Episode 46
“…I wish you were dead.”

Mrs. Mary kept muttering those words over and over, almost as if she had lost her mind. Chel, standing frozen behind the bed, seemed visibly shaken by his mother’s state. Ian glanced at her briefly before speaking to the warriors.

“Summon Chief Kakantir and Nersarn.”

“Yes, Lord Ian.”

“I wish you were dead. I wish your body were torn to shreds so completely that no one would ever remember you existed.”

“Mother, you should stop. The investigation team is still in the mansion. If they overhear you, we’ll have no choice but to hand you over.”

Mary faltered at his words. Was it the rush of blood to her head? It almost sounded like Ian was promising to save her.

“Ian… you’re going to save us? What about Father?”

“Chel, you look terrible. Your father’s already been captured by the central army. There’s nothing we can do for him now. Do you have any belongings to take?”

When Mary heard that Derga had been taken by the central army, her legs gave out and she collapsed. Chel was no better—though it was too dark to see clearly, the shock was evident in his trembling voice.

“I—I’ll save Father.”

“What?”

His voice trembled, but the words didn’t fit. Ian barely had time to ask again before the warriors let out faint, bitter laughs. Who was saving whom, really?

“Chel, pull yourself together. Don’t you understand the situation? Deodo is dead, the steward is dead, most of the mansion’s servants are dead. And the locals blame Count Derga for the battle’s devastation. If you and your mother want to survive in Bratz, this secret place is your only option.”

The harsh truth seemed impossible to accept. Chel flinched repeatedly, glancing between his mother and the dark room. To live here forever? No, absolutely not.

Ian turned his head toward the sound of footsteps outside.

“Lord Ian, Chief Kakan and Nersarn have arrived.”

“Good. We’ll be leaving soon. Mother, Chel.”

Ian hesitated briefly, then snapped his fingers as if deciding on a course of action.

“There’s only one place left for you to go—your family home. Prepare to leave with the warriors. We’ll depart at dawn.”

“Lord Ian, where exactly is her family home?”

“Hmm? I don’t know either.”

Mary was shocked by being referred to as “that woman,” and then again by Ian’s indifferent tone. Chel answered for her, speechless.

“…P-Pontrol.”

“Pontrol? Ah, that’s north of Bratz. We’ll have to go around Merellof, so it’ll take about two weeks. The distance isn’t the only problem—there are treacherous mountain ranges.”

“Why go around Merellof? We could stop there for clothes or food…”

“Merellof has completely closed its gates. They killed the steward, too. They’ve sealed themselves off until the situation settles because they don’t want to get involved.”

Mary spun her head in disbelief at Ian’s words.

She could understand why they hadn’t helped during the standoff with the central army—if things went wrong, they’d be branded traitors too. But killing the steward? That was unforgivable.

“Merellof… killed the steward?”

“Why do you ask, Mother?”

“That woman… that’s not right. She can’t do that to me…”

She bit her nails nervously, muttering in a way that was more eerie than pitiful. The warriors exchanged uneasy glances at Ian, but he had no explanation.

“…We’re going to Merellof.”

Mary nodded as if she had made up her mind.

“Ian, before we leave Bratz, I want to stop by the main house.”

“Are you out of your mind, Mother?”

Ian’s tone said it all—stop with the nonsense. But Mary stood firm, her will unshaken.

“If we go, Merellof won’t be able to turn us away so easily. We can borrow some funds, get some help…”

Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but Ian folded his arms and watched her, silently daring her to say more.

Mary suddenly stopped and asked again.

“Derga… he’s not dead yet, is he?”

“No. Thanks to you and Chel, his execution has been postponed.”

Mary’s face brightened. Only she and Derga knew about the letter sent to the first prince, Marib. If they could just survive until the palace responded, there might still be hope.

“Yes, yes, yes…”

“Then hurry and prepare.”

“Ian, let’s go to Merellof! To Merellof…!”

“Mother, if you don’t stop, I’ll have to gag you.”

Ian turned his back, clearly done listening. The investigation team was camped in the main house—how could Mary possibly get in and out? Chel’s inability to grasp the situation wasn’t surprising; he took after his mother.

“Stay here and keep watch. I’ll go see Kakan for a moment.”

“Yes, yes. Take your time.”

“Hey, kid, you really don’t have any luggage?”

“N-No… and I’m Chel Bratz!”

Ian heard the pathetic exchange behind him as he climbed the stairs. Kakantir and Nersarn, who had rushed over after the call, opened the grass-covered entrance and took Ian’s hand.

“Is he inside?”

“Safe and sound.”

To avoid the investigation team’s gaze, they had moved the innocent Kusile here. They claimed the stables were too cramped, but luckily the team had taken the horses, so they didn’t seem to mind.

“We can leave as early as tonight.”

“Good. Let’s do that. Who’s the best rider?”

At Kakantir’s question, the warriors eagerly volunteered.

“Me, Kakan.”

“Leave it to me.”

They had to outsmart the central army and escape beyond the territory—carrying a woman and child no less.

Not only that, but they had to lure the central army far away without getting caught. It required not just riding skills but sharp situational awareness.

“Shul and Naru, you two take this.”

“Don’t worry, Kakan!”

“Finally, some action?”

“Don’t be reckless. Take them as far away as possible. Deal with Mary and Chel quietly—bury them so no one can find them.”

They couldn’t hand them over to the central army. That would mean credit for Erika and a positive evaluation from the palace.

But if Mary and Chel were quietly eliminated?

“Let those central army bastards wander the borderlands for years.”

They wouldn’t be able to return until they found the bodies. Since Mary and Chel were traitors, they couldn’t just give up on them. Even if the mission was called off, their trust would be shattered. Killing two birds with one stone.

“The sun’s setting soon.”

Kakantir nodded at the crimson sky. The warriors assigned to Mary and Chel packed water and food, changing into Bariel clothes.

“This is so uncomfortable. Why do we have to wear this?”

“Right? It’s going to tear.”

Their bulky frames made the tight clothes look ridiculous, but it was necessary. They had to hide their identity as Cheonryeo warriors at all costs. If anyone found out, they’d be branded traitors and everything would be lost.

“Bring Mary and Chel.”

“Yes, sir.”

The warriors went underground and brought the two out. Mary and Chel looked shocked at how much the mansion had changed in just a few days—the burnt, crumbling annex, the Kusile and Cheonryeo everywhere. They seemed confused, wondering if this was really Bratz.

“Long time no see, Mrs. Mary, Chel.”

At Kakantir’s greeting, they snapped their heads around. Mary’s eyes narrowed fiercely as she pulled her son close.

“It’s a shame things have come to this.”

“Cheonryeo…!”

Mary bit back a curse, swallowing her anger. Derga was still alive. They had to survive until the first prince Marib’s reply came.

They knew these people weren’t helping out of pure kindness, but still, they had no choice but to stick their heads into the tiger’s jaws.

“Everyone has their reasons. I trust you understand. Consider this our last favor.”

Mary bit her lip hard. Knowing it was a trap but stepping forward anyway—this was what that felt like. She held her son’s hand tightly and nodded.

“Good. Cover your faces with hoods.”

“This way, please.”

“Hurry!”

Ian whispered close to Mary and Chel as they moved toward the horses.

“The warriors will guide you to Pontrol, but they won’t risk their lives for you. Cooperate as much as you can and keep your heads down.”

In other words, if their safety was threatened, they’d be abandoned without hesitation. Mary glared at Ian, who just smiled.

“If you don’t like it, you can quit now.”

If they didn’t leave, they had only two choices: live like shadows in the secret storage until a miserable death, or be caught by the investigation team and executed alongside Derga.

Chel grabbed his mother’s arm, urging her to move quickly.

“Ian, you…”

“I will never forget your warm love, madam. Thank you. But I don’t think I want to see you again.”

“……”

Mary regretted it. She should have just killed him the moment she found out he existed. Or at least cut off his limbs and burned out his eyes and ears before sending him to Cheollyeo. So many chances had passed by, and yet she was filled with regret.

“Alright. Now, leave.”

“I-Ian, what about Father…?”

“Chel!”

Mary shot a sharp glare at her son, as if warning him not to speak to Ian any further. Mary and Chel pulled their black hoods over their heads and mounted their horses.

“The investigation team has started dinner and the meeting.”

“Now’s the time. Keep the front gate open.”

“Yes, understood!”

Hiiing!

The horses carrying the two thundered through the center of the estate. A few soldiers instinctively turned at the sound of the neighing, but that was all. Horses came and went dozens, even hundreds of times a day.

Tadak, tadak!

The two horses quickly entered the village, galloping down a quiet road. A few villagers glanced at their silhouettes in the darkness but paid them little mind.

“Why are they in such a hurry?”

“Yeah, and it’s getting dark, too.”

The villagers’ curiosity faded quickly, swallowed by the night. The Cheollyeo tribe members left behind at the estate, seeing the horses pass without issue, hurried to tidy up.

“Make the grass look natural.”

“Should we place some rocks?”

“No. That would only raise suspicion. Restore everything exactly as it was before.”

“Yes, understood.”

Meanwhile, Ian looked toward the lit annex. He was trying to guess why Lady Mary would return to her room even in a situation like this.

‘What on earth… did she think Merellof would help her?’

But right now, Captain Erika was using that room. Once the investigation team left with Lady Mary, it seemed Ian would have to search the place.