Chapter 247
Ian recalled the day he had faced Melania.
In front of Gale’s quarters, bathed in bright moonlight, she had called his name with a flushed, familiar warmth—as if greeting an old friend, with an intimacy that felt almost improper.
At first, he thought it was just a drunken mistake. But no matter how much he pondered, it didn’t seem that way. To utter the name Bratz—the name of a traitorous family—again?
“Could it be that the illegitimate Ian and the Bratz family share some past connection?”
He didn’t know. How could Emperor Ian possibly know the secrets of his own illegitimate past?
As Ian’s brow furrowed slightly, his attendant took a step back, sensing the tension. After all, those facing the stripping of their titles and the extinction of their clans were bound to be irritable.
“My apologies, Your Highness. Shall I refrain from speaking further?”
“No. It’s fine. Handle the tasks first, then attend to this when you have time. Melania Haiman is the youngest daughter of the Haiman family, isn’t she? Have all her brothers arrived?”
“Only her mother and eldest brother have entered the palace.”
“Usually, the second son remains with the family. Investigate and tally their numbers. We must prevent them from uniting.”
“I will relay your orders.”
The enforcers out in the field lived off this work. Whether it was securing carriages or other duties, they would perform their roles well. Still, a little caution never hurt.
With a light gesture, Ian signaled his attendant to step back and disappear from sight. Bowing, the attendant met Jin’s gaze.
“Your Highness, the palace guards are fulfilling their duties well. Seven heirs from noble houses have already arrived. I shall go and receive them myself.”
“Should I accompany you…?”
Jin trailed off, studying Ian’s face. Ian responded with a playful smile—a clear no.
“…That’s a no, right?”
“Why do you think so?”
Teasing. He had just smiled to say exactly that.
Jin paused, resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought. Time ticked by, the footsteps of attendants echoing and fading in the distance, but Ian waited patiently, showing no sign of impatience.
Finally, Jin spoke.
“I have already shown a firm stance against the nobles by stripping titles. Though it’s limited to Haiman and their faction, other nobles are on edge. That’s why you involved the Serro family, isn’t it?”
It’s easier to frame this as the palace against Haiman, rather than the imperial family against the nobles.
The palace houses the imperial family, bureaucrats, and some titled individuals.
By putting nobles like Serro, who oppose us, front and center, the backlash, resistance, and suspicion directed at the palace can be diluted.
“Showing just enough presence before stepping back will help shape that atmosphere. Besides, I’m still too young; staying in the investigation room all day isn’t ideal—”
He’s the only heir without rivals. Not stepping forward doesn’t risk being sidelined.
Jin swallowed those last words and remained silent. Ian lightly placed a hand on his chest and gave a palace-style salute.
“If that is your intention and judgment, I am willing.”
Ian gestured to the attendants trailing behind to escort Jin. Knowing their destinations differed, the group split into two slow-moving parties. Among them, Xiaosi approached Jin.
“Please stay close to Xiaosi. We will meet again soon.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
“Your Highness.”
Ian turned the corner and disappeared from view, followed by a host of attendants and guards. Jin watched them go, then glanced out the window.
“Xiaoya.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Let’s go to where your mother is.”
Arsen’s poison was so potent it threatened even the mages. Even snakes could kill humans with such venom, but Arsen was a centuries-old monster—one that had brazenly infiltrated the palace to bring down Bariel. It was no wonder a normal human body couldn’t withstand it.
“If Ian Lord mentions your mother, it means the situation has reached a critical point.”
Jin took a steady breath and marched resolutely toward the villa where Dilaina stayed.
Xiaosi and the attendants trailing the child kept a respectful distance, wary of exposing the sole and revered heir of the imperial family to any sign of weakness.
Melania absentmindedly fiddled with the jewelry box resting on her lap. Her mother and eldest brother had left for the investigation hours ago, but no word had come since.
She stared at the firmly closed door, biting her lip. It felt like being thrown alone into a den of beasts. When she asked about her family’s whereabouts, the attendants remained tight-lipped, as if their tongues had been cut out.
“Was the signal ‘Bratz’ too weak?”
What if Ian ignored her request for a meeting?
What then?
Maybe contacting Gale wouldn’t be a bad idea. Unaware that Gale was already dead, she spun countless plans, breaking them one after another, flicking her fingertips nervously.
“The magic power verification ceremony—that’s when everything went wrong. Surely, that’s where the trouble started. It’s likely that Arsen’s power was a lie. Something that could be seen as an insult to the imperial family or even threaten its survival.”
Knock knock.
“Ian Hielo, Minister, is here.”
“…!”
The sudden announcement made Melania almost gasp, but she quickly composed herself, smoothing her dress. Her jaw was firm, her posture straight, her gaze unwavering—perfectly composed.
The door opened, and Ian entered alone, dismissing his attendants.
“Greetings, Minister Hielo.”
“It’s been a while. The palace duties have been overwhelming, so I’m late. Please understand I cannot stay long.”
Seven noble houses, not just one or two. Arresting and investigating them all at once was no mere formality—it was the truth. Ian sat on the sofa without even removing his gloves, crossing his legs.
“And Melania, just so you know, the Bratz family was erased from the Bariel records long ago for treason. To dare mention that name here in the palace is a dangerous move—especially in times like these.”
Everyone in the palace was desperate to find any excuse to strike. Yet she had openly named the family that had been destroyed for rebellion, directly to Ian—the last surviving member.
It was as if she had handed her own leash to him. She had no other choice.
“But if I hadn’t done so, would Lord Ian have granted me this meeting?”
Ian’s gaze dropped to the jewelry box on the table. All of the Haiman estate’s assets were surely under seizure. What was this? Judging by Melania’s usual demeanor, it didn’t seem like a bribe…
Or maybe not. Errors in judgment born of desperation were common.
“Very well. Let’s hear it. Tell me about this ‘territory’ matter you mentioned.”
Melania swallowed hard. Her heart pounded wildly. She felt the weight and preciousness of this moment keenly.
Beyond her family’s lives, this was a chance to determine the fate of her entire house. She knew she had to stay sharp and act with confidence.
“Before that, I must say this.”
“Anything.”
“I am here as a member of the Haiman family, to prevent its downfall. I want nothing else.”
No matter the cost, Melania wanted to protect her house. The great and noble name of Haiman was her foundation, her origin.
Ian raised an eyebrow and replied quietly.
“Is that so? I am here to see your family fall. I want nothing else.”
“Lord Ian.”
Melania forced herself to ignore his words and steered the conversation.
“Do you remember? Once, in front of Gale’s quarters, I behaved rudely.”
“Of course. How could I forget?”
“I have a friend from Bratz.”
“From Bratz? How did the youngest daughter of the Haiman family end up in such a remote place? That’s surprising. Almost unbelievable.”
Ian smiled wryly, questioning the credibility.
Isn’t that reasonable?
“I spent most of my childhood in Luswena. When I turned ten, I returned to Bariel—through the Hawan Kingdom.”
“Hawan Kingdom? Because of a marriage alliance?”
“Yes. Like my mother. Those who lost the succession in Luswena scattered to neighboring countries. My cousin married into the Hawan Kingdom. I attended the wedding and then returned to Bariel.”
Naturally, the escort and transport of goods for that journey were handled by Rutherford, a frequent Haiman associate.
“Rutherford, you know it?”
“Of course. The amber gemstone trading guild used by Marib during the civil war. They say there are several alchemists there.”
“Is that really all?”
Melania bit her lip, clinging to the question. Ian simply lifted his head with a calm look, as if puzzled by her intent.
Her breath grew a little ragged. It seemed a reaction born of excitement, frustration, and tension.
“I asked if that’s really all.”
“Melania, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”
“I met a boy in Bratz—blond hair, green eyes, and pale skin. Honestly, it was a long time ago, so his face isn’t clear in my memory. But Sir Ian, the moment I saw you, it felt like a fog lifted from my mind.”
Ian smiled faintly. Well, look at this. Was Melania just playing some game, or was it possible that ‘Ian the bastard’ really had some connection with her?
“So I thought, if I called your name like I did back then, you might recognize me.”
“I think you must be mistaken, my lady.”
“I thought so too. But doesn’t it seem too perfect to be a coincidence? How many boys your age in Bratz look like you? And then there’s the ability.”
Ability. Melania glanced down at Ian’s gloved hand and muttered firmly,
“Who else could possibly have that?”
Ian opened his hand and looked at it. Now that she mentioned it, hadn’t Philia once told him in a letter? When bastard Ian was very young, he’d run an errand for the caravan and brought back a red flowerpot. The person who gave it to him praised him highly, saying he had talent.
“Have I ever shown any magic?”
So bastard Ian was a magic user after all. Just as Ian was about to dismiss the idea, Melania flipped open a jewelry box and showed him a note, a pressed flower, and an amber-colored gem. Ian immediately recognized the pressed flower.
Silask.
A flower that, once it blooms, never fades.
“Why do you keep pretending you don’t know?”
“My lady.”
“…This—this is something you made, Ian.”
Melania pressed the amber gemstone into Ian’s hand and whispered, pleading for him to acknowledge it.
“Rutherford even praised you for it, said you had talent. So why do you keep acting like you don’t remember? You even swore on this gem. Why…?”
Melania was now certain that the friend in her memories was Ian, and she was choosing to believe it.
The amber gem, split in half. Ian found himself muttering without realizing it,
“I made this?”