Episode 95

“Lord Romandro? Where is Lord Ian?”

The butler, Samon, looked puzzled as he saw Romandro walking alone down the corridor. Romandro waved it off as if it were nothing, then stepped inside, requesting the things he needed.

“Bring me parchment, a pen, and ink.”

“Yes, right away.”

As Romandro entered the bedroom, the sharp scent of blood hit him immediately, mingled with the thick smoke of a strong cigarette. From inside, he could hear Dive’s continuous sobbing, while Lady Lien sat expressionless on the sofa.

“You’re here. Where is Lord Ian?”

“He had some urgent business. He should be back soon, ma’am.”

Romandro glanced around before sitting opposite her. It was obvious they both had something to discuss, and Lady Lien’s eyes flicked toward the inner bedroom, clearly aware of Dive’s presence.

“Is something wrong?”

“Lady Lien, Lord Ian asked me to tell you this: if you’ve secured the seal, it’s best you keep it as is.”

“Oh.”

Lady Lien let out a surprised breath. Ian had sent a message. If she made up her mind, he would support her in overturning the Mereloff family.

Romandro quietly poured some cold tea and murmured,

“I will submit a report for now, but depending on the meeting upstairs, another investigator might be sent. When that happens, neither Lord Ian nor I will be able to stay by your side, as we’ll be en route to the capital.”

“So, I have to handle this alone.”

“I’ll explain the details once things settle. Tell me, will you keep the seal?”

It was a subtle way of asking if she intended to become the head of the family.

Lady Lien glanced toward the inner bedroom again. Dive had come in abruptly earlier without even greeting her. Being a former slave and now her sister-in-law was one thing, but this was beyond disrespect. If the current heir became the next count, neither Clark nor her own safety could be guaranteed.

In truth, no matter who it was, the only way to protect herself was to rise to the top.

“Yes. I will keep the seal.”

“Good. Then there’s one thing you must do first: dismiss the knights who are your enemies.”

“The three knights?”

“Didn’t Lord Ian mention that?”

“Yes, he did. He said they’re not cost-effective and suggested cutting them first when managing the estate.”

Romandro smiled faintly at her words.

“Well, that’s not entirely unreasonable. But procedure is important. If the retainers die holding the title of Mereloff family knights, their names must be reported to the palace. If not, there’s no need to mention them.”

‘If they die as Mereloff family knights…’

Lady Lien’s green eyes sparkled. Romandro was basically saying he intended to have all the retainers killed.

“I see.”

“I trust you understand what that means.”

“Yes. Completely.”

Ian was under the watchful eye of the palace. If it became known that he interfered in the succession by killing even the Mereloff knights, it would cause serious trouble. Lady Lien nodded and glanced again toward the bedroom. Dive’s forced sobbing was gradually quieting.

“And the retainers?”

“Lord Ian said he would handle them personally. You can leave that to him. But there are conditions you must promise.”

Romandro laid out terms to solidify the bond between Ian and Lady Lien.

“Five thousand gold coins.”

“No problem. I’ll sell land if I have to.”

“Keep the number of soldiers at less than half of what it is now.”

This was to keep Mereloff in check. It was a treaty for peace, in case Ian was absent. Naturally, Lady Lien had no objections.

“Very well.”

“Also, Lord Ian must have the right of first refusal on all transactions involving your lands. Of course, he can reject any proposals.”

Since Ian’s territory was the closest, his domain would be the first to be consulted in any dealings. Lady Lien nodded again, indicating no problem.

“If you agree, we’ll draft a formal contract once everything is settled.”

“I have no room to back down. I agree to all of it.”

“Yes. Oh, and about that Clark fellow…”

Lady Lien’s expression stiffened. She had been racking her brain but saw no solution. The only option was for her to become the lord and pardon him.

But would Dive and the knights even keep Clark alive until then? It was a miracle he was still breathing, as Ian had said.

What kind of torture he’d endured in the underground prison, or whether he was already dead—Lady Lien could learn nothing from the bedroom.

“Is there any way?”

“There is, but…”

Before Romandro could continue, Dive appeared, dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief. His sobs had sounded like he might collapse, but his face was unbruised—only his voice was hoarse.

“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry things have come to this.”

“So you finally show yourself. Earlier, you ignored me without a word. Is it because you were with Lord Romandro?”

That was exactly it. As the palace’s official advisor and the one submitting the notarized report, he had to maintain appearances. But Dive answered without batting an eye.

“Not at all. I was just so shocked by your brother’s death that I rushed straight to the bedroom. Sister-in-law, you’re as you always were.”

“Of course. And so are you, Dive.”

There was a spark of tension between them. Romandro cleared his throat and stepped in.

“Please, calm down.”

“Yes, Lord Romandro. It’s sad, but we must settle things. I heard that vile slave who did this is still alive in the underground prison.”

“His name is Clark.”

“Please include a detailed summary of the incident in the report to the palace, and also notify them about the succession.”

Unlike Ian’s case, this was an internal family succession, not a new title granted by the emperor. They only needed to inform the capital.

Dive’s butler brought parchment and writing tools. Romandro dipped his pen in ink and nodded.

“Of course. What tragedy is greater than this? A slave killing his noble master… But, Dive, do you have any family?”

“I do, but…”

“I heard you believe in the Underworld God?”

“Me? No. Who told you that? Sister-in-law?”

Dive feigned ignorance. Bariel allowed religious freedom, but that was mostly for those without faith. In an empire officially under the Pope’s church, heresy was dangerous.

Though there might be no direct punishment in the borderlands, disadvantages were certain. If Ian knew she mentioned the Underworld God or made praying gestures at home, she would have stopped.

“Or did Lord Ian say so?”

“Whoever said it doesn’t matter. The fact itself is what counts, right?”

“No, that’s not true. Absolutely not.”

“I see. Understood.”

To secure the title, Dive had immediately denied her faith. She was pained by the situation and only wished to pray for forgiveness quickly.

But outwardly, she spoke as if nothing was wrong.

“Since this is an unfortunate matter, the succession ceremony can’t be grand. We should hold a simple one as soon as tomorrow and then proceed with your brother’s funeral.”

“No. The funeral comes first. That’s proper etiquette.”

Romandro cut her off firmly. They needed to buy time so Lady Lien could handle the knights. Dive opened her mouth to argue but shut it tight at the mention of etiquette. As a noble, that was the highest priority.

“I have a few questions to include in the report. Is that alright?”

“Go ahead.”

“If you succeed, which generation will you be, Dive?”

“My brother was the eighth. I’ll be the ninth.”

Romandro carefully wrote down her answers, asking more questions. Meanwhile, Lady Lien’s mind burned with a fierce desire to sever all ties to her husband as quickly as possible.

Start fresh. Leave everything behind and begin anew.

Survive first, even if it means abandoning everything later.

“Clark…”

“Lady Lien?”

“Yes?”

“Were you listening?”

“Oh, sorry. I drifted off for a moment. What did you say?”

Lady Lien smiled faintly and looked back at Romandro. Dive seemed increasingly displeased with her attitude, clicking his tongue more openly.

“I’ve announced the matter to the tenants today and asked them to help with the estate’s reorganization.”

“Oh, the estate reorganization. Of course.”

That meant dismissing the knights as mentioned earlier. When Lady Lien nodded that she would proceed immediately, Dive cut in with a clearly displeased expression.

“No, that’s unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary? Why?”

“There’s no point in managing the estate if you’re leaving. I’ll take care of it from now on. Sister-in-law, you should step back and take care of yourself.”

The phrase ‘leaving the estate’ was loaded. It implied she had no place as a former slave in the household. It also hinted at suspicion that she might steal the estate’s belongings during her brief tenure.

As Romandro tried to mediate, Lady Lien snapped back sharply.

“Haven’t you been kicked out of the estate for quite some time? Even if you manage it now, I doubt you know where to start.”

“Sister-in-law, that’s a bit rude, isn’t it?”

“Is that so? Well, if that’s how you feel, I’m not sorry. It seems like the count is so desperate to claim the title even before the funeral has taken place. I understand being cast out of the family for believing in a heretical cult, but there are still proper boundaries to respect.”

Each sharp word she fired was like a direct attack. Dive raised his hand as if to strike her on the spot, but Romandro and the steward quickly stepped in, blocking him.

“Enough! What do you think you’re doing, Dive?”

“Dive, you can’t act like this!”

“Even if he was cast out, there’s no denying he’s of the Merellof bloodline. And yet, he resorts to hitting people at the slightest provocation.”

But the lady didn’t flinch. Her gaze was cold and unyielding, her words like wedges driven in with precision. There was a fierce determination in her—nothing left to lose.

Dive trembled with rage, humiliated to be challenged by someone of slave origin, and he shouted back, shaking with fury.

“You have no sense of your place, you lowborn wretch!”

“Exactly,” she shot back. “And yet, the count was mad enough to seat someone like you in the countess’s place. He was out of his mind. And since you’re of the same blood, you’re just as crazy. No wonder you act like this.”

Dive swung his hand more violently, but Romandro and the steward held firm. As the lady said, the brothers shared not only their blood but their lean, wiry frames.

She took a sip of tea and glanced toward the door.

One of the knights was peeking inside, drawn by the sudden commotion.

“Hey, you there.”

At her call, the knight raised an eyebrow. She nodded toward Dive and asked with a hint of disbelief,

“If you’re truly the count’s knights, isn’t it your duty to protect me?”

“Madam, until the truth behind the count’s death is uncovered, we cannot guarantee your safety.”

“Clark’s locked away in the underground prison, yet you still talk about some truth there? If that’s your stance, then I suppose there’s nothing more I can do.”

Her look said plainly: if you can’t help, then what’s the point?

“Romandro has already confirmed that I’m responsible for the estate until after the funeral. I’m dismissing all three knights sworn to the Merellof family.”

“Dismissed?”

The knight smiled bitterly. What difference would it make? But just then—

BOOM!

A strange, heavy crash echoed from downstairs.

It wasn’t the sound of explosives, but something folding and breaking apart.

The knight’s gaze shifted suspiciously toward the end of the hallway.

Someone was storming up the stairs with fierce determination.