Chapter 251

Chapter 251

60Melania, who had been at the center of social circles. The only daughter and youngest child of the Hayman family, a woman who had always been the focus of attention for her beautiful appearance and demeanor.

She had endured and enjoyed countless gazes in many situations. But she had never experienced anything like this. Cold sweat seeped slightly onto the nape of her neck.

“...I didn’t know you were in the middle of a meal.”

It was because four individuals were looking at her candidly, each in their own way. Beric seemed to be ‘watching’ her without blinking an eye while gobbling meat, while Romandro was ‘observing’ her while assessing the overall atmosphere.

Xiaoshi, standing in the back, was even more remarkable. Though her head was bowed, it was clear she was ‘guarding’ against her, employing all her senses instead of just sight.

The problematic Ian-

“It’s alright, Lady. We’ve been so busy lately that we don’t set aside a separate time for meals.”

-was ‘surveying’ her.

Was it because she had heard Ian’s words before entering? Melania found Ian’s leisurely cutting of food to be truly unreasonable.

It reminded her of a manager at a gambling arena, enjoying delicacies while watching those who had bet their lives on death engage in bloody battles. Just a few days ago, Melania herself had been of no different status.

“Eat up, Beric.”

“Yeah. Wow, this is really delicious.”

Though the guest he had personally invited had arrived, Ian didn’t stop eating. It was rude, but could rudeness even be established between them?

Melania realized what Ian’s behavior meant. It was about understanding one’s place, realizing the absolute hierarchical relationship, and a kind of preemptive strike.

Rustle.

Melania looked down at the carpet ending at her feet. Though they were in the same place, this clearly marked the different positions of them and Melania.

She was in the arena to survive, while Ian was one who enjoyed watching from above. There was a need to acknowledge this.

‘...Even the sun doesn’t last a day before setting. Human power is the same. There’s a time to fall, and if you wait, it rises again. If you wait, it rises again. Surely, that is the truth.’

She tightly clenched her fist hidden under the sleeve of her dress. Then she took a step back and bowed her head politely. Since Ian had called for her first, it was courteous to wait until he brought up his business. At least, in the current state where there was a hierarchical relationship.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes. Thanks to your consideration.”

Ian’s green eyes didn’t miss a single one of her movements. The fork and knife were set down with a light question. It was a signal that the meal was over. Though Beric didn’t understand and continued to scrape his plate clean.

“Lady Melania. About your proposal.”

The proposal to save the Hayman family by giving up everything, and also to awaken Ian’s past. Melania swallowed dry saliva with a possible expectation.

“No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t add up.”

“Lord Ian.”

“It seems better to adjust the details.”

“...What do you mean?”

Does it mean he can save Hayman if the details are adjusted? If so, she would do anything. There’s nothing she couldn’t do.

As she made such a resolve, intoxicated with hope, suddenly her train of thought was broken. The name Sereau came to mind. That analogy of Hayman being the champion and Sereau the challenger.

If so, wouldn’t the adjustment of details surely include content about Sereau?

“First, the biggest part of your proposal was the bank note shares and tax burden. But these are parts that will naturally be absorbed by the imperial palace if the Hayman family falls. Rather than keeping Hayman alive, burning it down to the roots is more beneficial for us.”

These are assets that would all be attributed if Hayman disappears. Of course, a certain portion would go to the remaining nobles, including Sereau, as privileges.

Hayman’s chance to fight lay in this small portion. The benefits that would fall to other nobles, not the imperial palace’s share. If they could protect this, the champion’s defense would be successful, and if they failed, the challenger would gain new honor.

Melania was deep in thought, to the point where her head felt hot. Now, that is...

“You’re saying to prove a value greater than the Sereau family, aren’t you?”

“Would you be satisfied with just being greater? You are traitors. Try to make us judge that your value is so excessively abundant that it wouldn’t be bad to spare even one person like you, Melania.”

One person. Melania mulled over that part. It meant he couldn’t save her family, including her father, the Duke.

She clenched her fist even tighter. The tips of her nails dug into her palm, but it seemed to awaken her mind rather than cause pain.

“I know. How could Sir Romandro worry about someone involved in treason?”

Even if they lose family and wealth, everything, those who can make it will make it. Was it just a coincidence that Hayman remained for a hundred years? The wish of just one person might survive tenaciously without dying, creating the Hayman of a hundred years later.

Whatever it becomes, there should be no noise in Bariel under Jin. All of Hayman except Melania, nobles who are carelessly excited and don’t understand their place, and even foreign powers trying to find gaps.

Clatter.

Ian smiled faintly and lightly swirled his teacup.

***

“Hahaha! As expected of the Sereau family.”

“Yes, yes. I knew it too, of course. When was it? On the day of the First Prince’s execution, didn’t you meet with Lord Ian in the greenhouse?”

“You knew about that?”

“Of course. Everyone knew about it through the grapevine.”

“Prince Jin was there too.”

“Oh! It will be recorded as the first family to be received by Prince Jin, the future Emperor.”

“Is that kind of thing recorded too? Hahahaha!”

The Sereau family mansion, which had been tranquil at best and desolate at worst, was now bustling with guests’ footsteps it had never enjoyed before. The aged butler was about to lose his mind trying to take care of the coats of the endless stream of guests.

Sereau, quite drunk, took out a cigarette. Immediately, everyone around him held out lighters.

‘Ha.’

What kind of luxury is this? Until recently, Sereau had been living as if he didn’t exist. Now, everyone was trying to get on his good side, fawning over him.

“So, will Sereau take over the banking business of the Hayman family? You’ll probably do so when bidding, right?”

“Ahem. I’m not sure about the details yet...”

Sereau started to trail off but then shook his head. He couldn’t spoil the atmosphere here.

“Lord Sereau. If you have time later, how about introducing your sister to me?”

“Oh my, you! He’s about to become a Duke! At least it should be Lord Ian or, well, the imperial family, shouldn’t it?”

“The imperial family?”

“Yes. Hayman was between nobility and royalty. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for the Sereau family to become the same.”

At someone’s words, Sereau deeply inhaled his cigarette smoke.

It’s certainly not wrong. With Hayman gone, if the current atmosphere continues, Sereau will become the head family of the nobles. Then he could propose the marriage talk that Ian had rejected again.

“Hahaha! Haha!”

Sereau couldn’t hide his tickled expression and burst into laughter. Everyone watched awkwardly before joining in. False conversations of congratulations, flattery, and praise flowed endlessly.

In the midst of this.

Rustle.

“Oh, everyone was here.”

“Welcome. Did you receive the sealing magic?”

“The order was delayed, so. Haha.”

A noble who had left the imperial palace later joined. He took off his coat and handed it to a servant while relaying information.

“But, they say Lady Melania left the palace too. Lord Sereau. Do you know why by any chance?”

“Hm? Melania?”

“Yes. I saw her carriage leaving.”

Everyone turned to Sereau curiously.

The youngest daughter of the Hayman family leaving the palace unscathed?

But Sereau just tilted his head curiously and continued to smoke his cigarette.