Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 255

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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 255
Trapped
“H-home… this is home…”
Romandro descended from the carriage, his eyes glistening with tears of emotion. Though the palace was within commuting distance, it had been ages since he’d stepped outside its walls—caught up in an endless stream of crises from the rebellion until now.
As he pushed open the gate and entered, Mini emerged from behind the mansion upon hearing the commotion. She had been watering the flowerpots and wondered what all the fuss was about.
“Who—gasp. Master?”
“Mini! How have you been?”
“W-well, I’ve been fine. But…”
Splash. Mini couldn’t manage the water streaming from the hose and simply stared ahead. And no wonder—the opposite side was completely obscured by an enormous throng of people.
More than a dozen massive carriages were one thing, but what in the world were all these bronze-skinned, muscular men doing here?
“W-what is the meaning of this?”
Mini had also ridden to the palace in an extra carriage to help Viviana. But since the mansion couldn’t be left unattended, she had exited midway and had been managing the household alone ever since. Whenever Viviana needed things like clothing, Mini would bring them to her.
Romandro was delighted to see Mini after so long and kept patting her shoulder affectionately.
“Ah yes. These are the Cheonrye Tribe! Didn’t you see them at the palace?”
“T-the Cheonrye Tribe? Frontier people?”
“I formed connections with them back when I was in Hielo’s territory. The tribal advisor is Ian’s new stepfather.”
“Wh-what?!”
Mini was so startled that she turned toward Romandro, and as a result, the water from the hose thoroughly soaked his trousers. Romandro whimpered and stumbled backward.
“Mini!”
“Oh, I’m so sorry!”
“Never mind. I was planning to change clothes anyway. You know about the seven Central Houses facing trial for treason, right?”
“Of course. Isn’t it tomorrow? Any Central citizen who doesn’t know about that has a problem. They say it will be held at the imperial palace…”
Ah. As Mini continued speaking, she suddenly understood why the Cheonrye Tribe had come here. Seven Houses would be simultaneously extinguished for treason—a spectacle that might happen once in a lifetime, if at all. The empire’s citizens were buzzing with excitement, planning to enter the palace from morning to witness it.
And above all, rumors had been circulating that Prince Marib, Prince Gail, and Deilaina were all dead, prompting no small amount of concern about the imperial palace’s own stability.
“We’ll be moving our residence here for the time being. The rooms might be a bit tight, but if it becomes too uncomfortable, we can look for short-term rentals nearby. And some of the warriors will be heading down to Hielo first, so please prepare the necessary provisions, including horses.”
“Yes, understood.”
He had been stationed at the other palace under the pretext of monitoring and protecting Gail, but he was now dead. Soon enough, Jin’s inauguration ceremony would bring foreign envoys in and out. Before that, it made sense to relocate their residence entirely.
Viviana called to Mini as she began unloading luggage.
“Mini, would you come over here?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
As Mini tossed aside the hose and rushed toward the carriage, a Warrior suddenly appeared and hoisted the luggage effortlessly.
Gulp—up close, he looked even larger and more muscular. Mini opened the gate wide on both sides and welcomed the guests.
“This is Nersaren and Philia.”
“Wow, even with my eyes closed, I can tell you’re Ian’s mother.”
“We’ll be imposing on you. Thank you for your kindness.”
“Please, speak comfortably. I’ll serve you with utmost care!”
As they exchanged greetings, the Warriors stepped inside and examined the mansion with interest. Just like Ian’s nature, delicate and charming decorations caught their eyes throughout.
“This is Lord Romandro’s house? Ah, pardon us.”
“This bastard’s become a true imperial citizen. Using words like ‘pardon us.'”
“Kahahaha! Where should we put the luggage?”
“Inside, further inside! Yes! The luggage goes over there!”
True to her name, Mini was petite. She bustled between the warriors, absorbed in tidying the front courtyard. Yet even amid this chaos, her bright blonde hair caught the eye—enough for her to instantly recognize Ian’s presence.
“Oh? Did you come along as well, Ian?”
Romandro merely raised an eyebrow and lowered his voice in command. It was partly to relocate the Cheonrye Tribe’s quarters, and partly to meet with Melania.
The trial was tomorrow, after all. The Imperial Palace had heightened surveillance on key family members. Once the verdict came down, they would be taken into custody and executed.
Outwardly, he had received reports that Melania’s whereabouts were unknown and had personally come to investigate the temple. But inwardly, his intention was to meet with Melania in secret.
“Romandro, will these pants work for traveling?”
“Ah, this… yes, quite right. Just a moment.”
“Time is pressing, so I’ll go ahead. Follow at your leisure.”
“Very well. You know the way?”
Instead of answering, I threw the robe over myself. Then, concealing my presence as much as possible, I made my way across to the other side. Around one corner, then another, past shuttered shops, until I reached a nearby park.
Before the clock tower. Two chairs sat with their backs pressed together.
Whoosh.
I chose an appropriate spot among them and sat down. Then I gazed up at the ticking clock hand.
Perhaps because of tomorrow’s grand event, the surroundings were quiet, as if anticipating a holiday. When was the last time I savored such peaceful silence? I let out a sigh and closed my eyes for a moment.
“Are you alone?”
Then, from behind, came the familiar voice of a woman.
Melania. For a duke’s precious daughter, her skill at concealing her presence was quite remarkable. Had she learned it out of necessity for survival? I smiled broadly and responded.
“Yes. But Romandro will arrive soon.”
“You’ve heard, then?”
“Mm. I’m not sure what you mean. The rumor that Sereo cooperated with House Haiman in their rebellion? Or that the second brother over there and Princess Alena were… involved?”
How could I not know? These days, I began my morning routine by reviewing letters placed on a golden tray by my servant. The nobles were denouncing each other without exception.
Like a snowball rolling downhill, the contents deepened with each passing day. The letters grew thicker, and gossip about direct fistfights between them was not uncommon.
Everyone should have stopped simultaneously, but they couldn’t. This was truly a runaway of broken desire. I smiled broadly and shook my head.
“To be honest, I was surprised. The past they shared was quite secretive. They knew things about each other that even the Imperial Palace didn’t know.”
Most of the information the nobles reported was fabricated. But among it all, gems did exist.
Unexpectedly—or rather, it would be more accurate to say fortunately. Thanks to their gossip, I was able to recover hidden assets as well.
“…Is that so?”
“Especially in the case of Lord Eijein, it’s rather precarious. At the time, House Haiman provided half of the investment funds in Ruswena currency. I’ve confirmed that the reported amount omitted the gains from the exchange rate difference.”
“What will the punishment be?”
Melania asked carefully. In a situation where everyone was aiming for each other’s throats, the Imperial Palace’s stance was crucial. If the Imperial Palace took a hardline approach here…
‘A backlash could occur. A cornered rat bites the cat, and I know there isn’t just one or two rats cornered like this. They will muster the courage to charge forward.’
If so, voices opposing the punishment of House Haiman and the Seven Great Houses would add up somewhat. The nobles would realize they were rats, and understand that their opponent was the cat.
Rather than seeking the cat’s favor, the thought would shift to the rats banding together. If that happened, if that happened…
Wouldn’t they hope for the return of the great Seven Great Houses once more?
Melania quietly pressed her fingernails, hidden within her robe, against her palm. It was a slim possibility and a faint hope, but the mere existence of a chance was precious.
“The entire nation is distracted by the trial of the Seven Great Houses. Punishment? What’s omitted can be filled in, and if there’s no legal issue, it’s simply set aside.”
But the answer that came from my lips left no room for doubt.
Melania lowered her head and pressed her forehead. A cool breeze swept through, yet somehow she felt feverish. It was only natural, given that she had to keep her senses constantly alert for survival.
“Do you wish for the Imperial Palace to dance with swords here?”
They sought each other’s deaths, and from the palace’s vantage point, it was truly an entertaining spectacle.
By embracing them with clemency instead of punishment, I secured both psychological and practical advantage—a successful step on the ladder toward the throne.
“Exposing their weaknesses, letting them know the imperial family is aware of them. That alone is sufficient.”
“…I sense satisfaction in your words. Then, as you proposed, will you spare my life?”
“Yes. But the trial’s verdict must be severe. It is a standard for past and future generations alike, for everyone. I will not make exceptions.”
Leave Bariel, I was telling her. Melania clenched her fists as expected and nodded reluctantly.
“…Very well. I shall depart.”
“Once you vanish, pursuers will be sent after you. That matter lies beyond my concern, so manage it as best you can.”
“I ask for nothing more.”
“Good. I’m glad you don’t.”
“Only… please allow me to cross the border safely.”
I neither accepted nor refused. We fell silent for a moment, our backs to each other. Melania was the first to break the silence.
“Ian. I have one question.”
“You have my permission.”
“If I survive to the end, won’t you fear me?”
A survivor of a house destroyed by rebellion. If she managed to rebuild and threaten Bariel? It was entirely possible, and I would not have overlooked it.
“Why should I fear?”
“…Pardon?”
“I showed you favor. So why should I fear?”
A reminder to understand clearly.
You must not harbor resentment toward me—toward Bariel. Surviving a rebellion is a grace and miracle that comes but once. Repayment, not vengeance, is the rightful response.
And above all—
“Your purpose was to restore your house. Had you merely begged for your life, I would never have made such an offer. Your life means nothing to me, but a prosperous house has meaning to Bariel.”
A house. That is glory beneath the nation.
Knowing that was ultimately what Melania desired, I readily granted her this chance. Though in truth, the circumstances had aligned quite favorably to make it possible.
“…Yes.”
“Melania. Engrave this deeply: you live because of Bariel’s grace.”
A hundred years hence, House Haiman still existed. Though its bloodline had nearly been severed, because Hani survived, the future remained uncertain.
They say one cannot defy fate no matter how one struggles, so I could surmise that Melania’s history would not end here.
Whoosh.
Only the sound of wind answered. I turned my head to look back and found only an empty chair. She had vanished.
I tilted my head back and raised my hand.
Swish.
“Follow her closely.”
A man hidden in the shadows of the undergrowth. A special operative Romandro had personally selected from the palace.
Where would Melania go if she survived alone with no wealth, no allies, nothing? Whom would she seek?
“Don’t forget to submit reports every fortnight.”
Whoosh.
Most likely, the Rutherford Merchant Company. If Melania drifted toward them, I need only follow the trail.
At my command, the knight vanished like the wind.
Melania vanished in an instant, as though she had never existed.

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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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