Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 192

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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 192
Blood Staining the Truth
Knock, knock.
Deilaina, who had been engaged in conversation, paused mid-sentence. Duke Haiman did the same, setting down his now-cold teacup before gesturing to his escort knights. He had made it clear that no one was to disturb such an important meeting.
They gripped the hilts of their swords and walked toward the door.
“What is the matter?”
“I am Chielronia from the Administrative Ministry. I have come to deliver an order decided upon in the Grand Council to you, Deilaina.”
“An order?”
Deilaina rose to her feet, murmuring without thinking. Wasn’t the Prime Minister’s Grand Council convened for the restoration of the imperial palace? Yet an order directed at her? She couldn’t fathom it, and anxiety gnawed at her. Arcen observed his mother’s troubled expression and whispered to her.
“It would be better to move to another room to hear this.”
She had just begun coordinating with Duke Haiman to plan their future. If an order unfavorable to Deilaina suddenly came from the imperial palace, it could create problems.
Deilaina nodded and sought understanding from Haiman and Melania.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
“Of course. Think nothing of it.”
Arcen smiled softly and followed his mother.
Chielronia—an official of the Administrative Ministry who primarily conveyed the Emperor’s commands. She stood with a bowed waist, holding a golden letter. Since the Emperor lay frozen, it must have been issued by the Prime Minister acting in his stead.
An order issued under the Emperor’s authority, not the Prime Minister’s. Deilaina steadied her breathing and led the way forward.
“Follow me. I shall receive it in the private chamber.”
Creak.
Upon arriving at the private chamber, Deilaina turned gracefully and regarded Chielronia. As if to say: let me hear what this order from the Grand Council entails.
“It is an order to partially restrict parental rights concerning Prince Jin.”
“…!”
As Chielronia carefully delivered the news, Deilaina’s lips grew rigid. The arrogant tilt of her chin fell away, and the knuckles of her fingers gripping her dress hem turned white. Though her distress was palpable, Chielronia continued reading the letter without hesitation.
-Concubine Deilaina could recognize that Princes Marib and Gail were the primary culprits in disturbing the imperial household. This likewise permits the judgment that it constitutes a crisis for the imperial family, and thus it is evident that surrendering Prince Jin’s custody for whatever reason was a grave error.
“…!”
-Accordingly, at the request of Prince Jin himself and the Grand Council attendees, certain parental rights granted to Deilaina are hereby indefinitely suspended. The matters are as follows: rights concerning protection and status, property management, and proxy authority, among nine principal clauses. Furthermore, any authority affecting Prince Jin’s custody shall be immediately restricted.
Rustle.
Having finished reading the letter, Chielronia bowed deeply. She suddenly noticed that Arcen was staring intently at her, and for some reason he seemed to be smiling, making it awkward to meet his gaze.
Deilaina, whose hands had begun trembling, could no longer contain herself and cried out.
“This cannot be!”
“Please calm yourself, Deilaina.”
“Jin is my son! Who, by what authority, strips me of my parental rights? This is… this cannot be! Convene the Grand Council at once! Order a reconsideration!”
“I am afraid you cannot appeal this decision.”
“Where is the Prime Minister right now?!”
How could someone make such a decision knowing that His Majesty is frozen?!
Deilaina felt reason slipping away beneath the fury that rose to the crown of her head. He is my child, born from my own body. My son, whom I have held and raised since the moment of his birth!
“Ugh….”
Deilaina finally collapsed, covering her face. If only she could turn back time. Back to before she released Jin’s hand, before meeting Marib in the back garden, or even further still—to the days when the Emperor was healthy.
Whoosh.
Arcen cast a look at Chielronia urging her to leave, then embraced his mother. Though still a child, his bearing seemed remarkably mature—strangely so. Chielronia gathered the letter and quietly departed.
“Mother.”
At Arcen’s call, Deilaina continued weeping without pause. As he held her close, his voice was tender—though his expression reflected in the window was utterly cold. With her head bowed, Deilaina could not have noticed.
“You’ve done nothing wrong, Mother. Who could have known Prince Jin would be like this? We believed we were family, but it seems he did not feel the same.”
As Arcen’s consolation reached her ears, Deilaina felt her head spin suddenly. Perhaps the dizziness came from the tears she’d shed so abruptly. Her vision blurred, yet Arcen’s voice grew increasingly clear in her mind, each inflection seeping into her blood and tearing through her entire being.
“Arcen, I… I…”
“I know, Mother. I understand. Saving me was the way to save Prince Jin. My foolish brother, not understanding your heart.”
“What am I to do? Prince Jin seems to have fallen completely under Count Ian’s sway. He cannot turn back in an instant. Prince Jin, he…”
“From now on, you must regain your composure, Mother. We must win so that we can save Prince Jin. You understand that once I solidify my position, Prince Jin will be safe as well, don’t you?”
At his warm, melting consolation, Deilaina could only nod repeatedly. Arcen, patting his mother gently, allowed himself a subtle smile.
“And many witnessed that moment. It was always destined to be revealed, always meant to unfold this way. Do not grieve. Even if Prince Jin abandons us, we will not abandon him. Someday, sincerity will reach him.”
Deilaina wiped her tears and embraced Arcen tightly.
The Emperor is gone, and Prince Jin is gone. Now only Arcen remains. Only Arcen can bring Deilaina the peace she desires.
“Compose yourself. I must conclude matters with Duke Haiman. Soon the palace gates will open, and when they do, every moment will be crisis, opportunity, and consequence.”
Deilaina dabbed her tears with a handkerchief and steadied her breathing. She longed to rush out immediately and challenge the Grand Council’s decision, to see Prince Jin, but she had to restrain herself.
“Now, what should we do? What did Haiman say?”
The plans Deilaina had discussed with the Duke throughout the night felt like blank paper. She could not recall them no matter how hard she tried. Whether from the shock of Prince Jin’s abandonment or from the persistent dizziness, she could not say. Arcen steadied his trembling mother and guided her.
“Duke Haiman said that once the palace gates open, he would plant people among the imperial citizens.”
“Ah, yes.”
Truth is complete in its very existence, yet easily tainted by falsehood. Was this not the perfect situation to paint Count Ian as an opportunist caught up in the rebellion of Prince Marib and Prince Gail? And with Prince Jin’s custody stripped away, the rumors would gain even more force.
“First, we guide public opinion and observe the situation, as he said.”
Deilaina seemed unaware that her teeth were chattering. Arcen, watching calmly, added quietly.
“However, Mother. The Duke’s proposal is not without merit, but I am uncertain.”
“Uncertain? What do you mean?”
While Deilaina and Duke Haiman conversed, Arcen had not uttered a single word. He simply sat upright and observed. The Duke, too, did not bother to ask for his opinion. He was still a child, and all decision-making authority seemed to rest with Deilaina.
“The Duke’s plan is most effective while the palace gates remain closed. Since no one knows what happens inside, we touch the most sensational aspects imaginable. But considering the progress of the cleanup and Count Ian’s resolve, won’t the gates open soon?”
Then those who enter will have the opportunity to see and hear directly, to judge the situation themselves. Just as the Magic Ministry’s standing has risen within the palace, we could foster positive perceptions among the imperial citizens as well.
“No matter how many places cry out that Count Ian seduced Prince Jin, most will pay no mind. He contributed to the palace’s restoration—one could argue it’s a natural reward.”
“Then?”
Deilaina asked blankly. The dizziness was gradually subsiding. Arcen’s voice seeped into her ears with increasing clarity.
“We must cross the line.”
“Cross the line? We?”
“No, Mother. Count Ian.”
Far beyond the window, the Bariel flag waved majestically. Arcen, taking it in, suppressed a laugh and murmured.
“What if Count Ian were to kill one of Prince Marib or Prince Gail?”
It would be ideal if it happened before the trial.
Deilaina, not understanding, merely furrowed her brow before letting out a small gasp and whispering.
“Kill them?”
“Mother. Mind your words. I merely wonder what would happen if Count Ian were to do so.”
Then there would be plenty to discuss. That it was torture bordering on interrogation that caused death, that the princes were actually innocent but were killed to cover it up, that the princes fell victim to Count Ian’s schemes—and so forth.
“After all, Count Ian has never been particularly close to either Prince Marib or Prince Gail, has he? It would be perfect for igniting suspicion.”
When blood mingles with lies meant to stain the truth, it cannot be easily erased. It becomes an intensely vivid pigment, one paid for with someone’s life.
Deilaina fell silent, watching her son’s face glisten in the sunlight.
“And there is no greater acknowledgment of power than granting Count Ian authority over the execution of Prince Marib and Prince Gail. We must kill them before Count Ian does.”
“Arcen.”
“Yes, Mother.”
How could such thoughts even form in his mind?
She could not bring herself to ask. Words calling for the death of his own brothers fell so easily from the lips of a ten-year-old child. It was all a tragedy born of circumstance.
Deilaina embraced Arcen and made a vow.
“Let us end this. Finish it quickly, and save Jin.”
“Of course, Mother.”
Arcen’s smile grew even brighter as he answered. Though warm sunlight poured down, his blue eyes gleamed coldly.
* * *
“Count Ian. We found mana-sealing stones in Prince Marib’s quarters. Two of them—one weighing three grams and another five grams. They match the records registered with the Administrative Bureau. We have also gathered correspondence exchanged with merchant guilds. The volume is quite substantial, so analysis will require some time.”
“How much time?”
“Since they are connected to major merchant guilds conducting trade through Bariel, we have narrowed down approximately fifty names. We are still tracking the acquisition route of the amber gemstones.”
Ian nodded with satisfaction and approved the report. The office door had remained wide open for hours without closing. With an endless stream of people entering and leaving, Ian organized towering stacks of documents while facing the cold draft.
“I’ve seen that look somewhere before.”
Unlike the preoccupied Ian, Berik lay on a sofa watching him. Romandro, whose arms were invisible beneath the flurry of pens, let out a sharp cry.
“I’m dying from work here, so help me out!”
“Oh, I remember now! When those famous traveling orchestras come around, everyone lines up for autographs, right? That’s exactly what this is. Hehehehe.”
“This guy is really something!”
“I can’t read, you know. I was just moving luggage and then I lay down.”
“Luggage? Are piles of papers your idea of luggage?”
Berik stuck out his tongue with a “bleh” and sprawled out completely. Just then, a voice echoed from far down the corridor, seeking confirmation from Ian.
“Count Ian! Is the city gate opening at five o’clock this afternoon?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Five o’clock. It had just passed ten in the morning, so there was still time. Ian pointed at Berik, who was lying sprawled out, with his pen and issued a command.
“Stop lying around and get up, Berik.”
“Me? Why?”
“The city gate opens at five, so go out first before then. Give Viviana my regards and deliver this to her. She’ll want to head to the press office, so escort her well and make sure there are no problems.”
Ian tossed a short note, which Berik caught lightly with one hand. Since he could not read, he had no idea what was written on it.
“What is this?”
“You don’t need to know. Just go to Viviana first.”
“Sure, sure. I was getting bored anyway, so this works out.”
Romandro, listening from the side, frowned with doubt.
“You know the way, right?”
“Of course! I may not know other things, but I know the house!”
“Still, I’ll assign a guard to you.”
Berik drew a circle with his finger and grinned widely. Through the gap between his fingers, the contents of the note Ian had written were briefly visible, but Romandro simply rubbed his eyes as if he had seen nothing.

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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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