Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 306

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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 306
Fire. This is an Opportunity
Meanwhile, at that very moment.
Sereo wandered through the corridor with a flushed, intoxicated expression. Though I had been forced to attend due to the official invitation from the imperial palace, the seating arrangement was decidedly uncomfortable.
Above, Ian looked down upon me—the one who had tried to crush me—and beside my shoulders were the nobles who had slandered and gnawed at me.
Wearing masks and laughing merrily was their virtue, but the more the alcohol flowed, the more unbearable it became.
“Sigh.”
Perhaps it would have been better had I never conspired with Ian. Having once buried my nose in a honeypot, even the sweetest tastes no longer registered as sweet. Just then, a woman’s hand gently patted my back.
“Brother, what are you doing?”
Sereo’s sibling—Alena.
Like me, she had been eating and drinking since the banquet began, her crimson lips perfect as if etched in place. She adjusted her gloves that reached to her elbows and chided her brother.
“I told you not to leave your seat. If we don’t speak, someone else gets more opportunities to voice their opinions. Watching from the sidelines is like thrusting your neck into a lion’s mouth.”
The family’s standing had been driven to the cliff’s edge. Thanks to Alena’s distinctive conduct, we could still participate in social activities without issue, but there was no knowing how long that would last.
Sereo smiled wryly while straightening his sister’s collar.
“What about you? Why did you come out? To offer your neck to the lion?”
“Haha. That’s your job, brother. I’m just here to observe. By the way, I noticed a mage controlling the staircase leading upstairs. Is there any other way?”
Upstairs? At Alena’s question, Sereo’s brow furrowed. Now that she mentioned it, I had indeed seen nobles lingering unusually around the entrance to that staircase.
At first, I thought they were trying to make an impression on Ian and Jin, but judging by Alena’s interest, their purpose lay elsewhere.
“Alena.”
“Drown the tedious talk in alcohol. You even arranged marriage discussions with Count Ian, so why do you keep saying foreign lands are off limits? Rather than clinging to a dilapidated estate, it’s better to wear a crown in another nation.”
News that all the foreign leaders visiting Bariel were unmarried had already spread widely. Especially for nobles like the Sereo family, who were reeling from the imperial palace’s pressure, this was a spark of hope.
“If possible, I’d prefer to become part of the imperial family without going abroad at all. But you know, don’t you? Prince Jin is too young, and Count Ian is already finished. Above all, there’s no suitable match among the current nobility.”
It had always been this way. When the imperial family and nobility formed ties, it was a contract made under clear purpose—either requiring vast capital, or the imperial family caressing a noble’s power.
The current Bariel imperial palace, from any perspective, had no reason to extend a hand to the nobility.
“Since there’s no way forward here, we have no choice but to venture abroad. Then, through diplomatic negotiations, the importance of our family within Bariel will also rise. House Haiman did the same, after all.”
“Shh. How dare you speak that name so carelessly.”
Everyone acknowledged that House Haiman had been formidable from the start, but gaining the honor of being “between the imperial family and nobility” came only after meeting the Countess, who was of Ruswena royal descent.
They participated in diplomatic coordination between Bariel and Ruswena, and through it, vast profits flowed in at a scale incomparable to other families.
“What does it matter? It’s the truth. So, brother, get your wits about you and fix your collar properly. Who knows? The King of Eriponi might take a liking to you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You’re not bad to look at, brother. You should have resembled Mother more, though. Tsk.”
Alena clicked her tongue and tidied up Sereo’s appearance.
The officials had gathered for diplomatic relations, but the nobles had gathered to survive. No matter how I calculated it, after the inauguration ceremony, the imperial palace’s authority would become even more absolute and omnipotent. Then, the nobles’ position would shrink further still.
Before that happens, this is the last opportunity heaven has granted us.
“So, how do we get upstairs? You’ve visited the palace often, so you should know.”
“Every route I know is already under control. The other nobles can’t get up either.”
“Ugh, really.”
Not helpful at all.
Alena crossed her arms and racked her brain. If we can’t go up, then the kings will have to come down, and wouldn’t that make it easier for the other nobles to approach as well?
“Brother, you go in first. Since I’m unfamiliar with this place, I’ll pretend to be lost and look around.”
“Alena!”
“Smile. People’s eyes naturally drift toward those who are laughing rather than those standing still.”
I pushed my brother toward the corridor leading to the banquet hall, then turned in the opposite direction.
A garden surrounded the main palace, and if I followed its path, I would surely find stairs leading upward. Even if it was a passage used by servants, it didn’t matter.
I slipped forward.
I observed the brilliantly lit building carefully.
Silhouettes of people appeared and disappeared through the windows, and fragments of conversation drifted up from the garden before fading away. The upper floor, being a space reserved for imperial events, had noticeably fewer windows than the lower level.
‘If I go around this way, it will be completely opposite from the railing where Jhin gave his toast earlier. No one should come to this terrace…’
“Eldetr. What do you think?”
“There is merit to it. Proceeding as intended would require inviting danger. Above all, today marks the beginning of history. It would be premature to cut it short…”
I noticed voices coming from the nearby upper terrace. My body instinctively tensed, and my ears perked up.
Eldetr? If that’s Eldetr, I heard he was an envoy from Ruswena. There’s only one person he would speak so formally to, isn’t there?
‘The King of Eriponi.’
Good heavens, damn it. I should have sent my brother instead of myself! I squeezed my eyes shut in regret and held my breath.
Yet strangely, I couldn’t hear what came next.
“I’ve heard rumors that the imperial palace has eyes and ears even on its portraits, but I didn’t know they grew on trees as well.”
“…?”
“I’m referring to you. The princess hiding behind the tree.”
“…!”
I panicked and revealed myself.
The King of Eriponi leaned against the railing. With her long teal hair cascading down, she gazed down at me with evident interest.
As her lustrous hair caught the moonlight, I was reminded of a riverside in summer. Perhaps because of her towering stature, I felt as though we were standing uncomfortably close.
“Are you on your way to meet a lover?”
“No, Your Majesty. I came out to cool off, but lost my way. I’m unfamiliar with the geography of the imperial palace. I, I apologize for my rudeness, King of Eriponi.”
“There’s no need to apologize. This is Bariel’s imperial palace, after all. I am merely a guest, and you are of this nation’s…”
“A daughter of House Sereo. I am Alena Sereo.”
As the King trailed off, I immediately offered a proper greeting. Ordinarily, I would have included my title, but since failing to inherit the dukedom, I no longer spoke of it.
Eriponi rested her chin in her hand, her eyebrows twitching slightly.
“Well, in any case, do enjoy yourself. I don’t think there’s been a more perfect eve than tonight.”
Eriponi raised her glass and turned to leave the terrace. As her long hair swirled in the breeze, I realized the opportunity was slipping away from me like wind.
I had to capture the King’s attention by any means necessary.
“Ah, Your Majesty!”
My sudden cry came out discordant, but it made Eriponi turn her head in puzzlement. She wore an expression of utter composure, a faintly bitter smile on her lips.
“With Your Majesty’s presence, doesn’t the night shine all the brighter? Surely you are someone who has always commanded the imperial court’s attention.”
“…The imperial court’s attention?”
Eriponi leaned her upper body over the railing entirely, extending her head downward. Her hair flowed down with her. It felt to me like a rope for climbing to the upper level.
Grab it. I had to grab it.
The moment I thought it, my tongue moved of its own accord.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Didn’t you exchange marriage proposals with Prince Gail? Everyone lamented that it didn’t come to pass. Ruswena and Bariel could have forged new bonds and history together.”
During the civil unrest, rumors had circulated that Prince Gail had attempted to arrange a marriage alliance with the King of Ruswena to escape execution.
Did she know of this? Or was she ignorant of it?
It mattered not whether she knew or not. She simply needed to find me intriguing.
So, please summon me to where she is. I beg you.
“How fascinating.”
Eriponi raised her eyebrows and turned to Eldetr. He shook his head as though he too had never heard of it.
This had been one of the stratagems to fabricate a traitor, and since it held no direct connection to House Haiman, the information had never reached Ruswena’s ears. Above all, it had been a fleeting incident that faded away as the Arcen crisis erupted immediately after.
“What was her name again?”
“Alena Sereo.”
“Yes. Princess Alena.”
Eriponi elegantly dropped her fan beyond the railing. Alena caught it precisely at her feet and looked up at the King once more. Eriponi’s three-fold gaze held a radiant smile.
“Would you fetch my fan for me?”
Come up here. I shall have Eldetr clear the way. So Eriponi was saying. Alena nodded, gripping the fan firmly in both hands.
The fan emanated a deep, sticky-sweet fragrance—so profound it rivaled the honey jars once kept by House Sereo.
* * *
“Your Majesty. It would be best to enter soon.”
At the end of the corridor leading into the banquet hall.
Damon stood motionless, staring into empty space as if lost in thought. Time continued to pass, and even the guards began to regard him strangely. Finally, having organized his thoughts, he took a step forward.
Creak.
As the doors swung open on both sides, Prince Noah turned to regard Damon. The atmosphere was little different from when he had left. The Prince’s face was dark, and Jin was conversing with a gray-haired man about something. And Ian?
‘There he is.’
Some report must have arrived, for he was turned away speaking with the Mage. Noah sniffled and greeted Damon.
“My apologies for the delay.”
“And the King of Eriponi? What did you discuss?”
“Ah, I did not meet with him. Did he follow me out? The night air is refreshing, so perhaps the King of Eriponi is also enjoying some contemplation.”
“Is that so?”
His tone was remarkably natural, as though nothing had occurred. When Damon raised an empty wine glass, a servant approached and filled it.
“Prince Noah.”
“…What is it?”
Damon addressed Noah. Uncertain what hint he was about to give, Noah replied nervously.
“The tribute sent from Burgos seems insufficient, so I believe I shall send additional tribute upon my return.”
“And?”
“I am considering sending premium fertilizer for the tax exemption benefit. If I do so, I suspect nothing will reach Cliffford until next year. I wished to give you advance notice.”
Noah’s mouth slowly opened.
“That is, what—”
“It is not yet certain; merely a candidate. Or perhaps we should speak separately later? I would like to inquire what tribute Cliffford has sent, and I also have matters to discuss regarding gem management.”
Glug.
Damon poured wine into the glass Noah held.
It filled to the brim, trembling on the edge of overflowing.

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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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