Aiden was receiving a report from Felix about the Diarn elder.
“It seems like the Diarn elder is indeed feeling impatient,” he said.
Pursuing personal gain through the family’s trading business was not allowed.
This was a rule established when the elders were granted significant business rights within the Alliance.
Breaking this rule would be akin to weakening the strong bond between the families.
However, in recent years, the elders’ businesses had not performed as well as expected. With their influence gradually diminishing, they might have become anxious.
Hence, this was the reason why the current Diarn elder had pushed things too far and incurred significant losses.
“The difference between the losses this time and the times the elder lined his pockets in secret is more than tenfold, making it difficult to make up for,” stated Felix, assessing the situation objectively.
“Exploring new trade routes involves significant risk and takes a long time to yield results,” he added.
Aiden shared the same sentiment, “Yes, that’s why it seems like he’s trying to somehow increase the quantity of the goods we were previously importing.”
“I anticipate that the goods entering the market will be quietly acquired,” Aiden had already expected the Diarn elder to choose that method.
However, if a large quantity of goods were suddenly poured into the market, their value would decrease, and even if sold at twice the price, the profit earned would only amount to about 1.5 times.
“He probably knows that as well,” Aiden thought.
It was likely that he had concluded that there was no other immediate solution.
Therefore, the plan was to purchase the goods and store them appropriately until their original value increased again.
“Yes, understood,” responded Felix as he summarized the relevant information.
“And what about Count Chart? ”
“Yes, everything is progressing smoothly without any hitches,” he reported.
“We need to ensure that Count Chart’s side gains control to prevent any space for the Diarn elder to intervene,” Aiden stated.
“I will keep that in mind,” Felix assured.
Count Chart’s domain would suppress and overwhelm the Diarn elder’s trading business. This was also why Aiden had cultivated a connection with Count Chart.
To neutralize the elders, problems would inevitably need to arise in their business endeavors. Ultimately, this, too, was business within the Alliance.
The blow to the Diarn family was also a blow to the Lienster. That’s why Aiden had been building a cooperative relationship with Count Chart as an alternative.
To compensate for the losses of the Diarn family with Aiden’s personal business. And it was an opportunity when the impetuous decision of the Diarn could be taken advantage of.
‘Well, then let’s wait for a week to see.’ It was enough time for the Diarn elder to ultimately give up and bring his own negotiation proposal.
***
A week had passed since Aiden had given the opportunity, but the Diarn elder ultimately failed to resolve the issue.
Instead, the situation had worsened, as was somewhat anticipated.
Aiden looked at the Diarn elder with a calm yet stern gaze.
“It seems your confident words were not as reliable as you claimed,” Aiden said, furrowing his brow slightly.
The Diarn elder could only hang his head in silence, unable to keep his word.
As Aiden’s pressure intensified, the Diarn elder, forgetting all dignity, trembled in his shoulders and back.
Then, Aiden let out a long, subdued sigh. It was a signal that he could wait no longer.
Finally, the Diarn elder, unable to bear the pressure, opened his eyes and spoke, “Please forgive me, just this once,” his voice cracked.
He bowed so deeply that his chin almost touched his chest.
His eyes were strained, the muscles around them tensed and throbbing with pain.
Panic consumed his mind.
For the past few days, he had been unable to sleep, leaving dark, puffy bags under his eyes.
The bloodshot eyes were dry and hollow. He was in an impossible situation.
Anyone else might have found a way to wriggle out like a slippery eel, but his opponent was the Duke of Lienster.
To the Diarn elder, Aiden was a thorn in his side, but he knew better than anyone that it was far from an easy ride.
If he dared to avoid the loss now, he would lose everything.
So, he had to make a painful decision. He had already prepared himself before coming here. The Diarn elder struggled to open his mouth.
“I will return the commercial rights that our family has held,” he finally offered the answer Aiden wanted.
In truth, he didn’t have much of a choice. If he didn’t, he would be held accountable for the losses and lose everything.
“If that’s the case, it would have been better to accept some losses. It’s bitter to consider losing the entire commercial rights while trying to pressure the Duke of Lienster’s wife under the pretext of the salon. But there was no other choice.”
The Diarn elder bit his lip.
“The salon…” as Aiden began to speak, the elder hastily intervened, “We will do as the Duchess wishes.
Our council will not raise any objections.” Trying to gauge Aiden’s reaction, the elder’s eyes darted around.
Aiden silently watched him before slowly speaking, “Do not interfere in Elin’s affairs again.”
“…Yes,” the Diarn elder responded heavily, rising from his seat while keeping his gaze on the floor.
He paused in front of the door, head bowed once more.
And with half-closed eyes, lost in thought, he slowly spoke, ‘Duke.’
It was a stark contrast to the earlier anxious tone. The Diarn elder gradually raised his head, looking at the door as he inquired dryly, ‘Are you trying to completely get rid of us?’ Aiden, gazing intently for a moment, then spoke with a slow smile, ‘Surely not. We have spent so many years together as a family.’
His voice was dangerously soft, almost unsettling. The elder’s face trembled as if in a spasm.
‘We have always held the elders in high regard.’
‘Together, we must go,’ Aiden continued softly, but his gaze turned cold in an instant. ‘As long as we move forward together for the sake of the family.’
It was a warning. If the elders were to interfere recklessly, this relationship could end at any time.
The Diarn elder and Aiden both knew what would come next. Aiden left after saying those words. His eyes had already turned cold.
Despite being an unstoppable force externally, the Lienster was vulnerable internally due to their elder council.
Aiden had witnessed their misdeeds since he was young, and had long been determined to oust the elders’ influence.
The structure of Lienster had to be completely overturned.
The elders’ influence had diminished compared to before, but there was still a long way to go. Aiden’s gaze hardened.
As the Diarn elder left, footsteps echoed in the quiet space.
At the same time, the door next to the room opened and Frederick entered.
Seated in the spot previously occupied by the Diarn elder, Frederick looked at Aiden with apparent interest and said, “Impressive. All of this is for the Duchess, isn’t it?” Aiden glanced briefly at Frederick.
“I said I would support whatever Erin wants.” Aiden said nonchalantly. Then, as if lost in thought, his eyes narrowed and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
“Promises should be kept,” he added. A tinge of ice passed through his eyes for a moment. It was entirely natural to him to address any issues that might interfere with what Erin wanted to do.
Observing his demeanor, Frederick commented, “Well, this is not something you can handle alone. I should help too.”
“That’s so I’ll have something to say to Claire,” Frederick added, raising one corner of his mouth as if implying that he couldn’t be left out, to which Aiden retorted indifferently, “Do as you please.”
“But the core of that family is actually the trading rights. Are you just going to let the Diarn elders off the hook like this?” Aiden questioned.
“For now,” was the response.
Aiden responded nonchalantly, “For now?” Frederick’s eyebrow twitched at Aiden’s indifferent response.
“We won’t bring up this matter again. But…” Aiden smiled meaningfully.
“If something goes wrong again in the future, proper accountability will be enforced.”
The Diarn elder’s influence won’t end here.
Thank you for the translation!!