Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 244

Haiman’s grand mansion, often likened to a small imperial palace, stood in the center of the city. This comparison subtly implied that the Duke’s power rivaled that of the imperial family, while also acknowledging the mansion’s truly grand and splendid appearance.

Thousands of *pyeong* [a traditional Korean unit of area, roughly equivalent to 3.3 square meters] of lawns, a garden meticulously maintained throughout the four seasons, and the mansion’s walls, kept pristine white even against rain and snow, all contributed to its imposing presence.

The old gardener, as was his custom, offered a word of thanks while gazing towards the main gate of the main building.

But then.

“Hmm?”

A procession of carriages was entering through the main gate in the distance.

He had heard that the master hadn’t returned the previous day, so was he coming home now? And behind them? Were those the master’s friends? It seemed the mansion’s atmosphere had been more subdued than usual.

Taptaptap!

Hee-ing!

The old man frowned, taking off his hat. Something was amiss. Why were the carriages continuing to enter without end? Behind them were riders on horseback, and behind them, armed soldiers were marching in step.

The old man dropped his hat with a thud and hurriedly loaded his gardening tools onto a cart.

“Hey, you there! Hey!”

“Where are you going?”

His gestures caught the attention of the servants resting in the garden, and their commotion brought the butler running.

As the butler rushed down the central staircase, the carriages had already stopped, waiting for a signal from inside.

“What is the matter? Where are you from? Duke Haiman is currently out.”

The butler asked, ignoring the fluttering imperial flag. The main gate was only a few minutes away. Yet, there had been no prior contact. This meant they had either forced their way in without waiting or the guards had been subdued.

The servants pressed their faces against the windows with uneasy expressions. The number of people was considerable, making it feel like a war had broken out.

“I am Jayrut, the commander of the Imperial Guard.”

“Ah, yes. It is an honor to meet you.”

“Is the Duchess inside?”

“…May I ask the reason for your visit first?”

The butler subtly supported his waist with his left hand, sending a signal. The servants who understood quickly ran up the stairs to inform Duchess Haiman and her children of the situation.

However, they had overlooked one thing: these messengers of the Imperial Palace prioritized the notice of title revocation over seizing or searching anything.

Clatter.

Jayrut pulled out an order from his breast pocket.

“This is an order from the Imperial Family. All those bearing the name of Haiman must come out and obey the solemn will of the Imperial Family.”

The butler’s face turned pale in an instant. From a fleeting glance, he thought he had seen the words ‘title revocation’ in there?

Jayrut clicked his watch, checking the time. He had a mountain of tasks, and time was short.

“The urgency is level one. If there is no one to comply, the effect will begin with the declaration.”

“What is going on?”

At that moment, Duchess Haiman and Lady Melania, who had been in the mansion, came out, clutching their dress hems. The eldest son, their son and brother, was currently in his study, checking for any problematic documents.

“Duchess Haiman and her daughter, I presume. I will now deliver the order.”

“What? What are you saying?”

It was a combination of words she had never heard in her life. Title revocation? Temporary? Order? But instead of explaining, Jayrut read out the full text.

“From this moment forward, the title of Duke, the authority, and the privileges granted to the Haiman family are temporarily revoked. This is an order from the Regent, the Imperial Representative, and the Administrative Department, authorized by the Emperor.”

Was this what it felt like to be struck by lightning? The feeling was so sudden and bewildering that she was at a loss for words.

Jayrut gestured to the next page, indicating that he wasn’t finished yet.

“The following measures will be implemented immediately.”

First, asset freeze.

To ensure a smooth financial investigation, not a single copper transaction is permitted from this moment forward. This was due to the loss of the ‘right to not have economic activity infringed upon,’ which was a right of the nobility.

“…This includes not being able to pay even a single penny to the employees.”

At Jayrut’s declaration, the servants exchanged bewildered glances. No pay? Then there was no reason to stay here, was there?

“Second, the forced reduction of private soldiers. All those hired for military purposes, whether they are knights or soldiers, even if they are low-ranking guards, must be demobilized.”

Those who were not nobles could hire private soldiers up to three times the number of their direct family members. This was a measure to cut off the possibility of rebellion in advance. Thus, those who wanted to build power tried hard to receive even the lowest title of Baron.

Jayrut added, estimating the numbers.

“There are five direct members of the Haiman family. You may dismiss all but fifteen.”

“What is this! Where is my husband? What is this ridiculous order, and who do you think you are bringing it here!”

“Madam, do not act rashly. It is an insult to the Imperial Family.”

“No. Wait. Just a moment!”

As the executors tried to enter the mansion, the Duchess blocked them, letting out a shrill cry. The servants and guards who had been waiting behind her joined in.

“Step aside. You are obstructing official duties.”

“Wait! I am a member of the royal family of Luswena before I am a Duchess! No one, no one can enter the mansion before I meet my husband! Where is he now? Is he imprisoned in the Imperial Palace?”

“It is not imprisonment, but detention. And…”

“Get out of the way! You insolent fools!”

“Madam, what should we do?”

“Block them! No! Everyone, hurry-”

Swish!

The moment the Duchess was about to say something, Jayrut unhesitatingly beheaded the servant who was blocking the entrance. The white marble floor was instantly stained with blood.

Melania gasped, covering her mouth in horror as she watched the head roll down the stairs. Jayrut bit his lip and asked in a low voice.

“…Does the order seem like a joke, Madam?”

If they did not demobilize their private soldiers, they would all be suppressed. That was the reason why the commander of the Imperial Guard had come to Haiman. Among the nobles, their scale was the largest.

After clearing the mansion, he planned to go to the private training grounds not far away. Jayrut pointed his sword at the remaining servants.

“Well, does it look like a joke?”

“Eek!”

“Anyone who blocks or interferes will be cut down immediately. Those who value their lives should step back and cooperate.”

The Duchess sensed that something was definitely going wrong. That Prince Arsen’s mana confirmation ceremony had failed, or that it had succeeded, but due to some trickery by Jin and Ian, the political situation in the Imperial Palace had solidified. She could only think that way.

“Mother! Melania!”

“Brother!”

“What on earth is going on!”

Clang! Clink!

At that moment, the eldest and second sons, who had finished organizing the study on the upper floor, came running down with their swords drawn. They didn’t know what was going on, but they saw a blood-stained sword in front of their mother. The eldest son rushed forward, but Melania spread her arms to block him.

“No! Brother!”

“Melania!”

“Really, no. Please.”

First, they should stay still. Then, they should figure out the movements of the other nobles who were colluding with their father and the political situation in the Imperial Palace.

If her brothers opposed the Imperial Family here, it would inevitably provide them with justification. If things were more serious than she thought, they could even be charged with treason. If her father was gone, and her brothers were gone, they might be walking down a path of no return.

Swoosh.

Jayrut stepped over the corpse and entered the mansion. The two brothers could only step back, bewildered and unsure of what was happening.

“You are wise, Lady.”

“Do not damage the mansion. The right to private property is not exclusive to nobles.”

Jayrut gestured for the executors to enter the mansion. They seemed to have already grasped the layout, as they dispersed to various locations in an orderly manner without rushing.

The servants were terrified, sticking to the walls and letting out low moans.

“And the Duchess and the eldest son will come to the Imperial Palace with me. There are things to investigate.”

The Duchess and the eldest son. Melania immediately understood why these two had been selected. They were the ones with the priority of inheritance. If something happened to her father, the authority would then go to her mother, and after her mother, to her eldest brother. The talk of freezing assets was not just for investigation.

“I will go with you.”

“Melania, then I will too.”

“Younger brother, you must stay here and protect the mansion.”

Melania stopped her younger brother and whispered softly. The fact that they had pushed their way into the Haiman mansion like this meant that the other nobles were likely in the same situation. Therefore, they needed someone outside the Imperial Palace to conspire and unite their forces.

“We will depart in five minutes.”

“This way! This way is the study!”

“The door is locked?”

“Bring an axe!”

“Hurry! Smash it open!”

Crash! Bang! Bang!

Crack-!

Jayrut was merciless. There was no need to give them any extra preparation time. While they were sealing off the private training grounds, others would move the carriages to escort the Haiman family to the Imperial Palace.

Melania nodded and quickly ran up to her bedroom.

Taptaptap!

“Lady! What should we do?”

“Shhh. You make sure the others are under control. If anyone tries to sneak out with items from the mansion, report them immediately and stop them. If we scatter, we will all die.”

Melania told her maid and took out a small jewelry box from the bottom of her drawer. There were faint traces of dust and fingerprints on the fine cloth. These were the marks from when she had opened it after returning from Gale’s residence.

Click.

Inside were a half-broken amber gemstone, a pressed red flower bookmark, and a few old, crumbling notes. Melania bit her lip and carefully held them to her chest.

“Let’s go.”

“Lady!”

“It’s okay. Don’t cry.”

If her father was in danger, then that danger was obviously caused by Ian, the opposing side. Melania prayed that she could stop Ian.

‘No matter how much I think about it, there are too many things that don’t add up.’

On the night of the moonlit night, she had subtly tested Ian in front of Gale’s residence, but he had not reacted. And when she looked at his subsequent actions, she thought it was genuine.

But if it was like this, she had no choice but to take a chance, even if it was a small one.

“What is that?”

“It is an item containing miscellaneous goods. Would you like to see it?”

“The box looks expensive.”

“Nothing in Haiman is not expensive. If you want, I can just wrap it in cloth. It’s just a bookmark and some notes from a friend.”

Her mother was already in the carriage, and her eldest brother was waiting for her. An Imperial Palace official briefly inspected them, and after confirming that there were no problems, he opened the carriage door.

Hee-ing!

Taptaptap!

“We will go to the Imperial Palace first.”

“Yes. We will join you soon.”

The executor sitting next to the coachman bowed to Jayrut. Melania looked back at the mansion, which was getting farther away, and bit her lip in despair.

“Ah, what is this…”

“Mother. It’s okay. Calm down.”

The eldest brother comforted his mother, patting her shoulder.

The carriage soon left Haiman’s private property and entered the central road. As they got closer to the Imperial Palace, passing through the crowds, similar carriages became more common.

But then.

“Ah.”

Melania turned her head towards the window, noticing the bloodstains on the carriage. They were all the returns of those who had visited the central noble mansions to carry out the orders.

A half-dazed person was sitting there, covered in blood. The moment Commander Jayrut’s question, ‘Does it seem like a joke?’ echoed in her ears.

“What on earth is this…”

Familiar faces visible outside the carriage. The heirs of the seven central noble families were all converging on the Imperial Palace.