Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 126

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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 126. Arcen and Jin
As I ascended the staircase to the second floor, I sensed the presence of magical power. With the entire imperial family gathered in one place, protective barriers had been erected for security purposes. The clamorous socializing on the first floor gradually faded into the distance.
Tap.
“This way, if you please.”
I followed the Chamberlain with practiced ease. Though the structure had changed somewhat, I began to grasp the layout as I ventured deeper. At the end of a dimly lit corridor stood Knights clad in the uniforms of the Imperial Guard.
“By order of His Majesty the Emperor, we have escorted Viscount Ian Hielo.”
They all carried an extraordinary presence. Stern and resolute, they emanated the aura of those who lived and died for honor.
“Welcome, Viscount Ian Hielo. I am Beols, Third Captain of the Imperial Guard. If I may be so bold, would you permit a body search?”
“As you see fit.”
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
As I raised my arms slightly, the Captain ran his hands along my waist and legs, then bowed respectfully. Standing in the presence of such exalted personages required such precautions as a matter of course.
“You may enter.”
Creak.
With the Captain’s approval, the massive doors swung open. The members of the imperial family, who had been lounging on sofas and conversing in hushed tones, turned their heads in unison. They were likely collateral branches, not direct heirs.
“Oh my, you’ve arrived.”
“Your Majesty, Viscount Ian Hielo has arrived.”
“It’s even more remarkable seeing him up close.”
Curious gazes poured down upon me simultaneously. I smiled and approached the Emperor, offering a proper bow. The moment I raised my head, I found myself face to face with the Emperor and the principal figures of the court.
‘These individuals are the very center of power in the current Bariel Empire, and the keys to its future.’
Deilaina, the silver-haired woman attending closely to the Emperor’s side. And then Marib and Gail, followed by the younger princes, Arcen and Jin.
In an imperial palace where one could not see even a step ahead, understanding them perfectly was essential to charting my course forward.
“Jin, look at that one. It seems using magical power was difficult for him earlier. Isn’t he drenched in sweat?”
Arcen whispered to his younger brother Jin with a chuckle, while Jin gazed down at me with an expressionless face. As Romandro had said, distinguishing between the two did not seem particularly difficult. Though they were identical as if reflected in a mirror, their temperaments were decidedly opposite.
“Viscount Ian Hielo, I bestow my blessing upon you once more. The conduct you displayed today shall serve as an example to all the nobility.”
The Emperor gestured slowly for me to approach.
I knelt and bowed before him, and the Emperor personally handed me a wine glass.
“It is the greatest honor of my life, Your Majesty. I pledge to do my utmost for the Department of Magic in service to you.”
“Pleasing words indeed.”
Once the Chamberlain had seated me on the sofa, Marib took the lead in speaking. Now that I thought about it, this was the first time I had seen the two princes together. I observed the overall atmosphere with a measured demeanor.
“Viscount Ian Hielo has demonstrated his abilities well from the frontier. Surely he will achieve results in the Department of Magic as well, would you not agree, Gail?”
Marib’s question was laden with amusement. My magical power had exceeded expectations. The fact that I had not lost authority over my appointment to Wesley was already half a victory. Gail chuckled nonchalantly and merely shrugged his shoulders.
“Why ask me such a thing? The affairs of the Department of Magic are for Wesley, its Minister, to handle.”
He drew a clear line. Though it was common knowledge that Gail and Wesley were lovers, no one dared speak of it openly for precisely this reason.
When the parties themselves feigned ignorance, what more could be said?
“Viscount Ian Hielo, should you enter the Department of Magic, which division do you have in mind?”
When Deilaina posed the question casually, both Marib’s and Gail’s eyebrows furrowed simultaneously. A topic had been introduced that would reveal their true intentions.
Marib desired for me to go to the Mana Stone Management Division, while Gail opposed whatever division Marib favored.
‘The Magical Support Division, perhaps?’
Gail gauged inwardly while observing Marib’s expression. He had not anticipated that I would be mining mana stones, so he naturally assumed Marib would place me in the central Support Division.
“While I have my own thoughts on the matter, I shall defer to Minister Wesley’s judgment. As the head of the Department of Magic, I am confident she knows the position most suited to me.”
Ian deliberately postponed his answer, leaving room for further maneuvering. It was only natural—he couldn’t predict how Prince Gail’s faction would respond if he mentioned the Magical Stone Management Department here.
“I see. A wise decision.”
“You’re too kind.”
Moreover, Ian had little intention of going to the Magical Stone Management Department. Had that been his plan, he wouldn’t have exerted such effort during the magical power verification ceremony. Now that he knew the next Emperor would be one of the twin princes, he’d made this decision under the judgment that he couldn’t remain with Marib indefinitely.
‘If I go to the Magical Stone Management Department, I’ll be distanced from the center of power. That would make it difficult to prepare for the future. I should go to a different department instead, inform Marib of Gail’s counter-proposal as a deception, and show Gail that I’m accepting his counter-proposal while diverging from Marib’s path.’
Like crafting glasswork, he had to walk the tightrope between these two men with utmost delicacy. He didn’t know what this commotion was all about, but for now, it was an unavoidable choice.
“Say, Count Ian.”
It was then. Arcen couldn’t contain his burning curiosity and spoke to Ian. As Gail and Marib glanced back at him, Deilaina flinched involuntarily.
“Yes, Your Highness Arcen.”
“You know who I am?”
“You are the fourth prince of the imperial palace, so of course.”
“That magical power from earlier—couldn’t you show it to me just once more?”
He looked like a perfectly innocent child. While his mother worried anxiously about her own neck, Arcen seemed unable to escape from his fascination.
“Hmm? Just once.”
“Yes. I want to see it up close too.”
“Your Majesty, would that be acceptable? Please grant us permission.”
The other children of the imperial family also gathered gradually and added their voices. The Emperor, who had been sitting still like a decoration, nodded his head and granted permission, and soon the children’s eyes gleamed brightly as they approached Ian.
“However, Your Highness Arcen, the magical power from earlier requires the light of divine revelation.”
“That’s fine. Show us quickly.”
Ian glanced at Marib and Gail, sought their final permission, and then opened his palm to release his magical power.
Zing. Zing.
Arcen watched as his green pupils transformed into gold. Even for imperial children, they were still children after all. Delighted giggles echoed from here and there, and the atmosphere that had been subtly tense also eased somewhat.
“Wow. How fascinating. May I touch it?”
“Of course, Your Highness Arcen.”
“I’m still young and haven’t had much connection with the Magic Department. This is my first time seeing something like this outside of official events, so it’s truly remarkable.”
“Arcen.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Deilaina called out to Arcen. Did the child truly not know why he couldn’t go to the Magic Department? It was because Wesley, the head of that place, was Gail’s instrument.
“Mind your manners. Count Ian is not a jester, so refrain from further discourtesy.”
Arcen then seemed to realize, letting out a short exclamation of “Ah.” But Ian shook his hand in denial.
“Not at all, Your Majesty. Today is a truly joyful day for me, and I wish to give Your Highness joyful memories as well.”
Without this excuse, when else would he get to observe the twin princes’ faces up close? At Ian’s words, Arcen laughed brightly, saying how fortunate, and pressed close to him.
“Thank you for saying so!”
He certainly was carefree. Like a child of a collateral branch growing up knowing nothing of the power struggles for the throne. Ian examined Arcen’s face carefully from his forehead to his chin, checking whether there were any scars.
‘Not a single sign.’
“Cough!”
Then the Emperor, who had been sitting quietly, let out a harsh cough. As his breathing became rough and labored, Marib rushed forward first and gently patted his father’s back.
“Your Majesty, are you well?”
“Hmm….”
“Take Father inside first.”
“Yes, Your Highness Marib.”
The Chamberlain supported the Emperor as Marib commanded, and soon Deilaina followed at his side. Regardless, Gail remained seated on the sofa, gently blowing air with his fingertips while maintaining his composed demeanor.
“Arcen, don’t trouble Count Ian. Come here.”
Deilaina called to her son as she headed out. Arcen tapped the ground with his foot as if annoyed, then scurried after his mother. But there was another name that should have left Deilaina’s lips.
“Your Highness Jin.”
I called out to Jin, who sat quietly in the corner. Silver hair and blue eyes. The child’s face bore no expression whatsoever.
“Jin. Shouldn’t you be going as well?”
When Gail asked casually, Jin rose from his chair without a word. Not that he particularly felt the need to be anywhere.
“Your Highness.”
I called to Jin carefully. My eyes had shifted back to green in the meantime.
“If you don’t mind, would it be permissible for me to guide you? The corridor was rather dark when I came in following the Chamberlain.”
I had noticed that Jin remained in place while the imperial children gathered one by one. He simply turned his head in this direction without moving, as if he couldn’t join in.
“…Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
“Ian.”
As I stood, Gail called me. Then he nodded his head as if telling me to return. I bowed with a smile and left the room with two of Jin’s servants.
Zing. Zing.
“You see? This is brighter than a lantern.”
I walked with Jin while releasing my magical power. Jin pretended to look ahead but kept glancing sideways. If Arcen was seeing magical power for the first time, then Jin was as well.
‘Jin shows no skin signs that would leave scars.’
My intention was to examine his face in detail, but it seemed to reach Jin differently. He suddenly stopped and turned to look at me.
“Count Ian.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“…May I touch it?”
“The magical power? Of course.”
I knelt down to meet Jin’s gaze, and then created magical power that was even warmer. The child’s face brightened with the soft, billowing light rising gently.
“Ah.”
So this is what Arcen saw earlier.
Jin grasped the magical power without thinking, marveling at it. At the soft sensation brushing between his fingers, a smile bloomed on the child’s face. The servants too—it had been so long since they’d seen Jin smile.
‘Hm?’
Watching from up close, I faltered. Arcen and Jin looked identical as mirrors. But when he smiled, I noticed a dimple forming on Jin’s left cheek.

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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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