Episode 639

A woman with neatly tied black hair pulled out a pair of white gloves. The servants straightened up as if tense. It was the last task of the morning—the time for the cleaning inspection.

The butler lightly swept the windowsill while wearing the white gloves.

“…The cleaning isn’t thorough enough.”

“We apologize. We’ll redo it immediately.”

“Even though the annex is empty, it must always be kept in perfect condition. I’ve told you this many times.”

She was Hana, the head butler of the Hielo estate. After lightly scolding the servants, she ordered them to clean again.

The annex hadn’t seen a sound for nearly ten years. The household was small, and the number of servants had drastically decreased. Even if a rare guest came from the Great Desert, there were plenty of good rooms in the main building.

Creak.

Hana reached to close the open door but paused, staring at the doorknob. It was the former butler’s room—the one Ian had asked to have the key removed from. Thinking back to those days, a smile escaped her lips for some reason.

‘I wonder how he’s doing.’

During the ten years Ian had been gone, Hana had managed the estate while serving Filia, Nersarn, and Roel. She had heard miraculous news that he had returned, but there was no sign he would come back to Hielo anytime soon.

She knew well that as Minister of Magic, his duties were heavy. Central affairs kept him busy, and now he was reportedly at war in Burgos.

“Hana, butler. There’s a letter for you today.”

“Thank you, as always.”

The courier greeted lightly and left, and Hana checked the letters one by one as she walked. Most were polite notes addressed to the absent master and Filia.

Sorting what she needed to read and what to file away, Hana entered the main building.

“Butler, Nersarn is asking for you.”

Hana sighed silently. Ever since Filia and Roel had gone to the capital, it was no secret that Nersarn’s mood had soured. But what could she do? One must separate personal feelings from duty.

Nersarn seemed resigned, but in recent days he had started muttering strange things.

Knock, knock.

“Nersarn, it’s Hana.”

“Come in.”

“You asked for me?”

Nersarn sat by the window, chewing on a bay leaf. On the table lay the letters exchanged with Roel. The moment Hana appeared, he brought up the same topic again.

“I think something’s wrong with Filia.”

Despite multiple requests for a reply from Filia, she had ignored them all. Roel, too, only repeated that he was fine without elaboration. Something felt off. With the emperor and Ian both in Burgos, a gnawing fear grew that something might have happened to Filia and Roel.

Hana folded the letters neatly and replied.

“That’s not possible.”

“…Hana.”

“Ian hasn’t returned to Hielo in over ten years. During that time, Filia and Nersarn have overseen the estate. Now that Filia is gone, it would be dangerous for Nersarn to leave for the capital as well. You know the situation with Luswena and Havan isn’t stable.”

Nersarn ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Not now, of all times. You must stay. As Ian’s father, you have to hold your position. And you only recently returned to the estate together.”

“Just for a moment.”

“Without a mage’s help, the journey takes a month each way. Please don’t discuss this with my husband either—it would only complicate things.”

Hana added sharply. Her husband was a man of the Cheonryeo tribe, the same age as Nersarn. In terms of their relationship, she was something like a cousin’s wife.

From Bariel’s perspective, they were practically strangers, but among the Cheonryeo, who considered the entire tribe family, Hana was effectively one of them.

“If you go alone, it wouldn’t matter?”

“No! Ian and Kakan have entrusted full authority over the Hielo estate to Nersarn. If something happens, I can’t handle it alone—I don’t have the authority. I heard you sent a letter to the Ministry of Magic a few days ago. Wait until the reply comes.”

“Nersarn!”

“Why, Nersarn!”

The three women—Filia, Roel, and ‘me’ Hana—had Nersarn cornered. He hadn’t been like this before, but as they aged, their strictness had become excessive. Just as the two were about to raise their voices, a sound came from outside.

Knock, knock.

“Hana, butler. Lady Lien Mereloff has come urgently.”

“What? The lady herself?”

Mereloff was a neighboring estate, but Hielo held the real power there. The Mereloff lady had killed the count and gained some authority in exchange for her freedom.

Lien Mereloff showed little interest in managing the estate, so their relationship was peaceful, more like neighbors.

“What did she say?”

“I don’t know. She seemed very urgent…”

“Bring her in quickly.”

“Yes, understood.”

Hana and Nersarn exchanged glances. Mereloff’s estate bordered Havan. If the lady herself was moving, it likely meant news from that region…

“Lady, you’re here?”

“Hana, sorry for coming in such a hurry. Nersarn, ah, you’re here too. That’s a relief.”

Her platinum hair shimmered as always, her features still beautiful—ten years had barely touched her.

Lien Mereloff shrugged off her coat and got straight to the point, signaling the urgency.

“The situation in Havan is unstable.”

“What? Havan? Just a few days ago, they said things were settling down.”

Though the politically fallen Prime Minister Shatima had led a rebellion, the regime had quickly regained control and was working hard to clean up the mess.

Rumors that a royal branch backed Shatima had thrown Havan into chaos, but it felt like a new era was dawning—at least until a few days ago.

“Yes. It’s not official yet, and we’re not even sure it’s true. But merchants coming from Havan to Mereloff told strange rumors as they left.”

“What rumors?”

“That Prime Minister Shatima is dead.”

“What?!”

The rebel leader was dead—just as they were about to raise the banner of a new era.

If true, Havan’s situation would spiral into chaos beyond anyone’s control. The rebels would likely fracture, and the old powers would seize the chance to ignite a final blaze. A dying ember flaring into a raging fire.

“Is this certain?”

“We don’t know. They say it’s just a rumor, but the merchants seem to take it as fact. They’ve requested long-term lodging in Mereloff, saying they won’t return to Havan anytime soon.”

“Wait. Shatima was pro-Bariel, right? If someone hostile to Bariel takes the prime minister’s seat…”

They would likely join forces with Luswena, pressing Bariel’s eastern border. And Hielo and Mereloff would bear the full brunt of that pressure.

Lien took a deep breath to steady her trembling voice.

“If Shatima’s death is confirmed, the palace will send official notice. Then we must strengthen border defenses and recruit more mercenaries—both Mereloff and Hielo.”

Burgos had fallen. From Luswena’s perspective, their ally was defeated. With the emperor and Minister of Magic stationed there, they would see no better opportunity. Everyone expected Luswena to be next.

“Nersarn.”

Hana called his name sharply. It was unthinkable for him to leave Hielo now. They could barely gather all the Cheonryeo from the Great Desert as it was.

Nersarn sighed, and Lien, unaware of the tension, looked between them.

“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

“…No, just personal. For now, Mereloff, keep investigating those coming from Havan and gather information. Finding out who killed Shatima is crucial. It will determine Havan’s future.”

“Understood. I’ll send people as soon as I hear anything. If the palace sends news, please inform us. Has there been any contact with Lord Ian?”

Lien’s brow furrowed slightly at the question. It would be reassuring if the mage guarded the border, but…

“No. He’s in Burgos, so it’s hard to reach him.”

Nersarn answered, then suddenly turned to the window. A hawk had flown in. Hana opened the window, but the bird showed no intention of entering, instead preening its feathers. Its unusual behavior narrowed Nersarn’s eyes.

“Nersarn, isn’t that a Byan? What’s going on?”

“Not sure. It seems to have seen something.”

Nersarn put on his coat. The Byan circled twice as if beckoning, then flew straight off in one direction.

“I’m going out for a moment. Lady Lien, excuse me. Please wait here if you don’t mind.”

“Understood. But I can’t wait long. I can’t leave Mereloff unattended.”

Nersarn nodded and dashed outside. At the same time, he whistled through his fingers, and a Cheonryeo Kusile—used instead of horses—came galloping from afar.

Whoosh!

Patter, patter!

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

Haena watched Nersarn’s figure fade into the distance and murmured to herself.

“It feels like the peace is breaking. I’m so uneasy.”

It was the same as back then—ten years ago, when the central army’s raid had left so many dead, no one spared. Haena pressed her palm to her forehead and sighed, and Lien gently comforted her.

“Peace isn’t breaking. We’re here doing this to protect it.”

Though even Lien’s hands trembled slightly.

Haena gave a faint smile and took Lien’s hand, then nodded as if steadying her emotions.

“Please, have a seat, ma’am. I’ll bring some warm tea while we wait for Lord Nersarn. Black tea with milk, right?”

“Thank you.”

Haena’s butler training had originally been overseen by Butler Merelrof. After his passing from illness, the position was vacant, so Haena took over and trained the new butler herself. They were perfect neighbors to each other.

“If it’s alright, may I take care of something for you?”

“Of course. Whatever’s comfortable.”

Haena excused herself briefly, and as Lien looked around the room, her eyes landed on a letter laid out on the table. It had come from the central authorities.

Though it felt rude to peek, how could she just ignore it, spread out so plainly? Lien scanned the words from a distance, then suddenly froze.

—Father, yesterday Lord Romandro brought news about my older brother. He has arrived in the city of Agiar. Apparently, he met an unexpected ally there—a young lady who once served long ago in Toorun and shares a childhood connection with him. I don’t know who she is, but it’s truly a relief. Mother is well, and so am I. Lady Viviana has been very kind. Vivi can be a bit troublesome, but she has a warm heart. Please send me any news from Hielo. I miss you.