Chapter 203: Listening

Chapter 203: Listening

Patience was a habit Danny developed from her long time with Bran. This patience made her show maturity and steadiness far beyond her age. Maturity and steadiness, in turn, brought people a sense of security. And what the people in the City Manor lacked the most was this sense of security, so Danny gradually became the pillar for everyone.

Danny took care of the small matters Bran disdained to notice, such as the patrols and guards of the City Manor. Just like in the Mountain Villa, these tasks mostly relied on the White Wolf and Snow Falcon to complete. Danny was very much like Bran in this regard; often she trusted her animal companions more. Even though such arrangements were seen by others as unnecessary, she stubbornly persisted.

Bran could indeed take on many tasks, and he rarely asked others to do things he could do himself, even if they weren’t meant for him. His abilities brought many conveniences. With his gradually increasing power, many tasks might be just a thought away for him.

But this could not be a reason for others to slack off. So Danny had to restrain her companions, assigning them various jobs just to share some of the tiny burdens for Bran, just to soothe the hearts of their people.

Danny understood everyone’s feelings. When people found themselves dispensable, marginalization and a sense of betrayal slowly became nightmares for many. Although she knew it was somewhat unnecessary because how could one feel betrayed if never truly accepted in the first place.

But, she understood this pain. Because Bran was the one truly marginalized and abandoned. Only his seemingly formidable power hid many truths.

Moreover, Bran had already made arrangements for the people here. He never betrayed his family; he was just too lazy to explain. He gave the people here the greatest leniency and freedom, letting them choose whether to do certain things or not, as long as they liked it, as long as it made them happy. But the more he did this, the less happy people became.

Because they were not used to this. What they needed was a bond, to gain recognition and praise through work. They were not like Bran, accustomed to self-selection and work, used to discovering and knowing themselves in the process.

Danny ached for Bran. He yearned for freedom and was used to facing things alone. So, he also gave the right of free choice to others, but people didn’t really need this. They were used to following, used to completing a task together, and gaining great satisfaction and joy from it. Occasionally, in the smugness after tea time, they would boast about the group’s achievements as their own glory.

Living together with Bran, Danny constantly reflected. From being forced to being proactive, because Bran told her too many twisted theories. She gradually understood some things, but there was still much more waiting for her to learn.

…

Listen, and think while listening. Danny would not blindly follow others’ guidance. With the sharpness of a Northlander, it was hard for less than pure intentions to slip past her. Though there was no malice, the selfish motives could not be hidden.

She listened carefully to Pachu’s old-man lecturing; at least the life experiences he shared were of great help to her. Taxes were not unfamiliar to Danny. Back in the Northlands, she and Bran had dealt with greedy caravans. During that time, she heard Bran talk a lot about matters of trade.

Danny did not oppose collecting taxes. It was a good thing for Northland City, so she had no reason to oppose it. She also didn’t want to make excuses; that would be shirking responsibility. Although excuses were easy to find, such as waiting for Bran to return to decide, she knew that once those words were spoken, no one would dare object. The name Bran was like a taboo, effective every time. If she didn’t want to delve deeper into a topic, she only needed to use this trump card.

But she couldn’t wait for Bran to decide everything. Since Northland City had been entrusted to her, she had to shoulder the responsibility.

This wasn’t just a simple matter of profit. Once tax collection began, authority needed to be granted. This was also why Earl had been appearing so frequently lately.

Compared to Pachu, Earl’s intentions were simpler. She just wanted to get this job and then arrange for as many people from her family as possible. She didn’t think about profiting from the taxes because serving this new city was the greatest benefit in itself. Serving this city, serving the people before her, would benefit them for a lifetime.

Since Earl wanted this job so much, Danny would give it to her. But only as a deputy. Danny would arrange for people from the manor to follow and learn. Just as Bran hoped, the Northlanders needed to adapt to everything here and gradually take charge of this city through observation and learning. A city, a people, could not rely on just one or two Great Wizards. Everyone needed to find their place. Although Bran was poor at this himself, he never hid his thoughts from Danny.

Although Danny was unfamiliar with city management, she was not afraid. She liked what Bran said, “If you can’t do it well, can’t you at least not mess it up badly?” Moreover, she knew Bran didn’t care much about this city; it was just a temporary resting place. So, her mindset was very relaxed. This relaxation made her appear composed and earned her genuine respect.

What really gave her a headache was that rumor—the lady of Northland City. She didn’t dislike this rumor because she was indeed the lady here. Just like at Bran Manor, her Statue stood here too. In fact, most people faintly sensed the meaning of the Statue, but no one pointed it out.

Just as no one found it inappropriate for her to sit in the lady’s position, including herself who hadn’t even noticed it. During their time at the Mountain Villa, she and Bran spent their days like that. Habit became nature, so much so that even after the Madam and his sisters moved into the Mountain Villa, she still arranged everything as the hostess.

The Madam would only be happy, so she didn’t point it out. Having someone care for her foolish son was exactly what the Madam wished for. Realizing it only now seemed a bit awkward, but Danny wouldn’t retreat or avoid it either. How could a Northlander retreat or avoid such a thing? Taking a man home wasn’t even a big deal in the Northlands.

But she didn’t want to clarify all this. She didn’t want external forces to break the warmth between her and Bran. Also because Bran clearly wasn’t thinking in that direction.

The ones truly saddened were probably Zoya and Eileen, right? Thinking of those two young girls who tried so hard to imitate her, Danny felt another headache coming on.

Eileen was better. When faced with conflict, her final choice would always be her own people. And who could say how the relationship between the Northlands and the Dragon Riders would develop?

Zoya was more troublesome, because she was already a Northlander…