Chapter 4

Just moments ago, the parrot had been screaming its head off, but now it sat quietly, wings folded, on Hailey’s shoulder.

Hailey watched as a group of men surrounded Rick. Rick, now completely surrounded, tilted his head back and sighed deeply.

The brown-haired man rushed in, bypassed the others, and grabbed Rick’s shoulders, pulling him into an embrace.

“It’s been so long. I missed you.”

“…Let go, Denny.”

“No. Who knows where you’ll go again.”

Denny rubbed his chin against Rick’s crown. Rick’s face in his arms was growing more and more sour by the second.

While Hailey wondered about the touching reunion of these grown men, Milo arrived. Spotting Hailey, Milo blinked slowly. One of the men whispered something in his ear, and Milo, brightening, approached Hailey.

“You helped us? Thank you so much.”

“Ah. Yes.”

Hailey, still confused, shook Milo’s offered hand. Milo wiped tears from his eyes.

“I was so worried we wouldn’t catch him…”

One hugged him at first sight, another teared up. Watching their emotional reactions, Hailey guessed at their relationship.

“Is Rick your younger brother?”

“Haha, no. We’re not family, but we’re like family.”

At the sound of footsteps, Milo turned immediately. A woman approached, escorted by several men. The men around them bowed their heads in unison.

Arcitina, leaning on her cane, walked slowly up to Rick. Rick looked at her, troubled, and removed his hood.

Hailey glanced between the two. Now that she saw them side by side, their green eyes were almost identical.

Arcitina, with a look of deep displeasure, stroked the ends of Rick’s black hair.

“It really doesn’t suit you. It’s upsetting. To dye it so black…”

“I can change it back soon…”

Rick, trying to explain, paused and sighed deeply. Arcitina patted his shoulder, then approached Hailey.

“Thank you, Hailey. I want to reward you for this. Could you come to the Akrender mansion tomorrow, after noon?”

“Of course.”

Arcitina handed Hailey the brooch she held.

“Show this to the gatekeeper. They’ll lead you straight to me.”

As Arcitina stepped back, Hailey shivered at the sharp gaze boring into her back. Rick was glaring with terrifying intensity.

Hailey did her best to avoid his eyes. She sincerely hoped Rick could clear up the misunderstanding with the head of the family soon, and that the frightening resentment would fade away.

* * *

Akrender family mansion, annex, second floor. Back in his own room, Latrian dried his wet hair with a towel. The hair that had just been jet black was now back to its original platinum blonde. With clear green eyes reflecting the morning sun, he walked onto the terrace.

Below his feet was the summer garden. The sound of water from the fountain was familiar, and the lush scent of the garden grass pleasantly tickled his nose. He left the familiar freshness behind and looked straight ahead. There stood the central mansion where the head of the family resided.

Originally, Latrian was supposed to move to the eastern mansion for branch family members and retainers as soon as he came of age, rather than stay in the annex for heirs.

As a member of the branch family and retainer of Head Arcitina, the position he’d have as an adult was more than enough.

But Arcitina opposed his move, using the excuse that she would feel lonely if the annex became quiet. Latrian initially followed his sister’s words, but later, feeling uncomfortable occupying the annex that her children would eventually need, he tried to force the move a year ago.

Then Arcitina, as if she’d been waiting, dropped a bombshell.

‘Latrian. Become my successor. And within two years, take over as head of the Akrender family.’

Latrian wasn’t surprised this time either. He thought this was another prank from his sister, who liked teasing her younger brother.

But she went ahead and announced to the retainers that he would be her successor. Only then did Latrian truly panic.

‘Why? Why do I have to be the head? You’re the head!’

‘For the future. More precisely, for the peace of the Mart Republic and the well-being of all nations around the Wibad Sea.’

‘What kind of nonsense excuse is that…!’

Arcitina only smiled meaningfully at Latrian’s frustration.

‘I’ll tell you the reason when the time comes. But not now.’

Arcitina made him her successor. She handed him the official notice that his position was approved by the Council, her face beaming with joy, while Latrian’s face turned pale as he received it.

For Latrian, becoming head was not a practical problem. He’d served as acting head whenever Arcitina was away, so he could take the position tomorrow and manage without issue.

The problem was psychological. Latrian carried a deep sense of debt toward Arcitina. That feeling consumed him, eventually becoming guilt, and that twisted guilt became a warped conviction.

‘She deserves the highest position. So the head of the Akrender family must be Arcitina.’

He believed that keeping this promise was the only way to atone to her. Only then could he barely escape his guilt.

So now, even if Arcitina herself wished it, Latrian could not possibly accept the position of head of the family. Especially not without knowing the real reason.

For the first time in his life, Latrian decided to refuse his sister’s command. There was clearly a reason for the limited period. So he planned to leave Mart Republic for two years. The weakness he’d held over Pedro Port since their academy days proved quite useful.

‘If you don’t help me, I’ll tell Lea the truth that what wet your pants that day wasn’t water.”

‘You bastard!’

Latrian made use of a young man’s desperation to appear cool before his fiancée. As a result, he was able to secretly become the diplomatic ambassador’s aide on the regular merchant delegation to Vitesa, without Arcitina’s knowledge. On the day of departure, Arcitina learned of this, but even she couldn’t stop him from performing official duties.

After serving as the ambassador’s aide for half a year and returning home, Latrian requested a private audience with Vincent Port.

‘Please take me along on the next regular merchant group schedule of the Port family.’

‘…You’re always so shamelessly bold. Why should I?’

‘Actually, becoming the aide this time wasn’t approved by the head of the family. And right now, Sir Vincent…’

Latrian gave the Port family head, old enough to be his father, the most polite and gentle smile.

‘By letting me confide all this, you’ve become my accomplice.’

‘Ha.’

‘You wouldn’t want to make an enemy of the head of Akrender, would you?’

He threatened him.

Vincent, the head of the Port family, tore at his hair and accepted Latrian’s request.

Having thoroughly used the Port family, Latrian was able to leave Mart again as soon as he arrived. Once he completed this trip, he would have fulfilled the two-year requirement, and his conflict with his sister would end in his favor. Anyone who leaves the country for official duties cannot inherit any position officially. It was a peaceful trick, making use of the custom that heirs must return home when it’s time to inherit the headship.

But—

That woman ruined all his plans.

He’d shown kindness, only to be betrayed. It felt like being conned by a scammer.

Blue veins bulged in Latrian’s clenched jaw. The anger inside him boiled without end.

* * *

Hailey arrived at the Akrender mansion around noon, as Arcitina had requested.

“Thanks to you, things went smoothly. Thank you.”

On the tea table was a cup of cinnamon-scented tea, said to be brought from Vitesa. Arcitina set down her teacup and smiled faintly.

“It’s not much of a reward, but since the job you wanted was employment, shall we talk about that?”

Hailey sat up straight. She knew well that, with only theory and no practical experience, the best way to grow into a competent navigator was to work at sea.

“Long voyages are fine. I’ll go to rough places.”

“I like your spirit. But I want to offer you a different job.”

“Excuse me? What…”

“To do that, first—could you become the direct aide to my younger brother, Latrian, the heir of Akrender?”

“Direct aide?”

Hailey was puzzled by Arcitina’s proposal.

Arcitina had been famous even before becoming head of the family. Born as the direct heir to Mart’s most prestigious family, she’d been top of her class at the academy and became the first female head in Mart’s history as soon as she came of age. In contrast, the family’s other direct heir, ‘Latrian’, was strangely unknown for any role, as if deliberately hidden.

Yet now, not Arcitina, but Latrian’s aide?

She was in no position to be picky, but this was suspicious. Hailey decided to trust her gut and avoid this job.

“Why me? I’ve never even met Latrian.”

“I just feel you’d do well.”

“Pardon?”

“Rather than why I’m offering you this, wouldn’t it help more to hear what you’d gain if you accept? What do you think?”

She’d intended to refuse, but now she was intrigued. A true merchant. When Hailey nodded cautiously, Arcitina smiled and continued.

“If you promise to do what I ask as Latrian’s aide, I’ll pay you 10,000 gold as a signing bonus. Of course, your salary as an aide and another 10,000 gold as a success bonus will also be paid.”

Hailey froze. Barely able to breathe, she stammered.

“Ki—”

“Ki?”

“Killing people… or scamming… I’ll refuse anything like that.”

“Hahahahaha.”

Arcitina laughed for a while, then wiped tears from her eyes with a finger.

“It’s nothing like that. It’s fully legal under Mart law, and I’m sure there’s no ethical issue.”

“What… kind of job…?”

Arcitina, sitting with her legs crossed, placed her hands on her knees and leaned forward, meeting Hailey’s gaze.

“Become my brother’s aide and persuade him to accept the position as head of the family.”

Hailey’s mouth dropped open, her head tilting in confusion.

She struggled to organize her thoughts. Arcitina was trying to hand over the headship to her heir… and Hailey was to persuade him?

“The heir is refusing to inherit the headship right now?”

“You understand quickly. Yes, that’s right.”

“Why? Why is the heir refusing, and why are you trying to hand it over so soon?”

“Hailey.”

Arcitina took a sip of tea, then set the cup down silently. The natural motion effectively ended the conversation and created a pause.

“Are you now a retainer of our family, or are you the heir of the Perlo family?”

As a noble, Hailey Perlo’s question was fair. Succession is a common topic among direct heirs of noble families.

But a retainer commenting on succession is overstepping. Realizing this, Hailey quickly bowed her head.

“I misspoke.”

“It’s alright. You’re not used to it yet, I understand.”

“If so, perhaps you should speak informally to me as well.”

Arcitina glanced at Hailey and nodded lightly.

“I will.”

The atmosphere in the room changed just from Arcitina dropping her formal speech. Hailey felt a bit more tense.

“What I can tell you is the reward, the duration, and the condition. I’ve told you the first two, so just the last remains.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t hold back, no matter the means.”

Her green eyes sparkled under gently curved lashes.

“For this job, I care only about the result. Any disputes that arise, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Seeing Hailey remain silent, Arcitina shrugged.

“Then think it over and answer…”

“I’ll do it.”

At Hailey’s immediate reply, Arcitina nodded, satisfied. Hailey felt emboldened.

“May I ask one question?”

“Go ahead.”

“You said to use any means, but… exactly how far can I go?”

Arcitina looked up to see Hailey burning with determination.

Her elegant lips curled upward.

“Anything’s possible, as long as you don’t kill.”

Milo’s eyes widened from the side. As Hailey nodded vigorously, his expression turned to shock.