Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

The white-haired woman turned around and smiled. “Hello, Irish.”

“Aunt, were you expecting my arrival?” Irish pouted as she approached the white-haired woman.

“Well, it is not difficult to guess.”

The white-haired woman chuckled, looking amused at her reaction. She then beckoned to Irish and pointed to a seat as she asked.

“Anyway, did Linda send you a letter?”

Irish took her seat and nodded. “Yes. You can read it for yourself.” She handed her the letter.

The white-haired woman revealed a look of anticipation as she took the letter from her.

Irish watched her aunt read the letter with a look of sympathy.

Aunt Jade must have felt so lonely living alone at the top of this castle. I wish she could be reunited with her family soon.

She had a close relationship with her aunt since she was a child.

Jade was like a second mother to her and she was even closer to her than her real mother. They learned to trust each other after years of interactions. It was also how she learned about Jade’s situation.

When she first heard about this from Jade, she was so shocked that she couldn’t believe it. The emperor’s sister actually had a son with a countryside baron! It was something that could shake the entire empire if news of it leaked out to the public!

Since then, she visited her aunt every day, deepening their relationship even further.

“So he took my gift…” A smile filled with motherly love hung on her face after she read the letter.

Looking at her aunt’s joyful smile, Irish grabbed Jade’s hands and asked with her eyebrows furrowed. “Aunt, do you want to see your son?”

Jade quivered upon hearing her words and she was silent for a moment. After a long pause, she shook her head and responded with a despondent tone. “You should know that it is impossible.”

Hearing this, Irish bit her lower lip. She hated how powerless she was to change the situation. The emperor had banned her aunt from leaving the castle.

She once suggested her aunt to escape, but Jade revealed a scared expression when she mentioned that. She tried asking her aunt what made her so afraid, but she never told her the truth.

Looking at her niece’s dejected face, Jade gently grabbed her shoulders and embraced her. “Stop worrying about me, Irish. Knowing that my son is doing well is already more than enough for me. Let us not make things even more complicated.”

“Besides…”

Jade’s eyes suddenly flashed with intense coldness.

I am only waiting for an opportunity and that moment will come when the fight for succession will begin!

“Besides what?” Irish glanced at her aunt with confusion.

Jade shook her head and replied with a faint smile. “It is nothing. I just misspoke.”

She wasn’t just idling in the castle all this time. She had been secretly nurturing her own force outside and even Irish wasn’t aware of this!

Just a little bit more… Lucas… Alaric… just wait for me…

***

“Oh wow! Is this still the same orphanage that I grew up in?!” Rasmus exclaimed when he saw the newly renovated orphanage.

It was no longer the decrepit building that he was used to, but a grand mansion with a vast orchard next to it. There were even warriors patrolling nearby, ensuring the safety of the orphanage.

Rasmus knew that this was all because of Alaric. He was so emotional that he couldn’t articulate his feelings. In the end, he could only give Alaric a grateful hug, an action that stunned everyone.

Rasmus only realized his mistake when he sensed the unusual gazes of the people around him.

“Oh! My lord, this…” He was flabbergasted by his own actions. He wanted to explain himself, but he was flustered.

Alaric tapped his shoulder and smiled teasingly. “Rasmus, you do not need to apologize. I respect your sexual orientation, but you should be aware that I am already engaged with Hershey.”

Rasmus widened his eyes. Just as he was about to respond, everyone erupted into peals of laughter.

“That’s not it!” Rasmus could only lower his head in embarrassment.

Looking at the teasing eyes of his comrades, Rasmus felt like beating them up.

“Hahaha! That is enough!” Alaric waved his hand, seemingly amused by the little prank he played.

“Let us head in.” Under his lead, they walked along the stone pathway to the orphanage.

Some of the kids who were tending to the orchard noticed them and quickly notified Josephine, the orphanage’s director, and William’s wife.

By the time they arrived in front of the orphanage, they saw Josephine and William stepping out in a hurry.

“My lord!” William didn’t expect his visit and it was visible from the look of surprise on his face.

“Sir William, how have you been?” Alaric smiled at the old man.

He felt a bit emotional when he saw William in great shape. The frail old man he saw back then had now gained some weight and muscles. His graying hair had even turned black.

“I am doing great, my lord!” William was happy to see him.

“That is good.” Alaric smiled. He turned his head to Josephine and gave her a gentle nod.

“It has been a while, Grandma Josephine.”

Josephine lowered her head. “I’m glad to see you, my lord.”

They exchanged greetings before William invited them inside the orphanage.

“How is the situation in the mine, Sir William?” Alaric inquired.

William’s face turned a bit serious when he mentioned this. “Everything is going well, my lord. The miners…”

The old man gave his report, while the others remained silent.

“I see. That is good to hear.” Alaric was pleased with his response. The cold iron deposit was an important resource for House Silversword and it was also their main source of income other than the soap business.

“My lord, there is one more thing that I would like to tell you…” William took a deep breath to gather his thoughts.

He had been thinking about this decision for a long time and it was finally time to give Alaric an answer.

“Feel free to tell me what is on your mind, Sir William.”