Chapter 869

Bang!

“Oh, madam. You’ve arrived?”

“No matter how busy you are, how could it have come to this, at such an hour…?”

When the lady of the house arrived at the mansion, the lord was already dead. Blood was everywhere—enough to soak through three or four blankets from the amount he had vomited.

Despite every window being thrown open, the stench of blood lingered stubbornly in the air. Dr. Kelly bowed his head apologetically, while the servants approached, their voices trembling with tears.

“M-Madam…”

“His condition suddenly worsened…”

The lady’s eyes looked as if they might shatter at any moment. Her already pale skin had grown even paler, and her lips had lost all color. It was clear she was struggling to accept the reality before her.

“Madam, I know this is a great shock, but we must begin preparations for the funeral—”

Just as Crony stepped forward to offer his condolences, Ian suddenly rushed over and wrapped his arms around her. Then, glaring sharply at Crony as if warning him to stay back.

Crony gave a dry laugh, raising his hands in surrender.

“Your uncle must be very shaken.”

“Do not come near my mother.”

“I was only trying to offer comfort.”

“I will be the one to comfort her.”

The lady swayed unsteadily but gripped her son’s shoulder firmly to steady herself. Crony and his group exchanged quick glances.

“Please, just for a moment, allow us to be alone.”

“Of course, madam. Please take your final farewell.”

“Everyone, let’s step outside.”

At Crony’s gesture, the others left the bedroom, and the servants slowly withdrew as well.

Left alone in the room, mother and son both turned their gaze toward the bed. The lady leaned briefly against the corner before finally sinking down.

“Mother, please listen to me. There’s a traitor inside the mansion. No matter how I look at it, Father’s death is suspicious. Next, they’ll come for you. We need to secure a safe—”

“Ian.”

She grasped her son’s arm and whispered, signaling him to lower his voice. Ian didn’t even realize his body was trembling.

“Ian, listen carefully.”

“Y-yes, mother.”

“The family seal is not to be used lightly. Until you can manage the estate yourself, do not give it to anyone, nor entrust it to anyone. Remember, even without it, the estate can still be run.”

Her voice was firm and resolute, as if she had long prepared these words.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“There’s an account at Hyman Bank under the family’s name. It holds about 500 gold coins. If the imperial palace demands taxes, use that money. Any account in your name is only for your personal expenses.”

“This is frightening. Please stop.”

“Count Jacques is your mother’s mentor. He’s trustworthy. If you’re ever in trouble, seek his help. But if he asks for the seal, turn and leave immediately.”

“Mother!”

“Listen!”

When Ian shouted for her to stop, she hugged him tightly. She knew, too, that there was a traitor within the mansion. And that the lord’s death was a signal that her own life was in danger. Before that time came, there was much she needed to tell her son.

“In the underground storage of the east wing, there’s a box decorated with gold leaf. Inside, I’ve placed many things for you. Don’t forget to use them, my son.”

Her voice began to tremble.

“Even if you have doubts about Father’s death, stay silent. Acting rashly will only bring you harm. Do you understand?”

Who would believe a mere five-year-old accusing someone of killing the lord? They’d only try to silence him, to cut off any trouble before it grows. Killing the lord means a little kid is nothing.

“Pretend you know nothing. Just survive.”

“U-Until when?”

“Until you have people who will protect you.”

The answer was vague. Ian hesitated, struggling to find words. She wiped the tears from his eyes. It would be confusing, but it would be alright. Because he was her son. Such a clever boy.

“Lastly—”

Ian bit his lip, tears streaming down. The lord’s lifeless head was tilted toward them. His eyes closed, but it felt as if he was sharing their resolve.

“You are the rightful heir of Hadel and blood of the imperial family. No one can harm you. Understand?”

“…”

“Answer me.”

“Yes, mother.”

“Who are you?”

“Ian Hadel. I am blood of the imperial family.”

“Good. Remember that well. Ian, you are precious.”

She wanted to say she loved him, to apologize for failing to root out the traitor in the mansion.

But if she spoke, she feared she would break down in tears. So instead, she straightened her back and stood.

“That’s enough now—”

Snap!

But Ian suddenly clung tightly to her. Startled, she froze. He cried into her embrace, and after a moment’s hesitation, she held him close.

“Please don’t die…”

“That’s nonsense.”

“Mother, you can’t die.”

She gave a faint smile and kissed his forehead. With a determined look, she carried Ian out of the bedroom.

“Head steward!”

“Yes, madam.”

“Bring Ian up to the bedroom.”

“Mother!”

“And Sir Crony.”

Crony and his group, who had been smoking in the hallway, turned to look with bored eyes. Gritting her teeth, the lady nodded toward them, signaling for a brief meeting.

“Let’s move to the parlor. There’s something we need to discuss.”

“Is this about the funeral arrangements?”

“…Several things.”

Ian, held by the steward, kept his eyes on his mother until the last moment. Standing tall in her dress, she looked like a warrior heading into battle.

Then suddenly, Ian’s eyes widened. He realized why she had said those things to him.

‘Ah.’

Mother had found the evidence. She had uncovered the traitor in the mansion and knew who was involved. That was why she intended to punish those who killed his father.

As Ian struggled and cried, the steward covered his eyes with a large hand and hurried away.

Creak.

She pushed Ian into the bedroom and urged him.

“My lord! Please be quiet today. The mansion is already in chaos.”

“Hey, listen—”

“Now that madam is here, everything will be fine. I’ll wake you early tomorrow. For now, get some rest. Hana, where on earth have you been? Ah! Hana! You wretch!”

The steward was clearly furious, pointing at Hana, who was running from afar.

“Where have you been? Coming back without the young master! Do you even know what’s happened in the mansion?”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“You’d better prepare for a beating later. Put Ian to bed and don’t let him out, understand?”

“Yes, I-I understand.”

“My lord, now rest. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

The steward dashed back to the main building. With the lord dead, there must be a mountain of things to handle.

Hana knelt before Ian, tears in her eyes.

“Y-Young master, I’m sorry.”

She begged with both hands, crying softly. If only she had come out sooner, none of this would have happened.

Wiping tears from his hand, Ian asked,

“Were you hiding in the guest room?”

“Yes. Since Crony wouldn’t leave, I had no choice but to hide under the bed. Ever since the butler sneaked in, security has been tightened. There’s always one or two guards in the room.”

“Who? The butler?”

“My lord, those who did this to the lord are those men. I saw it with my own eyes and heard everything. I can testify before the guards!”

She handed over a crumpled piece of paper, saying it was part of a letter she had copied.

Ian took it and took a deep breath. His head ached from crying.

“Ian?”

“Hana, mother is meeting with Crony and his group now.”

“Why?”

“Mother seems to have realized something. She’s ready to accuse them if she’s found the evidence.”

“Then I’ll help too!”

“Wait.”

As Hana tried to rush off, Ian grabbed her sleeve. Mother wouldn’t accuse anyone without certainty. There must be proof.

“We have to ask her first. We don’t know how she plans to play her cards.”

“Oh, right. If those scoundrels deny all her evidence and act shamelessly, I’ll blow the lid off everything! They won’t know what hit them!”

Hana clenched her fists, determined, and Ian nodded.

But then his whole body began to tremble again. Whether it was from extreme tension or some ominous feeling he couldn’t explain, Ian finally collapsed onto the bed.

“Ian!”

“It hurts…”

“W-What’s wrong? Wait, I’ll get a doctor.”

“…”

Fighting to hold onto consciousness as it slipped away…

<Iaaan…>

<Ian…!>

…Memories flickered and fractured, slipping away in fragments. Dr. Kelly appeared, speaking softly, while Philia’s worried face hovered in and out of view. Outside the window, the sky shifted erratically, as if the scene itself were a crumpled piece of paper tearing apart.

<Ian…>

<…Lord Ian.>

Strange voices buzzed in his mind, calling him by different titles. Though he’d never heard them before, why did they feel so comforting…?

Following the sound, Ian walked on—until suddenly, he snapped back to full awareness.

“…?”

The child lay drenched in sweat on the bed. Nearby, Philia and Hannah were curled up, fast asleep. They must have dozed off after nursing him through the night.

Carefully, Ian climbed down from the bed and headed toward the main wing.

Softly.

It was just before dawn. The mansion was deathly silent, everyone still asleep. Ian quietly made his way to his mother’s room and knocked gently on the door.

Knock, knock.

“Mother. It’s Ian.”

Are you asleep? How did your conversation go yesterday?

“I’ll come in for a moment.”

Turning the handle, Ian peered inside. The room was pitch dark, not a single light burning.

That’s strange. Mother always kept a couple of candles lit while she slept. Could it be she didn’t rest at all last night? Well, that was possible…

Thud.

He took a few steps forward and suddenly kicked something. A chill ran down Ian’s spine. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he began to make out what it was.

“…The butler?”

Wide-eyed, Ian stared at the lifeless butler sprawled on the floor.

He stumbled back in shock. Following the butler’s gaze, Ian slowly lifted his head—and then faced a sight he could hardly believe.

“…!”

His mother, hanging by the neck from the chandelier. Her faded eyes stared directly down at the child. The hem of her dress fluttered softly.

‘Is this a dream?’

Was he still dreaming? He felt utterly detached from reality. Ian stared at her for a long moment before collapsing to the floor, unconscious.