Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 292

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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 292
Fire. What Must Be Endured
The reception hall had grown quiet. With the Ruswena delegation completely withdrawn, most of the Imperial Palace’s officials had vacated their posts.
Preparations for the investiture ceremony were underway, and there was a mountain of work to be done to receive and entertain guests from various nations. I observed the tea cup that had grown cold and gestured to the servants to clear it away quickly.
“Your Highness, you handled that well.”
The boy gazed only outward through the half-open window. Though pollen continued to pour down, why did my heart feel so heavy? Jin smiled faintly and merely shrugged his shoulders.
“What did I handle well?”
If Ian had not appeared at that moment to capture the King’s attention? That position would have already been dissolved long ago.
I could not have told him to take back such an insulting gift, nor could I have retaliated in kind. All of it was possible only because Ian was there. This was fortunate, yet regrettable.
‘Everyone was watching.’
Not just the Prime Minister, but the ministers of each department, those involved, and even the delegations from foreign nations. Jin furrowed his brow firmly and rested his chin on his hand.
The Prince’s mood seemed quite unsettled. Romandro perceived this keenly and approached to offer comfort.
“Your Highness, no. The King of Eriponi was simply beyond our expectations. Who could have known he would dare speak such words before you? Do not regret it so. Remember only the King’s expression as he left the reception hall at the end.”
“….”
Jin kept his mouth firmly shut, only blinking as he looked at Romandro. Then, subtly, he turned his gaze to Ian. He wore only a faint smile, his thoughts unreadable.
“Why do you smile, Count Ian?”
“Seeing Your Highness regret it so deeply makes me believe you will develop boundlessly in the future.”
The King of Eriponi was already a ruler of a nation from long ago. Setting aside his political acumen, he was a leader with far greater wisdom from lived experience. If such a man displays unexpected behavior in a one-on-one meeting, how could one easily withstand it?
I gazed at Jin’s fingertips and murmured. There were faint marks where he had gripped the bowstring with his bare hand.
“Do not grieve so deeply. Your Highness hesitated only because you love the Empire so dearly.”
A meeting with a leader. Jin’s choice would determine peace or war, and the life and death of the Empire’s citizens. Because he understood that weight well, he could not respond easily.
“It is far better than acting rashly on impulse. You did well. Remember that this is your first diplomatic encounter.”
Jin looked down at his right hand, following my gaze. Then, lightly, he rubbed his fingertips as if it were nothing. His expression had softened somewhat from before.
“Without Count Ian, I would have been in serious trouble.”
“There is no point in hypotheticals about what has already passed.”
“…How far have Burgos and Clifford progressed?”
There was determination in those words—that he would not make mistakes when meeting with the other two nations.
I naturally let the question pass and looked at the mage standing behind me. He bowed his head awkwardly.
“My apologies. We have not yet received any word.”
“We continue to maintain contact with the outer posts, so I will inform you as soon as news arrives. Until then, perhaps you should rest for a while.”
When I suggested returning to his quarters, Romandro gestured to guide him, but Jin remained seated, pondering something for a long time.
A round head, fidgeting fingertips, and lips that kept moving restlessly. Ian and Romandro exchanged puzzled glances.
‘Why, why is he like this?’
Romandro asked with a bewildered expression, but how could he know?
It was the moment Ian was about to speak.
“…Is it not difficult for you?”
“What is?”
“Creating magical power.”
“Ah.”
Words of gratitude that could not be spoken aloud. They were refined by the Prince’s dignity, the eyes of those around him, and pride—expressed only as concern.
However, Ian immediately grasped Jin’s intention and naturally knelt to meet his gaze.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth, Your Highness.”
Well done. A prince shouldn’t carelessly offer thanks to his subordinates in such circumstances. The words lingered on the tip of his tongue, but Ian too chose his words carefully and spoke differently.
“It was no trouble at all.”
“Good. Then that settles it. I’ll be going now. Xiao.”
As Jin called for Xiaoxi, the servants sprang into action. They rushed ahead to prepare for the prince’s departure, and the few officials remaining also disappeared as if they had no further business.
With only the Mage Division left in the space, Romandro sank into the sofa and released a long sigh of relief.
“Phew, the tension just melted away. Though the problem is there are two more of these gatherings ahead. Haha. Well, it’s the empire’s festival, so I shouldn’t call it a problem. Ahem.”
He crunched on a candy and cleared his throat unnecessarily.
Something felt different between Ian and Jin now. The boy who used to follow him around calling “brother, brother” had drawn a line, and Ian didn’t seem inclined to cross it.
“Hey, Ian.”
Ian turned his head at Romandro’s call. His expression was no different than usual, yet somehow it felt different.
What was it? What was different?
“…Did you perhaps have a quarrel with His Highness Jin?”
Romandro spoke without thinking, then immediately covered his own mouth.
Ian found it equally absurd. How could the word “quarrel” possibly apply between him and Jin?
As Ian’s brow furrowed, Romandro waved both hands frantically in correction.
“I’m sorry, I misspoke!”
“Be careful. Even the portraits in the imperial palace have ears.”
“Right. I spoke carelessly. Ahem. It’s nothing else—I just wondered if there was something I didn’t know about.”
Ian said there was nothing to answer and issued instructions to the Mages.
“…Send word to the outer perimeter again. Wait another hour, and if there are no signs, we’ll need to dispatch people along the expected route.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Listen, Ian. I may not know much else, but my instincts are impeccable. That’s how I’ve managed to survive as Viviana’s husband!”
“The Clifford delegation is larger than Ruswena’s. Once they become visible from the outer grounds, it will take at least three hours to reach the palace. Keep that in mind as you proceed with the schedule.”
“Communication—that’s really important!”
As Ian stepped out of the reception hall issuing various instructions, Romandro hovered around him chattering away. Thanks to Ian’s blatant disregard, no response came.
“Why is Romandro acting like that again?”
“Who knows? Did he do something wrong?”
“Never mind—everyone just hurry back! We need to switch shifts!”
Tap tap tap!
The Mages’ curiosity sparkled briefly, but upon seeing Ian’s reaction, they dropped the matter and dispersed.
Even as Ian walked through the outer corridor connected to the garden, Romandro continued prattling on about the importance of communication and building trust in early marriage.
Ian, listening with half an ear, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Whoosh.
“Did you notice earlier? The King of Eriponi was something else.”
“He was so arrogant, acting like this was his own palace. Did you hear how he asked His Highness what black obsidian was?”
“Yeah. He spoke to him like he was a common child.”
“It’s all because there’s no elder in the imperial household. The Emperor is aged, so that’s one thing, but the absence of the two princes is too great.”
“No, that’s not it. The absence of a prince naturally occurs, but the problem is that His Highness Jin is too young to fill that void.”
“There’s nothing to be done about it. Both princes are suffering because of the civil strife, not for any other reason.”
Romandro opened his eyes wide and leaned his head out over the railing. The officials who had gone ahead were gathering in small groups, smoking cigarettes. Just as he was about to call out a warning, I grabbed his arm.
“Romandro.”
“But still—”
It was a signal to let it be. I stopped him lightly and continued on my way.
Romandro, alternating his gaze between the scene beyond the railing and my retreating figure, followed after his superior and began chattering again.
“Ian, why are you letting those people off?”
“When times are hard, people speak ill of their rulers—it’s only natural. Even if we silence their words, we cannot silence the truth itself. No matter how well Jhin performed initially, external judgment cannot be controlled. These are burdens Jhin must bear.”
When flesh is bitten, scraped, and wounded, stronger tissue grows in its place. Those people are merely adding their words out of concern for the current situation.
“Bearing such burdens is an excellent method for growth.”
These are likely the gentler rumors. Elsewhere, the boy’s inexperience, that moment of bewilderment on his face, Eriponi’s rudeness—all of it will become fodder for gossip.
And my name will be added to it as well.
‘Because of me, Jhin barely managed to conclude the situation….’
It would be fortunate if the rumors spread that way. After all, I did shoot those brilliant magical arrows into the sky, didn’t I? The story might become distorted, with people saying that I had defeated Eriponi.
If that happens, even greater pressure will be applied to those opposed to Jhin. The more stimulation given, the more violent the reaction will be, and the wider the range of possibilities becomes.
‘Perhaps, going forward, I may no longer hear words of concern from Jhin.’
The boy had barely managed to express his gratitude after whittling down his words considerably. Evidence that he was quite conscious of the eyes around him. This was what I desired.
Not standing on just one foot, but making another foot—one that can maintain balance—part of his own body. The more shoulders to share the weight of the crown, the better.
“Ian.”
Romandro suddenly blocked my path.
“I’ve thought this before, but you’re far too light.”
“…Me?”
“Light enough that you seem about to fly away at any moment. When there are people around, hold onto them a bit. Don’t just think about bearing things alone—share them with others, will you?”
A faint smile appeared at the corners of my lips, which had been expressionless. Then I quickly moved aside and brushed past Romandro.
“I’m grateful simply for you saying such things. Romandro.”
The carriage that had been waiting for Romandro and me came into view below the stairs. I gestured to the coachman to prepare for departure.
But at that moment.
Clop clop clop!
“Iaaaan!”
A very familiar voice.
Berik came galloping toward us on horseback from a distance. Even rolling and tumbling about, as an Imperial Guard, his uniform—haphazardly thrown on as always—fluttered particularly dramatically.
“Why is Berik coming here?”
“The Imperial Guards have their own schedule, as far as I know.”
“Right. I know that too. Huh! Did he get dismissed?”
Always breaking things, tearing things, destroying things—and now he’s been kicked out! Romandro rushed down the stairs, his face pale.
Neigh!
“You brat, what are you doing here?”
“I’m running an errand. Did the King of Ruswena arrive safely?”
“Yes. I just finished organizing the gifts and showed him to the palace that will serve as his quarters. But why? An errand, you say—what do you mean by that?”
Running errands as an Imperial Guard? Romandro felt a pang of sympathy and grabbed Berik’s arm. But regardless, Berik sniffled and nodded toward me.
“Ian. The old man wants to see you.”
“Captain Jairot?”
“He says it’s urgent. He told me to bring you quickly. What was it called? Popopo! Something about the grape country.”
I furrowed my brow slightly.
A grape country, of all things.
Surely not.
“…Clifford?”
“That’s the one. He said if you’re here within twenty minutes, he’ll buy us dinner. Let’s go!”
It seemed Jairot had figured out how to handle Berik.
I gestured to the coachman and changed our destination.
“Take us to the Imperial Guards headquarters.”

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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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