Chapter 866
“That kid’s gaze wasn’t ordinary at all.”
Someone in the group chuckled as they poured drinks. They were talking about Ian, whom they had just met.
Chronie pulled out a cigarette and nodded in agreement. Such a tiny thing, yet staring straight ahead like that.
“His eyes are exactly like his mother’s.”
“Indeed.”
They ran their hands over the bed, sofa, and under the desk, checking for any listening devices. Finding nothing amiss, they settled comfortably on the sofa and poured their drinks.
“Think it won’t last long, huh?”
“Doesn’t look like there’s anything unusual about him dying soon.”
Clink.
They lightly tapped their glasses in celebration.
Once the lord passes, the rest will be a breeze. After all, the lady is a clueless woman living leisurely in the provinces.
And her son is just a five-year-old child. Once the wife is dealt with and a guardian brought in, everything will go according to plan.
“If the child dies, the estate floats in limbo. It’s far easier to keep a five-year-old around than to pass it on to the next heir.”
“Sir Chronie, how is His Majesty’s health these days?”
At the question, Chronie looked up. Given his naturally frail constitution, it wasn’t exactly good news. But seeing Hadell lying there like a dry twig, maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. Chronie smirked and shrugged.
“As usual. I wonder why everyone’s so sickly. They have the most precious things in the world, yet no strength to enjoy them.”
Chronie’s sarcasm made the others burst out laughing. The previous emperors could never have imagined their descendants so weak, merely breathing without contributing to the country.
“How is the Minister of Imperial Defense?”
“Fine. He’s bored since the world’s so peaceful.”
“Oh, what a frightening thing to say!”
Knock knock.
While they joked, the servants brought in food. One of them, Hanna, carried plates but kept glancing around—checking where their luggage was, whether it was locked, and so on.
Chronie spread a napkin on his lap and suddenly asked Hanna,
“Are you his personal attendant?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, are you Ian’s uncle’s personal servant?”
He had noticed she was the attendant who had been with Ian earlier.
Startled, Hanna took a step back.
“Yes. I handle almost everything related to the young master.”
“I heard your uncle seemed displeased with me.”
“…He’s just a bit shy around strangers.”
“Bring him here later. It’ll be good for both of you to get closer.”
Once the parents are gone, he’ll be the guardian. No need to be so sharp about it. Hanna gave a barely audible reply and slipped out the door.
Creak.
As the door closed, Hanna clenched her teeth and muttered under her breath.
“Honestly, who does he think he is, ordering me around? No matter how young he is, he’s still the young master of the mansion. And by blood, his uncle.”
“Why are you so worked up?”
“Do I look like I’m not?”
“But he’s a guest, and the young master is very young. If you get too worked up, you’ll only give yourself a headache.”
Ugh, as if that made sense. Just as Hanna was about to retort, a cold sensation brushed the back of her head.
The servants nonchalantly wheeled their trolleys and turned around, but Hanna was frozen, sensing something off.
‘Why are they siding with a stranger?’
Wasn’t Ian a new guest?
Suddenly, Filia’s words about suspecting the lord’s poisoning came to Hanna’s mind. Goosebumps broke out all over her body. Part of her wanted to dismiss it—“No way, that can’t be”—but the servants’ strange behavior was too suspicious.
“Hanna?”
“Ah, I’m coming.”
Hesitating, she followed them and glanced back at the firmly closed guest room door.
“Me?”
“Yes. A very arrogant person. I heard he’s from the Imperial Defense Department. Are all government officials like that?”
Hanna clenched her fists, fuming. She didn’t like Chronie ordering Ian around, but as a subordinate, she had to pass on the message.
Ian, who had been eating chocolate cake, fell silent as if thinking, then nodded.
“Alright. While I talk with them, you check the room. Make sure there’s nothing suspicious.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay without me?”
“Of course.”
Ian cut a piece of cake with steady hands and asked,
“Where is he now?”
“In the bedroom, having breakfast. Looks like he drank too much last night. Doesn’t seem like he plans to move.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
“Are you really going? Without the young master calling you to the parlor?”
“If I’m rude to the elders, mother will be upset.”
Hanna watched Ian stride forward bravely. Looking at the small back of his head, she couldn’t guess what he was thinking.
Step by step.
Ian stood before the guest room door. He clenched and unclenched his fist—a nervous tic.
Knock knock.
“Excuse me. Ian here.”
“Oh my, please come in.”
The door opened, and the sharp scent of wine hit them. Clearly, they had drunk heavily the night before.
They looked haggard, eating breakfast that was closer to lunch. Each wore an expression of surprise, as if they hadn’t expected Ian to actually show up.
“Good morning, uncle.”
“Did you sleep well? Was the bed comfortable?”
“Yes, thank you. The land must be fertile because the wine tastes excellent—much better than the one from Clifford. Though, uncle, you probably shouldn’t know that yet.”
Ian smiled slyly, and Chronie froze. Just yesterday, the little one had been wary and guarded, but now he was smiling? What was he thinking? Chronie asked, dipping bread in sauce.
“Have you eaten, uncle?”
“Yes, I even had dessert. By the way, you’re all from the capital, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Some of you, including Chronie, work at the palace?”
“Correct. I’m with the Imperial Defense Department, and this one is with the Ministry of Justice.”
Ian clapped his hands in admiration.
“They say not just anyone can enter the palace.”
“You flatter me.”
And it was true flattery—except for the current emperor, no one else had much influence.
“If you don’t have other plans today, could you teach me something? It’s rare to have such distinguished guests from the capital, so I’d really appreciate it.”
He meant an academic discussion.
Chronie glanced at the others. They had no fixed schedule, but even if they did, they weren’t about to sit around chatting with a five-year-old. They were supposed to patrol the estate.
“Unfortunately—”
“I’m currently reading an introduction to Neo-Naturalist philosophy. Also, I’m studying the recent debates about relocating the central temple. Since I have only one tutor, I wish to hear many opinions directly.”
Ian added, and the group burst out laughing. Ridiculous. A child that young reading philosophy?
And discussing social issues was way too early. Whatever he’d overheard, they took it as childish eagerness to seem smart.
Chronie tested him.
“How far have you read in the introduction?”
“Zaher, Dolbin, Hafkane.”
“…!”
“Regarding the temple relocation, I’m against it. The Karbo Temple has stood there for thousands of years and is a sacred place closely tied to the royal family. No matter how rare the minerals found nearby, money can’t buy historical value.”
Silence fell. Someone dropped their bread. Another blinked in disbelief. Five years old?
“Was his birth registration a mistake?”
“What did you say just now?”
“Nothing, nothing. Ahem. A slip of the tongue.”
The man waved his hand at Ian’s question. Sensing the mood shift, Ian added,
“My mother would be pleased. She’d be grateful to her ‘guests.’”
Though it was under the pretense of a hospital visit, he was still a guest in the mansion. With the master lying like that, would they just drink better wine than Clifford and play around? No, they should repay by spending time with the young master. Ian’s sharp eyes seemed to say as much.
Finally, someone spoke up.
“Perhaps it’s best to spare some time.”
“Yes, well, there’s no urgent schedule.”
“Thank you. There’s a parlor downstairs. After you finish eating, please come there. We’ll be waiting.”
Ian smiled and closed the door behind him. Sighs of disbelief echoed around.
“Haha! Did you see that? How did Hadell end up with such a brilliant son?”
“Wow, I thought I was still drunk.”
“Me too. My son barely knew addition and subtraction at five.”
“Sir Chronie, amazing, isn’t it? If he’s raised well—”
They all stopped talking abruptly. Chronie’s gaze fixed on the closed door was anything but ordinary.
“If he’s raised well, what?”
“Oh, well—”
“Children should have the innocence that suits their age.”
Why keep him alive? Isn’t it to use him as a pawn, to manipulate him in place of his parents? But if he’s unnaturally clever like this, it’s not a good thing. In fact, it’s becoming quite a problem.
Chronie didn’t say a word as he slowly finished his meal. No one there could guess what was running through his mind.
“Ah.”
Meanwhile, Ian, who was heading downstairs, suddenly stopped in surprise. Hana rushed over, concerned, and gently touched the flushed cheek of the child.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Haah. Oh no.”
“Your cheek! It’s turning bright red. Should I get a doctor?”
“…I made a mistake.”
“Excuse me?”
Ian bit his lip in embarrassment, muttering under his breath. The child’s cheek was glowing like a ripe apple.
“It wasn’t ‘Hafkane,’ it was ‘Hakafne.’”
“W-what do you mean?”
“…Jaer, Dolbin, Hakafne.”
“Pardon?”
Hana tilted her head, still confused. Ian shook his head as if to say, “Forget it,” and hurried down the stairs.
“Prepare some refreshments. He’ll be down soon after finishing his meal.”
“Y-yes, of course!”
Hana looked down the stairs and called out to Ian quickly.
“Um, Ian?”
“Yeah?”
“Please be careful.”
Behind Ian, Hana had spotted Chronie. Ian seemed unaware, too tense to notice, but the way he looked at the child was anything but ordinary.
And above all, that chilling feeling she’d sensed yesterday.
“There may be several traitors in the mansion.”
At those words, Ian’s eyes widened, as if she’d said something absurd.
“That’s obvious.”
“Excuse me?”
“It wasn’t just anyone—it was my father. He’s been cared for by so many people, yet to have come this far while deceiving all of them means it’s not the work of just one or two. Hana, be careful too. Even while I’m holding them off, there could be other eyes watching.”
With that, Ian strode down the stairs.
Hana, staring after him in a daze, soon shook her head vigorously. Then, just like Ian, she clenched and unclenched her fists repeatedly, feeling the tension slowly ease.
“…Yes, young master. I will be careful.”
It was time to show what she was capable of.