Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 801

“Ho, ho, Siao Shi, this guy, looks like he’s saved up some money?”

Berik whistled, looking up at the mansion. It was a small two-story house, but to Berik, who still lived in the Imperial Guard dormitory, it was quite luxurious.

Romandro scolded Berik and banged on the door. “Do you think everyone squanders their salary on booze and meat like you? You’ve been around for ten years and you’re still living in the dormitory, what’s the deal?”

“Why are you like this? They’re giving me free room and board, why would I leave?”

“You should think about the people you live with.”

“I’m fine living alone.”

“Alone?”

“The kids say they can’t live with me. Cedric lasted a few days before moving to another room.”

“Oh, tsk, tsk.”

“But why isn’t he coming out? Siao Shi!”

Thud! Bang!

Berik picked his nose and banged on the door again. He was practically breaking it down, but there was no sign of anyone inside.

While Berik was shaking the door, Ian turned and looked inside the window. On the table visible through the curtains, there was a teacup. It was a very luxurious design, the kind that women would use. And it seemed to be faintly steaming.

“Isn’t he in there?”

“No, he’s there. Shout louder.”

“Huuu-”

At Ian’s instruction, Berik filled his lungs and yelled loudly. So loud that passersby looked over to see what was going on.

“Ian is here! I’m sick as hell but I came to help you! Open the door right now! And you, you jerk, if you write your leave request like that, what am I supposed to do?! I’m taking care of His Majesty alone!”

“Berik, if you call him like that, he’ll probably not come out. Ahem, ahem! Siao! It’s Romandro. I brought you flowers! Would you please open the door?”

“Did he block the peephole?”

“Look. Maybe you can see inside.”

Berik and Romandro lay flat on the ground to look through the hole, and then the door opened. Siao Shi looked down at them with a dumbfounded expression.

“…What are you doing?”

“Ah! Oh, this, uh, the, bouquet!”

“Why are you so slow when you’re here? Give me a glass of water.”

Berik went inside first, and Romandro followed awkwardly with a smile. Siao Shi bowed to Ian, who was standing still, and stepped aside. Then Ian, as if he had been waiting, passed him and muttered an apology.

Creak.

Siao Shi glanced outside the door for a moment, then locked it tightly. He seemed to be checking if there was anyone from Davion outside.

“Oof!”

Berik threw himself onto the sofa and lay down. Then he made eye contact with Chloe, who was peeking down from the second-floor stairs.

“Hello.”

“……”

“Why are you glaring at me?”

“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“Um. I’m sorry?”

“Your apology is too late! Do you know how much the elixir you stole was worth? It was all for Siao Shi!”

“Ah. Was that it? I thought it was because I interrupted your alone time?”

Chloe’s eyes, which had been glaring at Berik, widened when she met Siao Shi’s gaze. It was such a clear and immediate reaction.

Romandro wiped the cold sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. Should he congratulate Siao Shi, or worry about the hardships he would face in the future….

“But what brings you here? Ian, you’re not feeling well.”

Siao Shi asked, bringing out new teacups. He had heard that the Magic Department had been turned upside down when Ian collapsed, even though he had taken a leave.

“The Imperial Palace is already noisy because of the Magic Department, and it’s even more chaotic thanks to you guys.”

“Yes. His Majesty is also very worried, and it seems best to settle things quickly, so we came here. Chloe, young lady? If you don’t mind, please come over here and listen with us.”

At Romandro’s call, Chloe hesitantly approached and sat on the edge of the sofa. She carefully turned her body towards Siao Shi and was wary of the guests.

“What’s going on?”

“The youngest daughter of the Davion family disappeared from the Imperial Palace, and all sorts of rumors are spreading. If you go against your family’s wishes like this, it won’t help anyone. Wouldn’t it be better to contact the Count’s residence and reach a smooth agreement?”

“If that were possible, I would have done it already.”

Chloe glanced at Siao Shi. She didn’t want him to hear directly that her family was against him.

Then Ian added, sipping his tea. “The young lady Chloe did not attempt to reach an agreement.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“You ran away, didn’t you?”

“No, that’s-”

“It’s undeniable that the Davion family is prestigious. You know better than I do what the marriage of the young lady Chloe means to the family. You must have been thoroughly educated since childhood.”

Chloe shut her mouth tightly.

Marriages between families were a kind of ‘contract’ made by calculating each other’s interests. It was a cold promise that was made when it was deemed beneficial enough for both sides.

She knew this well. But-

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say.”

Chloe played dumb.

Ian retorted. “You know very well. To get what you want, the fastest and easiest way is to give the other party what they want.”

“Yes?”

“There are several reasons why the Davion family opposes Siao Shi. Nevertheless, you must show what benefits the marriage with Siao Shi will bring to the Davion family. Or-”

“Or?”

“The other way is to directly resolve the reasons for their opposition.”

First, the position.

“You know that Minister Tweller is still in Tolun, handling the aftermath of the war. It’s common knowledge that it’s his last mission. When he returns to the center after completing his mission, Minister Tweller will retire, and the position of Minister of the Imperial Defense Department will become vacant.”

“So?”

“His Majesty will entrust the next ministerial position to Siao Shi.”

“……!”

Siao Shi and Chloe’s eyes widened at the same time.

Chloe had always believed that Siao Shi would become a minister someday, but she never thought it would be so soon. Siao Shi was surprised because he thought it was a position that had nothing to do with him. A minister… A slave who had only been around for ten years?

“Ian. I’m sorry to say this, but that is-”

“It is His Majesty’s will.”

It was natural for the emperor’s close aides to take important positions such as the Minister of the Imperial Defense Department, regardless of the era. Especially since Siao Shi had been by Jin’s side since he was young. His trust would continue in the future, and to do so, a position that suited him was essential.

“However, in that case, the promotion of the title is impossible.”

“…That alone is more than enough.”

“And next, regarding the territory.”

Ian nodded for a moment. As if the tea was more to his liking than he thought.

“I’m going to return the Hielo territory.”

“Yes?”

“Huh?”

This was the first time Berik had heard of this, so he made a puzzled sound. Only Chloe was rolling her eyes, trying to figure out the situation.

“Why is that?”

“Why? Ian, do you need money urgently? Did you gamble?”

“…Since I’m in the center, the management of the territory has been neglected, and there have been several problems. In that case, it would be better for Hielo to appoint a new lord.”

It was true when he said it like that, but he couldn’t help but feel a little sad. It was a place filled with memories of Ian, Philia, and other precious people. He had thought that when he retired in old age, he would like to go back to Hielo with everyone and live leisurely.

“Then, are you going to hand it over to Siao Shi?”

“That’s right, young lady. To be precise, I’m lending it to him. Siao Shi also cannot leave the center like me, so I will put his name on the lord’s position until the Davion family’s marriage permission is granted. And when the situation is settled, we can find a more suitable person and delegate it.”

“But isn’t that a sham marriage?”

Berik sniffed and asked, and Ian smiled. “If you look at it in detail, it is, but it doesn’t matter as long as you don’t make a profit-sharing agreement with the Davion side. There won’t be any problems later.”

Then Ian looked around at the group. His face was asking if they would go around spreading this scheme.

Romandro and Berik nodded. Well, there was no problem in reality, was there? It was just to save Siao Shi’s face.

Chloe also thought about it for a while and nodded in agreement.

“Okay. If there’s any problem, I’ll take responsibility.”

“Young lady. You are brave, but that will not happen.”

At that, Chloe clenched her fists and trembled. She was so happy that she couldn’t control her emotions because she was starting to see hope.

Siao Shi, who had been watching her calmly, asked quietly. “Ian. Thank you for your help, but may I ask what you desire?”

Siao Shi knew. There was a clear conflict of interest beyond simple goodwill in Ian’s help. Whether it was the stabilization of the Imperial Palace, or something he couldn’t guess.

Ian smiled, as if he had been waiting for this. “Siao Shi. Before that, there is one more thing I would like to ask of you.”

“Please speak.”

“You are His Majesty’s confidant, and the Davion family are the pillars of the Imperial Palace. Even if the union of the two of you started with love, it will surely bring unexpected results. There are only two things I want.”

First.

“Siao Shi, all your actions will be done only by the will of His Majesty, not Davion.”

Then Ian turned to Chloe. He was saying that this was also a request for her. Just because she was connected to Siao Shi, she shouldn’t think of him as a Davion person.

“Of course. Only harmony. I was not going to be involved in anything else.”

“You are wise. I hope you will maintain the balance well. And the second thing is, I would like to personally ask the young lady Chloe.”

“What is it?”

“You can refuse, but I would like you to consider it positively if possible. I would like to submit a proposal, and I need some help from the Davion family.”

“What…?”

Chloe asked cautiously, but Ian just smiled. Then she realized that Berik and Romandro were perking up their ears. Pretending to be indifferent, they turned their heads away.

“I’ll tell you separately when the situation is settled.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Chloe nodded and held Siao Shi’s arm tightly. She was a little worried, but surely Ian wouldn’t do anything that would cause trouble? Siao Shi patted her hand as if to tell her not to worry.

“Um, Ian. There’s one more problem.”

“What is it?”

Siao Shi hesitated for a moment and then muttered with difficulty. “The fact that I am a slave.”

“Hey, the past is the past!”

Berik waved his hand, saying it didn’t make sense, but it was a clear fact. Ian nodded as if he had expected it.

“Minister Tweller gave me some advice before, and I’m hesitant to use it. Can you check it?”

“What is it? Is it related to your odd eyes?”

“……!”

Siao Shi was surprised and opened his mouth slightly. Chloe, Berik, and Romandro, who didn’t know what was going on, looked back and forth between the two of them, curious.

“Y-yes, it is.”

“Minister Tweller also has an unexpectedly interesting side. If the Davion side is adamant, you can use it. However, rather than you saying it directly, I-”

Thud! Thump!

It was then. There was a rough commotion outside. Chloe instinctively flinched, and Siao Shi also turned around, on high alert.

“We know you’re inside, Sir Siao Shi!”

“It’s not right to keep someone else’s daughter in your house like this. Open the door.”

“Chloe! Are you really going to disgrace the Davion family? Stop it and show yourself.”

It was the members of the Davion family who had come to find Chloe. Judging by the murmuring, it seemed that the Count himself had come.

Instead of the two who had frozen, Ian got up from his seat. As if it was a good thing.