Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 172

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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 172. The Fate of Twins
Arcen had always been a child who smiled. His bright laughter possessed a power that made those who heard it smile in return. Yet despite being such a child, despite appearing truly lovely, Deilaina felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine.
“What troubles you this morning?”
Perhaps it was due to the circumstances themselves. The Emperor had vanished, the Princes were locked in a power struggle that had drawn in the nobility, and unknown Knights were ransacking the Imperial Palace. It was nearly a state of war.
‘No. It’s more dangerous than a state of war.’
In actual war, at least there would be soldiers to protect them. But with the Minister of Imperial Defense himself embroiled in this crisis, the situation seemed hopeless.
A crisis of a lifetime. As Deilaina stood dazed, biting her lip, Arcen tilted his head and approached his mother. He gently nestled into her embrace and greeted her.
“Mother. What’s wrong?”
“…Arcen, this is not the time for this.”
“What has happened?”
“Jin. Change into traveling clothes.”
Not comfortable clothes, but preparations to flee outside at any moment. Deilaina knelt and gripped Arcen’s shoulders firmly.
“His Majesty the Emperor has gone missing. Marib and Gail have raised forces to secure the imperial seal. I don’t know if they’ll reach here, but—”
“Ah.”
“…Arcen?”
Arcen smiled even more brightly and patted the back of his mother’s hand, as if to say everything would be fine and she shouldn’t worry.
“Of course they’ll reach here. Prince Gail might be different, but Marib will try to kill us. You’re aware that Mother has allied with Prince Gail, aren’t you?”
Yet the words that left his mouth were cruel and grasped the reality perfectly. Even if it was for the sake of balance between the two Princes, from Marib’s perspective, Deilaina had sided with Gail. It would be prudent for him to eliminate everyone and clean house for the future.
“Arcen.”
“But don’t worry. The forces that haven’t supported the Princes will help us. First, let me change clothes. Jin, what should we wear today?”
Arcen turned to Jin and smiled brightly. It was behavior completely at odds with his clear understanding of the situation. Jin bit her lip and stared at Arcen.
“Arcen. This is not a time to smile.”
“Why not? I think it’s not so bad. Mother, isn’t there a saying that crisis is opportunity? How dare they—those who caused chaos in the Imperial Palace will surely face punishment from the Princes.”
Whichever of the two Princes survived would become the victor.
But the word victory inherently contained the meaning of sacrifice. As the two sides clashed fiercely, their forces would be diminished, and with proper measures, one might inadvertently seize an opportunity.
“What would happen if there were no Princes, and not even Father?”
Arcen and Jin. By succession order, the probability of either becoming the next Emperor was high. Jin grabbed Arcen’s arm as if it were nonsense.
“That’s only a concern after we survive. Isn’t that precisely why Marib is trying to kill us?”
“…Us?”
“Lady Deilaina! Wait a moment!”
“What is it?”
As Deilaina stepped out at the Chamberlain’s call, Arcen embraced Jin and whispered, as if wondering why he thought of it as “us.”
“If one of the twin siblings closest to the throne dies, the imperial line will be completely severed.”
“….”
“If I die, the imperial line ends, doesn’t it? Would the Prince kill me?”
At Arcen’s whisper, Jin felt her breath catch in her throat.
“Prince Gail’s curse is also connected to Bariel.”
“I know. So they’ll try to capture Prince Gail alive. Then, whether true or not, they’ll announce the curse is lifted before dealing with him. The trial process for treason will be surprisingly swift.”
With a tight squeeze, Arcen embraced Jin even more firmly. Jin awkwardly placed her hands on his waist and hesitated. She could push him away if she wanted to, but somehow she couldn’t.
“Jin. My poor little brother Jin.”
“Arcen.”
“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. This is for you. Moreover, it’s for saving Mother, and beyond that, for Bariel.”
Arcen studied Jin’s face—a face identical to my own—carefully and murmured. My younger brother, born under a destiny to harm me. The brother who had always lived in shadows because of it.
“Move for me.”
So continue to remain that shadow.
“In the situation that unfolds ahead, do everything within your power to keep me alive. By rank and prophecy, I’m the only one who can resolve this matter and overturn the situation. If I live, you live. And Mother lives too.”
Arcen touched Jin’s face and emphasized once more in a low voice.
“The fact that Prince Marib seized the imperial seal is evidence that Father still lives. Showing Father’s corpse rather than the seal is the surest way to solidify the succession.”
There’s no need for bureaucrats to quibble about recognition. Once the succession passes to the next heir, accusing Gail of treason ends it. But the fact that he’s involved in such a petty squabble meant the situation had become quite tangled.
And that was an opportunity for those other than Marib and Gail.
“Jin. You must prove it to everyone. That you’re not the one meant to harm me. Now is exactly that time. If you don’t do well, everything ends.”
*Rustle*—Arcen laughed while running his fingers through Jin’s hair. The intent was clear: if you’re not going to kill me, then do whatever it takes to keep me alive and protect me. Jin looked at his brother with calm eyes.
“I won’t harm you.”
“But that’s the problem—others don’t think that way.”
“…Arcen. Is there something you know that I don’t? It sounds like it.”
*Crash! Bang!*
Just as I was about to say something more, commotion erupted outside. Arcen spun around as if to drop the matter and entered the dressing room.
“Then shall we change clothes? Let’s wear identical outfits today.”
Normally I varied them slightly, but today it would be good to make them exact copies. That way, any blades coming at Arcen might be confused and strike Jin instead.
*Bang! Bang!*
As I was changing clothes, no servant came even when called. It meant the commotion outside was no ordinary matter. Arcen, who finished preparing first, grabbed Jin’s shoulder and smiled widely.
“Smile. Like me.”
“….”
“Go on.”
At Arcen’s urging, Jin reluctantly lifted the corners of his mouth. Dimples appeared faintly, but Arcen didn’t notice. He was only gazing into those blue eyes.
“Good. You look impressive like this.”
“Don’t joke, Arcen.”
“Ahahaha.”
*Crash!*
“Prince Arcen! Prince Jin!”
“This way, this way, please come out!”
Then servants burst through the door in urgency. Pale-faced, each grabbed either Arcen or Jin and fled into the inner rooms in confusion.
“Mother—where is she?”
Jin noticed blood staining the servant’s sleeve.
“Mother!?”
“Arcen! Jin!”
*Creak!*
As they entered the inner annex and opened the door leading to the garden, Deilaina’s voice rang out. She was rushing toward them, clutching her cumbersome skirts.
“Hurry! We must leave here!”
“She’s here! Deilaina, Arcen, and Jin are here!”
“Control all exits leading outside!”
“We need to reach the Magic Tower. The Magic Tower! Arcen! Jin!”
“Seize them! Gail and his conspirators! Kill them!”
“Hurry, run!”
Distant shouts from unfamiliar soldiers echoed faintly. The main gate had definitely been breached. If I had to guess, they were Marib’s men. I clung to the servant’s neck as he ran, my eyes squeezed shut.
‘The Garden was so vast.’
This was my first time running without a horse. The rough breathing of someone—I didn’t know whose—the trampled grass beneath our feet, and the occasional cool wind rushing past. Everything felt like a dream. Yesterday, I could never have imagined such a situation.
Thud.
That’s when the servant who had been running desperately came to a halt.
“Where are you all rushing off to in such haste?”
It was Marib. His hair, usually bound tightly, was disheveled in a way I could never have imagined. His face was marred with wounds, his clothes stained with blood and dust.
The servant clutched me tightly and stepped backward. The sound of his heartbeat, felt chest to chest, was fierce.
“Marib! What on earth are you doing?”
Deilaina stepped forward, shielding the Princes. Though she was a concubine, by relation she was his mother. Just as Arcen and I were Marib’s siblings.
“Not content with harming His Majesty the Emperor, you commit such recklessness! Do you feel no shame as the First Prince of Bariel?”
Behind them, soldiers who had been chasing us came into view. We were surrounded on all sides. Marib ahead, armed men behind. No matter which direction we went, death seemed inevitable.
“Recklessness, you say? That would refer to your siding with Gail. Are you hiding him?”
“What?”
At Marib’s words, Deilaina’s face went pale. Hiding him? That statement meant the tide of battle was turning in Marib’s favor, didn’t it?
“No, this is none of our concern. We have not seen Gail. Please, for the dignity of the Princes, let us pass. Have mercy on these children….”
“None of your concern?”
As Marib approached slowly, Deilaina instinctively stepped back. I pushed the servant aside and blocked her path.
“Brother, please don’t do this.”
Seeing this, Arcen quickly stood beside me. Expressionless twins. Marib frowned, his sword trembling slightly. He couldn’t tell which of us was Arcen and which was me.
“Arcen! Jin!”
Deilaina pulled her two sons close and crouched down. The servants were subdued by the soldiers and forced to the ground, while a cold wind cut between us all. I could feel the presence of death.
“Which one is Arcen?”
“…Why do you ask?”
At my question, Marib did not answer. An ominous silence followed. He held his sword to the children’s necks, as if weighing his options.
“Deilaina. You must pay the price for taking Gail’s hand. Give me one of your sons. Then, out of respect for your family, I will not kill you all.”
Her pupils dilated. Her hands trembled violently, but her mind had gone so blank she couldn’t even notice it herself.
“Otherwise, you all die here.”
At Marib’s words, she looked down at her two sons in her arms. With her own hands? Her son? It was unthinkable, but wasn’t this entire situation already beyond reason?
“Mother.”
Then Arcen called to her carefully. A glance that said: think about why Marib asked ‘which one is Arcen.’ A being bound by prophecy, one who could not be easily killed.
“Mother.”
Then I called to her. Unlike Arcen, my eyes were moist. As if I had grasped the fate that was coming, I called her name with anguish.
‘I’m sorry.’
Deilaina finally released my hand. I looked down at my empty palm and turned around. Deilaina, holding Arcen in her arms, was shedding tears. Arcen, with his usual expression, flickered his eyebrows.
‘Hurry.’
Jin stared at Marib, biting his lip hard. Like his mother, tears streamed down his face, but unlike the usual emptiness in his eyes, I could now see unmistakable emotion.
“So you are Jin.”
“….”
Rage. For the first time, Marib felt Jin truly alive. But what could he do? He had already crossed a point of no return, and to move forward, he could only continue swinging his blade.
Shing!
As Marib drew his sword, Jin closed his eyes. Just as his blade descended toward the Boy’s head—
Boom! Bang!
Sudden explosions erupted around them. Marib hesitated and stopped his attack. Turning his head, Ian stood there.
“…Ian?”
Ian confirmed the face of the Boy standing before Marib. A wound stretched from his forehead down to his chin. Blood trickled down, though perhaps not as thick as the tears.
“…Lower your sword.”
The moment when the fate of the twins diverged.
The birth of the Emperor.

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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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