Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 318

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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 318
Fire. A Small Betrothal Ceremony
The carriages of Burgos lined up in a single file, awaiting the signal to depart.
With the cargo hold that had been brimming with tribute gifts now empty, the horses contentedly pawed at the ground. They had realized they could gallop far more easily. The coachmen clicked their tongues as they oiled their whips.
“Goodness, we came all this way only to leave empty-handed.”
“Indeed. I wonder if other nations are the same.”
It was only natural—what goes out must come back. They had presented jewels aplenty as tribute gifts for the succession ceremony, yet all they were taking back was food to consume during the journey.
The porters too emptied their hands and voiced their complaints.
“I heard they received the gifts of reciprocity tax-free.”
“Really? Tax-free? Do we get any benefits?”
“I couldn’t say. In any case, only the higher-ups benefited. We do all the work. Hmph.”
“Ah, here they come. Quiet!”
Servants rushed out in front of the main palace to clear the path. Soon after, the King of Burgos appeared, walking shoulder to shoulder with the Prince of Bariel. Dozens of attendants followed in his wake, their uniforms billowing majestically as they approached.
The coachmen gripped their whips tightly and prostrated themselves on the ground.
“Right. You can depart immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Once again, I congratulate you on the succession ceremony, and I am grateful for the honor of this invitation.”
The coachman tilted his head slightly out of curiosity to look up at the Prince. No matter how he looked at it, the boy was barely thirteen, yet his voice was remarkably firm.
No one noticed that Jin had just wiped away tears. At least, not among the people of Burgos.
“Before that, wait a moment.”
At Jin’s gesture, Xiaoxi brought forth a fine cloth pouch. The jingling sound that emanated from within made the coachmen’s ears perk up. Men who had received their wages in copper coins their entire lives were keenly attuned to what that sound meant.
“I have heard that it is customary, regardless of circumstances, for gifts of reciprocity to be shared with those below. However, since the cargo hold is particularly light this time, I thought to offer a small token of commendation.”
The coachmen and porters, still prostrate, let out cries of joy. They had been disgruntled at receiving not even a crumb, but truly, this was the Prince of a great nation. Everyone bit their lips to suppress their excitement.
“No, Your Majesty. Please do not concern yourself. You have already given us the great gift of tax exemption. How could we shamefully accept more? Please keep it.”
That was until Damon refused. In truth, since nothing had been properly presented as tribute, they had not even benefited from the tax exemption, but no one dared to mention it.
“It seems your subordinates will be disappointed.”
Yes, yes. Disappointed. So disappointed they might leap into the air. The porters exchanged glances among themselves, their faces falling. They hoped the King would relent.
“You there.”
“Yes? Me, you mean?”
“Yes. Come here and take it. Since this is a festival of the Empire, it is right that everyone returns home with joy in their hearts.”
Jin had no choice but to designate someone nearby to approach. The coachman stood before the Prince, enduring his lord’s cool gaze, shifting awkwardly.
Jingle.
“You have worked hard. All of you, travel safely.”
“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”
“The rest of you, divide it fairly among yourselves.”
The coachman hurried back to his place with the heavy pouch. Its interior gleamed gold. Everyone would be able to hold a gold coin in their hand.
“…Thank you. Then we shall take our leave.”
Damon signaled Timothy and boarded the carriage. He could not fathom Jin’s intentions, but truthfully, he could not accept it gracefully. He could not tell whether it was mockery of those who left empty-handed and at a loss, or propaganda of the Empire’s prestige to its own people.
“Everyone, return to your positions.”
“Prepare for departure!”
Neigh!
Timothy organized the surroundings and inspected the carriage, while the nobles exchanged farewells with the officials.
The moment Jin’s first official diplomatic delegation departed. Ian approached Timothy and nodded.
“Ambassador Timothy.”
“Count Ian. I depart in good health. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Anytime, I can show you kindness. Please travel safely and take care of yourself.”
When Ian offered his hand first, Timothy grasped it with both hands, conveying respect. Though the time was brief, he had keenly felt Ian’s influence within the imperial palace.
“Yes. Until we meet again.”
“…Yes. Let us meet again. Just as you are today.”
After all, Timothy knew the relationship between Bariel and Burgos was not entirely smooth. So wasn’t Ian’s favor toward him both puzzling and precious?
For the kingdom, for his sovereign. Timothy wanted to fulfill his name as an ambassador, positioning himself as a conduit through which Bariel could communicate.
Whoosh.
Damon watched from inside the carriage, drawing back the curtain. Then he tapped the window toward the coachman’s seat, urging haste. As the coachman raised the flag, Timothy turned and boarded the carriage.
“We depart!”
Clatter clatter!
Neigh!
The carriages moved one by one, rushing toward the palace entrance. Damon’s gaze swept past them. Ian placed his hand over his chest in response—a gentle smile meeting those cold eyes.
“They’ve gone. My, everyone has worked hard.”
“Your Highness, Cliffford and Ruswena still remain.”
“Your Highness, we shall return to our duties. Thank you for your hard work in today’s meeting.”
“Very well. Go on. You’ve done well.”
Soon after the Burgos procession disappeared from view, the officials dispersed. Ian and Jin’s eyes met directly. Ian bowed and praised the boy.
“Your Highness. Presenting the gold coins was truly the right decision.”
Even Ian hadn’t anticipated this, but it seemed to be surprisingly effective. It was fitting for displaying imperial magnanimity, and above all, it was embarrassing for the Burgos leaders—it was tantamount to mockery that even their servants couldn’t claim the benefits they received.
Though Ian praised him, Jin merely narrowed his eyes and gave no response. Romandro, watching from behind, wore an expression of surprise.
“Yes.”
“…Your Highness?”
“Go on inside now. I have much work to do. Hmm.”
Jin pouted and turned away sulkily. The hurt from being told not to attend Philia’s betrothal ceremony hadn’t yet faded. The boy stomped his feet loudly as he entered the inner palace.
Xiaoxi nodded in greeting, but couldn’t even finish the gesture. The boy had grabbed his arm, urging him to hurry along.
“He’s sulking.”
“…Please confirm whether the Burgos carriage departs directly from the center. If they take another route, do not intercept them—merely report it.”
“He’s sulking, Ian.”
“…Has the alliance treaty with Cliffford been prepared? It seems they’ll also be leaving the palace by midmorning.”
Ian continued checking duties as if he hadn’t heard.
Romandro’s expression was displeased, yet he dutifully took notes nonetheless. His look suggested he was letting it slide because there were many onlookers.
“Ian.”
“Romandro.”
And then the carriage returning to the Magic Division. Once they were alone, both called out to each other simultaneously. Romandro tucked his pen into his chest pocket, as if inviting Ian to speak first.
“You said it before. Whether I had quarreled with His Highness.”
“I did. But seeing him today, I realize the fault was entirely yours. I understand you’re doing this to build a firm character befitting a crown prince. Still, he’s still so young.”
“…I apologize for not giving you advance notice.”
I rested my chin in my hand and gazed out the window. After a moment of contemplation, I opened up my concerns and plans to Romandro.
From now on, Jin and I would walk completely different paths, so wasn’t it only right that Romandro, my closest confidant, should know of it?
“Romandro. Have you ever thought about the pillars that support the imperial palace?”
The pillars supporting the imperial palace are most ideal when spaced at an appropriate distance. Currently, the distance between Jin and myself was far too close—if the wind blew, we would surely collapse without being able to withstand it. For the first time, I voiced my thoughts and concerns aloud.
The carriage swayed greatly, but Romandro felt nothing. The boy sitting across from him had captured his complete attention.
* * *
On an afternoon when the sunlight was particularly warm.
Philia, who had been sitting before the mirror, turned her head in surprise. As her golden hair swayed, Viviana furrowed her brow and adjusted it back into place.
“The Prince cannot come?”
“My lady, you mustn’t move. I’ll have to redo your hair.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just so startled.”
“He says he has too much work. I heard about it just a moment ago.”
Having been promoted from Prince to Crown Prince, it was clear he was handling duties incomparable to before.
Despite their personal connection, Philia was a commoner without a single title. Moreover, her fiancé was a minority from the borderlands, was he not? Perhaps her very attendance at this gathering was unusual in itself.
“I suppose I was being presumptuous, expecting beyond my station. This is hardly a place the Empire’s Crown Prince should attend.”
“What are you saying? The Prince promised he would definitely come, so of course you should expect him. Don’t say such things—close your eyes. Your makeup is turning out beautifully today. Oh, how lovely you look.”
Philia burst into laughter at Viviana’s foolish compliment.
A small betrothal ceremony held in the estate’s garden. While it was partly because there were no guests to invite, the greater concern was that making it public that the Minister’s new father-in-law was of the Cheonryeo Tribe could prove awkward.
Ian didn’t seem to mind much, but in any case, the wedding ceremony would be held again in Hielo’s territory….
Bang! Crash!
Thud, thud, thud!
Viviana, who had been carefully drawing eyebrows stroke by stroke, paused. Why was it so noisy outside? Viviana opened the door and called out a warning.
“Everyone, be quiet! What’s going on?”
“Viviana! These bastards keep trying to go upstairs. I told them not to look!”
“Berik, you little runt, move aside. It’s a Cheonryeo tradition to meet and congratulate the bride before the ceremony.”
“That’s not how Bariel does it, you idiots! You’re not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony!”
“Have you ever been married? You bastard, you’ve never even done it.”
“Then what about you?!”
“I’ve done it twice!”
Crash!
It was the commotion between the Cheonryeo tribesmen trying to come upstairs to see Philia and Berik trying to stop them. Viviana, with a smiling face, struck the wall and issued a warning.
“Everyone, please go downstairs quietly. Hehe.”
“Gasp, V-Viviana, only your mouth is smiling?”
“It’s too noisy to do makeup. Hehehehe.”
One couldn’t help but notice how the brush in her hand looked like a weapon. Berik dragged the warriors down the stairs, and soon discovered a carriage arriving before the garden.
“It’s Ian!”
Ian, Romandro, and a small number of mages including Heil had come to celebrate the betrothal.
Ian, dressed in formal attire, looked around the garden and smiled. It looked more like a meat party than a betrothal ceremony. If not for the flowers decorated here and there, it would have been no different from usual.
“It’s been a while, everyone.”
“Ian, I’m going to forget what your face looks like.”
“What about Nersaren?”
“He’s over there. He didn’t even blink during the battle, yet I have no idea why he’s so tense now.”
While I was exchanging greetings with the Cheonryeo Tribe, the village children pressed themselves against the stone wall, wearing festival masks. A commotion had erupted from the house where the Mages lived, and they were curious about what was happening.
“Can you see?”
“No, I can’t.”
“There are so many people. Try to see something.”
Then, a boy quietly slipped in and attached himself to the wall. He was also wearing a mask, but the silver hair jutting out beside him gleamed particularly brightly.
“Huh?”
And a man with gray hair firmly guarding the boy’s side. The children turned to look at them with eyes that seemed to ask “Who are you?”, but the two continued silently peering only inward.
“Oh, it was a wedding! The bride is coming out!”
“Look, where?”
A white dress appeared in the garden. The children whispered among themselves and pressed their eyes even closer to the gaps. And at that very moment, they gasped in unison.
“Wow. An angel. An angel.”
“She’s really beautiful.”
Jin also wriggled and peered through the cracks to see inside. The absinthe-colored jewels hanging from Philia’s ears sparkled particularly brightly.

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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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