Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 77

Count Mereloff, reviewing documents, heard the sound of someone running. He looked up as his butler burst through the door, a bewildered expression on his face. The butler, a stickler for formality, always knocked before entering.

“What is it?”

“C-Count, sir. It’s a disaster.”

At the butler’s trembling voice, Count Mereloff unconsciously put down his pen. He had rarely seen the butler so agitated.

“The trade caravan sent word… that all the carts have been burned to ashes.”

“What?!”

Mereloff stood abruptly, his mouth agape in disbelief. How could the carts have been burned?

“A man named Colin set fire to the carts and tried to kill the people. It seems he was after the gold coins the soldiers were carrying, and he died in the process of the others trying to stop him.”

“How much gold could there have been?”

Most transactions were done through checks and promissory notes issued by Hyman Bank. Therefore, the gold coins the soldiers carried were not for trade but merely for their personal expenses during the journey.

“It’s a large sum for commoners, isn’t it?”

“No, so, what are we supposed to do?”

“The carts are all burned, and there are injured people who inhaled smoke inside the cave. A messenger bird came saying they would go to Sheiron first, but it’s unknown how long it will take.”

That wasn’t all.

Since the carts were completely burned, they would need to find new ones to transport the food. Regardless of the cost, it was questionable whether they could even find any in this winter. It was the time when all the wood was used for firewood.

“…Ha. Hahaha. Ha!”

“I knew that Colin was suspicious. If the trade caravan goes to Sheiron, it will cost more money there. Wouldn’t it be better to have them return?”

They couldn’t just sleep on the ground or survive on water alone. Since there were injured people, they would need to see a doctor as well.

At the butler’s words, Mereloff rubbed his forehead and groaned.

‘This is the worst.’

Yes. Mereloff was certain that this year was the worst of all the winters he had ever experienced.

“…Why the fire!”

Crash!

Count Mereloff, unable to contain his anger, threw whatever he could grab.

It was also absurd that among so many people, no one could stop him properly. Were the people living under Mereloff’s name such a disorganized bunch?

That’s right.

The clumsiness that had been hidden beneath the surface of peace had reared its head through the cracks of this crisis. The state of the Mereloff mansion was truly a mess.

“Colin’s family. Kill them all.”

“…Yes, Count.”

“That wretched family, scrape up everything you can. Tie up everyone, men, women, and children. Kill them all, kill them all…”

The continuous string of misfortunes was suffocating. Leaving aside the burned carts, they had now reached a point where they had to worry about the Count’s own table. If they couldn’t get food in Sheiron, the only option left was…

Bang! Crash!

“Damn it. How did this happen? Should I get a prophecy or something? Huh?”

“Aaaah!”

Count Mereloff slammed the table roughly and, as was his habit, grabbed the hair of the servant standing next to him. Then, with all his might, he expressed his anger physically.

The servant’s thin body swayed back and forth, but the butler could only lower his eyes and remain silent.

“I-I’m sorry, Count. I’m sorry.”

“Haa. Seriously, butler. That’s why I told you to choose people carefully!”

“…Please, spare me!”

Slap!

The butler bit his lip tightly and bowed deeply. If he didn’t appease the Count’s anger, an innocent child might die today.

“Get out.”

“C-Count, sir.”

“Go and kill all those related to that bastard Colin!”

Squeak.

The servant’s hair was tangled in Count Mereloff’s hand. The butler had no choice but to step back and leave the office, and the servants waiting at the door looked up at him with tearful faces.

“B-Butler, sir.”

“Everyone, step back. You’ll get caught in the crossfire.”

“W-What about him?”

“Shhh. Do you want to be punished?”

At the butler’s words, fear filled the servant’s eyes. The tears that welled up made them even darker and deeper. The servants hesitated and pretended not to hear the screams coming from inside the office.

Tap.

The clear sound of shoes echoed. It felt as if the icy atmosphere was cracking. The butler and the servants turned their heads at the same time. Count Mereloff’s wife was standing there with a calm expression.

“What are you all doing?”

“M-Madam…”

Bang! Crash!

Instead of answering, the wife glanced at the noisy door. Then, she looked at the butler and let out a faint sigh.

“Open the door.”

“Madam, n-now is…”

“It’s alright. Open it.”

The wife lightly brushed off the servants who were trying to stop her. Her eyes were resolute yet infinitely calm, and the servants could not dare to fathom her intentions. This had happened several times before when servants were being killed.

“Hic…”

“Do I have to open it myself?”

When one of the servants couldn’t hold back his tears, Mereloff’s wife glanced at him sharply.

In the end, it was the butler who put his hand on the doorknob.

Squeak.

The door slowly opened. A bloodied servant was lying on the floor, and blood was splattered on the wooden furniture. Count Mereloff’s wife confidently raised her head and stepped inside.

“Dear.”

At her call, the Count turned around, panting.

His sweat was dripping from his hair, showing how much he had beaten the man. The servant was desperately rubbing his hands together.

“Let that child go.”

“Hic… Please, spare me…”

“Let’s play together.”

The emotionless face of the Count’s wife was now adorned with a bright smile. She tilted her head slightly and made eye contact with the butler standing at the door. The servant took the opportunity to quickly crawl out.

‘Close the door.’

Squeak.

Light seeped through the slowly closing gap. As always, the butler felt his heart grow heavy as he closed the door.

Mereloff’s wife held her husband’s hand and gently suggested.

“Dear, instead of this, why don’t we ask Bratz for help?”

However, the rough breathing of the old husband, gleaming with madness, did not subside easily. She whispered again quietly.

“If it’s too difficult for you due to your pride, I can go and talk to them. We’re of similar age, and it would be better for both of us if I went instead of you, wouldn’t it?”

“You?”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

Count Mereloff grabbed his wife’s hair as it slid down and growled. The woman’s expression was as calm as ever.

“You’re not planning to run away, are you?”

“Of course not. How could I?”

At his wife’s calm words, the Count shook her hair roughly. Her gaze was fixed on the white, shining full moon behind her husband.

* * *

It was four days later that Count Mereloff’s wife arrived at Bratz. Ian, who had been informed in advance, was waiting for her at the front gate of the mansion. When the carriage door opened, a woman in a splendid outing dress smiled and extended her hand.

“Welcome, Countess Mereloff. It’s a pleasure to have you.”

“Ian, no, I almost made a mistake as soon as I saw you. I should call you Baron Ian now.”

“Was the journey tiring for you?”

“Not at all. Are we such distant acquaintances?”

Count Mereloff’s wife subtly hinted that they were neighbors. Ian smiled without answering and led her to the reception room.

“To be honest, I was a little surprised when I heard that you were coming.”

“When we heard the news of your title appointment, both the Count and I felt bad that we couldn’t send a proper congratulatory message.”

The Countess took off her thick coat and handed it to a servant. Her nose was red, probably from the cold inside the carriage.

“It’s quite alright. I understand that you are busy with your duties.”

“Thank you. Baron Ian. The Count also wanted to come with me, but as you said, he couldn’t find the time.”

“You even sent a gift.”

Ian subtly mentioned the dripper.

“It’s such a precious item, I’m not sure if it was right for me to receive it.”

Did they know the value of the dripper when they gave it? Or was it a trap that they had fallen into?

Ian carefully observed the change in Countess Mereloff’s expression, but she only wore a strange smile.

“Was it too difficult? I told him to choose something else, but the Count insisted that it would be helpful to Baron Ian. What do I know? Since the Count said so…”

‘I don’t know where she came from, but she’s definitely a noble now.’

It was a truly sickening way of speaking.

If the Count insisted on it, it meant it had value, but if Ian didn’t like it, it was his fault for not having an eye for it.

“No, I like it. You gave me something very amazing.”

It wasn’t just lip service; he genuinely liked it. Judging by its condition, it seemed to be newly developed. Where else could he find something like this?

The Countess smiled and nodded.

“I’m glad you said that. The Count will surely be pleased. I’ve prepared other gifts as well, so you can look forward to them.”

“I’m honored, Madam.”

“But Baron Ian, the reason I came here today is…”

Count Mereloff’s wife trailed off. Ian had expected that they would discuss the Gula trade. However, what came out of her mouth was something he had never expected.

“I’d like to see Lady Mary’s room. Why, didn’t I mention it before? I have something that I lent to Lady Mary that I haven’t gotten back.”

“Ah.”

Ian paused, surprised. The Countess’s eyes were sparkling. It was as if she was begging him to allow it. And on the other hand, it seemed like she hoped that Ian hadn’t cleaned Mary’s room. A stepmother’s room, who was a criminal, would normally be completely overturned, but…

“Please, do as you wish. It’s something that you’re looking for, so how can I stop you? I’ve been busy, so I haven’t touched that area much. If Lady Mary had it, it should be as it was.”

He had kept it preserved because of the suspicious behavior of the two women. To be more precise, it was more like he hadn’t paid much attention to it.

As soon as Ian gave his permission, Countess Mereloff stood up abruptly and urged the servant.

“Then, it’s better to take care of that first.”

“I will guide you.”

“Will Baron Ian come too?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll help you look for it as well. If you tell me what it is.”

At Ian’s words, Countess Mereloff’s face stiffened slightly. But it was so subtle that it could have been a momentary illusion, so Ian watched the Countess’s expression more carefully. Her posture, walking with her back straight, was incredibly elegant.

“This way, Countess.”

The servant politely guided Countess Mereloff and Ian. The last room on the floor below the office. The doorknob that had been tightly closed was pushed open, and the unique smell of the old mansion wafted out.

“I cleaned it, but since it’s a room that no one uses, there’s a strong smell of wood. I’ll ventilate it right away.”

Whirr.

Cold air came in through the window, but Countess Mereloff didn’t seem to mind. Then, she carefully looked around and began to search through the drawers and closets. Ian simply watched her from a distance.

“Madam, if you tell me, I can have the servants do it.”

“No. It’s something that shouldn’t be touched by others.”

Whirr.

Countess Mereloff’s hand rummaged through the clothes. The fine and colorful fabrics moved quickly and were pushed to one side of the hanger, but it seemed that the Countess couldn’t find what she was looking for.

“Baron Ian.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Excuse me, but could you please step out for a moment? I’m going to look inside more closely. I’ll let you know when I find it.”

The place the Countess pointed to was a chest where undergarments were kept. Ian gave a nod to the servant to keep watch and left the room without a word. Countess Mereloff made sure the door was completely closed and then began to search through the chest again.

“U-Um, Countess… Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Open all the drawers. I’ll find it myself.”

The Countess was rummaging through the drawers when she suddenly stopped and muttered. The servant flinched at the cold and venomous expression on the woman’s face reflected in the vanity mirror.

She seemed to be thinking deeply about something, and then she began to frantically dig through the drawers again.