Chapter 255

“I-it’s… it’s home…”

Romandro stepped down from the carriage, tears welling up in his eyes from sheer emotion. Though the distance was close enough for a daily commute, it had been ages since he’d set foot outside the palace. Between the civil war and the nonstop chaos since, there hadn’t been a moment to breathe.

As he pushed aside the gate and entered, Mini, who had been watering the plants behind the mansion, came around the corner, curious about the sudden commotion.

“Who’s there? Gasp… Master?”

“Mini! Have you been well?”

“Y-yes, I’ve been fine. But…”

Mini’s gaze fixed straight ahead, unable to stop the water from the hose as it spilled over. It was no wonder—there was an enormous crowd bustling so thickly that the opposite side of the street was completely obscured.

And what were those towering carriages—more than ten of them? And those burly men with sun-kissed skin—who on earth were they?

“W-what’s going on here?”

Mini had accompanied Viviana to the palace in an extra carriage, but she couldn’t leave the mansion unattended. So she’d been managing the household alone, occasionally bringing Viviana whatever clothes or items she needed.

Romandro, delighted to see Mini after so long, kept patting her shoulder.

“They’re the Cheollyeo tribe! Didn’t you see them at the palace?”

“Cheollyeo tribe? Are they from the borderlands?”

“They’re old allies from when we were in the Hielo region. The tribe chief’s advisor is Ian’s stepfather.”

“Whaaaat?!”

Startled, Mini turned toward Romandro, and in doing so, the hose’s water drenched his pants. Romandro whimpered and took a step back.

“Mini!”

“Ah, I’m sorry!”

“It’s fine. I was going to change anyway. You know the seven central noble houses are on trial tomorrow for treason, right?”

“Of course. Tomorrow, isn’t it? Everyone in the capital knows about it. Since it’s at the palace…”

Mini’s words trailed off as she realized why the Cheollyeo tribe had come here. It wasn’t just one or two—seven noble houses were facing extinction for treason all at once. Such a spectacle was rare in a lifetime, and the empire’s citizens were buzzing with excitement, eager to witness the event from morning.

More than that, rumors had spread that Marib, Gale, and Dilaina were dead, stirring unease about the palace’s very safety.

“For now, they’ll be staying at our place. We might be a bit short on rooms, but if it gets too cramped, we can look for a short-term rental nearby. Also, some warriors will head down to Hielo first, so make sure the horses and supplies are ready.”

“Yes, understood.”

Gale had been under surveillance and protection, staying at that palace, but now that he was dead, and with the upcoming Jin’s appointment ceremony bringing foreign envoys in and out, it made sense to relocate beforehand.

As Viviana unloaded the luggage, she called Mini over.

“Mini, come here, please.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Mini dropped the hose and hurried to the carriage, where a warrior appeared and lifted the luggage with ease.

Up close, he was even bigger and more rugged than she’d imagined. Mini flung open the gates wide and welcomed the guests.

“This is Lord Nersarn, and Lady Philia.”

“Wow, even with my eyes closed, I can tell you’re Ian’s mother.”

“We’re in your debt from now on. Please take care of us.”

“Please, call me whatever you like. I’ll serve you wholeheartedly!”

As they exchanged greetings, the warriors entered, their eyes roaming the mansion with interest. The delicate, charming decorations scattered throughout seemed to mirror the owner’s personality perfectly.

“This is Romandro’s house? Oh, pardon me.”

“Ha! He’s become a true citizen of the empire—using polite words now.”

“Ha ha ha! Where should we put the luggage?”

“Inside, please! Yes, over there!”

Mini, small as her name suggested, darted between the warriors, busy tidying the front yard. Even amid the chaos, her bright blonde hair caught Ian’s eye immediately. He recognized her presence at once.

“Oh? Ian, you came along too?”

Romandro just raised an eyebrow and motioned for him to keep his voice down. They were here not only to relocate the Cheollyeo tribe but also to meet with Melania.

The trial was tomorrow. The palace was on high alert, watching the key figures of the noble houses. Once the verdict was announced, they would be taken away for execution.

Officially, they had received reports that Melania’s whereabouts were unknown and had sent someone to investigate, but in truth, they intended to meet her secretly.

“Romandro, are you going to be able to go like that with your pants soaked?”

“Ah, well… just a moment.”

“Time’s tight. I’ll head ahead. Follow when you can.”

“Understood. You know the way?”

Instead of answering, Ian pulled his robe over his head and slipped away quietly, circling around to the opposite side. He turned corner after corner, passed closed shops, and finally reached the nearby park.

In front of the clock tower, two chairs were placed back to back.

He chose one and sat down, glancing up at the ticking second hand.

Perhaps because of the big event tomorrow, the area was unusually quiet, like the calm before a holiday. When had he last enjoyed such peaceful stillness? Ian sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

“Are you alone?”

A familiar female voice came from behind.

It was Melania. For a noble daughter of a duke’s house, she was surprisingly skilled at moving silently. Had she learned it to survive? Ian smiled faintly in response.

“Yes. But Romandro will be here soon.”

“You’ve heard, then?”

“Hm. You mean the rumors that Sero cooperated with Haiman in the rebellion? Or that your younger brother and Lady Alenara were… involved?”

There was no way he didn’t know. These days, Ian’s mornings began with reading letters brought on silver platters by his attendants. Nobles were accusing each other left and right.

Like a snowball rolling downhill, the situation worsened daily. The letters grew thicker, and gossip of fistfights wasn’t uncommon.

Everyone should have stopped by now, but they couldn’t. It was a runaway train of broken desires. Ian smiled wryly and shook his head.

“Honestly, I’m surprised. Their shared past is far more secretive than I imagined. They know things even the palace doesn’t.”

Most of the information nobles leaked was fabricated, but among the lies, there were gems.

Unexpectedly—or rather, in times like this, thankfully—their slander helped uncover hidden assets.

“Is that so?”

“Especially with Lord Eijain. Back then, half the investment in Haiman was paid in Ruswena currency. We confirmed that the declared amount was underreported due to exchange rate differences.”

“What about the punishment?”

Melania asked cautiously. In this tense atmosphere, the royal family’s stance was crucial. If they took a hard line…

‘It could backfire. A cornered rat bites the cat, and there are more rats like me than you think. They’ll gather courage and strike.’

If so, voices opposing the punishment of Haiman and the seven houses would grow louder. The nobles would realize they were rats and that their opponent was a cat.

They wouldn’t seek the cat’s favor but would band together as rats. And then… then…

Would they not hope for the triumphant return of the seven great houses?

Melania quietly crushed her fingernails beneath her robe. The possibility was slim, but the mere chance was precious.

“The whole country’s spirit is drained by the seven houses’ trial. Punishment? No. Missing amounts can be filled in, and if there’s no legal issue, it’s best to just let it go.”

But Ian’s reply left no room for doubt.

Melania lowered her head, pressing her palm to her forehead. A cool breeze blew, but she felt a flush rising. Constantly on edge to survive, it was only natural.

“Do you want the palace to dance with swords here?”

With everyone trying to kill each other, the palace watching from above was quite pleased.

Showing mercy instead of punishment, gaining psychological and practical advantage—that was a successful step toward the throne. The path Jin would take to the imperial seat.

“Exposing their corruption, and the royal family knowing it—that alone is enough.”

“…I sense satisfaction in your words. So, as you suggested, will you spare me?”

“Yes. But the trial’s outcome is strict. It’s a standard for past, present, and future generations. I won’t make exceptions.”

Ian was telling her to leave Bariel. Melania clenched her fists as if she’d expected this and nodded.

“…Yes. I will leave.”

“Once you disappear, pursuers will come. That’s not my concern. Handle it as you see fit.”

“I don’t expect otherwise.”

“Good. I’m glad you don’t.”

“Just… help me cross the border safely.”

Ian neither accepted nor refused outright. They sat back to back in silence for a moment. Melania was the first to break it.

“Ian, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Go ahead.”

“If I survive until the end… won’t you be afraid?”

She was a survivor from a family wiped out in the civil war. What if she managed to rise again and threaten Bariel? It was entirely possible—and Ian wouldn’t have missed it if that were the case.

“Why should I be afraid?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’ve shown you kindness. So why should I fear you?”

It was a reminder to face reality.

You mustn’t harbor ill will toward me—more precisely, toward Bariel. Surviving a civil war is a rare grace, a miracle. Repayment, not revenge, is the rightful course.

And above all—

“Your goal was to save your family. If you had simply begged to keep your life, I wouldn’t have made this offer. Your life means nothing to me, but a prosperous family means everything to Bariel.”

Family—that was glory beneath the nation.

Knowing that Melania ultimately desired this, Ian willingly gave her the chance. Well, truth be told, the circumstances just happened to align perfectly.

“…Very well.”

“Melania, remember this deeply: you are alive because of Bariel.”

A hundred years later, the Haiman family still existed. Though their lineage had been broken, a single breath survived—and the future remained uncertain.

They say no matter how much you struggle, you can’t change fate. Yet Ian suspected Melania’s story wouldn’t end here.

Whooshing.

Instead of a reply, only the sound of the wind came. Ian turned his head and looked back, only to find an empty chair. She was gone.

Leaning back, Ian raised his hand.

A soft swish.

“Stay close.”

A man emerged from the shadows of the bushes—Romandro, a special operative handpicked by the palace.

If Melania, with no wealth or allies, was to survive alone, where would she go? Whom would she seek?

“Don’t forget to report every two weeks.”

Swish.

Most likely, she’d head toward the Rutherford Guild. If Melania drifted that way, Ian only needed to follow her trail.

At Ian’s command, the knight vanished like the wind.

Just like Melania had disappeared—in an instant.