Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 319

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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 319
Fire. The Masked Child
The garden that had been abuzz with chatter about the angel’s incarnation—debating whether she ate meat or not—fell silent in an instant. Even the pianist forgot to strike the keys, so striking was her appearance.
Philia shyly grasped the hem of her dress and tilted her head in confusion.
“…Why is everyone staring?”
She knew she was beautiful, but in that moment when the white dress and veil took on a new, sacred quality, something felt strange. Philia fidgeted with the lace, glancing around nervously.
Berik was the first to break the silence. With his mouth full of meat, he raised his hands high and clapped.
Clap, clap, clap!
“Wow, stunning! Truly beautiful!”
“You fool, your words are something else!”
“Stunning? Well, okay then, I’m fainting.”
The warriors also approached Philia, offering their unrestrained praise and admiration.
“…Where is Nersaren? Suddenly I feel like throwing a punch. If I win, that’s all that matters.”
“Do you want to die on a good day like this? Restrain yourself.”
“Lady Philia, that dress suits you wonderfully. It’s like the Milky Way of the desert flowing across a clear sky.”
“Shut it. Those are the kinds of things Nersaren says.”
“Congratulations, Lady Philia. You look truly magnificent.”
Rough words, yet filled with sincerity. Philia laughed bashfully and brushed her hair back, and soon spotted Ian. Ian smiled brightly and nodded.
“Yes, indeed. You are truly beautiful, and it is a joy to behold. Today, Mother is the star of the world.”
Tears glistened in the woman’s smiling eyes. As Philia reached out her arms, Ian embraced her without hesitation.
Mother and son held each other tightly. Philia recalled the days when she could hold Ian in one hand, and continuously stroked the back of her son’s head.
Truthfully, I could not call my life complete. There were days when I was not even permitted to breathe in the darkness where I could not see even an inch ahead, yet such a happy day has come.
“Mother.”
“Yes?”
As Philia’s eyes grew teary, Ian carefully wiped them away. He was not Iza’s biological son. Therefore, no matter what words were exchanged, perfect understanding was difficult to expect.
But today, at least, there were words to offer to the protagonist of the entire world dressed in pure white wedding dress. These were words that bastard Ian would surely have wanted to say had he been in this place.
“In a world difficult to survive alone, I am grateful that you have taken me in like this. Now, please seek only your own happiness, Mother.”
In the end, Philia shed tears. I had expected her to merely nod, but Philia wrapped her arms around Ian’s neck and drew close. The mother whispered to her son.
“You see, Nersaren told me that when certain tribes cross fierce rivers, they carry very, very heavy stones. So they won’t be swept away by the current.”
The weight crushes the entire body and causes pain, but without it, one would surely be swept away by the river. Philia embraced her son even more tightly, expressing her gratitude.
“Ian, without you, I would have been swept away by the waves of this world and perished. Thank you.”
Those young eyes that gazed at me as if I were their entire world. That was the weight Philia would bear. Even if fierce currents rushed at me from all sides demanding my death, I would not waver—my beloved stone, allowing me to move forward.
“….”
Ian felt his chest tighten. He understood what it meant for a mother’s love to flow forth beyond the body, from the depths of genuine affection.
Viviana handed over a handkerchief and separated the two. If they continued like this, it would truly become a sea of tears beyond help. Already, her husband Romandro was sniffling.
“Now then, Countess, please stop. Such a beautiful day this is.”
“I’m sorry. What if my makeup washes away?”
“Even that is a trace of happiness, so it’s fine. Only, if the ceremony doesn’t proceed, that would be rather troublesome.”
As Viviana playfully tapped her brow, Philia burst into laughter.
Then, Nersaren appeared, dressed in Cheonryeo Tribe ceremonial robes. His hair was neatly swept back, and a red cloth draped across one shoulder. The moment he saw his beloved, he froze as if his thoughts had stopped.
“Huh, Nersaren?”
“Have you lost your mind? You can’t do that. There are plenty of people here itching to throw a punch at your ribs right now.”
Berik sat beside the pianist, fidgeting constantly, while the warriors seemed too preoccupied with teasing Nersaren to notice anything else.
Ian approached with Philia, and Nersaren extended his hand as if entranced. Ian placed his mother’s hand into his.
“Please take good care of my mother.”
“…Of course. I will love Philia more fiercely than the sun burning in the heart of the desert.”
“Wow, Nersaren’s lost it. Didn’t even blink.”
“Oh my goodness, really! Say things like that at the ceremony!”
“Haha! That’s what I’m saying—when he exchanges rings, what’s he going to say then! Nersaren’s definitely nervous, I’m telling you.”
It was the sort of thing one might say while presenting rings, but Nersaren, flustered, had blurted it out before Ian without thinking. Such an uncommon slip from Nersaren that everyone burst into laughter.
“Well then, shall we begin the ceremony? Everyone seems hungry anyway.”
“I’m hungry! Meat! Meat!”
“Berik, you fool! Stop tormenting the pianist.”
Zing. Ziiing.
Ian flicked his fingertips lightly, conjuring a shower of flower petals. What had fallen endlessly through the streets not long ago was now a blessing granted only to this small garden. Beyond the grand festival, this was a place for them alone. Ian returned to his seat and nodded to Heil.
“Thank you for joining us.”
“You’re too kind. Besides, your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so if you collapse again, it will be difficult for me.”
Heil loosened his tie and added his power to Ian’s magic. Rustling softly, a force that made the already glittering surroundings even more radiant. Then exclamations came from outside.
“Wow, flower petals! Falling only inside. He really is a true mage.”
“I told you, don’t you trust my word?”
“No, it’s just that for a mage—”
Whoosh.
Hearing that sound, Romandro looked toward the wall while holding his wine glass. Round little heads visible through the gaps. Philia whispered with a smile.
“They’re neighborhood children. Word seems to have spread oddly, so they come to peek sometimes. They’re just curious—very good and adorable kids.”
“Are they close with you, Philia?”
“I’d like to believe so, but I’m not sure what the children think. Even when I give them snacks, they run away.”
“Is that so? Well, these rascals.”
Romandro walked playfully toward the wall and unlatched the gate. The fence door swung open, and the children clinging to it startled and stepped back.
“What are you all doing here?”
“Ahhhhh! Y-you scared us!”
“If you’re guests, come inside. If you’re troublemakers, be off. The most beautiful woman in the world’s engagement ceremony is about to begin.”
As Romandro tilted his head with a mischievous expression, the children exchanged uncertain glances. Should they go in? What if the mage casts a spell? And those strange foreigners?
As Romandro made a gesture to close the door, one child stuck his foot forward.
“C-can we really go in?”
“Yes. If you can congratulate quietly and respectfully.”
“B-but we don’t have gifts.”
“That’s fine. I came without one too.”
How adorable. Romandro suppressed the smile rising to his face and crossed his arms. The little ones hesitated, then stepped inside cautiously. Slowly, slowly, brimming with wariness and curiosity.
“Th-then we won’t refuse.”
“Mm. Come along now.”
At that moment, Romandro spotted a boy turning away and walking off in the distance. The child moved awkwardly, his same-side hand and leg advancing together in a panicked gait.
Though a mask concealed his face, the distinctive silver hair jutting out and the familiar silhouette were unmistakable.
‘That’s Prince Jin.’
And more tellingly, the man accompanying him was unmistakably Xiaoxi, no matter how you looked at it.
Good heavens, what was such a distinguished person doing here? Romandro was about to call out to Jin when he recalled what Ian had said.
‘If I remain by Prince Jin’s side, it will not be beneficial for either of us. By creating another pillar of support, the Prince will not waver, and an ideal Bariel can be built. That is my wish. So I ask that you understand this as well, Romandro. Things can no longer be as they were before.’
It was easy to drift into the currents of power, but terribly difficult to escape them. His young superior had chosen to undertake that difficult task and was seeing it through. Romandro too had a duty to support him accordingly.
But…
“Hey, you there. Boy.”
But still, just this once, perhaps…
Romandro twisted his beard awkwardly as he called out to Jin. The boy, who had been fleeing in a flustered panic, stopped and grabbed Xiaoxi’s arm.
“Won’t you come inside?”
“Ah, well…”
“All your friends have already gone in. Should you head back?”
“C-can I go in too? Or rather, may I?”
“…If you wish.”
Romandro gestured for him to come along. Jin looked up at Xiaoxi, who nodded in agreement.
Jin walked slowly into Romandro’s residence. The neighborhood children who had gone ahead were chattering away, clustered around Philia.
“Actually, those sweets you gave us last time were so delicious.”
“Really? I’m glad. Come visit again next time, and I’ll give you more.”
“But is that older brother your younger sibling? He’s so handsome.”
“No, he’s the son of a family friend. Ian, the children say you’re handsome.”
“Ugh! Why would you say that?!”
He was nearly the only outside guest besides Heil. Everyone watched with focused attention as the children created their lively commotion.
As the gate creaked shut, Ian glanced back. A boy stood there, gripping Romandro’s hand tightly.
“Seems like the last guest has arrived.”
“…Yes.”
Jin stood rigidly upright, staring straight ahead. His face was hidden, but his tension was unmistakable. Philia gasped and covered her mouth, while Ian tilted his head slowly.
‘Prince Jin.’
‘The Crown Prince himself?’
Everyone recognized him at a glance. Even the Cheonryeo Tribe members, whom he’d only met a few times.
The boy raised his hand awkwardly in greeting.
“C-congratulations. Happy birthday, Philia…”
The boy’s neck flushed red as a beet. It was clearly Jin, but he seemed to want to hide his identity, so no one dared greet him openly.
Everyone watched Ian’s expression to gauge how to behave. Ian studied the boy intently with his chin resting in his hand, then casually patted the seat beside him.
Tap, tap.
“Mother, we have quite a few young guests.”
“Yes, indeed we do.”
“Come here, boy. Thank you for coming.”
With Ian’s permission granted, Jin stepped closer to Philia. The two embraced naturally, and the boy offered his congratulations to Philia in a voice thick with emotion.
“Congratulations. I’ve missed you so much.”
“The earrings are truly beautiful, aren’t they?”
“Yes. They suit you perfectly. Radiant, even.”
At Prince Jin’s murmur, Philia offered a sorrowful smile. Whatever the reason, there must be circumstances forcing him into this situation. Romandro had even offered chairs to the neighborhood children, and now he announced the formal beginning of the betrothal ceremony.
A soft rustle.
The Boy sat beside me, pressing his mask deeper onto his face as he stared ahead. As if reminding himself that he and I were strangers, that he was a child visiting this place for the first time.
I simply let our arms brush together, ever so gently.

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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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