MDCF

53

However, when she stated the reason they were there, the shop owner's face fell. He told them to leave immediately and that he didn't want to be involved in any court proceedings. He was their last hope so Siana persevered.

We cannot fail like this, she resolved. Siana begged him to be kinder and be their witness otherwise there will be no value of truth and honesty in this world and vile liars like Viscount North might always win.

"Please," said Siana holding his hands.

The shop owner sighed. "Viscount North is a very wealthy man," he said finally, "He is like a godfather among the aristocrats and hold everything in his hands. We are merchants. In this kind of business, we always suffer from unexpected financial trouble. And we always have the need to borrow money from Viscount North."

The shop owner sounded defeated and very polite. Alan listened to him with undivided attention. "What if I let you borrow money from me?" he asked.

"You don't understand," said the shop owner, "We have been borrowing from Viscount North and paying his due. Borrowing money once is not enough. He will make out life hell. To me, my business is my livelihood. If I lose this, I have nothing." The shop owner paced around the shop fretfully. "I wish I could borrow from the state, so I didn't have to rely on the Viscount. But merchants like me, we belong to the bottommost ladder in the social hierarchy."

"You borrow money from Viscount North because you can't get any loans from the state," said Hugh.

"Yes," said the shop owner, looking at Hugh. "Although Viscount North is vile and repulsive, he helps us and our livelihood."

"What if I lent you money whenever you have a need of it?" asked Alan.

"You don't understand, Lord Legarde," said the shop owner with a sigh, "Viscount North isn't just known for his wealth and lending money to the masses. He has a lot of people behind him. Everyone here works for him. For people like us, if we have no one that wants to buy from us, it won't matter. None of it would matter. He can make it happen. He can destroy us. For us who depend on doing our business in groups or in networks, he can make life difficult for us."

The response shut Alan off, he finally understood why the shop owner was hesitant. Alan could maybe solve the financial difficulty, but Viscount North had power and connections. This was the reality. Alan might have been higher up on the social structure, but Viscount North held this town in this fist.

Alan's connections were mostly the officers and acquaintances from his time in the military. Although powerful, they couldn't do anything when it came to this town. They wouldn't be able to help the merchants like the shop owner in front of him.

Siana was at a loss for words. She didn't want to push the shop owner further. She understood his plight and could not bring herself to ask him for help anymore. Siana recalled her father saying that business was not only about knowledge and funding but also about connections.

Nobody is worth anything unless they have people behind them, thought Siana. Seeing Alan and Siana very quiet, Hugh and Yulia seemed unable to suggest anything as well.

"I feel sorry for you," said the shop owner to Siana, "I would have helped in any way I can if my situation was different. But I have too many eyes on me. I would be grateful if you could, please, leave."

They left the shop and walked away. Their way back to Legarde mansion in their carriage was gloomy.

"Viscount North's power is insurmountable," muttered Yulia, angrily, "I would never have thought so many people would support such a vile man."

Alan sighed. "Is there any other way, Hugh?" he asked.

"As of now... Let me take some time to do some thinking," said Hugh, "The trial is four days away. I will figure out a way."