After nearly forty-five minutes of rattling, the carriage finally came to a gentle halt outside the brightly lit mansion. The door opened, and Finnan was the first to exit, extending a hand to help me out. Roland and the captain followed us, stepping out of the carriage soon after.
The four of us made our way inside, guided by Finnan. I wanted to find the Count as soon as possible, but a maid informed me about the ongoing family dinner and my required presence there. I politely declined and asked her to inform the lord of an immediate concern and to meet me at his office. She obliged and I directed the group towards the office.
On the way, we passed many guards, but my feet stopped when I saw two approaching men dressed in black shirts and white trousers. As they drew closer, I gestured for them to stop, and they complied.
“What can I do for you, lord?” one of them asked.
“Will you die for the Count?” I inquired bluntly. They were the Lord’s personal guards; they had to possess unparalleled loyalty.
“If the need arises, absolutely, lord,” the same guard answered without faltering. The second guard nodded in agreement; his expression resolute.
“Good.” I turned to the duo behind me, who now wore expressions that were far from pleased, and a smile crept onto my lips. Their mixture of fear and anger amused me in a twisted way. “Guard these two,” I commanded, pointing at Roland and the captain. “If they try anything funny, slit their throats.” I said matter-of-factly before continuing forward.
“Lord?” the captain cried, taken aback by my remark.
“Yes.” Nudging the cane, I closed the distance between us, standing inches away from his face. Well, he could attempt to stab me in such close proximity, but I assumed he wasn’t a fool to try that. After all, his family would bear the consequences alongside him. I would make sure of that before anything happened to me.
“What have I done wrong, lord?” he asked, his tone harsh and breathing loud. “For that I have been brought here and tasked to be guarded by warriors lesser than me.”
“What did you just say?” The silent guard from before inclined his head, fixing his annoyed gaze directly on the man.
“You heard what I said,” the captain replied, ignoring me and facing the guards behind me.
“Do you mean that?” The guard countered.
“Yes,” the man nodded angrily.
Watching their exchange, I sighed. “I hate this nonsense,” I whispered to myself, but my voice must have reached the captain’s ears as he fell silent instantly.
“Hold him,” I ordered, and the two guards rushed in to restrain the man who didn't attempt to struggle. “Finnan, slap this guy seventeen times and educate him on when and how to speak.” I turned around and continued walking. “Roland, with me.”
As we walked further and loud slaps started echoing behind us, followed by muffled cries, Roland looked back, his expression growing grave. “Was that necessary, lord?” he asked.
“People need to learn that their actions have consequences,” I responded calmly. Arrogance and insubordination were the two things I hated the most, regardless of how many lives I had or would live. I had lost too many good souls due to these basic human traits.
“You too, lord,” Roland grimaced. “You are making a needless enemy.”
“Can’t help it.” I mused, familiar with the concept all too well, as enemies had been a constant in my previous life. However, I had weathered those storms and emerged stronger each time. I surely could do it all over again. It was a matter of staying vigilant and being prepared for whatever lay ahead.
The manager clicked his tongue in response and picked up the pace. Minutes later, we were inside the Count’s office – he on the chair across the table, while I reclined on the sofa. Silence fell upon us for a moment, until Roland broke it.
“You will tell everything to Lord Count?” he inquired.
“Yes,” I answered absentmindedly, rubbing my left hand to alleviate the chill that was beginning to bite.
“I see.” Roland leaned back, exhaling heavily. “It doesn’t really matter. He will do nothing either way.”
The last part caught my attention. “Why won’t he do anything?”
“You will see,” he said with a wide grin, leaving me puzzled.
But before I could inquire any further, the large wooden doors swung open, and Eduart in his nightgown, along with his entourage, entered. Roland promptly left his seat to show respect, and I hurriedly struggled to stand. Observing my awkward attempts, the Count waved his hand in a dismissing gesture, and I settled back down.
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Eduart took his seat with a deep sigh. Beside him stood an older man with stern features – brown hair, hazel eyes – strikingly similar to Finnan. While I was observing the man, Harwyn stepped forward, obstructing my view. Behind him, another tall figure with resemblances to the old man and Finnan stood – presumably the old man’s son and Finnan’s brother.
So, Finnan’s entire family served the Willards. I never knew.
Moments later, Finnan entered the room, all alone, leaving the captain with a bruised and red face outside. The heavy doors were firmly shut, while he exchanged meaningful glances with his probable family members, then bowed respectfully to Harwyn and Eduart before taking his place beside me.
Eduart's gaze swept across the room, resting on familiar faces, all of whom wore concerned expressions. He cleared his throat before speaking, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.
“So, what’s the matter, Arwan?” he began, and every eye turned to me, curiosity evident.
“Well, Roland here has a confession to make,” I replied, my gaze shifting to the man who nodded in return.
“What confession, Roland?” The Count queried.
“The usual one,” Roland sneered. “Me stealing stuff.”
“Oh.” Eduart nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the revelation, which caught me off-guard. “I hope you forgive him for dragging you here. He is still a child, you see.”
What the fuck! I was baffled to say the least. “Why would he forgive me?” I exclaimed, locking eyes with Eduart. “He is stealing your stuff. Why are you so nonchalant about it?”
“Should I not be?” The Count chuckled.
“No. You shouldn’t be,” I clarified. “He's a thief, and yet you trust him with gold. What kind of logic is that?”
“A logic that has served me well throughout my lifetime,” Eduart replied, leaning back with his hands folded. “And will prove beneficial for both of you as well.” He turned his gaze towards Harwyn, who was seated before him. “You just need to have faith in Roland and his son when the time comes.”
“The same son who just wasted fifty thousand Nirils' worth of materials with your stolen wine,” Harwyn retorted on my behalf, his voice tinged with irritation. “Forgive me, Father, but this has gone on long enough. I stand with Arwan this time.”
At Harwyn's comment, Eduart's expression soured, while Finnan's family members appeared to share a knowing smile, as if they were already aware of what he had just revealed, leaving me completely in the dark.
How did Harwyn even know about what Roland’s son has done? I wondered. Did he have spies or what?
“You can’t just let them keep stealing from us, in exchange for extending the repayment date over and over,” Harwyn continued firmly. “The debt will never be settled if we keep stalling on our end. It's exactly what they want. They want us to keep paying indefinitely, till the end of time. That’s how those people work.” He slammed his hands on the table, causing its contents to shake. “Why can’t you understand that? Delaying the inevitable never works, father.”
So, that’s how it is. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. Now I understood the whole situation. And I couldn’t help but find myself agreeing with Harwyn. Being a coward and avoiding confrontation could only last for so long. Eventually, there would come a time when you had to stand your ground or face defeat.
“We owe them five hundred million Nirils,” Eduart sighed wearily, his fingers massaging his temples. “Do you comprehend the enormity of that sum? My grandfather couldn’t pay it off, neither could my father or yours. Do you honestly believe the two of you could do it?”
“The least we could do is try,” Harwyn turned his gaze towards me, his eyes searching for agreement and determination. “Right, Arwan?”
I drew in a deep breath, using the cane to steady myself as I rose to my feet. Meeting Eduart's eyes with unwavering resolve, I spoke, "I believe we can."
"Great!" The Count exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation. "Grow up, you two. This is life, not a game where your courage alone will suffice."
"Life is a game, sir," I snapped without hesitation. "You just have to understand how and when to play it."
Eduart stared in reaction to my bold statement, while the smile on Harwyn's face only grew, seemingly satisfied by the outcome. Soon, Roland started clapping his hands, grinning wildly.
"You'll also have to forgive me, lord," he said. "I am with your boys now."
Except for the man, everyone present looked at Roland with skepticism evident in our eyes. I really had no idea what this guy was thinking. Moments ago, he was loyal to someone unknown, and now claimed loyalty to us. Why the sudden change of heart?
“Why?” Eduart asked the question that lingered in everyone’s mind. “What changed? Are they not paying you enough commission?” he joked.
“The pay is good… but well, I am done with this shady exchange.” Roland smiled. “My wife hates what I do. She demands I do something for the lords that made me who I am. And now, even my sons agree with their mother. The pressure is too high, lord. I can’t take it anymore. Either I quit, or side with you.”
“That’s a very welcoming thought.” Harwyn commented, yet a glimmer of doubt still remained in my mind.
“And we should just start trusting you?” I pressed for an explanation that would satisfy my curiosity.
“It is your choice.” Roland spun his head to face me. “I have always done what I had been told explicitly by your father or his father. Even this stealing was a plan made by your grandfather to gain some leverage over their creditors.”
I looked at Eduart for confirmation, and his heavy nod confirmed it. Harwyn was right. The Willards were truly trying to stall their debts for as long as possible, until it all came crashing down someday.
“Like I said, lord, you and I are just mere pawns,” the manager added. “Pawns with no will of our own. Always bidding for our masters.”
“So, who is your true master?” Harwyn rested his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Who but you, lord,” Roland replied with a shallow smile. “Just keep my sons out of trouble, and you have my loyalty till my last breath.”
Observing their exchange, I couldn’t help but look at Finnan for any more information he could provide. When he nodded with a positive smile, I had no choice but to accept it, and remain on guard until Roland earned my trust.
“I trust, Roland.” Harwyn stated clearly and Eduart gave his approval.
“If that is what the ruler wishes, then be it.” He declared. “The future is yours to build. Build it as you see fit.”