? Aren’t you and Brother Joshua departing for Eaglehead Territory tomorrow? Why not get some good rest at this hour?”
“Akar Soderbell has sworn fealty to me. He’s now my Household Knight.”
The smile on Monica’s face froze for a moment, then slowly faded.
She put down the quill in her hand, her brows furrowing slightly. “He swore fealty… only to you?”
“Yes.” Anna nodded.
She understood what Monica meant by that question, so her answer was equally straightforward.
“Then that’s a good thing.” Monica’s face quickly lit up with a smile again. “Congratulations, Sister Anna.”
Facing Monica’s smiling face, Anna did not return the smile this time. Instead, she asked seriously, “Having Joshua marry me, that was your idea, wasn’t it?”
Monica looked confused. “Sister Anna, what are you talking about…”
“I’m not stupid.” Anna shook her head. “I just shouldn’t act too smart, because I lack aptitude, and I have no inheritance rights. My father wants me to be obedient and ignorant, so do both of my older brothers. …Don’t forget, I grew up in the Kasein Family and received the same education as you all.”
The smile remained on Monica’s face. “Sister Anna, you’re overthinking. I…”
“When Burton was still around, I honestly didn’t bother thinking about these things. But these past twenty days have made me clearly realize one thing, it's best to hold your destiny in your own hands, isn’t it?” Anna said slowly.
“I will marry Joshua, you don’t need to worry. …I just hope that the next time I’m kidnapped, someone of my own will come to rescue me, instead of me lying there waiting to die in despair.”
Monica fell silent.
“I’m sorry, Sister Anna, I…”
“Monica.”
Monica looked up slightly and met Anna’s gaze.
“Don’t become like the Marquis, with nothing left in your heart but calculations, no warmth remaining.” Anna sighed softly.
“In my heart, you are my family. So I’ll help you deal with Shuke, and Andre will die in the upcoming war against the Red Soil Territory. …As for the Gem Territory, it will belong to the Kasein Family. Joshua won’t even need to marry into it.”
“I’m sorry, Sister Anna, I…”
Monica stood up, walked around the desk, and hugged Anna tightly.
She held her with such strength, as if only through it could she prove the sincerity of her feelings.
But behind Anna’s back where she couldn’t see, the corners of Monica’s lips curled up slightly.
What Monica didn’t see either, was that while hugging her, Anna’s lips had curled up just the same.