Chapter 253

“Greetings, Lord Ian.”

“Welcome.”

Ian shook Sereau’s hand while casually looking him over. His coat, tie pin, and shoes had all changed to considerably high-quality items.

While previously his attire had been just enough to maintain the appearance of a nobleman, now it was clearly of the highest quality, seemingly intended to flaunt his wealth.

For a family that had been maintaining its lineage through rental businesses, it’s unlikely that a bundle of money suddenly fell from the sky…

“You look quite dashing today.”

“To hear such words from Lord Ian, I’m embarrassed. Haha. Thank you.”

It must be one of two things.

Either he’s using future expected profits, or other nobles have offered tributes to curry favor.

Whatever it was, it was certainly not a welcome change. A truly good timber should be heavy enough to maintain its center even when circumstances change.

Sereau, noticing Jin sitting on the sofa, looked surprised for a moment.

“Oh, Your Highness Jin. Hello. I am Marlon Hoff Sereau, at your service. I didn’t know you were here. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you. Please, sit.”

Sereau politely nodded and took a seat opposite the sofa. Just as Ian had observed him, he too was examining Ian’s office in his own way.

“Bring some tea.”

“Yes, Lord Ian.”

The assistant named Romandro, the stack of documents next to him, and the red-haired guard with heterochromia who had been thoroughly beaten by Captain Jeirutt… Including the relationship between Jin and Ian, everything seemed unchanged.

Is the prince still not moving his quarters? With Jin coming out without a guardian like this, it truly becomes impossible to gauge Ian’s authority. Sereau rubbed his palms together and smiled palely.

“I heard your health was quite poor.”

“Really? Where did you hear that?”

“Pardon?”

When Ian suddenly asked back, Sereau was surprised and questioned in return. It’s something one would hear everywhere if they had ears, so how should he answer when asked like this? There’s a rumor that there’s a traitor in the Magic Department. Is he suspecting that?

As Sereau fumbled for words in confusion, Ian smiled slightly.

“It’s embarrassing, as it’s not a good image. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, I’ve improved considerably now.”

“I-I see. Tha-“

He wanted to say it was fortunate there wasn’t much damage considering the confrontation with the magical beast. But before he could even realize it himself, he burst into a fit of coughing, his throat suddenly constricted.

‘Is this a gag spell?’

Ian ignored Sereau’s coughing and changed the subject. Is there any need to exchange unnecessary greetings? Instead of that, it would be more productive to attend to business or read books with Jin.

“So, what brings you here? I heard nobles are reluctant to enter and leave the palace.”

There were even some who said they would leave the capital altogether, as every time they entered, something would happen and they’d be locked in.

“Well, I’m not sure if you’ve heard. The nobles who agree with me have come together to submit a petition. All of them, down to their subordinates.”

Ian raised an eyebrow. Jin, who was watching him, similarly raised his eyebrow. Sereau, seeing this from across, hesitated for a moment but soon continued.

“We did so hoping it would be of some help in the Justice Department setting the trial date…”

“Yes, I heard.”

“But I heard that Lady Melania of the Hayman family has left the palace. I was a bit concerned about that.”

Jin turned to look at Ian. He seemed to be asking why Ian had let Melania go when he himself was working hard everywhere to put an end to things.

“There’s no need for concern. Thanks to Lord Sereau’s help, we just received word from the Justice Department.”

“Has the trial date been set? Oh my. I didn’t know.”

“…Of course you wouldn’t know. I just heard about it myself.”

Flinch. Romandro, who had been quietly listening, stopped his pen and rolled his eyes. Did this Sereau fellow not understand what he was saying? His attitude suggested he should know as much about palace affairs as Ian himself. Slowly, imperceptibly, the tip of his foot was crossing an invisible line.

“And Lady Melania was never a subject of investigation to begin with. She entered the palace of her own accord, so her departure wasn’t considered a major issue. Lord Sereau. You should know this, right? That other direct family members of the seven families remain outside the palace.”

“Yes, yes. I know that.”

“What are they doing?”

It was a question casually thrown out, but Sereau detected the hidden barb within it.

Wasn’t the palace’s strength diminished after the civil unrest and the Arsen incident? So naturally, it should have been Sereau’s role to monitor and pressure the remaining noble remnants, easing the burden on the palace. Not to gather forces and name themselves an ‘opposition party’ or such.

Sereau habitually rubbed his palms again. Sweat was beginning to seep out.

“What could they do? They just send letters asking for help. I’ve been gathering the nobles and keeping an eye on them. I’ve been cutting things off well from the middle.”

Rather than gathering to watch, it would be more accurate to say he was enjoying the gatherings. So, when servants from the seven families in question came to make contact, he would openly read the messages and pass them around mockingly. He tore them up in front of others, ridiculed them, showed his refusal, and built strong bonds in the process.

As Sereau made this plausible explanation, Ian asked with wide eyes.

“Is that so? Which noble families were attempting to make contact? It seems the seven families are trying to grasp at straws before the cliff. We should keep an eye on them.”

Clatter.

The sound of the teacup was ominous. Sereau sensed that something was going awry.

The ones the seven families tried to contact were those who had shared drinks and smokes at his mansion. He had built a fence as one force, invited them inside, and boasted about future glory, but now he’s being asked to give up their names?

And for the purpose of suspecting disloyalty?

‘That’s a bit…’

How is this any different from nobles agreeing to work well together, then tattling to the royal family behind each other’s backs? It’s the same as Sereau selling out others to gain Ian’s trust.

But staying silent in this situation…

“Lord Sereau?”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

“What’s the matter?”

Isn’t this directly going against Ian?

His gaze, with nowhere to settle, shook roughly. No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t figure out what words to use to escape the situation. Sereau finally selected a few suitable families and reported them to Ian.

“…It’s Eijein and Baukman.”

“I see. Thank you. Based on Lord Sereau’s advice, I will personally keep an eye on them.”

At least for Eijein and Baukman, a check like ‘Sereau said you were close enough to the seven families for them to ask for help?’ would be effective.

And the arrows from those two families would be aimed at Sereau.

‘Oh my. Ian, you really…’

Romandro clicked his tongue inwardly. His skill at manipulating three families while just sitting there was quite something to behold. He was curious about what the child sitting right next to him, whose gaze never left Ian, was imprinting in his mind.

“…I’m truly relieved to confirm that the lady’s departure from the palace isn’t an issue. In fact, I trusted Lord Ian and wasn’t concerned, but I kept hearing worried voices from various places.”

“That’s unfortunate. There’s so little faith in the palace.”

“Lord Ian, and this might be a bit premature, but when the sale of Hayman Bank proceeds after the trial, how much should we prepare?”

Since Hayman would be wiped out due to treason, most of their vast wealth would revert to the royal family.

The distribution and placement of physical assets like territories, mansions, paintings, and statues were relatively easy, but businesses like ‘Hayman Bank’ required a very complicated process.

Especially in the case of the bank, isn’t it a massive trunk running through Bariel’s economy? He thought the ownership would remain with the palace, but the operation might be entrusted to the nobles.

“The full scale of Hayman Bank hasn’t been fully assessed yet. As you know, it’s not just in the capital. Regarding that, I’m also in a position of receiving reports, so you’ll have to wait a bit.”

“Yes. Of course. Of course we can wait.”

“You seem excited.”

“Pardon? Ahaha!”

He’s not denying it.

Ian smiled along with Sereau and wrapped up the conversation.

“Next time, I’ll bring my sister Alenara as well.”

“Ah.”

At the mention of his sister, Jin and Romandro jerked their heads up. Is he still holding onto the marriage proposal he had pushed in the greenhouse?

The atmosphere changed noticeably, but Sereau didn’t notice as he was adjusting his coat.

“Haha. In fact, when I said I was entering the palace today, my sister was so eager to come along. Lord Ian. Leave the nobles to me. Without a single worry, I’ll handle them well. Your Highness Jin. You too, please set your worries aside!”

Ian was the right hand attending to palace affairs on behalf of Jin. Then he would be the left hand governing on behalf of noble society. Sereau made this pledge as he placed his hat on his chest.

“Take care on your way back.”

“Your Highness Jin. I’ll see you again.”

“…Go.”

Creeak.

As he left the office, Romandro and Jin simultaneously put down their pen and book. Their expressions clearly showed their displeasure. Ian told the servant to clear away his teacup, saying there was no need to worry about it.

“But why does that guy’s sister want to see Ian?”

Beric poured a handful of gula into his mouth and chewed. Honestly, he only understood about half of what they were talking about. Romandro tapped his pen nib and explained.

“That fellow pushed a marriage proposal to Ian last time. It was politely refused, but he’s subtly pushing it again. Tsk tsk.”

“What!? Marriage proposal? The one I know?”

“Is there another marriage proposal you know of?”

“Crazy. Does he have money?”

“And if he does?”

“Tell him not to get ahead of himself.”

Romandro burst into laughter, apparently amused by Beric’s blunt words. It wasn’t just about the marriage proposal. Indeed, there were many attitudes that were a bit too daring.

“Ahem. I wonder if Lady Melania will cut that fellow down to size a bit?”

“Well, that’s what I’m hoping for.”

The lady is clever and has spirit. As I desire, she will drag Sereau into the dirty mud fight that only nobles can engage in. Because she’s someone who aims to survive, even if her whole body becomes a mess.

***

Meanwhile, Sereau left the palace and returned to his mansion. The street in front of the mansion was still lined with carriages. Traces of those waiting for Sereau, who had entered the palace.

He had met Ian, who was not easily accessible, and the prince was there too. When he tells them this news, his guests will be overjoyed. Sereau rushed inside as soon as the carriage stopped.

Creeak.

“You’ve returned, sir?”

“Ah, yes. Where are the guests?”

“They’re inside, but…”

“Haha. Why are they waiting here? I would have contacted them properly.”

“Um, young master.”

The butler held Sereau back. The old man furrowed his brow deeply, as if something was amiss.

“I overheard the guests’ conversation by chance, and I’m asking just in case. Do you have any dealings with the Hayman family?”

“Dealings with Hayman? What are you talking about?”

“I heard that we leased the Chetur district to Hayman. That it was initiated by the relationship between their second young master and Lady Alena. They said that now we’re pretending to have no connection with Hayman.”