novelraw Chapter 216 : Sisters
Chapter 216 : Sisters
Chapter 216: Sisters
A tense and heavy atmosphere permeated the Marquisate of Red Eagle.
This estate had not always borne that name.
Back when the Bourbon Family ruled Red Eagle Territory, due to their immense strength and dominant influence, the fiefs granted under them functioned more like regional administrators than independent domains.
For instance, what was once called the Shattered Diamond Mountains had its northern and southern regions managed respectively by the Bole and Billy Families.
The Bole Family's territory was mountainous and complex, with nearly all its resources needing transport from other areas of Red Eagle Territory. It was truly a land of toil and hardship. Moreover, as it directly faced the Fertile Plains—even though the Bourbon Family, as Counts of Red Eagle, and the Count of Fertile Plains were allies under the same faction—there was always mutual vigilance. Thus, the Bole Family's main responsibility lay in military defense against the Fertile Plains.
They were the only passage to the south from the Fertile Territory, which is why the Bole Family was once known as the 『Shield of Red Eagle』 and 『Iron Wall of the Peaks』.
The Billy Family, who managed the southern part of the Shattered Diamond Mountains, earned the title 『Defender Family』 because they were one of the earliest Bloodline User families to pledge loyalty to the Bourbon Family. Even the Shattered Diamond Mountains, then only partially under Bourbon control and highly dangerous, were conquered through the Billy Family's relentless sacrifices. This earned them the rightful title of 『Pioneers of the Shattered Diamond Mountains』 and allowed them to govern the region's richest lands.
At the time, the Red River Territory was just an unremarkable subregion within the County of Red Eagle, lacking even a decent specialty or resource, with only a small fishing village to its name.
Even the current lord's estate, during the construction of Red River City, was merely called the City Lord's Manor. The city's construction was initiated by the Bourbon Family to accommodate growing transportation demands.
Later, after the Bourbon Family's downfall, Red Eagle Territory descended into chaos. Seizing the opportunity, the Tinsk Family rapidly developed Red River Territory into the region's economic and cultural center. During this transition, the City Lord's Manor became the Lord's Estate.
Over several decades of civil strife within Red Eagle Territory, the Tinsk Family amassed immense gains. This was why, when Visen Kasein stepped down from his post as Southern Army Commander and returned to this long-lost territory, his first target was Red River Territory.
No one truly knew what benefits the Kasein Family gained after seizing control over Red River Territory.
But what was certain was that in just over a decade, under Marquis Visen and now Marquis Monica, Red River had become the political, economic, and cultural heart of the Marquisate of Red Eagle. Thus, the estate naturally took on the title of the Marquis’s Residence.
From City Lord's Manor to Lord's Estate to the current Marquisate, this estate had been expanded and renovated dozens of times over two centuries, silently witnessing the evolution of the families that governed it through generations.
After Monica became the Marquis of Red Eagle, she made no renovations to the estate, merely cleaning the study where Marquis Visen had once spent his days.
She hadn’t even altered the layout of the study.
The books Visen had once read still lay quietly on the desk.
Even the cold air remained as frigid as an ice cave.
If not for her later pregnancy, Monica would have continued using that room to handle governmental affairs—and even to receive guests.
In her words, 『A bit of cold helps me stay focused.』
But Anne could tell—it wasn’t quite like that.
“Da-da-da—”
A burst of rapid, orderly footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Without glancing sideways, Anne quickly approached a door.
Dozens of fully armed guards were already stationed throughout the corridor, including both ends of the staircase. Among them were four Third-Tier Bloodline Users.
This was the top floor of the estate. The room was located at the center of the corridor, and was the largest in the entire mansion. The only way up or down was through staircases at either end of the hall. Two other Third-Tier Bloodline Users guarded the rooftop, while the floor below was filled with guards and patrolling Bloodline Users who inspected every room to ensure everything was “clean.”
“Baroness Anna.”
Knight Commander Dean stood at the door, nodding respectfully as Anne approached.
“Hello, Knight Commander Dean.” Anne smiled. “What’s the situation?”
“Still no news.” Dean shook his head slightly. “But it should be soon. I represent the Kasein Family in offering our sincere thanks. Thankfully, you had everything prepared. Otherwise, things would’ve gotten out of hand.”
“It was simply my duty.” Anne shook her head. “Monica isn’t just my liege; she’s also my best friend and sister. I’ve been through this myself, so I had to plan ahead for any mishaps. You know how sensitive things are for her right now—there are many who don’t want to see her doing well.”
A flash of murderous intent crossed Dean’s eyes.
But he said no more. As a vassal knight—even as a Fourth-Tier Bloodline User—his status was still lower than Baroness Anne. So there were things Anne could say that Dean could not.
Over the past fortnight, Red River City had seen a surge of violent incidents. Dock workers had gone on strike, cargo piled up without transport, and the supply lines were severely delayed. Worse, several trade caravans and merchant guilds abruptly announced their dissolution, halting the delivery of essential goods—worsening the crisis.
In just two weeks, law and order in Red River City and its surroundings deteriorated drastically, nearly erupting into riots.
This provoked Monica’s wrath.
After issuing a special wartime decree, Dean began executing people with his sword.
First, the executives of the shuttered merchant guilds. Then the caravans. Finally, the foremen who incited the strikes. His killings plunged the city into fear—so much that prices soared severalfold.
Although this did bring some stability, it created new problems: Red River City lacked sufficient civil servants to fill the gaps left by the purged merchants. Logistics were in disarray, and accounting for warehouse inventories became an overwhelming task. In essence, it was a logistical disaster.
And more troublingly, the few female physicians who could have assisted in Monica’s childbirth had all mysteriously died during this period. One even died inside the estate.
Thus, Monica went into labor two weeks early.
Yet at that moment, there was no physician to help her deliver.
Normally, Monica faced two outcomes: both mother and child die, or kill the child and extract the stillborn.
Either way, she would never be able to bear children again.
That was when the elderly woman Anne had brought finally proved her worth. In truth, no one knew that this seemingly aged woman was actually a midwife.
Dean had once suspected Anne.
But upon reflection, he realized she couldn’t have been involved in Red River’s recent turmoil.
First, she lacked the influence to incite all the merchant groups to revolt.
Second, she gained nothing from it—her interests were tightly bound to Monica’s. If Monica fell, Anne would immediately lose her greatest protection.
“Wah, wah, wah—”
A loud and clear cry suddenly rang out.
Anne and Dean instantly turned to the door, and even the guards and knights outside visibly relaxed with joy and relief. The suffocating tension on the floor vanished at once.
But Anne, instead, grew even more anxious.
“Baroness Anna?” Dean glanced at Anne. “You seem nervous?”
“Mm.” Anne didn’t deny it. “We still don’t know whether the child is healthy, or if there are any complications. After all, this child is tied to the future of the entire Red Eagle Territory.”
The most effective lies weren’t outright fabrications.
They were emotional truths laced with subtle misdirection.
Did Anne care whether the child was healthy?
Of course she did.
Because if the child was a girl, she would become the fiancée of her own son. So the child’s health, potential complications—these were things Anne urgently wanted to know. She even had to ensure the child wouldn’t die prematurely. In that sense,
the child was indeed linked to the future of Red Eagle Territory—only that future included Anne’s son, and even her grandson.
Dean couldn’t assess the finer details, but he could sense the genuine emotion in Anne.
So he believed her.
The door was soon opened.
The female physician loyal to Anne stepped out. Her expression calm, she looked at Dean and Anne before stating flatly, “Mother and daughter are safe.”
Anne froze.
Dean, too, couldn’t help glancing sideways at Anne. Seeing the dazed look on her face, he sighed inwardly.
In his eyes, had Monica given birth to a son, that child could have become a blood brother to Anne’s son—strengthening the bond between Anne and Monica. But since it was a daughter, then according to Marquis Visen’s prior decision,
this child would become the fiancée of Liam Soderbell, son of Akar Soderbell. To avoid conflict of interest, she couldn’t be close to Anne’s son.
Thus, it was inevitable that the Kasein Family—or rather, Monica’s bloodline—would grow distant from Anne.
Anne’s blank expression, then, was understandable disappointment and helplessness.
After all, the Billy Family’s motto was: “Everything, or nothing.”
They had been the first Bloodline User family to pledge loyalty to the Bourbon Family—the 『Pioneers of the Shattered Diamond Mountains』, the 『Defenders of Red Eagle Territory』. Later, they were also the first to swear fealty to the Kasein Family—『Defenders of the Kasein Family』, and now, 『Closest allies and protectors of Marquis Monica Kasein’s regime』.
They were a Bloodline User family driven by madness to stake everything.
And now, Anne’s investment likely meant failure—it might not be a total loss, but the future seemed bleak.
Dean watched as Anne, like a hollow shell, walked into the room to congratulate Monica on the safe birth, and remained inside. Though he felt some sympathy, he knew his duties were far from over. Monica was safe now—so it was time to resume the cleansing. He quickly exited.
For a moment, only Monica—exhausted, pale—and Anne, dazed and confused, remained in the room.
Of course, Monica’s daughter was there as well.
“Disappointed, are you?” Anne suddenly broke the silence.
“What?” Monica, finally returning to her senses, looked at Anne.
“I said—I gave birth to a daughter. Your plans and investment have completely failed. So, are you disappointed?”
“I—ha, haha.” Anne had just begun to speak when she suddenly burst into laughter. “Sorry, the way things turned out is just too funny. Please allow me this moment of rudeness.”
And then, right in front of Monica, Anne began to laugh freely, tears even spilling from her eyes.
“What are you laughing at?”
Finally, unable to bear Anne’s laughter—causing even the baby to start crying—Monica shouted angrily, “Are you insane, Baroness Anne Billy?!”
“Insane? No, no, I’m not.” Anne shook her head, then reached to wipe away her tears. “I’m just too happy—
So very, very, very happy. I feel like I’m dreaming. That’s why I couldn’t help myself. Sorry—truly sorry, Monica.”
Monica furrowed her brows.
Normally sharp, she would’ve sensed something was wrong, but perhaps due to exhaustion from childbirth, her thoughts were slow. She didn’t catch the heart of the matter.
“Happy? What are you so happy about?”
“This child—you intend for her to marry Liam Soderbell, right?”
“Yes.” Monica nodded.
“Mm.”
Anne resumed her usual elegant, composed demeanor.
Compared to her youthful energy from a decade ago, the matured Anne exuded a deadlier charm. Especially today, dressed in a pure black gown, which starkly contrasted with her fair skin.
“That’s my child.”
“What do you mean—” Monica froze mid-sentence.
“Yes, just as you’re thinking. Liam Soderbell is the son of me and Akar Soderbell. And your daughter is going to marry Liam. Tell me—shouldn’t I be delighted?” Anne smiled sweetly. “I’ve kept this secret for over ten years. Now that it’s finally out, tell me—shouldn’t I be happy?”
“And John Kasein—”
“Oh, that child?” Anne shrugged. “I have no idea. He was never truly of the Kasein bloodline. Joshua and I never had a child. I may not be able to concoct poisons to kill Bloodline Users, but you forget—I *can* create potions to help them sleep better. All I had to do was increase certain dosages to induce vivid hallucinations.”
“Watching Joshua every day pour his passion into a pillow was disgusting. But really, it’s his fault. My concoctions hardly affect Third-Tier Bloodline Users.”
“You’re truly insane!” Monica roared. “Aren’t you afraid that if this is exposed, you’ll be executed?
Now that my fourth uncle—”
“If you hadn’t given birth to a daughter, do you think I would’ve told you?” Anne shook her head. “Now, we’re truly bound by shared interest—you, me, and the Soderbell Family. From the moment you gave birth to that daughter, we’re all tied together.”
“And are you really willing to hand over the title of Marquis of Red Eagle to someone else? You know how exceptional the Soderbell bloodline is. So, the child your daughter and my son will have—”
Monica paused.
Her sluggish mind finally began to race under Anne’s guidance. In an instant, she understood Anne’s intent.
Her grandson would be the one to inherit the Kasein Family’s leadership—the future Marquis of Red Eagle!
“Anne... so from the start, you’ve been plotting against me?”
“You had people watching the pregnant women in Red River—”
“No, no, you misunderstand.” Anne shook her head. “I anticipated what you might do. Sooner or later, the conflict between you and the Kasein family elders was bound to erupt. Having spent so many years in the Kasein Family, I already knew what they’d do—either kill the midwives or switch the babies. I only had Shunes watch over them to make sure they had no opportunity.”
Anne was fully aware of what she could admit—and what she could not.
Since she hadn’t actually done anything, then the truth of the matter was up to her to define.
“What do you intend to do?”
“That child, in name mine, isn’t within my domain—I can’t reach him. So you must help me,” Anne said solemnly. “Either send him back to Gem Territory and I’ll handle it, or you must do it yourself. In any case, that child can’t live past fifteen.
Otherwise, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
“After all, we’re now truly bound by mutual interest.”
Anne reached out a hand to Monica.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Monica finally took it.
At that moment, the two women smiled at each other.
“You’ll always be my dear sister.”
“And you’ll always be my dear sister too.”