Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 86

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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 86. Where Gold Coins Are Stored
The Count’s Brother—who became my uncle by marriage. She drew forth a forgotten memory and answered.
“Yes. Only twice. If you go east from the estate, there’s a small old manor. He lives there practically in seclusion. Blood doesn’t lie, they say—his temperament is just as wretched as mine.”
I frowned, imagining the Count’s Brother in my mind. A proper family member would never have allowed a woman of slave origin to become the Countess. Knowing that the marriage took place without ceremony, I could well imagine the chaos that must have ensued.
Both Bratz and Merelrof were the same.
I desperately hoped that not all nobility a hundred years ago conducted themselves in such a manner.
“If the Count dies, isn’t the Count’s Brother the only one who would raise questions?”
“That’s right. He has two younger sisters, I’m told, but they married abroad and I’ve never seen them.”
“If he lives in seclusion with no contact, there seems little to worry about. Even if the Count were to die, who would suspect you?”
At those words, the Countess stopped and stared directly at me. In the bright sunlight, I could clearly see green mixed within her dark eyes—a mark that revealed her as a Dryad’s child.
“There’s a saying that those who abandon their blood ties are abandoned by the gods.”
She had felled a tree, but ultimately it was her mother’s lifeline. No matter that it was to save her father, reality remained unchanged. The Countess often felt the scars on her palm like the brand of a criminal.
“How could you possibly think your life would be peaceful after killing the forest’s guardian? The Count’s Brother, who was content to remain quiet, rises up to question, suspects you, discovers the truth, and you’re sold back to a slave trader—are all these truly only the worst nightmares in your imagination?”
Countess Merelrof knew the truth. Even if she could gain freedom, happiness would elude her. Therefore, she was taking every precaution to avoid the absolute worst.
“I’m preparing for everything I can. That’s the only way to survive. The curse of abandoning blood ties ends only when I die.”
“I see. I’m not certain about that.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Those who abandon their blood ties don’t even realize what they’ve abandoned. The gods always soothe the wounds of those who scourge themselves. I don’t know the full circumstances, but of this I’m certain, Countess. You’re naive, as befits a fairy’s child.”
I had been dragged down by the man who once called me uncle. In the Imperial Palace, they thought nothing of kinsmen drawing blades against one another for power, and parents even schemed against their own children. Among people who couldn’t even show their backs to those they loved, what more was there to say?
“Naive? Me?”
“If I’ve offended you, I apologize. What I mean to say is, don’t fall too deeply into self-pity. Whatever you believe, Countess, that becomes your truth.”
If you believe yourself cursed, so you shall be. If you believe otherwise, then you are not. It’s the same principle behind why those called villains stride about so freely—they never consider what they do to be wrong.
Lady Lien had never considered such a perspective before, and she paused in her steps.
“…I am cursed.”
“Then so you are.”
I didn’t deny it. I had never witnessed her felling the fairy’s tree, nor did I know what sufferings she had endured.
The Countess felt strangely as though her life was being denied, and she couldn’t bring herself to move forward.
“Mother always spoke of the fairy’s curse.”
“Ah. I’ve heard of it as well.”
Dryads and other nature spirits existed between promise and fulfillment. If something was promised, it must be done, and if done, the fairy would grant a wish in return.
“Isn’t it always the case with those who cannot rely on temples or mages? They hear rumors of fairies somewhere and venture to mountains, seas, and unknown lands.”
But there was something peculiar about it. I too stopped walking and turned back.
“Did you make a promise with your mother? If not, I don’t see how there’s any particular problem.”
“…If I’m not cursed, then why am I like this?”
“As I said, it’s because you believe yourself to be cursed, Countess.”
Lady Lien felt as though someone had brought a hammer down upon her head. Simultaneously, confusion prevented her from thinking clearly. I left her there and approached the room where Clark was confined.
“Open the door.”
At my command, the Soldier gave a brief nod. As the firmly locked bolt fell with a click, the door creaked open—the hinges had shifted from Clark’s constant rattling.
Creak.
“Ah, Clark.”
“…Lady Lien.”
The two of them watched each other, but that was all. They remained motionless in their places, as if a clear boundary had been drawn between them. The moment Countess Merelrof confirmed that Clark was unharmed, she turned her back.
“Are you leaving just like that?”
“Of course. What business would I have here? I sold Gula to Count Ian, so I only needed to see that he was alive.”
Clark made no move to stop her either. Berik swiveled his head back and forth, regarding the two of them with curiosity. He had expected them to embrace and weep, but their reaction was far too composed.
“What are you two doing? This is seriously underwhelming.”
“You, your manners have been quite disrespectful from the start.”
“I think my brain got numbed because of you. My tongue isn’t working properly. So~rry.”
“What on earth…!”
Lady Lien cried out in displeasure, but Berik was immune to it. He already knew she was of slave origin, and on top of that, he was aware of her plan to kill her husband. When Berik stuck out his tongue with an “eh,” she closed her eyes as if she couldn’t bear to look anymore.
“Berik. You should show proper respect to the lady.”
“A joke? Do you know how much I suffered?”
“Didn’t you sleep well and wake up?”
“That’s one thing, but I did experience some psychological trauma.”
While Ian and Berik bickered, Lady Lien slipped away into another reception room as if to escape.
“Um, Ian. What should we do about the door?”
The soldier glanced awkwardly at the open door. Clark too seemed to have lost the will to leave after witnessing the lady’s attitude. He had no intention of meddling in others’ romantic affairs anyway.
“Close it again and keep watch.”
“Yes, understood, Ian.”
“Clark. Marquis Merelrof is at the manor. When you return, I will come back and decide your future. It would be best not to cause any trouble.”
“….”
Creak.
Clark gave no answer to my words. After confirming that Lady Lien was sitting blankly on the sofa in the reception room, I ordered Hena to guard the door.
“She seems to be in a daze. Will she be alright?”
“She probably has much to think about. Bring her refreshments and keep a close watch. I need to go help Romandro.”
Romandro looked as though he had been completely drained dealing with Marquis Merelrof alone. The moment I returned, he came alive like a wilted leaf suddenly reviving. Already scattered at his feet was a bundle of torn papers.
“My apologies. How far have you reviewed?”
“You’ve arrived at just the right moment. This is the final page. The revised sections have darker brown ink, so please verify them.”
I reviewed the document whose ink had not yet dried while asking the Marquis for his understanding. He too appeared exhausted from revising the contract.
“Marquis Merelrof. I apologize, but since I don’t yet have an official seal, I will sign in its place.”
“Very well. In fact, I just finished revising that section as well. Where has the lady gone?”
“She is resting in another reception room, taking refreshments.”
At my words, the Marquis rose without reply and headed outside. Once the Marquis was out of sight, Romandro slid down the sofa with a groan.
“That stubborn old codger.”
“Was it difficult?”
“Don’t even mention it. I’ve never met anyone like that before.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Still, I defended the price well. It was crucial that I anticipated he would try to cut it sharply. He asked for different sizes of Gula to be delivered, and I granted that request at my discretion.”
At Romandro’s satisfied assessment, I smiled as well. Finally, finally the moment was approaching when I would only need to sign before selling one hundred Gula for three thousand five hundred gold coins.
‘But why is he taking so long to return?’
After a considerable time, Marquis Merelrof entered while adjusting his disheveled sleeves. No one else would notice, but I caught sight of a strand of a woman’s hair caught on his button. He couldn’t restrain himself, it seemed—he’d gotten handsy right here in someone else’s manor.
In any case, where was his dignity?
“Hmm. Yes. Have you verified everything?”
I handed him the pen and proceeded to finalize the contract.
“Yes. No issues. Then I shall sign, Count.”
“Very well. The Gula will be taken today.”
“Did you happen to bring the gold coins?”
“I can provide 1,000 gold coins now, and the remainder will be transferred through Haiman Bank. I can visit the bank while you’re selecting the Gula.”
Marquis Merelrof murmured while checking his pocket watch. One thousand gold coins—he’d apparently brought them prepared, calculating that ten coins would fit perfectly in one bundle.
I signed without hesitation, and the Count likewise retrieved his seal from his inner pocket to complete the transaction.
“Thank you, Count. Today’s transaction will be a meaningful moment for both our territories.”
“Hmm. Yes. Let us begin selecting the Gula.”
“Outside, gather the workers. We will pack one hundred bundles.”
“Bring the sacks! Sturdy ones that stretch well! And bring the boxes from the carriage!”
Once the contract was sealed, the manor’s servants bustled about frantically. At the Count’s orders, the servants unloaded chests from the carriages one after another. What three grown men struggled to carry was one thousand gold coins—they had arrived divided among four carriages.
“Gasp!”
When the box was opened, a brilliant golden gleam spilled out from within, and all the servants who saw it froze. Then they quickly looked back at me in bewilderment.
“In all my days, I’ve never seen so many yellow things gathered together except for corn kernels. Wow…”
“W-w-what should we do with this?”
I also checked my pocket watch and gave instructions. The Count seemed preoccupied, rummaging through the Gula warehouse with his own servants.
“Load the chests back onto the carriages. We depart for the bank immediately. All of you assist Marquis Merelrof and his men in moving one hundred bundles of Gula.”
“Eek! One hundred bundles?”
“Did I mishear just now, sir?”
“Since they will select and pack what they want in the quantities they desire, there is no great hardship for you.”
It was the responsibility of Merelrof’s people to ensure the bundles were sturdy and of appropriate size. The servants merely needed to supervise and guide from the sidelines.
“You mention a bank…”
“Is there another bank in Bariel? Haiman Bank.”
At my firm words, the servants loaded the chests onto the carriages once more. Then, leaving the now-chaotic manor behind, they departed through the main gate.

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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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