Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 246

Melania’s Plea

Ian recalled the day he had faced Melania.

In front of Gale’s residence, where the moonlight was dazzling, she had called his name affectionately with a flushed face. It was as if she were calling out to an old friend, her attitude so familiar.

He had thought it was just a mistake due to being drunk, but no matter how he thought about it, it didn’t seem to be the case. To bring up the name of the traitor, Bratz, again.

‘Could it be that the illegitimate son Ian had some connection with Bratz?’

It was impossible to know. How could Emperor Ian know the past of the illegitimate son Ian?

As Ian slightly furrowed his brow, the attendant stepped back. He assumed that Ian was displeased that those who were about to have their titles stripped and their families destroyed were coming and going.

“I apologize. Should I not report such matters in the future?”

“No, it’s fine. Let’s deal with the work first, and then see her in our spare time. Isn’t Lady Melania the youngest daughter of the Haiman family? Have all her older brothers come in as well?”

“Only the wife and the eldest son have entered the palace.”

“There will likely be many cases where the second son remains in the family, like them. Investigate and determine their numbers. So they cannot unite.”

“I will pass on the message.”

The enforcement officers who had gone to the field were those who earned their living from this work. Whether they were tying up carriages or doing something else, they would surely do their jobs well. However, there was no harm in being cautious, was there?

As Ian lightly gestured, the attendant stepped back and disappeared. He bowed and met Jin’s gaze.

“Your Highness. The Imperial Palace soldiers are doing their jobs well. I hear that the heirs of the seven families have already entered the palace. I must also go and greet them.”

“Should I go with you…”

Jin trailed off, watching Ian’s expression. Then Ian smiled playfully. It meant no.

“…I guess not?”

“Why do you think it wouldn’t be a good idea?”

How mischievous. He had just told him with a smile.

Jin stopped and pondered, resting his chin on his hand. Tick-tock, time passed, and the sound of attendants’ footsteps was heard several times in the distance, but Ian waited for the child without any sign of impatience.

Soon, Jin opened his mouth.

“With the matter of stripping titles, I have already shown a strong will to check the nobles. Although it is limited to Haiman and his forces, other nobles are also keenly on edge. Isn’t that why we brought in the Serio family to prevent this?”

It was more convenient to guide the situation into a structure of ‘Imperial Palace’ versus Haiman, rather than ‘Imperial Family’ versus the nobles.

The Imperial Palace not only had the Imperial Family, but also officials, some of whom had received titles.

The intention was to dilute the backlash, checks, and vigilance pouring into the Imperial Palace by putting the nobles who were on the opposite side, including Serio, at the forefront.

“It seems advantageous to show my face appropriately and then step back to create that atmosphere. Also, it’s a bit awkward for me to be in the investigation room since I’m still too young.”

Because he was the only successor who would not be checked. There was no risk of being pushed aside even if he didn’t step forward.

Jin did not utter this last sentence and swallowed it silently. Ian slightly raised his hand to his chest and gave an Imperial Palace greeting.

“If that is Your Highness’s intention and judgment, then I will gladly comply.”

Ian gestured to the attendants following from a distance to escort Jin. They knew that the two had different destinations and slowly split into two groups. Siao Shi, who was mixed in with them, walked towards Jin.

“Please move with Siao Shi. I will see you again soon.”

“Alright. Take care.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ian turned the corner and disappeared first. Following behind him were numerous attendants and guards. Jin watched the scene for a moment, then looked out the window.

“…Sia.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Let’s go to where Mother is.”

Arsen’s poison was so potent and strong that it even threatened the mages. Even a snake living in hiding could kill a human with that poison, but Arsen was a monster that had lived for hundreds of years. Moreover, it was a monster that had boldly crawled into the Imperial Palace to weaken Bariel. It was natural that a normal human body could not withstand it.

‘If Ian is mentioning Mother, it means that the situation has reached its extreme.’

Jin took a light breath and then briskly moved his feet. It was in the direction of the detached palace where Dilaina was staying.

The attendants following the child, including Siao Shi, walked further apart than usual. Perhaps it was because they were afraid that the dignified and sole successor of the Imperial Family might show a side they did not want to be seen.

* * *

Melania unconsciously stroked the jewelry box she had placed on her lap. Her mother and older brother had moved for investigation, but there had been no news for several hours.

She bit her lip, staring at the tightly closed door. It felt like she had been thrown alone into a beast’s den. Even when she asked about her family’s whereabouts, the attendants did not say a word, as if their tongues had been cut off.

‘Was the signal of Bratz too weak?’

What if Ian ignored her request for an audience?

What should she do then?

Contacting Gale might not be a bad option. She was unaware that Gale was dead, and she kept setting up and breaking down tens of thousands of plans, flicking her fingernails.

‘The mana confirmation ceremony, that’s where things went terribly wrong. Something must have happened there. It’s likely that Arsen’s mana was false. Enough to be related to the insult or the existence of the Imperial Family.’

Knock knock.

“Minister Ian Hielo is here to see you.”

“……!”

The sudden news. Melania almost let out a gasp, but she immediately managed her expression and straightened her dress. Her straight jawline, upright posture, and unwavering gaze were perfect.

The door opened, and Ian entered alone, having dismissed the attendants.

“Greetings, Minister Hielo.”

“It’s been a while. I am late due to the heavy workload at the Imperial Palace. Please understand that I cannot spare much time.”

It wasn’t just one or two, but a total of seven families. They were being investigated simultaneously, so this was the truth, not just a formality. Ian sat on the sofa, crossing his legs, without even taking off his gloves.

“And Melania, I’ll tell you this in advance, just in case you don’t know. Bratz was erased from the Bariel map a long time ago for treason. To dare to bring up that name in the Imperial Palace. That is a very dangerous course of action. Especially in the current situation.”

Everyone in the Imperial Palace was on the lookout for even the smallest pretext. And yet, to directly tell Ian, who had survived from a family destroyed for treason, the name of that family?

It was as if Melania had handed her own leash to Ian. She had no other choice, so she had to do it.

“But if I hadn’t, would Minister Ian have granted me an audience?”

Ian lowered his gaze to the jewelry box on the table. All the assets of the Haiman mansion should be under provisional seizure, so what was it? Judging from Melania’s attitude so far, it didn’t seem like a simple bribe.

But you never know. The errors in judgment created by the final moments were common.

“Alright. Let’s hear it. What is this matter of ‘that territory’ that you have to tell me?”

Melania swallowed hard. Her heart seemed to be pounding loudly with tension. She was keenly aware of how important and precious this moment was for her.

A chance to decide the fate of her family, beyond the lives of her family members. Melania knew that she had to be mentally alert and act confidently in times like these.

“Before that, I’ll tell you in advance.”

“Anything.”

“I am here as a member of the Haiman family, to prevent the family from collapsing. I want nothing else.”

Even if it meant paying any price, Melania wanted to protect her family. Haiman, that great and noble name, was her foundation and origin.

Ian raised an eyebrow and stared back at her.

“Is that so? I am here to bring down your family. I want nothing else.”

“Minister Ian.”

Melania tried to ignore Ian’s words and brought up the topic. Her deep gaze thoroughly examined his green eyes. As if trying to read Ian’s inner thoughts.

“Do you remember? A long time ago, I was rude in front of Gale’s residence.”

“Of course. How could I forget?”

“I have a friend from Bratz.”

“From Bratz? How did the youngest daughter of the Haiman family go to such a remote place? Amazing. It sounds like a lie.”

Ian smiled and pointed out the lack of credibility.

Wasn’t that right? Logically speaking.

“I spent most of my childhood in Ruthwena. And I returned to Bariel when I was ten years old. Through the Hawan Kingdom.”

“Hawan Kingdom. Hawan Kingdom, you say. Is it because of the marriage alliance?”

“Yes. Like my mother. Those who were pushed out of the succession to the throne of Ruthwena scattered to neighboring countries. My cousin married into the Hawan Kingdom. My schedule was to attend the wedding and then return to Bariel.”

And naturally, the escort and transportation of goods for that schedule were handled by Rutherford, who had been trading with Haiman.

“Rutherford, do you know them?”

“Of course. They are the merchant group that supplied the amber ore used by Marib in the rebellion. I heard they have several alchemists.”

“Is that really all?”

Melania asked, as if clinging to him, slightly biting her lip. Ian just slightly raised his head with a calm gaze. As if he didn’t know what her intention was.

Her breathing became a little rough. It seemed to be a reaction created by emotions such as excitement, frustration, and tension.

“I asked if that was really all.”

“Melania. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I met a boy with blonde hair, green eyes, and white skin in Bratz. To be honest, it’s been a long time, so I’m not sure about his face. But Minister Ian. The moment I saw you, it felt like the fog in my head cleared.”

Ian smiled faintly. Look at this? He didn’t know if Melania was trying to trick him, or if the ‘illegitimate son Ian’ actually had a connection with her.

“So I thought that if I called your name like I did back then, Ian would recognize me.”

“I think you’re mistaken, Lady.”

“I thought so too. But no matter how I think about it, isn’t it too much of a coincidence? How many children with your appearance were there in Bratz? And that ability.”

Ability. Melania looked down at Ian’s gloved hand and muttered firmly.

“Who else has that?”

Ian spread out his hand. Come to think of it, Philia had mentioned it in a letter. That when the illegitimate son Ian was very young, he had gone on an errand to a merchant and had received a red flowerpot. And that the person who gave him the flowerpot had greatly praised Ian, saying he had ‘talent’.

“Have I ever shown you my mana?”

Certainly, the illegitimate son Ian was also a mana user. As Ian was about to conclude that, Melania opened the jewelry box and showed him a note, pressed flowers, and an amber gemstone. Ian immediately recognized what the pressed flower was.

It was a Silask.

The flower that never fades once it blooms.

“Why do you keep pretending not to know?”

“Lady.”

“…You made this, Ian.”

Melania whispered, handing Ian the amber gemstone in her hand. It was a plea, asking him to please acknowledge her.

“That’s why Rutherford even praised you. Saying you had talent. Why do you keep pretending not to remember? You even swore on the gemstone. Why…!

Melania was now convinced that the friend in her memory was Ian, and she had decided to believe it.

A half-cut amber gemstone. Ian muttered without realizing it.

“Ian, made it?”