Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 295

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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 295
Fire. What Must Be Endured
Flower petals drifted down from the sky on a beautiful, clear day.
Philia gazed blankly upward and wondered—if heaven existed, wouldn’t it look like this? Everything sparkled around her, laughter echoed from every corner, and lively music played without pause.
The world was so beautiful that merely existing felt transcendent. And to top it all off, she was sharing this moment with the person she loved.
“Miss Philia.”
“Yes?”
“You’re holding the needle backwards.”
“Oh my, thank you.”
Viviana, who had been watching from beside her, laughed while sipping her tea. With childbirth approaching soon, her belly had swollen to an unprecedented size.
“It’s a shame, really. If the baby were born on a day when flower petals fall like this, it would be wonderful. But this doesn’t happen regularly like New Year’s does. Children born during the festival period will surely receive Bariel’s blessings even more abundantly.”
Aside from New Year’s, when else could one witness such flower petals? It was a blessing reserved only for those whose lives intersected with the Imperial Palace’s history—those attending investitures or coronations.
During this period, many would mark life’s significant moments with intention. Marriage, for instance.
“Don’t be disappointed. When the baby arrives, I’ll celebrate and bless you with all my heart.”
“Thank you. And I shall do the same.”
But Philia had been invited to Prince Jin’s investiture ceremony, so she couldn’t attend. Besides, Ian and everyone else she wanted to be with were far too busy. Even the small tavern in the alley had been hectic, so one could only imagine the Imperial Palace.
Creak.
Knock knock.
“Pardon me. Is Mrs. Viviana here?”
“Yes. What is it?”
Hearing a voice from beyond the fence, Viviana set aside her blanket and stood. Philia did the same, putting down her knitting and turning to follow Viviana.
“I’m from the Magic Ministry. Count Ian has instructed me to deliver letters to Miss Philia and to you, Mrs. Viviana, from Lord Romandro. They contain precautions and other matters regarding your entry into the palace on the investiture day.”
“I see. Would you like to come in? Shall I offer you some tea?”
“I appreciate the offer, but the Cliffford carriage is passing through the area right now. I stepped away briefly while accompanying it, so I must return immediately. Thank you.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Though it was odd that he was traveling with Cliffford, the letters were welcome news. The two women pushed their teacups aside and unfolded the two letters.
“It says to show the letter when entering the palace and receive separate guidance. The guards will provide accommodations. Let me see—why are there so many things needed? Mini!”
“Yes, madam!”
While Viviana called her servant to begin packing, Philia gently traced Ian’s handwriting. It was neat and orderly, and his image naturally came to mind.
“What does Count Ian say?”
“Well…”
—Mother, the weather has grown warmer. Are you not finding it taxing? Once Prince Jin’s investiture concludes, we should hasten to hold the betrothal ceremony. If we delay, we may miss the opportune moment. I shall instruct Lord Romandro to handle the details and make the preparations.
Viviana embraced Philia tightly, trembling with excitement. The joyous day was truly drawing near now. Philia smiled in return, yet strangely, a corner of her heart felt uneasy.
“Congratulations, Miss Philia! We must inform Lord Nersaren as well.”
“Th-thank you, madam. But… what did he mean about missing the opportune moment? Won’t there be time to rest after the investiture?”
When Philia questioned the phrasing with puzzlement, Viviana pondered briefly before shaking her head, as if it were nothing serious.
“Though I’ve worked long in the Imperial Palace, there’s never been a single idle day. Leaders from all nations will gather for the investiture, won’t they? Surely that will bring additional matters to handle. And above all, it mustn’t overlap with my delivery date.”
Once the baby was born, holding a betrothal ceremony would be impossible, let alone remaining at the residence as a guest. So regrettably, it was best to settle what needed settling and return to Hielo.
“That must be what Count Ian meant.”
“I suppose so. If that’s the case, I’m relieved.”
“Let’s go look at our dresses first. Since it’s festival season, there might not be much left in stock. Custom-made would give us more time, but Count Ian insisted on hurrying. My goodness… how beautiful will it be? Won’t Nersaren just stand there and faint?”
Viviana giggled as she recalled the banquet day. The look on that warrior’s face when he heard about Philia’s pregnancy! No matter how many times she replayed it, it was hilarious.
“Mini! Let’s get ready to go too!”
While Mrs. Viviana called out excitedly as she entered the mansion, Philia kept fidgeting with the edge of the paper. Her heart wouldn’t stop racing and settle down.
Why was that? As Philia pressed her chest with both hands, she heard whispers from outside.
“You know what? This is a mage’s house.”
“Really? But why is it so small?”
“Inside it’s completely different! It’s an optical illusion.”
“Anyway, let’s hurry to the main street. They say the Cliffford troupe is so amazing. They dance and sing on one foot while on horseback! And Burgos is coming soon too, right?”
Philia carefully peeked outside and smiled. Weren’t those little children, who looked about six or seven years old, clustered together peering inside? Their faces were covered in ridiculous scribbles, and they were dangling all sorts of unidentifiable decorations.
“Let’s go!”
“Waaah!”
So Burgos was coming soon. Philia thought of Ian as she watched the children’s figures disappear into the distance. She hoped that Ian too could run joyfully like them someday.
* * *
“The gifts from Cliffford are as follows: thirty barrels of hundred-year-old wine and ten barrels each of five varieties of fruit wine, along with three platinum bracelets—traditional instruments of the kingdom, specially crafted to celebrate Prince Jin’s investiture.”
Unlike the Ruswena delegation, most of Cliffford’s carriages went directly to the auxiliary palace. Given the prince’s condition, the formal meeting was postponed, but procedures were procedures. On behalf of Prince Noah, the head of the May delegation personally presented the gifts to Jin.
“And these are silks. Fifteen bolts, and we’ve also prepared premium dyes in matching quantities.”
“Thank you for your trouble in coming. How is the prince’s condition? He said a doctor wasn’t necessary, but I’m a bit concerned.”
Jin asked carefully, as if probing the situation. The prince was supposedly so ill that he couldn’t meet with him upon arrival, yet he claimed no doctor was needed. Wasn’t that strange?
After what happened with Eriponi, Jin could no longer easily overlook even minor matters.
“Your Highness, we are truly sorry to cause you concern. However, the doctor who has been attending to the prince since our kingdom accompanied us, and we felt it would be presumptuous to trouble you immediately upon arrival. Please forgive our discourtesy.”
It seemed May understood the implication. She clasped her hands together as respectfully as possible and bowed her body—a gesture of gratitude according to her nation’s etiquette. Faced with May’s smooth and thorny demeanor, Jin took a step back.
“I understand. I’ll discuss the details with the prince, so you may withdraw.”
May bowed deeply once more and left the reception room.
The officials hadn’t gathered as they had before, since the prince hadn’t come. Left alone with just the boy, Ian looked at him with a suspicious gaze and asked.
“Count Ian. What do you think?”
“It was a long journey, so he may have caught a cold.”
That “may have” meant Ian too had detected something suspicious. The servants who had been moving luggage were perfectly fine, yet the prince who had only ridden in the carriage had caught a cold?
“…Could it be an attempt to deceive me?”
At Jin’s question, Ian shook his head. Romand, who was also exhausted from going back and forth, added from beside him.
“That’s unlikely, Your Highness. He didn’t even give a definite answer about attending the banquet. It’s a gathering where Your Highness and the leaders of three nations will all be present—it would be difficult not to attend without serious circumstances.”
It was an extremely important occasion. Under the pretext of celebrating Jin’s investiture, it was a gathering arranged among allied nations. In fact, one could say it was the reason the leaders of three nations had traveled such a great distance.
“Even with broken limbs, one would struggle to attend, so if he’s hesitating, it must be something serious.”
“Hmm.”
Jin pondered deeply and let out a small sigh. But he couldn’t just sit here and observe the prince. Instead, it would be better to prepare for other contingencies.
“If something goes wrong with Prince Noah in the imperial palace, what would be the consequences?”
The boy’s gaze turned to Ian. How thorough in his handling of matters. Ian smiled with satisfaction and answered.
“I’ve already considered that and requested the head of the May delegation to prepare a document regarding the rejection of the imperial palace doctor. The Magic Ministry is also sorting through mana stones with recording functions, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.”
Though without Akorelra, the process of retrieving and handling the mana stones was taking a bit longer.
At Ian’s reassuring answer, Jin leaned back against the sofa, relieved.
“I don’t see Berik anywhere.”
“I’ve sent people to search for him. He should arrive shortly. Is there anything you wish to command?”
“No. I was merely curious.”
Jin trailed off hesitantly, his words fading away. It was clear he had something to say, but it didn’t come easily.
Romandro, watching from the side, clicked his tongue inwardly and eyed the back of Ian’s head. There, you see? He clearly had a quarrel with Prince Jin! Anyone could tell His Highness was struggling with this.
“Your Highness, do you have something to say?”
Romandro placed a gentle hand on Ian’s shoulder and smiled warmly. He was saying that he would help, so Ian shouldn’t worry and should speak his mind.
Jin gestured to Xiaoxi to bring something.
A soft rustling sound.
“It’s one of the tribute gifts that arrived from the provinces.”
A small jewel box the size of a palm. When opened, it contained a gem that bore an uncanny resemblance to Ian’s green eyes.
“I invited Philia to the investiture ceremony as well. I’d like to give her this as a token of gratitude and as a congratulatory gift for her good fortune.”
The moment I saw the jewel, those absinthe-colored eyes came to mind unbidden. Since good things were happening to Philia, I wanted to present this to celebrate with her. It was a sort of request for permission.
Romandro clapped his hands dramatically and shook Ian’s shoulders.
“Oh my, how beautiful! Your Highness, the Countess will be absolutely delighted. Won’t she, Ian?”
A gift is always the best way to make peace! As Romandro gave Jin a thumbs up and made a fuss, Ian smiled softly. His intentions had been far too transparent. Both Romandro and Jin could see right through him.
“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you so much. Mother will surely be delighted. A gem received directly from Your Highness the Prince—I shall treasure it as the glory of our house.”
Romandro felt like giving a standing ovation. Yes. Now that they had exchanged gifts, perhaps things could return to how they were before….
CRASH! BANG!
THUD THUD THUD!
“Iaaaaan!”
Before Romandro could even savor the moment of reconciliation, he glared toward the door. Such a commotion in the main palace’s reception hall, of all places.
“Berik! How many times have I told you! This is—!”
“F-f-fox prince from the grape kingdom, a fox!”
“…What?”
“The fox prince, I said!”
“….”
Berik stood there, his face flushed with excitement. Ian, Romandro, Jin, and even Xiaoxi—they all stared at him expressionlessly. When Romandro gestured, Xiaoxi stepped closer and sniffed.
“…I don’t smell any alcohol.”
At that, Berik clutched his head and wailed. He was speaking the same language, so why couldn’t they understand him?
“Seriously. I saw it! The ears, the ears are fluffy! Fluffy!”

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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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