Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 249

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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 249
Episode: Pat-Pat and Thump-Thump
That day, the wind in the imperial palace was unusually bitter. Flowers bloomed on the trees, and the breeze that scattered the clouds was warm, yet it bit with a chill.
So no one found it strange that Jin pulled a thick blanket over his head.
“Deilaina has passed away?”
“Earlier, in the middle of the night.”
“Tsk, tsk. Our poor Prince Jin must be devastated.”
“His Majesty shows no signs of improvement either, so the young prince must be suffering greatly. Orders have come down for everyone to be especially careful with their words.”
“What about the funeral?”
“It seems it will be kept simple. The cause of death cannot be revealed.”
Exposure to the toxins of the demon Arcen. Death.
This was Deilaina’s direct cause of death, but the entire imperial palace was working in concert to erase that day’s events. Her death would likely be recorded as illness or complications from injuries sustained during the rebellion.
The Mage scratched his forehead with a file folder and sighed.
“Anyway, how many are still waiting for the Forbidden Magic spell?”
“Only fifteen have been processed so far. Since Count Ian can’t work, progress is slow. We’re already short-handed, and some have been dragged off to the investigation office. Have you seen Patrick?”
“That madman. That’s why I said not to have reckless thoughts.”
“Since entering the imperial palace, I’ve never seen days this chaotic.”
Setting aside the personnel losses caused by Arcen, they had to sift through traitors, requiring multiple rounds of additional manpower. Those being investigated were Mages, and those doing the investigating were also Mages.
As they passed through the corridor voicing their exhaustion, someone was eavesdropping from a corner.
“Huh? Prince Jin’s mother?”
It was Berik. His cheeks were stuffed, and both hands were full of meat. For recovery, tender, chewy meat was absolutely essential, but the imperial palace’s quacks knew nothing and only served watery porridge.
He had no choice but to evade the servants’ surveillance and prowl near the dining hall constantly in search of meat. When the rebellion was raging, he had carried her unconscious form and run—it was still vivid!
Berik pressed himself flat against the corridor wall and kept chewing the meat.
‘…Mother has died.’
Berik had turned to head back to his room, though his gait was more of a stagger and stumble than a walk, yet he didn’t feel particularly distressed. Each time the meat juice slid down his throat, he felt blood flowing through him.
“Lord Berik?”
“Gasp!”
But he didn’t know. His covert movements weren’t hidden from the Mages—rather, the Mages were gritting their teeth and deliberately pretending not to notice.
This time, a report came in that he was stumbling through the corridors with meat clutched in both hands, so Viviana and Romandro appeared personally.
“Tsk, tsk. Is that… is that a person or what?”
“Romandro, your face isn’t exactly presentable either.”
“I just woke up from sleep!”
Romandro, who had collapsed into sleep and barely awakened, was swollen to the point where his features were half-obscured. Berik wobbled and leaned against the wall for support.
“Then just keep sleeping. Why did you come out?”
“Deilaina has passed away. I was worried about Prince Jin, and thinking about Ian handling the work alone made me want to at least show my face. Though without the Mages’ help, I’m recovering on my own, so I can only stay briefly before heading back.”
Romandro yawned widely and gestured for Berik to follow him.
“Prince Jin must be deeply grieved. Mind your conduct. To lose one’s mother at such a young age. Alas.”
“But he has three siblings. How is he alone?”
As Berik scratched his nose and asked, Romandro and Viviana’s eyes met directly. Come to think of it, hadn’t Berik been bedridden from the point when the rebellion concluded? When Arcen used his power at Prince Gail’s residence, he had been hovering at death’s door. It was natural he knew nothing.
Romandro cleared his throat and spoke carefully.
“Prince Marib—the First Prince—has been stripped of his title and the execution ceremony is complete.”
“…What did you say?”
“Prince Gail has also passed away.”
“Huh?!”
“As for Arcen, he…”
Romandro glanced around before leaning close to Berik’s ear and whispering. He explained Arcen’s true identity, the consequences that followed, how the aftermath was being handled, and warned him not to speak carelessly about any of it.
Berik was so shocked that his jaw dropped open, revealing the meat he’d been chewing. Viviana gently closed his mouth for him.
“Whaaaaaat?!”
“Be quiet, you fool.”
“Insane! What happened while I was gone? Why was I left out?”
“Left out? Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Damn it, I wish I’d been there!”
“You wish you’d been there?”
Berik’s teeth chattered roughly as he failed to hide his excitement. Romandro muttered that he wasn’t even human and dragged Viviana’s arm away. She smiled softly and helped support Berik.
“That’s nothing! Right? Like this and that, just—crunch! Bite right through and—snap! Clean! I never liked that guy anyway. He was just like Jhin, but something felt off about him. Hmm. My instincts are truly exceptional. Wow. This is insane.”
He was rambling. Romandro felt grateful that Berik had been bedridden while everything was happening. With everything already chaotic and hectic, if that fool had caused any trouble, it would have been a real headache.
They exchanged nods with passing mages as they approached Jhin’s quarters. As they turned the corner, familiar figures came into view.
“Oh my. Countess.”
“Hello, Romandro. You’re awake. Can you move around? Are you feeling alright?”
It was Philia and Nersaren. They had entered the Magic Division after receiving Ian’s summons and happened to meet them right at the entrance. Upon spotting Berik, they drew closer.
“Berik. We heard you were rolling around.”
“He seems better than expected.”
“I was rolling? I’m the one who rolled, so why would I be rolling?”
“Is that so? Then that’s a relief.”
Berik’s expression showed confusion. His gait was a bit odd, but he was walking on both feet just fine, so he couldn’t understand why they were saying such things.
In the meantime, Romandro signaled a servant to announce their arrival, and soon the door opened from within.
Creak.
“Count Ian?”
“Your Excellency, we have heard the news.”
As the couple carefully entered, Ian, sitting by the bedside, greeted them with a finger to his lips—a silent request to keep their voices low.
A shapeless form wrapped tightly in thick blankets. It was Jhin. The boy was bundled under the covers with only one hand extended, gripping Ian’s left hand.
“Have you arrived?”
“Is Jhin sleeping?”
Ian shrugged as if uncertain. His breathing was steady, but the grip in his hand hadn’t loosened. Ian had read the “Biography of Roberside” twice, yet Jhin remained unmoved.
Ian placed documents on his lap and turned pages with his right hand alone.
“Romandro, how is your condition?”
“No problems. I think I’d fall asleep instantly if I put my head on a pillow. But how are you, Ian? I’m sorry I couldn’t get up sooner.”
“Not at all. Captain Heil did his best. Though it seems he’s simply not suited for administrative work, no matter how you look at it.”
Ian smiled faintly, and Romandro exhaled in relief. In that moment, Berik squeezed his head in. Ian looked startled and asked back.
“Berik. You were rolling around, weren’t you?”
“Damn it. What on earth is this?”
“Never mind. Looking at you, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Master. That meat I couldn’t eat last time—could you order it again? I can eat meat now. Really! Look at this?”
Chomp, chomp—Berik devoured the meat ravenously, as if to prove his good health. Ian watched with curiosity, letting out a brief “Hmm,” but that was all. He remained focused on his documents, his pen moving across the page.
“Nersaren.”
“Yes, Ian.”
Nersaren’s bronze shoulders flinched. Ah. What could be done about this awkward atmosphere between stepfather and son? Even their forms of address felt uncertain. Romandro subtly rolled his eyes, while Viviana and Philia indulged Berik’s meat display without complaint.
“I’ve found a clue regarding Silask.”
“Is that true?”
“The flowerpot I had—the merchant guild that gave it to me is Rutherford. They’re also the source of the amber gemstone ‘Idgal’ that Marib used in the rebellion.”
Rutherford. Nersaren shook his head as if he’d never heard the name. They were a minority tribe in the Great Desert who traded only with Bratz. There was no particular information worth telling Ian.
“How is Chieftain Winchen’s condition?”
“I cannot say she has recovered as before, but she is enduring well.”
The gypsy’s chronic illness had been severe, but at that time it must have been even more critical because of Bumart’s betrayal—he had been allied with Count Derga and was the chief administrator of food supplies, deliberately worsening Winchen’s health to seize the tribe.
“We anticipate Rutherford will enter Bariel around autumn. However, I’m uncertain whether they’ll come through Hawanguk or another route.”
“Autumn…”
“Once they enter Bariel, we can surely make contact, so there’s no need for concern about that.”
Would it be all right? Could Winchen, withered like bare branches, endure until then? Worry suddenly surged forward, but there was no remedy. Nersaren nodded.
“For Kakan, use Jeonseogoo. Since he travels leisurely, it will take considerable time, won’t it?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Mother.”
“Hmm?”
Philia, who had been watching Berik eat meat while clapping softly, turned her head sharply at Ian’s call.
“Do you remember in detail what you said about me being praised at the merchant guild back then?”
“In detail?”
“Or perhaps since that day, have I seemed strange to you, different from usual, or anything like that? Even small things would help—please tell me whatever comes to mind.”
“Well…”
Philia struggled to retrieve the faint memory. But no matter how hard she thought, what was strange wasn’t Ian from that day—it was Ian now.
How could someone who had faced death several times become so composed and sharp? Philia smiled awkwardly and smoothed her hair.
“I don’t think it’s very helpful.”
“That’s fine.”
“You had a fever rash for several days.”
“A fever rash? Why was that?”
When Ian asked the cause, Philia became flustered. She had been a child from the slums. Even if a fever rash appeared, how many would know the reason? The conditions were poor, and there were no doctors to care for them.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know much about that.”
“Ian. Well, when foreign merchants come and go, all sorts of mysterious illnesses spread. Fever rashes like that are common in children. Yes.”
“That’s right. Usually they appear and disappear pretty quickly.”
As Romandro spoke while observing Philia’s complexion, Viviana added her words as well.
Did she think he resented her? Ian gave his mother a faint smile. Philia’s face brightened at once.
“…Count Ian.”
At that moment, Jin pulled back the blanket slightly and opened his eyes. The delicate skin around them was swollen and puffy. Ian shielded the lamplight with his hand and asked gently.
“Your Highness. Are you awake? Should I have Berik leave?”
“No, what are you talking about? I didn’t say a word and only ate meat! Count Jin. Everything that’s been said until now—that was all Ian! I’m the wronged one here!”
“Tsk, you fool. Be quiet. Your manner of speech is strange too.”
“What are you saying? Romandro is much louder than me!”
Romandro and Berik bickered back and forth. Under Viviana’s smile, her sleeves rolled up, they were forcibly restored to peace. Jin looked around at the gathered people and asked.
“If your duties are pressing, you should go.”
“We were being loud, weren’t we?”
“That’s absolutely not it.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m fine. And while everyone has work to attend to, we came here because we were worried about Your Highness. Isn’t that right, Berik?”
“Huh? Me? Yes, yes! That’s right! Here, meat!”
At Ian’s call, Berik raised his hand proudly. Ah. There was no meat. He had brought some to share with Jin, but in the meantime, he had eaten it all himself.
Jin couldn’t help but smile slightly.
“Berik. Good to see you awake. That meat you couldn’t eat back then—let’s have it together later. It was very delicious beef.”
“Gasp. When? I’m the type to set a firm promise about meals. Would you have breakfast with me?”
“This fool, sharing a meal with Your Highness!”
“Ack! Sia ate with Count Jin too!”
Smack!
As Romandro and Berik bickered again, Viviana raised her voice loudly as well, while Philia stood helplessly between them, trying to mediate.
“It’s loud, isn’t it?”
“No. I like it.”
At Ian’s question, Jin murmured. Rather than hearing him sob alone, this was better. Jin gazed blankly at them from within the blanket, then suddenly asked.
“By the way, Count Ian.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Do you perhaps have a younger sibling?”
“Pardon?”
A younger sibling? For him?
As Ian raised his eyebrows, Jin wore an equally bewildered expression.
“Roberside mentioned it. That your younger sibling is very beautiful.”

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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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