Episode 251

Melania, once the shining star of high society—the youngest and only daughter of the Haiman family, always the center of attention with her stunning beauty and graceful presence.

She had long been accustomed to countless gazes, thriving amid endless social situations. But never before had she felt anything like this. A cold sweat trickled down the nape of her neck.

“…I didn’t realize you were eating.”

Each of the four men looked at her in their own unfiltered way. Beric was chewing meat without so much as blinking, as if he were simply ‘watching a show.’ Romandro surveyed the entire atmosphere, his gaze fixed intently on her.

And then there was Xiao, standing behind them—a spectacle in his own right. Though his head was bowed, it was clear he was ‘on alert,’ sensing her presence with every fiber of his being.

And then there was Ian—

“It’s quite alright, my lady. Lately, I’ve been so busy that I don’t set aside specific meal times.”

It was a calculated observation.

Perhaps because Melania had heard Ian’s words before entering, his casual way of cutting through the food felt utterly unreasonable. She pictured the arena’s master, feasting on delicacies while those who had staked their lives fought to the death. Only days ago, she had been no different from them.

“Eat up, Beric.”

“Yeah. Wow, this is really good.”

Despite the arrival of a guest he had personally summoned, Ian didn’t pause his meal. It was rude, yes—but could such a thing even be considered rude between them?

Melania understood exactly what Ian’s behavior meant: a reminder of her place, an absolute hierarchy, and a subtle show of dominance.

She glanced down at the carpet beneath her feet. Though they shared the same space, this was the dividing line—her position was worlds apart from theirs.

She was a contender, fighting to survive in the arena. Ian was the one looking down, enjoying the spectacle. She had to accept that.

‘…Even the sun doesn’t last the whole day. Human power is no different. It wanes, then rises again if you wait. Wait, and it will rise. That is the truth.’

She clenched the fist hidden beneath her dress sleeve. Then, stepping back, she bowed politely. Since Ian had called her first, it was only proper to wait for him to speak. At least, in this current hierarchy.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes. Thanks to your consideration.”

Ian’s green eyes missed nothing in her every movement. With a light question, he set down his fork and knife—a signal that the meal was over. Beric, oblivious, kept scraping his plate.

“Lady Melania, about the proposal you made.”

The offer to save the Haiman family in exchange for everything, including revealing Ian’s past. Melania swallowed dryly, clinging to a faint hope.

“No matter how I think about it, it just doesn’t add up.”

“Sir Ian.”

“It would be best to discuss the details.”

“…What do you mean?”

Did that mean the Haiman family could be saved if they worked out the details? If so, she would do anything. There was nothing she wouldn’t do.

As hope filled her, a sudden thought snapped her out of it. The name Serro came to mind—the analogy of Haiman as the champion and Serro as the challenger.

If so, the details must involve Serro.

“First, the biggest part of your proposal was the bank shares and tax burdens. But if the Haiman family falls, those naturally revert to the palace. It’s more advantageous for us to burn the roots to the ground than to keep Haiman alive.”

Without Haiman, all those assets would be absorbed. Of course, a portion would be granted as favors to remaining nobles like Serro.

Haiman’s gamble was precisely on this small margin—the profits that would fall to other nobles instead of the palace. If they could protect that, the champion’s defense would succeed; if not, the challenger would claim the honor.

Melania’s head burned with thought. Right now, that is…

“You’re saying I have to prove a value greater than Serro’s.”

“Would you be satisfied with anything less? You’re traitors. Make your worth so overwhelming that I’d consider sparing someone like you, Melania.”

One person. Melania mulled over that word. It meant she couldn’t save her father, the duke, or the rest of her family.

She clenched her fist tighter. Her nails bit into her palm, but the pain sharpened her mind rather than dulled it.

“Is there something else you want?”

To gain something, sacrifice was inevitable. And this was nothing less than treason. Melania knew that Ian giving her this chance was already remarkable. Perhaps their past connection played a part beyond the political situation. She couldn’t be sure.

“No, what could I possibly want from Haiman? Do as you please.”

“…If I do, will you allow me to leave the palace?”

“Melania, the palace never claimed you as its own. Leaving the mansion was your choice.”

Whether she left or not was irrelevant. Her younger brother remained at the estate, under palace guard surveillance. Though confined until the trial, he still enjoyed some measure of freedom.

‘No demands, just do as I please?’

Melania’s mind raced. The opponent was Serro—backed by Ian and set to reap the benefits.

In other words, Serro was like a favored fighter, cherished by the arena master. And yet, she was told to prove her worth by surpassing him.

‘To prove I’m better than Serro, it’s easier and more certain to bring him down than to show something myself. Ian must know that. Is this a move to keep him in check?’

If true, it was terrifying. The seven noble houses were still standing. Instead of uniting to finish the job, they were sharpening their knives against each other.

But it also meant the seven houses’ downfall was inevitable. Those in power were already preparing to eliminate their own allies. That was how they survived.

“Sir Ian, I have a question.”

Melania cautiously glanced at Romandro and the others before speaking. This was a minor deal—cutting off limbs but leaving the throat barely open. In this situation, why hadn’t Ian asked about the pumpkin-colored gem?

“Why don’t you ask?”

Secrets hold power only when few know them. Melania knew this well and asked indirectly.

Romandro and Beric looked puzzled, staring at Ian, who leisurely brewed tea.

“Melania, you have nothing now.”

“……”

“No honor, wealth, or authority. So your past is your only bargaining chip, your offense and defense.”

He didn’t ask because he already knew. Like the saying goes, ‘If you’re thirsty, dig a well.’ Ian, having secured complete dominance, had no need to probe further. Had he pressed, Melania would have surely seized the opportunity.

“Besides, honestly, I’m not that curious.”

Ian set down his teacup with a sly smile. Half a lie, half the truth. Even if the illegitimate Ian was connected to Idgal, it was manageable if handled well. If it became a problem, judging by what Melania revealed, it would likely be minor.

“Then, you may leave. The palace guards will escort you to the mansion.”

Ian nodded, ending the one-sided conversation.

Melania couldn’t bring herself to say more. She gracefully grasped the hem of her dress and gave a stiff bow. Subtly tense.

Creak.

Thud!

As Melania left, Beric wiped the grease from his mouth and eagerly sliced the remaining meat. He’d tried to eat quietly with a guest present, but no one had noticed—that was his only flaw.

“Ian, does letting Melania go like that really mean anything?”

“Are you worried she’ll run off to Luswena?”

“No, not that. The palace guards will watch her. And besides, if Luswena takes her in, isn’t that to our advantage?”

They had accepted someone guilty of treason. No one could raise diplomatic issues.

This wasn’t just about Luswena. No neighboring country would aid the seven houses’ escape. That would be a declaration of war against Bariel itself.

“I just wonder if it matters. Their assets are frozen, and all key members are in palace custody. What could she do outside? It’s no different from being thrown naked into the streets.”

“Even naked, those who survive, survive.”

“Well, coming from you, that sounds pretty credible.”

Born a lowly illegitimate child, sold to the desert, and returned alive. He rose quickly to nobility and became central to the palace. When someone rewriting legends says that, there’s little to argue.

Romandro just shook his head, crunching on Gula seeds.

“I’m not worried about Lady Melania, not at all.”

“I know. Why would Lord Romandro concern himself with someone accused of treason?”

Even if one loses family, fortune, everything, those who are determined will find a way. Is it mere coincidence that Haiman still stands a hundred years later? Perhaps it’s because a single, unwavering wish survived—persisting stubbornly through the years—to shape the Haiman of a century hence.

Whatever the case, under Jin’s rule, Bariel must remain free of discord. Every member of Haiman except Melania, the nobles who foolishly fail to grasp the situation, and even foreign powers lurking in the shadows, all must be kept in check.

Clink.

Ian smiled faintly and lightly tapped his teacup.

*    *    *

“Hahaha! As expected of the Serro family.”

“Yes, yes. I knew, of course. When was it? On the day of the First Prince’s execution, didn’t you meet Lord Ian in the greenhouse?”

“You knew about that?”

“Of course. It was quietly known among us.”

“His Highness Jin was there too.”

“Oh! The next emperor, His Highness Jin, will be recorded as the first to pay his respects to your family.”

“Is that something they actually record? Hahaha!”

The Serro estate, which could be described as serene or, less kindly, desolate, was now bustling with guests it had never before hosted. The aging butler was nearly overwhelmed, rushing to gather the coats of the seemingly endless stream of visitors.

Serro, pleasantly drunk, pulled out a cigarette. Immediately, those around him all offered their lighters.

Sigh.

What kind of luxury is this? Not long ago, Serro was barely noticed, almost invisible. Now, everyone was fawning over him, desperate to stay in his good graces.

“So, will you be taking over the Haiman family’s banking business? I suppose you’ll be bidding on it, then?”

“Ahem. I’m not sure of the details yet…”

Serro started to say more but shook his head. No need to spoil the mood here.

“Lord Serro, when you have time, how about introducing me to your sister?”

“Oh, come now. You’re about to become a duke! Shouldn’t you at least aim for Lord Ian’s rank—or better yet, the imperial family?”

“The imperial family?”

“Yes. Since Haiman is both noble and royal, it wouldn’t be impossible for the Serro family to join their ranks.”

At that, Serro inhaled deeply on his cigarette.

It wasn’t entirely wrong. If Haiman disappeared and the current trend continued, Serro’s family would become the leading noble house. Then, the marriage proposal Ian had rejected might be brought up again.

“Hahaha! Ha!”

Serro couldn’t hide his amused grin and burst out laughing. The others, awkwardly watching, soon joined in. The room overflowed with hollow compliments, flattery, and false praise.

Then—

Rrrrkk.

“Oh, so everyone’s here.”

“Welcome. Have you received the Golden Word spell?”

“I was delayed in line, so this is it. Haha.”

A noble who had left the palace later joined the group, handing his coat to a servant as he spoke.

“By the way, I heard Lady Melania also left the palace. Lord Serro, do you know why?”

“Hm? Melania?”

“Yes. I saw her carriage leaving.”

Everyone turned to Serro in surprise.

The youngest daughter of the Haiman family leaving the palace in perfect health?

But Serro only tilted his head in puzzlement and continued smoking his cigarette.