Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 200

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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 200
Wounds for Me Too
*Pour.*
Nersaren poured black tea into Philia’s cup. It had been several days since she arrived at the imperial palace, yet his beloved seemed unable to adapt to this place at all.
It made sense—she had spent her entire life in the slums of the borderlands. Even when she first entered Hielo’s mansion, she had been overwhelmed by its opulence, but this imperial palace was on an entirely different scale.
“Philia, we’re alone here. Please, sit comfortably.”
“Do I appear uncomfortable?”
“Quite noticeably.”
Philia laughed awkwardly and smoothed her hair. The dress’s sleeve swayed gently with her hand. Ian had prepared it for her to wear at ease, yet it felt as foreign as borrowed clothing.
“I suppose I’m simply built for working outdoors. I’ve only been here a day, and my body won’t stay still.”
“Did they not say the city gates would open? Our work is complete for now, so you may indulge in leisure. Besides, you deserve it.”
Nersaren said this and handed her the warm black tea.
Initially, the Cheonrye tribe had been indispensable in the physical cleanup—clearing rubble and pushing aside debris. But once administrative restoration became the priority, Romandro had arranged for the warriors to lodge at Prince Gail’s imperial residence.
“Even so, to stay in the quarters of His Highness the Prince… it exceeds the bounds of hospitality.”
She had heard that imperial palace etiquette surpassed even noble customs. Philia, born of commoner stock, feared she might burden Ian with some careless mistake, so she did her best to maintain an upright posture. Meanwhile, Nersaren reclined comfortably against the backrest and brought her hand to his lips.
“Philia, we didn’t come as guests—we came at Ian’s request for aid. And no matter how favorable Romandro is toward us, he wouldn’t offer this place as our residence without reason.”
There were several reasons. First was protecting Prince Gail. The power struggles meant his safety could determine the course of events, making that the priority.
‘Second is concealment. If borderland tribespeople openly roamed the imperial palace, it would only deepen the empire’s confusion. Besides, there’s restricted access to Gail’s quarters. It’s ideal for staying hidden.’
Well, regardless of the reasoning, Romandro’s goodwill was undeniable. And not just anywhere—the Prince’s own quarters. The warriors were resting as if they’d fallen into a new world.
“…Nersaren. How should we return home?”
Philia asked tentatively while fidgeting with the rim of her teacup. No matter how she thought about it, this didn’t seem like a place for her. She missed Hielo’s mansion—that warm, welcoming home. And it had only been days.
“It would be convenient if the Magic Bureau deployed the black moon again, but that seems unlikely. It draws too much attention, and it appears to be the mages’ last resort. That means it’s unstable.”
“Of course. Then we’d need to take a carriage, and from what I understand, it takes about two weeks from here to Hielo. I’m fine with it, but I worry the warriors will be uncomfortable.”
“Philia, those men endure both the dawn and noon of the desert. I’m more concerned about you. And there’s no rush, is there? You’ve seen Count Ian after so long—take your time catching up before you leave.”
“I fear I might be in the way. Ian is handling such enormous matters right now. I’m satisfied just knowing he’s managing well.”
Philia laughed hesitantly, hiding her reluctance. She hadn’t even properly seen his face. She knew her son had no time to sleep, rushing about constantly. She was grateful he’d even found time to prepare clothes for her.
“Or perhaps…”
Nersaren rested his chin on his hand and gazed at Philia slowly. His eyes were tender yet burning, missing nothing as they traced over her.
“Shall we hold a simple wedding ceremony here?”
“Pardon?”
“Opportunities to be with Count Ian are rare. Let’s exchange vows of love before your son, then pledge eternity as we return to Hielo. That journey will be the first memory of all our days together.”
Once they returned to Hielo, they couldn’t leave the territory unattended. So this was a proposal to take their time returning as a honeymoon. Philia was so startled she covered her mouth.
“Well? What do you think?”
“I—”
*Crash!*
Just before her emotional acceptance could fall from her lips, a loud commotion erupted outside. In a place where Prince Gail’s safety was paramount, such a disturbance was unexpected. Both their heads turned toward the door simultaneously.
“What could be happening?”
“Don’t worry. The warriors aren’t particularly rough.”
It was undoubtedly some hot-blooded warriors causing trouble. Nersaren maintained his smile while cursing inwardly. Whoever it was had terrible timing. How dare they interrupt his beloved’s answer? And about their engagement, no less?
“Philia.”
“Ah, yes, yes. I—”
Crash! Bang!
Nersaren was eager for an answer, but chaos erupted once more. Philia cast a worried glance toward the door.
“I should go check on that.”
“I’ll go. You stay and rest.”
Whoosh.
Nersaren smiled softly and seated Philia back down. He was smiling, yet something about him felt menacing.
Left alone, Philia perked up her ears, trying to discern what was happening outside. Though faint, the thunderous sounds continued without pause.
‘Prince Gail must be waking up too.’
With that thought, Philia opened the door facing the one Nersaren had exited through. They were in a small reception room between the bedroom and the main reception hall—a space where mages and doctors would rest and wait, conveniently positioned with access to multiple areas.
Click.
Prince Gail’s bedroom came into view. Philia poked her head out slightly to check if anything was amiss. The Prince was still sleeping deeply as if unconscious. And standing at his bedside, looking down at Gail, was a boy.
“Prince Jin?”
Silver hair and familiar clothing. Since Philia had never seen Arcen before, she naturally assumed it was Jin. The boy turned his head slightly.
“Your Highness, what brings you here? Forgive me, but…”
Should she dare speak first to a prince? Ian was a minister, but wasn’t the prince of higher rank? Did Ian’s order restricting access apply to the prince as well? She had heard that Prince Jin and Ian shared a special bond—surely that didn’t matter?
Philia found herself utterly confused.
“Your Highness, please wait a moment.”
I should call Nersaren. Philia made that decision and turned to leave. Then a firm command fell.
“Stop.”
“Yes?”
Whoosh.
Arcen turned his head. Philia’s surprise was brief before Arcen smiled brightly and gestured to her—beckoning her closer. Philia lowered her posture respectfully and approached.
“Ah…”
“Are you Ian’s mother?”
“Yes, that’s correct. My name is Philia.”
The boy’s face bore no wounds. Moreover, though they had clung to each other while facing Marib’s assault, he treated her as if meeting her for the first time. Philia realized the boy must be Jin’s twin brother.
“You must be Prince Arcen? It’s an honor to meet you.”
“…How annoying.”
“Pardon?”
“In the past, many people couldn’t tell whether I was Jin or not. But now, people distinguish us at a glance? How dull.”
Arcen sat on the edge of Gail’s bed, muttering to himself.
Something felt dangerous. She glanced only her eyes toward Gail. His chest rose and fell gently—he seemed fine.
“Even my own mother, who bore me in her womb, couldn’t always tell us apart. Yet now, even strangers distinguish us without hesitation. What a disappointment. Don’t you agree?”
“I… I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Why not?”
Philia answered with difficulty, tension gripping her.
“Prince Jin is Prince Jin, and Prince Arcen is Prince Arcen. No matter how alike you are, you cannot be one person. It’s natural to distinguish between you, and I’m grateful for it.”
Arcen, who had been smiling brightly, suddenly hardened his expression. She had clearly struck a nerve. With his small, fern-like hand, Arcen struck Philia’s cheek.
Crack!
“How insolent.”
“…I, I apologize, Your Highness.”
“So you’re Ian’s mother? No wonder you act just like him. Anyone can see you’re equally skilled at irritating people.”
Arcen grabbed Philia’s chin and shook it. His grip was weak, yet her mind grew clouded. She couldn’t even dare to resist. Dizziness washed over her as the world spun before her eyes.
“Hmm.”
Arcen looked down at Philia, who lay collapsed with barely her hands touching the ground. The commotion outside had been growing since earlier. If the Cheonryeo Tribe was stationed here, that noise must be from them. It seemed the subordinates who had been hiding had been discovered.
‘The timing couldn’t be worse.’
Arcen clicked his tongue. He had already exhausted himself breaking through the guards once. If warriors came pouring in all at once now, there would be no escape route, no matter how skilled I was.
He tapped near Prince Gail’s heart with his dagger, then turned to Philia.
“Philia?”
“Yes, yes, Your Highness.”
“Jin and I have always been one. Yet we’re now distinguished by mere scars. How lamentable this is, truly.”
Philia nodded unconsciously while pressing her dizzy forehead. Arcen’s words weren’t registering, but she felt compelled to agree.
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Then won’t you help me?”
“Help with what, what exactly?”
“You know Jin’s scar, don’t you?”
The line running from the right forehead to the left jaw. When she traced it with her finger, it matched Jin’s exactly, without the slightest deviation. Arcen pressed the dagger into Philia’s hand and smiled.
“Look carefully. From here to here.”
“Ah, Your Highness…”
“You create it for me. Ever since that scar appeared, my younger brother has kept his distance from me, and it breaks my heart so. Perhaps if I bore the same scar, wouldn’t Jin come to like me? I would be truly grateful if you helped me.”
The sounds from outside grew louder. Warriors were approaching this place with the guards. It wasn’t suitable for killing Prince Gail, but in another sense, it was perfect.
“Come now, quickly. Cut it.”
Something was wrong. Philia felt as though hot milk had been poured into her mind, leaving her thoughts pale and soggy. Without realizing it, she grasped the dagger, and without realizing it, she leaned her body closer to Arcen.
“Your Highness. That is…”
“I am the Emperor of this realm. If you help me, it will benefit your son Ian as well. Don’t hesitate in your duty as a mother.”
‘Ian’s mother attempted to harm Prince 4. She drew a blade and spilled blood.’
This was exactly the situation Arcen desired. If things proceeded this way, even if I couldn’t kill Prince Gail immediately, I could establish a sufficiently advantageous position.
The moment the dagger’s tip touched Arcen’s forehead.
“Ian.”
Philia murmured Ian’s name over and over. Her pupils dilated widely. Reflexively, she brought her other hand forward and grasped the blade of the dagger.
“Ah!”
It was wrong, someone seemed to scream beside her—wounding Arcen would never help Ian. As Philia cut her own palm and stumbled backward, Arcen’s expression darkened.
“That was an order.”
“Your Highness, I cannot!”
“Silence. You’re making this worse—I’m already exhausted as it is.”
Arcen seized Philia’s hand to force the dagger toward his own forehead. With a brutality unbecoming of his appearance, Philia let out a cry mixed with sobs.
“Your Highness!”
Crack!
That was when it happened.
Arcen’s head suddenly snapped backward.
The Boy glared at him with heat rising visibly in his expression. They were looking at each other upside down, yet their gazes met without wavering.
“…What are you doing?”
“Brother. You seem far more intact than expected.”
It was Prince Gail who had regained consciousness. Arcen let out a loud laugh, his pupils dilating widely.
“Since you couldn’t even manage to die properly, the Imperial Palace has been in quite the uproar. Why, did that person who went before you tell you not to come?”
Crash!
At Arcen’s sarcasm, Prince Gail simply grabbed the Boy by the hair and slammed him onto the table. As he lay there limply, the door opened.
Burst!
Ian, Romandro, Warriors, and Guards all entered.
Everyone in the room frowned at the bewildering scene before them.

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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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