Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor
Chapter 46

“…I wish you were dead.”

Lady Mary continued to murmur almost hysterically. Chel stood frozen at the back of the bed, clearly shocked by the sight of his mother. Ian glanced at her briefly before instructing one of the warriors.

“Summon Chief Kakantir and Lord Nersarn.”

“Yes, Sir Ian.”

“I wish you were torn to pieces. I wish no one remembered you were ever born.”

“Mother, you should stop talking like that. The investigation team is still in the mansion. If they hear you, we’d have no choice but to hand you over.”

Mary paused at his words. Was it because blood was rushing to her head? It seemed like Ian was suggesting he would save her.

“Ian, are you going to save us? What about father?”

“Chel-hyungnim, this is not the time for such talk. Father is already captured by the central army and is beyond our reach. Do you have any belongings to take?”

Upon hearing that Dergha was captured by the central army, Lady Mary seemed to lose strength in her legs and slumped down. Chel was similarly affected. It was dark, but it was obvious that he was shocked and close to tears.

“I, I will save Father.”

“What?”

His trembling voice and the outrageous claim did not match. The Cheonrye warriors only let out faint chuckles. Who was going to save whom, really?

“Chel-hyungnim, get a grip. Do you not understand the situation? Deo is dead, the steward is dead, and most of the mansion’s servants are dead. And that’s not all. On top of that, the people of the fief blame Count Dergha for the casualties in the battle.There’s no place for you and mother in Bratz, except this hidden space.”

The harsh reality seemed unbelievable. Chel kept flinching and looking around the dark room and at his mother. To live in a place like this for the rest of his life? Never, he couldn’t live like that.

Ian turned his head to the noise coming from outside.

“Sir Ian, Chieftain Kakantir and Lord Nersarn are here.”

“Alright, I’ll be right out. Mother and Chel-hyungnim,” Ian paused, seemingly deciding on their destination, and snapped his fingers. “It seems you have no place to go but to your maternal home. Prepare to leave with the warriors. We’ll depart as soon as it gets deep into dawn.”

“Sir Ian, where is this woman’s maternal home?”

“I’m not sure, actually.”

Lady Mary was shocked once by being referred to as “this woman,” and again by Ian’s indifferent attitude. Chel spoke on behalf of his tongue-tied mother.

“Fo, Fontrol.”

“Fontrol? Ah, it’s to the north of Bratz. We have to go around Merellof, so it will take about two weeks. There are not just the distances but dangerous mountains as well.”

“Why go around Merellof? Can’t we stop by to get some food or clothes…”

“Merellof has completely shut its gates. They are the ones who killed the steward. They’ve imposed a self-lockdown until the situation clears.”

Upon hearing Ian’s words, Lady Mary swung her head in disbelief.

It was understandable that Merellof did not help during the standoff with the central army; they didn’t want to be implicated as traitors. But the fact that they killed the steward was beyond belief.

“Merellof killed the steward…?”

“Why are you surprised, Mother?”

“That woman, she shouldn’t have done that to me. She can’t do that to me…”

She bit her nails frantically, her behavior chilling. The warriors looked at Ian with uneasy expressions, but he had no clue either.

“…I will go to Merellof.”

Mary nodded her head as if she had made up her mind.

“Ian, before leaving Bratz, we should stop by the main house.”

“Have you lost your mind, Mother?”

His tone carried a nuance of telling her to stop spouting nonsense. But the Lady was undeterred and forcefully expressed her will.

“If we go, Merellof won’t be able to easily drive us away. We can borrow some money there, get some help…”

It was impossible to know what was going on in her mind, but it was clearly a mess. Ian crossed his arms as if challenging her to continue her nonsensical talk.

Lady Mary suddenly stopped and asked.

“My husband, Dergha, he’s not dead yet, right?”

“That’s correct. The execution has been postponed thanks to you and Chel.”

At these words, color returned to Lady Mary’s face. Only Dergha and Mary knew that they had sent a letter to 1st Prince Mariv. As long as they stayed alive until the palace’s response came, there was still a chance.

“Yes. Yes, yes, yes……”

“Hurry and prepare if you understand.”

“Then please hurry and prepare.”

“Ian, let’s go to Merellof! To Merellof…!”

“Mother, if you don’t shut up, I’ll gag you.”

Ian turned his back on her, seemingly done listening. The investigation teams were set up in the main house. How could Lady Mary go in and out there? Chel seemed to lack situational awareness, but it appeared he too had taken after his mother.

“Guard this place. I’ll go see Kakan for a moment.”

“Yes, yes. Take your time with your work.”

“Hey, kid over there. Do you really have nothing?”

“Uh, no, I don’t… And I am Chel Bratz!”

Listening to the pathetic conversation in the back, Ian walked up the stairs. Kakantir and Nersarn, who had rushed over after hearing from him, greeted him at the camouflaged entrance.

“Is everyone inside?”

“They’re all well.”

The entire group had been moved here to avoid the investigators’ attention. The stable was cramped, but thankfully, the investigation team didn’t care too much.

“We can send them out as early as dawn today.”

“Fine, let’s do that. Who can ride a horse best?”

At Kakantir’s words, the warriors clamored to take on the task.

“I am. Kakan.”

“Just entrust it to me.”

They had to escape from the central army while taking women and children with them. Not just horse-riding skills, but they needed someone with good situational awareness as well.

“Schul and Naru. You two handle it.”

“Don’t worry, Kakan!”

“Wow. Are we finally going to wield our swords?”

“Stop fooling around, and get as far away as possible with Mary and Chel. Bury them so deeply between heaven and earth that no one can find them.”

They couldn’t hand the two over to the central army. That would become Erica’s achievement, and it could affect the positive evaluation from the imperial palace.

But what if Mary and Chel were dealt with discreetly?

“Central army bastards, wander the frontier for a few years.”

“Let those Central Army bastards wander around the outskirts for a few years.”

Until they find the corpses, they won’t be able to return. Mary and Chel were rebels, targets too vital to give up on with the mere excuse of having ‘lost them.’ Even if the operation was halted, their trust would hit rock bottom—two birds with one stone.

“The sun will set soon.”

Kakantir looked at the sky, ablaze with red, and nodded. Warriors assigned to Mary and Chel gathered water and food, changing into Bariel clothes.

“This is so uncomfortable. Why do we have to wear this?”

“Exactly, I feel like it’s going to rip.”

Although their bulging figures made the tight fit evident, there was no choice. Their identity as Cheonryeok warriors had to be hidden. If word got out that the Cheonrye tribe was involved, everything could spiral into chaos under charges of treason.

“Bring Mary and Chel here.”

“Yes, understood.”

The warriors went underground and emerged with the two individuals. The faces of both showed shock at the drastically changed surroundings of the mansion—a crumbling detached building and Cheonrye tribespeople everywhere. It seemed they were bewildered, wondering if this was indeed Bratz’s place.

“It’s been a while, Lady Mary and Chel.”

At Kakantir’s greeting, the two suddenly turned their heads. Lady Mary’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as she hugged her son.

“I regret how things have turned out.”

“The Cheonrye is……!”

Just as Mary was about to hurl insults, she swallowed her anger. After all, Dergha was still alive. They had to survive until 1st Prince Mariv’s reply arrived.

She knew that these people weren’t helping them with pure intentions, but she had no choice but to thrust her head into the mouth of the tiger.

“I trust you will understand, as we each have our circumstances. It would be good to know that this is our last favor to you.”

Lady Mary gnawed at her lips. Was this what it felt like to knowingly step into a trap? She firmly grasped her son’s hand and nodded.

“Alright. Cover your face with the hood.”

“Come this way.”

“Hurry up!”

Ian moved closer to Mary and Chel, who were heading toward the horses, and whispered.

“The warriors will guide you to Fontrol, but they won’t risk their lives for you.”

Meaning, cooperate and stay low. If they felt their safety was compromised, they could abandon the two at any time. As Mary glared at him, Ian simply smiled.

“If you dislike it, you can quit now.”

If they don’t leave, they only had two options: either live wretchedly hidden in a secret storage, or get captured by the investigation team and be executed alongside Derka.

Chel quickly pulled on his mother’s arm as if urging her to move.

“Ian, you bastard…”

“I won’t forget your warm love during this time, Madam. Thank you. But I don’t particularly want to see you again.”

“…”

Mary regretted it. She should have just killed him when she learned of his existence. Or maybe she should have severed his arms and legs, burned out his eyes and ears, and sent him off as a beggar. She had so many regrets in the many missed opportunities that had passed.

“Now. Leave.”

“Um, Ian, about my father…”

“Chel!”

Mary glared at her son, as if telling him not to speak with Ian any further. Mary and Chel put on their black hoods and mounted their horses.

“The investigation team has started their dinner and meeting.”

“Good timing. Keep the front gate open.”

“Yes, understood!”

Hee-yiing!

The horses carrying the two galloped through the center of the mansion. A few soldiers turned their heads reflexively at the sound of the horses, but that was it. Horses came and went dozens, if not hundreds, of times a day, after all. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ ɴ0velFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Tadak-tadak!

The two horses quickly entered the quiet village and sped down a deserted road. A few of the territorial residents glanced at them from the shadows, but paid no mind.

“What are they so busy with?”

“Exactly, and it’s getting dark too.”

Public interest was quickly buried in the darkness, leaving no trace. The servants who were left in the mansion saw that the horses were running smoothly and hurriedly focused on cleaning up.

“Make the grass look natural.”

“Should we put some rocks on it?”

“No, that would only arouse suspicion. Restore it as it was.”

“Yes, understood.”

Meanwhile, Ian looked towards the lit annex. He was wondering what could possibly be the reason for Madam Mary to return to her room even in such a situation.

‘What was it… that made her think Merellof would help her?’

However, that place was currently being used by Commander Erica. Soon after Countess Mary left along with the investigation team, he would have to search there.

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