my pokemon player.

Freya felt that her father was good in every way except that he was too traditional in his thinking and always believed that only men could inherit the territory.

Although she knew that she was doing this to continue the family bloodline and consolidate the Yanshi family's rule over the territory, it was her brothers who were so disappointing.

If any of her brothers was outstanding, she would not have the idea of ​​inheriting the territory, but would be content to assist her brother.

However, things did not go as she wished. It cannot be said that all her brothers were useless, but it can be said that none of them could gain her recognition.

Freya didn't want to hand over the territory her father had worked so hard to develop into the hands of a bunch of useless people.

She would never allow the glory and reputation of the Yanshi family to be destroyed by her brothers!
So Freya gradually began to think about competing for the heir. The Kingdom of Arad had a tradition of passing the throne to males rather than females, but there were exceptions.

It is said that the first heir to Winter City in the northwestern province of the kingdom is a woman.

Since she can be the first heir, then I can too.

After making the decision, Freya immediately began to plan her own plan.

In the past few years, she pretended to be harmless and fooled her brothers around. Not only were they not on guard against her, but they also used Freya as a channel of communication between them and their father.

Cross also loves this smart and sensible little daughter very much, and he almost always meets Freya's requests.

In addition, Freya's brothers did not perform very well, which disappointed many nobles. She took the opportunity to win over a group of nobles to support her.

Thanks to her efforts, her power over the past few years is no less than that of her brothers. The only thing she lacks is Cross's recognition.

That's why she came to visit him frequently after Cross fell ill.

She was indeed very concerned about her father's injury, but she also wanted to take this opportunity to gain favor with Cross and test the waters.

It’s a pity that Cross is still as stubborn as ever and still adheres to the idea that "only lions can compete for the lion king".

Freya had no choice but to suppress her resentment and said to Cross with a smile:

"You are too kind. This is easy to analyze. I believe the merchants in Guanhai City can also think of this."

Cross shook his head. "Is it easy? Your brothers can't think of it. They will either be jealous of Baron Ryan's achievements or not take him seriously. Anyway, they will not regard him as a threat."

Freya complained inwardly, "You clearly know that they are useless, so why do you insist on letting them inherit the territory? Is it just because they have an extra piece of meat between their legs?"

Cross naturally couldn't hear Freya's inner thoughts, and he belittled the Chamber of Commerce again:

"But those merchants are not that strong. Even if they regard Baron Ryan as a serious threat, they will not take action easily."

Hearing this, Freya couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Why don't they take action? Are they going to watch Baron Ryan digest the results of the battle and then set his next target on Guanhai City?"

Cross smiled disdainfully: "Yes, they will most likely do so. This is the bad nature of businessmen."

"These businessmen often apply their business calculations to us nobles, but they don't know that we don't buy into it at all."

"They thought that by spreading the news of Ryan's victory, they could divert Ryan's attention, and then use business dealings to bind Ryan so that he would give up the idea of ​​occupying Guanhai City."

"But they ignored Ryan's ambition. If I were Ryan, I would rather give up the northern towns and take down Guanhai City first to make my rear completely stable."

"I believe Ryan will make the same choice. This is the biggest difference between us nobles and merchants. We have the determination and courage to fight to the death, but those merchants who only care about gold coins don't have that. They only care about their own interests."

"That's why I was able to lead the noble coalition and easily defeat them more than a decade ago."

Having said that, a smug smile appeared on Cross's lips.

He was evidently taking pride in his exploits.

Freya, contrary to her usual behavior, did not praise her father, but frowned:

"So, Baron Ryan will occupy Guanhai City sooner or later and take another pearl of the Southeast Province into his possession."

"Father, we have to do something. We can't let him go on like this any longer."

Cross nodded slightly: "You are right. If Ryan continues to develop like this, he will threaten the status of our Flame Lion family sooner or later."

"It seems that this time we can only be used by the bastards of the Chamber of Commerce. We have to find a way to curb Ryan's development."

"And we can't take action directly, lest we scare the other nobles and force them to stand on Ryan's side."

Cross thought for a moment, but couldn't think of a suitable solution.

When he inadvertently glanced at Freya who was also thinking, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Freya, my daughter, what do you think of Ryan?" Cross asked Freya with anticipation.

"Do I even need to ask this? Baron Ryan is a man of great talent and vision, a rare talent that only appears once in a century. It's a pity that he is not a member of our Flame Lion family."

Hearing Freya's answer, Cross became even more excited.

"No, no, no, he still has a chance to become a member of our family."

"What chance? He is not your illegitimate child."

Freya wanted to tease her father with a smile, but halfway through her words, she suddenly reacted and her smile froze on her face.

"You don't want me to marry him, do you?" Freya said stiffly.

Cross nodded vigorously: "This is the best way to deal with it. It can not only turn him from an enemy to a friend, but also strengthen our Flame Lion Family. With his joining, our Flame Lion Family can even go one step further and become a presence like the Four Great Families!"

Cross became more and more excited as he spoke, and his high-pitched voice echoed throughout the bedroom.

He really admired Ryan and felt that Ryan was very much like himself when he was young.

Since Ryan can't be his son, being his son-in-law would be nice too.

In this way, he doesn't have to worry about the chosen heir being useless. With Ryan's help and support, even the most useless heir can maintain the Flame Lion family's rule over the Southeast Province.

Freya looked at the smile on her father's face, and her heart was filled with bitterness, sadness, and a bit of anger.

Yes, marrying Baron Ryan is good for the Flame Lion family, but who has ever considered her feelings?

Although she knew in her heart that she had been nurtured by her family and enjoyed the good life provided by her family, it was natural for her to contribute to the family now.

But she just couldn't accept it. Why should she sacrifice herself and become a stepping stone for those useless brothers?

If marrying Ryan could make the territory better, she would nod and agree without hesitation, but it would only be to maintain the most basic rule of the Flame Lion family, and she believed she could do it.

What's more, Baron Ryan is so ambitious. Will he really be a good son-in-law and help the Flame Lion family consolidate its rule?
His useless brothers have always been good at making trouble instead of accomplishing anything. Will they really tolerate this strong brother-in-law?
The father took things for granted. He underestimated Ryan and overestimated his son.

Of course, Freya would not say these words out loud. She knew that her father had a very stubborn temper, and refuting him now would only make her father unhappy. So Freya pretended to be shy and said, "Father, what are you talking about? I don't want to get married. I want to stay by your side and take care of you forever."

Cross laughed and said, "Silly child, you are not young anymore. You will get married sooner or later. Baron Ryan is a rare talent. Although his title is relatively low, he has become famous recently. It is not shameful to marry him."

Freya's pretty face became more and more rosy: "Stop joking, I haven't even seen him!"

"I'm not kidding you. It's just a meeting. I remember he quelled the rebellion of the Shadow Church a few days ago, right? As his lord, I should reward him. You can give him the reward for me later."

Cross said this in an unquestionable tone, leaving no room for Freya to refuse.

Freya bit her lips with her silver teeth and said pitifully:

"Well, I'll listen to you."

Cross's heart softened when he saw this, and he felt that he had wronged his daughter, so he said shamefully:

"Alas, it's all my fault that I'm useless, and I have to let my daughter help me share the pressure."

"Is there anything you want? I can satisfy you."

Freya naturally wanted the position of first heir, but she knew her father would never give it to her, so she changed her request:

"This is what I should do. You don't need to make up for me."

"But I heard that Baron Ryan is brave and good at fighting, and he also likes Warcraft very much, so can you assign me two teams of Flame Lion Knights to help me strengthen my army?"

"No problem!" Cross felt that Freya was just afraid that Ryan would look down on her, so he readily agreed.

"These two teams of Flame Lion Knights will be at your disposal from now on. Consider them your dowry."

"Father!" Freya's face turned red with shame.

"Hahahaha, okay, go and choose your knights. By the way, call your brothers here. I have something to talk to them about." Cross waved his hand and said.

"Okay, I'll go inform them right away." Freya blushed and bowed before leaving.

As soon as she walked out of the bedroom, all the shyness on her face disappeared, replaced by a cold frost.

It seemed that her father did not place all his hopes on her. He called her brothers over just to discuss how to deal with Ryan.

Perhaps her father will regard this matter as a test. Whoever can curb Ryan's development will become the first heir to the territory.

"Father, you still won't give up? This is normal. After all, it's your blood. You should always give it a few more chances."

"But isn't the blood of the Flame Lion family flowing in my veins? Why don't you give me any chance at all?"

"In that case, I can only create opportunities for myself."

"Baron Ryan, I hope you can bring me some surprises."

Freya muttered to herself, then walked out of the castle without looking back.
-
The capital of the Kingdom of Arad is called Flores City, which is named after the first king of the kingdom.

Of course, most people are still accustomed to calling it the royal capital.

At this time in the palace of the royal capital, the ministers were discussing various government affairs loudly as usual.

The noisy noises did not affect the young king on the throne at all. He supported his head with his right hand and closed his eyes, obviously falling asleep.

The ministers seemed to be accustomed to it and were discussing their own matters among themselves. No one reported the situation to the king.

"Since everyone believes that Earl Firth is guilty, then demote him to a commoner and confiscate all his property and fiefdoms."

The leading minister spoke calmly, as if he was not dealing with an earl but a stray fish.

He did not ask the king on the throne for advice, but made the decision on his own, as if he was sure that the king would not object.

The king was still sleeping with his eyes closed, with no sign of opening them.

"Next topic, the Northwest Province was hit by a snowstorm a month ago, causing heavy casualties among the civilian population and a shortage of food."

"Wait, Marquis Aiden, I have said many times that there is no need to bring such a small matter to your Majesty. Let the Marquis of the Northwest Province handle it on his own."

The leading minister interrupted impatiently.

"This"

Marquis Aiden glanced at the unfriendly looks of the four dukes, then glanced at the sleeping King, his eyes full of helplessness.

My King, even if your power has been hollowed out by the four major families, you can't be too lenient with them!
The royal family's motto is indeed "Do not disturb a sleeping dragon", but this is not a reason for you to sleep all day!

Seeing that the king showed no sign of waking up, Aiden could only speak from the bottom of his heart:
"I see. Thank you for the reminder, Lord Dawson."

Seeing that Aiden was so tactful, Duke Dawson nodded with satisfaction.

Aiden continued, "The next topic is that Baron Ryan of the Southeast Province wrote to the emperor saying that he discovered that Baron Bach of Ironthorn Town was secretly colluding with the Shadow Church and trying to start a rebellion. In order to protect..."

"Marquis Aiden! Don't you understand what I'm saying? You have to talk about the situation reported by a baron. Do you think His Majesty the King has nothing to do?"

Duke Dawson shouted loudly, completely ignoring the glare from the court etiquette officer.

The court etiquette officer decided not to swallow his anger any longer. He took a step forward resolutely, and was immediately glared back by Duke Dawson.

Well, forget it. His Majesty the King doesn’t care about the Duke’s disrespect in front of the palace, so I’d better not get involved in this mess.

"I'm sorry, I think this matter involves the Shadow Church, so I want to report it to His Majesty the King. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Aiden said he was apologizing to the king, but his eyes were looking at Duke Dawson.

Duke Dawson also took over the responsibility and said to Aiden: "If His Majesty the King hears these little things again and disturbs his nap, you can go home and fish for Magikarp!"

Aiden lowered his head in frustration, and responded with strong resentment: "As you command, thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty!"

"Next."

"Wait a moment."

A voice interrupted Aiden's report again. Aiden raised his head angrily and wanted to ask Duke Dawson why this time.

Then he found that Dawson also showed a surprised expression. No, that voice just now was...
Aiden and Dawson both looked at the young king on the throne, only to see him open his eyes sleepily and say in a lazy tone:
"I am quite interested in this matter, Marquis Aiden, please continue~" (End of this chapter)