Imperial Throne

Chapter 117: Incitement

"Anna, Captain Yorick’s offer is thirty percent lower than before."

Joshua handed a letter to Anna, his expression tinged with a trace of regret. "I’ve tried asking other captains. Their offers are all very low, even lower than Yorick’s. …Also, I can’t borrow the family’s trade routes anymore. Monica has already found out about your smuggling activities."

Anna, who was working at her desk, did not even lift her head as she continued reviewing the documents in front of her.

But she clearly understood that Monica would never oppose her borrowing the Kasein Family’s trade routes. That woman would be eager for the Gem Territory to grow stronger, and she was very likely already eyeing the White Mountain Territory. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have kept silent despite knowing full well that they were conspiring together to profit from it.

Based on Anna’s understanding of Monica, there was only one reason why she would pretend to know nothing: she already considered the White Mountain Territory her own.

So, the truth behind the news Joshua brought was simple.

The other members of the Kasein Family were envious of the business and wanted to interfere and claim a share. Otherwise, with the influence the Kasein Family held, which captain relying on the Red River Canal would dare treat Joshua—an orthodox direct descendant of the Kasein Family—so discourteously? If there wasn’t some other factor involved, Anna might as well not be the lord anymore.

"What do you think?" Anna signed her name on the reviewed document.

"I think conceding a bit of profit wouldn’t be unacceptable," Joshua said after a moment of hesitation. "We’re the ones handling the distribution and security of these goods. The White Mountain Territory barely puts in any effort yet takes sixty percent of the profits. We nominally get forty percent, but in reality, only thirty percent ends up with us. Without the family’s trade routes, we might only get twenty percent."

Hearing this, Anna understood.

Those old foxes in the Kasein Family didn’t dare openly target her, since she was now Joshua’s wife. So they aimed to devour the share from the White Mountain Territory instead. And this so-called thirty percent reduction in price—when expanded to the entire profit-sharing of the smuggling route—actually equated to about forty percent. Furthermore, from Joshua’s tone, it seemed even using the Kasein Family’s trade route in the future would require the Gem Territory to give up ten percent as a “loss fee.”

In other words, those old men pushing Joshua to negotiate were aiming to take half the profits of the entire smuggling chain right from the start.

"A thirty percent drop in price? I don’t think there’s anything left to discuss." Anna shook her head. "Besides the magical beast materials, our territory can absorb the rest of these goods ourselves. And if not, we can sell them in the Red River Territory. Plenty of merchant guilds there would be interested."

At her words, Joshua’s expression froze slightly.

He seemed to want to say something more, but Anna had already lowered her head again and continued handling her work. "You’ve been running around a lot these past months, you must be tired. Now that you’re back, take a good rest. I had the cook prepare your favorite dishes. You can go check the kitchen—or I can have them brought to your room?"

"I…" Joshua opened his mouth but, under Anna’s steady gaze, eventually nodded. "I’ll check the kitchen."

This time, Anna didn’t reply. She nodded slightly and returned to her tasks.

She didn’t even notice when Joshua left the room.

Clearly, to Anna, the remaining paperwork on her desk was far more interesting than Joshua.

After handling several more government documents, Anna opened a letter sent from the White Mountain Territory—and her expression changed slightly. She immediately rang the bell.

The door opened quickly, and a guard stood outside, awaiting her command.

"Go summon Knight Commander Akar immediately!"

Soon after, Akar arrived in the office.

A scorching heat radiated from him. He wore only a white undershirt, soaked through with sweat, making him look like he had just been dragged out of water. Seeing his appearance, Anna instantly knew he had just been training at the Training Grounds—there was no other explanation.

"Lady Anna, you called for me?"

Akar’s expression was respectful and solemn.

Looking at him, Anna felt a subtle emotion stir within her.

But her rare flicker of irrationality was quickly suppressed—despite having full control over the City Lord’s Manor, unless Joshua was absent from the territory, she would never act out of line without seeing him drink the specially prepared wine with her own eyes.

"The White Mountain Territory has had an incident." Anna handed him the letter. Akar stepped forward quickly and took it. "Eight days ago, your brother, Ion Soderbell, was attacked in the White Mountain Territory. Though he’s not in critical condition, the entire northern region has been locked down, and there are significant military movements within the territory. I suspect the three lords of the Fertile Plains have already taken notice."

Akar quickly finished reading the letter.

It was from Lily. The surface content claimed that a conspiracy was uncovered near Westerburg, and Yam was ambushed while investigating, sustaining serious injuries. As a result, cooperation between the two territories on smuggling would be paused. But the subtext was clear—something had happened in the White Mountain Territory, and they needed support. It subtly urged Anna to contact Akar and Ion, and have them return swiftly.

"I’ll write a letter. Go to the White Mountain Territory on my behalf." Anna instructed, "Also, tell Lord Lily that pausing our trade cooperation temporarily is acceptable. I’ve run into a few issues here myself and may need to find a new partner—or bring in a new collaborator into our business."

Akar understood the meaning behind Anna’s words.

Hatch and the other five Bloodline Knights were still in the White Mountain Territory, but they had gone under the pretext of “delivering funds.” Technically, they should have returned a few days ago, but they hadn’t, clearly because they couldn’t leave for the time being. However, since they were officially still knights of the Gem Territory, they naturally couldn’t remain in another territory for too long. Thus, Anna was now planning to provide them with a proper and legitimate identity.

Aside from that, Anna also planned to inform Lily about her intentions of drawing Monica in, to hear her thoughts.

After all, this entire scheme of stockpiling goods by cracking down on smugglers and then selling them was a “family matter” between them. So if they were to bring in an outsider, it was naturally something that required thorough discussion.

Of course, this also reflected Anna’s caution.

The relationship between her and Lily was still unknown to outsiders. At most, people only assumed that the two women collaborated in business because of Ion and Akar, the two brothers.

...

However, just as Anna was about to have Akar “represent” her in visiting her “business partner,” a guest once again arrived in the White Mountain Territory.

Monica Kasein.

The last time she had come, Lily had been unable to receive her due to her pregnancy, leaving Yam to handle the matter.

This time, however, the situation was reversed.

Unlike last time, when Monica was received in the formal hall—a more public venue—this time Lily hosted her in the study, a setting that symbolized “privacy” and “intimacy,” to meet the lord she was nominally expected to swear fealty to in the future.

And for Monica, this was also her first time meeting the much-talked-about lady lord.

“Is there something improper about my etiquette?” Seeing Monica suddenly laugh, Lily asked a bit uneasily.

“No, not at all. Please don’t mind.” Monica shook her head with a smile. “I just suddenly realized that, including you, there are now three female lords in the Red Eagle Territory. That’s quite a rare sight among the major territories of the Southern Region of the Tyrella Kingdom.”

Lily smiled softly in response to Monica’s words.

In the Southern Region, aside from the high and mighty Duke, there were six Counts and two Marquises beneath him—commonly referred to as one Duke, two Marquises, and six Counts.

Lily wasn’t very familiar with the other territories, but the County of Fertile Plains, which bordered the Marquisate of Red Eagle, had eight territories, and the County of Cold Ridge had six. Neither of these territories had even a single female lord. Only the Marquisate of Red Eagle was different—with three female lords: Monica Kasein, although technically only the acting lord of the Marquisate of Red Eagle, was also the Lord of the Red River Territory. So by proper count, White Mountain Territory, Gem Territory, and Red River Territory were all governed by female lords.

And excluding the Kasein Family’s stronghold in Eaglehead Territory, half of the six territories in Red Eagle Territory were governed by women.

“If you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t have realized it myself.” Lily responded, and her previously tense demeanor relaxed. Since both she and Monica were women, this topic instantly brought them closer.

After a few more casual exchanges that further warmed their rapport, Monica gently shifted the subject. “Actually, I’m not here just on my own behalf this time. I also represent my grandfather.”

“Marquis Visen?” Lily exclaimed softly. “May I ask, does he have any commission?”

“No, please don’t misunderstand.” Monica shook her head. “My father has heard about Lord Yam’s injury. He’s very concerned and asked me to bring some medicine to aid his recovery. He also stated that if needed, he could dispatch a thousand-strong force from the Red River Territory and Eaglehead Territory to provide reinforcement.”

Lily was secretly startled upon hearing Monica’s words.

Back when the White Mountain Territory was first invaded, Marquis Visen hadn’t offered any support at all. Though at the time he was reportedly leading a campaign in the Red Soil Territory, his inaction had still left Lily feeling quite resentful. After all, if he had simply said a word—sent even a single Bloodline Knight—the outcome might not have been the death of her father.

But this time, Yam was only injured; there was no invasion. Yet Marquis Visen showed such concern. If her father hadn’t already investigated Yam’s identity, and if Yam, Akar, and Ion’s bloodlines weren’t highly similar, Lily might have suspected that Yam was Marquis Visen’s illegitimate son.

“Thank you for the Marquis’s kindness. However, based on our investigation, it seems this incident may not have been deliberately provoked by the three lords of the Fertile Plains.”

Monica silently observed Lily, not replying immediately.

Only when a faint chill started creeping into Lily’s heart did Monica finally speak.

Her next words caused Lily’s heart to thump uncontrollably.

“It can be.”

“If you wish to avenge Baron Ster, my grandfather will fully support you.”

Lily’s breathing quickened.

“But,” Monica saw that Lily was visibly stirred and had to quickly douse the flames, “you cannot touch the Western Wind Territory or the Spring Breeze Territory. So if you truly want revenge, your only target can be the Eastern Mountain Territory.”

As expected.

Upon hearing that she couldn’t attack the Western Wind or Spring Breeze Territories, the fire in Lily’s eyes dimmed a little. “But wasn’t the previous lord of the Eastern Mountain Territory—the Abres Family—already wiped out? That territory isn’t under their control anymore.”

“But the Eastern Mountain Territory still belongs to the Count of Fertile Plains, doesn’t it?” Monica’s whisper was like that of a devil. “If Count Shuvaric hadn’t given the order behind the scenes, how could the Abres Family have dared to attack the White Mountain Territory so boldly? Even managing to join forces with the Western Wind and Spring Breeze Territories to march south?”

Lily fell silent.

“No need to answer right away. Take your time to think it over.” Monica gently patted Lily’s arm and said softly, “I’ll head to Westerburg tomorrow to visit Lord Yam and stay there for a day. I’ll return in about three days. You can tell me your decision then. I’ll convey your thoughts to my grandfather.”

“I understand.” Lily’s thoughts were now somewhat scattered.

On one hand, she did want revenge.

Not just for her father—but for her three older brothers as well.

But on the other hand, she also understood.

If she truly launched an attack on the Eastern Mountain Territory, the White Mountain Territory would become even more dependent on the Kasein Family—perhaps even fall entirely under their control, just like the Gem Territory had in the past.