Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 10

Hannah entered with a tray of dried fruit and other snacks. Sensing there was another reason she’d been called, she looked at Ian, her hands clasped in front of her. He was still gazing at the bright weather outside the window.

‘Is there anything else you need?’

‘Hannah, how are the younger ones doing?’

Since they had started eating in the dining hall, there was much more leftover. Not only Hannah but also the other kitchen staff were able to fill their pockets.

‘Thanks to you, they are doing very well. They are so busy running around all day.’

The child smiled wholeheartedly. With full bellies, their smiles never faded, and their family bond grew stronger each day. It was all thanks to Ian. The servants knew that Ian was sharing his food with them.

‘That is a relief.’

‘You have something you want me to do, don’t you?’

Hannah took a step closer to Ian. She was determined not to let even a small breath escape. Ian continued to speak, still with his back to her.

‘Hannah, I have something to tell my mother.’

Ian continued to infuse magic into the brooch. To prevent this secret conversation from reaching Derga. Both children were illiterate, both outwardly and practically, so there was no other way.

‘Yes, please tell me.’

Finally, there was something to repay him for!

Hannah pursed her lips as if to say, ‘Hurry and tell me.’ The window flashed, but the child dismissed it as just sunlight.

‘Tell her to come to the lake in the park in District 3 for lunch tomorrow. And make sure she is disguised.’

‘Is that all I need to tell her?’

‘…Also, tell her that I received the pouch well.’

This was probably the first rendezvous. It would be a problem if Ian’s mother didn’t show up, thinking it was a trap set by Derga. Hannah engraved the brief information in her mind.

‘Yes, I will make sure there are no mistakes.’

‘I’m sorry. I vowed not to send you to such places, but it’s urgent, and there’s no other way.’

It was tomorrow. There was no time to use another method. Hannah nodded as if to say, ‘Leave it to me,’ and took a step back.

‘Then, I will take my leave.’

‘Take some snacks with you. It’s your reward.’

‘Thank you! Master Ian!’

Even while Hannah was putting the dried fruit in her pocket, Ian did not turn around.

‘What is it outside that makes him look like that?’ The child thought about the scenery outside and then smiled as if she understood. All that could be seen from here was the main building and the soldiers’ quarters.

‘When you go out with young master Chell tomorrow, Uncle Theo will be with you.’

‘Theo?’

Ian’s head turned slightly, but not enough to see his eyes. Hannah answered, happily patting her now-full pocket.

‘Yes. It just so happens that he has night training scheduled for today. They say that Uncle Theo is the only one who is free. His left arm is still uncomfortable, but he says there will be no problem in escorting the two of you.’

‘What happened to his arm?’

‘Ah. Don’t you know, Master Ian? He got drunk about two weeks ago and broke his left arm. Uncle says he fought with a thug, but everyone knows it was actually the wall of the tavern. I don’t know how many times this has happened.’

Hannah giggled as if it was funny. Ian also smiled slightly, but he could guess that Theo was not an easy person.

He wasn’t fired even after making such a scene? And he was assigned to escort the two sons even though his arm was still uncomfortable?

It meant that he was a very skilled person who had Derga’s trust. Ian lightly rubbed the window and nodded.

‘Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.’

‘Yes. If you need anything, please call me again.’

Click.

The child left the room with light steps. Only then did Ian stop using his magic and turn around. His golden eyes returned to their usual color, and the light of the brooch went out.

‘Hmm. Theo, huh.’

Chell was like a non-entity, but if he wasn’t careful, Theo could cause some variables. Ian sat on the sofa and fiddled with the pouch his mother had given him.

* * *

One week and a day.

That was how long it took for Ian to leave the Bratz mansion. The carriage sent by Lord Molin arrived exactly at noon, waiting for the two children.

‘Young master Chell. Master Ian. This way.’

And there was Theo, the man. The scars all over his face gave an idea of his personality. His physique was so impressive that it was questionable whether he could even fit in the carriage.

Whether it was intentional or not, he subtly called the two by different titles.

‘Are we riding together?’

‘Is there a problem with that?’

If they sat facing each other, their knees would touch…

Ian glanced at him with a displeased look and then got into the car. Maybe it was just his imagination, but it seemed like the horse was moving with difficulty.

Clop clop.

Only the sound of the horse’s hooves echoed quietly. Chell and Ian stared out the opposite windows in silence. The child felt like he was being dragged to a slaughterhouse, wishing he was going to school instead, but Ian was admiring the scenery.

‘Oh ho.’

The scenery was unique, perhaps because it was a border region, not far from the desert. He had spent most of his life in the capital, and the war he had participated in was in the opposite region. He had never gone on vacation like other nobles.

So there was a place like this in Bariel. It felt like he was traveling in a foreign land, beyond just a strange feeling. There was also the gap of a century.

‘Do you know any good places to go in Portoga?’

After looking around for a while, Ian opened his mouth. Chell turned around at Ian’s sudden question, and the man just blinked.

‘The administrator asked for a tour of the area, so I have to at least pretend to do it, but as you know, I don’t know anything.’

He was a child from a poor neighborhood who was busy trying to make a living.

‘Isn’t that right, brother? No matter what, it wouldn’t be good to introduce the alleys where I used to live.’

‘…Y-yes, that’s right.’

Although the guests were curious, he couldn’t really show them that place. It was a red-light district, of all places. How could the young masters of the Count’s family take guests there? It was crazy.

Theo scratched his nose and answered awkwardly.

‘Well, there are many pubs, but I don’t know any places that the central government officials would go to. The places I go to are always noisy.’

‘…Did you forget that I’m a minor?’

‘Well, that’s just how it is.’

Even at Ian’s rebuke, Theo just smiled shamelessly, and it seemed like a foul odor was rising from his dark teeth.

‘He’s a very unpleasant fellow.’

It wasn’t just because of hygiene. His habit of constantly touching the tip of his dagger and his sinister eyes were not human-like.

‘Alright. I guess we’ll have to just walk around the park.’

This was Ian’s purpose. To lay the groundwork. He was thinking about when Theo would report to the Count. He was going to meet his mother in the park, so everything had to be natural and certain.

‘We have arrived.’

‘Young masters, please get out.’

The speed gradually decreased, and the coachman opened the door.

Portoga was definitely a residential area for the upper class. Even if you ignored the well-paved stone roads and the roadside trees, the ‘Hyman Bank’ standing prominently on the main street was proof of that.

It was responsible for the financial infrastructure of the entire Bariel, and was called the third sanctuary. There was at least one branch in each territory, and without them, they would have to send huge amounts of taxes by carriage.

Thud!

The carriage shook greatly as Theo got out last. Mac approached him happily when he saw that.

‘Oh! Master Ian!’

‘Lord Mac. You came to greet us. Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. It’s even more pleasant to see you outside. Ah. Young master Chell as well. You must have had a hard time coming all this way.’

Mac greeted Ian and Chell, but he glanced at the guard behind them. There was a strong sense of caution behind his smile. But Theo just picked at his ear and didn’t react.

‘Welcome.’

It seemed like they were using the entire building. It wasn’t as big as the Derga mansion, but the interior decoration, finished with luxurious materials, was very elegant.

‘Is this a government residence?’

‘Yes. It’s a place used when civil servants are dispatched from the capital. It’s clean and comfortable, so I feel like I’m at home.’

The inside was ready.

The food was piled high on the tray, and even the wine was perfect. It didn’t seem much different from the Bratz Count’s luncheon.

‘Is the escort going to join us?’

‘Is there a problem with that?’

When Mac asked in front of the reception room door, Theo raised his eyes as if he found it strange. It was quite rude, but Mac just crossed his arms. He was thinking about how to get rid of this guy.

‘Please enjoy your meal and scholarly discussion. I’ll just be in the corner.’

At the man’s words, Ian turned his body and looked up at Mac. And then he signaled with a very slight twitch of his eyebrow.

‘We came out of the mansion together, so we can’t just let him watch us eat. Could you please put out one more set of tableware and a wine glass?’

Ian deliberately emphasized the word ‘wine’. A man who made a living with his body had broken his arm several times while drunk. He must be the type who couldn’t live without alcohol.

Mac hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth.

‘…We didn’t bring out any wine.’

Both of the invited guests were children. There was no way they would prepare alcohol for a luncheon without Derga and Mrs. Mary. It didn’t seem like Ian was unaware of that…

‘Do you perhaps enjoy alcohol?’

‘Huh? Well, it would be a lie to say no.’

‘Then come with me to the basement. There’s a wine cellar there, so you can go and choose what you want. It was unexpected, but if we put out tableware, you’re a guest anyway.’

…Is this right? Mac glanced at Ian and trailed off. It was perfect communication. When the child smiled faintly, Mac got the hint and urged Theo.

‘There are quite a few kinds.’

‘Is it right below?’

‘The basement of the building.’

Theo sniffed and then looked down at Chell and Ian. There was no danger since they were inside the building. As long as Chell and Ian were together, it would be okay for a while. Besides, it was the wine cellar of the government residence! There would be plenty of alcohol that he had never seen before.

‘Then, well, I won’t refuse.’

‘Wait a moment. Degore!’

Mac opened the door to the reception room and called Degore. And after whispering something, he told Theo to follow him.

‘Young masters. Please come in.’

Degore took over Mac’s role and led the guests inside. Molin had the same gentle gaze as always.

‘Please sit down. I don’t know if it will suit your taste.’

It was like a deja vu, as if the location had just been moved from the backyard of the Derga mansion to here. They exchanged the same greetings as yesterday and began their meal.

‘Oh ho. I heard that the school young master Chell attends is nearby?’

‘Yes. It takes about 10 minutes by carriage.’

If there was anything different, it was the target of the questions. The two of them poured their attention on Chell as if to show off. Ian knew that it was a clumsy deception, but perhaps it would work on Chell.

‘Father. They didn’t talk to Ian much? They didn’t seem to have any other intentions. And the conversation we had today was…’

He was told to bring back every word, so the child must be struggling to remember their words. Ian chuckled at the thought of Chell’s dull appearance. Derga would check the brooch anyway.

‘Now, when are they going to start?’

Ian quietly closed his mouth and just chewed on the meat. In fact, he was as curious as Derga. What was their purpose in taking him outside? He had a guess, but it was just a guess.

‘Ah!’

Splash!

At that moment, Degore spilled the water bottle. Very accurately, on Chell’s pants. It was a classic but perhaps sure method. Ian knew that it was a signal.

‘Oh my! Are you alright?’

‘Ah. Yes…’

Chell’s face turned red reflexively. His thighs were completely wet, as if he had peed. Ian calmly put a piece of meat in his mouth and predicted Degore’s line.

‘Would you like to change your clothes?’

‘I-It’s okay.’

‘Just a moment. I’ll have a servant quickly buy you some suitable clothes. There’s a good clothing store right next door.’

Chew chew. Ian continued his meal with a nonchalant expression, as if he knew it would happen.

‘Instead of that, why don’t you go yourself, brother? You don’t know the size properly since it’s not the clothing store you usually go to, do you?’

If he told a servant, he would come back up and say that Chell would have to go himself. It was obvious. Molin wet his lips with water and looked at Ian.

‘Isn’t that right, Lord Molin?’

So, let’s stop wasting time and have our real conversation. The child knew how to speak with his eyes.