"A lot of families will become interested once the Rashet Clan declares you the sole heiress of the iron mine. That's why I want this kept quiet. There's no need for all of Tenusa to know."
Ezekias told this to Nyasia. He had been busy investigating illegal contracts for a few days. Then, one night, he summoned his daughter to his study.
"I'm not going to inherit it, Father. I've always just wanted to get well, so that Brother can have his birthright," she said.
"Do you want to manage it?"
"For now."
He sighed.
In the Rashet Clan, heirs were trained to manage business from the age of seven. They learned to negotiate prices, understand markets, and master finance. But his daughter had never been able to, because she had always been sick. Despite her sharp mind.
"I've drawn up a list of marriage partners for you," he said. "Don't worry. The best ones have been selected. And you are free to choose among them."
Nyasia shifted her gaze to the courtyard, wondering how Dorian planned to hasten her brother's inheritance of the iron mine, while still marrying her.
Her lips curved into cold amusement.
"Thanks, Father."
We'll see how you deal with this one.
...
AND YET, word still spread. The Rashet Clan had installed its young heiress to manage some of its major businesses, including acting as the heiress of the coveted iron mine.
Suddenly, everyone was very interested in this rare beauty, the one who had debuted just a month ago and was now holding some power within the Rashet Clan.
Certainly, only heirs from the eight great clans stood a chance at a marriage proposal. And Levon found himself facing a growing line of interested suitors for his sister. Yet just before he could reject any of these families, something always happened to them. Either a scandal broke out, or some stupid accident would occur.
"I mean, who knew the wife of the Minister of Rites had been cheating, and even invited the man into their own house?" a nobleman said, laughing.
"Have you heard the news? It's the Prime Minister's son," another replied. "He got swept away because the wind caught his umbrella. Strange because it wasn't a windy day."
Levon, sitting at a famous beerhouse, listened to all of this with growing irritation. That man obviously did this. He glanced at Kyle laughing with other men.
"Where is he?" he asked, with a low, exasperated voice.
Kyle's smile froze.
"Why ruin the atmosphere, Lev?" he said with a small shrug. "Let's enjoy ourselves and not talk about devils."
"Well, I want to know if any devils or wolves are preying on my sister," Levon exhaled, taking another drink.
Kyle rolled his eyes.
"He's probably raiding the Oshens' estate in some godforsaken corner of the peninsula. I don't think you can stop him, Lev. Just be grateful he's doing the dirty work for you—playing games with those thick-faced families." He paused. "Or are you saying you actually want that spoiled Ilian heir as your brother-in-law?"
Levon exhaled.
It was useless talking to Kyle about any of this. Of course, he had no sister. He would never understand.
...
EZEKIAS NEARLY SHOT up from his seat after finishing the letter. His hands trembled with rage before he hurled it onto his desk. This morning, a letter had arrived from the Varyn Duchy. It was a formal marriage proposal.
"Basil… your hunch was correct." His voice was stiff. "The duke is interested in my daughter."
Basil said nothing.
"What is this nonsense?" Ezekias crumbled the paper in his fist. "First, he takes the Oshens' lands. Then he destroys the Kissells. And now he wants the iron mine?" His jaw tightened. "He saved my daughter before, so that she'd owe him? Don't tell me he secured that marriage decree because of the iron mine? No wonder the emperor is wary of him."
Basil frowned.
From what he understood of Duke Varyn, the man never did anything without a deeper purpose. Yet this marriage proposal... was too suggestive. It had arrived right after Lady Rashet was named heiress of the iron mine.
"Whatever the duke's reasons are, it's better to delay your response, my lord," Basil said. "For now, it really is time to protect the iron mine and find way to give it to the young master. After all, the elders are weak now. We can use this alarming proposal as a defense."
Ezekias agreed.
"I swear I will protect my daughter from these scheming, worldly men. She deserves a scholar. A man of refined taste and noble character. Not some wild, dangerous brute!"
...
NYASIA LEARNED from Lea that her father had been in a foul mood after receiving a letter. She wondered why her father would be so angry.
"I think it's another marriage proposal from a powerful clan, my lady," Lea said. "The lord doesn't like it."
Nyasia thought about it.
Had he formally proposed? Goodness.
So this was his plan: to force Father to transfer the iron mine from her to Levon. She had mixed feelings about this. But isn't this going to cause chaos all over again?