Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 101

“Lord Ian.”

As soon as the carriage door opened, Lady Rien greeted Ian. She was dressed in a more vibrant and elaborate dress than usual, wearing a smile that was more perfect than ever. The Lady confidently presented the back of her hand, and Ian lightly kissed it.

“It’s been a while, Madam. How have you been?”

“I’m doing well, thanks to you. Lord Romandro, I hope you’ve been well too?”

“Of course. It’s cold, so please come inside quickly.”

“Please look forward to the banquet tonight. It’s a blessed day for Mereloff, so I’ve prepared diligently.”

Lady Rien led the way into the mansion. The hallway was so polished that it was hard to believe it was the same place where they had rushed in after hearing the news of the Count’s death. Ian greeted the butler and entered the drawing room.

“First, let’s quickly take care of business.”

The Lady smiled, presenting a leather document holder.

“Here is the certificate for the 5,000 gold coins you mentioned. The number of soldiers has also been reduced to less than half of the current number, and this is a pledge to maintain it.”

“May I see the budget?”

“Of course. You can check it on the next page.”

Ian slowly reviewed Mereloff’s annual budget. It seemed like Romandro’s aides and staff had worked hard on it, and indeed, the budget for maintaining the soldiers next year was neatly cut in half.

“Didn’t your aide say anything?”

“Oh my. Are you worried that I’ll be accused of selling off the estate?”

“I’m not worried, but I am curious.”

The people listening flinched at Ian and the Lady’s unreserved conversation. Romandro’s subordinates exchanged glances, flustered. It seemed like they had made a mistake in deciding to stay.

“It’s not like I’m taking the budget and diverting it to Lord Ian; it’s going back to the people of the estate, so it’s fine. I’m going to use that money to cover the cost of the Gula [a type of food].”

“Ah, I see.”

“If you’re uncomfortable receiving the 5,000 gold coins as a reward, just think of it as coming from my personal funds.”

“I didn’t say that. It’s a fair exchange for a fair price.”

At Ian’s words, Romandro took out a letter for the Imperial Palace report from his inner pocket. She picked it up gracefully and read each word with a sharp gaze.

Scribble,

“There are no lies or things that don’t need to be known. I like it. Please submit the report as is. There’s no need for an investigator to come down from the Imperial Palace, right?”

The report detailed how the Count had died and the succession process, but it neatly omitted anything that didn’t need to be written.

For example, the relationship between the slave and the Lady, the slave’s punishment, and the timing of when the heir, Dive, left Mereloff.

“Unless there are any special issues. Then I will affix the seal.”

“Yes. Here, would you prepare it?”

Romandro conspicuously wrote his signature and poured sealing wax. The seal, signifying his official report, was stamped.

“I am truly happy to have gained a good neighbor. The people of Mereloff, too, Bratz, ah, no.”

“It won’t be long before you get a new name.”

“Excuse me. I’ll restrain myself. Anyway, um. The people of Mereloff are also grateful that they can get a lot of food, including Gula, from your side.”

“That’s a relief. Winter is cold, so we need to gather warmth.”

“Now, for the last thing.”

Ian and Lady Rien concluded the meeting by signing a preemptive right agreement that applied to all transactions. The details had been coordinated in advance, so things progressed very quickly.

“This was so easy, what on earth was my husband doing all day holding onto parchment?”

The Lady muttered, putting the ink-stained pen on the table. What she had thought was just meticulousness back then now seemed like a very fastidious and inefficient personality.

“Where is Dive?”

“He’s in the annex. I should tell him to leave soon.”

There was not a trace of blemish in Lady Rien’s smile. It was time to completely drive Dive out of Mereloff, so how happy she must be. Ian also checked his watch.

“Have you decided on a merchant group?”

“It’s the Cheal Merchant Group. It seems that big things always tend to fall into place. The price is good, but I chose them because the merchant group itself is reliable and skilled.”

“Who will be the person in charge of sending from Mereloff?”

At Ian’s question, Lady Rien’s eyes narrowed even more. It was an unreadable look. She seemed calm, but also a little resentful, and on the other hand, a little sad…

“I plan to send five soldiers, two assistant aides, and Clark. The ones except for Clark will return after seeing Dive leave the Hawan Kingdom.”

I see.

It was a way to protect Clark while using him effectively. Ian nodded as if he thought it was a good idea.

“Since you have chosen them, I’m sure they will do well. However, I would like to ask you to double-check to ensure that there are no disruptions to the work. Honestly, we are also taking some risks here.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. They are all very skilled.”

Especially Clark, who was bound by blind faith and love. As soon as Dive made a trace of arriving in Toolun, he would surely try to take his breath away.

“Very well. Shall we go out to see Dive off?”

“Butler, is the carriage ready?”

“Yes. You can go down right away.”

At Butler Samon’s words, everyone got up and went to the main gate. Dive, who was wearing a winter robe, started shouting excitedly as soon as he saw Ian and the Lady.

“You, you wicked things!”

Under the robe, he was wearing shackles. It was a way to take him away in the most discreet way possible, aware of the eyes of the outside world.

“Dive, before you leave on your long journey, I wish you blessings.”

“You devilish woman! Do you think you’ll be safe after doing this?”

“Of course. I will eat well and live well, so I hope you will too, Dive. It would be great if we never see each other again.”

Lady Rien smiled gracefully and spewed words that were not at all graceful. You crazy woman, you psycho, you have a screw loose, and so on. Dive poured out blatant curses, then glared at Ian.

“Ian, you too! Do you think you can touch the Mereloff family and survive! The curse of the underworld will fall upon you soon!”

Ian ignored him and looked around at the soldiers and aides who were preparing to depart. He asked if anything was missing for the long journey, and told them not to worry about bandits when crossing the mountains.

Clank.

It was then. There was a sound of someone approaching from behind. It was Clark, who had been released from his shackles and changed into dry clothes. He was holding his bruised wrist and carrying a large backpack.

“Are you ready?”

“…Yes.”

The Lady asked without even making eye contact with him. If a stranger saw them, they would feel like complete strangers.

“Then let’s depart.”

Perhaps the bag contained a generous amount of travel expenses that Lady Rien had prepared. Everyone got into the carriage, and it was when Clark was about to close the door.

“…I’ll be back.”

Clark said that to the Lady and closed the door. The Lady turned her back without answering and waved her hand at Dive, who was still yelling.

“Goodbye. See you in hell.”

“Hyah! Let’s go!”

Neigh!

With the sound of the horse’s cry, the carriage powerfully left the Mereloff mansion. The Lady watched the carriage disappear for a long time, then turned her body around.

“Well then.”

And she smiled, making eye contact with Ian and Romandro, especially his subordinates.

“Shall we go have a meal? Lord Romandro’s subordinates will be seeing Mereloff often in the future, won’t they?”

“Yes. Please take care of us, Madam.”

“Likewise. Please help me a lot.”

Ian stared blankly at the black ribbons fluttering throughout the estate. It made him think that if his previous body had died, something like that would have been hung all over Bariel. The Lady, who was leading the guests inside, called out to Ian.

“Lord Ian? Aren’t you coming in? It’s cold.”

“Madam. What happened to the Count’s funeral?”

The Lady smiled brightly and did not answer.

As if to say, ‘You already know everything, why are you asking?’

* * *

Neigh!

On the way back to the estate from Mereloff, Ian felt dizzy from the wine he had with the banquet.

“Ian, are you alright?”

“…Lord Romandro, your face is redder.”

“Ahaha. Actually, I see two of your faces.”

“You’ve said that three times already.”

“Really? I must be drunk. But… can I tell you something funny? I see two of your faces.”

“……”

Romandro, who was pleasantly drunk, was lightly acting drunk. The Lady, as if she had a wine barrel in her body, was perfectly fine even though she had drunk with them, and saw them off.

Squeak!

“Lord Ian. We have arrived.”

“Ah, thank you for your hard work. Go rest.”

As the coachman opened the door, Ian staggered out of the carriage. As soon as he staggered slightly, there was a scream from behind.

“Oh my goodness, Lord Ian!”

“Huh?”

When Ian turned around, the workers who were moving leather sacks approached him worriedly.

“Oh dear, I heard you were sick, but you can’t even walk. Are you alright?”

“You seem to have a fever. Your face is bright red.”

“It’s cold, please go inside quickly.”

Sick? Who?

While Ian was just blinking, the workers bowed and disappeared. They must have been on their way home late at night. Ian muttered, bewildered, touching his neck.

“What are they talking about?”

Anyway, I don’t know why there are so many miscellaneous things piled up in front of the door. As Ian entered, the servants came and took his coat.

“Welcome back?”

“Yes. But what are those things?”

“The people of the estate sent them after hearing that Lord Ian was not well. Things to help you recover have been piling up all afternoon.”

It was like that time. When the people of the estate heard that Ian had been attacked by a stranger, they came to comfort him. He didn’t know what the rumor was now, but he smiled because their hearts seemed to be the same as before.

“I thought there wouldn’t be much because it’s winter, but it seems like everyone managed to gather things well.”

Dried flowers, eggs with cute paint pictures, dried meat, jam jars passed down through the family, etc., were small but definitely warm gifts. Ian smiled and asked the servant.

“Please organize them well and move them to the bedroom.”

“Yes, Lord Ian. And we have a guest.”

“A guest? Who?”

There shouldn’t be anyone coming? At the same time as Ian asked, Beric shouted from the railing.

“Ian, you’re late?”

“Beric. Did you eat?”

“I did. Philia is here.”

“Huh?”

A woman peeked her face out next to him. Golden hair and green eyes, exactly like Ian’s, were striking. Perhaps she had become accustomed to mountain life, she had a stronger and healthier beauty than before.

“Ian.”

She smiled brightly, but it seemed like she was overwhelmed with emotion at seeing her son’s face after a long time. Tears like chicken droppings flowed down and fell on Ian’s cheek.

“Ian. Who is that?”

Romandro, who had followed in, rubbed his cold hands and asked curiously. When they first entered Bratz, they had hidden Philia’s existence from everyone. It was to prevent any noise from mixing with the alliance with the Cheonryeo tribe.

However, Romandro, who had come from the Imperial Palace, already knew Ian’s situation, and the time when her existence itself was a concern had passed.

“Lord Romandro. Please greet her.”

Ian decided to express his gratitude to the woman who had waited in the mountains and gathered Gula.

“She is my mother.”