488 A Tour Of The City - II
The people in the city of Inanis went about their business as usual, even with the presence of the Inanis Guards.
Since the decision of Lord Asher to reduce crime within the city and it being done through the presence of the guards and other volunteers, it wasn’t odd to see them around.
However, it didn’t mean the people couldn’t find themselves being drawn to the particular sight of the nobility within the streets.
Most especially with a beautiful young woman accompanying their very own Lord Asher.
“Ah, it’s so pretty here!” Lily gushed happily. She would have normally been quiet and demure, but there was a light in her eyes as she gazed about her surroundings. This was going to be her future home, so it was actually better for her to start admiring the sights.
It was more peaceful than Etara’s Cross and she could already imagine romantic walks down the street with Lord Asher.
If not that, then something else.
‘What are the nice restaurants here? After a day of working with Lord Asher, the two of us could dine together in a restaurant, stay somewhere else…’ Lily’s thoughts were already fantasizing about the future possibilities.
The young woman hadn’t even actually accomplished much yet, but the imagination of the reward was almost too wonderful to ignore.
“Miss Lily, we haven’t even really gone that far.” Lucius said with a soft sigh. He needed to hide his annoyance, but the young woman was grating on his nerves for the past hour that they’d toured around the city.
‘If she actually knew how old I was, old enough to be her father, I doubt that she would be so willing to interact with me in a manner like this… and yet folks like Viscount Felldan also thrive in this kind of thing.’ Lucius thought.
“Haha, my dear. You’re so energetic today.” Baron Hugh laughed as he looked at his daughter.
There was some slight worry in Baron Hugh’s chest, but it was clear that his daughter’s happiness and the fact that she was growing closer to Lord Asher was all that mattered in the span of things.
‘Lord Asher has already decided to hire my son, Benjamin, and while the opportunity with Lily still needs to be done in the near future, if circumstances change now, I also have no issue with the two being wedded together right away. Lord Asher is from the Count Inanis family and I have all of my instincts as a merchant and business man that Lord Asher will elevate the status of the Inanis Family far beyond what he already accomplished in the past.’ Baron Hugh thought.
“Why wouldn’t I be, father? It’s been a while since I’ve gone out.” Lily smiled. “And we’re quite fortunate to have such an experience right now, thanks to Lord Asher. Thank you for the invitation, and I am not sure if my older brother has thanked you enough, but we are all quite grateful for the opportunity you bestowed on us.”
Lord Benjamin couldn’t help but grumble underneath his breath. He had already thanked Lord Asher enough and was still actually against the idea of his sister being around.
‘I do think Lord Asher just indulged my sister, but she’s really not going to be here, won’t she? I… I don’t think I can take it if Lily also gets to have Lord Asher too. She doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into though.’ Lord Benjamin thought. ‘Lord Asher is not simply someone to let feelings get in the way of his rationality.’
There was a rivalry between Lily and Benjamin, with Lily being more favored by the family and everyone else, so of course, when it came to Lord Asher, Lord Benjamin was being more possessive.
But mostly upset for the man’s sake.
“The streets are quite clear, yes.” Baroness Hugh spoke up. She had mostly observed everything in silence, taking things into account.
At this particular point, the Baroness might have scolded Lily for being too close to Lord Asher but she agreed with her husband in the assessment that it would be good for Lily to become married to Lord Asher.
‘It means that there would be more reason to come here to Inanis City. More importantly, we could also have less importation tax when the time comes. Get more of the Humble Blaze at a cheaper price.’ Baroness Hugh thought. ‘I did not have any particular good feelings with those Masked Legion, but so far, the city here is safe.’
There was a reason as to why the Masked Legion Mercenaries hadn’t begun working immediately. It was because the prices were not yet set and a contract hasn’t been provided for yet.
‘Mmm, everyone seems to be impressed with how the city is. Nobody would believe that just a couple weeks ago, a madman was just here.’ Viscountess Blackshield thought.
All of the nobility were gathered together, and as for Kiana, she was with the guards and could only keep an eye from afar.
‘I… I’m not sure, but Miss Lily somehow seems like a wonderful target practice today for no particular reason.’ Kiana thought.
Lily hadn’t even revealed any of her intentions yet and Kiana was already disliking the woman, but soon it exacerbated when Lily opened her mouth once more.
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“T-that is a good idea. But only if Lord Asher is willing to. He had already hired your brother, so if he were to…”
“Can she do the work?” Baroness Hugh glanced at Lord Asher and quickly nodded. “I am confident that she can, the work that you are talking about is in the realm of business and finances, right? It should pose no issue. She will be an asset.”
‘As expected, the answer from these two are positive… but what about the other two?’ Lucius thought as he glanced at Kiana and Viscountess Blackshield.
The challenge always had been all of them convinced.