Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 65: Fifty-nine: Negotiation_2

Chapter 65: Fifty-nine: Negotiation_2

But she would eventually grow old and die, and the thought of entrusting Goethe to a completely unknown woman was unbearable for Manli. Anna’s arrival pleased her greatly—a High Elf, detached from human regimes, and even if Goethe aged, she could never become a queen. Yet, any children she bore would be the King’s progeny.

This was why Manli tolerated the uninvited robber and also why she was willing to relinquish her attempts to secure more power for Sigro when the situation was hopeless.

"The Queen, Lady Anna is outside," her maid said, after opening the door to the bathing chamber.

"Please, invite my sister in," Manli replied with a smile, turning eagerly to the door to watch her sister enter the bath chamber, watch her undress in the changing area and wrap herself in a bath towel before slipping into the bath to sit down.

"Sister Manli, you’ve been staring at me; is there something on your mind?"

"I’m envious, you know, my sister. Envious of your youthful and unchanging appearance. The long-lived species are indeed wonderful, unlike humans like me who count down the days of their lives every single day," Manli said with a heartfelt sigh.

Her sister smiled and shook her head, "Sister, don’t say that. Whether long-lived or short-lived species, every life is but a struggling child seeking survival in this perilous world. The Goddess of Fate spins the threads of our life’s journey with her spindle, allowing us to come together. You shouldn’t feel sad."

"You really have a way with words, thank you, my sister. You’ve made me feel much better."

"You’re welcome, my sister. Goethe mentioned you were looking for me about something?"

"Yes, regarding Margaret, I wonder what you think of Colin."

Since her sister was straightforward, Manli saw no reason to conceal her thoughts: "Before coming here, my second brother Hill told me that his grandson Rodrigo is fond of Margaret, but she has no room for him in her eyes. So, I want to know what you think of the boy Colin."

"My sister, indeed he is not the most suitable person for Margaret. We all agree on that," Anna said.

"Of course, that’s the consensus."

Manli broke into a smile—that was Anna. Maniheir had done nothing wrong entrusting her daughter to her.

"But, my sister, our Margaret has grown up. She has her own thoughts, and her heart is set only on the boy Colin. That’s also a fact, isn’t it?"

When Anna spoke these words, Manli immediately nodded in understanding, "Yes, that’s also the consensus. Children grow up, just like my second daughter, Donna, who at that time insisted on marrying that military officer. If I could have been tough, she wouldn’t have become a poor widow."

This was the truth, and the tears in the corners of Manli’s eyes were real. But all this was an act of sacrifice for a goal; if she couldn’t deceive herself, how could she expect tears and sobs to deceive anyone else?

"I know, sister. That’s why I will ensure old Hoffman signs a promise to give up on Colin as an alternative. My sister, when Maniheir handed over her child to me, I made a vow that I would never let her feel the sorrow of losing a loved one again. So forgive me, I cannot break them apart," Anna said, her face filled with sorrow and tears crossing her eyes. In that moment, Leman could feel her determination, that of a warrior sworn to keep her promises.

So Manli nodded, "If that’s the case, then I won’t pursue anything for Rodrigo. But regarding old Hoffman, I will personally request he sign the guarantee."

Negotiations are not about clinging stubbornly; there must be give and take. Manli understood this, having learnt it in her younger days.

"That’s wonderful, sister. Thank you for your understanding," Anna said, her face alight with joy as she happily clapped her hands. "Maniheir would also be happy with the choice we’re making."

"Indeed, Maniheir would be happy, but before you thank this old lady, there’s something else, concerning Faye," Manli continued, pausing there, waiting for her sister Anna to pick up the conversation.

Some things don’t need to be said to be understood.

She knew this, and she understood it well.

"It’s about Sigro, isn’t it?"

"Yes, my older brother’s eldest grandson, the first heir of my bloodline, seems not to have given up on his love. I went to see Faye today, and unexpectedly met a boy named Malin."

Since Anna had directly mentioned Sigro, Manli decided to be frank about the whole matter as well.

"My sister, if it weren’t for Malin, I might not even blame you for your choice, because I too despise those presumptuous youths. However, Malin is the offspring of my mentor."

This revelation from Anna left Manli breathless—her mentor’s offspring!

The offspring of a teacher who had produced a legendary battle mage!

Good heavens, what folly have I committed tonight.

Manli questioned herself, even if this child had lived in the human world, even if it meant he was an unrecognized bastard, his blood still carried the legacy of the High Elf. No wonder it was said that the child had learned four-ring Spell Formations from scratch in just a few months; no wonder it was said that, despite having Frost Giant blood, he bore no resemblance to a Frost Giant.

Only a bloodline nobler than a Frost Giant could suppress such savage strength and harness it for oneself.

While it might seem incomprehensible for a High Elf to fall for a Frost Giant, wasn’t it entirely normal for a legendary mentor to have a peculiar little hobby? And wasn’t it understandable for a legendary mentor to have a unique love affair?

With this thought, Manli smiled bitterly and shook her head, "I understand, Anna. Forget about Sigro. Trust me, I won’t speak another word in his favor."

"Thank you, my sister. I am very satisfied with Malin, this child. I am also pleased to see him and Faye come together," Anna said as she reached out and took Manli’s hand. "Sister Manli, I have turned you down twice today, and for that, I genuinely feel sorry as your younger sister. Therefore, I have a gift for you to give to Tony."

As she spoke, Anna produced a small pendant in her empty hand and placed it in Leman’s palm, "The head of a Great Demon. If I remember correctly, Tony has recently been seeking the path to advance to the fourth tier. This gift should be a fine offering for the Church of Justice, a token of my affection as your sister. Please, I insist you accept it."

Manli laughed, feeling once again that she had not made the wrong choice. The sister before her was truly the best partner she could select for Goethe.

Thinking this, she set the little spatial pendant aside, "I feel the respect you have for me, and on behalf of my eldest son, I thank you. My sister, tomorrow I will tell Faye in person that I will no longer pursue any marriage for her to a man she dislikes. I will also arrange for a gift to be sent to Malin as an apology for scaring him."

"That would be wonderful. On behalf of my daughter, I thank you."

Anna smiled, while Manli patted the hand of her younger sister.

"No need, my sister; you are right. We should both be grateful to the Goddess of Fate for bringing us together."

In the end, Rodrigo and Sigro were children of the Rowe family, and Manli’s children... bore the name Mowish.

Though Manli was getting on in years, she still knew how to prioritize what truly mattered.