Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 289

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 289
The Young Lion
“Focus a bit. You keep repeating yourself.”
“How can I when I haven’t slept in days?”
“If you have complaints, tell Ian directly.”
“Who’s complaining? Anyway, haven’t those people from the administrative division returned yet? Send word around—I’m drowning in work here!”
“Move aside, damn it! Has anyone seen this report?”
“Why are you asking us? Where did the seal go?”
“This is ridiculous, seriously!”
Boom! Crash!
Inside the Imperial Palace was just as chaotic as the grounds beyond. The administrative and magical divisions especially resembled a marketplace, filled with every conceivable commotion.
Order within chaos. The Mages darted about in tangled confusion.
“Word from the outer districts!”
“Report it to Ian!”
Tap-tap-tap!
One Mage reflexively bolted forward. As he made his presence known with ragged breathing, Romandro poked his head out—as if unable to step fully inside.
“Is this work-related?”
“The procession from Ruswena has reached the center. It appears they’ll enter the city proper in approximately two hours.”
“Understood. I’ll inform him at once.”
“Thank you.”
Creak.
As the office door closed, the clamor outside faded away.
Inside was remarkably quiet. Likely because Berik and Barsabe had been summoned to the Imperial Guards.
“Ian, did you hear?”
“Yes. About two hours. It’s tighter than I expected.”
I set down the documents I’d been reading and stood.
My hair was swept back neatly, my dress uniform bore not a wrinkle, and my fine leather shoes gleamed. My already impeccable appearance grew even more striking.
I walked slowly and stood behind Jin, who was being groomed.
Our eyes met through the mirror.
“Your Majesty. While you’re being prepared, I’ll remind you once more.”
“Go ahead. Sigh.”
“…The King of Ruswena is paying his respects to Your Majesty. Compose yourself. Do not let any wavering show in the mirror. Your Majesty will see it, and soon the world will know. You are Bariel, are you not?”
Do not be nervous merely meeting a foreign king.
How could His Majesty exhale such a sigh?
I pointed this out sharply while wrapping my hands around the boy’s shoulders—a grip both tender and firm, warmer than any reassuring words could be.
Jin seemed too nervous to notice, but Xiaoxi and Romandro certainly took it in.
“I understand. I’ll remember.”
“Good.”
I gently massaged the boy’s shoulders like pressing piano keys. Feeling my playfulness, Jin smiled softly, and I smiled too—as if I’d been waiting for precisely that expression.
“Do you recall the political situation in Ruswena?”
“Eriponi’s royalist faction has solidified their grip on power, or so I’ve heard. Two years ago, when drought struck the eastern granaries, the opposition faction rallied, but once the crisis was resolved, they lacked the strength to make a significant move. The central noble of that opposition faction is said to be Lady Haiman’s grand-uncle. More precisely, her second grand-uncle.”
The Boy recited what he had studied in a monotone voice, flowing without a single stutter or hesitation.
Did this not mean the information had taken perfect root in Jin’s mind? Romandro was so moved that he clasped his hands together, his eyes sparkling. How could one be more proud than this!
“Then, regarding the relationship between Ruswena, Clifford, and Burgos?”
Yet Ian posed the next question instead of offering praise.
The two exchanged glances through the mirror once more. Though they gazed upon the same view, their perspectives remained misaligned. Jin smiled faintly and offered his answer.
“Since nothing is certain, I may speculate, but hasty judgment is forbidden. The one thing I know for certain is that the alliance of three nations they have thus far ‘failed’ to forge has now been realized.”
“Do you also understand the reason?”
“Of course. It is because I am insufficient.”
From an external perspective, it seemed manageable. The imperial palace sealed by civil strife, the Emperor who had preserved his position, and a ten-year-old child who alone survived.
Truly, I stood alone.
Though Ian stood beside me…
‘How Count Ian’s presence is being interpreted remains another matter.’
It was both gain and loss.
The existence of a powerful and capable Mage strengthened Bariel, but it equally diminished my standing.
Would the leaders of the three nations not prefer to converse with Ian standing behind me rather than bow their heads to a ten-year-old child?
This was an undeniable reality, and simultaneously, my first hurdle to overcome.
“…Your Majesty is not insufficient.”
Ian fell silent for a moment, then corrected me.
Rustle—the hair near the Boy’s ear swayed gently beneath Ian’s fingertips. At his gesture to continue the preparations, the Servants moved busily.
My hair was combed, my attire arranged neatly, and small, ornate jewels were fastened to my chest.
Today, the scars on my face seemed particularly pronounced. As I unconsciously touched the scar with my fingertips, Ian added:
“No leader among the three nations possesses such a formidable mark as Your Majesty does. Take pride in it. You look magnificent today.”
“Thank you, Count Ian. You look splendid yourself.”
“Ian looks splendid even wearing clothes inside out! Your Majesty, shall we depart soon? Time is running short. Sia, please confirm one last time that the carriage is ready.”
“Yes, understood.”
Romandro also assisted, checking his pocket watch.
I took one final look in the mirror, then descended from the chair. Ian was about to ask if he should offer his hand, but there was no time. The Boy opened the office door wide and stepped forward first.
“We depart now. All of you, follow.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tap-tap-tap!
The Servants, Ian, and Romandro walked together, following the small footsteps. Xiaoxi stood beside the prepared carriage. Upon spotting the Boy, he bowed and opened the carriage door.
Ian looked down at his own hands, then casually drew out leather gloves.
“Ian, why so? Are your hands cold?”
“Nothing at all. Let us go, Romandro.”
Ian smiled faintly as he pulled on the gloves and took the seat beside me. Soon after, the carriage began to gallop forward with vigor.
The path opened toward meeting the King of Ruswena, Eriponi.
* * *
“Look there! A carriage approaches! Goodness, a two-story carriage?”
“Indeed, the royal procession is truly different.”
“Come up this way! You can see better from here!”
“Mother! Mother! A carriage from Ruswena has arrived!”
“Come to our tavern. You’ll have an excellent view of the royal procession! Beer for just one copper coin! First come, first served—we’re taking only ten customers!”
“Kyaaaa! Run! Keep following them all the way to the imperial palace!”
Past midday.
The King of Ruswena’s procession had reached the city streets. Beside the central road that only royalty could traverse, a path had been cleared for the distinguished guests.
Soldiers held back the crowds with their spears, while dispatched Mages walked alongside them, vigilant and ready to ensure safety.
Dozens of two-story carriages moved slowly in a magnificent spectacle. The citizens cheered continuously, welcoming Eriponi’s visit.
“Your Majesty, King of Ruswena! Welcome!”
“Please, come in! This is Bariel!”
“How presumptuous. Step back!”
“What’s the harm? A fine day, and fine guests at that!”
“Right. Don’t be so rigid about it!”
Creak. Creak!
Whoosh!
The sight of half a dozen wheels, each as tall as a man, moving in unison captured the children’s curiosity, while the unfamiliar attire drew the eyes of the young.
The treasures and tribute goods piled high behind the carriages sparked the interest of adults, and the orchestra’s performance brought joy to an elderly blind man.
The procession itself was already massive and slow-moving, and the carriages’ pace was no faster than a walk.
“…Remarkably lively, isn’t it.”
Eriponi, King of Ruswena, murmured while slightly parting the curtain with her fan. Though she had traveled quite a distance over several days, she appeared no different than when she had departed from the palace.
Her teal hair was neatly combed back, her posture was rigid, and her gaze was sharp. Eriponi glanced dismissively at the excited crowd before drawing the curtain closed again.
“The Emperor hovers between life and death, and a ten-year-old child is to succeed him. Yet these people seem far less worried than one might expect.”
“The imperial palace has indeed wavered, but it has regained its footing quite well now, has it not? There was even a talent selection examination for the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Defense Ministry not long ago. The aftereffects of that continue to reverberate.”
The one who answered was Eldetr, seated across from her—Eriponi’s cousin and elder brother, and the man who had been an envoy. The atmosphere he emanated from his long teal hair, his features, were nearly identical to hers.
Eriponi twisted her lips into a cynical smile.
“There were losses in the rebellion, it seems. They’re holding large-scale talent selections and even selling spectator rights to the trials of Haiman and the central families?”
How transparent it all was. The goal was surely to secure temporary but definite tax revenue. The more she interpreted the rumors, the more she could infer that Bariel had developed problems.
Eriponi frowned and rolled her shoulders as if they ached. In truth, if it hadn’t been for the King of Burgos’s proposal, this wouldn’t have been a journey worth making.
Merely the inauguration ceremony of a young Prince.
“When are Burgos and Clifford expected to arrive?”
“They said they would arrive on schedule, so there shouldn’t be much difference. Assuming no problems arise.”
It was then that the carriage began moving far more smoothly. They had passed the rough roads and were now approaching the imperial palace.
Eriponi was momentarily awestruck by the grandeur of Bariel she was seeing for the first time. Her own kingdom was also famous for its beauty, but this was a comparison that far transcended mere aesthetic considerations, was it not?
“Magnificent.”
“Not quite as much as Ruswena, though.”
“Nonsense.”
She declared it firmly and resumed her composure. Now she understood why the King of Burgos had suggested they meet at the imperial palace of Bariel.
Eriponi’s father had attended the inauguration ceremony of the current Emperor and seen the imperial palace, but she had not. Since her ascension to the throne, she had only learned of Bariel through Eldetr. When she had merely heard descriptions, she thought it impressive, but now seeing it in person, it truly was remarkable.
Now she understood.
“I see why the King of Burgos summoned me here.”
“Quite remarkable, isn’t it? I suspect King Damon’s proposal strikes you as rather appealing.”
“Indeed. Undoubtedly.”
Eriponi and Eldetr exchanged hushed whispers and knowing glances between themselves. Though no one else occupied the carriage, one could never be certain—what if the mages were eavesdropping on their conversation?
Screeeech.
Whinnnnny!
“Your Highness Eriponi. We have arrived.”
The carriage halted before the main palace. A throng of people awaited them, their numbers swelling the courtyard—the Prime Minister and officials of the imperial court had all assembled. The carriage door swung open, and steps descended in a long cascade.
Clatter.
Eriponi grasped her long tresses and descended from the carriage with deliberate grace. The officials witnessing her for the first time visibly flinched in astonishment.
From portraits alone, they had envisioned merely an ordinary woman, yet in reality….
“She is extraordinarily tall.”
“Does she carry the blood of the giants?”
“Hush. How dare you speak such things!”
Her towering stature—nearly eight feet in height—proved utterly overwhelming. The Prime Minister stepped forward and bowed deeply before Eriponi.
“Your Majesty, King of Ruswena. Though I understand the weariness of your long journey, our Prince awaits your presence.”
“Of course. I must pay my respects.”
Her tri-colored eyes betrayed not the slightest inclination to do so, yet what choice remained? She followed the Prime Minister, Eldetr at her side.
Whoosh.
“This way, Your Highness. Queen Eriponi of Ruswena has arrived.”
“Let her enter.”
Eriponi could not suppress a faint smile. The voice unmistakably belonged to a youth—innocent and unguarded. The doors opened, and she beheld Jin seated upon a sofa.
“Welcome. I trust your journey was not too arduous.”
“…Not at all, Your Highness.”
Eriponi’s first impression upon seeing Jin crystallized into a single thought.
‘How adorable. A young lion, indeed.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————