Chapter 82

Chapter 82: The Way of Change

When leaving the Helis family, Mere told Lolan Hill about the recent actions of the Tisiphone family and the likely secret agreement with the Anemii family. Although the Nisos family had not clearly aligned with the Tisiphone family, due to the intermarriage between the previous generation, they still needed to be wary.

After discussing and making arrangements with Mere, Lolan Hill asked Ceres to bring out the child’s biological mother, the collateral branch lady of the Helis family who had once committed a mistake, from her home.

When Lolan Hill met this Mrs. Baria, or rather, Mrs. Baria, she was no longer the young lady who had once devoted herself entirely to love. Nearly ten years of house arrest had left her appearance gaunt and her expression indifferent; her chestnut hair lacked luster.

Mrs. Baria resembled Lady Mera somewhat, which explained why the Helis family had had such thoughts, Lolan Hill thought, then asked Ceres to help this lady move some of her belongings, as she would no longer stay in this place.

On the carriage, Lolan Hill tried to converse with the lady, but she showed no desire to speak. Her face remained as calm as a deep well, only giving simple answers of yes or no. Thus, Lolan Hill did not disturb her further.

Back at the Callites Chamber of Commerce, following Lolan Hill’s instructions, Ceres brought Lady Mera and the child to the headquarters of the Chamber.

When Lady Mera walked down the carriage holding the child’s hand, Mrs. Baria watched the child motionlessly.

The little boy, intimidated by the gaze of this unfamiliar woman, ran behind Lady Mera, too afraid to look at her.

Lady Mera seemed to have a vague understanding of something, yet also appeared relieved. She gently guided the child out from behind her.

“Deer, don’t do that; it’s very impolite,” Lady Mera held the boy’s hand, helping him overcome his shyness, and led him forward.

“Come, say hello, just call…” Lady Mera hesitated.

“Just call her Mom,” Lolan Hill stepped forward and said.

“Mom?” The boy was confused, looking at Lady Mera.

“Yes, call her Mom,” Lady Mera knelt down and stroked the boy’s head.

The little boy was still puzzled. He looked up at this unfamiliar woman, someone he had never seen before.

Why was she standing there crying? He did not understand.

Madam Baria stood there with tears streaming down her face, then rushed over quickly and tightly embraced the child.

“You shouldn’t call yourself Dil; you should be called Ig. That’s the name your father gave you. He hoped you would be as free and unconstrained as an eagle, healthy and happy!”

“I am your mother, it was me, me who bore you. You are not an unwanted child; you were blessed by your parents to come into this world.”

She spoke loudly, her voice choked with sobs and tears wetting her face and clothes.

The child felt some pain from being held so tightly. He did not understand why, only sensing that the person holding him was very sad. He was a good child, so he said, “Don’t cry. Crying too much will make people dislike you. The teacher often tells me that only strong children are liked by everyone.”

In his innocent voice, his birth mother felt even more heartache and sorrow.

Lolan Hill and Lacy stood aside, silently watching the scene. After a long while, she spoke.

“Lacy, after this, you should take this mother and child to the Fragaria Kingdom in the Southern Archipelago. With the encouragement of the Moonlit Parliament, there are many academies and numerous mage scholars there. They can receive a good education.”

“At the same time, I will give you money and manpower to protect this mother and child. This is not only my promise to Angus but also your way of atoning for past mistakes.”

“Yes, Miss Lacy. Seres understands,” the butler replied with an aged yet grateful tone.

—

After the visit to the Helius family, it was naturally unnecessary to question the Tisiphone family as the mastermind behind the scenes. The Nisos family currently remained neutral, with no interest in the conflict, so there was no need to provoke them. As for the Anemii family, Lolan Hill thought about it and decided not to visit. They had already become very close to the Tisiphone family, and visiting now would hardly change their stance. She merely had her subordinates send the poisoned longsword over to inquire about its origin.

Three days later, a servant from the Anemii family brought a small gift and informed the Calytes family that it was poison obtained from an unknown source by outsiders, unrelated to the Anemii family. The disturbance caused to Miss Lacy was regrettable, and they left soon after.

Lolan Hill had the gift box opened. Inside was a small trinket, three hair ornaments shaped like elongated leaves, with colors transitioning from red to yellow to green. After receiving it, she knew that the Anemii family had responded.

It was already impossible to change their stance; they did not even send family members to sincerely explain the reasons, treating everything so carelessly.

Since the beginning of the year, when the Rourna Commercial Alliance met and exchanged agreements with the nation of Rourna, the situation had become turbulent. The unfavorable news coming from the Emerald Empire greatly agitated the nerves of the two countries’ upper echelons. Many began seeking ways to break through this deadlock.

Some started finding connections, bribing the nobility of the Emerald Empire to obstruct the proposals of the Dragon of Woe, emphasizing once again the profits and benefits brought by trade.

Others began contacting other member states of the Snow Flower Union to renegotiate matters of joint defense.

Still others believed that the strength of the Emerald Empire lay in its centralized power structure, whereas the Snow Flower Union was too dispersed, with local autonomy, which hindered the integration of forces and led to internal strife. Thus, they hoped that the seven countries could gradually merge into one nation.

Under the guidance of this shared ideology, those who agreed with this faction gradually formed an organization called ‘Frost Rose.’

Roses and wild roses both belong to the rose family. The emblem of the Emerald Empire consists of intertwined emerald roses and red roses, symbolizing its origin from the Moonlit Kingdom and the Emerald Forest. They intended to emulate this system but were unwilling to fall under the rule of the Emerald Empire, hence taking the meaning of the cold blooming of snow flowers. Together, they became the ‘Frost Rose.’

Due to the proximity of Veregha and Rourna to the Emerald Empire, the sense of crisis was stronger, so there were more members from these two countries within the organization. The Tisiphone family was among them.

Following the failure of the assassination attempt by the Tisiphone family, the delegation from Rourna finally arrived at Hope Lane, and for a time, the situation calmed down.

In the evening, in the study room of the Carites family, the head maid Chelsea pushed open the door.

“Miss, the guesthouse where the mages of Rourna are staying has been cleaned and arranged. After they stay tonight, they will likely visit and discuss the new warship project tomorrow.”

“Good, I understand.”

Lolan Hill gazed at the enormous steel airships in the distance as they slowly descended under the twilight of the sunset, accompanied by the deafening sound of their propellers turning.

—

The contract has been officially signed. I am very happy and thank everyone for their support.

I would also like to extend special thanks to Bayunzi, Miaorong sos celebration emperor, YY Yuetian, and book reader 20161224234108705 for their contributions. I am truly grateful!

(This chapter ends)