Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 193

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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 193
The Interrogation of Prince Marib
The massive gate that divided the inner and outer palace grounds.
“Please! Say something!”
“I have taxes due today, and if you won’t let me through, what am I supposed to do? Will you take responsibility? I don’t know about later, but let me in now! Didn’t you say some people went in earlier?”
“Please! My father went in and hasn’t come back out!”
“Is it true that His Majesty has passed away?”
“Before the closure, wasn’t Prince Gail attacked? This seems related to that, I think.”
“The central nobles who went in aren’t coming out either. This doesn’t seem right. Nothing like this has ever happened before.”
“Don’t worry too much. Yesterday, officials, palace suppliers, and several nobles went in. They haven’t come out, but something must be progressing, right?”
The gatekeepers deliberately ignored the crowd gathered at their feet, keeping their eyes fixed ahead. What happened inside was absolutely confidential—if anyone leaked even a word, the magical light from the void would shatter their skull.
“Unlock the left bolt.”
Just then, a command from a superior behind them. The left bolt meant someone was leaving the palace. The gatekeepers startled but swiftly unlocked the bolt and drew back the bar.
Creak-eeeek.
Though it had only been closed for a few days, the gate shrieked like it had been sealed for ages. At the sound, the surroundings fell silent, and as the gap widened, people’s mouths opened in astonishment.
“S-someone’s coming out!”
“They’re coming out! Someone’s leaving the palace!”
An unprecedented closure of the imperial palace in history. Who was this person emerging from it? As tension and anticipation surged, a horse thrust its face forward. On its back rode a boy with crimson hair.
“Huh? What? Why is everyone doing this here?”
“D-does anyone know who that is?”
“He looks young… is he a swordsman?”
“Move aside, move! I don’t care if you get trampled by the horse. Not my problem!”
“Hey! What happened in there? Tell us!”
“Is everyone safe? What’s happening to Bariel?”
“Huh? I said move! Do you want to die?”
Neigh!
The horse reared up in fright, but the crowd didn’t back away. Unable to watch further, the gatekeepers blocked the way with their spears to clear a path, and Berik and the guide guard kicked the horse’s flank hard to escape the chaos.
Clop-clop-clop!
‘Why is everyone like that? What’s wrong with this place?’
The crowd chased after Berik with cries bordering on screams.
Just four days had passed. Much had changed near the imperial palace. Many shops had shut down due to anxiety about the nation’s fate, and the streets were littered with garbage and filth.
Here and there, people lay bleeding inexplicably. It was what happened when the guards, having lost their command structure, failed to do their job.
“Berik, this way!”
“Huh? Not here?”
“That’s the way back!”
Berik, who had been riding ahead, pulled the reins in the opposite direction at the guide’s shout. And remarkably, Romandro’s residence came into view before long! At this point, Berik had to gradually admit that his sense of direction had a problem.
“Viviana! Mini!”
As soon as Berik sensed movement in the courtyard, two figures rushed out. They had been waiting for news all along. Viviana wrapped her arms around her swollen belly and wept.
“Berik! What happened? What about my husband?”
“Don’t worry. He’s busy working with Ian. More importantly, Ian asked me to give you this.”
Upon hearing that Romand was safe, Viviana collapsed without thinking. Ignoring Mini’s support, she urgently unfolded the note. Her eyes widened in bewilderment as she scanned the words.
“Is this… is this the truth?”
“I don’t know. I can’t read.”
“Mini, bring my identification and coat. I need to go to the press office.”
“Ah, yes, yes! Just a moment, just a moment!”
“And!”
Viviana’s voice rang out sharply. Despite the tremor in her tone, her eyes blazed with unwavering resolve.
“…self-defense items too.”
“Ah, understood.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected request, Mini flinched but didn’t question it. She instinctively sensed the urgency of the situation.
Viviana read through the crumpled note once more.
-Viviana, Romand is safe, so don’t worry. Prince Marib and Prince Gail clashed for dominance in the imperial palace, but the Mage Division has suppressed the matter without incident. The gates will open at five in the afternoon—before then, use the press to reveal the truth. Those seeking to fabricate lies are taking advantage of the chaos, so clarity is essential.
Five in the afternoon. Before then, extra editions must flood across Bariel. Viviana checked her watch and mentally mapped the route to the press office. The path was convoluted, and time was running short.
-Furthermore, given the circumstances, it seems we’ll clash again with those opposed to the Mage Division. Romand is my trusted aide, and you are his beloved—therefore, you are precious to me as well. You must be absolutely mindful of the danger and exercise caution. I will assign protection as soon as the situation stabilizes. Below is the statement you must attach to the report.
In the clash between Prince Marib and Prince Gail, Ian had stepped aside. But now he too would face the opposing forces head-on, and Viviana clasped her hands together in fervent prayer.
-‘Prince Marib and Prince Gail have thrown the imperial palace into chaos, but under the Mage Division’s mediation, their persons have been secured safely. Until they are formally brought to trial, we will do our utmost to protect them from opposing forces.’
It was a statement revealing the existence of opposing forces targeting Prince Marib and Prince Gail. They could be the remaining forces of each side not yet subdued, or they could represent a third party’s machinations.
Whatever the case, it was laying groundwork for the future. The Mage Division was the protector of the imperial family, and any trouble befalling them would be blamed on the opposing forces.
“My lady! Here, I’ve gathered everything!”
“Let’s go, Berik!”
“Can you ride a horse?”
“Of course. Let’s hurry!”
Berik hoisted Viviana onto the horse, then seized the reins. He kicked hard and shouted. Viviana gasped and pointed backward with her hand.
“Hyah! Let’s go!”
“Berik, the other way!”
“Wrong way, wrong way—go the other direction!”
Neigh!
The horse carrying Viviana hastily bolted from the residential district.
And—
“….”
A knight watching from afar.
The Haimanga seal was engraved upon the crest on his chest. He was the duke’s subordinate, waiting at the palace gates for his master who had entered the imperial palace.
Clatter, clatter!
His horse too swiftly followed where Berik and Viviana had vanished.
* * *
As morning sunlight ripened into midday.
Jin barely opened his eyes and pressed his forehead against the pillow. Xiaoxi, sensing movement, approached and adjusted the blankets for him.
“You were coughing.”
“…Where is Count Ian?”
“He’s in his office.”
Jin found himself nodding without realizing it. He still hadn’t fully emerged from the dreamlike haze of last night. It was his first time attending the grand council, and he’d met officials who worried about him. His own resolve regarding parental authority also…
“What about Mother?”
“Your Highness?”
She must have been informed that restrictions on parental authority would be implemented. I wondered if Mother was hurt. Or did she resent me, angry at what I’d done? The uncertainty gnawed at me, stealing sleep from my eyes.
“What has Mother been doing?”
“…I’m not entirely certain, Your Highness.”
“She hasn’t come to see me or Count Ian?”
“…I apologize, Your Highness.”
Xiaoxi lowered his gaze and murmured. They say the opposite of love is indifference. Perhaps now that the bond between mother and child was severed, she simply accepted it.
Jin buried his face in the pillow again.
“Your Highness.”
“It’s fine. I’m not crying. I’m just trying to wake up.”
Wake up. Shatter this dreamlike lingering and accept reality. Dreams don’t move according to my will, but reality does. Let me move according to my will!
Whoosh!
Jin threw off his blankets energetically and rose from bed. He washed his face and dressed himself. Though there were fewer servants here than at the main palace and it was inconvenient, he managed without complaint.
As he stepped outside, the mages bustling about greeted him with smiles.
“Your Highness, did you sleep well?”
“Good morning. I hear you attended the grand council yesterday? How impressive. Thanks to you, our agenda proceeded without difficulty, and everyone is expressing their gratitude.”
Of course, it was merely polite courtesy. But Jin accepted it graciously, and the mages showered him with even more praise, embracing the boy warmly.
“Not at all. You all worked hard today.”
“Thank you. Ah, Your Highness! Count Ian isn’t in his office at the moment.”
A mage who noticed Jin and Xiaoxi heading toward Ian’s office spun around to stop them.
“Then where is he?”
“Well, Prince Marib has regained consciousness. I believe he’s gone for an interrogation. It’s at the Star Tower, so it’s not far. He should return shortly.”
The Star Tower. Jin looked toward the small western tower the mage indicated. It was within a ten-minute walk. The boy tugged at Xiaoxi’s collar and nodded.
“Let’s go to the Star Tower.”
“Your Highness.”
“I want to see my brother Prince Marib, not Count Ian.”
I was curious. Though we share a different mother, Marib and I are blood relatives who share the Emperor’s blood. He tried to kill me and left wounds that wouldn’t fade. I wanted to see firsthand his attitude regarding this. And besides…
“If not now, I’ll only see my brother at the trial.”
For the honor and dignity of the imperial family, he would stand in the courtroom dressed impeccably and cleanly.
“In my memory, he will remain nothing but the perfect older brother, and I hate that.”
The eldest prince who took responsibility for Bariel in place of our aging father. The firstborn among firstborns whom no one dared to cross. Prince Marib, whose golden hair and elegant bearing were considered the model of the imperial family. That such a brother could cause such a catastrophe—I wanted to erase the complete image of Marib from my memory.
Tap!
Jin descended the stairs without hesitation, and Xiaoxi followed close behind.
Soon the castle gates would open. So everyone moved busily, trying to present themselves as they had been before. So busy that even a young prince slipping among them went unnoticed.
Creak.
“It is Prince Jin, Your Highness.”
At Xiaoxi’s announcement, the Star Tower guard bowed and stepped aside. Jin recognized a few of the mages present. He felt a strange sensation as he slowly approached where Ian and Marib were.
“…Ah, Your Highness?”
“…Where did you obtain the amber-colored raw stone….”
Prince Marib and Count Ian’s voices drifted through in fragments. It seemed an interrogation was underway regarding the mysterious stone that had threatened the Mage. As Jin drew closer, Prince Marib’s voice suddenly became clear.
“But something troubles me.”
“What is it, my lord?”
“Ian, I don’t understand why you sided with Jin instead of Arcen. I can make sense of everything else, but not that one thing.”
Jin held his breath without realizing it. The Mages were about to make a sound, but when the Prince urgently gripped their sleeve, they had no choice but to freeze.
“There is nothing to understand.”
“It’s not that there’s nothing to understand—there’s no reason at all, is there?”
“…Next question. Are the funds circulating through the merchant guild you presented related to Prince Marib?”
“If your support for Jin is merely superficial, then yes, there might be no reason. Since you’re the one who played games between me and Prince Gail, manipulating a mere child like that would be no problem. Do you think I don’t see through you?”
Tap.
“Prince Marib.”
As Prince Marib laughed lowly, Count Ian loudly closed the file folder. The Boy’s hand gripping the Mage’s sleeve trembled slightly. His breathing quickened as he waited for Count Ian’s response.
“I would appreciate it if you would… stop.”

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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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