Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 254

‘Home, home…’ Romandro, stepping out of the carriage, was moved to tears. It was a distance he could commute daily, but due to the relentless incidents since the civil war, it had been a long time since he had been outside the Imperial Palace.

As he pushed open the fence and entered, Mini, hearing the commotion, came around from the back of the mansion. She had been watering the plants and wondered what the fuss was about.

‘Who, oh! Master?’

‘Mini! Have you been well?’

‘Y-yes, I have. But…’

*Trickle, trickle.* Mini couldn’t manage the water from the hose and just stared straight ahead. It was no wonder, as an enormous crowd was bustling so much that she couldn’t see the other side.

Not to mention the huge carriages, more than ten of them, what were those burly men with tanned skin?

‘W-what is going on?’

Mini had also gone to the palace with Vivianna on the extra-edition carriage. However, she couldn’t leave the mansion empty, so she had left the palace midway and had been managing the house alone ever since. She would also bring clothes and other necessities whenever Vivianna needed them.

Romandro was delighted to see Mini after so long and kept patting her shoulder.

‘Oh, these are the Cheollyeo people! Haven’t you seen them at the palace, Mini?’

‘Ch-Cheollyeo people? Are they from the borderlands?’

‘They are people I’ve been connected with since I was in Hielo Territory. The clan chief’s strategist is Ian’s new father.’

‘Eeeeh?!’

Mini was so surprised that she turned towards Romandro, and as a result, the hose water soaked his pants. Romandro whined and stepped back.

‘Mini!’

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’

‘It’s okay. I was going to change anyway. You know that the seven central families are facing trial for treason, right?’

‘Of course. It’s tomorrow, isn’t it? Anyone in the central region who doesn’t know that has a problem. It’s being held at the Imperial Palace…’

Ah. Mini, who had been speaking, realized why the Cheollyeo people had come here. It wasn’t just one or two, but the day when seven families would be destroyed simultaneously for treason. Such a spectacle was a once-in-a-lifetime event, so the citizens of the empire were excited to enter the palace from the morning to watch.

And above all, rumors were circulating that Marib, Gale, and Delaina had died, and there were frequent concerns about the safety of the Imperial Palace itself.

‘We will be moving to our house for the time being. It seems like there might be a shortage of rooms, but if it’s too uncomfortable, we can look for short-term rentals nearby. And some of the warriors will be going down to Hielo first, so make sure to prepare the horses and other necessary items thoroughly.’

‘Yes, I understand.’

He had been staying at the palace there under the guise of monitoring and guarding Gale, but he had died. Anyway, with Jin’s inauguration ceremony coming up soon, foreign envoys would be coming and going. Before that, it was an easier choice to move the residence altogether.

Vivianna called Mini as she unloaded the luggage.

‘Mini, can you come here?’

‘Yes, Madam!’

As Mini threw down the hose and ran to the carriage, a warrior suddenly appeared and lifted the luggage with a thud.

*Hic*, they are much bigger and burlier up close. Mini opened the fence wide to the left and right and welcomed the guests.

‘This is Nersarn-nim, and this is Philia-nim.’

‘Wow, even with my eyes closed, I can tell you’re Ian-nim’s mother.’

‘We’ll be in your care. Please take good care of us.’

‘Please speak comfortably. I will serve you with all my heart!’

While they were greeting each other, the warriors entered and looked around the mansion with interest. Just like their personalities, they noticed the meticulous and charming decorations everywhere.

‘Is this Romandro-nim’s house? Oh, my. Excuse me.’

‘This bastard, he’s become an imperial citizen. He even uses the word “excuse me.”‘

‘Hahaha! Where should we put the luggage?’

‘Inside, go inside! Yes! The luggage is over there!’

Mini, small as her name suggests, bustled around the warriors, busy organizing the front yard. Even in this chaotic situation, her bright blonde hair caught the eye. She recognized Ian’s presence at once.

‘Oh? Did Ian-nim come with you too?’

Romandro just raised an eyebrow and ordered her to lower her voice. It was to move the Cheollyeo people’s residence and to meet with Melania.

The trial was tomorrow. The Imperial Palace was increasing surveillance on the main figures of the families. As soon as the verdict was out, they would be taken away and executed.

Externally, they had received a report that Melania’s whereabouts were unknown and were directly investigating, but internally, they intended to secretly meet with Melania.

‘Romandro-nim, can you go with your pants like that?’

‘Ah, this, geez. Just a moment.’

‘We are short on time, so we will go ahead. Please follow slowly.’

‘I will. You know the way, right?’

Instead of answering, Ian pulled his robe over his head. Then, he hid his presence as much as possible and went back across the street. He turned the corner, then another, and passed the closed shops to reach the nearby park.

In front of the clock tower. Two chairs were placed back-to-back.

*Swoosh.*

Ian chose a suitable spot and sat down. Then, he looked up at the ticking second hand of the clock.

Perhaps because there was a big event tomorrow, the surroundings were as quiet as before a holiday. When was the last time he had enjoyed such peaceful silence? Ian sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

‘Are you alone?’

Then, a familiar woman’s voice came from behind.

It was Melania. For a precious daughter of a duke’s family, her skill in hiding her presence was quite good. Was it something she had learned to survive? Ian smiled faintly and replied.

‘Yes. But Romandro will be here soon.’

‘Did you hear?’

‘Hmm. I don’t know what you’re talking about. The rumor that Seroh cooperated with Haiman in the rebellion? Or that your second older brother and Lady Alena were in that kind of relationship?’

How could he not know? These days, Ian started his morning routine by checking the letters that the servant placed on a silver tray. The nobles were all accusing each other.

Like a snowball rolling downhill, the content deepened with each passing day. The letters became thicker, and there were even occasional gossip about physical fights.

Everyone should stop at the same time, but they couldn’t, so this was a runaway of broken desires. Ian smiled faintly and shook his head.

‘Honestly, I was surprised. Their shared past was quite secret. They knew things that even the Imperial Palace didn’t know.’

Most of the information that the nobles were reporting was fabricated. But even among them, there were gems.

Unexpectedly, no, it would be more accurate to say thanks to them. Thanks to their slander, they were able to recover hidden assets.

‘…Is that so?’

‘Especially in the case of Lord Ajein, it’s a bit precarious. At the time, Haiman paid half of the investment in Luswena currency. It was confirmed that the reported amount was omitted due to the exchange rate difference.’

‘What will be the punishment?’

Melania asked cautiously. In this situation where they were all aiming for each other’s throats, the position of the Imperial Family was important. If the Imperial Family took a strong stance here…

‘There could be a backlash. A cornered rat can bite a cat, and there are more than a few rats cornered like me. They will dare to attack.’

Then, there would be a voice added to the opposition to the punishment of Haiman and the seven families. The nobles would realize that they were rats and that the other side was a cat.

Instead of trying to win the cat’s favor, they would think it was better to stick together as rats. Then, then…

Wouldn’t they hope for the return of the great seven families again?

Melania quietly gnawed at the tips of her fingernails hidden in her robe. It was a possibility and hope close to the bottom, but the fact that there was room for it was precious.

‘The whole country is distracted by the trial of the seven families. What punishment? If something is missing, it can be filled, and if there is no legal problem, it’s just something to keep in mind.’

But the answer that came from Ian’s mouth had no gaps until the very end.

Melania lowered her head and touched her forehead. *Whoosh*, the wind blew coolly, but somehow she felt like she was getting a fever. It was probably a natural phenomenon since she was constantly on edge to survive.

‘Do you want the Imperial Palace to dance with swords here?’

Since they were all trying to kill each other, it was truly enjoyable for the Imperial Palace to watch them from above.

By embracing them with leniency instead of punishment, just by securing a psychological and practical advantage, it was a successful step. A step for Jin to move towards the throne.

‘Showing their flaws, and the fact that the Imperial Family knows about them. That alone is enough.’

‘…I can feel satisfaction in your words. Then, as suggested, will you save me?’

‘Yes. But the results of the trial are solemn. It is a measure for the predecessors, the successors, and everyone. I will not leave any exceptions.’

Ian was telling her to leave Bariel. Melania clenched her fist as if she had expected it and nodded her head.

‘…Yes. I will leave.’

‘Since you have disappeared, pursuers will be attached. That is not my concern, so take care of yourself.’

‘I don’t expect it.’

‘Yes. It’s good that you don’t expect it.’

‘Just, please help me cross the border.’

Ian did not accept, but he did not refuse either. They were silent for a moment with their backs to each other. It was Melania who broke it first.

‘Ian. There is one thing I’m curious about.’

‘I allow it.’

‘If I survive to the end, aren’t you afraid?’

She was a survivor of a family that was destroyed by the civil war. What if she succeeded in rebuilding and threatened Bariel? It was a possibility, and Ian would not have missed it.

‘Why should I be afraid?’

‘…Huh?’

‘I have shown you favor. So why should I be afraid?’

It was an answer to make her properly aware.

You must not have ill feelings towards me, or rather, towards Bariel. Surviving after causing a civil war is a grace and a miracle that will not happen twice. Repaying, not revenge, is the right thing to do.

And above all-

‘Your goal was to save your family. If you had asked me to spare your life, I wouldn’t have made this offer. Your life means nothing to me, but a prosperous family is meaningful to Bariel.’

A family. It was the glory under the nation.

Knowing that was what Melania ultimately wanted, Ian readily gave her the opportunity. Well, it was actually possible because various situations aligned well.

‘…I see.’

‘Melania. Engrave it deeply. That you are alive thanks to Bariel.’

The Haiman family that existed even a hundred years later. The lineage was cut off in the middle, but since a breath survived, the future was unknown.

It was said that you cannot go against fate even if you struggle, so Ian could guess that Melania’s history would not end here.

*Whoosh.*

Only the sound of the wind was heard instead of an answer. Ian turned his head and looked back, and soon confirmed that the chair was empty. She had disappeared.

Ian tilted his head back and raised his hand.

*Swoosh.*

‘Follow her well.’

A man hidden in the shadows of the bushes. He was a special agent specially selected by Romandro from the Imperial Palace.

If Melania, who had no property, no one to help, and nothing, survived alone, where would she go? Who would she look for?

‘Don’t forget to submit a report every fifteen days.’

*Swoosh.*

With a high probability, it was the Rutherford Merchant Guild. If Melania flowed into that direction, Ian only had to follow the trail.

At Ian’s command, the knight disappeared like the wind.

Just like Melania had disappeared in an instant.