Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 216

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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 216
The Counterproposal
An awkward silence settled over the room. Had it not been for the chirping of birds drifting in from somewhere outside, I might have thought time itself had frozen.
Sereo glanced at Jin and Romandro in bewilderment. Ian, the one directly involved, remained perfectly still, yet the reactions of these two men were so volatile. Romandro, suddenly coming to his senses, cleared his throat and offered a polite apology.
“My apologies. I was simply startled for a moment.”
“I was too, forgive me.”
“Not at all. It’s quite alright.”
Sereo bowed his head in response to the Prince’s apology. Following suit, Ian elegantly set down his teacup. The soft clink seemed unusually loud in that moment.
“…If you speak of a younger sister, is she the lady I met at the New Year’s gathering? I believe her name was Alena.”
“Oh, yes! You remember!”
“Of course. Just as with Count Sereo, she was the first lady I had a proper conversation with in the imperial palace.”
Ian remembered his younger sister!
Sereo could not hide his excitement at this unexpected turn. Though Alena could be rather reckless, at least her beauty was beyond reproach. He straightened his collar, attempting to maintain composure.
“Are you aware? Count Ian’s name is being discussed quite frequently among the nobility.”
“Because I stand at the center of the imperial palace’s upheaval.”
“No, that’s not quite—”
Sereo studied Ian carefully. His expression had remained unchanged the entire time, making his thoughts utterly inscrutable. Instead of continuing, Sereo simply took a long sip of his tea.
‘Aside from his common birth, he’s the perfect marriage prospect. Refined appearance, a mage, wealth—everything. It’s unfortunate he’s only a Baron, but with Lord Jin close at hand, a promotion is merely a matter of time.’
Then, Jin’s and Romandro’s gazes locked. What should we do? Jin’s silent question was met with Romandro flaring his nostrils. We should stop this. Jin’s brows furrowed again. How? In a brief moment, Romandro rolled his eyes back, sending an incomprehensible signal.
Finally, Jin gathered his courage and raised his hand.
“…Count Sereo, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please, ask away.”
Sereo hastily set down his teacup and bowed respectfully. The Prince, as if having made a decision, hardened his expression and insisted firmly.
“What if I told you? Count Ian hasn’t undergone his coming-of-age ceremony yet. Not yet—this simply cannot happen!”
“I… beg your pardon?”
“You’re far too hasty!”
“Ah…”
Sereo blinked blankly. It seemed an odd objection coming from a ten-year-old Prince, yet he could hardly respond disrespectfully. Sereo cleared his throat calmly to gather himself.
“Yes, Your Highness. I understand. That is precisely why I proposed a betrothal. Among the nobility, it is common for children to be betrothed from infancy.”
“W-well, that may be true, but…”
“Actions speak louder than words. This is the finest way to demonstrate that Count Ian supports the Sereo house. And it need only be temporary.”
His true intention was to bind the Sereo name to Ian’s. Whenever the contract might be dissolved in the future, the relationship between Ian and his younger sister would already be cemented as fact in society. And by then, the Sereo house would have become a noble family surpassing even the Haimanga.
Where could one find such a perfect plan? It was purely Sereo’s own fantasy, yet it was far from impossible.
“Temporary?”
“Yes. Until the Haimanga’s influence fades to the degree we desire. That would suffice. Of course, if I may speak candidly, I would genuinely wish for us to become true family.”
Jin glanced at Romandro as if seeking help. He merely fiddled with his beard, groaning. He wanted to refuse politely on the spot, but he lacked justification. Justification.
A light gesture.
Ian smiled gently and waved his hand lightly. It was a command to Romandro to stop his agonizing.
“Count Sereo. Your proposal is truly an honor to me. As her older brother, I cannot easily part with a younger sister I have raised with affection.”
Raised with affection? That reckless girl? It sounded like something from a fairy tale. Sereo hesitated for a moment, but quickly composed his expression.
“First, I worry that Princess Alena might suffer heartbreak if the engagement were to be broken.”
A union between families based on contracts was essentially a business transaction. Whether it flourished or failed, society would certainly gossip about it, so I pretended to be concerned about this, expressing my discomfort in a roundabout manner.
“It is something all nobles must accept upon birth. I’ve also heard that Count Ian’s parents are currently in the capital. If possible, I would like to arrange a gathering and offer them a modest welcome.”
“Yes, I understand. I’ll convey your words to my parents. I will give it serious consideration.”
A refusal, in other words. Though Sereo spoke of considering it, Sereo instinctively grasped my true answer. However, with the grand scheme ahead of us both, it was more advantageous to leave room for ambiguity than to confirm a rejection outright. Besides, I hadn’t expected it to be settled in one meeting anyway.
Sereo placed a hand over his heart and expressed his gratitude.
“With the trust you’ve shown, Count Ian, I will rebuild House Sereo anew.”
Though the very survival of his house hung in the balance, this was undoubtedly an opportunity for House Sereo. He had answered gracefully and without servility, accepting the proposal. It was a dignified way to bridge the gap between a baron and a count, between those in power and their followers.
“I look forward to it.”
“I’ve heard rumors that the grand assembly will convene soon.”
“That’s right. Once the accusation reaches Haiman, that’s when it begins. I’ll send a servant to House Sereo within the next day or two, so prepare the requested documents well.”
I briefly explained the situation that would unfold and the countermeasures to match it. As if transcribing an oracle, Sereo’s fountain pen moved fluidly across the paper.
Scratch, scratch.
Jin also sharpened his focus and listened intently to my words. Whenever something was unclear, he asked Romandro, committing every precaution I was preparing to memory.
“If there seems to be any armed conflict with Haiman, retreat unconditionally.”
“Understood.”
“I think this should suffice.”
“Yes, well. We’ll have opportunities to meet again. Let’s leave it at this.”
The sunlight streaming through the ceiling grew increasingly rich and deep. The sky poured forth crimson clouds so thickly it resembled gazing upon a red sea. As Jin stood lost in thought, gazing upward, I gently tugged at his collar.
“…Your Highness.”
“Ah, yes. From now on, we’ll go forward together.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will do my utmost.”
When Jin offered his hand, Sereo grasped it with both hands and bowed deeply at the waist. Soon after, he left the greenhouse under the guidance of the servants. Once he was out of sight, Romandro settled onto the sofa with a relieved sigh.
“Phew, what a long day this has been.”
“Count Ian, are you truly going through with the engagement? If you are, let me meet her first! I need to see if she’s worthy, and then we can proceed!”
Jin clenched his small fist firmly, and I burst into laughter. Romandro, as if possessed by Jin, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and muttered.
“Still, I didn’t expect Sereo to have such ambition. A political marriage with Count Ian, no less.”
“Indeed. I was rather surprised myself.”
He would never have dared to propose such a thing to Jin. Jin was of imperial blood, nearly the next emperor. A mere count like Sereo had no right to aspire to such a match.
But me? Though I hold the position of Minister of Magic, I am ultimately a commoner-born baron. A suitable match, and with my current influence, nothing could be better.
“He seems capable of handling matters properly.”
I turned to regard the two of them and tilted my head lightly. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely inclined, but if additional conditions were attached, it wasn’t an unfavorable proposal for me. Sereo would likely have accepted most demands.
“By the way, Romandro. Do you know Princess Alena?”
“No? I’ve never seen her. Why?”
“You seemed to object quite vehemently earlier. As did you, Jin.”
Could there be rumors circulating in society? If so, it would be good to know. At my question, Romandro snorted loudly and exclaimed.
“I don’t know about rumors, but isn’t it rather unsuitable? Someone of your caliber, Ian? I’d announce throughout Bariel for a woman of exceptional talent—skilled in both arts and martial prowess, diligent, frugal, resourceful, with wealth, beauty, noble lineage, everything! Yet you’re wasting yourself on Sereo!!”
As Romandro grew excited and lightly struck the table, Jin also nodded vigorously in agreement.
“That’s right. Count Ian could even meet foreign royalty.”
“Exactly, Your Highness Jin? You are truly discerning.”
“I cannot say whether Princess Alena is adequate or not, but accepting her here and now would be improper.”
“Quite right! Your Highness, you’ve put my mind at ease! Unless she is as magnificent a woman as our Viviana, I could never, ever consent. Ha!”
Romandro and Jin were perfectly aligned, trading arguments against Sereo with such ease that it was remarkable for a middle-aged man and a child to be so in sync. Ian, observing Xiaoxi standing quietly in the background, gestured with his head.
“You sit as well. The guests have all departed.”
“…Yes, Master.”
Even as the servants brought refreshments and tea, Romandro and Jin continued raising their voices in opposition to Sereo. Regardless, Ian tapped the table rhythmically—tap, tap—his mind clearly absorbed in thought.
“Master?”
“Hmm?”
When Xiaoxi asked with concern, I lifted my head with a faint smile. I had recalled my previous life as Emperor Ian. My betrothed, whom I had never once seen, had reportedly died of illness before she could even walk. After entering the palace, I had exhausted myself defending against the attacks of powerful ministers seeking to occupy the vacant Empress’s seat. I acknowledge that marriage is a political instrument, but still….
“Xiaoxi, do you have any desire for marriage?”
“…Even if I did, Master, your permission comes first.”
No matter how fine the clothes worn or how one sits here, a slave remains a slave. The reality that one cannot establish a household without the master’s consent. At his answer, I turned to look at Romandro as if I had grasped something.
“The officials surmised earlier that Haiman might even transfer funds to foreign powers.”
“Indeed. What good is noble blood? It’s all cultivated in preparation for times like these.”
I could not dare directly intervene in Bariel’s political situation, but if Haiman made an active request, there could be external repercussions. It would be wise to establish a shield in preparation for that moment.
Just as I was about to issue a command, a servant entered the greenhouse and delivered a message.
Creak.
“Count Ian. A messenger pigeon has arrived from the Carbo Temple.”
“From Carbo? Show me.”
The servant placed a small note on a golden tray and presented it. The temple’s official seal was stamped upon it. Romandro craned his neck forward with curiosity, and Jin too wore an interested expression, hearing news of his maternal family for the first time in a while.
“What does it say?”
“The Carbo Temple reports that the light of the oracle has just departed. As requested, the priests who received the oracle at that time are accompanying it, but….”
“But?”
I folded the paper neatly and handed it to Jin.
“It seems another oracle descended at Carbo a few days ago. They say they will convey that as well.”
An oracle had descended. Jin was a child who had never once witnessed that glory. His expression reflexively hardened. Could it be that another curse had been pronounced against him this time?
Jin carefully opened the note.

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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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