Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 114

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 114. Entering the Palace
“Ah, this hot water is divine.”
“Tell me about it. I never knew our bath was this luxurious. Hahahaha!”
After bathing in hot water for the first time in ages, Romand and Berik lounged on the sofa, murmuring in bliss. During our travels, we’d barely managed to wash away the grime with melted snow when there were no inns. Viviana set tea on the table and smiled gently.
“I’d like to encourage you to rest longer, but it will be afternoon soon. It would be best to return early and relax.”
“You’re right. I think so too. Once I submit the report, there’s nothing special until the New Year’s gathering anyway. Ugh! But why does my body feel so heavy?”
“Dear, the boy will hear his father complaining.”
“Eh? That won’t do! Come on now!”
Romand sprang to his feet and brushed off his collar vigorously. Meanwhile, Berik merely sniffled with half-closed eyes, making no effort to hide his reluctance to follow.
-Countess, might I also trouble you for some water?
“Of course, Hasha.”
Viviana accepted Hasha’s presence with surprising flexibility. It seemed that before her marriage, she’d traveled through the reconstruction areas with him, so her broad experience served her well. Hasha, now clean and fluffy after shedding the grime, trembled as he sipped the hot water.
“Hasha, you stay at the manor and rest. On the way back, I’ll inquire about arrangements to Astana.”
“You too?”
Berik murmured drowsily. He looked as though he might lose consciousness at any moment.
“You, Berik. Stay at the manor with Hasha.”
“W-what do you mean, sir? You’re being considerate, aren’t you?”
“Why? Does it seem like I’m separating you because you might cause trouble?”
“…Never mind then. I’m fine with it! Ahahaha!”
Berik laughed once and immediately tilted his head into a half-sleeping state. Romand clicked his tongue at the sight and whispered quietly.
“Right, on the way back, buy a mana stone to check the brooch recording. And anything else you might need personally while staying at the manor.”
On the way up, I’d recorded Hasha’s testimony into Count Derga’s brooch. To replay it, I’d need a mana stone, so I nodded as I grabbed my coat.
“Understood. We’ll stop by the commercial district.”
“…?”
At the mention of “commercial district,” Romand’s mouth moved with surprise. That was terminology mainly used by central bureaucrats. Even among nobles, it was typically called the “main street,” “town,” or “shopping district.” Commoners would simply say “market.”
“Ian, did you study without telling me?”
“Study? What do you mean?”
“Never mind. Let’s go. We’re meeting Prince Marib, so dress properly. Mini! Is the carriage ready?”
“It’s prepared. The documents have been transferred as well.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
Romand left after leaving a kiss on Viviana’s cheek. Instead of the worn carriage from our travels, a clean and elegant carriage stood at the front gate.
Neigh!
As the carriage raced down the road, I took in every detail of the streets without missing a moment. Though it didn’t seem much different from a hundred years before or after, there were many subtle differences in the details.
‘That looks like where Haiman Bank used to be. They must have built a new structure when they moved in.’
A man running while tossing newspapers, vendors displaying fresh vegetables and meat, children receiving tips for lighting cigarettes—for some reason, my heart raced with emotion.
Screech.
The carriage didn’t travel far. The Imperial Guard raised their hands and peered through the window. Romand presented his credentials and greeted them.
“Much obliged.”
“Thank you for your verification.”
A massive gate, like the outer city walls, opened of its own accord. Another city within the city. The palace itself hadn’t changed at all from my memory. My gaze naturally turned toward where the Magic Ministry stood.
“Romandro, sir. When you finish your business and return, would it be acceptable to stop by the Magic Ministry?”
“Of course. The Magic Ministry is located in the central main building of the Second Imperial Palace. It would be difficult to venture inside, but you should be able to get a sense of the atmosphere from outside. Ah, the First Imperial Palace houses the residences of the imperial family and the offices of officials, while the Second Imperial Palace is where the various departments are gathered separately.”
Since Ian was a mana user, it was natural that he’d take interest in that place. Romandro pointed with his hand and carefully explained the geography, detail by detail.
“If you go that way, you’ll reach the Third Imperial Palace, which is used by staff, servants, and slaves. The Fourth Imperial Palace is subordinate to the central departments and handles external affairs with outsiders….”
Ian listened and responded with a smile, but his mind was fixed solely on the Magic Ministry. Hadn’t Naum said so? When he’d cast forbidden magic, he’d been told that if he came to the Magic Ministry’s direct annex, he’d be given a chance.
‘If I go there, I’ll be able to learn anything.’
Why had I come into the body of a bastard son, what had become of Naum in the place where Emperor Ian had lived, and was I truly dead—and countless other questions. It felt like discovering a faint light in the distance while wandering through a misty fog where I couldn’t see even a step ahead.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Good. You’ve done well. Let me out here in front.”
“This is the eastern building of the First Imperial Palace’s main structure. What brings you here?”
The Imperial Guard standing at the entrance approached and asked with authority. Romandro turned his head toward them, while Ian peered out the opposite window.
‘This is the palace Chroni used.’
I had never walked the path of a prince, nor did I have separate brothers. Since Ian had used the Emperor’s palace from the moment he entered the imperial grounds, this place naturally became his nephew Chroni’s seat.
“Ah! Yes, it’s been a while!”
“Romandro, sir! You’ve returned.”
“I’ve come to report my entry into the palace. Could you help move the luggage?”
This was the building within the First Imperial Palace where Prince Marib’s office was located. The guards standing watch recognized Romandro and approached warmly. They unloaded the document boxes and asked.
“Will you be having an audience with Prince Marib?”
“Yes, I have much to tell him directly.”
“Please go inside. According to the rotating guards, we understand he’s gone out.”
“Gone out? Wait, wait. What’s today’s date?”
Romandro counted on his fingers and clicked his tongue. It was precisely the afternoon of the Imperial Palace social gathering.
“It can’t be helped. I’ll wait a bit. The time should end soon.”
“Yes, sir. Please do. I’ll call a servant. We’ll place the documents in the office beforehand.”
The two men followed the servants’ guidance into the reception room. True to the prestige of the imperial palace, everything was elegant and harmonious. Ian observed the room’s atmosphere and formed an impression of Prince Marib.
‘The decorations bear the cultural imprint of nearby kingdoms, and the books appear half-read… but the sunlight marks on them are quite distinct. Also, there are no fresh flowers, which one would normally expect in a reception room.’
Rather interesting, wouldn’t you say?
The deliberate placement of decorations from nearby kingdoms was a device to create a more intimate atmosphere when receiving guests from various nations, and this served as a measure of his diplomatic acumen.
The sun-marked books followed the same logic. His pursued image and the political roles he subtly advanced were all visible.
‘Especially the fact that he placed flowers in a room with excellent sunlight….’
There’s a saying, after all. People who like animals and children generally possess good character. The same applies to being nature-conscious. It suggested his temperament was somewhat cold and could be particular.
Unless he had allergies, of course.
Knock, knock.
“Romandro, sir. I’ve sent word to the social gathering venue.”
“Good. Thank you.”
The servant bowed his head while glancing sideways at Ian. He wondered if this was the bastard son of the Bratz borderlands he’d only heard rumors about. The man who’d pushed aside his noble father with lowborn blood and usurped the lord’s position—truly a hot topic in high society.
‘He’s younger than I expected?’
Having heard rumors that he’d subdued the barbarians of the frontier, he’d imagined a belligerent man. But the Ian before his eyes gave a far more delicate and gentle impression.
Creak.
As the reception room door closed completely, Ian gazed down at his tea and asked.
“Is the Imperial Palace Social Club a gathering with high-ranking officials, then?”
“That’s right. We mostly go hunting, but occasionally we appreciate artworks. Once a piece comes and goes, the artist’s value skyrockets. Well, all sorts of interests are tangled up in it, aren’t they?”
Slurp. Romand sipped his tea with an enraptured smile. As if to say there was nothing more perfect than tea drunk in the Imperial Palace.
“Then Prince Gail must be there as well.”
“Hmm?”
“Once word reaches Prince Marib, Prince Gail will know early on. That we’ve arrived at the capital.”
More precisely, it meant that ‘Ian’—the audacious one who interfered with their great work and was a thorn in their side—had arrived. Romand coughed dryly and answered. A note of tension crept into his voice.
“Well, Prince Gail doesn’t attend the social club very often.”
“Is that so?”
Really? Truly?
As the Second Prince, he might have exercised restraint to avoid suspicion. But I could tell from his choice to spare Mollin that he’d entered into open conflict with Marib, and with a variable introduced into their great work of treason, whether he would continue to do so now remained uncertain.
“…Well, perhaps? Maybe?”
Romand caught the meaning hidden in Ian’s question and muttered uncertainly. Then he began gulping down the tea he’d been savoring. As if his lips had gone parched.
“Why are you so tense? Once you step into the Imperial Palace, there are no secrets. Word has probably reached the Magic Ministry as well. The gates opened with magical power, after all. Whether today or tomorrow, what does it matter?”
“The problem is, well. There isn’t one. There isn’t, but it’s more of a psychological burden, you see?”
Romand cleared his throat again. Since he’d taken on the role of Advisor in Bratz, he was surely worried that Gail would summon him at any moment. Ian gazed at the rustling flowers and smiled brightly.
“If it were hunting, they would have gone to an external location, so the servants wouldn’t have been able to report it immediately. It seems they’re appreciating artworks today.”
Ian nodded and pointed toward the First Imperial Palace’s annex. Indeed, it was a perfectly accurate direction without the slightest error.
* * *
“Ah, is this that sculpture you mentioned before?”
“Yes, yes. We were told the orders were backed up and we’d have to wait a long time, but we were fortunate enough to receive it right away. That sculptor is the most popular these days.”
“It’s art. This is true art.”
“Oh, by the way. Would you like to see this as well?”
Bureaucrats from various ministries gathered in small groups, sharing their artworks among themselves. On the surface, they seemed freely scattered like a typical social gathering, but the divisions were thorough.
Marib’s royalist faction and Gail’s opposing faction.
Of course, being noble gentlemen, they all pretended not to notice, concealing the line between them. A subtly precarious tension descended quietly like fresh snow.
“Prince Marib.”
Just then, Marib’s steward approached despite the impropriety and whispered.
“Romand and Ian have entered the palace. They’re currently waiting in the executive reception room.”
Oho. Marib smiled at the unexpected news and raised his eyebrows. Gail, watching him while sipping wine. Wesley likewise whispered in his ear. The sharp gazes of the two princes locked in the empty air.
“That Ian fellow and Advisor Bratz have entered the palace.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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