Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor

Chapter 79

Ian.

Meanwhile, Ian, who had stepped out into the central garden, turned at the call of Romandro.

Her Ladyship Countess of Merellof is here, isnt she? Where might she be? I suspect the Count must be embarrassed to come forward himself, haha! Quite the situation.

I thought the same, but the Countess is currently in Lady Marys room.

Huh? Lady Mary Bratzs room? Whys she there? I heard they were close friends, but perhaps shes paying her respects belatedly?

Im not sure. She said shes looking for something she lent to Lady Mary.

What might that be?

I dont know. She didnt answer when I asked.

At Ians words, Romandro tilted his head in curiosity. What could be exchanged between noblewomen that was so important? The Countesss visit, expected to be brief, continued until past lunchtime.

Creak.

The Countesss expression was inscrutable as she emerged from Marys room. It was hard to tell if she had achieved what she wanted or not

Ian noticed the servants pale face following her, suggesting that the Countess had failed to find the item.

Countess?

Oh, Sir Ian. It took longer than I expected.

Did you find what you were looking for?

No. It seems to have been lost amid the chaos. It wasnt in the room.

The Countess flicked her hair and smiled. To an outsider, she would have seemed radiant and charming. It was clear from her manner that she had no intention of revealing what she was looking for, both earlier and now.

There was no need to pry further.

Shall we head to the drawing room then?

I was just thinking about having some tea. That would be nice.

Countess Merellof, good to see you.

Oh my! Hello. How have you been? Your name was Romandro, right?

Yes, Countess.

Countess Merellof graciously received a hand kiss from Romandro, chatting pleasantly as they headed back to the drawing room. Watching them descend the stairs, Beric muttered.

Theres a whiff of an unusual lunatic there.

Beric.

Its true, though. Whys she like that?

Check the room once more, then tidy it up.

Yeah, yeah. Got it.

Beric responded casually and entered Marys room.

By the time Ian reached the drawing room, Romandro and Countess Merellof were already sharing tea.

Sir Ian, I apologize for the inconvenience today.

Not at all, Countess. Please dont worry about it.

And I mentioned earlier that I have another gift, didnt I?

Yes, you did.

Ian sat opposite Countess Merellof, responding to her.

I hear you have to make a donation to the central authority.

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Oh. How did you know?

Word gets around. But the amount seems rather large, so we were thinking of helping you out.

The Count is offering?

Yes. We cant provide the full amount you desire, but we might be able to lend about 5,000 gold coins.

Lend them?

Yes, interest-free. In exchange, we would like some Grula seeds. What do you think?

Ian smiled as he spoke.

It doesnt sound very appealing.

Romandro, caught off guard, choked on his tea. It was bold to reject an offer so openly, but the Countess seemed unfazed, merely shrugging her shoulders.

Is that so?

First, thank you for your concern, Count and Countess. However, the donation should be something we handle ourselves, and we have the means to do so.

You have the means? Are you serious?

Absolutely. Therefore, we cannot accept your offer. Besides, considering the value of 5,000 gold coins versus Grula, the latter is overwhelmingly more valuable. Grula seeds, once planted, multiply tenfold, effectively solving hunger during the winter.

Its true that Grula was previously considered worthless.

That was in the past. You can always earn more gold, but a human life, once lost, is gone forever.

It was a statement that clearly understood the Merellofs situation rich in money but with nowhere to spend it. The Countess sipped her tea, smiling subtly.

If you wish to buy Grula, we are willing to engage in that transaction. That would be cleaner and look better for both parties. After all, solving things with money is the easiest thing in the world, isnt it?

How much are you thinking of selling it for?

Fifty coins per sack.

Fifty coins?

Gold coins.

Romandro, who had been listening, coughed and spilled his tea. Previously, hadnt it been said to be ten gold coins per sack?

But Ian was clear. He had said at least ten coins.

Incredible. Selling such weeds for fifty gold coins each.

Shall I show you their size?

Ian, unfazed, called a servant. The servant brought an empty sack, fluttering it open to demonstrate its size. It was a small sack, reaching up to ones calf.

Countess Merellof raised her eyebrows, showing an amused yet non-committal reaction.

Wow.

As if it wasnt her concern.

Are you mocking me?

Of course not, Countess. Youre here representing the Count, arent you? To insult you would be to insult the Count. That would be unthinkable.

Ian, seeing her attitude, was certain. She seemed uninterested in the trade of Grula. It appeared her sole purpose was finding something she had lent to Lady Mary

Each sack holds about thirty to forty Grula seeds. If all are planted, in a month, they will multiply into hundreds, and in another month, into thousands.

This was under the assumption that none were consumed and all were planted, which was unlikely at this point in winter.

In two months, the amount would be sufficient to save everyone in Merellofs territory. I trust you understand the importance of population in maintaining a territory.

Hmm. I see.

Many factors contribute to pricing. We are just prioritizing our people, just like Count Merellof did How much did you sell grains for again?

Romandro joined in, making his point clear.

Excluding essential wheat and corn, secondary ingredients were priced more than double. Potatoes, in particular, were impressive. Half a gold coin per sack, wasnt it?

His point was clear they were facing the consequences of their own actions. The Countess twisted her hair and stared blankly out the window, then murmured quietly.

Since the Count holds the purse strings, my opinion isnt significant. If fifty gold coins are what it takes to survive, why not? We might as well give up land at this rate.

Thank you for understanding.

Meanwhile, in Lady Marys room.

While Ian, Countess Merellof, and Romandro were engaged in their delicate negotiation, Beric, who had been casually looking around Marys room, turned around at a sound.

Creak.

Beric? What are you doing here?

It was Hannah. She wiped her wet hands on her apron, looking puzzled.

Ah. Countess Merellof was here earlier, rummaging through the room. She asked me to check it and lock up after.

Rummaging through the room? Why?

Dont know. Something about an item Lady Mary borrowed and didnt return. Ian thinks its still in here, but I cant find anything.

She was referring to Lady Marys behavior while fleeing. Hadnt she avoided entering her room even during those critical moments?

And you dont know what it is?

Would I be here if I did?

Hmm. Not an easy situation, is it?

Hannah placed her hands on her hips and quickly scanned the room. She then kneeled and pushed a broom under the bed.

What are you doing?

Looking for hiding spots. There arent many places in a room like this. Under the bed, or behind or under wardrobes and drawers

Ive checked all those.

Then it might be in the floor or ceiling.

The floor and ceiling?

Hannah tapped the floor with the broom handle, walking around. She was trying to detect any hollow spaces by sound.

Thump! Thump, thump!

Yes, the wooden floor can sometimes be pulled up. The ceiling is too high to reach by hand Oh!

Hannah suddenly looked up at the chandelier. The chandelier, spreading from the center like a disheveled tree, had fabric draped over various parts.

Wait a second. A chair wont be enough.

A ladder?

Yes, yes.

Ill go get one. Keep tapping the floor.

Beric stopped short as he was about to dash out, puzzled by Hannahs adeptness.

But what are you, exactly? You can pick locks, youre skilled with your hands, and youre good at hiding and finding things.

Everyone in my neighborhood can do at least this much.

That doesnt sound quite right

It was a skill born of necessity. Hannahs home was relatively better off, but he had heard of houses collapsing due to hidden contraband in the ceiling.

Hannah motioned for him to hurry, and Beric, shaking his head in disbelief, complied dutifully.

Hold it steady.

Shouldnt I go up?

You cant even find clothes in a drawer, Beric. Just hold it steady.

Creak.

Hannah climbed the ladder and reached inside the chandelier. The warmth of the light bulbs made the dust stick to her fingers.

A little more to the left Ah!

What? What? Did you find it?

Uh

Hannah pulled out a round object. It was a black lacquered powder case. This must be what Lady Mary and Countess Merellof exchanged

Why would she hide cosmetics here?

Exactly. Its nothing special!

Shall we open it?

As Hannah handed the powder case to Beric and descended the ladder, he couldnt resist and opened it first. It was filled with fine powder.

Just some powder Eh?

Whats wrong?

This smell

Hannah asked curiously, but Beric was too busy sniffing the powder. Something about the smell seemed off.

After a couple of sniffs, Berics eyes rolled back, and he suddenly collapsed forward.

Thud!

Huh! Beric!

As Beric collapsed, the powder scattered all over the floor. Hannah shook his stiffening body, but he showed no signs of waking up.

Ugh

Ah, Ian-nim! Ian-nim!

Hannah, panicking, ran back to the drawing room, flinging the door open without knocking. Romandro, Ian, and Countess Merellof turned towards her with surprised expressions.

Ian-nim! Something terrible has happened!

Whats the commotion, Hannah?

Beric found something. Its a black, round powder case. He smelled the powder and just collapsed!

What on earth

While Ian was confused, Countess Merellof reacted instinctively and rushed out. Hannah stumbled backwards, and Ian, startled, followed her.

Countess? Countess!

Hustle!

Countess Merellofs frantic running, dress hem in hand, was desperate. Ian quickly caught up with her, grabbing her arm to halt her.

Countess, please calm down for a moment

Let go of me!

Just wait

Amidst their light scuffle, the Countess slipped on the stairs and both she and Ian tumbled down. Romandro and Hannah, who had followed, called out to Ian.

Lord Ian! Are you alright?

Sir Ian! Are you okay?

Yes, Im fine. Countess, are you injured?

Ah

In her haste, Countess Merellof climbed the stairs, using the railing for support. Her ankle, revealed under the slightly lifted dress, was an unnatural shade of purple, not a color typically found on human skin.

Ian was momentarily taken aback, but then realized it was a bruise.