Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

Chapter 69  Leier's past (Part 1)

Leier hailed from a humble knight family, who received their title and land during the reign of Henry's great-grandfather as a token of appreciation for the discovery of a new Cold Iron Vein. They received the esteemed name of Froststone, symbolizing their ancestral roots and the origin of their merits towards the throne.

However, the prosperity and esteem built by the Froststone's ancestor were tragically squandered in the hands of Leier's grandfather, Evander Froststone. This ill-fated man managed to gamble way their lands, their noble title, and their whole fortune, losing everything on a betting table against a known viscount.

Leier's mind still held a vivid memory of that fateful day, eight years before Henry's ascension to the throne, when her entire world crumbled beneath her feet. On that day, Evander Froststone crossed the manor's front gate with a hollow semblance and drowned in desperation. Beside him strode a man with blonde hair, exuding an air of arrogance and superiority, adorned with an excessive number of jewelries on his body. Dozens of guards towed behind them, their hands tightly grasping their sheathed swords. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Viscount Jasper was a minor noble with a distant bloodline relationship to the throne, which allowed him to grow a small influence over the dilapidated and corrupt institutions of the kingdom. He managed to amass a considerable fortune by robbing and preying on those weak knight families, stripping them of their lands, fortunes, and tittles.

As he neared the manor, Jasper's gaze was fixed on the building in front of him, the gleam in his eyes fading away, but concealing his venomous fangs. He turned to Evander, hissing in fury - "Sir Evander, this estate is far from what you promised me!"

"It holds great value, my lord!" - Leier's grandfather exclaimed, the desperation in his eyes increasing further – "The Royal Treasurer himself appraised it. I even possess the certificate as a proof."

"Do you?" - The viscount inquired, squinting his emerald green eyes - "Fetch it for me." - he commanded, extending his hand, and making the golden bracelets twinkle

"Yes, yes," - The old man repeated, turning his head towards his son, who was standing helplessly in front of them holding Leier's small hands - "Anthony, quickly get the ownership deed and the Royal Treasurer's appraisal! Go!"

Anthony was a handsome man from whom Leier had inherited her silver hair and her intelligent icy blue eyes. A competent man who strived hard to raise the status of the family, not wanting them to remain as outsiders in the inner circle of nobility. However, every time he stepped closer into achieving his objective, his incompetent father managed to get the family into trouble.

The moment he caught sight of his father leading Jasper through the external gates of the manor, he hurried to meet them at the main entrance of the manor. Leier followed behind, finding shelter behind her father's broad back, which felt like a shield strong enough to bear any burden. Behind him, her icy blue eyes were furtively analyzing the strange man, who strangely made her feel afraid.

Meanwhile, Anthony's mind whirled with the countless unsettling rumors surrounding the Viscount, a heartless man capable of spilling rivers of blood to satisfy his tendencies. Every noble inside the capital's walls made it clear for him to stay away from this man, but his gambling addict father didn't seem to mind the safety of his family. And, when Evander asked him to fetch the ownership deed, Anthony had instinctively understood the gravity of the situation. They had lost the manor, perhaps even more than that.

Anthony's blood boiled in anger, wishing to kill this useless man. He had to take a deep breath to calm his racing heart, since Evander was still the chief of the family and had the formal power over family's business, he could do nothing.

Leier could seemingly feel her father's shifting emotions, prompting her to cling onto his clothes with her tiny hands, trying to comfort him. In response, Anthony mustered a reassuring, silently conveying that everything was fine and there was no need for concern.

Anthony bowed his head as a gesture of respect for the man's status, before saying – "I will return shortly, Viscount!" – With that, he turned around and gently clasped Leier's small hands, ready to go back inside the manor. The little girl stepped forwards, briefly taking a look at the strangers and at her grandfather.

However, in that very moment, Jasper's attention shifted from the manor to the pair standing before him. His eyes lingered upon the young girl, his eyes revealing some kind of sinister fascination – "The girl stays!" – He uttered, trying to conceal the dark intention in his tone as a smile stretched across his lips.

Anthony's heart skipped a beat as those venomous words left Jasper's lips, leading him to tighten his grip on Leier's hand. A mixture of anger, fear and determination coursed through his veins as he remembered the rumors about this cruel man, who had kidnapped and killed countless young maidens from small knight families. He loosened his grip when he felt Leier's small hands trying to get away but didn't let it go.

The viscount's gaze remained fixed on the young girl, his mind racing with twisted visions of her terrified screams, which Evander confused for fury – "Anthony, leave Leier with me. You go there and fetch me the certificate!" – He desperately shouted, his arms stretched towards the little girl, who didn't move and looked pitifully at her father. She didn't like this grandfather and was terrified of the man beside him.

Anthony could feel the fear conveyed by his daughter's eyes and trembling hands. He gave her a gentle pat on the head, transmitting some peace to the girl. He then turned back to face his father and the viscount, masking the inner disgust directed at both as he said – "Apologies, milord! My daughter has been unwell since this morning. I must take her to her mother. I will be back with the certificate." – He bowed – "If you'll excuse us for now."

With those words, Anthony picked up Leier in his arms and entered the manor, not sparing them another glance. He understood the intrinsic power behind the viscount, but as a father, he would never give away his only daughter.

"Unfilial son." – Evander muttered through gritted teeth, desperation turning into disappointment and anger. His unfilial son couldn't understand the situation and help him out in such a difficult situation. It was only a single useless daughter. He could just go and make another one. – "Sorry, milord!"

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The viscount also harbored a dissatisfied expression, one concealed behind a most of indifference – "No need to fret, Sir Evander." – he uttered, a smile playing upon his lips – "I am just looking out for a prospective partner for my son. I thought she might prove to be an ideal match for him, but your son seems against it. Let's just patiently await him to get back."

Jasper's gaze then shifted towards the manor, his eyes revealing a disturbing mix of possessiveness and malicious intent. Behind his charming façade, the viscount harbored a sinister agenda, driven by a destructive hunger to satisfy his sick tendencies.

On the other hand, Evander seemed to awaken to a reality, imagining his future as a relative of this powerful Viscount. He could gamble rivers of money away without a need to worry.