Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor Chapter 8

Episode 8. Intent

“Ian. My little one. Huh.”

The tutor cleared his throat once and looked at Ian. The bastard who received this letter was blind, so he must have asked someone else to read it for him.

The most natural choice among dogs is a tutor.

Ian’s eyes twinkled and he rested his chin.

“Please continue reading. teacher.”

“How are you doing there? The mother is comfortable thanks to Count Derga. I’m happy every day because I don’t have to work. You, too, should devote yourself to learning with a grateful heart to the Count. Master Chell may be your half-brother, but don’t forget that you must take care of him. I consider it an honor to be a symbol of peace and friendship. Above all, try to build a strong relationship with the Cheonryeo tribe. “You and Master are the hope that will continue for generations.”

The teacher who was reciting the letter glanced at Ian and looked at him.

“And I have a favor to ask.”

okay. And to the point of the matter.

“It is said that the Cheonryeo people smoke something called a leaf instead of a cigarette. I also want to taste it once. “Next year, when you come home on your birthday, can you sneak me some seeds?”

The leaves were a type of stimulant used by the Cheonryeo people.

They chewed it thoroughly, or rolled up the leaves and burned them. It is a secret of the Cheonryeo tribe that does not even know exactly what kind of plant it is or how to make it.

One thing is certain: when they go into battle, they jump in with at least one leaf in their mouth.

“And a flower bloomed in the flower pot you carefully cared for. “Once we cross the border, I won’t be able to see you anymore.”

“… Hmm.”

“The last line says: If this letter has reached you, please write a line from a song that your mother often sang to you. I always love you. my son.”

My guess is that the dried flower petals in his pocket were a real gift from his mother. Also, only the last paragraph is the actual content of the letter. She used her own head. By asking for a password, the Count has no choice but to deliver the letter and send a reply.

‘It seems like my mother mixed up the message by telling me to smuggle in the leaves while sending the letter… … .’

What was puzzling was Derga’s approach. Why are you trying to lure Ian in such a complicated way?

If you just put his mother’s life on the line as he has been doing up until now, Ian will obey. There would be no reason to go around like this.

“Ian?”

“yes. teacher. thank you “Please keep the contents of today’s letter confidential.”

“of course.”

There must be more to Derga’s hidden intentions. Ian was determined to find out.

the teacher asked, taking out a clean sheet of parchment.

“Would you like to write your reply today?”

“no. I have so much to say, so I need to organize my thoughts. “I’ll ask you next time.”

“Is that so. “Your mother will be waiting.”

I’m urging you.

But even if I wanted to write it, it was difficult because I didn’t know the lyrics.

‘If you use the wrong lyrics, the mother will be in an uproar. ‘You know what happened to me.’

The shackles served to both bind Ian and protect him. What if the misunderstood mother commits suicide? I couldn’t predict how Derga would come out to tie Ian up.

‘If it’s worst, you could be imprisoned until the day of the peace ceremony.’

I think it would be best to meet her in person.

Fortunately, tomorrow is the day of the Lord’s luncheon.

If you use it well, you may be able to obtain two things: a chance to go outside the mansion and Derga’s intentions.

* * *

“oh. Sir Moline.”

“It’s only been a week. Count Derga.”

As previously announced, Moline visited the mansion with his entourage. They were two young, energetic-looking men, and it was clear that they were Molin’s juniors in the central administration.

“nice to see you. “Count.”

“Thank you very much for your luncheon hospitality.”

The men, who introduced themselves as Mac and Degor, kissed the back of the Countess’s hand. Mrs. Mary smiled elegantly and put her son, Chell, in front.

“I hope you have a good time.”

“ah. Is this Master Chell? “Then this one?”

Actually, there is nothing to be confused about.

As I heard, Ian had blonde hair as bright as sunlight. It was just a show of courtesy.

“I’m Ian.”

“Nice to meet you. “I really missed you after hearing what you said.”

“Call me Mac. young master.”

Chell looked like he didn’t deserve to be called by the same name as Ian. But what can you do? I can’t complain in front of adults and Ian. Chell just walks into the garden next to her mother.

“As expected, this is Count Bratz’s residence. “The garden is very nice.”

“I can’t believe I received such praise from someone from the capital. “I guess I’m lucky today.”

Although it was trivial, there was a conversation that seemed to measure each other’s dignity. There was no bad intention involved. It was a natural and habitual habit, like the rituals of nobles.

“master. “I will bring you some pre-dinner food.”

“okay.”

At the butler’s signal, servants came in with a trolley.

“What would you like for an aperitif?”

“It’s a sunny day, so I’ll have sherry.”

“What about Master Ian?”

In response to Mac’s kind question, Ian almost asked for the same thing without realizing it.

Sherry is a white grape wine. It’s an awkward age to start drinking. He smiled brightly and asked for a fruit drink.

“You look much better than last week.”

Molly smiled kindly as she wiped her hands. Although his body was tied up as a sacrifice for peace, in the old man’s eyes, Ian was nothing but fresh.

“I guess it’s because I’m looking forward to today.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

“Actually, I had a lot of questions about the capital. Last time, I was a little disappointed because they only talked about me. “Right, father?”

Derga cleared his throat and wiped his beard at Ian’s sly words. Meanwhile, the servants set up pre-dinner drinks and a simple salad.

“okay. What are you so curious about? In fact, even though it is the capital, people live all the same. It’s a good thing we brought Mac and D’Gor with us today. “I’m old, so I don’t know much about the situation of young people.”

Ian started off with something trivial.

What do capital students study, how do they spend their free time, have they really seen a wizard, and so on. When talking about wizards, the eyes of Mac and Degor, including Moline, sparkled.

“I’m especially curious about what you usually eat in the capital.”

“Just because it’s the capital doesn’t mean it’s special or rich. All special products from the estate go into the imperial palace. Above all, there is almost no farmland in the center.”

“I guess there is no other way than for merchants to distribute it.”

“you’re right. So the famine in the capital comes not from the dryness of the land, but from the dryness of the wallet. “One of the roles of the imperial palace is to regulate supply and demand appropriately.”

Unlike Chell, who just rolled her eyes and pretended to know, Ian took the lead in the conversation by agreeing with ease. Mac and D’Gor shared a meaningful look.

‘They say he’s smart for a bastard from low birth.’

His penetrating insight and childlike concentration were unusual. Ian helped by slicing the steak in a relaxed manner.

“Food is the most basic of basics, so there must always be ample supply. “It would be great to discover new foods.”

Those words were not forceful. Light words like talking about the weather. The adults were all focused on Ian’s words. Countess Dergawa wondered why there was so much talk about it today, and the guests seemed interested.

Especially Moline Wonder.

“It’s a new food. “I’m curious about Ian’s insight.”

“There is no such thing as insight. “What you thought was inedible may turn out to be a valuable food ingredient.”

“Ahaha. “Is there such a thing as a dream?”

“You never know. A hungry person eats anything and everything to survive. If you look closely, you might make a good discovery.”

I have no intention of telling you about Gula right now. I was planning to keep it quiet until the right opportunity came, but I thought it would be okay to just give it a try, so I let it out. Then Mac added, as if he remembered something.

“Now that I think about it, I heard that in the slums they make stew with seafood shells. They say it tastes surprisingly good. “Have you ever eaten it, Ian?”

It was the first sharp question in a conversation full of goodwill. Ian was poor and lived in a brothel. You could say that they are the poor of the poor.

‘It’s surprisingly harsh.’

Ian suppressed his laughter.

The center and the border have a relationship that keeps each other in check. The imperial palace was tacitly allowing her to send Ian instead of Chell.

But what if Ian’s qualifications are questioned after he moves to the Cheonryeo tribe? What if this causes damage to Bariel? This gives them an excuse to effectively pressure change.

Therefore, the question had only one intention.

‘Ian. Are you from the slums?’

Making me crucify with my own mouth the origins of a bastard who blindfolded me and pretended to be blindfolded. Since three central government officials heard it at the same time, there can be no more certain testimony than that.

“Ian? “Lord Mack is asking.”

The Countess urged with a smile. It seems like they don’t know what political intentions are conveyed in each word. Of course, the same goes for Chell.

“I probably wouldn’t have done that-”

“Chell!”

When Chell tried to shake the cubic tablet, Derga quickly interrupted him. Clink. He was startled and dropped his fork. But Derga cracked down on his son with a calm expression.

“Lord Mack asked Ian a question, didn’t he? It is not polite to interrupt. “Be careful.”

It meant to shut up.

Chell was sobbing, and Mrs. Mary held her son’s hand under the tablecloth. The way she looked at her husband was quite sharp. It’s not that big of a mistake, so why are you yelling at me like that? Isn’t my son already depressed after making a mistake last week?

“I’ve never tried it.”

“is it so?”

Ian put down the knife and answered firmly.

for now. I liked seeing him show an obedient attitude next to Count Derga.

“I grew up outside the mansion, but my father always took good care of me. “No matter what anyone says, I am a proud descendant of the Bratz family.”

“Ohh. “It certainly is.”

It’s a funny situation where everyone knows it’s a lie, but they pretend not to know and ignore it.

Molly gave a very satisfied smile. How was she able to see through the attack that came without warning?

“I’ve never tried it with that kind of condensed milk, but I’d like to try it if I get the chance.”

Derga frowned, but didn’t say anything else. This is because Ian’s answer was clear and flowed quite naturally.

“Is that so?”

“In fact, what is noble about something that comes from nature? Wouldn’t it be a blessing in itself if we could relieve hunger? “And it’s a delicacy.”

For a moment, Moline felt a sense of déjà vu at Ian’s answer.

It was definitely a claim I had heard before somewhere…

“You say the same thing as His Majesty the Prince.”

Degor scratched the itch.

‘Prince? Who is it?’

Based on Ian’s time, the current emperor had to ascend through several generations. Are there many princes there? Usually, they had ten or more children.

In short, even Ian, who was the emperor, does not know who the emperor from 100 years ago was.

“I am speaking to 2nd Prince Gale. You said that very calmly while talking about street food with nobles. haha.”

He couldn’t say anything in front of him, but he must have been quite mean to him behind his back. The prince of a country said something uncultured.

By the way, he is the second prince of Gale. It feels very familiar, as if I heard it somewhere…

“When you two meet, you will get along well.”

“How dare Ian do that?”

“no. “I think that’s a great opinion.”

Degor smiled and waved his hand at Derga’s shame.

He was sincere. In an era where tens of thousands of people die of starvation every year, how about street food like that? Living comes first.

“It’s really scary to lose face. No matter how street food is, it has value and is therefore consumed.”

“That’s right. But the reality is even scarier. “Even the common people don’t even pay attention to the food eaten by low-income people.”

The Countess intervened in Mac and D’Gor’s lament.

“Even if a new crop is discovered, it will take a long time for it to be distributed, right?”

It wasn’t a bad topic, but the context was wrong. Ian shook his head without realizing it.

“no. mother. In fact, supply is not the problem.”

“is it so? “I see you have an opinion, Ian.”

Moline’s testing tone. Ian smiled as if asking why a person who knows everything would do that.

fantasy,