Chapter 534
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Ian Bratz.
The illegitimate son of the disgraced Bratz Count, the very man who had kept Erica—the former investigation squad leader—trapped, unable to return to the palace, now stood right before her.
She instinctively denied it, but deep down, she already knew. There was a certainty behind Ian’s casually dropped words.
Her voice trembled uncontrollably, yet Erica barely had the luxury to notice. After struggling and barely surviving for ten long years, she had finally stepped into the palace—and on her very first day, this happened.
“If you’ve forgotten, that’s a problem in itself.”
Ian approached her slowly, tilting his chin up slightly—a gesture that seemed to express surprise at seeing her again. Here, in the palace, as part of the Hwan delegation?
In truth, it was more accurate to say he hadn’t cared much because she was insignificant.
“Have you lost your memory?”
“Ah.”
That’s it.
Erica caught a small clue in Ian’s hint. If she officially resumed her role as the palace investigation squad leader, the burden she’d bear would be crushing. Not only for failing to carry out the emperor’s orders but also for dereliction of duty over a long period, and the responsibility for the deaths of her squad members.
And if she claimed to be part of the Hwan delegation? Not just any identity, but the investigation squad leader’s—that would be treason. The blame wouldn’t fall on her alone but would also spill over onto Shatima, who had taken her in and helped her.
So, it was better to claim some kind of irresistible force—something neither here nor there—
“You’d be better off if you had lost your memory. You’ve become quite refined.”
A small taunt. A challenge, really: “Come on, try pretending you’ve lost your memory. I’m curious to see what kind of pathetic spectacle you’ll make.” Ian was a man who had seized power in the palace, where truth was distorted; the one responsible for the mass-produced truth serum; and someone who remembered Erica’s past clearly. He had the means. More than enough.
Ian smiled playfully, and without realizing it, Erica bit her lower lip. She could almost hear the humiliating sneer from the Bratz estate ringing in her ears.
“Your way of speaking is impressive. Unexpected. These days, even investigation squad leaders come from commoner stock, I see.”
Erica snapped her head sharply to glare at Ian. He feigned surprise and raised both hands in mock surrender. What a hypocrite. Though most of his face was hidden behind a veil, his hostile feelings were impossible to hide.
Ian studied her for a moment, then said casually,
“No, you’re the same as ever.”
“…”
‘Damn you, you bastard!’
How should she respond? A thousand scenarios flashed through Erica’s mind, but every outcome was grim.
When she didn’t answer, Ian leaned his shoulder against the wall, adopting a more relaxed posture. He was making it clear there was no need to bother with a former investigation squad leader who had been missing for years and just barely survived.
“You could have lived quietly, like a mouse, going about your daily life. So why come back? You must want something to risk all this.”
A reinstatement to the palace? Or the authority over the Bratz domain, long since lost? Or perhaps her own death?
Ian pulled out a pocket watch and checked it, signaling he didn’t have much time to spare.
“…All of it.”
“Tsk. What a waste of time.”
Not a waste of Erica’s ten years, but Ian’s own few minutes—too worthless to even listen to. He regretted even starting this conversation.
As Ian turned to leave, Erica hurriedly stepped in front of him. Then, she lifted her veil, revealing her face. If this conversation ended like this, it would truly be over.
“What’s your intention?”
“That’s what I asked first, Erica.”
“…The pride of being the investigation squad leader. The pride of carrying out the emperor’s orders personally. Even though all my subordinates are dead and I’ve long been forgotten here, that pride that made me who I am hasn’t disappeared.”
“Get to the point.”
“I don’t want reinstatement. I only want my honor restored.”
“Is there any honor left to restore? You failed to carry out the emperor’s orders. And look at what you’re wearing—what country’s clothes are those?”
“This—!”
Erica clenched her teeth and muttered,
“It was a means to return to Bariel. No matter what, I am Barielian.”
“Hmm.”
Ian stared at her intently. He had found a crack in her usefulness.
Shatima couldn’t have missed such a clear identity. Yet, despite that, including Erica in the delegation and bringing her to the palace meant he had his own reasons. Perhaps he hoped Erica would serve as a bridge between Shatima and the palace?
“What did you bring with you?”
Shatima must have had good reason to think Erica, whose true nature was exposed, might still have something valuable.
“You wouldn’t have come back empty-handed.”
“Why should I give it to you?”
“I believe there will be a chance to present it directly to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. People don’t change that easily, after all.”
Foolish.
He dragged out this brief insult at length. Erica clenched her fists tightly and stepped closer to Ian.
“You haven’t changed either.”
“Can’t you tell just by looking?”
What’s different now from the last time she saw him?
‘If Shatima wants to connect with the palace through Erica, it means she’s already wisely assessed her situation in Hwan. Officially, Hwan may support Burgos and enter the war, but at least the Prime Minister’s faction can be pulled toward Bariel. Division is possible.’
Ian smiled with satisfaction as he looked at the firmly closed waiting room. Seeing that, Erica’s eyes narrowed in displeasure.
Tap, tap, tap!
“I-Ian! No, Lord Ian! Lord Ian!”
At that moment, Romandro’s voice echoed from the end of the corridor, accompanied by hurried footsteps that reverberated through the space. It was clear something urgent had happened.
“What is it?”
“Big trouble! Big trouble! Wait, what?”
Romandro, who had been reporting, stopped when he saw Erica’s face. He seemed to recognize her but couldn’t quite place her. Ian’s concern suddenly made sense. Romandro furrowed his brows and scrutinized Erica’s face, forgetting all manners, as if meeting an old classmate after a long time.
“…Ah, what is it? Where have I seen you? You’re easy to talk to but something’s off. Did you graduate from Bariel University? You’re from Hwan, so you wouldn’t have grown up in Bariel, right?”
“Lord Romandro.”
“Oh, sorry! Sorry! It’s just that your face is so familiar it caught me off guard. It’s nothing, really. Ako was guiding the Luswena delegation, but—”
Romandro whispered urgently into Ian’s ear, as if about to lose his mind.
“There’s a dragon.”
“…Excuse me?”
“A dragon exactly the same color as Beric’s head! Those Luswena people must be crazy. They’re not in their right minds. They came riding that instead of horses? The empire’s citizens were celebrating and everyone was shocked. Reports keep coming in. We should hold an audience first and then announce how to deal with it.”
Seeing such nonsense as a tribute, it seemed Eldert shared a cause with Erifoni. Ian nodded that he’d be there soon.
Romandro, who said he’d go ahead, passed by Erica and scratched his chin in puzzlement again. Where had he seen her? Had he ever met anyone from the Hwan kingdom? No, he hadn’t…
Watching Romandro walk away, Ian said indifferently,
“As you can see, something’s come up.”
“So, how do you want to wrap this up?”
This was a matter of life and death for her; she couldn’t just end the conversation like this.
“That’s not your concern. I’ll summon Prime Minister Shatima when I have time. For now, you should report what happened accurately and pray you prove your worth. Whatever you brought must please His Highness. If not… well.”
Ian brushed past Erica and said,
“You may not live in Bariel, but at least you’ll be able to die there.”
“Wait!”
Erica grabbed Ian as if to ask one last question.
“How did you recognize me?”
Wasn’t Romandro’s reaction normal? They had met ten years ago, and now, with her Hwan attire, she had lost much of her former color. So how?
Ian shrugged off her hand as if it were nothing.
“You might remember, but my mother once told me your last whereabouts. And all this happened not long ago for me.”
“Your mother?”
If Ian’s mother meant Mary? No, he had a different birth mother. Erica’s pupils flickered wildly as she dredged up memories and recalled the blonde woman she had met in the mountains.
The last Barielian she had met before going to Hwan.
“Ah! That—!”
Now that she looked, they were almost identical. Why hadn’t she thought there was a connection back then? Probably because she never imagined Ian’s mother living secluded in those woods. Above all, her own situation had been similar—losing her subordinates and facing an uncertain future herself.
“And I am the last, Irma.”
Ian’s golden eyes flashed briefly.
“I spared you because I admired you calling yourself Barielian. Show respect and manners. I have no time for those who don’t even know the basics.”
Tap.
Ian turned coldly and passed the corner, disappearing from sight.
From a distance, Hwan’s attendants whispered among themselves, their eyes fixed on Erika. After a moment’s hesitation, Erika stepped back through the door of the VIP waiting room she had just exited.
Squeeeak.
“Holy crap, what is that?”
“A dragon.”
“You’re asking because you don’t know?”
The mages looked up at the crimson dragon with bewildered expressions. Judging by its eyes alone, it looked like it could tear a person apart alive—but then, what was with that cute little collar around its neck?
Akorella seemed unusually agitated, gnawing furiously on an unlit cigarette.
“Hey, how long are we supposed to wait here?”
“Please be patient. We’re waiting for Lord Ian.”
“Seriously, what the hell is taking him so long?”
At Repin’s grumble, Akorella rolled her eyes. Of all the people to complain about being late, they were the last ones who should say that. Was it shamelessness? Or just a terrible memory? Actually, maybe both!
The mages clung to her arms, urging her to calm down, while Romandro kept his distance, eyeing the dragon warily. Even if it had been tamed, you could never be too careful. Dogs bite people sometimes, after all.
“Lord Ian is here!”
“This way, Lord Ian!”
“Look at this! Ugh!”
As Ian descended the stairs, the mages rushed to him with tears in their eyes, silently asking how on earth they were supposed to handle this.
Only then did Repin step down from the carriage, brushing off his collar, and extend his hand to Ian.
“I’m Repin, head of the Luswena delegation. You must be Ian Hielo, Minister of Magic?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ian barely glanced at Repin’s handshake and moved straight toward the dragon. Its neck seemed long enough to reach the second floor of the grand banquet hall, but with wings like that, who knew what kind of danger it posed?
“We can’t let it inside.”
“Y-yes, of course. Lord Ian, we thought the same—”
“Wait a moment. This was sent personally by His Majesty Elder, King of Luswena. It must be presented as a tribute during the audience. How can you say it can’t be admitted? If not, is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince expected to come out in person?”
Those bastards were really pushing it.
The mages narrowed their eyes, shooting disapproving looks at the Luswena delegation.
“Do you dare demand the Crown Prince’s presence?”
“No, that’s not what I meant! I’m just saying, we can hold the audience without this creature. But if that happens, Luswena’s sincerity won’t be fully conveyed as we intend. Consider this a warning from Bariel.”
Sounds like they’re looking for a fight.
Ian gave the Luswena delegation a quick once-over. They hadn’t brought any horses with them. That meant when they left, the royal stables would have to provide horses for their return.
“Who is responsible for the dragon’s care? Any experts?”
Repin shook his head regretfully.
“Dragon specialists are few even in Luswena. They’re currently stationed at the official breeding grounds and cannot leave their posts.”
So they didn’t bring anyone.
That was basically a death sentence for the dragon. Ian met the dragon’s gaze for a moment and felt the fierce vitality shining in those clear eyes.
“Understood.”
Poor thing.
Alright then. Let’s see what you’ve got.