Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 307

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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 307
Fire. Prince Noah, Intoxicated
A wine glass so precariously balanced that even the slightest tremor threatened to spill its contents.
Prince Noah stared at it intently, then bit his lip. Just as I thought—this is ridiculous. Pushing from the front, pushing from behind—what are they all doing? Did Cliffford look so easy to manipulate, caught in the middle like this?
Anger surged alongside the alcohol, but whether due to the curse, my eyes reddened first. Prince Noah drained the glass in one gulp, then furrowed his brow with all his might.
“Prince Noah?”
Already narrow eyes, like slits. My pupils were barely visible. When King Damon tilted his head in confusion, May, who had been watching from the side, began poking the prince’s ribs repeatedly.
“Wow, Your Highness. Please calm yourself.”
King Damon would never present fertilizer. The tribute items were crafted both to show sincerity toward Bariel and to indirectly showcase his nation’s technological prowess.
But fertilizer among countless goods? Could there be anything more damaging to national prestige? Moreover, Bariel didn’t even know that Burgos’s fertilizer was of superior quality.
This meant there was virtually no existing trade. Even with tax exemptions, the full benefits would certainly not be realized.
As the saying goes, when the navel is bigger than the belly, it’s generally unwise to expect people to consume unnecessary goods merely because they’re tax-exempt.
‘Since Burgos’s fertilizer is essential to Cliffford, most of Burgos’s exports go to Cliffford as well. Yet they deliberately mention this—it means they’re willing to accept some losses to maintain relations with Cliffford.’
It was a subtle probe of the three-nation alliance system. If anything, it wasn’t pushing but rather pulling while pretending to push.
But due to the curse and alcohol, Prince Noah kept only wrinkling his nose. If I relaxed my facial muscles even slightly, I felt I would burst into tears and lose control.
“…Prince Noah? Are you alright?”
Damon noticed something was amiss with Noah’s reaction. He had expected a natural response, but instead….
‘Is he drunk?’
However, it was widely known that Clifffordians were heavy drinkers. Wasn’t it a land where alcohol was cheaper than water? There was even a saying that to kill a tree, pouring alcohol was better than cutting off water. At this hour, after drinking only this much, it was unthinkable that he would lose his senses.
As Damon’s gaze clung persistently, May felt her lips growing parched.
Whoosh.
Then, a hand cleared Noah’s empty glass. It was Ian. He placed a hand over his chest and spoke respectfully. To Noah, and to May.
“It seems the prince has not yet recovered from travel fatigue.”
“Ah, yes. That appears to be the case, indeed.”
“His Majesty will certainly understand given such sincerity. It would be best for you to retire and rest now. Even with the same ailment, nights are always harder than days, are they not?”
The curse-concealing medicine’s effects were also nearing their end. As Jin seconded Ian’s words with a gesture, waiting servants supported Noah to his feet.
“Yes. I am already satisfied that the prince enjoyed the banquet despite his poor health. I too shall retire shortly, so please leave first.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I shall take my leave. Your Highness, let’s get up now.”
“I….”
“Yes, yes. I understand. It’s difficult, isn’t it? Just bear with me a moment.”
Prince Noah’s lips drooped downward. Looking as though he might burst into tears at any moment, May felt a chill run down her spine. No, absolutely not. She shook her chin rapidly side to side and dragged the prince’s arm.
Thud!
“Ow.”
“Don’t make such sounds, Your Highness.”
“It hurts.”
Staggering and bumping into things here and there, the commotion was considerable. Damon watched Noah’s retreating figure with suspicion, and even after the door closed, he did not easily avert his gaze.
‘There is definitely something.’
What was Prince Noah’s secret?
If only a Gypsy were here to help me, I could uncover it easily. Damon sipped his wine and soothed his regret. If I could discover it before the inauguration ceremony ends and the journey home begins, that would be ideal.
“Um, by the way, Count Ian.”
Reading his lord’s mind, Timothy poured a drink for me and asked.
“By chance, how did that matter turn out?”
“Which matter do you speak of?”
“Regarding the wanted Gypsy.”
“Ah.”
Publicly, it was only known that “the King of Burgos seeks a Gypsy bound by special ties.” Timothy had asked me to conduct an investigation upon my return, and I had agreed to do so, so surely some results had emerged by now.
Damon turned his head from the door toward me. Whether he had been looking at me, our eyes met directly.
“The border guards have strengthened security and are investigating, but no particular news has come to light. According to rumors, there is a gorge in the north where illegal immigrants typically pass through, and we suspect the Gypsy likely used that route to flee to another country.”
“Why do you think so? We received reports that the last sighting was at Bariel.”
Damon pointed out the inconsistency. Timothy and the pursuit team had last found traces at Bariel, yet I now spoke as if the Gypsy had almost certainly departed to another country.
At that, I laughed, saying he was asking the obvious.
“We searched under the name of the imperial family, yet ultimately failed to find them, so I offer this assessment.”
Of all places, in Bariel itself, you underestimate the power of the imperial family? Despite the gentle upward curve of my smile, the words I chose were sharp.
Timothy naturally interjected to clear the atmosphere.
“If you speak of the northern gorge, which regions does it connect to?”
“Part of it connects to Ruswena, and part to the northern civil unrest region. Since Gypsies are abundant in such places, it’s more likely the unrest region than Ruswena. If you wish to investigate, it would be best to go there.”
A region of civil unrest.
It was a community fragmented into tribal units, and with its harsh terrain, movement and investigation would prove difficult.
Just as one hides a tree in a forest, the Gypsy likely went there to hide themselves. Timothy nodded in understanding, grasping the logic fully.
Whoosh.
“I shall also take my leave now. Similarly, having arrived late, it seems I haven’t fully recovered from my journey.”
Damon rose from his seat instead of continuing the conversation. Eriponi was said to arrive late and hadn’t shown her face at all, and Jin said he would disband shortly. There was no reason to remain here any longer.
“King Damon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Jin’s call, he bowed respectfully. When I raised my eyebrows and gestured, the boy issued his command with quite a stern expression.
“Burgos shall depart before other nations once the coronation ceremony concludes. The production period for the new tribute gifts is insufficient compared to other countries, is it not? Departing first will help save time, and I believe that would be best.”
I determined that Burgos would present new tribute gifts to Bariel. This indirectly conveyed that they could not defy the great nation, and under the guise of offering convenience, it sealed off any contact with other nations during their journey home.
“…Such consideration rivals the heavens themselves. I shall obey.”
Damon concluded with emotionless courtesy and left the banquet hall.
Then Jin craned his neck back against the chair as if exhausted. Xiaoxi supported him, but I felt my strength gradually draining. Maintaining composure at a drinking gathering until this hour in a child’s body was proving far more taxing than expected.
“Your Majesty should retire as well. The lower floors won’t cool from the heat even in the dawn chill.”
“Is that acceptable? Eriponi hasn’t returned yet.”
“Yes, it’s fine. More than half the guests have already left. And as for that matter….”
I patted Jin’s shoulder as he stifled a yawn and spoke.
What the Mage had reported earlier was precisely about this. Alena of House Sereo had entered a small room in the annex of the main residence with Eriponi.
“That one seems busy in her own way. She’s enjoying pleasant company with the young lady of House Sereo, it’s said.”
“You speak of Princess Alena?”
“Yes. I shall handle the cleanup. Please retire first and rest. You must maintain your body in peak condition to present a dignified appearance during the procession.”
Everyone was busy laughing and enjoying themselves, yet the festival’s principal was exhausted to death. Jin finally couldn’t suppress a yawn and decided to follow my wishes.
“Your Majesty. You did wonderfully today. You worked hard.”
Jin smiled briefly before hesitating. Then he made a very careful request.
“If perhaps you’re too exhausted to sleep even when lying down-”
Would you be able to read to me like before?
Ian waited kindly for Jin to finish his thought. But when the words never came, he spoke first.
“If you find yourself unable to sleep, shall I read to you?”
“Well, yes. If that’s what you wish.”
“Very well. I understand.”
Jin averted his gaze and murmured softly. Then, with light and hurried steps, he left the banquet hall.
Creak.
What a long day it had been.
I had received all three leaders of the nations, responded to them, and guided the banquet to completion. I had resolved not to fall asleep immediately, yet throughout that entire night, I never heard Jin ask me to read to him.
Though I did hear soft snoring—a sign that he had fallen asleep after washing up.
* * *
Flash!
A breath that had been held suddenly rushes back in.
Noah blinked his eyes and stared at the white ceiling. The ornate and delicate lighting—this was the bedroom of the residence Bariel had provided in the auxiliary palace.
Why was he here like this? Just moments ago, he had been conversing with the King of Burgos, hadn’t he? Was it a dream? How much of it?
“…M-May?”
It was the moment Noah murmured.
A maddening hangover crashed down like lightning. His head felt as though nails were being driven into it, struck again and again, and when he twisted his body, now his stomach churned.
He couldn’t move, yet staying still was unbearable. In all his life, he had never experienced anything like this.
“…Ah, May!”
“Oh, you’re awake!”
Berik suddenly entered Noah’s field of vision. He had been at the head of the bed, so his face appeared upside down. When Noah frowned, Berik frowned in the same way.
“Wow, the smell of alcohol is really intense. Still lingering.”
“…Why are you here? Where’s May?”
“Ian called her to go eat. Well, good timing. Since you’re awake, I’ll head out too? During the festival period, they said I can even serve the meat myself.”
“Wait.”
As Berik excitedly tried to dash toward the door, Noah grabbed him. He flicked his fingers toward the water bottle on the table.
“Water.”
“Ugh. I don’t usually do this sort of thing.”
He didn’t usually do it, but there was only one reason he had to. Ian had ordered him to attend well.
“What happened yesterday?”
“Not yesterday—the day before.”
“What?”
“The day before yesterday. Two nights have passed.”
Noah blinked in surprise as he drank the water.
So according to Berik, he had become completely intoxicated at the banquet and had been lying in bed for a full two days.
Wasn’t this the first time something like this had happened? The severe hangover was a first, and losing his memory as though he had fainted was also a first.
“What on earth….”
“Ian says it’s likely due to side effects from the medicine and various other complications.”
“If two days have passed, what about the appointment ceremony?”
“Tada! Of course it’s today!”
“Damn it.”
The conversation was utterly devoid of substance. As Noah furrowed his brow and glared at Berik, he met my gaze with a look of mild curiosity.
“It’s true.”
“What is?”
“They say when a curse is lifted, one’s personality changes too, so…”
The words “You’ve become quite like a fool” rose to my throat, but I swallowed them. Ian had warned me to be careful, and if I caused trouble, I might actually go without food for the entire festival period.
I ran my hand across my head.
Two days had passed, so the curse’s duration must have expired while I slept. I exhaled in relief and leaned back against the pillow.
“Hurry and bring May here.”
“Yes, yes. Do you have any memories?”
“Memories? What memories?”
At Noah’s question, Berik lifted a water cup.
“I am the prince of the Cream Grape Kingdom! How dare you mock the Grape Kingdom, waaah!”
“…?”
“These are tears, snot. Vomit, bleeegh.”
“I’m not in the mood for jokes right now.”
“Huh? I’m not joking either.”
As Noah stared coldly, Berik scratched his nose awkwardly. The moment he set down the water cup.
The door creaked open.
May and Ian entered together, having finished their meal. Both wore formal uniforms, confirming it was indeed the day of the appointment ceremony. Ian checked his watch and bowed to me.
“I’m relieved you woke up on time. If there had been no word from you today, it would have been troublesome. The appointment ceremony begins in a few hours, so prepare yourself quickly, review the proposal, and affix your seal.”
“A proposal?”
“…Since Your Highness kept pushing here and pulling there, crying pitifully, I drafted a proposal and submitted it. For details, ask the Mei Envoy. Berik, come with me. Let’s depart.”
Cried? Me? Damn it, damn it!
Noah remained composed despite his bewilderment and accepted the documents. I had no idea what kind of proposal this was, but if it was nothing serious, I could always tear it up…
【Cliffford and Bariel Alliance Agreement】

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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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