Episode 245
The Haiman Mansion, a modest palace at the city’s heart.

Though it subtly implied that the duke’s power rivaled that of the royal family, it was also a genuine compliment to the mansion’s grand and splendid exterior—truly palace-like.

Thousands of pyeong of manicured lawns, gardens tended beautifully through every season, and pristine white walls that resisted rain and snow alike.

The elderly gardener, as always, stood facing the main entrance of the manor, offering a silent prayer of thanks.

But then—

“Hm?”

A procession of carriages approached through the distant front gate.

Yesterday, the master hadn’t returned, they said. Could it be he’s finally coming home? And behind him, his close friends? No wonder the atmosphere in the mansion had felt so subdued lately.

Clatter, clatter!

Whinny!

The old man removed his hat, frowning deeply. Strange. Why did the carriages keep coming without end? Behind them rode horsemen, and behind those, armed soldiers marched in step.

The gardener’s hat slipped from his hand as he hurriedly loaded his tools onto a cart.

“Hey! Hey, you there!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

His frantic gestures caught the attention of the servants resting in the garden, whose alarmed chatter summoned the butler.

By the time the butler hurried down the central staircase, the carriages had already stopped, waiting for a response from inside.

“What is the meaning of this? Where are you from? The Duke of Haiman is currently away.”

Ignoring the fluttering royal standard, the butler demanded answers. The front gate was several minutes away, yet no prior notice had been given. This meant either they had barged in without warning or the guards had been overwhelmed.

The servants pressed anxiously against the windows, their numbers enough to make it feel like a war had broken out.

“I am Jarrett, captain of the Royal Palace Guard.”

“Ah, it’s an honor to meet you.”

“Is the Duchess of Haiman inside?”

“…May I ask the reason for your visit first?”

The butler placed a hand on his hip, signaling the servants. Understanding the cue, they rushed up the stairs to alert the Duchess and her children.

But one thing was overlooked: these royal envoys prioritized delivering notices of title revocation over searching or confiscating items.

With a crisp snap, Jarrett drew a sealed order from his coat.

“This is an imperial decree. All bearing the Haiman name must come forth and obey the solemn will of the crown.”

The butler’s face instantly paled. A glance at the document suggested the dreaded words “title revocation” were included.

Jarrett clicked his watch. His duties were piled high, and time was short.

“This is a level one emergency. If no one complies, the declaration will take effect immediately.”

“What is the meaning of this?”

At that moment, the Duchess of Haiman and Miss Melania emerged, clutching their dress hems tightly. The eldest son, the brother, was still in the study, checking for any sensitive documents.

“You are the Duchess and the young lady, I presume. I am here to deliver the ‘Temporary Revocation of Title’ order.”

“What? What did you say?”

Never in her life had she heard such a combination of words: title revocation? Temporary? An official order? But Jarrett wasted no time explaining and began reading aloud.

“Effective immediately, all ducal titles, privileges, and authorities granted to the Haiman family are temporarily suspended. This order is issued by the Prime Minister, acting on behalf of the Emperor, with approval from the royal court and executive branch.”

Was this what a thunderclap sounded like? So sudden and shocking that she was left speechless.

Jarrett motioned to the next page, indicating there was more.

“The following measures will be enforced immediately.”

First: asset freeze.

To facilitate a thorough financial investigation, no coin transactions of any kind are permitted from this moment forward. This means the noble right to conduct economic activities is suspended.

“…This includes withholding wages from all employees.”

The servants exchanged troubled glances. No pay? Then why stay here at all?

Second: forced disbandment of private armies.

All knights, mercenaries, even low-ranking guards hired for military purposes must be dismissed.

Non-nobles could employ private forces up to three times the size of their immediate family. This was a preemptive move to prevent rebellion. Nobles had gone to great lengths—even barons at the lowest rank—to build their forces.

Jarrett estimated the numbers and added,

“The Haiman direct line consists of five individuals. Reduce your forces to fifteen thousand and disband the rest.”

“What is the meaning of this! Where is my husband now? How dare you bring such an absurd order here!”

“Madam, please remain calm. This is an offense against the crown.”

“No. Wait! Just a moment!”

As the enforcers moved to enter the mansion, the Duchess raised her voice, blocking their path. The waiting servants and guards quickly gathered behind her.

“Step aside. Obstruction of official duty.”

“Wait! Before I am a duchess, I am a royal of Luswena! No one enters this house until I see my husband! Where is he? Has he been imprisoned by the crown?”

“He is not imprisoned, but detained. And…”

“Move aside! How dare you!”

“Madam, what shall we do?”

“Block them! No! Hurry, everyone—”

Suddenly—

Before the Duchess could finish, Jarrett unsheathed his sword and without hesitation, cut down the servant blocking the entrance. The white marble floor instantly stained crimson.

Melania gasped, covering her mouth as the severed head tumbled down the stairs. Jarrett ground his teeth and spoke low.

“Do you think this is a joke, madam?”

If the private armies were not disbanded, they would be forcibly subdued. That was why the captain of the Royal Palace Guard had come to Haiman—the family had the largest private force among the nobles.

Once the mansion was secured, they planned to move to the nearby training grounds. Jarrett pointed his sword at the remaining servants.

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“Eek!”

“Anyone who obstructs or resists will be cut down immediately. Those who value their lives should step back and cooperate.”

The Duchess sensed something was terribly wrong. Perhaps Prince Arsen’s magic test had failed, or succeeded but the palace’s power had been consolidated through some scheme involving Jin and Ian. She had no choice but to think so.

“Mother! Melania!”

“Brother!”

“What on earth is going on?!”

Clang! Clang!

From upstairs, the eldest and second sons rushed down, swords drawn. Whatever the situation, they now stood before their mother with bloodied blades. As the eldest charged forward, Melania spread her arms to stop him.

“No! Brother, please don’t!”

“Melania!”

“Really, no. Please.”

For now, they had to stay calm. Their priority was to observe the movements of other nobles allied with their father and understand the palace’s political climate.

If her brothers openly opposed the crown, it would only give them justification. If things were worse than expected, it could even lead to charges of treason. Without their father or brothers, they might be walking an irreversible path.

Swish.

Jarrett stepped over the fallen servant and entered the mansion. The two brothers hesitated, clearly confused.

“Wise choice, young lady.”

“Do not damage the mansion. Authority over private property belongs to the nobility.”

Jarrett gestured for his men to enter. They already seemed familiar with the layout and dispersed calmly throughout the house.

The servants pressed against the walls, whispering in fear.

“The Duchess and eldest son will accompany us to the palace. There are matters to investigate.”

Melania immediately understood why those two were singled out—they held the primary rights of succession. If their father was compromised, authority would pass first to their mother, then to the eldest son. The asset freeze was not just for investigation.

“I will come with you.”

“Melania, then I shall as well.”

“Younger brother, you must stay here and protect the mansion.”

Melania gently stopped her youngest brother, whispering. The fact that they had been forced into the Haiman mansion meant other noble houses were likely under similar pressure. They needed someone outside the palace to coordinate and unite their forces.

“In five minutes, we depart.”

“This way! The study is this way!”

“The door’s locked.”

“Bring an axe!”

“Hurry! Break it down!”

Bang! Bang! Crash!

Jarrett showed no mercy. There was no time for lengthy preparations. While they secured the training grounds, others would move the Haiman family by carriage to the palace.

Melania nodded and quickly ran to her room.

Clatter, clatter!

“Miss! What should we do?”

“Shh. Keep the others in line. If anyone tries to smuggle out valuables, report and stop them immediately. If we scatter, we’re all doomed.”

Melania spoke to her attendant as she pulled out a small jewelry box from the very bottom drawer. A faint layer of dust and smudged fingerprints lingered on the fine cloth inside—the telltale signs that she had opened it after returning from Gale’s residence not long ago.

Click.

Inside lay a half-shattered amber gemstone, a pressed red flower bookmark, and a few fragile, crumbling notes. Melania bit her lip tightly, clutching the box close to her chest as if it were a precious treasure.

“Take it.”

“Miss!”

“It’s enough. No more tears.”

If her father was in danger, then naturally, that danger came from Ian’s side. Melania silently prayed that she could somehow stop him.

‘No matter how much I think about it, too many things just don’t add up.’

On that moonlit night, she had tried to gauge Ian’s reaction outside Gale’s place, but he hadn’t flinched. Judging by what happened afterward, she had believed it was genuine.

But now, with everything as it was, she had no choice but to gamble on even the smallest chance.

“What is it?”

“A box of miscellaneous items. Would you like to see?”

“The box looks expensive.”

“Nothing in Haiman is cheap. If you prefer, I can just wrap it in cloth. It’s mostly just a bookmark and some notes from a close friend.”

Her mother was already loaded into the carriage, and her eldest brother was waiting for her. A palace official briefly inspected them but, seeing no issues, opened the carriage door.

Whirr!

Tap tap tap!

“We’ll head to the palace first.”

“All right. We’ll join you soon.”

The executor sitting beside the coachman nodded toward Jarrett. Melania glanced back at the mansion growing smaller behind them, biting her lip in despair.

“Ah, what on earth is this…?”

“Mother, it’s all right. Please calm down.”

Her eldest brother gently comforted their mother, stroking her shoulder.

The carriage soon left Haiman’s private grounds and entered the main road. As they pushed through the crowds, more carriages like theirs appeared, all heading toward the palace.

Then—

“Ah.”

Melania turned her head toward the window, noticing the bloodstains smeared throughout the carriage. These were the returning men who had gone to the central noble estates to carry out orders.

One of them sat half-dazed, drenched in blood. Jarrett’s voice echoed in her mind, asking if this was some kind of joke.

“What in the world is going on…?”

Familiar faces appeared outside the carriage. The heirs of the seven central noble houses were all gathering at the palace.