Chapter 252

Chapter 252

Melania, having alighted from the carriage, gazed blankly at the mansion. It was truly strange. Despite being the home she had lived in her entire life, everything felt as awkward as if she were visiting someone else’s house.

The trampled grass, bloodstains on the marble floor, fallen and broken ornaments, torn curtains, and the entrance where not a soul welcomed her arrival.

Melania pushed open the half-open door and entered.

Creeak.

“Hey. Who’s there? You shouldn’t come in carelessly. Are you perhaps from the Hayman family?”

At the end of the corridor, groups of imperial soldiers who had gathered called out, sensing her presence. They hadn’t recognized Melania. Just as she was about to respond, the soldier who had escorted her from the palace followed her in.

“This is Lady Melania, the youngest daughter of the Hayman family. Don’t mind her and continue with your duties.”

“Ah, I see. Carry on.”

“Where is Captain Jeirutt?”

“He said he was going to search the training grounds one more time, just in case.”

Melania bit her lip hard. The simple words of the soldiers, telling her not to mind, reminded her once again of her predicament.

She resolutely turned and climbed the stairs. Creak creak. Since when had the stairs made such noises? All her senses awakened her to how everything had fallen into disarray.

Boom! Crash!

“Melania!”

“Brother!”

Her younger brother, hearing the commotion downstairs, came running out. Aside from his disheveled clothes and mussed hair, his eyes, steeped in despair, were particularly a mess. He embraced his sister tightly and poured out his worried greetings.

“Melania, are you alright? Father and Mother? Big Brother?”

“Brother, let’s go inside first. We’ll talk inside.”

“Please, tell me first. Is everyone alright? What happened at the palace? Huh?”

Melania glanced around. The upper floor was empty as well. She had surely instructed the servants to keep their posts...

She sat down on the stairs with her younger brother and ran her hand through her hair. A sigh, drenched in sweat, escaped her unknowingly.

“Before that, what happened to everyone here?”

“Don’t even mention it. I’ve only now realized the true nature of these people.”

Half of the mansion’s staff had left immediately after Melania departed in the carriage. The imperial soldiers’ hint that they wouldn’t receive their wages had played a significant role.

No matter how long their loyalty had been cultivated, they had their own lives outside the mansion. Their families, lovers, and friends were waiting for them outside, not within these walls.

“Brother. That’s how it is. When darkness falls, even my shadow abandons me, so how could we expect others to stay? Don’t resent them. We lack the strength to move forward if we waste it on resentment.”

“The imperial soldiers counted and took away the slaves. Somehow, they knew the exact number. The private soldiers were also disbanded. Some who resisted were severely beaten and taken to the hospital. The butler is paying for their treatment with his personal funds for now...”

The younger brother rubbed his face vigorously with a dry hand. How on earth did it come to this? How is it that the Hayman family can’t even afford to pay for their people’s medical treatment and has to rely on the butler’s pocket?

Melania comforted her brother, who had witnessed and endured everything. Regrettably, this is just the beginning. Brother. We’ve already left the starting point, and only death awaits us at the end. Melania swallowed these words that wouldn’t come out.

“Brother. Don’t you remember? The children of Hayman played marbles with gemstones and cut silk for their scissor games. If we seize even a small opportunity, paying the staff’s wages won’t be a problem. The end of Hayman won’t be so miserable.”

“Melania, what do you mean by the end! Now, tell me. What exactly is happening inside? And you? How did you get out?”

Melania grasped his hands tightly. Then, in a very low voice, she informed him that the fate of Hayman was standing on the edge of a cliff.

“Father, Mother, and Big Brother will be executed. It seems this cannot be reversed. Lord Ian, the Minister of Magic, said he wouldn’t back down.”

“Damn it! Damn it!”

Bang! Thud!

He let out an anguished cry and stomped his feet. Downstairs, a couple of soldiers slightly raised their heads, wondering what was going on.

“But there’s still a chance.”

“A chance? Mother and Father are going to die! The family is in ruins and we’re penniless! What chance?”

“We are-!”

Melania firmly grasped her brother’s shoulders. The woman’s eyes sparkled brightly. It was the resolute stance of someone walking into a massive storm.

“We are the very existence of Hayman. If we live, Hayman lives. You haven’t forgotten, have you? Even the greatest of families started with just one person.”

“Me-Melania...”

“Ian! Don’t joke about food! Huh? You totally freaked me out!”

“Beric, I received the receipt yesterday. Are you sure you didn’t joke with food? It was an amount that a human couldn’t possibly have eaten. Just eat pork for a while.”

“Ah, shit. I shouldn’t have butted in. Should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

Saying that, he grabbed a handful of gula and stuffed it into his mouth. Romandro, watching this from behind, scratched his chin with his pen and asked Ian.

“By the way, Ian.”

“Yes. Is there a problem with the approval?”

“No, it’s not that, but after proceeding with His Highness Jin’s successor appointment ceremony, what will you do with Beric and Xiaoshi?”

Beric was a magic swordsman but a commoner, and Xiaoshi was a slave. If Jin and Ian continued to be together, it was obvious that they would remain by Jin’s side. Commoners without positions next to royalty, and the future emperor at that. It wouldn’t be a good look. Ian nodded, leaning back on the sofa.

“I’ve been thinking about that. How about putting Beric in the Imperial Guards?”

“Me? Where are you sending me?”

“You’re not going anywhere, just in name.”

The Imperial Guards are largely composed of magic swordsmen. So if he’s to remain in the palace, it’s natural to join them. As Beric jumped up, Ian gestured for him to calm down.

“Just in name? Is that okay?”

“That’s right.”

“Training?”

“I’ll tell Jeirutt. You’ll be affiliated with them, but I’ll have you dispatched to our side. They value each magic swordsman, so they won’t reject the proposal. Now you’ll earn your keep.”

“Ah, am I going to starve to death?”

It was Ian’s intention to exert influence on the Imperial Guards through Beric. In fact, given how much of a rascal he is, it’s questionable how much help he’ll be. But isn’t it better to at least put his name on the roster than to let him play around like this?

“What about Xia?”

“Xia is...”

Ian turned to look at Xiaoshi standing by the door. She was looking at Ian with an impassive face.

“Xia. What do you want to do? Since you’re not a magic swordsman, the Imperial Defense Department would be suitable. Do you want to join there?”

“I don’t mind either way.”

“Then, do you want to buy your slave certificate from me?”

“...Pardon?”

“What’s the current market price, Romandro?”

“Well, I’d have to check, but usually the owner sets the price.”

If a slave can save money to reclaim their slave certificate, they can restore their status. However, since the owner sets the price and it’s difficult for slaves to accumulate private property, it’s practically impossible.

“If you don’t have money, I’ll lend it to you. How about regaining your status and working here to pay it back?”

In essence, she would continue to live much the same as now. But the person closest to the prince can’t be a slave. Xiaoshi, understanding this intention, nodded.

“If you would do that, I would gratefully accept.”

“It’s money you’re paying back. No need for gratitude.”

“No, thank you.”

She would likely be the only one among her ancestors to escape slavery. Xiaoshi recalled her mother dying in a cage, and strangely, her nose stung. She couldn’t understand the source of this emotion.

Knock knock.

At that moment, there was a presence outside.

“Come in.”

“Lord Ian. We’ve received a message from the Department of Justice. They say the trial date for the seven families has been finalized.”

“When did they say?”

“Ten days from now. And...”

“And?”

“Lord Sereau is outside.”

Sereau?

The gazes of Ian, Romandro, Jin, and Xiaoshi met in midair. Beric just yawned widely and scratched his ear.