Chapter 10: Brooch

"What is a petition?"

"Although I have been here for a week, I have not been able to go out much besides coming and going from the mansion."

So what? Derga answered with a look on his face, but everyone could guess what was coming next. Ian bit his lower lip and smiled smugly.

"Therefore, if you permit, I would like to ask Master Ian to introduce the estate. I know that the Earl and Lady are very busy, so I cannot bring myself to ask them. Ha ha."

Beside him, Mack and Degor chimed in, perfectly timed and natural.

"That's a good idea! Let's have lunch together. The pleasure of sharing food and knowledge will be great. Right, Degor?"

"Um..."

The Lady hesitated to interject but ultimately remained silent, feeling too burdened to guide three unfamiliar men. Degor pretended not to hear her and replied.

"Of course. Besides, didn't Master Ian live outside until recently? He must know many interesting things that we don't."

Degor's "we" referred to the Derga family, including the outsiders. It was a clear message that only Ian could do this, and they should not interfere.

"Hmm."

Derga looked very flustered. He rolled his eyes, unable to swallow the wine in his mouth, trying to think of a reason to refuse.

But why can't a grown boy go outside? Moreover, the purpose of the meeting is a very healthy academic discussion.

"If we visit the mansion often, it would not be proper. If you permit, we will invite you to our residence. The hired coachman is very kind."

Molin put the final touch on it. Ian, who had been quietly observing the situation, spoke up. He needed to push from behind.

"Sir Molin, where is your residence?"

"Near the 3rd District Park in Fortro."

"Oh, Fortro?"

"You seem to know it well."

"Of course, I was born and raised here."

It was an ambiguous answer, open to interpretation. Even if the illegitimate Ian had known it, the Emperor Ian had no idea what Fortro was. He could only bluff because Molin had mentioned the park.

"Then it's even better. A walk in the park and some reflection would be nice. The sun is so warm these days, and I saw small boats on the lake. As an old man, I couldn't bring myself to get on one. If Master Ian helps, I might gather the courage."

Molin smiled, raising his eyebrows.

'They have some ulterior motive.'

Ian observed the Earl's expression. Derga forced a smile, but his face was stiff. Without a good reason to refuse, more and more plausible reasons kept appearing.

"Earl?"

"Ian, your opinion is important."

In the end, the Earl played his last card, passing the decision to Ian. His mouth smiled benevolently, but his eyes were cold, filled with silent pressure to handle the situation well.

'Interesting.'

A scene where the border noble Derga and the central official Molin were competing over a child. It was not uncommon in the palace, but it felt different from below.

"Hmm."

Ian added his words to the taut line. Going outside was clearly beneficial, but it might be good to shake things up before the game was decided.

"Wouldn't a clumsy guide be more of a hindrance? I'm still young and may not satisfy the gentlemen."

Unexpectedly, Molin and his group's faces stiffened. Derga nodded, hiding his smile behind his wine glass.

"However, it's not common to hear the insights of those from the capital. If it's a luncheon with academic discussion rather than a tour..."

Ian glanced at Derga. His jaw, which had been stiff, relaxed as he savored the wine. Then Degor naturally interjected.

"Earl, if we are lacking, I apologize for bringing it up."

His skill in taking control of the conversation was remarkable. His smooth talk was impressively adept, boosting their image and leading to a positive response.

Derga's answer to this question was set.

"...Of course not. That's absurd."

"Then I'm relieved. When would be a good time?"

"Ask Ian. Ian?"

The attention shifted back to Ian, and Molin stepped forward gracefully.

"Since the Earl is 'permitting' it, it would be best if the Earl sets the date. After all, all matters in Brats are handled by the Earl."

His eloquence was so impressive that even the Emperor Ian would have been impressed. He was very quick, as befitting someone from the capital. The arrogant noble Derga could never win against them with words.

'What's their true intention?'

At first, Ian thought it was just a minor check from Sir Molin. Frequent meetings and conversations would make it easier to find flaws in the illegitimate child.

But seeing them work together, there was clearly another purpose. They were putting in too much effort for a secondary opportunity. Did Derga notice?

'He did.'

His careful touch on his beard, the rolling of his eyes—these were all signs. Without a good reason to refuse, he would cooperate to understand their intentions.

"Then how about lunch tomorrow?"

Derga asked Molin but looked at Ian. Ian, having finished his calculations, smiled lazily, his previous stiff expression gone.

"Thank you, Earl."

"But I have a request as well."

He answered and looked at Chel. Everyone's attention followed Derga to the child. Chel, who was about to take a bite of steak, froze.

"As Ian said, you must be excellent teachers from the capital. I would like Chel to join and share knowledge as well."

It was a bit troublesome but not an impossible request.

Mack, Degor, and Molin exchanged quick signals. Their communication was so subtle that no one noticed.

"But Father, I have school-"

"Very well. Chel is also very intelligent. I look forward to the luncheon discussion."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Before Chel could say anything, the adults had already made their decision. Chel glanced at Ian with a look of disgust. Already uncomfortable, he was now being asked to stick with him all day, outside the mansion?

"Shall we bring out the dessert now?"

"Yes, it was a wonderful meal."

Ian nodded in agreement, a satisfied smile lingering on his lips. A meal where he had achieved everything he wanted. He would have felt full even without eating.

"Today's meal was an honor, Earl Derga."

"Let's meet again next week."

"Master Ian, I will send a carriage for you tomorrow at lunchtime."

The subsequent conversation was devoid of substance, with no polite laughter. Everyone had entered a lull, losing interest in the conversation. Molin and his group left with half-eaten desserts.

"Yes, please be careful on your way back."

"Lady, see you next time."

The three guests kissed Mary's hand in farewell and left in their carriage. As the meal was being cleared and Ian was about to return to the mansion, Derga called his sons.

"Chel. Ian."

"Yes, Father."

"You must tell me everything they said behind your backs, without missing a single word. You need to be on your guard."

A routine check. Chel and Ian nodded simultaneously, and Derga watched Ian with a cold gaze.

"And you, follow me to the study."

Mary and Chel looked at each other in confusion but then disappeared down the hallway to their rooms. Ian followed Derga to the study.

Creak.

The study looked much the same as last time, though the paperwork seemed to have increased. Derga rummaged through a drawer without a word.

Rattle.

"Hmm."

He pulled out a small brooch. It had a lion and laurel crest with a red gem. It was clearly the Brats family emblem.

"Take this with you tomorrow."

Unlike when he threw the mother's purse, Derga personally approached and pinned the brooch to Ian's chest. Ian immediately recognized what it was.

'A magic stone with recording and location tracking capabilities.'

In Ian's time, such stones were common, but a hundred years ago, they would have been hard to come by in the borderlands. It was likely a secret item used by the family when there was a threat to their safety.

Derga patted Ian's chest lightly and warned him.

"Do not lose it. You must take great care of it. It is many times more valuable than your insignificant body."

"...I will remember."

There were limits to what the two boys could report. Especially with three seasoned men from the capital. They would surely find a way to approach Ian without Chel.

"I will also assign someone to go with you. Do not cause any trouble rashly. Come straight to the study when you return."

Was Ian entirely on Derga's side? The man who had tried to sell him to the border? He had no choice but to use the family's precious magic stone.

"Yes, Father."

But Ian clicked his tongue, looking at the magic stone on his chest. He was confident that he would not be recorded. It was ridiculous to feel safe with such a useless item.

Creak.

Ian bowed politely and left, returning to his room to examine the brooch. When he infused it with magic, it quickly blocked the input, indicating low capacity.

Buzz. Buzz.

'A low-grade stone among low-grade stones.'

This was within Ian's control if he put his mind to it.

'Location tracking is done with a similar magic stone, so it's not a problem.'

Derga was likely looking at a compass in his study. The needle was replaced with a similar magic stone, allowing him to track the target's location by direction and light intensity.

'How can I deal with the recording?'

Ian focused again, sending magic into the stone, which glowed more red. His golden eyes softened.

"Oops."

He suddenly remembered one of the reasons he wanted to go outside: to meet his birth mother. He rang the bell to call a servant.

Ding!

"Did you call, Master?"

"Bring some snacks."

After just finishing lunch?

The servant bowed, hiding his surprise. But Ian hummed a cheerful tune, looking outside. He was waiting for the person bringing the snacks, not the snacks themselves.