Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 252

‘Greetings, Sir Ian.’

‘Welcome.’

Ian grasped Seroh’s hand, subtly scanning him. His coat, tie pin, and shoes were all of remarkably high quality.

Previously, he had dressed just enough to maintain a noble’s dignity, but now, his attire was clearly meant to flaunt his wealth, consisting of top-tier items.

It wasn’t likely that a family barely surviving on rental income would suddenly receive a windfall of cash…

‘You look quite dashing today.’

‘To hear such words from you, Sir Ian, is embarrassing. Haha. Thank you.’

It must be one of two things.

Either he was spending based on future expectations, or other nobles were offering him bribes under the guise of ‘keeping in line’.

Whatever the reason, it was an unwelcome change. A truly capable person should be steadfast, maintaining their center even when circumstances shift.

Seroh noticed Jin sitting on the sofa and briefly showed surprise.

‘Oh, Your Highness Jin. Greetings. I am Marlon Hoff Seroh. I didn’t realize you were here. How have you been?’

‘Well enough. Sit down.’

Seroh nodded politely and took a seat opposite the sofa. Just as Ian had scrutinized him, he was also observing Ian’s office.

‘Bring tea.’

‘Yes, Sir Ian.’

The aide named Romandro, the pile of documents beside him, the red-haired guard who had been thoroughly beaten by Commander Jaylott, and the odd-eyed man… Everything, including the relationship between Jin and Ian, seemed unchanged.

Is the prince still not moving his residence? If Jin is out here without a guardian, it becomes impossible to gauge Ian’s true authority. Seroh rubbed his palms together and smiled thinly.

‘I heard your health hasn’t been good.’

‘Really? From whom?’

‘Pardon?’

Ian’s sudden question startled Seroh. It was common knowledge, so why would he ask such a thing? Was he perhaps suspicious of the rumor that a traitor had emerged from the Magic Department?

As Seroh stammered in confusion, Ian smiled faintly.

‘It’s embarrassing to show such a poor state. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, I’m much better now.’

‘I, I see. It’s a relief that there wasn’t much damage considering you faced a—’

He wanted to say it was a relief that there wasn’t much damage considering he faced a monster. However, before he could even realize it, a sharp pain choked his throat, causing him to cough repeatedly.

‘Is it a forbidden word spell?’

Ian pretended not to notice Seroh’s coughing and changed the subject. Was there any need to exchange pointless pleasantries? It would be more productive to work or read a book with Jin.

‘So, what brings you here? I heard that nobles are avoiding the Imperial Palace.’

Since incidents kept occurring every time they entered, leading to lockdowns, some had even declared they would leave the center altogether.

‘It’s nothing much, but I don’t know if you’ve heard. Nobles who share my views have joined forces and submitted a signed petition. Including all their subordinates.’

Ian raised an eyebrow. Jin, who was watching him, did the same. Seroh paused briefly, seeing this, but continued.

‘I hoped it would help the Judicial Department in setting a trial date…’

‘Yes, I heard.’

‘But I also heard that Lady Melania of the Haiman family has left the palace. I’m a bit concerned.’

Jin turned to Ian. He was working hard, running around to put an end to things, so why had Ian let Melania go?

‘There’s no need to worry. Thanks to Sir Seroh’s help, we just received word from the Judicial Department.’

‘Has the trial date been set? Oh my. I didn’t know.’

‘…It’s natural you wouldn’t know. I just heard it myself.’

Romandro, who had been quietly listening, stopped writing and rolled his eyes. Did Seroh not realize what he was saying? It was as if he was expected to know as much about the Imperial Palace as Ian. He was subtly stepping over an invisible line.

‘And Lady Melania was never a subject of investigation in the first place. She entered the palace of her own accord, so her departure wasn’t a big issue. Sir Seroh, you must know? That other direct family members of the seven families remain outside the palace.’

‘Yes, yes. I know.’

‘What are they doing?’

It was a casual question, but Seroh sensed the hidden barb within it.

With the Imperial Palace’s power diminished after the rebellion and the Arsen incident, it was Seroh’s role to monitor and pressure the remaining noble remnants, easing the burden on the palace. Not to gather forces and create something called an ‘opposition’.

Seroh rubbed his palms together again, a slight sweat forming.

‘What could they possibly do? They’re just sending letters, asking for help. I’ve been keeping an eye on the nobles, gathering them together. I’ve cut them off well in the middle.’

Rather than gathering them to watch, he had been enjoying their company. When servants from the seven families came to make contact, he would openly read their letters and ridicule them. He would tear them up in front of them, mock them, and show his refusal, thus building a strong bond.

As Seroh embellished the story, Ian widened his eyes and asked,

‘Is that so? Which noble families were trying to make contact? The seven families are grasping at straws. It’s best to keep a close watch.’

Clink.

The sound of the teacup was ominous. Seroh sensed that something was going wrong.

The ones the seven families were trying to contact were the ones who had shared drinks and tobacco at his mansion. They had formed a group, built a fence, invited others in, and talked about their future glory. And now, he was being asked to hand over their names?

To suspect their disloyalty?

‘That’s a bit…’

It was no different from nobles promising to work together and then tattling to the Imperial family. It was like Seroh selling out others to gain Ian’s trust.

But to remain silent…

‘Sir Seroh?’

‘Ah, yes, yes.’

‘What’s wrong?’

Wasn’t he openly defying Ian?

His gaze darted wildly. He couldn’t think of any words to escape the situation. In the end, Seroh chose a few suitable families and told Ian.

‘…It’s the Azejin and Baukman families.’

‘I see. Thank you. Based on Sir Seroh’s advice, I will personally keep an eye on them.’

At least, Azejin and Baukman would effectively be checked with a question like, ‘Seroh said you were so close that the seven families asked for your help?’

And the arrows of those two families would be aimed at Seroh.

‘Oh my, Ian, really.’

Romandro clicked his tongue inwardly. The way he was manipulating three families while sitting down was quite a sight. The child next to him couldn’t take his eyes off Ian, and he wondered what he was engraving in his mind.

‘…It’s a relief to confirm that the lady’s departure is not a problem. Actually, I trusted Sir Ian, so it didn’t matter, but I heard concerns from various places.’

‘That’s a shame. It seems there’s not much faith in the Imperial Palace.’

‘Sir Ian, and this is a bit premature, but after the trial, when the Haiman Bank is sold, how much should we prepare?’

Since Haiman was being destroyed by the rebellion, most of their vast wealth would be returned to the Imperial family.

While real estate like land, mansions, paintings, and sculptures were relatively easy to distribute and store, businesses like the ‘Haiman Bank’ required a more complicated process.

Especially for a bank, which was a major artery of Bariel’s economy. The Imperial Palace would own it, but the operation would likely be entrusted to the nobles.

‘The full scale of the Haiman Bank hasn’t been determined yet. As you know, it’s not just in the center. I’m also receiving reports on that matter, so you’ll have to wait a bit.’

‘Yes, of course. I can certainly wait.’

‘You seem excited.’

‘Yes? Ahaha!’

He didn’t deny it.

Ian smiled brightly at Seroh, ending the conversation.

‘Next time, I’ll bring my sister, Alena, with me.’

‘Ah.’

At the mention of ‘sister,’ Jin and Romandro looked up sharply. Was he still holding onto the marriage proposal from the greenhouse?

The atmosphere changed noticeably, but Seroh, busy adjusting his coat, didn’t notice.

‘Haha. Actually, when I said I was coming to the palace today, my sister was so eager to come along. Sir Ian, leave the nobles to me. You don’t have to worry, I’ll handle them well. Your Highness Jin, please don’t worry either!’

Ian was the right-hand man handling Imperial Palace affairs on behalf of Jin. Then he would become the left-hand man, governing the noble society. Seroh made that resolution as he placed his hat on his chest.

‘Please go carefully.’

‘Your Highness Jin, I’ll see you again.’

‘…Go.’

Squeak.

As he left the office, Romandro and Jin simultaneously put down their pens and books. They both looked displeased. Ian told the servant to take away his teacup, saying there was no need to worry.

‘But why is that guy’s sister looking at Ian?’

Beric poured a handful of gula [a type of sweet] into his mouth and chewed. Honestly, he hadn’t understood half of what they had said. Romandro tapped his pen, explaining.

‘That guy proposed marriage to Ian before. He was politely rejected, but he’s subtly pushing again. Tsk tsk.’

‘What!? Marriage? The marriage I know?’

‘Is there any other marriage you know?’

‘Crazy. Does he have money?’

‘So what if he does?’

‘Tell him not to act up.’

‘Don’t act up,’ Romandro laughed, holding his stomach, as he liked Beric’s straightforward words. It wasn’t just about the marriage proposal. There were definitely many instances of him being a bit too close for comfort.

‘Ahem. Will Lady Melania break his spirit?’

‘I don’t know. But that’s what I’m hoping for.’

The lady was intelligent and spirited. She would drag Seroh into the dirty mudslinging that only nobles could do, just as she wanted. Even if she was a mess, she was someone who aimed to survive.

* * *

Meanwhile, Seroh left the palace and returned to his mansion. The street in front of his mansion was still lined with carriages. They were the traces of those waiting for Seroh, who had gone to the Imperial Palace.

He had met Ian, who was not easy to meet, and even the prince was there. If he told them this news, his guests would be ecstatic. As soon as the carriage stopped, Seroh rushed inside.

Squeak.

‘Have you arrived?’

‘Oh, yes. Where are the guests?’

‘They are inside, but…’

‘Haha. Why are you all waiting here? I would have contacted you.’

‘Um, young master.’

The butler grabbed Seroh. The old man’s wrinkles deepened, as if something was wrong.

‘I happened to overhear the guests’ conversation, and I’m asking just in case. Do you have any dealings with the Haiman family?’

‘Dealings with Haiman? What are you talking about?’

‘I heard that we leased the Chetur district to Haiman. That the second young master and Lady Alena formed a connection. And that you’re now pretending not to have any connection with Haiman.’