Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 191

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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 191
Restriction of Parental Rights
“Surely I didn’t hear that correctly?”
“Deilaina surrendered Jin to Prince Marib? In exchange for sparing her life?”
“It’s shameful. This cannot be allowed.”
“And the wounds? Did Prince Marib inflict them directly?”
“This is maddening. This is not something we can simply overlook.”
The atmosphere that had settled during the lengthy meeting erupted in an instant. No matter how low his rank or young his age, Jin carried the blood of the Emperor. Moreover, the architects of the rebellion were none other than Prince Marib and Prince Gail. After them came the twin princes responsible for Bariel.
“Please, everyone calm yourselves. Let us hear Deilaina’s position and make a fair judgment. It seems she was concerned about the oracle.”
“Do we not all know that His Highness Arcen bears an oracle concerning the very survival of the imperial house?”
Those favorable to Deilaina offered their subtle support. While one could not weigh lives against each other, one could weigh the burden of an oracle. Several officials privately sided with Deilaina, reasoning that if forced to choose between two, Arcen would naturally be saved—though they dared not voice this aloud with Ian standing beside Jin.
“You dare speak such words now? Then you should have offered yourself instead of Jin. That is a guardian’s duty.”
Quintana cut through the hollow reasoning harshly. As the conference hall grew increasingly chaotic, Jin’s hands clenched into fists without her realizing it. She had believed she could endure this, but it had been arrogance. The whispers flying about her struck her heart like hammers.
“Deilaina abandoned His Highness Jin?”
“So she came alone with His Highness Arcen….”
“Now I understand. Count Ian must have….”
The officials nodded in comprehension, their questions answered. Why Deilaina had supported Arcen as heir without hesitation, and why Ian had taken an opposing stance. With the bond between Deilaina and Jin severed, Ian had simply exploited the rift.
Swiftly.
Jin found herself tugging at Ian’s sleeve without thinking. He had promised to help her whenever she needed it, and now she was asking for that help.
Ian saw Jin’s eyes trembling severely and smiled with pity. He grasped her hand firmly—not painfully, but steadily, completely.
“I understand. But you must endure.”
As Ian whispered to Jin, he recalled Naum’s memory. That night when Naum had transitioned from mage to Emperor. It had been their last night as friends. Naum had whispered these words to Ian.
‘Child, you who will become Emperor. This is a trial you must suffer through once, and you can only endure it. But remember this. It hurts now, but once it passes, it will not return. Even if it does, you will not fall.’
Naum’s consolation transcended time and continued to be passed on. Through Ian to Jin, and someday Jin would offer the same words to her own child.
“If you endure and overcome this, it will not come again. Even if it does, Your Highness will prevail.”
Crunch—Jin’s grip on Ian’s sleeve tightened.
In truth, she already knew. From the moment she chose a different path from her mother, she could not help but know. The more fiercely the officials clamored, the more precarious Deilaina’s position would become, and that would work in her own favor.
“Silence!”
Bang, bang, bang!
The Prime Minister, unable to bear it any longer, brought down his gavel to quell the uproar.
“Count Ian Hielo. Your words carry considerable weight.”
He could not bring himself to ask if he could take responsibility for them. After all, Prince Jin herself had added that she was both evidence and witness to his claims.
He briefly wondered if this was some trick involving mind-control magic, but as long as the imperial house’s blessing remained, such concerns seemed unnecessary.
“It would be lighter than His Highness Jin’s suffering.”
At Ian’s retort, the Prime Minister swallowed his sigh. Yes. The one suffering most right now was undoubtedly the person involved. The Prime Minister decided it would be best to conclude the meeting promptly.
“Your Highness, I ask you. Is your presence with Count Ian Hielo purely of your own will? As the Emperor’s successor, you are the master of this place after His Majesty. Should you wish it, you need not reside in the Magic Department.”
“No. It is my will.”
It was a resolute conviction. The Prime Minister swallowed hard, and the officials exchanged glances with quiet gasps of astonishment.
By now, the outline of the shifting board had begun to reveal itself. Upon leaving the conference hall, choices would need to be made for the future—between Deilaina and Arcen, and between Ian and Jin.
“Prime Minister. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I request that you restrict some of Deilaina’s parental rights. This is for the safety of His Highness Jin.”
I made my demands before the Prime Minister in full view of everyone. Protection and certain rights regarding status, property management, authority to act as proxy—these were the primary points. The Prime Minister, knowing the Emperor lay frozen, could only hesitate.
‘It is always harder to take away than to give.’
If I restricted his rights and problems arose, could the Prime Minister truly overcome the Minister of the Magic Department—the true power behind the throne—and reclaim his authority?
If the Emperor himself intervened, it would be different. His commands were heaven and earth in any circumstance. But the Prime Minister was merely a regent, nothing more.
“Prime Minister?”
As the Prime Minister’s deliberation deepened, the murmuring grew louder once more. These were the voices of those unaware of the Emperor’s frozen state.
“Why do you hesitate? She handed the Prince to a traitor. Temporarily restricting parental rights and then formally bringing the matter to trial once His Majesty awakens to determine right and wrong—that is the proper course.”
“Indeed. For safety’s sake, please impose the restrictions.”
“Until His Majesty determines the Prince’s welfare, that seems most appropriate. And it appears the Prince follows Count Ian deeply as well.”
“Ahem! One might think Deilaina was trying to kill the Prince, to hear this. It is mortifying and painful to listen to.”
“When you think about it, is it really so different?”
“What did you just say? How reckless!”
“Support what should be supported! If His Majesty learns of this, it will be a matter of great concern!”
Those unaware of the frozen state unknowingly pressured the Prime Minister. He had said there was no health problem, so he would wake soon. Then what exactly was the issue?
“Silence, silence!”
Bang! Bang! Crash!
The Prime Minister irritably struck his gavel. I watched their outcries calmly, while the Prime Minister stroked his graying beard and furrowed his brow.
‘How did you manage to create such a situation?’
It was difficult. To refuse would lack justification, and those watching would not understand.
Yet to accept was concerning, as power had already tilted toward the Magic Department, and I could not know my true intentions with certainty.
“This does not seem a matter to be decided in such a manner.”
“Once we leave this chamber, someone will rush to Deilaina and inform her of the attempt to restrict parental rights.”
I murmured while examining one by one those who had defended Deilaina. The officials who met my green eyes unconsciously averted their gaze and coughed awkwardly.
“I too will be unable to protect the Prince.”
The Prime Minister wanted to silence my words. Everything I said was plausible and correct, making it feel as though the decision-making power, though in his hands, was not truly his own.
Jin spoke to the Prime Minister once more with sincerity.
“Prime Minister. I swear by my father, the Emperor, that all decisions are my own. If you respect me, if I too am a precious being in the imperial palace, then protect me by following Count Ian.”
“Your Highness.”
“Please.”
The last words were barely audible, spoken only for the Prime Minister’s ears. A plea that escaped through gritted teeth reached him. He held his gavel and closed his eyes. Yet the decision would not come easily. Unable to bear it any longer, Quintana added her voice.
“Prime Minister. You must maintain neutrality above all else. It has only been two days since the incident, and we must not compound the chaos.”
“Quintana, that statement is misleading!”
“There is reason to restrict parental rights now, but no reason not to! If there is one, let anyone speak it!”
With justification so clear, to refuse would be the same as siding with Deilaina. Those supporting me and sympathizing with the situation cried out in unison.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
At last, the gavel rang out.
Lightly but certainly, and with a touch of resignation.
“Following the wishes of Count Ian Hielo and His Highness Jin, I hereby partially restrict Deilaina’s parental rights. However, know that this may be reversed at any time, Count Hielo.”
Having yielded the initiative once, it would not be easy to reclaim it, but it was a warning that any misstep on my part would be checked.
I smiled lightly and placed my hand over my heart—a gesture of gratitude conveyed from the depths of my being.
“Of course. I shall serve Prince Jin with utmost devotion. I swear this before all present.”
“Count Ian Hielo, I request that you attend official gatherings periodically to confirm Prince Jin’s wellbeing.”
At someone’s suggestion, Ian turned his body naturally in that direction. It was exactly what I wanted anyway. I would bring Jin to every venue where I could exercise influence, including the Grand Council.
“I accept.”
“Your Highness, please feel free to send word anytime if there is anything you need. I am Quintana of the Administrative Department.”
“Quintana, thank you.”
“I am Griffith of the Administrative Department.”
“From the Judicial Department: Mattingly, Cyril Polson, and Harvey Boardkin.”
Each of them called out their names toward Jin. Some were genuinely concerned for Jin, while others were demonstratively showing political support. More precisely, they were informing Ian behind Jin. In fact, at this point, the distinction between Ian and Jin had effectively disappeared.
“Ah, and the recovery of bodies from the imperial palace is complete. The city gates will be opened by tomorrow. We will restrict access to severely damaged areas, but allow the rest to be shown to the empire’s citizens so they may resume their daily lives. That concludes the report.”
“…Let it be done.”
“Thank you for your efforts. We shall meet at the next council.”
“Yes. Everyone has worked hard. The sun is already beginning to rise.”
With Ian’s final announcement, the meeting came to a complete close. The Prime Minister shot another sharp glance at Ian, and I responded with a smile.
“Count Hielo, this is difficult.”
The Emperor’s suspension was a top-secret matter known only to Beols, Deilaina, the Prime Minister, and Ian. To manipulate public opinion using that information like this.
“My apologies. But there was no other way.”
“Serve Prince Jin well. I shall be watching.”
The Prime Minister murmured while looking at Jin, surrounded by officials. The wound stood out particularly prominently. It was the cause that had made him, who had hesitated until the very end, strike down his seal.
“Please go.”
Ian bowed respectfully to see off the Prime Minister, then approached Jin. Quintana was continuously grasping Jin’s hand and saying something.
“Should Count Ian ever speak harshly or offend Prince Jin in any way, come directly to the Administrative Department. My office is located on the fifth floor, right corridor.”
“Quintana.”
“….”
At Ian’s call, Quintana turned her head without responding. An awkward silence fell, yet her gaze did not waver. Quintana left a formal bow and stepped back one pace.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Farewell, Quintana!”
“Yes, Your Highness. Count Ian, please rest as well.”
Creak.
As the conference room emptied, Romandro quickly rushed over and draped a coat over Jin’s shoulders. I fastened the buttons myself with a laugh.
“Congratulations, Your Highness. Your first decree reached everyone. And you performed excellently at the Grand Council.”
“Thank you.”
Jin’s gentle smile grew progressively brighter, so much so that his teeth showed.
“Everyone seems to care for me more than I expected. I never anticipated this.”
The only people Jin had met in the imperial palace until now were members of the royal family, my tutor, and the servants. The officials had always felt like people from a foreign land.
I continued to adjust Jin’s clothing until the very end as I replied.
“Did I not tell you? Your Highness is a person of great importance.”
In the distance, standing beside the carriage were Berik and Xiaoxi. Jin waved his hand broadly to call them over. The spring in Jin’s step as he descended the stairs was particularly lively. I asked Romandro while watching him.
“What of Deilaina?”
“She is still meeting with the Haimanga.”
“Do you have more to say than at the officials’ meeting? How impressive of you.”
Soon the news of the parental rights restriction would reach Deilaina. I smiled as I watched Jin gesture from the carriage.

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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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