Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 102. Those Who Departed and Those Who Returned
“Count Ian.”
The moment the carriage door opened, Lady Lien greeted me warmly. She wore a dress more vibrant and elaborate than usual, her smile more perfect than ever before. The Countess extended her hand with confidence, and I brought it to my lips in a light kiss.
“It has been quite some time, Countess. I trust you have been well?”
“Of course, thanks to you. And Romand has been in good health as well, I presume?”
“Indeed. It is cold, so please come inside at once.”
“Do look forward to tonight’s dinner. It is a blessed day for Merelrof, so I have prepared with great care.”
Lady Lien led the way into the mansion. The hallway gleamed so brilliantly that it was hard to believe this was the same place I had rushed to when I heard the Count had died. I acknowledged the Butler’s greeting and entered the reception room.
“First, let us handle business swiftly.”
The Countess produced a leather document folder with a smile.
“This is the certificate for the five thousand gold coins you mentioned. The number of soldiers has also been reduced to half or less of the current amount, and here is the covenant to maintain this going forward.”
“May I examine the budget?”
“Of course. You can verify it on the next page.”
I slowly reviewed Merelrof’s annual budget. It appeared Romand’s Steward and his staff had worked diligently on it, and indeed, the budget allocated for maintaining private soldiers next year had been cleanly cut in half.
“Did the Steward not object?”
“My, are you worried about being accused of selling off the estate?”
“Not worried, merely curious.”
At the easy exchange between myself and the Countess, those listening shifted uncomfortably. Romand’s subordinates exchanged bewildered glances among themselves. This was not what they had expected by staying.
“We are not diverting the budget to Count Ian, but rather returning it to the villagers. We intend to use that money to cover the cost of the gula.”
“I see.”
“The reward of five thousand gold coins—if it is inconvenient to accept, consider it my personal expense.”
“There is no need for such words. It is a fair exchange of value.”
At my words, Romand withdrew a letter from his inner pocket for the imperial palace report. She took it gracefully, then read through each character with sharp, piercing eyes.
Rustle.
“There is neither falsehood nor anything that need be concealed. I am pleased. Send the report as it stands. There will be no need for an investigator to be dispatched from the imperial palace, correct?”
The report detailed how the Count had died and the procedures for succession, but anything unnecessary had been cleanly omitted.
For instance, the relationship between the slave and the Countess, the slave’s punishment, and when Dive, the heir, had departed from Merelrof.
“Assuming there are no particular issues, I shall affix my seal.”
“Yes. Here, would you prepare that?”
Romand signed with a flourish and poured sealing wax. The official seal marking it as his formal report was impressed.
“I am truly delighted to have gained such a fine neighbor. The villagers of Merelrof are also grateful for Bratz—ah, pardon me.”
“It will not be long before the new name is established.”
“My apologies. I shall be more careful. In any case, the villagers of Merelrof are grateful to be able to obtain much food, including gula, from your lands.”
“I am glad to hear it. Winter is cold, so we must gather warmth together.”
“Now, the final matter.”
Myself and Lady Lien concluded our business by establishing preferential negotiation rights applicable to all future transactions. Since the details had been coordinated beforehand, the proceedings moved very swiftly.
“For something so simple, what on earth was my husband doing all day clutching parchment?”
The Countess set down the ink-stained pen on the table with a murmur. What she had once considered meticulous now seemed merely excessively fastidious and inefficient.
“And Dive?”
“He is in the annex. I suppose it is time to tell him to depart soon.”
There was not a trace of falsehood in Lady Lien’s smile. This was the moment to completely drive Dive out of Merelrof—how could she not be delighted? I checked my watch as well.
“You’ve decided on a merchant guild?”
“The Cheal Guild. They have a tendency to handle major matters flawlessly. Beyond the price, we selected them for their superior reputation and competence.”
“Who will Merelrof send as the representative?”
At my question, Lady Lien’s eyes widened further. Her gaze was unreadable—seeming composed yet slightly indignant, and somehow tinged with sorrow.
“Five soldiers and two assistant stewards, along with Clark. Everyone except Clark will return once they see Dive off in the Hawan Kingdom.”
As expected.
It was a method to protect Clark while making efficient use of the arrangement. I nodded approvingly.
“Since you’ve selected them, they’ll surely perform well. However, I’d appreciate one final confirmation to ensure there are no complications. We are, frankly, taking considerable risks in this matter.”
“You needn’t worry about that. They’re all highly skilled.”
Especially Clark—wasn’t he bound by blind faith and devotion? The moment Dive left traces of arriving in Toluun, Clark would surely move to take his life.
“Excellent. Shall we go see Dive off?”
“Butler. Is the carriage prepared?”
“Yes. You may depart immediately.”
At Butler Samon’s words, everyone rose and headed to the main gate. The moment Dive, dressed in a winter robe, saw me and Lady Lien, he began shouting excitedly.
“You wicked creatures!”
Shackles were fastened beneath his robe. It was a method to transport him with utmost propriety, mindful of outside observation.
“Dive. Before you embark on this long journey, I offer you my blessings.”
“You demon! Do you truly think you’ll escape unscathed?”
“Of course. I’ll live well and prosper, and I hope you do the same. I do hope we never meet again.”
Lady Lien laughed elegantly while spouting decidedly inelegant words. Madwoman, lunatic, screw loose—Dive hurled crude insults without restraint before glaring at me.
“You too, Ian! Do you truly believe you can lay hands on House Merelrof and survive? The curse of the underworld will fall upon you swiftly!”
I ignored him and surveyed the soldiers and stewards preparing for departure, offering reminders about the long journey and instructions not to worry about bandits when crossing the mountain range.
Clank.
Then came a sound from behind. It was Clark, having removed his shackles and changed into dry clothes. He adjusted his bruised wrists and shouldered a large travel pack.
“Are you ready?”
“…Yes.”
Lady Lien asked without meeting his gaze. To an outsider, her coldness would have seemed as though she were addressing a complete stranger.
“Then depart.”
That pack likely contained generous traveling funds Lady Lien had prepared. Everyone boarded the carriage, and just as Clark was about to close the door—
“…I’ll be going.”
Clark said this to Lady Lien and shut the door. Without responding, she turned away, merely waving her hand toward Dive, who continued cursing.
“Safe travels. Perhaps we’ll meet in hell.”
“Let’s go!”
Neigh!
With the horse’s cry, the carriage surged powerfully out of the Merelrof estate. Lady Lien watched their retreating forms for a long moment, then turned around.
“Well then.”
She smiled, meeting the eyes of me, Romand, and especially his subordinates.
“Shall we have a meal? You and your subordinates won’t be seeing much of Merelrof going forward, will you?”
“No. Thank you, Lady Lien.”
“And I should say the same. Please, help me greatly.”
I gazed blankly at the black ribbons fluttering across my entire estate. If my previous body had died, I thought, such ribbons would be hanging throughout Bariel in the same manner. The Countess, who had been ushering guests inside, called out to me.
“Count Ian? Won’t you come inside? It’s cold.”
“Countess, what became of the Count’s funeral?”
The Countess smiled brightly but did not answer.
As if to say, why ask when you already know everything.
* * *
Wheeeee!
On the journey back to my estate from Merelrof, my head spun from the wine that had accompanied the banquet.
“Ian, are you alright?”
“…Your face is even redder, Romandro.”
“Ahahah. Actually, I see your face as two right now.”
“That’s the third time you’ve said that.”
“Is that so? I must be drunk then. But… want to know something funny? I see your face as two.”
“…”
Romandro, pleasantly intoxicated, indulged in his drunken antics lightly. The Countess, as if she had a barrel of wine in her body, remained perfectly composed despite drinking alongside us as she saw us off.
Creeeak!
“Count Ian. We’ve arrived.”
“Ah, well done. Rest now.”
As the coachman opened the door, I stumbled out of the carriage. The moment I wavered slightly, a scream erupted from behind.
“Goodness, Count Ian!”
“Hm?”
As I turned around, the laborers who had been moving leather sacks approached with concern.
“My, we heard you were ill, but you can barely walk. Are you well?”
“You seem to have a fever. Your face is quite flushed.”
It’s cold—please hurry inside.”
Ill? Who?
While I merely blinked, the laborers bowed deeply and disappeared. They must have been leaving late after their work. I touched my neck absently and muttered.
“What on earth are they talking about.”
Anyway, I couldn’t fathom why so many miscellaneous things were piled up in front of the door. As I stepped inside, servants approached and took my coat.
“Welcome back, sir?”
“Yes. But what are all those things?”
“The estate villagers sent them after hearing rumors that you were unwell, Count Ian. Gifts for your recovery have been arriving all afternoon.”
It was like before. When news spread that I had been attacked by an assailant, hadn’t the villagers come to offer their condolences? I didn’t know what rumor was circulating now, but seeing their hearts remained unchanged, a smile escaped me.
“I thought there would be nothing in winter, but it seems everyone managed to gather things somehow.”
Dried flowers, eggs painted with cute watercolor designs, dried meat, jars of jam passed down through families—small gifts, yet ones that unmistakably radiated warmth. I smiled and asked the servant.
“Organize them well and bring them to my bedroom.”
“Yes, Count Ian. And there is a visitor waiting for you.”
“A visitor? Who?”
There shouldn’t be anyone coming, yet as I questioned this, Berik shouted from above the railing.
“You’re late, Ian?”
“Berik. Have you eaten?”
“Already did. Philia came.”
“What?”
A woman suddenly appeared beside him, poking her face forward. The golden hair and green eyes were strikingly similar to Ian’s own. Whether from her time living in the mountains or not, she possessed a beauty that seemed more robust and vibrant than before.
“Ian.”
She smiled brightly, but seeing her son after so long seemed to overwhelm her with emotion. Tears like drops of chicken droppings streamed down, falling onto Ian’s cheeks.
“Ian. Who is this?”
Romandro, who had followed behind, asked with puzzlement while rubbing his cold hands together. When I first arrived in Bratz, I had hidden Philia’s existence from everyone. It was to ensure no discord would arise in the alliance with the Cheonryeo Tribe.
However, Romandro, who had come from the imperial palace, already knew my circumstances, and the time for worrying about her existence had long passed.
“Lord Romandro. Please allow me to introduce her.”
I decided to express my gratitude to the woman who had waited in the mountains and gathered Gula for me.
“She is my mother.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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