The provincial capital of Basil was the ancient stronghold of the Jax family, who dominated the Northwest Province. Within the Northwest Province, the Jax family could be considered the local emperors. Every year, at the annual Jax family gathering, members of the various branch families would travel from all over to the provincial capital.
To the northeast of the provincial capital stood the sprawling ancient castle that housed the Jax family.
On November 14th, Yulan Calendar 10008, the Jax family castle was decorated with lanterns and banners. The guards at the gates were three times their usual number, and family members continued arriving from far and wide.
"Sister, the clan's castle is so much bigger than ours—at least ten times larger," Kien remarked through the carriage window, gazing outside in admiration.
Inside the carriage were Kien, Aileen, and Jenny.
Jenny also peered through the window and nodded. "The clan obviously has far more experts than we do. I just wonder whether Great-Grandfather will attend this gathering."
The great-grandfather Jenny referred to was McKensie.
He didn't necessarily attend the annual family gathering every year, but he had appeared once two years ago. That visit had satisfied Jenny, Kien, and the others with their dream of meeting the hero they admired.
"He might. Aileen has never seen Great-Grandfather before," Kien said, holding his wife's hand.
The convoy arrived at the castle gates in no time and came to a halt. Jenny, Kien, and Aileen, knowing the protocol, stepped out of the carriage one by one.
"Jenny!" A cheerful, frivolous voice rang out.
Jenny's brows furrowed at the sound, but she forced a smile and turned toward the young man standing at the castle entrance—his hair was so glossy you could use it as a mirror. "Cousin Albert."
"Cousin Albert," Kien and Aileen greeted with a bow.
Albert was presentable enough in appearance, and his upbringing gave him the air of an old aristocrat. But one look at his eyes and complexion revealed that he was clearly a man devoted to pleasure, his body worn hollow by his appetites.
Yet Albert was the eldest son of the current Jax family patriarch and the first in line of succession.
The future head of the Jax family. With that status, who dared look down on Albert?
"Jenny, you grow more beautiful every year. Kien, Aileen, don't just stand there like fools—come inside!" Albert warmly ushered Jenny and her group into the castle.
Since the family gathering was on November 15th, many people had arrived on the 14th. That evening, the Jax family castle was livelier than it had ever been.
"Sister, are you troubled by Albert?"
Inside Jenny's room, Kien walked in to find Jenny standing by the window with a sigh. He had a fair idea of what was on her mind.
Jenny glanced back at her brother and said with a frown, "That Albert keeps harboring ill intentions. Every time we attend the family gathering, he comes pestering me. These next few days won't be pleasant."
"Sister." Kien took her hand, guilt in his voice. "I know you're staying longer for my sake. Otherwise, you probably would have left with Brother Lei long ago."
"Kien." Jenny affectionately ruffled his hair. "Kien is already taller than his sister."
Kien lowered his head in silence.
From childhood, Jenny had always looked after Kien. After they came to the Holy Alliance, their mother had been bedridden with illness, and Jenny had taken on a mother's role in caring for him.
The bond between the siblings was truly deep.
"Jenny, Cousin Jenny." Albert's voice came again.
Both Kien and Jenny frowned, a flash of displeasure crossing their faces. This Albert was as annoying as a fly.
In the blink of an eye, Albert appeared at the doorway.
"Jenny—oh, Kien is here too," Albert said with a grin. "Jenny, I'm hosting a small gathering in the back hall. Come join, won't you? I've already had several beautiful evening gowns prepared for you."
Jenny shook her head. "No, thank you. I have a bit of a headache—feeling unwell."
"Unwell? Let me see." Albert actually stepped forward to touch Jenny's forehead, and she immediately took two steps back.
Kien chuckled from the side. "Cousin Albert, my sister isn't feeling well. Why not let her rest here?"
Albert lingered for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Very well." He then fixed his gaze on Kien. "Kien, step outside with me for a moment. Cousin Jenny, get some rest. If you need anything, just tell the servants." He shot Kien a pointed glance.
Kien nodded and followed Albert outside.
In the garden.
Albert and Kien walked together in silence. Kien had no choice but to keep quiet as well.
After a long pause…
"Kien, how does it feel to be the lord of a commandery city?" Albert asked abruptly.
Kien started, then understood and replied, "It feels quite good."
Albert smiled and nodded. "Of course it feels good—ruling over millions of subjects. Kien, you should know that the entire Northwest Province has only ten major commandery cities. Being the lord of one is a prime position. Many people have their eyes on it, after all, our Jax family is a large clan."
Kien nodded thoughtfully.
The Jax family had been branching out continuously, so each generation was larger than the last. Kien's father, Viscount Wede, had been fortunate enough to secure the position of commandery lord because of his close relationship with the current patriarch.
In truth, the position of commandery lord was entirely at the discretion of the Jax patriarch.
After all, the Northwest Province was under the firm control of the Jax family.
"Kien, you should know that many of my younger brothers and sisters have come of age. My third brother, for example, is merely a captain in the city guard. They all very much want to be commandery lords." Albert looked at Kien with a half-smile.
Kien understood what Albert was getting at.
"Not just my siblings—my uncles as well. They lost the competition to your father back then, but they've never given up."
Albert looked Kien in the eye. "Kien, I think highly of you. But you should also know—what you have, you must pay for."
Kien said nothing.
"Kien, you may hold the position of lord, but I, the future patriarch, can also have you removed." Seeing Kien's silence, Albert's voice turned cold.
"Cousin Albert, whatever you ask, just say it," Kien replied, forcing a smile.