The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 296: Plans to take over the barony - 2

”And what role would we play in this venture?” Lorryll asked, his voice carefully controlled.

”I just want to kill that mongrel with my hands and get hold of my family sword.”

Eude smiled, revealing teeth white as pearls. ”You are a man wronged. Your reputation demands satisfaction; your honour requires vindication. When Jolthar returns—and return he must, eventually—you shall have your chance to settle accounts. In the meantime, your support lends legitimacy to the transition of power. A lord of your standing endorsing responsible governance during this crisis? Invaluable.”

The chamber fell silent save for the distant sounds of commerce filtering through the windows. Lorryll stared into his wine, seeing in its crimson depths the memory of his humiliation, the whispered mockery that had followed, and the burning shame that had driven him from the Sandornen Estate.

”You seek to use us,” Liliana said quietly.

”I seek to benefit us all,” Eude corrected.

”You gain your revenge, I gain a thriving barony to govern, and the people of Tekkora gain stability and continued prosperity. Where is the dishonour in that?”

”I shall finally get my hands on that vixen,” Eude said with a lustful glint in his eyes. He was speaking about Cleora, and his desire towards her hadn’t died down.

Lorryll scoffed and ignored the last statement.

Lorryll raised his eyes to meet Eude’s gaze. ”And if the boy never returns? If whatever fate has claimed him proves permanent?”

”Then you will have played a part in preserving something truly remarkable,” Eude replied. ”This barony has become more than its creator. The forges produce weapons and tools sought throughout the kingdom. The Guild’s presence attracts contracts worth thousands of gold crowns monthly. The trade routes established here have created a web of commerce that enriches not just Tekkora but every settlement they touch.”

Rising from his chair, the merchant lord moved to a cabinet and withdrew a rolled parchment sealed with black wax. ”I have already begun the legal proceedings. With your endorsement, they will proceed smoothly. Without it...” He shrugged eloquently.

Lorryll stood as well, his wife rising gracefully beside him.

The weight of the decision pressed upon him like a physical force.

Through the windows, he could see the afternoon sun glinting off the streets.

”Time is essential,” Eude pressed gently.

”Each day of uncertainty weakens the barony’s position. Rival merchants circle like vultures, seeking to poach the most lucrative trade contracts. Neighbouring lords whisper of opportunities to be seized. Action delayed is opportunity lost.”

Liliana’s voice was soft but clear. ”What guarantees do we have of your intentions? That this is not merely another merchant’s scheme to expand his holdings?”

”Beyond my word?” Eude spread his hands.

”The proof will be in the governance. I propose a formal council of advisors, including both of you, to ensure the barony’s continued prosperity. Transparency in all major decisions and regular accounting of revenues and expenditures. This is not conquest, Lady Liliana—it is stewardship.”

The merchant lord’s eyes found Lorryll’s once more. ”And when Jolthar returns to reclaim what he abandoned, you will be here, waiting. Justice delayed, perhaps, but not denied.”

Lorryll felt the familiar fire of rage kindle in his chest.

The memory of that cursed boy’s mocking smile, the impossible speed of his movements, and the humiliation—all of it burned as fresh as the day it happened. Yet here was opportunity wrapped in the guise of reasonable governance, a chance to position himself at the heart of the boy’s domain while awaiting the perfect moment for revenge.

”Very well,” he said at last, his voice carrying the weight of decision. ”I will support your petition to the crown. But understand this—when Jolthar returns, he is mine to deal with.”

Eude’s smile was that of a predator who had successfully laid his trap. ”Naturally. Though I confess curiosity about what power could have drawn such a formidable young man away from all this prosperity.”

As the sun began its descent toward the western horizon, painting the thriving streets of Avyaburgh, Eude’s plan to take over the barony was set in motion.

Stepping out of the merchant hall, Liliana looked at her husband and asked, ”Dear, it seems like Lord Eude thinks of us as pawns on his board.”

Lorryll scoffed, ”Eyes full of lust, hands full of gold—that man’s no saint, but he played the game well. Cunning doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

”So what do we do now?”

”Nothing. We will follow the plan laid out by Eude for now. Let him finish all that needs to be done. I have a strong feeling that young Jolthar will return to the barony very soon. And when that time comes, Eude will deal with small stuff.”

”He has a group of warriors with him. I’m sure he will use them to take over the barony, and when Jolthar comes, he will deal with Eude and his warriors, and then he will tire himself out; that’s when I will enter and take his head off.” Lorryll was animated, as he said.

Liliana was in deep thought while Lorryll was waiting for the day to kill Jolthar.

Liliana never underestimated Jolthar. She was aware of her uncle dying at his hands, an archmage of their clan. Lodawg was one of the powerful mages and had unnatural ways of harnessing magic. Yet, he fell at the hands of Jolthar.

She decided to visit the clan after deep contemplation. They were also going after Jolthar, and she wasn’t kept in the loop. She hated that, so she thought it was time she paid a visit to the main house.

She thought that Lorryll was blinded by hatred; he wasn’t thinking straight. He was underestimating Jolthar greatly, and it would certainly lead him to his death if she didn’t take care of him.

She loved him and the man who left his family for her; she didn’t want anything to happen to him, her dear husband. She gripped his hand a little tighter, her gaze never leaving his face as they walked through the streets.