Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 28

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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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Free Side Story: A Christmas Gift
“Which bastard did this?!”
On the evening before the Christmas party, Arena’s thunderous roar echoed through the halls, causing the mages to freeze in their tracks.
What’s going on? Today isn’t even a work day—there shouldn’t be any mistakes. Did someone tear open the gift wrapping? Or did someone steal snacks from the Minister’s office yesterday?
The mages trembled mid-decoration of the Christmas tree. The heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor were anything but ordinary.
Crash!
Arena burst into the party hall, throwing the door open with all his might. In moments like this, avoiding eye contact was the wisest strategy. The mages pretended to move cakes, adjust tree branches, and tie ribbons—all while hiding their faces. One could practically feel Arena’s furious breathing from across the room.
“Which bastard is it?!”
“Minister, sir. Is there a problem…?”
The mages with captain-level titles cautiously inquired. Arena muttered while staring at the beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
“Ian—”
Ian? He wasn’t coming until later since he was at Energes for the year-end event. Though he should arrive soon.
Only then did the mages lift their heads and look at Arena.
“What about Ian? Is something wrong?”
“Ian… doesn’t believe in Santa…”
“Huh? Isn’t five years old the perfect age to believe in Santa?”
“Exactly my point! Some scatterbrained idiot must have made a slip of the tongue. Confess right now. I’ll let you off with just death.”
Was it you? Or you? You, you bastard—was it you? Arena grabbed each mage by the collar, his eyes half-crazed as he interrogated them.
But they all vehemently denied it with wronged expressions.
“Who said that? Didn’t you mishear?”
“That’s right. Ian hasn’t even arrived yet.”
“The Steward told me, damn it! I can tell by the way you’re talking.”
“It wasn’t me! I only asked what kind of gift he wanted!”
“M-me too.”
“I just asked if there was anything he wanted, and he only laughed.”
Arena’s agitation subsided somewhat. At least he’d confirmed it wasn’t the Ministry of Magic’s doing. Now he had to figure out how to fix this. Restoring a child’s sense of wonder to one who no longer believed in Santa—that was the Christmas party’s greatest mission.
As Arena pressed his forehead, Ako raised his hand with sparkling eyes.
“You said Ian didn’t say what he wanted, right?”
“Get to the point.”
“If we guess exactly what he wants and give it to him… wouldn’t he believe? That’s what Santa is, after all.”
There was merit to that.
But with so little time before the party, all the mages had already prepared what they wanted to give. Well, if they just knew the answer, getting it wouldn’t be a problem. They could fly, open portals, or figure something out.
“What do you think it could be?”
“I heard he wanted the newly discovered magic stone from Hawan♡.”
“Rejected.”
“Why?!”
“Get lost.”
Stop projecting your own desires here, you bastard.
Heil, who had been pondering, nodded while holding a cigarette in his mouth.
“Can it be bought with money?”
Honestly, if Ian wanted something, couldn’t he have anything he desired? Even if we pooled all the wealth of everyone gathered here, it wouldn’t reach even the tips of Ian’s toes.
At Heil’s words, everyone fell silent and bowed their heads solemnly. That’s right. Ian was a VVIP at the Haiman Bank—the kind of person the bank director himself would rush out barefoot to greet.
“Ugh, this is really giving me a headache.”
“Well then, let’s see what gifts everyone prepared. One of them has to be right.”
“You think so?”
The mages rummaged through their belongings and pulled out the gifts they’d prepared.
Ako went first. She’d prepared a small magic stone with a beautiful green glow. She drooled over it as if it pained her to part with it, but it was wrapped with a pretty ribbon nonetheless.
“A magic stone that grants beautiful dreams!”
“I prepared a limited edition sculpture pen set.”
“I got a cape coat! Isn’t it cute? He should try it on right away. Oh, it’ll go perfectly with his ear muffs.”
“Ear muffs and a scarf. Nothing fancy.”
“I bought a toy.”
“Would Ian play with something like that?”
“It’s a wooden block that shatters but reforms itself. Perfect for practicing magic, right?”
“…I want that. Where did you buy it?”
Arena carefully examined the gifts the mages had prepared. She’d thought they were senseless fools, but they’d actually chosen some decent items. Just then, one of the mages asked her a question.
“Minister, what did you prepare?”
At his question, Arena pulled an envelope from her pocket.
“Ohhh—it’s not money, is it? Giving Ian money?”
“That would be the worst.”
“One week of paid vacation.”
“…!”
The mages’ jeering words came to an abrupt halt. Nothing else mattered—if only they had that! Just that, just that alone!
Crash! Bang!
The mages, eyes wild with desire, lunged at Arena, but she nimbly dodged and quickly tucked the envelope back into her pocket.
Shortly after, once the gifts were rewrapped and the food prepared, the party time had already arrived. Arena bit at her nails, desperately hoping that what Ian truly wanted was among these presents.
Neigh!
The sound of a carriage arriving came from outside. Ian, holding Romandro’s hand, climbed up the stairs. His nose and cheeks were flushed red from the cold.
“Ian, welcome!”
“Hello!”
“Merry Christmas! You look even cuter today.”
“Come inside. The fireplace here is warm.”
Ian entered the office with an awkward yet expectant expression. This was his first Christmas party, and he found it strange that the office, usually so bleak and busy and dingy, was now decorated so beautifully and brightly. He could hear music box melodies from somewhere, and they sounded lovely. Ah, this is wonderful.
“Well, now that everyone’s here, shall we begin? Everyone, raise your glasses.”
“Ian gets milk~”
“Wait! Before that!”
Boom! Ako stepped in front of Ian and gave a “freeze” signal. Ian tilted his head in confusion.
“Ian. Do you think there’s no Santa?”
Nooo! How could they say something so blunt!
The mages gasped internally and shrieked, and Arena, startled by their reaction, swayed as if she might collapse at any moment. …Someday, she would wring their necks.
And then came Ian’s response.
“Yes.”
It was resolute.
Ako’s eyes sharpened and gleamed.
“Why?”
“Because it’s physically impossible to deliver gifts to every child in a single night?”
“…?!”
Everyone’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer. What was this five-year-old saying?
“Even if you spent just one second delivering each gift, it’s impossible. There are 86,400 seconds in a day, but Gaia has more children than that.”
“That’s why Santa only gives gifts to children who aren’t crying—it’s a condition.”
“Are you trying to say Santa knows about every child’s activities for the entire year? If that’s the case, Santa would be committing serious privacy violations.”
“….”
Ako and the mages realized it then. No one had told Ian that “Santa doesn’t exist”—he had logically deduced the conclusion entirely on his own.
Ian accepted the warm milk and smiled.
“If someone could do that, they’d truly be an extraordinary mage. In that case, the Ministry of Magic at the Imperial Palace couldn’t possibly be unaware of it.”
“The Ministry made a mistake. Yes, the Ministry made a mistake.”
“Why is that?”
“No, never mind. Let’s start the party.”
Ako waved her hand dismissively. The singing grew louder, and everyone raised their glasses in toasts. The tree sparkled brilliantly, and before the fireplace lay a mountain of gifts bathed in warm light.
Ian grinned widely, his teeth fully visible, and hugged an armful of gift boxes.
Tap, tap. Tap.
Arena’s expression as she watched him was solemn. She desperately hoped that among those gifts was something Ian truly wanted.
“Minister, why do you look so troubled on such a fine evening?”
Romandro, already quite drunk, laughed and clinked his glass against hers. Yet Arena’s eyes remained fixed on Ian.
“I’m wondering if Ian will like it.”
“What is it? A gift?”
“Yes. I don’t know what he wants.”
Just then, Ian opened one of the gifts. He was laughing uproariously, but she couldn’t tell if it was truly what he desired.
At her soft murmur, Romandro’s eyebrows twitched. He recalled the conversation he’d had with Ian during the carriage ride here.
“Ian, are you truly satisfied with just a teddy bear? Despite appearances, I do have the means to give you something far more valuable.”
“Romandro, I appreciate the thought. But this is truly enough. I’m so satisfied with it.”
“Hmm. Still though.”
“And I’ve already received what I wanted. From you too.”
“You have?”
Ian whispered softly, as if afraid others might hear.
“The party. I really wanted to have a Christmas party with everyone. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep last night, remember? I’m so happy you made time for tonight! Thank you!”
“Ah. So that was it?”
“Tomorrow there’s a party at Count Jacque’s Estate anyway. I promised to exchange gifts with Barsabe, didn’t I?”
Recalling Ian’s beaming face, Romandro assured Arena with a smile not to worry. Wasn’t Ian laughing more joyfully than ever? Just like in the carriage earlier.
“Ian, Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas! Minister! Merry Christmas to you too!”
I bounded forward with the greeting, and Arena offered a faint smile, waving his hand in return.
“Ah, Ian.”
And in that moment, I found myself thinking—though I hadn’t discovered what he truly wished for, I was grateful to sense the happiness radiating from his smile. Arena took a delicate sip of wine before responding.
“Merry Christmas, Ian.”

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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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