The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 31

“Jang Oblas Salen, huh…”

“Yes. Although he’s from a collateral branch, given that he possesses the Oblas royal crest, he is considered a fairly high-ranking individual.”

“That’s probably why my brother sent me directly.”

Yonas Si-on, the half-brother of Gede Si-on, stroked his short-bearded chin and stared sharply at the baronial castle of the August Estate.

“The one who came along—Kilburn or whatever his name is—are we certain he’s truly Grandmother Maria’s grandson?”

“After verification, there’s no doubt. The only child Lady Maria had in her lifetime was the current Baron Kilburn, and Piotr Si-on Kilburn is the youngest.”

“Si-on? Hmph! How much time has passed, yet he dares to act like a Si-on? And he even has the audacity to come here?”

Yonas wanted to curse more harshly but held back his temper for now.

His father’s generation may have been close to Aunt Maria in their childhood, but to Yonas, she was merely a grandaunt he’d never met.

Moreover, since Piotr wasn’t even her son but her grandson, he felt no obligation to show him any respect, despite sharing the same generational rank.

Had they grown up together in the Si-on Duchy, it would’ve been different, but distant relatives disconnected for two generations were no different from strangers.

“But aren’t you curious, Uncle? I heard Lady Maria was greatly cherished by His Grace, the Hero Duke.”

The teenager, who appeared to be in his late teens, spoke cheerfully, causing Yonas Si-on’s expression to harden.

“Don’t even think about getting close, Sirvan. He’s of a different stock than us. The proud direct lineage of Si-on doesn’t mingle with some rootless noble family from the northeastern countryside.”

“Yes, yes.”

Yonas felt his temples throb at his nephew’s half-hearted response, but with many eyes watching, he let it slide.

Besides, scolding him would likely just go in one ear and out the other.

‘Brother Gede asked me to bring him along to toughen him up and knock some sense into him, but this might be having the opposite effect.’

If that was the intention, they should have brought just a handful of necessary people instead of more than thirty.

However, Yonas, also a direct descendant of the ducal family unaccustomed to harsh conditions, had brought four personal servants, conveniently ignoring this fact as he clicked his tongue at his nephew.

* * *

When the Si-on Ducal family’s party, led by the banner of the twin-headed eagle, arrived, Si-on had everyone enter the village but kept the troops stationed there. Only knights and nobles of higher rank were allowed to enter the baron’s castle.

Even as a ducal family, bringing dozens of armed soldiers into a neighboring lord’s castle was highly inappropriate, and Yonas complied with his wishes.

‘Yonas…’

Si-on walked slowly, recalling the reports from Jenna, who, burdened by increased workload since arriving at the August Estate, now had dark circles around her eyes like a panda.

Si-on wasn’t familiar with Yonas.

He was one of the illegitimate children among his great-grandsons.

But he knew their father, Byron, very well.

Byron, the family’s eldest grandson, had been cared for by Si-on until he was about five or six, a boy who, as a child, loved playing with his grandfather’s mask and often pestered him to remove it even in official settings.

He knew Gede a little bit.

Si-on had received reports when each great-grandchild was born, and he had encountered Gede by chance when visiting the duchy in the past. He remembered being quite pleased with the intelligent-looking child.

However, as for Yonas, the son of a concubine, Si-on had received no reports about him.

The issue was that Yonas had come on Gede’s orders.

‘He’s sent his half-brother, who he treats like a vassal, and even his youngest son. Gede must be probing me.’

Si-on’s eyes grew cold.

He had only observed his grandchildren up to their weddings and deliberately avoided his great-grandchildren to prevent himself from directly interfering in their lives or destabilizing the family, which had a rightful head.

However, despite his deliberate distance from the duchy, the family was shaken, culminating in the disaster of the duke’s poisoning.

In hindsight, Si-on’s judgment had been wrong. Had he kept watch and intervened, the current situation might not have arisen.

‘But it’s precisely because of this distance that I can remain so dispassionate now.’

Who mourns at the funeral of a distant relative they’ve never met?

How many genuinely feel joy when reuniting with a cousin they haven’t seen for decades?

To Si-on, all his descendants beyond the great-grandchildren he had never met held about as much significance.

‘So you must prove yourselves. That you were not involved in Brian’s death and that you are still useful to this family.’

To me—the alpha and omega of the Si-on Ducal Family.

* * *

“Lord Jang Oblas Salen.”

“Lord Yonas Si-on.”

Seated, they exchanged polite nods. Si-on examined Yonas.

He appeared to be in his late thirties, resembling his grandfather Theo more than his father Byron.

Beside Yonas, a youthful great-grandson with a curious smile looked much like Byron.

While Si-on pondered these thoughts, Yonas was also scrutinizing Si-on intently.

‘He looks familiar… Is it because he’s inherited Great-Grandmother’s blood?’

Si-on’s wife had been a princess of the Kingdom of Obla, and one of her middle names was Salen.

Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that Yonas found it natural to think Si-on, who bore the surname Salen, resembled her.

‘I guess relatives are relatives, no matter how distant.’

Having rationalized this, Yonas spoke first.

“It’s good to finally meet you. I was planning to head to the Si-on Duchy as soon as matters here were resolved. Did you come out to greet me upon hearing that?”

“Ahem! Well, I came to see what brought a distant relative here, and with trouble brewing in the August Estate, an old neighbor of our Si-on family, I couldn’t just sit back.”

“Even if it’s just a check, the August Estate is an independent territory. What reason does the Si-on family have to interfere? Moreover, this issue concerns me and extends to the royal family and the August family. The Si-on Ducal Family has no right or obligation to intervene.”

“…”

Yonas flinched, his gaze hardening.

But Si-on’s argument was an irrefutable truth.

The world doesn’t always operate according to the truth; sometimes traditions and unwritten rules hold greater sway.

Yonas decided it was time to teach him that.

“You might not fully understand this because of your youth, but the August family is connected to us by marriage. We are blood relatives. Therefore, when issues arise, it’s only natural for our Si-on family to—”

“Baron Lyle August’s first wife, Lady Roana, passed away long ago. None of the Augusts currently in this castle bear Si-on’s blood. So, claiming a blood connection seems rather absurd.”

“…!”

Yonas’ face turned red as Si-on cut him off.

‘This brat?’

He was angry, but he had to admit it.

This royal collateral was no ordinary person.

“However.”

Si-on’s attention turned toward the voice that interrupted.

Despite the adults’ gazes on him, the young great-grandson continued speaking without a hint of concern.

“Where is this so-called relative of mine? We should verify if he’s real or not, right?”

“Sirvan.”

Yonas’s voice sounded stern, but Sirvan merely shrugged.

“Am I wrong, Uncle? It’s been almost 50 years. Fifty years since someone claimed to be a Si-on relative. Isn’t confirming that the most important thing?”

Sirvan turned to Si-on and smiled again.

“So, I’d like to meet him. The person who might be our dear cousin.”

“…”

Si-on silently regarded Sirvan for a moment before leaning back in his chair.

“No.”

Sirvan, slightly irritated by Si-on’s calm demeanor, was about to retort.

“Who is this brat? Is this young man representing Si-on in this meeting?”

“…!”

Sirvan’s smile vanished instantly.

But Si-on didn’t care; he kept his gaze fixed on Yonas, not sparing a glance at Sirvan.

“As far as I know, only the direct descendants of the current Duke receive titles in the Si-on family, and the title doesn’t pass down upon the holder’s death. Does this young man have a title? Or does he hold an official position in the Si-on Duchy? If so, what is it?”

“…”

“I, I am…”

Si-on’s voice cut in once more.

“Seems like he’s got nothing. So he’s just a noble family’s kid, isn’t he? Then why is he sitting here, giving orders? Is this how the Si-on Ducal Family treats me and the August family?”

“Now, that’s not what—”

“Sirvan. Step outside for a moment.”

“Uncle!”

“I said, step outside!”

Yonas raised his voice in anger, a rare sight.

Seeing his genuinely furious uncle, Sirvan bit his lip.

Thud!

Sirvan pushed his chair back loudly and stomped out of the room.

The door closed with a click, and the room was briefly engulfed in silence.

“Now can we have a conversation?”

Yonas, who had been glaring at Si-on, finally spoke.

Si-on leaned forward, clasping his hands together on the table.

“Fine. Let’s talk about Sir Piotr Si-on Kilburn.”

Yonas’s expression twisted slightly at the mention.

“That’s a secondary issue. What matters now is the August Estate, an in-law of the Si-on Duchy—”

“Interesting statement.”

Si-on’s abrupt interjection caused Yonas’s expression to harden.

“…What did you just say?”

“I said it’s interesting.”

“Watch your words. No matter your royal status, there are things you should and shouldn’t say.”

“Aren’t you curious why I found it interesting?”

“You—”

“Sir Yonas Si-on, are you truly here representing the Si-on Duchy? Do you even have that authority?”

“…!”

Hearing the same question posed to Sirvan, Yonas widened his eyes in fury.

“I dismissed your nephew because he seemed ignorant. So answer me, Sir Yonas Si-on. Can you truly represent the Si-on Duchy? Can you make decisions regarding the August Estate on behalf of the Si-on Ducal Family and the duchy?”

“…”

Yonas, with his experience, maintained a calm expression and steady gaze.

But the moment he hesitated to answer, it was over.

Moreover, Si-on already knew that his great-grandson Yonas couldn’t represent the family or the duchy.

“The one who sent you, Sir Gede Si-on, is the governor of Paloma. Since when has the governor of Paloma been authorized to speak for the Si-on Duchy?”

“You…”

Watching Yonas struggle to maintain his composure, Si-on sneered inwardly.

‘Did you really think I wouldn’t know that I ordered your grandfather Theo to ensure the governor of Paloma wouldn’t meddle in duchy affairs?’

From start to finish, the one who designed and implemented every administration and organization of the Si-on Duchy was me, you fool.