Chapter 2006: Risks as a Future Leader

After hours of discussions, a plan solidified. Anna and Wilem were quite nervous. After all, what they were doing was a bit of a rebellion against Illyan, infringing on its interest and taking it over on their own.

"Anna, there’s something you need to know before we commit to this," Wilem said after a while. He had been wondering when to say this, but now that they were really going to execute a plan soon, he knew he had to blurt it out soon.

"I...I found out why my parents hated you so much, and it’s not just because you’re a hindrance to the marriage with Vanya," he said.

After all, polygamy was the norm here. To them, marrying both sisters would’ve been fine and a non-issue. So...why were they so passionately demanding for Anna to leave? There was naturally another reason, but it made Wilem unable to look at the woman for a while.

Wilem was raised with the teachings that he could indeed take any woman that interested him. It was just that he never found them attractive at all, and he knew Anna would be hurt. So despite not being indoctrinated by ’modern’ standards like Alterran men, he ended up practicing monogamy anyway.

Althea saw this long ago, which was why she thought it would be good for him to retain his heir status while remaining with Anna. Someone with such a commitment to their own principles would be good allies.

For that, they had to beat down a lot of obstacles, and Althea could provide some assistance.

Besides, Althea, an avid watcher of period dramas, got more and more curious about the conclusion of their story.

"My parents," he said. "They helped your father take your maternal family down."

Anna’s maternal family was influential and powerful, and his father unilaterally decided they had too loud a voice.

"What?"

Althea’s eyebrows rose. This wasn’t much of a twist, but it was surprising to see such a cliche reveal in real life.

Anna looked at the man who could only look down on the flooring.

The death of Anna’s maternal line was famously tragic in their town. Some beasts during a beast mob managed to enter and somehow targeted the villa where Anna’s grandparents were.

Later, it was revealed that they placed ample amounts of beast-attracting potion to that villa. Further, they also poisoned the family’s water source, causing them to weaken, ultimately succumbing to the jaws of monsters.

The news was what ultimately shocked Anna’s mother—who was already sickly—to death.

"I...if you hate me—"

"No, you are not your parents," she said, embracing him. She was pale, and her eyes were red, but she managed to keep her rationality. Besides, she loved this man too much. How could she hate him?

"By your logic, wouldn’t I have sinned more? My father killed my mother."

"You...you’re not like that!" Wilem immediately retorted, and this made Anna smile.

"Then it’s alright," she said. "We are not like them."

"We are so, so much better."

...

With another set of payment, Wilem hired them to become additional guards before heading to the Lord’s palace to speak with him.

The guards they had were still injured. These guards were all trustworthy and had even made oaths to them, but they were too weak to even walk around properly. Taking them along would only reveal their presence more.

If the deal were to take a dangerous turn, then they’d need people who’d be able to handle themselves and protect their employers as well.

The simple escort job earned tens of gold again, which was easily several month’s salary of better-paid folks. To be honest, considering the numbers she had seen in her wallet, she was a bit desensitized by this amount and didn’t really feel much.

Still, it felt a different type of accomplishment to hold it in one’s hands.

Garan chuckled when he saw her pleased expression, unable to stop himself from giving her forehead a kiss.

Together, they headed towards the Lord’s Palace. The noble in question was under the Lord’s faction, so what he said should be followed. Hence, it was better to head to him directly.

The risk here was that they were promised a proper alliance, which this place sorely needed.

Would they really risk it for a trade deal? He was a mere heir, and something like an alliance required the personal appearance of the Lord in a center.

While he could force a trade deal, the limitation made it impossible for a mere heir to do so himself. It wasn’t like the Illyan Lord would travel to their place, right? The Lord of Acero was certainly mindful of heading out without the proper reassurances.

"How much power does the Glen have in Illyan?" Althea asked Wilem1. The Glens were in-laws, not direct relatives, after all. Not to mention, Holt had influence here, but it was still more than ten thousand kilometers away.

"A bit," he said, looking at her. "They are one of few nobles who are very active outside of their cities."

Althea was glad to hear this and nodded. "You have Glen blood, and Glens has a number of towns under their name. Even if you get into trouble with Illyan, if you combine a few of Glen’s properties, they are definitely no weaker than Illyan," she said.

"The issue is what benefits you can give to the Glens. For example, if you tell them about the metal or some other resource, they would be willing to partner with you," she said.

If Illyan was uncooperative, then he could deal with Acero directly, go over his hometown, and go straight to Illyan. The premise was that he could secure Acero regardless of who he ultimately decided to give the benefits to.

Just the thought of it made Wilem dizzy.

"This..."

It wasn’t even his property so he didn’t even think about making promises using them, but now..

Althea shook her head. "Sometimes, you have to do these things and adjust later. As long as the chance of success is big enough, for the future, there are risks you have to take as a leader. If it doesn’t work out, just accept the consequences and fix it later. It’s better than being stagnant.

"Remember that you will be the Lord in the future," she said, and Wilem had the impression that she intimately knew what she was talking about. "Have the confidence to handle whatever comes your way."

"Otherwise, how will others follow you?"

Glen = Cauis’ family