Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 527

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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 526
Fire. Burgos Bloodline
Crash!
“Come out here!”
Carriages swarmed before the Marquis Hollin’s estate. Count Davion and all his children and family members arrived fully armed.
The servants of Hollinga hastily retreated inside, while the Butler led the Guards to hold the main gate, facing them head-on. The atmosphere reeked of bloodlust—they had clearly come prepared for this.
The Butler swallowed a sigh internally and asked politely.
“What brings you here?”
“What brings us? Did you just ask what brings us?”
Clang!
The Eldest Son of the Davion Family brought his sword down harshly against the iron gates of the main entrance.
Sparks flew from the sheer force of the blow. The Guards flinched in surprise, but the Butler calmly stepped forward instead.
“To enter the estate, you must disarm yourselves. And the Marquis has instructed that only the Count and approximately two attendants may be permitted entry.”
“You dare wound the face of a noble maiden from another house, and yet you maintain such an attitude! One would think the Marquis a common street ruffian rather than nobility!”
“…Your words exceed propriety.”
“Tell the Marquis to come out himself. Otherwise, I will enter by force. I will not leave until Princess Kaila bears the same scar as Chloe!”
“If you proceed in this manner, we have no choice but to follow the law. We will summon the Guards and file an official complaint.”
“That is precisely what I desire! But first, I must see blood from Kaila—no, from the entire Hollin Family!”
Miss Kaila had returned soaked and given only a rough account of events, but this reaction was far more intense than anticipated.
The Butler, seeing no other option, gestured to a Servant—a signal to bring the Marquis and the family members. Just as they turned to leave, the Marquis Hollin appeared, his robes billowing dramatically.
“…This commotion is excessive. Open the main gate.”
“Yes, Marquis.”
As the gates split open on both sides, the members of the Davion Family strode in boldly. Like Warriors invading enemy territory.
“Ah, how impressive, Marquis. You finally deign to appear. How exactly did you educate your children—to wound the face of a noble maiden from another house? Have Princess Kaila come out as well!”
“Kaila is currently drying her wet hair and clothes. Similarly, your daughter also appears to have received an excellent education. Where exactly did she learn such a vulgar act as throwing water in someone’s face?”
One by one, the children of Hollinga emerged from behind the Marquis.
The Butler quietly retreated, observing the scene—something he had never witnessed in his entire life. Regardless of anything else, both families’ honor would be utterly destroyed.
The Butler silently crossed himself in prayer. Please, let me at least keep my position.
“Was that not your side’s mistake first?”
Through the Imperial Palace’s evaluation system, everyone knew the truth: the Davion Family had a leash around their necks like dogs. But it was a matter of dignity that no one mentioned—until Kaila broke that taboo.
The Marquis Hollin let out a derisive laugh and countered.
“And are you aware that your Heiress had her friends steal Kaila’s valuables? And now you speak of conspiracy with Burgos? That constitutes treason—a grave crime. Princess Chloe’s tongue is not merely loose but foolish. You should be grateful it ended with a mere slap rather than worse.”
Objectively speaking, the Marquis Hollin’s words held merit. To implicate the Burgos side, poised for war, with the Marquis Hollin was no mere check—it was a grave matter that could lead to the family’s complete annihilation. Moreover, it was the Davion side that had declared war first.
Count Davion laughed bitterly and nodded.
“If you are so confident, I shall request an investigation at the Imperial Palace along with the jewels. Once disassembled and reassembled, they become something different, do they not? Your audacity is remarkable. Or perhaps your judgment is simply lacking.”
“Count Davion. I will now add charges of insult to my complaint.”
“Most welcome. I understand the Countess is currently staying in Burgos. Frankly, that is also suspicious. I remember the Countess well—she was not the sort to venture abroad and lead business endeavors.”
The Marquis Hollin’s mouth clamped shut. Matters concerning the Countess were not to be revealed to the outside world.
Though the silence was brief, Davion pointed at the Marquis Hollin with the tip of his sword as if to say, “Look at that.”
“The Countess cannot be excluded from the distribution process of these jewels. It would be wise for her to enter the country immediately and undergo investigation together. The process of your dealings with Burgos, which previously passed under the guise of business confidentiality, must now be laid bare! What exactly did you receive in exchange?”
“Count Davion! So you’ve already assumed the Hollin Family has committed treason!”
“Silence, boy! How dare you interject when the heads of houses are speaking!”
“Count!”
“Shut your mouth!”
Clang! Clang!
The Davion Family’s eldest son drew his blade toward the Hollin side.
“If you add one more word, I will challenge you to a duel this instant.”
To preserve honor and legally kill an opponent—refusing a duel meant abandoning one’s pride and dignity as a noble, ultimately resulting in submission to the other party.
The men of the Marquis Hollin household froze, swallowing hard.
“Enough.”
Then came a soft voice that calmed the surroundings. It was Kayla. Though her hair was still slightly damp, she had changed into fresh clothes and appeared composed.
“Everyone, please calm yourselves.”
“Princess Kaila, I thought you would hide this time, unlike your usual habit of meddling everywhere.”
“Do you know who I am? I am Chloe.”
Kayla spoke wearily, brushing her hair back.
“First, I apologize for laying hands on Princess Chloe. What I said until now was different in nature, and my action was a reflexive response to protect my family’s honor.”
“Is that an apology or an insult? Unbelievable!”
“What changes with mere words? And she is no ordinary person—Chloe is a leading candidate for Empress! To inflict a wound on such a precious person and then be so shameless—!”
“Then would it comfort you if my face bore the same wound?”
“What?”
Kayla slowly stepped forward. The men of the Davion Family glared threateningly, but she didn’t flinch.
“Strike me.”
“Ha!”
“However, the wound must be identical to the one on Chloe’s face. Not more, not less—draw the same blood with a single blow.”
“She’s mad, completely insane!”
“I am offering compensation. Why do you refuse? I will shed my blood for Princess Chloe’s wound, but what can the Davion Family offer for the insult to my house? The lives of worthless dogs like me are all I have.”
“How dare you—!”
Clang! Clang!
As the Davion Family’s eldest son swung his blade, Kayla parried it precisely. Though the difference in strength sent her sword clattering away, the mere fact that she had blocked it delivered considerable shock to everyone present.
“Stop this commotion and leave. If you wish to proceed by law, do as you please.”
Bring the Countess? The real Countess was alive in Tusty, south of Bariel. Switching her out would be child’s play.
The jeweled ornament from Burgos could also be resolved. If the imperial treasure status was unknown and intentionality couldn’t be proven, returning it would be sufficient to settle the matter.
As Kayla turned to leave, Count Davion shouted.
“Fine? Good. Let’s do it that way! But when the Countess returns, the imperial palace will handle her escort, and we’ll send people to Tusty as well. Are you still comfortable with that?”
She froze. The moment the word “Tusty” left the Count’s mouth, Kayla’s eyes widened.
She wasn’t alone in this reaction. The Marquis Hollin and his children also stiffened, wondering what this meant.
Then came a familiar voice from behind Count Davion.
“Count.”
It was Ian. The carriage window opened, revealing Berik and Romandro seated within as well.
As Count Davion bowed respectfully, Ian laughed as if bewildered.
“How can you speak of it so carelessly?”
“I apologize, Minister.”
“Minister Ian Hielo….”
I stepped down from the carriage and waved my hand dismissively.
“I happened to meet him on the way here. There was no particular intention behind it.”
I had merely let slip a passing thought—the possibility that there might be a real Countess in Tusty. The Count had lost his composure and blurted it out first, but I showed no particular reaction, as if I had even desired this outcome.
As I opened the carriage door and stepped out, Berik and Romandro, who had been eating roasted gula inside, poked their heads out. Their eyes gleamed with amusement.
“What do you mean—”
“Exactly as I said. On my way to meet Marquis Hollin, I happened to encounter Count Davion and had a brief conversation. He seemed to share the same doubts as I did, so I misspoke, but for you to make it public like this…”
My tone was reproachful, yet my manner was nothing but gentle. I extended my hand to Kaila and smiled.
“Princess. In any case, given the circumstances, we should discuss this in depth. Will you come to the imperial palace? I’ll send someone to Tusty immediately.”
The Hollin butler then tried to hurry away. But I caught him with just one word.
“I’ll send a mage. No matter what is said, nothing could arrive faster than a mage.”
Kaila stared at me for a moment, then, as if resigned, took my offered hand. Berik and Romandro peeled gula shells and muttered to themselves.
“This is entertaining. It would have been even more fun if it had come to a duel.”
“So who do you think won, Berik?”
“It looks like Davion’s side won. He got proper compensation for his trouble. So is Davion on our side? But the way Ian held hands like that, it seems like Hollin might be on our side too.”
“Hmm. I think Hollin won. Isn’t it true that in a fight, the one who bleeds loses?”
“Oh, that sounded rather manly just now, Romandro.”
“Ian’s coming. Clear the space!”
“Huh? Me?”
“Then should I go? Come on, move to the coachman’s seat.”
As Romandro pushed Berik’s back, Berik reluctantly climbed up beside the coachman’s seat.
Soon, Princess Kaila Hollin entered the carriage with my escort. Romandro greeted her with an awkward smile, but she remained silent, her gaze fixed only on the window outside.
* * *
“What a commotion.”
Jin tossed the report aside lightly and let out an exasperated laugh. Two women considered Empress candidates had simultaneously become the subject of scandal. And over an unseemly physical altercation at that.
“There’s nothing more to see. Dispose of it.”
The conclusion had been reached that both were lacking in qualifications to be entrusted with Bariel. When Jin pushed the report aside, saying it wasn’t worth examining, Xiaoxi added:
“Understood, Your Highness. And Princess Kaila has just entered the palace with Count Ian. He says they’re investigating her connection to Burgos, reporting that the Countess of the Hollin family appears to be connected to the Burgos royal house.”
“The Burgos royal house, and Hollin?”
When Ian spoke so directly, it was almost always treated as established fact. I tapped my fingers on the desk, then laughed as if amused.
“…It seems God is helping us.”
“Shall I gather soldiers in advance?”
“No. That will do. For now, let’s wait for Count Ian’s word. If possible, it seems we may send Princess Kaila Hollin to Burgos first, so prepare for that.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“There are only two weeks left until the coronation. Sia, the Imperial Defense Ministry must be thoroughly prepared to ensure everything proceeds without incident.”
“Your command is understood.”
Two weeks until the coronation also meant two weeks until the expedition. Xiaoxi bowed respectfully and left my office, hoping that both great undertakings would be carried out without mishap.

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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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