Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 80

“That one…”

Among those who rushed over at the servants’ screams was one of Romandro’s men. Wasn’t that the one who killed Colin in the Mereloff trade caravan heading to Shayron?

“Sir Ian. That one caused trouble in the Shayron Mountains.”

“That one? Are you sure?”

“I saw it with my own eyes. Even him killing Colin.”

Ian looked at the Countess of Mereloff again. She was briefly startled by Ian’s golden eyes, then snapped in an irritated voice. Even as she did, her hand didn’t leave Clark’s shoulder.

“I told you, I hate everything about Mereloff!”

“So you interfered with the trade caravan?”

“Instead of being grateful, what is this!”

“That guy attacked first. He’s still alive, so stop making such a fuss.”

At those words, the Countess confirmed that Clark was breathing faintly. Slowly, her breathing also became more stable.

“How did you know Colin was our plant?”

“A bunch of people disappeared from the private gambling dens. It coincided with the news of Sir Ian’s attack. Since someone who worked there went missing and then reappeared, it’s a natural suspicion.”

“What about the Count?”

“Who cares? That old blockhead. The Count didn’t give a single order regarding the investigation of the incident. He probably doesn’t even know Colin worked there.”

It was expected, but it was more absurd than anticipated. Count Mereloff had completely ignored Ian’s surprise attack. Even though it was something his own territory’s people had done.

“Are you two lovers?”

“…It’s not like that.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Judging by the atmosphere between the two, no one would believe it. Romandro just kept glancing around, wondering what was going on. Ian nodded, indicating he had made a decision.

“Move him to an empty room.”

“Yes, Sir Ian.”

At Ian’s command, the soldiers carried and supported Clark. The Countess of Mereloff looked flustered, but she couldn’t bring herself to object. If the servant who had accompanied her on her outing came back unconscious, it would definitely seem strange at the mansion.

“I can’t explain the situation and say that I knocked him out, can I?”

“…I didn’t say anything.”

“Very well, Madam, then let’s coordinate our stories in detail.”

Ian smiled and extended his hand to her. The Countess followed Clark’s disappearing figure with her eyes, then took Ian’s hand and stood up. Ian very slowly untied the restraints on her wrist.

“You want freedom, and I want the tribute money. But as long as the Count’s brother is holding out, there’s no guarantee I’ll be compensated later.”

If the Countess of Mereloff’s actions were revealed in any way, it would be more troublesome. She could easily be held accountable for condoning or abetting the Count’s murder.

She understood what Ian was trying to say.

“…You’re talking about the Gula trade, right?”

At the Countess of Mereloff’s words, Ian gave a positive smile. Actually, he had been feeling it since earlier, but maybe because she had lived a rough life, her intuition and calculations were very quick. No, it seemed her mind was surprisingly sharp, even to the point of being astonishing.

“Yes. I want to pull in as much profit as possible from there, first.”

“And I just have to play the decoy.”

“Rather than a decoy, I’d like you to help persuade the Count. Honestly, there isn’t really a solution for Mereloff right now, is there? The road to the Hawan Kingdom is blocked, and Shayron is blocked too. It’s perfect for starving to death.”

“Oh, speaking of which, was Sir Ian also responsible for the Hawan Kingdom bandits? If so, I’d like to say it was a bit excessive.”

“No. That wasn’t our doing.”

“Then it must be a blessing from the gods. How envious.”

The Countess rubbed her chafed wrist and opened her eyes sharply. Then, she instructed the servant standing behind her.

“Bring two dry cloths. Clean ones.”

“Yes? Ah…”

When Ian raised his eyebrows as if to say ‘do it,’ the servant quickly bowed and stepped back. It seemed she was planning to put the drug powder back in.

“So, until the deal is complete, I hope you will cooperate as much as possible.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve already spent several winters waiting. How could I not endure just a few days?”

“You waited for winter?”

“Yes.”

Ian suddenly realized how deep the Countess’s hatred was. Winter was the season of death. It was a time when many people died, and the snow and wind made funeral procedures difficult.

It was the perfect time to bury Count Mereloff’s death as quietly as possible.

“Take good care of Clark.”

“…Of course. Oh, and I’ll give you some Gula when you leave. We can say that we sold Clark and exchanged him for Gula.”

It wasn’t ideal, but it was the most plausible plan for now. There was no need to explain why the servant had fainted, and since they had paid for it, Count Mereloff would try to use it as much as possible.

In that process, he would personally feel the true value of Gula.

To borrow the language of the marketplace, it was a kind of ‘taster’.

‘Besides, if a problem arises, the Countess of Mereloff can be used as a hostage to tie her down.’

When Ian’s thoughts reached that point, he quickly instructed Hanna. The sun was getting darker. Even if they left now, the Countess would only arrive at the mansion in the middle of the night. If it got any later, it could raise suspicion.

“Hanna. Bring a small pouch of Gula to the front gate.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Prepare the carriage! The Madam is returning.”

“Yes! Prepare the carriage!”

While everyone went outside to prepare the carriage, the servant who had brought the dry towels hesitantly reached for the glass lid. But the Countess firmly refused, pushing him away.

“I’ll do it.”

It was quite cautious, covering her nose and mouth with one hand and moving the powder with the other. Since Beric had fainted just from smelling it, one could guess how potent the drug component was.

“But if he dies in a short period, it will raise a lot of suspicion.”

“I told you, it doesn’t kill with just one dose. When it meets liquid components, it neutralizes, so it won’t cause him to fall backward like that guy.”

Instead, he would have a fantastic dream that he couldn’t distinguish from reality. Like being possessed by a succubus, it had the side effect of slowly draining his energy through sleep. Of course, that was the Countess’s purpose.

Click.

The Countess closed the powder compact tightly and put it in her inner pocket. Then, as if there was nothing more to do, she walked quickly down the hallway. Ian also followed her, seeing her off.

“You won’t be seeing Clark for a long time. Are you sure you don’t want to see him before you go?”

“He’ll manage. And… I told you, it’s not like that between us?”

Ian just nodded once.

“Our people will escort you to the mansion. Please, go in safely.”

“I’ll see you with good news, Sir Ian.”

She received a light kiss on the back of her hand and closed the carriage door. Suddenly, the bruised flower that had spread from her ankle came to mind. If she went back like this, would the Countess of Mereloff be safe tonight?

“Madam, there…”

“It’s okay. Not yet.”

When Ian tried to add something, the Countess of Mereloff shook her head, indicating it was fine. She didn’t think she had any similarities with her mother, but every time she endured her husband’s beatings, she unintentionally realized her Dryad bloodline [a mythical tree spirit].

“…I can still endure it.”

“We’ll depart now.”

Heeheeing!

Squeak.

The Countess looked back through the small window and exchanged final greetings with Ian. Romandro rubbed his face roughly with a handkerchief, watching the carriage leave the mansion.

“What, what, what’s going on…”

“Instead of overlooking the powder compact we saw today, the Madam has agreed to support the Gula trade.”

“That powder compact, it’s not poison, is it? What about Beric!?”

“She says it doesn’t kill with just one dose. He’s probably having a good dream.”

“Huh? Really? He was cursing and saying all sorts of things earlier.”

“Well, if it’s Beric, I think I know what his standard for a good dream is.”

Ian smiled and entered the mansion. Then, a loud thumping sound echoed from upstairs. At this time, there was only one person who would cause a commotion over there.

“Open it! What are you trying to do!”

Bang! Thud!

Clark’s cries echoed through the door. The servants, looking like they were about to break down, stepped back anxiously. In the end, it was the Thousand-Li Clan warriors who had no choice but to step forward.

“Should we knock him out again?”

“He’s so loud in the middle of the night, seriously.”

“It’s okay. I’ll talk to him.”

Ian stopped them with his hand and stood near the door. And taking advantage of the brief silence, he tried to inform Clark of the situation.

“Your name is Clark, right?”

“…Sir Ian?”

Thump!

But Clark’s excited cry came first. He was shaking the doorknob, almost begging and crying. The last image he remembered of the Madam was her being tied up, so it was understandable.

“Sir Ian, please, please save her. Madam Rien did it all for us. If it weren’t for her, more than a dozen of us would have already died at the Master’s hands…”

Every time the Count beat the servants to death, the Madam willingly stepped in to take their place. It was a fact known to everyone in the mansion. Although she wasn’t usually a warm person, everyone was grateful to the Madam.

If that wasn’t the case, this affection would have reached the Count’s ears long ago. The Madam would probably have been torn limb from limb.

“The Madam did that?”

“Yes, yes…. I swear to God. So please, I’m begging you. Just open the door and let me see if she’s safe…”

“The Madam just left the mansion and went home.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Your life is being held as collateral in a relationship of mutual interest, so just wait quietly. If you cause a disturbance, it will only burden the Madam.”

Only sobbing could be heard from inside. Ian didn’t expect an answer and just ordered the servants to guard the door well.

* * *

The atmosphere at the Mereloff mansion was unusual. The Madam, who rarely went out, had not returned by sunset.

The Count didn’t mention the Madam out loud, but he was creating a silent, murderous atmosphere.

“Ah, there!”

A faint light could be seen in the distance in the darkness. The silhouette of a carriage led by two horses appeared. The servants quickly ran out of the mansion to greet the Madam, and soon, the slightly tired-looking Madam got out.

“Why are you so late?”

“Where’s Clark?”

“Have you eaten?”

“Madam, the, the Master…”

The servants were about to say worriedly that he was not in a good mood, but they had to shut their mouths because the Master appeared right then.

“Rien.”

“I’m sorry. I’m very late.”

“I don’t know what on earth is going on.”

“I have a lot to talk about.”

“Tell me right now!”

At the shout that seemed to tear his throat, the servants all cowered. But the Madam smiled nonchalantly and shook her pouch. As if to say, ‘look at this’.

“I sold Clark and got Gula. Sir Ian wouldn’t lower the price, so I was late because of the haggling.”

The Count, who had been furious, paused for a moment.

The Countess of Mereloff’s visit was a prelude to the Gula trade, not the actual deal. But to get Gula right away like this.

“Honey?”

The Countess of Mereloff smiled brightly. She knew well what the first step of the decoy that Ian had mentioned was.

“Shall we have a little taste of this? We have a lot to talk about, so let’s have it together.”