Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 607

“Lady Kayla, you said you had something to say. What is it?” a man asked, flicking cigarette ash into his empty wine glass.

Though he addressed her with respect, calling her ‘Lady,’ it was merely a facade. Unlike Mrs. Danit, who had directly handled the arms deals, wasn’t Holin quick to try and liquidate their assets when the war broke out? As they were the Duke of Bariel’s family, they acted as a shield against the Emperor, so it was natural for their attitude to be problematic.

Kayla, as if well aware of this, nodded demonstratively.

“Before that, let me ask one thing. Is it true that you royalists wish to unify the chaotic Burgos and continue the history of the Luncvis royal family?”

Why ask such an obvious question? The continuation of the Luncvis family was the cause, the righteousness, and the goal that united them. The officials glanced at each other with puzzled expressions.

“What are you trying to say?”

“Please answer. Do you wish for the continuation of the royal family?”

“It’s like saying ‘it goes without saying’.”

“Then I’ll ask again. Is there anyone here willing to go to Bariel in place of King Damon?”

What was this about? It was such an unexpected statement that everyone paused, unable to respond.

Kayla slowly walked among them and picked up a teacup from the back.

“I thought I had mastered the Burgos language perfectly, but I was arrogant, it seems. I’ll say it again. Is there anyone willing to go to Bariel in exchange for bringing King Damon back to Burgos? You can think of it as an exchange.”

“Lady Kayla, do you know what you’re saying?”

“Of course. It’s my own will, so how could I not know? Rather, aren’t you the ones refusing to understand?”

Kayla smiled and took a sip from the teacup.

“As you know, I am the daughter of the Duke of Holin. It’s safe to say that Holin is the most prominent family in Bariel right now. And on the other hand, I also have Luncvis blood. Isn’t that why you made a deal with my mother?”

“That’s true, but-”

“Then, I believe you know how much value the Emperor would place on me.”

They had heard that Holin was aiming for the Empress’s seat in Bariel, but it was impossible to confirm whether it was true or not. It was just a rumor they had heard.

“What are you trying to say?”

“Don’t you want to be granted autonomy over Burgos? My mother and I will propose this to the Emperor, staking the honor of Holin. But before that, the royalists must also show proper sincerity. Since King Damon, the rightful heir of Luncvis, is alive, it’s right for the King to return to Burgos. I’m asking if there’s anyone willing to sacrifice themselves in his place.”

A sharp silence followed. In the quiet, gazes darted around, each person sizing up the others, and they couldn’t bring themselves to say anything rash.

King Damon’s return would be a good thing to strengthen their unity, but if it required ‘their own sacrifice,’ things would be different, wouldn’t they? How had they endured the civil war until now, only to have no share in the newly established Burgos?

“Ahem.”

They thought of Chandet, who had left with Mrs. Danit, and realized something was wrong. If he were here now, the atmosphere would have naturally flowed towards recommending Chandet…

“How about Chandet?”

Someone spoke up, brazenly. It was an expulsion disguised as a recommendation. A cowardly attempt to pass the crisis by pushing the youngest and least influential person to Bariel.

Kayla firmly raised her hand, refusing.

“Sir Chandet’s opinion was not considered, and he is not worthy enough to show sincerity to the Emperor.”

So that’s why Mrs. Danit took Chandet with her. If Chandet had remained here, he might have been pressured into volunteering.

Some of the officials realized the intention and hardened their expressions. They were belatedly starting to see the game that Danit and Kayla had set up.

“Of course, this is just a suggestion. If you don’t want it, you can pretend you didn’t hear it.”

Kayla added lightly, as if not caring, but the weight of her words was heavier than ever.

If those who had gathered for the sake of the Luncvis family’s continuation didn’t step forward for the King, wouldn’t the very cause of the royalists disappear? And wouldn’t that be the same as losing their support base in Burgos? If that were the case, wouldn’t there be no need for Bariel to keep an eye on the royalists?

‘If no one steps forward, everyone dies.’

It was just a suggestion, thrown out there without any real form.

But because it was mentioned by someone who was a Duke of the Empire, a collateral descendant of the Luncvis family, and had a good chance of becoming Empress, the suggestion dug into the royalists’ throats more sharply than ever.

‘Can’t we deal with her?’

‘…Mrs. Danit went to meet with the Emperor’s side. She must have already discussed this plan. If something happens to Lady Kayla, they’ll let the Emperor know that we didn’t accept the proposal.’

If Mrs. Danit had stayed and said these words, they might have dealt with her, even at a loss. She was someone who had left Bariel under a false identity. Even if something happened, Holin wouldn’t be able to officially raise an issue.

The officials picked up their glasses to calm their burning insides.

“Then… how about Sir Taylor? Do you have any thoughts?”

“About what? Going to Bariel?”

“No, don’t raise your voice too much. But since you’ve suffered the most damage to your territory among us, I thought it might be better for you to settle things and go to Bariel.”

“No, don’t say such things. Because the damage is so great, there’s all the more reason to take care of it. On the contrary, shouldn’t someone with more leeway go?”

“Now, now, everyone, let’s calm down.”

“I’m sorry to say this, but honestly, shouldn’t the side with the least military power step forward?”

“Why are you saying that to me? How much funding did I put in instead of military power!”

“Be clear about the source. It’s funds from the national treasury. If you respect the Luncvis royal family even a little, you shouldn’t do that.”

“Hey! You!”

“Stop, stop!”

Clang!

As the atmosphere became heated, an old man slammed the table and shouted. He was an elder who played a central role among the officials. He looked at Kayla and asked quietly.

“We have something to discuss among ourselves, so how about you get some fresh air, Lady?”

“Yes, gladly. Please, talk among yourselves.”

Kayla nodded as if she had been waiting for it and stood up, and the officials glared at her back until the end.

As the door closed, the tense standoff seemed to snap. The officials all swallowed difficult sighs and looked at each other again, while Kayla was relieved that she had gotten through one hurdle.

“Haa.”

She leaned against the wall and regulated her breathing. It felt like she was suffocating from the tension of leading this alone in Burgos, a foreign country at war, not Bariel.

But it wasn’t over yet. Kayla immediately regained her composure and ran to her room, attaching a dagger to her thigh.

Clench.

Judging by the atmosphere earlier, it was clear that there would be a rift in the royalist faction. She believed that her status would protect her for now, but blind faith was forbidden. She didn’t know when she might be cornered, or how they might change. She had no choice but to protect herself until her mother returned.

Kayla took off her dress and changed into training clothes, then looked out the window. The road her mother had taken stretched endlessly.

* * *

Clatter, clatter!

Neigh!

Danit’s eyes were smiling, but they looked somewhat uneasy. She trusted her daughter, but she couldn’t shake off the worry of leaving her alone.

Chandet chewed on his cigarette, unable to hold back any longer, and asked first.

“Madam, what were you about to say earlier?”

At his voice, Danit’s gaze returned to the front. Then, as if realizing what she had to do, she smiled even more brightly and fanned herself out with a flourish.

As part of her face was covered, Chandet focused on the pupils of her eyes.

“Sir Chandet, I’ll get straight to the point. Kayla, my daughter, is the daughter of the Duke of Holin and has Luncvis blood. I am confident that my daughter and I will be of great help to the Emperor in establishing a new Burgos.”

“Yes, I’m sure you will. That’s why the royalists asked you to go and meet the Emperor, didn’t they?”

“Oh dear. It seems you haven’t understood properly. Do you not understand what it means to establish a new Burgos?”

Chandet paused for a moment. He instinctively felt that Mrs. Danit’s words were unusual.

“It means that it would be welcomed in Bariel if my daughter and I were to continue the Luncvis royal family.”

“Madam, what are you saying…”

“But the officials who remain in Kalamat are stuck in the past, intoxicated by their former glory. They pretend to be devoted to Luncvis, but in the end, they are only focused on their own interests. But Sir Chandet is different. Aren’t you someone who truly dedicates yourself to the country?”

No. Danit knew it, and Chandet knew it too. The only difference between the older officials and Chandet was the weight of their years. In other words, he lacked experience.

But Chandet decided to play along for now.

“Ah, yes. Th-that’s right.”

“If only there were more people like Sir Chandet, the country wouldn’t have ended up like this in the first place.”

Danit shook her head in lament.

Chandet’s mind was in a whirl, but judging by the nuance of her words, he didn’t think the situation looked too bad.

“So, when we meet His Majesty, I would like to introduce you as the representative of the royalists. Do you think you can handle that?”

It was a question of whether Chandet would join them when Danit and Kayla, backed by Bariel’s support, established a new royal family.

Chandet took a deep drag of his cigarette and assessed his situation. As she said, the royalist faction was stagnant. Those who had been influential in the previous dynasty were firmly in control, and those who were new like him had hardly had a chance to be active.

Above all, as Mrs. Danit said, it seemed that Bariel had enough reason to support the two women.

‘The Duke of Holin and a collateral descendant of Luncvis. There’s no one who fits better than them.’

Was this an opportunity?! Damn those old men. Chandet swallowed his laughter and answered solemnly.

“Madam, for the sake of the continuation of Luncvis, I will do anything, I will risk everything.”

“That’s a wonderful ambition. That’s the right decision.”

Whack! Danit folded her fan and briefly applauded his decision. As expected, it was as she had assessed. There was a reason why she had chosen Chandet, the youngest, most inexperienced, and most hot-blooded of the royalists. Should she thank him for moving as she intended?

‘It wouldn’t have mattered if he had refused though.’

If he had refused, she would have just said that she had brought a hostage to Bariel. Chandet wouldn’t know. That he had just saved his own life.

Danit lightly pulled back the curtain and muttered.

“The carriage is moving quickly. We’ll arrive sooner than expected. Get plenty of rest, Sir Chandet. When you meet Bariel, the whole world will look glorious. There won’t be time to close your eyes.”