Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 525

Clang!

“Come out here!”

Carriages swarmed in front of the Holin Estate. Count Davion, along with his children and all members of his family, were armed.

The Holin family’s servants hurriedly retreated inside, while the butler led the guards to secure the main gate, facing them. The murderous atmosphere made it clear they had come with a purpose.

The butler sighed inwardly and asked politely,

“What brings you here?”

“What brings us here? Did you just ask what brings us here?”

Clang!

The eldest son of the Davion family roughly struck the iron bars of the main gate with his sword.

The force was so strong that sparks flew. The guards were startled and hesitated, but the butler calmly stepped forward.

“To enter the mansion, you must disarm. And the Duke has instructed that only the Count and two or so of his attendants will be allowed,” he stated.

“To inflict such a wound on the face of a noble lady from another family and still act like this! I’d think he was a common thug, not a Duke!”

“…Your words are excessive.”

“Tell the Duke to come out himself. Or I will go in myself. I will not return until that precious lady’s face bears the same wound as Chloe’s!”

“If you act this way, we will have no choice but to proceed according to the law. We will call the guards and formally accuse you.”

“That’s what I want! But before that, I must see blood from Kayla, no, from the Holin family!”

Although Miss Kayla, soaked to the bone, had given a rough account, this was a more violent reaction than expected.

The butler, as if there was no other way, signaled to a servant. It was a signal to bring the Duke and the family members. Just as they were about to turn, Duke Holin appeared, his robe billowing.

“…This commotion is excessive. Open the main gate.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As the main gate split open, the members of the Davion family strode inside, like warriors invading enemy territory.

“Oh, the great Duke. You’ve finally graced us with your presence. How did you raise your children to inflict wounds on the face of a noble lady from another family? Bring out Lady Kayla as well!”

“Kayla is drying her wet hair and clothes right now. Likewise, your lady seems to have been very well-educated. Where did she learn such a low-class act as throwing a glass of water?”

One by one, the children of the Holin family also appeared behind the Duke.

The butler quietly stepped back, observing the scene. It was a sight he had never seen or heard of in his life. Regardless of anything else, he thought both families’ honor would be utterly shattered.

The butler crossed himself and prayed inwardly. Please, let me keep my job.

“Wasn’t it your side that made the first mistake?”

It was a fact known to everyone through the Imperial evaluation system. That the Davion family was collared like a dog [a metaphor for being publicly humiliated]. But it was a matter of decorum that no one mentioned, yet Kayla had broken that taboo and said it.

Duke Holin scoffed and retorted,

“And what about your side? Do you know that your lady had her friends steal Kayla’s valuables? And then what? You say she’s colluding with the Vergos? That’s a serious charge of treason. Lady Chloe’s tongue is not just light, but foolish. You should be grateful that it was only a slap and not more.”

Objectively speaking, Duke Holin’s words made sense. To link Duke Holin with the Vergos side, who were on the verge of war. This was not just a simple check, but a serious matter that could lead to the destruction of the family. It was the Davion side that had declared war first.

Count Davion smiled wryly and nodded his head.

“If you’re so confident, I’ll request an investigation from the Imperial Palace along with the jewelry. If you disassemble it and reassemble it, will it become something else? You’re either very bold or very short-sighted.”

“Count Davion. I will add your current words to the charge of insult.”

“I welcome it. I understand that the Duchess is currently staying in Vergos, which is also suspicious. I remember the Duchess, and she was not the type to go abroad to lead a business.”

Duke Holin’s mouth clamped shut. The matter related to the Duchess was something that should not be known to the outside world.

There was a brief silence, but Davion pointed at Duke Holin with the tip of his sword, as if to say, ‘Look at that.’

“The Duchess cannot be excluded from the distribution process of the jewelry. It would be good for her to enter the country immediately and cooperate with the investigation. The process of making a deal with the Vergos side was previously passed off as a business secret, but now it must be clearly revealed! What did you give in return for doing so!”

“Count Davion! Are you assuming that the Holin family has committed treason!”

“You stay out of this! How dare you be so presumptuous when the heads of the families are talking!”

“Count!”

“Shut up!”

Clang! Clang!

The eldest son of the Davion side pointed his sword at the Holin side.

“If you add one more word, I will challenge you to a duel right now.”

A way to protect one’s honor and legally kill the opponent. Refusing a duel was an act of abandoning one’s pride and dignity as a noble, and ultimately, it meant surrendering to the opponent.

The men of the Holin family hesitated and swallowed hard.

“Enough.”

It was a soft voice that calmed the surroundings. It was Kayla. Although her hair was still a little wet, she appeared in a neat appearance, having changed into new clothes.

“Everyone, please calm down.”

“Lady Kayla, unlike your usual self, I thought you would be hiding this time.”

“Do you think I’m Chloe?”

Kayla brushed her hair back, looking a little tired, and said,

“First of all, I apologize for slapping Lady Chloe. It was a reflexive action to protect the family’s honor, as it was different from the nonsense you’ve been spouting so far.”

“Is that an apology or an insult!”

“What will change by just saying that? Chloe is a strong candidate for Empress! To leave a scratch on her precious body and be so brazen!”

“Then, would you feel better if I had the same wound on my face?”

“What?”

Kayla slowly approached. The men of the Davion family glared threateningly, but she didn’t even blink.

“Hit me.”

“Ha!”

“But it must be a wound that is exactly the same as the one on Chloe’s face. Not more, not less, just one time, drawing the same blood.”

“You’re crazy, you’re insane!”

“I’m offering a compensation, so why are you refusing? I will offer my blood for Lady Chloe’s wound, but what can the Davion family offer for the insult to my family? My life is nothing but a dog’s life.”

“How dare you!”

Clang! Clang!

As the eldest son of the Davion family swung his sword, Kayla accurately deflected it. Due to the difference in strength, Kayla’s sword went flying, but the fact that she had blocked it was enough to shock everyone.

“Stop making a fuss and go back. If you want to proceed according to the law, do as you wish.”

Bring the Duchess? The real Duchess was alive in Tusty, south of Bariel. It would be easy to switch her out in the middle.

The jewelry from Vergos could also be resolved. If it wasn’t proven that she knew it was Imperial treasure, it could be smoothed over by simply returning it.

As Kayla was about to turn away, Count Davion shouted,

“Is that so? Fine, let’s do it that way! But as soon as the Duchess returns, the Imperial Palace will be in charge of her escort, and we will also send people to Tusty. Is that still okay?”

Kayla paused. Her eyes widened at the word Tusty from the Count’s mouth.

It wasn’t just her. Duke Holin and his children also stiffened, wondering what was going on.

Then, a familiar voice was heard from behind Count Davion.

“Count.”

It was Ian. The carriage window opened, revealing Beric and Romandro also sitting inside.

Count Davion bowed his head in respect, and Ian smiled awkwardly.

“How could you say that so easily?”

“I apologize, Minister.”

“Minister Ian Hielo…”

Ian got out of the carriage and waved his hand as if it was nothing.

“We just happened to meet on the way. There was no other intention.”

It was just a simple slip of the tongue. The question of whether the real Duchess might be in Tusty. The Count had blurted it out in his anger, but Ian didn’t react much, as if he had wanted this to happen.

As Ian opened the carriage door and got out, Beric and Romandro, who had been eating roasted gulla [a type of meat] inside, poked their heads out. Their eyes were sparkling with amusement.

“What is that-”

“It’s exactly as it sounds. On the way to see Duke Holin, we met Count Davion and had a little conversation. I seem to have made a slip of the tongue, as he had the same question as I did, but to make it public like this.”

It was a tone of feigned criticism, but his tone was very gentle. Ian smiled, extending his hand to Kayla.

“Lady. Anyway, since the situation is like this, we need to discuss it in depth. Will you come to the Imperial Palace? We will send people to Tusty right away.”

Then, the Holin family’s butler tried to turn around quickly. But Ian caught him by the collar with just one word.

“We will send a mage. No matter what you say, you won’t be able to arrive faster than a mage.”

Kayla stared at Ian for a moment, then, as if resigned, she took his hand. Beric and Romandro peeled gulla skins and muttered.

“That’s fun. It would have been more fun if it had gone to a duel.”

“So who do you think won, Beric?”

“It looks like the Davion side. They got proper compensation. So, is Davion on our side? But looking at Ian holding hands like that, it seems like Holin is on our side.”

“Hmm. I think Holin won. They say the person who bleeds loses in a fight.”

“Oh, you sounded a bit manly just now, Romandro.”

“Ian’s coming. Clear the seat!”

“Huh? Me?”

“Am I going to go? Come on, move to the coachman’s seat.”

As Romandro pushed Beric’s back, Beric reluctantly climbed up next to the coachman’s seat.

Soon, Lady Kayla Holin entered the carriage, escorted by Ian. Romandro greeted her awkwardly, but she remained silent, her gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window.

* * *

“It’s a mess.”

Jin tossed the report lightly and burst into a dumbfounded laugh. Two women, considered candidates for Empress, were simultaneously embroiled in gossip. And it was over an unsightly physical fight.

“There’s nothing more to see. Clean it up.”

It was concluded that both of them lacked the qualifications to be entrusted with Bariel. Jin pushed the report aside, saying it wasn’t worth looking at, and Siao Shi added,

“Understood, Your Majesty. And Lady Kayla has just entered the palace with Sir Ian. They are investigating her connection with the Vergos side, and Sir Ian reports that the Duchess of the Holin family seems to be related to the Vergos royal family.”

“The Vergos royal family and Holin?”

When Ian came directly like this, it was almost a foregone conclusion. Jin tapped the desk with his fingertips, then laughed as if amused.

“…It seems like the gods are helping us.”

“Shall we gather the soldiers in advance?”

“No. It’s fine. Let’s wait for Sir Ian’s word first. If possible, it seems like Lady Kayla Holin will be sent to Vergos first, so prepare for that.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“There are only fifteen days left until the coronation. Siao, the Imperial Defense Department must also be thoroughly prepared to avoid any setbacks.”

“I will obey your command.”

Fifteen days until the coronation meant fifteen days until the departure ceremony. Siao Shi bowed respectfully and left Jin’s office, hoping that both major events would be carried out successfully.

Oh