Chapter 102
“Lord Ian.”
The moment the carriage door opened, Lady Lien greeted Ian warmly. She was dressed in a more radiant and elaborate gown than usual, wearing a smile more perfect than ever before. With confidence, she extended the back of her hand, and Ian lightly kissed it.
“It’s been a while, Lady Lien. How have you been?”
“Very well, thanks to you. And Lord Romandro, I trust he’s doing fine?”
“Of course. It’s cold outside—please, come inside quickly.”
“Look forward to tonight’s banquet. It’s a blessed day for Merelrof, so we’ve prepared it with great care.”
Lady Lien led the way into the mansion. The hallway gleamed so brightly it was hard to believe it was the same place Ian had rushed to upon hearing the count’s death. Ian was greeted by the butler and stepped into the parlor.
“Let’s get straight to business.”
Lady Lien smiled as she placed a leather document holder on the table.
“This is the certificate for the 5,000 gold coins you mentioned. We’ve also reduced the number of soldiers to less than half of what it was, and here’s the pledge to maintain that going forward.”
“May I review the budget?”
“Of course. You can check it right here in the next room.”
Ian carefully examined Merelrof’s annual budget. It looked like Romandro’s advisors and staff had worked hard on it. Sure enough, the budget for maintaining the mercenaries next year had been neatly cut in half.
“Did the advisors say anything about this?”
“Oh my, are you worried they’ll accuse me of selling off the estate?”
“Not worried, just curious.”
The candid exchange between Ian and Lady Lien made those nearby flinch. Romandro’s men exchanged uneasy glances. It seemed like Ian’s decision to stay had stirred up some tension.
“We’re not siphoning off the budget to you, Lord Ian. The funds will go back to the estate’s people. We’re using it to cover the cost of the gulla.”
“I see.”
“If the 5,000 gold coins as a reward make you uncomfortable, just think of it as my personal expense.”
“I never said that. It’s a fair exchange.”
At Ian’s words, Romandro pulled out a letter for the royal palace report from his pocket. Lady Lien took it gracefully and read every word with sharp eyes.
Rustle—
“There’s no lies or unnecessary details. I like it. Please submit the report as is. There won’t be any investigators sent down from the palace, right?”
The report detailed the count’s death and the succession process but neatly omitted anything unnecessary—like the relationship between the slave and the lady, the slave’s punishment, or the timing of Dive’s departure from Merelrof.
“Assuming there are no issues, I’ll stamp it.”
“Yes. Could you prepare the seal?”
Romandro signed boldly and poured sealing wax. The official stamp marked the report.
“I’m truly glad to have gained such good neighbors. The people of Merelrof are grateful to Bratz, ah—”
“Not much time left before they get a new name.”
“Excuse me. Let’s be careful with our words. Anyway, the people of Merelrof are thankful to receive many foods, including gulla, from your side.”
“That’s good to hear. Winter is cold; we must gather warmth.”
“Now, the last matter.”
Ian and Lady Lien finalized the agreement granting the right of first negotiation on all transactions. Since the details had been prearranged, everything moved swiftly.
“Why was this so easy? What on earth did your husband do all day with those parchments?”
Lady Lien muttered as she set down her ink-stained pen. What had seemed meticulous before now appeared overly strict and inefficient.
“And what about Dive?”
“He’s at the annex. It’s about time to tell him to leave.”
There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in Lady Lien’s smile. After all, it was the moment to completely drive Dive out of Merelrof. Ian checked his watch as well.
“You’ve decided on the trading guild?”
“The Cheal Guild. Somehow, the big things always seem to fall into place. It’s not just the price; the guild’s reputation and skill were excellent, so we chose them.”
“And who will be sent from Merelrof to oversee things?”
At Ian’s question, Lady Lien’s eyes narrowed further. Her expression was unreadable—calm, yet slightly resentful, and somehow tinged with sadness.
“We’ll send five mercenaries, two assistant advisors, and Clark. Except for Clark, the others will return to the Hwan Kingdom after seeing Dive off.”
That made sense.
It was a way to protect Clark while making good use of him. Ian nodded approvingly.
“Since you chose them, I’m sure they’ll do well. But please double-check to avoid any setbacks. Honestly, this involves some risk on our part.”
“Don’t worry about that. They’re all highly capable.”
Especially Clark, bound by blind trust and love. As soon as Dive left for Toorun, he would surely try to take his breath away.
“Very well. Shall we go meet Dive?”
“Butler, is the carriage ready?”
“Yes, you may head down immediately.”
At the butler’s word, everyone rose and headed to the front gate. Dive, wrapped in a winter robe, saw Ian and Lady Lien and immediately shouted in excitement.
“You wicked fiends!”
Underneath the robe, shackles were fastened. They planned to escort him as discreetly and decently as possible, aware of outside eyes.
“Lord Dive, before you embark on your journey, I offer you my blessing.”
“You devilish woman! Do you think you’ll get away with this?”
“Of course not. I’ll live well, so I hope you do too. It’d be best if we never cross paths again.”
Lady Lien smiled elegantly as she spat out words anything but elegant—calling him crazy, insane, unhinged, and more. Dive hurled brutal curses back, then glared at Ian.
“You too, Ian! Dare to meddle with the Merelrof family and expect to survive? The curse of the Underworld will fall upon you!”
Ian ignored him and checked on the mercenaries and advisors preparing to depart. He made sure nothing was missing for the long journey and reminded them not to worry about bandits in the mountains.
Clack.
At that moment, a sound came from behind. Clark appeared, having removed his shackles and changed into dry clothes. He rubbed his bruised wrist and slung a large backpack over his shoulder.
“Are you ready?”
“…Yes.”
Lady Lien asked without even meeting his eyes. To a stranger, her coldness would seem like she was a complete stranger to him.
“Then let’s depart.”
That bag likely held the generous travel funds Lady Lien had prepared. Everyone climbed into the carriage, and just as Clark was about to close the door—
“…I’ll be back.”
Clark said this to Lady Lien before shutting the door. She turned away without a word and waved at the struggling Dive.
“Farewell. See you in hell.”
“Let’s go!”
With the neighing of horses, the carriage swiftly left the Merelrof estate. Lady Lien watched their retreating backs for a long moment before spinning around.
“Well then.”
She smiled as she met the eyes of Ian, Romandro, and especially his men.
“Shall we go have a meal? You’ll be seeing a lot more of Merelrof from now on, won’t you, Romandro’s men?”
“Yes. We look forward to working with you, Lady Lien.”
“The pleasure is mine. Please, help us as much as you can.”
Ian gazed absentmindedly at the black ribbons fluttering across the estate. He thought that if his former self had died, such ribbons would have been hung all over Bariel.
The lady who had been guiding the guests inside called out to Ian.
“Lord Ian? Aren’t you coming in? It’s cold.”
“Lady Lien, how did the count’s funeral go?”
She smiled brightly but didn’t answer.
As if to say, “You already know everything, so why ask?”
Whoosh!
On the way back from Merelrof to the estate, Ian’s head spun from the wine served at the banquet.
“Ian, are you alright?”
“…Romandro, your face is even redder.”
“Ahaha. Actually, I see two of your faces.”
“That’s the third time you’ve said that.”
“Really? You must be drunk. But hey… want to hear something funny? I see two of your faces.”
“……”
Romandro, happily drunk, teased lightly. Lady Lien, as if she had a barrel of alcohol inside her, was perfectly sober despite drinking with them and saw them off.
Creak!
“Ian, we’ve arrived.”
“Ah, good work. Get some rest.”
The coachman opened the door, and Ian staggered out of the carriage. Before he could steady himself, a scream erupted behind him.
“My goodness, Lord Ian!”
“Huh?”
Ian turned to see laborers carrying leather sacks approaching with worried faces.
“Oh dear, I heard you were sick, but I didn’t think you couldn’t even walk. Are you alright?”
“You must have a fever. Your face is so red.”
“It’s cold—please hurry inside.”
Sick? Who?
While Ian blinked in confusion, the laborers bowed and left. They must have been heading home late from work. Ian rubbed the back of his neck and muttered to himself.
“What on earth was that about?”
By the way, I have no idea why there’s such a pile of random things stacked up right outside the door. As Ian stepped inside, the servants came forward to take his coat.
“Welcome back, sir.”
“Thanks. But what’s all this?”
“We heard rumors that you weren’t feeling well, so the villagers sent these. They kept bringing more and more all afternoon to help you recover.”
Just like before. When Ian was attacked by those thugs, the villagers had come by to offer their support. He wasn’t sure how the rumor had started this time, but seeing their continued kindness brought a smile to his face.
“I thought there wouldn’t be much in winter, but somehow they managed to gather all this.”
Dried flowers, eggs painted with cute little watercolors, jerky, a family heirloom jar of jam—small gifts, but each one radiated warmth. Ian smiled and asked a servant,
“Please organize these and move them to my bedroom.”
“Yes, sir. By the way, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor? Who?”
There shouldn’t be anyone. Just as Ian asked, Barrick called out from the railing above.
“Ian, you’re late.”
“Barrick. Have you eaten?”
“Yeah. Philia’s here.”
“Huh?”
A woman poked her head out beside him. With golden hair and green eyes, she was the spitting image of Ian. Having grown accustomed to mountain life, she looked sturdier and healthier than before—her beauty more robust.
“Ian.”
She smiled brightly, but seeing her son after so long stirred deep emotions. Tears, like drops of dew, slipped down her cheeks and fell onto Ian’s face.
“Ian. Who is she?”
Romandro, who had just followed inside, rubbed his cold hands together and asked with curiosity. When Ian first arrived in Bratz, Philia’s existence had been kept secret from everyone to avoid any complications with the alliance of the Cheonryeo tribe.
But Romandro, coming from the palace, already knew Ian’s situation. The time when her presence was a cause for concern had passed.
“Romandro, please meet her.”
Ian said quietly, choosing to express his gratitude to the woman who had waited in the mountains and gathered the Gula for him.
“She is my mother.”