Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 224

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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 224
A Trap’s Script – D-3
“So the Mages and the Judiciary Ministry had quite the commotion?”
“Commotion? What commotion?”
In Prince Gail’s quarters as sunset descended, a Soldier who had been staring straight ahead unconsciously muttered to himself. Realizing his shift change was approaching, he found himself unbearably bored. He responded while sensing footsteps echoing from a distance.
“There was a riot, apparently. They said it was the first time they’d ever seen Mages brawling, and everyone was too shocked to even try stopping them. Something about a dojo or something like that seems to be the reason.”
“No issues with the transaction?”
“Exactly. So the Judiciary Ministry staff left right after work hours ended, right? Honestly, the imperial palace is hilarious when you think about it. They’re fighting like their lives depend on it, then the moment work hours are over, they just leave. What’s that all about?”
The Soldiers chuckled before spotting a carriage approaching from afar and composing themselves. The banner belonged to the Mage Ministry. And typically, the Mages who entered Prince Gail’s quarters were either healing Mages or Ian.
Screeeech!
Whiiiing!
“Count Ian. Welcome.”
“You’ve been working hard. Everything in order?”
“Yes. All is well.”
Ian nodded and climbed the stairs alone. He usually brought Romand with him, but today he’d come with other Mages for some reason.
Ian tucked his leather gloves into his chest and crossed the palace with practiced ease.
Tap, tap, tap.
The sun continued its descent. The deep crimson sunset was shifting beyond orange, now tinged with red. A warm breeze. Distant shadows. The beginning of darkness pouring through the tall windows. Ian’s footsteps and those of the Mages following him echoed through the empty corridor.
“Ah, Count Ian.”
“It’s Count Ian. What brings you here?”
The Celestial Warriors lying on the garden lawn greeted Ian. They were all leisurely chewing on grass blades, savoring the verdant tranquility. Ian acknowledged them with a small smile.
Whoosh.
“Is something the matter? Where has Romand gone?”
“Right? But the more I see him, the more he resembles Lady Philia, doesn’t he? That’s why bloodline matters. If Lord Nersaren has a child, I should definitely pray they take after Lady Philia.”
The Warriors dismissed it as nothing and sprawled back onto the grass. They didn’t know when they’d return to the desert, but this kind of luxury wasn’t so bad.
Screeeech!
“Count Ian. Good evening.”
“Is Prince Gail within?”
“Yes. He’s currently dining.”
“Open the door.”
At Ian’s command, the inner door leading to the bedchamber slowly swung open.
Prince Gail, who had been dining at a table beside his bed, frowned. Remarkably, Philia and Nersaren were with him.
“Oh my, Ian!”
“Mother is here as well, I see.”
“Ah, well, this is… that is…”
Philia showed reluctance and didn’t know what to do. She was flustered, worried she might be blamed for overstepping.
Prince Gail glanced at Philia, then set down his fork with a deliberate sound.
Clack.
“I found dining alone tedious and requested her company. However, the Soldier standing guard at the entrance is quite clumsy and rude. Showing in a guest without announcing that I was dining—how discourteous.”
Yet contrary to his words, Prince Gail’s knife was pointing directly at Ian. It was a protest: your action in entering while knowing I was dining is truly impolite.
But Ian simply dismissed it with a glance, then turned to Philia with a request.
“Please leave me alone with Prince Gail for a moment.”
“Oh, yes. Of course.”
Philia hastily gathered her things and disappeared into the adjacent room with Nersaren. Prince Gail looked Ian up and down, then casually cut into his steak.
“Since you’ve sent away my dining servant, sit in their place instead. For your information, I do enjoy being fed.”
Seeing him jest so smoothly, I thought he might be worth saving after all.
The Mages set a small glass vial before Ian, then likewise departed. Prince Gail continued his meal while gazing down at it. Without Ian needing to speak, he could sense what it was.
“…I don’t eat dessert.”
A potion that brings death. Through magical power, it would make Ian surrender his very breath entirely. Now he could truly feel that the final act of his life was beginning.
“Soon, rumors will spread.”
“Rumors. Rumors, you say.”
Clink, clink. The sound of cutlery striking softly echoed. Prince Gail fell silent, turning the matter over in his mind, and soon arrived at an answer close to the truth.
“Are they saying I’ve defected?”
“…Yes.”
“How absurd. Who gave permission to use a Prince’s name like this? I didn’t think you had such a reckless side.”
Ian was inwardly surprised but said nothing. It seemed Prince Gail wasn’t seeking a response anyway.
“Your Highness need only remain as you are now.”
“I see. So I simply stay quiet, stand trial to prove Haiman’s wrongdoing, follow Marib’s path, and if things go awry, I can simply stop breathing without issue.”
Crash!
Prince Gail struck the table forcefully, then pointed his knife at Ian’s throat. He wanted nothing more than to slit that pale neck as easily as he carved his steak.
“I’m a body awaiting death anyway. Drinking this potion is nothing to me. But what’s this? Defection? That I abandon Bariel and flee abroad? To preserve my life?”
What greater insult could there be? He was no coward who would abandon his homeland while begging for his life. Prince Gail’s teeth ground together, but Ian pressed the potion forward without hesitation.
“It is merely a rumor. A rumor that will vanish without a trace in time.”
“My honor will vanish with it.”
“I apologize, Your Highness. Your honor has already vanished since the rebellion began.”
Crash! Shatter!
Prince Gail overturned every dish on the table.
He didn’t want to believe it, yet it was reality. He couldn’t take a single step outside the palace, and if he did, Haiman’s assassins would ensure a gruesome end.
The two men stared at each other with cold gazes.
“Remain calm and cause no disturbance. If you do, at least you won’t meet the same fate as Marib.”
Stripped of the royal surname, erased from history, hanging limply while receiving the applause of nobles. Ian whispered softly, as if coaxing a child.
“I will also protect your mother’s tree in my own name. Do not forget that all of this is my consideration.”
It was a reminder of what he had promised Prince Gail. After all, if Ian had simply decided to do so, he could have made him drink the potion without anyone knowing.
Prince Gail frowned and snatched the potion.
“Ha. Consideration?”
And without hesitation, he drank the potion in one gulp. A dull, acrid taste coating his tongue. So this is death, Prince Gail thought, wiping his mouth roughly before hurling the glass vial against the wall.
Shatter!
“Yes. This must be the consideration you desire.”
“Since our understanding has reached its peak, there is no better cooperation than this.”
“You won’t be going to heaven either.”
“If I can make Bariel a paradise, then anywhere will do.”
When I responded with grace, Gail let out a hollow laugh. A scorching sensation seeped through every part of my body. Now my very breath belonged entirely to him. As my chest grew heavy, soldiers called out from beyond the door.
“Count Ian. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Everyone, step back.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
The commotion outside made me wonder if something was amiss. Of course, even in a situation like this, no one was truly concerned for me. As Gail stared blankly at the ceiling, I rose from my seat. I had accomplished what I came to do.
“Apart from a slight fever, there are no problems with daily life. You may even forget that you drank it at all.”
“When will I die?”
“…The Divine will surely choose the most perfect moment.”
“I’ve given this considerable thought over the past few days.”
An abrupt preamble. I was about to dismiss it, but I stopped and turned back to face Gail. Words spoken to no one exist only as sound, scattering into nothing. Since these were the final laments of one facing death, it seemed not unkind to simply listen.
“When I first received Wesley’s curse.”
“Wesley’s curse?”
“To be honest, I thought little of it. Not being loved—I thought there would be no great change from before.”
After all, I had always been this way. Sweet words whispered, yet always within the bounds of pure calculation, and the same was true for the other party. Wesley gained countless benefits from meeting me as well.
Was such a thing truly genuine love? It seemed no different from before, so what exactly was the curse and what was the problem? At first, I certainly thought that way.
“But now, reflecting on my current circumstances, I understand. Not being loved—it included Bariel as well.”
Though I pursued Bariel with fervent devotion, I was ultimately not chosen, not loved. I stood with arms crossed, looking down at him. Like true brothers, we spoke in remarkably similar ways.
“Shall I record it for posterity? That Prince Gail was rejected by Bariel.”
“I wish I were dead, Ian.”
“Though I cannot grant death, I will grant departure. Enjoy what remains. There is not much left.”
Gail chuckled softly, muttering a light curse under his breath. As I stepped through the door, Philia and the soldiers who had been pressed close outside flinched and retreated in alarm. They must have been worried about the commotion.
“I-Ian! Are you alright? I heard the sound of something breaking.”
“I am fine. However, the floor will need cleaning. Bring a servant inside.”
“Yes. Understood!”
“…The swelling in your cheeks has gone down considerably. That’s fortunate.”
I examined my mother’s cheek briefly and nodded. Though raw marks remained from Arcen’s blow, they had healed enough to be nearly invisible unless one looked closely.
“By the way, Ian. If you have time, would you like to take a brief walk in the garden? Nersaren and I have something to discuss.”
“Yes, of course. That much is fine.”
Romandro and Heil had not yet returned from outside. I trust they stamped the seal on time, but I cannot do anything until I see it with my own eyes. We have a bit of awkwardly spare time.
“How do you find life in the palace?”
“It is far, far too much for me. I am grateful simply to have received such an opportunity in my lifetime. But, you see, I think it would be good for us to begin looking toward the day we return home.”
I estimated the date. Now that I thought about it, quite many days had passed since they arrived. The ethnic minority with their garrison, struggling in a climate that did not suit them—it had been no small hardship. I placed my hand over my heart and conveyed my gratitude to Nersaren.
“If you wish, I will prepare carriages and provisions for your journey. With the aid of Cheonryeo, the imperial palace has escaped crisis, and this will be deeply etched upon my heart.”
“What are you saying? We are allies. We have a duty to share both joy and hardship.”
“I am truly grateful that you speak so.”
“So about that…”
So about that? I lifted my head as if to urge him to speak, but Nersaren fell silent, tense. It was unlike him. Very slowly, yet with sincerity, Nersaren made his request.
“Before we depart, I would like to hold a small betrothal ceremony with Count Ian. We will hold the wedding separately once we return to Hielo.”
“Ah.”
Philia’s face flushed crimson as a beet. The sight of her asking permission from her son was utterly endearing. Ian let out a short exclamation and granted it immediately.
“Of course. However, I’m quite occupied at the moment. Perhaps we could arrange it after Lord Arcen’s mana verification ceremony and these urgent matters are settled? I shall prepare everything myself.”
“You? Prepare it?”
“I will do so with utmost sincerity.”
Philia was so delighted she nearly bounced on her feet. Nersaren too seemed to have lifted a burden, his expression noticeably lighter.
It was while they discussed the betrothal ceremony in the garden that a Mage came rushing over and whispered to Ian.
“Count Ian. We’ve just received word regarding the Carbo Temple. It seems you must go there immediately.”

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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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