Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 434

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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 434
Fire. Philia’s Song
“Viviana!”
Romandro practically tumbled into the mansion. His upper garments were caked with dirt—he must have fallen in the garden already.
The Warriors signaled for quiet, but Romandro’s eyes could not perceive them. Tears streamed so heavily that he could see nothing. As he moved to rush toward Viviana’s chamber, the Warriors startled and seized him.
“You cannot enter now. The baby will arrive soon, and the Midwives are continuing to help her breathe.”
“Yes. I understand your concern, but please sit here so as not to disturb them. Besides, you’re covered in sweat and dirt. Is this how you wish to meet your child for the first time?”
“Were you tending fields at the Imperial Palace? Go wash yourself and change your clothes.”
“W-what about our Viviana? Is she… is she all right?”
“Aaaahhhhh!”
Before Romandro’s question had even finished, Viviana’s anguished scream pierced through. A cry that seemed to tear the air itself, bestial and primal. Romandro clapped his hand over his mouth in shock. Yet tears began flowing anew.
“Oh no, my beloved is dying! Vivi! I’m here!”
“Be quiet, I said.”
“Uuuughhhh! Vivi! Just a little longer! Please!”
“Shall we knock you unconscious? If you cannot remain still, we can help you.”
Under the Warriors’ warning, Romandro bit his lips and swallowed his cries. Tears, mucus, and saliva streamed from his face—a pitiful sight.
The Warriors stood with folded arms, their expressions grave as they offered prayers to the heavens, while Romandro checked his timepiece every moment, desperately wishing this agonizing present would pass quickly.
How much time had elapsed? As Viviana’s screams began to subside, a strange cry reached the ears of Romandro and the Warriors.
“Ah!”
The cry of a newborn. A tiny song announcing that a freshly born life had begun its journey.
The Midwives giggled with delight at something, and Romandro pressed his hand against his chest, feeling his heart pound against the door. Please, someone open this door. I beg you.
Creak.
“Romandro!”
“P-Philia. Is Vivi all right? Our child? All ten fingers and toes intact?”
“Yes, yes. A beautiful girl who is the very image of Viviana. Congratulations. You have now begun your life as a father.”
“Waaaahhh! Thank you! Thank you! Viviana! Can you hear me? Do you hear my voice? You worked so hard, and I’m so grateful! Vivi! I love you! I promise to do my very best from now on!”
“Viviana fainted right after holding the baby. Come this way. The Midwife will show you the child shortly.”
“Congratulations, Romandro. How fortunate that the baby resembles your Sister-in-law.”
“Is that why the Midwives were laughing?”
“Congratulations. You have a beautiful daughter!”
“Ah, thank you. Thank you so much!”
As the Warriors offered their congratulations to Romandro, Philia went to the washbasin and rinsed her damp hands and forearms. The room was thick with tension and heat, and her entire body was drenched in perspiration. As she gazed at her haggard reflection in the mirror, her thoughts suddenly turned to Ian.
“Romandro, what of Ian?”
“Pardon? Ian?”
“Yes. I heard through Berik that he became entangled in some unfortunate matter at the Imperial Palace. Is he well?”
“Ah, yes. A grand conference regarding that matter should be taking place about now. It seems to involve the Imperial Family, which is most troubling.”
“Then there is no problem?”
“Well, yes. It appears there was some disagreement with Prince Gin, though I do not know the details.”
“Disagreement?”
Philia asked, wiping the perspiration from her face with a towel.
“The Prince visited the Magic Ministry, and he seemed quite angry. But ultimately, it was rooted in affection. You needn’t worry too much about it. Once the conference ends and we receive the report, Philia will have a clearer sense of what to do. Don’t you think it would be better to head down to the territory before it gets much hotter? Your stomach will be calling for food as time passes.”
Sniff! Romandro wiped his nose repeatedly as he spoke. When Philia gently handed him a handkerchief, the door slowly opened. An elderly midwife appeared, cradling a baby wrapped in clean cloth.
“Is the baby’s father here?”
“Yes, I’m here! I’m the baby’s father!”
“Ah, good. You arrived just in time. Here. A lovely little girl.”
Romandro peered slowly inside the swaddling cloth with eyes full of anticipation. He had imagined fair, soft skin and delicate features, but reality was somewhat different.
“Why, why is she so swollen?”
“All newborns look like that. But even so, she’s a very pretty little girl. She looks just like her mother.”
Romandro, who had been slightly shy at first, slowly took the baby into his arms. She was so light, so fragile, that tears suddenly burst forth. Gazing at the tiny newborn life, a torrent of emotions swept through Romandro’s chest.
“I cannot die.”
Unlike the past when he had merely lived to survive, now he made a firm resolve never to perish. At least until his child reached adulthood, until she could forge her own path in life, he would be her father’s pillar of support, standing beside her.
Romandro sniffled and greeted his child.
“It’s good to meet you. I look forward to our time together. Though I’m an imperfect father, I will become a perfect one for you. Meeting you makes me so happy… I think I’ve been waiting for this moment all along. My heart feels like it might burst—it hurts so much.”
The warriors also huddled together behind Romandro, peering at the baby over his shoulder. A new life. A sacred being descended upon Gaia.
The midwife wiped the back of her hand with a cloth and asked for the child’s name.
“Viviana said they hadn’t decided on a name yet.”
“Ah, yes. We were going to decide together, but I’ve been so busy. I have some ideas in mind, so we’ll decide once Vivi wakes up.”
“Good. It’s best to give a name quickly. Without a name, a child might as well not exist.”
The midwife took the baby back from Romandro and turned toward the nursery. Just as Romandro reflexively moved to follow, Philia caught his collar and whispered.
“Romandro. I need to visit the imperial palace for a while.”
“What? But—”
“Actually, I was planning to go earlier, but Viviana went into labor. My son, who came back alive from the battlefield, is at the imperial palace. How can I just sit here? Even if it’s just to see his face, please, Romandro. Lend me your carriage. I’m begging you.”
Romandro scratched his head awkwardly. Without knowing Ian’s intentions and future strategy, he couldn’t gauge what reaction Philia’s entry into the imperial palace might provoke. But—
“Go as quietly as possible. Take my carriage to the Magic Ministry and meet Ian. Even if Ian is in another building, you must not move about. Wait in his office. Anywhere outside the Magic Ministry is dangerous in many ways.”
By holding his child in his arms, Romandro had just become a father. His son had overcome the brink of death on the battlefield and returned—how could he simply wait from afar? Understanding that sentiment fully, Romandro could not bring himself to refuse.
Philia lightly embraced Romandro, then gathered her outer robe and hurried to prepare for departure.
“What about Berik?”
“I told him to guard the carriage while the coachman is being replaced. With his temperament, I was worried he’d cause chaos if I brought him inside.”
Philia could easily picture Berik with his mouth hanging wide open. She let out a soft laugh and nodded, then planted a kiss on Nersaren’s cheek before rushing outside.
Creak!
Tap-tap-tap!
“Berik!”
“Philia! The baby—did she come out?”
Berik, who had been half-lying on the coachman’s seat with his head on the coachman’s lap, recognized Philia and sprang up with a shout.
“Yes. Both Viviana and the baby are healthy and safe. Now, I’m sorry, but we need to head back to the imperial palace. I received formal permission from Romandro, so don’t worry.”
“Ah! I want to see the baby!”
“When we return. Come on, hurry.”
As Philia climbed into the carriage, Berik stretched with a long yawn and frowned. But it was only momentary. He urged the coachman to turn the horse’s head toward the imperial palace.
* * *
The hour when the sun grows dim.
Philia rushed up the stairs with her robe draped over her shoulders the moment she arrived at the Magic Ministry. Unlike before, the interior of the Magic Ministry was brightly lit.
It was a moment that made the return of the mages feel real. Just days ago, when she had come to bring supplies to Romandro, the place had felt like a desolate ruin. Now, the signs of activity from all around brought her peace of mind.
Tap, tap, tap!
“Oh? Lady Philia?”
“Hello, it’s been a while. How is Ian?”
“Lord Ian is in his office right now. But, ah. Lady Philia. You’ve come at just the right time. Please go and give Lord Ian a piece of your mind.”
Philia, who had been turning with a bright smile, came to an abrupt halt. Caught up in the joy of seeing her son, she had failed to notice the deeply subdued atmosphere among the mages.
Philia pushed back her robe and tilted her head, wondering what had happened.
“Did Ian make some kind of mistake?”
“I wish it were just a mistake—I could understand that. This is driving me mad. He caused quite a scandal at the Grand Conference. His Highness the Prince even left his seat in the middle of it.”
“What? His Highness did?”
“He returned to Cliffford after just one day in Bariel, saying he would personally investigate the rift. This is infuriating. And—”
The matter of the royal bloodline and Idgal was also troubling, but it was not something to mention before Philia, so the mage hastily closed his mouth.
“W-what is this rift investigation?”
“Literally, it means entering the rift and investigating it. It’s quite dangerous and takes a long time. If possible, please talk Lord Ian out of it. Truly, I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
Philia looked around briefly with startled eyes, then quietly nodded her head. She slowly turned her body and moved toward the office.
Knock, knock.
There was no one in front of the office. Not even a servant to open the door. It seemed Ian had dismissed everyone. Philia made her presence known and slowly pulled the door open.
Creeeeak.
“Ian?”
Ian was slumped over his desk. Only his blonde hair, tinged by moonlight, flowed naturally downward. Was he asleep? As Philia carefully approached, Ian spoke.
“How did you come to be here, Mother?”
“Ian. Are you alright? What’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?”
Without lifting his head, Ian mumbled with his face buried. Philia drew closer to her son and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Then she could sense it instinctively.
A voice locked away. And a head stubbornly buried. Ian was despondent. Though she didn’t know why.
“Ian, sweetheart. Lift your head. Hmm? What happened at the Grand Conference?”
“….”
“I heard a brief account, but I want to hear your story from you.”
“…It’s because I’m a coward.”
“What are you talking about? There’s no child as brave as you.”
“I made a resolution, but my wavering heart feels like a reed swaying in the wind. I’m afraid of walking a path I cannot see, yet it’s the path I must take, and it troubles me. I believe there is someone I wish to meet at the end of it, but faith can always be betrayed by fate, can’t it?”
Philia couldn’t understand what Ian was saying. But one thing she could be certain of was that a whirlwind was stirring within Ian’s heart at this moment.
Philia held her child close and sang softly.
“A small moon upon the hill, brightly illuminating the nape of my child’s neck. Ah— do not cry, do not cry. My little one, greet the moon with laughter instead of tears.”
It was a song she had sung almost every night when she lived with Ian. As she would pat his back and sing, Ian would hum along. Even when imprisoned in the Bratz estate, it was this song she had taught Ian as a code.
Philia buried her face in Ian’s shoulder, and Ian slowly lifted his upper body. Then he offered a pale smile to Philia, who was looking at him with concern.
“The song is pleasant to hear, Mother.”
At that moment, moonlight brightly illuminated Ian’s green eyes. Philia felt her heart drop. Why was she treating this as if hearing it for the first time?
If it were Ian, if it were her son Ian, it was a truly peculiar answer that should not be given. Philia stepped back without realizing it and stared intently at Ian, then murmured.
“…Ian, you don’t know this song well?”
It was the first time I had ever uttered words like a trap. Perhaps that was why Philia’s heart raced wildly.
Ian paused briefly in thought, then nodded as if it were nothing.
“Yes. I am familiar with it, but I do not fully understand.”

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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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