The Kingmaker System
Chapter 226 - 225. Two Sides Of The Same Coin (2)

Chapter 226: 225. Two Sides Of The Same Coin (2)

I was supposed to enter the Temple the moment I stepped in Florian but for some reason it was already three days and I was stuck at Lewinstein manor with no sign of Asher.

"Where the hell is he?" I grumbled as I sat in the library.

I had the map of Denril laid out in front of me along with a cup of tea and some snacks.

"Miss?" I looked up at Lilly who walked up to me with a smile.

"Do you need something else?"

Asher Lewinstein. I need him right now. Bring him to me!

Of course, I didn’t say that.

"No, I’m fine." I smiled back.

She stood awkwardly while my smile dropped and I looked at the map again before pulling over the books that I had pulled out for my extra knowledge.

I opened the one that explained about the sea routes and the trades that Denril had with the nations that were a continent away.

There was surprisingly a lot of TMI in it about the merfolk who were also involved as the middlemen in taking care of this trade. But then again, this information was sugar coated and unreliable. I was only reading for my general knowledge but it seemed useless already.

I could see Lilly fidgeting from the corner of my eye while she stood there.

"Lilly," I spoke up looking at her.

She flinched hearing her name and gave me a forced smile.

"Are you all right?" I asked and she avoided my eyes.

"Erm... Um... That..."

I frowned slightly noticing her nervousness edging to fear and I wondered just what it was.

"Lilly, is something wrong?" I asked and she licked her lips before she inhaled deeply and exhaled.

"Young Master Alan is going to be here soon!"

"Who?"

The name did ring a bell and I kind of expected him to show up. Alan Lewinstein, younger brother of Asher Lewinstein and also the heir of the Lewinstein county.

I had gotten information about Asher and others from Damon when I met him three nights ago and it also included the details about their families and their personalities. I was expecting him but not when Asher wasn’t here. But then again, he would want to be here without his brother knowing.

"Um... Young Master Alan is Young Master Asher’s younger brother,"

I smiled, "That’s great! I would get to meet Sir Asher’s brother!"

The maid looked a little troubled, "I-I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to meet him, My Lady!"

"Why?"

"Um..."

I knew the answer though, it was because Alan hated Temple.

"You see... It is because..."

"Because?"

"Young Master Alan doesn’t like to associate with the people of temple."

I tilted my head to one side, "But I’m not associated with the temple."

She blinked and then shook her head and sighed as if wondering how to explain it to me.

*It’s fine, if he doesn’t like then, I won’t appear before him." I said.

Lilly still looked quite worried so, I flashed a reassuring smile at her.

"Don’t worry, Lilly."

My reassurance didn’t make any change and I could see the same worry in everyone in the household. They were hurriedly preparing for the arrival of the Young Master of Lewinstein family.

"My Lady," I looked at Mrs Speil whose kind face was etched with the worry lines.

"Yes, Mrs Speil?" I asked with a smile.

"Um... I know this is rude of me but... Can you please stay in your room for the time being?" I could see the anxiety creases on her forehead and for some reason I felt a bit bad.

These guys were worried that I would be hurt if Alan said something harsh to me after assuming that I was from the Temple or something.

"It’s not a rude request, Mrs Speil. I will stay in my room." I said making her face show the expression of guilt before she reached out and gently touched my cheek.

I went to my room as I was told and stayed there recalling what Damon told me about Asher’s family.

Count Lewinstein had three children, but after giving birth to Young Master Asher, Countess became physical weak. She had contracted some illness which eventually led to her death a year later. The Temple had assured him that they would save her and for that they had received a grand donation but sadly, they couldn’t save her because the Pope who was said to be the greatest healer of that time never intervened.

The Count was greatly distraught by the death of his wife but he still took good care of his children.

Regardless, there was a sense of detachment between the siblings, especially the brothers. It wasn’t an open enmity at first but when Asher joined the Temple his Alan’s anger for him increased to the point that the brothers parted ways for good. Their sister Angelina had sided with Alan because for one, he was the heir of the family and second, Asher had gone and betrayed the family by joining the Temple.

The two kids already considered the Temple as the enemy as they couldn’t save their mother and also because they wouldn’t let her be treated by any doctor. They lost their mother because of the Temple officials’ greed.

I didn’t know why Asher joined the Temple because it was what had sparked the tension between the family and eventually he parted ways, though it wasn’t on paper but he was still drifted far away from his family.

The Count was going to hand over his title to Alan soon enough and Asher being a Captain of the Templar Knights often made them an object of harsh criticism in the noble world but they never publicly announced of cutting ties with Asher.

"Maybe there is still hope for him," I mumbled as I looked out of the window.

I could hear the sounds of the people rushing about and immediately came to know when Alan entered the manor. I was waiting to be called because I knew he was here to see me.

A woman brought by his brother out of nowhere.

I stayed in my room, waiting until there was a knock on the door. I walked up to the door and opened it to see Mrs Speil standing there with a troubled expression.

"Mrs Speil, are you all right?" I asked touching her arm and she didn’t meet my eyes as she kept looking down.

"Mrs Speil, please tell me, what’s wrong?" I asked and she looked at me.

"Young Master Alan has requested your presence," she said finally.

I smiled squeezing her arm a little, "Why do you look so worried about that, Mrs Speil? I’ll go to him right away."

Mrs Speil shook hear head as she took my hand in hers, "That’s... I’d rather you not meet with him, Miss."

I could sense the worry and guilt in her voice as she said, "Young Master might... speak harshly with you, Miss so... If you feel uncomfortable just say so. I’ll intervene even if it means my job."

I was touched.

I grasped her hands in mine and smiled at her, "Thank you for being worried about me like this, Mrs Speil. But I’m sure, Young Master Alan wouldn’t speak ill of a guest."

"Miss-"

"Just trust me, Mrs Speil. I will be fine." I pressed and she stared at me for a long moment before she exhaled loudly.

"All right, please come this way." She said.

I followed her till the parlor and she knocked on the door for me. I could still feel the reluctance in her actions which made me kind of like her.

The doors opened and I walked in with Mrs Speil following me.

A maid was already there with the tea and refreshments served and along with them was a man who was sitting on the couch. His long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail and he was dressed in a teal green outfit. He didn’t stand as I walked up and I watched as he placed his tea cup down and then looked up at me. He was handsome like his brother save his expression which was blank.

His sharp blue eyes seemed like they were ready to impale me as I stood in front of him. His gaze held an appraising look which even seemed a little condemning.

I ignored his sharp gaze and curtsied in perfect grace.

"It’s a pleasure to meet the Young Master of Lewinstein family, I am Mirielle Clarkson daughter of Earl Clarkson."

He cocked his blonde brow as I introduced myself and then stood up walking up to me as I straightened up.

"It’s nice to meet you too, Miss Mirielle Clarkson, I’m Alan Lewinstein." He spoke curtly with a bow and I smiled.

We took seats and he was still eyeing me with the gaze of appraising as if looking for some flaws.

Well, let’s see what this guy had in store for me.