Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 251

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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 251
Fire. Banishment
Princess Melania had been the center of high society. The sole daughter of House Haiman, the youngest, a woman who had always commanded attention with her beauty and grace.
She had managed and even enjoyed countless gazes in countless situations. But never anything like this. Cold sweat began to seep from the nape of her neck.
“I didn’t realize you were dining.”
Four men were observing me without reservation, each in their own way. Berik chewed his meat and watched without blinking, while Romandro surveyed the overall atmosphere as he monitored her.
Xiaoxi, standing in the back, was even more remarkable. Though his head was bowed, it was clear he was on guard against her, mobilizing all his senses rather than just his sight.
As for Ian himself—
“It’s fine, Princess. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t set aside proper meal times.”
He was observing.
Perhaps because she had heard Ian’s words before entering? Melania found his leisurely knife work unreasonably frustrating.
While those who had wagered death engaged in fierce combat, he was like an arena master enjoying delicacies as spectacle. Just days ago, Melania herself had held a station no different from his.
“Eat up, Berik.”
“Yeah. Wow, this really is delicious.”
Though his invited guest had arrived, Ian did not stop eating. It was rude, but did the concept of rudeness even apply between them?
Melania understood what Ian’s behavior signified. A grasp of one’s place, an awakening to absolute hierarchy, and a form of psychological dominance.
She lowered her gaze.
Melania looked down at the carpet that ended at her feet. Though they occupied the same space, from this point forward, their positions were unmistakably different.
She had stepped into the arena to survive, while Ian looked down and enjoyed the spectacle. She needed to accept this.
‘Even the sun cannot last a day before it sets. Human power is no different. There are times to lose, and if one waits, one rises again. If one waits, one rises again. Surely, that is the truth.’
She clenched the fist hidden beneath her dress sleeve. Then she stepped back and bowed respectfully. Since Ian had summoned her first, it was proper to wait until he stated his purpose. At least, given the current hierarchy between them.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
Ian’s green eyes did not miss a single gesture of hers. Along with a light question, the fork and knife were set down—a signal that the meal had concluded. Berik, however, didn’t understand and continued scraping his plate.
“Princess Melania. Regarding what you proposed.”
The proposal that if he saved House Haiman, she would surrender everything and also awaken Ian’s past. Melania swallowed dryly with a glimmer of hope.
“No matter how I calculate it, the numbers don’t add up.”
“Count Ian.”
“I think it would be best to adjust the details.”
“What do you mean by that?”
If adjusting the details meant he could save Haiman, then she would do anything. There was nothing she couldn’t do.
As she made this resolution in her hope-intoxicated state, her train of thought suddenly broke. The name Sereo came to mind. That analogy—if Haiman was the champion, then Sereo was the challenger.
Then wouldn’t adjusting the details necessarily involve matters concerning Sereo?
“First, the greatest part of what you proposed was banking shares and tax burden. However, these would naturally be absorbed by the imperial palace if House Haiman collapsed. Rather than keeping Haiman alive, it would be more advantageous for us to burn them down to the roots.”
All assets that would revert if Haiman ceased to exist. Of course, a certain portion would be granted as favors to Sereo and the remaining nobles.
The point where Haiman could make their stand was in this small portion—the gains that would fall to other nobles rather than the imperial palace. If they could defend this, the champion’s defense would succeed, and if they failed, the challenger would seize new honor.
Melania was lost in thought, her mind burning with intensity. Right now, that is to say…
“You’re saying I must prove greater value than House Sereo.”
“Will you be satisfied with merely greater? You are traitors. Demonstrate such excessive value that I judge it worthwhile to spare even one person like you, Princess Melania.”
One person. Melania turned that word over in her mind. It meant her family—her father the Duke and the rest—could not be saved.
She clenched her fists even tighter, her nails digging into her palms. Rather than pain, it seemed to sharpen her focus.
“Is there perhaps something else you desire?”
To gain something, sacrifice is inevitable. And this was treason, after all. Princess Melania was acutely aware that Ian had given her an opportunity at all—a remarkable situation in itself. Beyond the external political circumstances, there may have been some connection to their shared past at play. Though I couldn’t be certain.
“No, what would I want from House Haiman? Do as you see fit.”
“…If I do, will you permit my departure from the palace?”
“Melania. The imperial palace was never truly your residence to begin with. Leaving your family estate was entirely your own voluntary choice, was it not?”
Whether she left or stayed, what did it matter to me? Her younger brother remained at the estate anyway. Though he’d be under the watch of the imperial guards, he could still enjoy a measure of freedom until the trial confirmed her sentence.
‘No desires, and I should do as I see fit?’
Melania’s mind raced. Her counterpart was Sereo. A house that had supported Ian and reaped the benefits handsomely.
In other words, he was like a knight receiving the commander’s abundant favor. Yet she was being told to prove her worth against such a man.
‘To prove I’m worth more than Sereo, it would be far easier and more certain to drag him down than to display my own merits. Count Ian couldn’t possibly be unaware of that. Is he testing me?’
If true, it was terrifying indeed. In an era when the Seven Houses hadn’t yet fallen, when consolidating their destruction would barely suffice, yet they were sharpening blades against one another.
But this was also proof that the Seven Houses would fall without issue. Because the one holding power was inspecting his allies beside him, confident in the enemy’s end. It was how those wielding authority lived.
“Count Ian. Though, I am curious about something.”
Princess Melania carefully broached the subject, gauging the reactions of Romandro and the others. It had been a meager bargain—all limbs severed, leaving only the faintest breath of life. In such circumstances, why hadn’t Ian inquired about the amber gemstone?
“Why do you not ask?”
Secrets held their power only when known to the few. Princess Melania understood this well, so she posed the question obliquely.
Romandro and Berik exchanged glances, wondering what she meant, while Ian leisurely continued steeping his tea leaves.
“Melania. You now possess nothing.”
“….”
“Neither honor, nor wealth, nor authority. Therefore, your past is your only negotiating card, your sole weapon of offense, and simultaneously, your defense.”
His answer: he hadn’t asked because he already knew she wouldn’t tell. As the saying goes, one shouldn’t ask the thirsty to dig a well. Ian, having established complete superiority, had no need to act out of desperation first. Had Ian added his inquiry to the command to prove her worth, Princess Melania would surely have seized the opening.
“Besides, honestly, I’m not that curious.”
Ian set down his teacup with a slight smile. Half lie, half truth. Even if the illegitimate Ian were connected to Idgal, with the situation properly exploited, it would pose no great problem. If it did become a problem? Based on what Melania had just revealed, the likelihood was high it would remain a non-fatal issue.
“Then, shall you depart? The imperial guards will escort you to your estate.”
Ian nodded. A unilateral conclusion to the conversation.
Princess Melania could say nothing more, gracefully gathering her dress hem. A curtsy with a slight knee bend. Stiff, though imperceptibly so.
Creeeeak.
Thud!
Once Melania had left, Berik wiped his glistening mouth and eagerly carved into the remaining meat. He’d been eating quietly out of courtesy for their guest, it seemed. A pity no one had noticed.
“Ian. Is there meaning in letting Melania go like this?”
“Are you concerned she’ll flee to Ruswena?”
“No, that’s not it. The imperial guards will be watching anyway. And besides, if Ruswena accepts her, wouldn’t that be fortunate for us?”
They’d accepted someone complicit in treason, so there would be no grounds for diplomatic complaint.
This wasn’t limited to Ruswena alone. No neighboring nation could aid the Seven Houses in exile or escape. To do so would be tantamount to declaring Bariel itself an enemy.
“I simply question whether it holds meaning. Their assets are frozen, and all the key figures are imprisoned in the palace. What could they accomplish venturing outside? It’s no different from being cast naked onto the streets.”
“Those capable of surviving even naked on the streets will survive.”
“Well, when you say it like that, it carries considerable weight.”
A man of lowborn bastard origin who’d been sold into the desert and returned alive. He’d returned and obtained a noble title in short order, then became central to the imperial palace itself. When someone rewriting legend spoke thus, there was little to say.
Romandro simply shook his head, idly crunching on Gula seeds.
“I’m absolutely not concerned about Princess Melania.”
“I understand. How could you possibly concern yourself with someone entangled in treason, Romandro?”
Even if one loses family and fortune, those capable will find a way. Was House Haiman’s survival for a hundred years merely coincidence? Perhaps a single person’s unwavering will, refusing to die, clinging stubbornly to life, created the House Haiman of a hundred years hence.
Regardless, there could be no discord within Bariel under Jin’s rule. Not among all of House Haiman except Melania, nor among the foolishly excited nobles who failed to grasp the situation, nor among the foreign powers lurking in the shadows, waiting for their opening.
Clink.
Ian set down his teacup lightly with a subtle smile.
* * *
“Hahahaha! Truly the House Sereo!”
“Yes, yes. Of course I knew. When was it? On the day of Prince Gail’s execution, didn’t you meet with Count Ian in the greenhouse?”
“You knew about that?”
“Of course. Everyone knew, more or less.”
“Even His Majesty Jin was present at that meeting.”
“Oh! It will be recorded that the future Emperor Jin was the first to grant audience to our house.”
“They record such things? Hahahaha!”
The Sereo estate—quiet if one spoke kindly, desolate if one spoke truthfully—now bustled with guests it had never before entertained. The aging butler was nearly overwhelmed, continuously managing the coats of an endless stream of visitors.
Sereo, thoroughly intoxicated, drew out a cigarette and lit it. Immediately, those around him thrust their lighters forward in unison.
‘Hah.’
What luxury was this? Until recently, Sereo had lived as though he barely existed. Now everyone competed to curry his favor with flattery.
“Then will you be taking over House Haiman’s banking operations, Sereo? Surely that will be the case when the bidding occurs?”
“Ahem. I’m not entirely certain of the details yet…”
Sereo trailed off and shook his head. He couldn’t dampen the mood here.
“Count Sereo. When you have time later, would you introduce your sister to me?”
“My, you! You’re about to become a Duke! Shouldn’t you aim at least for Count Ian or… the Imperial family?”
“The Imperial family?”
“Yes. Since House Haiman stands between nobility and royalty, there’s no reason House Sereo couldn’t do the same.”
At someone’s words, Sereo drew deeply on his cigarette smoke.
It wasn’t wrong, certainly. With House Haiman gone and the current momentum continuing, House Sereo would become the leading noble family. Then he could revive the marriage proposals Ian had rejected.
“Hahahaha! Haha!”
Sereo couldn’t hide his delight and burst into laughter. The others watched awkwardly before joining in. Flattery, pretense, and false praise flowed endlessly.
Then.
Creak.
“Oh, you’re all here.”
“Welcome. Did you receive the silence spell?”
“The queue was backed up. Haha.”
A nobleman who had left the palace later joined them. He handed his coat to a servant and delivered his message.
“By the way, I heard Princess Melania has also left the palace. Count Sereo, do you happen to know why?”
“What? Melania?”
“Yes. I saw her carriage departing.”
Everyone turned to Sereo in bewilderment.
The youngest daughter of House Haiman leaving the palace unscathed?
But Sereo merely tilted his head in confusion, continuing to smoke his cigarette.

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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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