Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor
Chapter 20

“Ian’s not feeling well?”

“Yes, Count. He’s been complaining about a stomachache since morning and has been in bed ever since.”

Count Bratz fastened his cufflinks, furrowing his brows. He had thought the dining room’s atmosphere was somewhat off since morning. The servants had been stealing glances at their food in a strange manner.

The count misunderstood their hesitation as reluctance to report. In fact, it was because Ian had skipped his meal, leaving them in a hungry state.

“What about the doctor?”

His tone suggested more concern about a blemish on his son’s trading commodity than about his son’s health. The butler gave a nod of relief in response.

“He just finished his examination. He said it doesn’t seem to be anything serious, more like stress-related. He said he would keep an eye on his condition for today and tomorrow and then decide on a prescription.”

“Is he pretending to be sick?”

“Well, it is true that he has been pushing himself recently. And he’s not exactly robust to begin with.”

The way he scampered about, so thin he could be blown away by a gust of wind, it was hard to believe he was the same boy who had first come to the mansion. The count scoffed, a snort accompanying his retort.

“I heard there was a disturbance at the main gate yesterday.”

“Yes, Count. Shall we prepare for corporal punishment?”

“What corporal punishment? Just make sure he’s taken care of medically. That brat still doesn’t realize he’s a burden, even if he’s about to cross the border. Tsk tsk.”

Does he not realize that everything tying him to me now will only become shackles?

This was rather convenient. The count had been feeling increasingly uneasy about controlling the child with only his mother as leverage, especially since his mother, Philea, had become quiet. Whether it was a change of heart or something else, Philea had stopped making a fuss about seeing Ian, and even Ian’s inquiries about Philea weren’t as frequent as before.

‘It’s clear when compared to the time he was desperate to see his mother. His emotions are gradually becoming numb.’

Moreover, Ian had been meeting with Molrin a couple of times a week separately. The count had always kept his brooch clean, despite clearly knowing that the old man had hidden intentions.

At this point, he suspected that he was falling into some kind of trap. A keen instinct told him.

“What was his name again? Eric?”

“It’s Berick, Count.”

“If Ian wants to see him, let him, and try to accommodate him as much as possible. You said he’s an orphan, right?”

The count recalled the handwriting sample brought by the tutor the night before. Even a passing dog would recognize the writer’s complete ignorance. The writing improved slightly towards the end…

The count grimaced and muttered, “There’s a saying, isn’t there? Losing a lover is like losing your heart, and losing a friend is like losing a lung.”

Having tied the boy down with the rope called ‘mother,’ now it was time to bind his wrist with the name of friendship. In the remaining month and a half, everything had to be prepared tightly so that even after crossing the border, the boy would be ready to sacrifice himself for the Bratz family.

“Teach Ian how to breathe. He’ll be curious to see how much strength a friend can give.”

That way, when the time comes to strangle him, the pain and fear will return twofold. The butler bowed his waist in response to the count’s command.

“I assume you’ll have no trouble managing the manor.”

“Of course.”

“Butler, I trust you a great deal.”

“I won’t let your trust down.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Tap.

The butler exited. Dergha lit a candle on the wax holder. As the inside of the red wax slowly began to melt, he opened the drawer.

Squeak.

He reached inside with familiarity. He felt a rounded groove. He turned the diamond ring on his forefinger and pushed it in.

Click.

With a loud, clear click, another secret drawer opened. It looked simple from the outside, but in reality, an electric current was running inside. If you carelessly pushed anything in, you’d end up fried right there.

For example, like the fake key the count gave to the butler.

‘This time’ butler lasts quite a while.’

Once, a long time ago, a butler was found dead in Count Bratz’s office. The trap of the generations-old Bratz family had been perfectly triggered. Although the former butler was suspected of collusion with the Cheonrye tribe, the dead can’t talk.

‘This butler’s more perceptive than the old one, so he might already know.’

Dergha didn’t explicitly say it was a storage for seals, but he subtly indicated that precious items were stored there. He didn’t even take out the brooch in front of Ian.

Swish.

Dergha poured wax onto the envelope, then lightly pressed the seal of the Bratz family. The image of a tiger, the symbol of the family, was vividly embossed.

* * *

Ian half-reclined on the cozy bed. He had devised a plan to stay alone in the annex, but unexpectedly, the household members had been even more attentive than ever. After the doctor’s visit, the servants kept bringing him all sorts of food, making his morning more filled than usual.

“Hannah? Are you outside?”

“Yes, young master.”

As Ian got dressed into his robe, he confirmed Hannah’s presence.

The current time was 3 p.m. It was the hour when the manor’s servants finished their late lunch and began cleaning the main building. Although a few people remained downstairs, it was now the quietest time.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, young master.”

With Hannah’s help, Ian decided to search the butler’s room. They planned to keep watch and, in case anyone approached, to divert their attention.

“But, are you really going to give me a silver coin?”

Given the significant risk involved, he had decided to offer a reward beyond food. After all, with three nobles from the central authority in one mansion, it wouldn’t be hard to spare some silver.

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried, I’m just pondering what I’ll buy with the silver.”

Hannah moved nimbly, scanning the corridor left and right. Nobody was there. Ian, too, tread lightly as he descended the stairs. He was about to use the less crowded back stairs when he heard a voice.

“No way. Is that even possible?”

“No, it’s not. Buddy, you’ve been conned. Hahaha!”

The sound of chatter echoed. The door to the servant quarters closed, and the noise faded, indicating that they’d only dropped by for a moment. Hannah signaled that it was clear by drawing a circle in the air.

“I’ll guard the downstairs staircase. If anything happens, I’ll shout, so be careful.”

“Alright, thank—”

He halted.

Ian had tried to turn the doorknob and found it locked. It was hard to find locked doors inside the mansion. Even the count’s bedroom was known to be always open, though guarded.

“Is it locked?”

“…It won’t open.”

Did the tutor experience this too? He’d guessed from the tutor’s demeanor that day that he had failed. But he didn’t imagine he wouldn’t even be able to enter. As Ian contemplated whether to use his magic, Hannah motioned him to step aside.

“Please wait a moment.”

Then, she began picking the lock with a hairpin. Ian looked on in skepticism. How could a door be opened like that…

Click.

“Did it open?”

“It’s open.”

As if it were a simple task, Hannah dusted off her hands. Ian turned to look at her in surprise, and the girl, reinserting the hairpin into her hair, smiled.

“Didn’t I tell you? I have many brothers.”

“And so?”

“In a house with many brothers, doors are locked and unlocked all the time. It’s a way of expressing dissatisfaction or pranks. Even a simple handle like this can be opened with a fork.”

“It seems like a talent to me.”

“If this is considered a talent, all the kids in my neighborhood would be geniuses. Go ahead, do your job.”

Hannah was aware that she lived near a brothel, but she hadn’t realized how it influenced her. Picking locks, secretly passing messages, and swapping alcohol with water were unusual acts for ordinary people.

Squeak.

Ian left Hannah behind and entered the butler’s room. The room was simple, with a bed, a desk, and one wardrobe. It was so neat it felt sparse.

“Hmm.”

Ian took a sweeping look around the room.

What could it be? What was the tutor trying to gain from the butler?

As he flung open the wardrobe door, a bunch of keys hung on the inner wall. Roughly a few dozen keys per bunch. It seemed all the mansion’s keys were here.

Jingle—

Each key had its purpose written on it. First multipurpose room on the first floor, second multipurpose room… Ian quickly found the bundle for the main building’s office.

‘Here it is. The office, the commissioner’s bedroom, .’

And then, a strange key inserted between the others caught his attention. It was bulky, as if it had a bead attached at the end. Its purpose wasn’t written, and more than that, it was noticeably heavier, suggesting a different material from the regular keys.

Knock Knock.

At that moment, Hannah knocked hastily from outside. It indicated that someone was coming up to this floor. Ian opened a box under the wardrobe. It was filled with miscellaneous documents, IDs, and a free pass to the estate.

Knock, knock!

The knocking grew more urgent. Having no choice, Ian tidied up the wardrobe and left the room. As the door closed, he locked eyes with a maid who had come up the stairs.

“Ian-nim? Hannah?”

“What brings you out here? How are you feeling?”

Hannah’s eyes were darting around nervously. Ian naturally followed her gaze as he responded.

“I felt uncomfortable lying down all day. I thought I’d go for a quick walk.”

“That’s not possible! The doctor has strictly instructed not to move.”

The servants scrambled to carry Ian’s back, and Hannah followed closely behind. They exchanged signals with their eyes. Sᴇaʀᴄh the NʘvᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

‘Did you find what you were looking for?’

‘I’m not sure.’

All that was memorable was a strangely shaped key and the free pass to the estate. There were no books, so if the teacher wanted to get something out of him, it would have been one or the other.

“If master Ian does not recover soon, we will get in trouble.”

“Hannah. Don’t bother master Ian and come out.”

“Um, my sisters! Just a moment—”

Bang!

The maids, after admonishing, dragged Hannah out. Once again, the space grew quiet. Ian sat by the window, staring at the pot of flowers, lost in thought.

The blunt key, the pass, and the tutor. He would have to subtly probe what the tutor wanted during the next class.

‘Maybe there’s no key at all.’

Derga obviously didn’t do much more than put his hand in as he pulled out the brooch. Although there were magical devices like fingerprint recognition, it wasn’t something Dergha would have in this era.

Then, a loud noise was heard from outside the door.

Thud! Thud!

The echo of footsteps filled the corridor, heading towards his direction. Only then did Ian turn his head to look at the door.

Could it be Dergha? He could be angry because he thought I was faking illness.

Thud!

A presence stopped in front of the door. Soon, it pounded on the door as if to break it down. Ian frowned and cocked his head.

“…Who is it?”

“It must mean I can enter, right?”

As soon as he recognized the familiar voice, the door swung wide open. A glimpse of red hair and eyes could be seen through the gap.

“Hello there?”

There stood Beric, looking as cheerful as ever.

Sᴇarch the NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.