Chapter 247
Chapter 247
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Melania's Plea
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ian recalled the day he had faced Melania.
In front of Gail's chambers, bathed in brilliant moonlight, her flushed face as she called his name so intimately. It had been as familiar as greeting an old friend.
He had thought it might just be a slip from drink, but no matter how he thought about it, that didn't seem right. To utter the name of a traitor's house—Bratz—once more.
'Could the bastard Ian have had some connection in Bratz?'
He couldn't know. How could Emperor Ian possibly know the past of the bastard Ian?
As Ian's brow furrowed ever so slightly, the attendant took a step back. He judged that the mood was soured by summoning those facing title revocation and extermination.
"My apologies. Should I refrain from speaking further?"
"No. It's fine. Handle the duties, then see her in the remaining time. Isn't Lady Melania the youngest daughter of House Haiman? Have her brothers all entered the palace as well?"
"Only the lady and the eldest son have entered the palace."
"Many families leave the second son behind like that. Investigate and keep track of their numbers. Ensure they can't rally."
"I will convey that."
The field executioners were men who earned their keep on such tasks. Whether tying up carriages or whatever else, they would surely perform their roles well. But what harm in being cautious?
With a light wave of his hand, Ian sent the attendant fully retreating out of sight. He bowed his waist and met Jin's gaze.
"Your Highness. The palace soldiers are carrying out their roles splendidly. Already, the heirs of seven houses have entered the palace. I must go to receive them as well."
"I was thinking of going with you..."
Jin trailed off as he scanned Ian's face. Ian responded with a playful smile. It meant no.
"...It won't work, will it?"
"Why do you think it won't?"
Mischievous. He had just conveyed it with that smile.
Jin paused, resting his chin on his hand in deep thought. Tick-tock, time passed, distant footsteps of attendants came and went several times, but Ian waited patiently without urging the boy.
Soon, Jin spoke.
"With the title revocations, I've already shown a strong intent to check the nobility. Though limited to Haiman and their faction, the other nobles are on high alert as well. That's why we brought in House Serro—to prevent that."
It was more convenient to frame it as the palace versus Haiman, rather than the imperial family versus the nobility.
The palace housed the imperial family, but also bureaucrats, some with titles.
By putting nobles like Serro at the forefront, the intent was to dilute the backlash, checks, and wariness directed at the palace.
"I believe showing my face just enough and then withdrawing will help foster that atmosphere. Plus, I'm still too young to be in the investigation room—"
The sole heir who faced no checks. No danger in staying back.
Jin swallowed the last part without voicing it. Ian placed a hand lightly on his chest and offered a palace-style salute.
"If that is Your Highness's intent and judgment, then gladly."
Ian signaled the attendants following at a distance to escort Jin. Knowing their destinations differed, they slowly split into two groups. Among them, Xiaoshi moved toward Jin.
"Move with Xiaoshi without fail. We'll meet again soon."
"Yes. Take care."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Ian turned the corner and vanished first. Numerous attendants and guards followed behind. Jin watched the sight for a moment, then glanced out the window.
"...Xiaoshi."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Let's go to where Mother is."
Arsen's poison was so thick and potent it threatened even mages. A snake living in hiding could kill a human with it, yet Arsen was a centuries-old magical beast. One that had boldly infiltrated the palace to decay Bariel. It was only natural a mere human body couldn't withstand it.
'If even Lord Ian mentions Mother, it means her condition has reached a dire end.'
Jin drew a light breath and stepped forward briskly. It was toward the annex where Dillaina stayed.
Xiaoshi and the attendants following the boy kept a greater distance than usual. In case the dignified, sole imperial heir might show a side he didn't wish seen.
* * *
Melania unconsciously fiddled with the jewelry box on her lap. Her mother and eldest brother had moved for investigation, but hours had passed with no word.
She bit her lip finely while staring at the firmly shut door. It felt like being thrown alone into a beast's lair. Even asking after her family's whereabouts, the attendants were tight-lipped as if tongueless.
'Was the Bratz signal too weak?'
What if Ian ignored her audience?
What then?
Contacting Gail wouldn't be a bad choice either. Unaware even that Gail was dead, she endlessly devised and discarded countless plans, flicking her fingernails.
'The mana confirmation ritual—that's when things went badly wrong. Likely, they found Prince Arsen's mana to be false. Enough to involve imperial insult or even the throne's legitimacy.'
Knock knock.
"Minister Ian Hielo has arrived."
"……!"
The sudden announcement. Melania nearly gasped but quickly composed her expression, smoothing her dress hem. Chin up, back straight, unwavering gaze—perfect.
The door opened, and Ian entered alone, having dismissed the attendants.
"Greetings, Minister Hielo."
"It's been a while. Palace duties have been overwhelming, hence the delay. Understand I can't spare much time."
Not one or two, but seven houses entire. Investigating them all at once made it true, not mere courtesy. Ian sat on the sofa, legs crossed, gloves still on—deliberately so.
"And Melania, just so you know in advance. Bratz was erased from Bariel's map long ago for treason. To dare utter that name in the palace. It's quite dangerous conduct. Especially in the current situation."
Everyone in the palace was bloodshot-eyed for any pretext. To speak the name of a house exterminated for treason directly to Ian, its survivor?
It was as good as handing Ian her noose. With no other options, she had no choice.
"But had I not, would Lord Ian have granted me this audience?"
Ian lowered his gaze to the jewelry box on the table. All Haiman assets were surely seized—what was this? Given Melania's demeanor so far, not some primary bribe...
Who knew, though. Desperation bred judgment errors aplenty.
"Very well. Let's hear it. What is it you bring me about 'that territory.'"
Melania swallowed dryly. Her heart pounded wildly from tension. She felt to her bones how crucial and precious this moment granted her was.
Beyond her family's lives, a chance to decide her house's fate. Melania knew she must stay sharp and act with dignity now more than ever.
"First, allow me to say this."
"Anything."
"I am here as a member of House Haiman, solely to prevent our house's fall. I want nothing else."
Even at any cost, Melania wished to protect her house. Haiman—that great and noble name—was her root, her origin.
Ian twitched his brow and countered steadily.
"Is that so? I'm here precisely to bring down your house. I want nothing else."
"Lord Ian."
Melania ignored his words with effort and posed the key question. Her deep gaze peered into his green eyes, as if to read his soul.
"Do you remember? Some time ago, I was rude in front of Prince Gail's chambers."
"Of course. How could I forget."
"I have a friend I bonded with in Bratz."
"In Bratz? How did House Haeman's youngest daughter go to such a frontier? Surprising. Sounds like a lie."
Ian smiled thinly, pointing out the credibility issue.
Didn't it? Common sense, after all.
"I spent most of my childhood in Ruswena. And in the year I turned ten, I returned to Bariel. Via Hawan Kingdom."
"Hawan Kingdom. Hawan Kingdom. For a marriage alliance?"
"Yes. Like my mother. Those pushed out of Ruswena's succession scattered to neighboring countries. My cousin brother went to Hawan as a groom. I was scheduled to attend the wedding and return to Bariel."
Naturally, the escort and transport for that schedule fell to Rutherford, with whom Haiman had long traded.
"Rutherford—you know them?"
"Of course. The merchant group that supplied Prince Marib's amber mana stones during the rebellion. Said to have several alchemists."
"Is that really all?"
Melania bit her lip slightly, pleading. Ian merely lifted his head with a calm gaze, as if clueless to her intent.
Her breathing grew a bit ragged. Likely from excitement, frustration, tension, and such.
"I asked if that's really all."
"Melania. I don't know what you're talking about."
"I met a boy in Bratz with blond hair, green eyes, and pale skin. Honestly, it's old, so his face isn't clear. But Lord Ian—the moment I saw you, the fog cleared in my mind."
Ian smiled whitely. Well now? Was Melania scheming, or had the bastard Ian truly crossed paths with her?
"So I thought calling your name like back then would make you recognize me."
"You must be mistaken, my lady."
"I thought so too. But no matter how I think, it's too perfect a fit for coincidence. How many boys your age in Bratz had your looks? And that ability."
Ability. Melania glanced at Ian's gloved hand and murmured firmly.
"Who else could have it?"
Ian spread his hand. Come to think of it, Philia had mentioned in a letter.
When bastard Ian was very young, he'd gone on an errand to a merchant group and received a red flowerpot. The giver had praised Ian greatly, saying he had 'talent.'
"Did I ever show mana?"
Indeed, bastard Ian was a mana user too. As Ian leaned toward that conclusion, Melania flipped open the jewelry box, revealing a note, pressed flower, and amber mana stone. Ian recognized the pressed flower at once.
Silask.
The flower said to bloom eternally once flowered.
"Why keep pretending not to know?"
"My lady."
"...This. You made it, Ian."
Melania pressed the amber mana stone into Ian's hand, whispering desperately. Pleading for him to acknowledge it.
"So Rutherford praised you too. Said you had talent. Why keep pretending you don't remember? You even swore on the mana stone. Why...!"
Melania now seemed convinced, determined to believe that childhood friend was Ian.
The amber mana stone, split in half. Ian murmured unwittingly.
"Ian... made this?"