The Kind of Evil-Chapter 341: A vassal.

‎"You’re giving me this?" Rasmus looked down at the crest in his hand.

‎"Let’s just say it’s a token of our friendship," Anastasha smiled as she looked at the Asghar family crest in Rasmus’s hand. "You can use it for whatever reason you want it to be," she said without hesitation.

‎Rasmus stared at the crest for a few seconds before he put it in the spatial ring. It was something that he would never have thought to possess, and he had no idea how many people in the world were given such power by the Asghar family.

‎"Even if it would destroy your family status?" Rasmus asked with his brows raised.

‎"Oh, don’t threaten me with good news, Count..." Anastasha chuckled as she crossed her arms. "You know that I want to break down my family to prevent my brothers from killing each other because of the power of my family. I will allow it," she said, her eyes showing no lies or deceptions.

‎"Even if you used it to destroy the Asghar family name and status, who would dare to point their anger at my family?" Anastasha smirked as she rested her arms on the table. "But if you did it, just tell them you were sent by one of my brothers. I would love to see them fume in anger," she winked as she bit her lip.

‎Rasmus smiled softly as he nodded with understanding.

...

‎Heward cleared his throat as he slowly lowered his gaze, not daring to stare directly at those three anymore. He didn’t know what to feel about having the Asghar family take an interest in him. He didn’t even dare to ask for a reason because it would put him at an unknown risk.

‎"I thought you would keep that calm you had not too long ago, Viscount," Rasmus said with a cold gaze.

‎"My apologies. I never expected this, Lord Vije..." Heward said with a soft smile on his face, hiding the turmoil within him.

‎"There’s no reason for you to be so afraid of. I believe Guild Master Gorge has explained everything already?" Rasmus asked.

‎"Yes, I heard you came because a friend of mine told you about me. Eduard is a good merchant, he and I had known each other for almost a decade," Heward answered as he nodded, slowly braving himself to maintain eye contact. "However, I didn’t expect that he would have a connection with the Asghar family..." he said in a quiet voice.

‎"Don’t you have something similar here, Viscount Heward? To see a Viscount with such wealth and climb this high in just one generation, don’t you have a deep connection with someone above your status?" Rasmus asked with a cold smile. "However, I’m not going to question your amazing achievements since it’s none of my business, isn’t that right, Viscount?" He added.

‎Heward could easily devour anyone and make them regret for questioning his achievements. However, the one who dared to do so was someone who had a deep connection with the Asghar family, and all he could do was let his face be rubbed on dirt. There was a hint of warning from Rasmus’s words that forced him to keep his thoughts to himself rather than speak them out loud.

‎"Yes, I agree, Lord Vije," Heward nodded with a smile on his face, but this time the smile was a bit forced.

Aris and Rullein were silently staring at Heward, listening to everything and watching Rasmus play his game. Rullein was enjoying the wine and the whiskey that were prepared on the table. She didn’t care about the conversation at all, and it reminded Aris of how she used to be like that before.

"Shall we not go around the bushes? I believe a Viscount like you is busy," Rasmus said as he leaned his back forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. "The reason for our visit is to ask you if it’s possible for us to attend Princess Amarylis’ coming-of-age ceremony? With your influence, I believe you can pull a few strings for us," he said with a serious expression.

Heward could feel and could tell the danger behind Rasmus’s intentions. He looked at the three of them in the eyes, thinking if he should help them or not. The risk, the reward, and the possible outcomes were happening inside his head at that moment.

"Why me, My Lord? Without showing any disrespect or doubt, shouldn’t the Asghar family have a deeper connection that can pull the strings for you so easily?" Heward asked, trying to keep his heart calm after it was beating so fast for a few minutes.

"I want you to assume that the Asghar family has no connection at all on this continent," Rasmus said, staring into Heward’s eyes with a cold gaze. "Of course, you’re allowed to assume otherwise, but are you sure you want to peek into a place that you shouldn’t see? I’ll make sure the Young Master knows if you do," he said, slowly forming a cold smile.

The moment Rasmus mentioned the Young Master, Heward immediately realized who was behind Rasmus. He knew how influential and powerful the Asghar family was in East Neva. He also heard rumors that all the young masters, including Anastasha who had joined the battle of succession. He realized he was no longer testing the water, he was drowning.

Heward knew this whole thing was too much heat for him and he knew that he would burn before he could see the end of it. He knew what to do, and he knew that he didn’t want to be a part of this anymore.

"My apologies, Lord Vije, Lady Sira, and Lady Lurein. I can’t help you with that, and I don’t think I have the power to pull something like that," Heward answered, determined that he chose to look away and walk away.

"So you choose to ignore the Asghar family’s request, is that right? Viscount Heward?" Rasmus asked as he clasped his hands together, his gaze and expression were cold and stoic.

Heward cursed in his heart as he gritted his teeth, realizing he had made a huge mistake from inviting them in the first place. He cursed at himself because of his opportunistic side of him that made him believe he could take and handle the risk.

"No, that’s not the issue, Lord Vije..." Heward paused as he clenched his fists. "I just want to live. I can’t survive if I’m involved in this..." He said, his words sounded like a plea rather than a reason.

Even after Heward pleaded for his life and his future, he didn’t see any sympathy or empathy from those three. He realized he was pleading to a wall, hoping it wouldn’t crush him, knowing well that his plea was pointless.

"Viscount Heward, I’m just an instrument, and the Young Master is the hands that wield it. If my master wishes me to sharpen the blade, then I shall reshape and bend the steel. If the steel is useless, then I have no choice but to break it and throw it away before moving to reshape the other steel," Rasmus said with a stoic expression. "You’re already knowing too much, and there’s no going back here, Viscount. Either you bend or break and be thrown away."

Heward knew the only way to survive was to accept the request and give them access to the ceremony. In a desperate situation, he had no choice but to bring others to drown with him. He then took a deep breath, steeling his heart, preparing to find a way to survive under the sea where the storm was happening.

"I’ll bring you the invitations, Lord Vije. Just for the three of you, right?" Heward asked.

"Hmm, make it four, I have a gift for the royal family, an entertainment to be exact," Rasmus answered with a stoic expression, but his eyes were smiling. "Give us four invitations, and you will be rewarded," he continued.

"Four, Lord Vije?" Heward asked with a confused and anxious look on his face.

Rasmus didn’t answer the question, only staring right into Heward’s eyes. That alone was enough to make Heward lose his composure and chose to do what was told.

"I’ll bring four invitation letters, Lord Vije. I will go to the capital city to discuss this matter with His Highness as soon as possible. You don’t have to worry because I will bring what you need," Heward answered as he nodded with understanding.

Rasmus smiled coldly as he got up, knowing there was nothing else that he needed from Heward.

"Thank you for your time, Viscount Heward. Everything will be fine if you give us what we need, there’s nothing to be worried about," Rasmus said as Aris and Rullein stood up from the couch. "We will excuse ourselves, have a good day, Viscount," he said as he bowed his head before he walked toward the door.

Heward didn’t even bother to say a word or even look at them as they walked away.

"You have a beautiful family, Viscount. That big painting of your family downstairs, it’s beautiful," Rasmus said with a smile before he decided to leave the parlor.

Heward felt a chill down his spine as he felt his heart drop to his gut. He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes, knowing exactly what Rasmus meant by that.

As soon as they left Heward’s mansion, Aris was curious about Rasmus’s way of dealing with Heward.

"What was that all about? Using the Asghar family as an excuse?" Aris asked, looking at Rasmus.

"Hmm, just helping a friend to get what she wanted," Rasmus answered.