Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 497

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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 497
Fire. It took time, but we weren’t late.
“Mother, when are we leaving? At this rate, we’ll be late.”
“Vivi, I’ve been preparing to leave now, haven’t I? We mustn’t rush. Your dress will get dirty. Your father said to arrive on time, so let’s depart slowly.”
“I heard the time before it starts is more fun!”
“That’s because of the noble children. Since there’s a separate coming-of-age ceremony for the nobles in autumn, they want to make their mark in society beforehand. Vivi, we don’t need to go.”
“Hmm. Still, it sounds like it would be fun.”
“Then would you like to go see it yourself? But you mustn’t embarrass your father—don’t interrupt conversations, and maintain perfect etiquette. People might say that a commoner is leveraging the authority of the Magic Ministry. What do you think? Are you still willing?”
At Viviana’s stern proposal, Vivi’s eyes simply rolled around. How could she turn this around? Before she could even think, the girl spotted Philia and Roel emerging from the mansion and dashed out. Viviana, having anticipated this, placed her hands on her hips and laughed.
“Roel, you’re so beautiful! It suits you perfectly. And Lady Philia looks like an angel. If someone asked me what spring is, I’d tell them to look at you, my lady.”
“My goodness. Vivi, how do you say such beautiful things? Thank you. You look lovely in your dress too. You’re absolutely adorable and pretty.”
“Your green earrings are wonderful too.”
“Oh, these?”
Philia gently touched her earlobe and smiled. These were jewels Prince Gin had given her as a wedding gift. It had already been ten years, and reflecting on the passage of time stirred her heart anew.
Nersaren also appeared dressed in imperial formal attire. It was unfamiliar, but it suited him quite well.
“My lady and the children, please depart slowly first. I’ll check on a few things and follow at a leisurely pace.”
This was a tribute offered in gratitude for the capital’s consideration of Hielo’s circumstances. Though the lord had disappeared, the imperial palace had overlooked it and allowed Hielo to exist as it was. And that wasn’t all—through tax reductions, they had shown consideration as well. Such sincerity was more than sufficient.
Philia nodded and pulled Roel’s hand.
“Then we’ll go ahead. We’ll see you at the imperial palace.”
“Come now, let’s depart.”
“Yay! We’re leaving! Roel! Sit next to me!”
Vivi pulled Roel to her side and pressed her face against the window.
Clatter-clatter! As the carriage departed, the streets of the capital revealed themselves slightly different from usual. People had all come out to the streets to enjoy drinks and food, and in various places, they danced along with orchestras.
“…In broad daylight?”
At Roel’s bland observation, Vivi made a face of disapproval.
“A coming-of-age ceremony is just one day! The moment the bell rings in the morning, everyone gets very busy celebrating! Actually, I didn’t know much about imperial coming-of-age ceremonies either, but apparently flower petals are supposed to fall. But recently, there aren’t enough mages, so they’ve been restraining themselves. You can only see it once a year, at the New Year’s celebration.”
“Flower petals?”
“At least the Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony is in spring, so that’s fortunate, right? Even without magical flower petals, it’s beautiful with the cherry blossoms in full bloom like this!”
“Yes. It is.”
The blooming of countless flowers unseen in the desert. Roel found the sight more worthwhile than expected and stayed pressed against Vivi’s side without moving.
Soon the carriage arrived at the imperial palace. The crowds gathered to celebrate Jin’s coming-of-age ceremony were enormous. If the guards hadn’t created a path, surely many would have died on this auspicious day.
Clatter-clatter!
“Lord Romandro’s family and guests from Hielo have arrived! Open the gates!”
“Open the gates! Let the carriage through!”
Creak!
“Wow….”
Roel was not a child with rich emotional expressions. Thus, even her brief exclamation was enough to gauge how deeply moved she was. At this, Viviana and Philia exchanged glances and smiled.
The carriage entered the Grand Banquet Hall of the First Imperial Palace, where the coming-of-age ceremony would take place. Carriages bearing the seals of each noble house stretched endlessly.
“Dear, Vivi!”
“Father!”
Romandro, who had arrived earlier, spotted his family and rushed toward them in a single breath. Though he was dressed formally in conquest attire, his face bore the marks of several sleepless nights. Viviana cradled his cheeks and murmured sympathetically.
“Oh my, dear. You must be exhausted?”
“Once today passes, I can finally rest easy.”
“Romandro, I apologize for asking this the moment we meet. But perhaps—”
“There has been no contact from Ian yet.”
“Ah, I see.”
“He will descend from the north with the mages, so it shouldn’t take too long. Countess, I know it’s difficult, but let us wait just a bit longer.”
“Yes, of course. Waiting is nothing compared to the hardship of those who must travel.”
“Then, this way. Today is not merely a gathering of imperial nobles—foreign royalty are also in attendance, so caution is advised. Especially you, my little troublemaker, Vivi! You!”
At Romandro’s warning, Vivi playfully saluted in jest.
“Who all is here?”
“The Prince of Cliffford’s delegation and the Ruswena delegation. Burgos sent only tribute, and Hawan and the other smaller nations weren’t invited in the first place. The coronation isn’t far off.”
Ah. Vivi took a sip of the drink a servant offered and glanced around.
Elaborately dressed people laughed and exchanged incomprehensible conversations. Weaving naturally through them was the enchanting melody of an orchestra.
This was the high society she had only heard rumors about.
‘Wow.’
Unlike Vivi, whose eyes were wide with wonder, Roel moved only with Romandro’s gaze. She was trying to identify where the mages were positioned and to see who exactly the Ruswena delegation was. Since they bordered the great desert, Roel couldn’t help but be concerned.
“Ah, it seems we’re about to begin.”
As the orchestra’s performance grew loud enough to interrupt conversation, the chatter naturally subsided. Without needing to call for attention, the proceedings unfolded with perfect grace and elegance.
Buuuu—
Then came the delicate trumpet fanfare announcing the arrival of nobility. Applause erupted spontaneously from all corners.
Dressed in pristine white formal attire with the imperial seal upon his chest, Jin walked out slowly. His neatly swept hair and impeccably arranged collar seemed to embody the very dignity of the imperial house.
Snap.
And in that instant, all the unmarried noble ladies simultaneously lowered their fans, revealing their faces.
The sole heir of the imperial line was finally coming of age. Selecting an Empress and concubines was also a crucial duty of the Crown Prince. A tense battle for advancement from nobility to imperial status erupted from all directions.
“You have all gone to great trouble to be here.”
Jin’s voice resonated in their ears. With an almost mystical quality, as if he were whispering directly into each ear, Vivi was startled and glanced at Romandro, who gestured with both hands as if to say this was magic itself.
“Today marks my nineteenth birthday, the day I come of age as an adult. As the sole inheritor of the name Berosion, the significance runs quite deep.”
Jin fell silent for a moment. Once, a worthless child who had walked to the very brink of death had survived and reached adulthood. Moreover, he now held Bariel entirely in his grasp. Miracles did not exist elsewhere—the miracle existed within himself.
“Much will change from this day forward.”
He would participate directly in war, and the duties from which he had conventionally withdrawn due to his youth would be consigned to the past.
Jin raised a goblet filled with wine. At that, everyone present joined him as if they had been waiting. Vivi and Roel did likewise, holding their drinks and gazing up at Jin with racing hearts.
“Yet this is but a step toward a greater Bariel. Trust in me. I too shall trust in you and endlessly pursue the glory of the Bariel Empire. Witness together with me how brilliant the days ahead shall be.”
As Jin raised his goblet, cheers erupted from all around.
“For the glory of Bariel!”
“For the glory of Bariel!”
Clink!
Everyone toasted with heartfelt congratulations. Vivi and Roel clinked gently, Viviana and Philia did so softly, while Romandro and the mages toasted with vigor, celebrating the successful conclusion of the ceremony!
“Let all laugh freely, dance, and indulge. Today, there shall be no room for any sorrow whatsoever.”
At Jin’s gesture, the orchestra conductor raised his baton dramatically. In an instant, the grand banquet hall filled with music. Naturally parting to either side, couples appeared dancing through the crowd.
“Wow. Roel, us too!”
Seeing this, Vivi excitedly grabbed Roel’s arm and dragged her along, while Viviana and Philia merely shrugged their shoulders and watched the children’s retreating figures.
“Ah, Sir Nersaren has arrived.”
“Ah, my apologies, Countess.”
“Take your time conversing with the Prince. I’ll keep an eye on the children. Dear, Sir Nersaren is here.”
“Countess. Sir Nersaren. This way.”
Romandro led Nersaren and Philia closer to Prince Gin.
Already, many nobles had crowded around wanting to exchange even a single word with the Prince. Gin was nodding in acknowledgment of their congratulations when he soon caught Romandro’s eye signal and readily granted permission.
“Guests from Hielo’s domain, I see. Come.”
Unlike Gin’s warm welcome, the nobles whispered behind their hands. Hielo? The lord had vanished, and wasn’t it the Empire’s shame to be colluding with barbarians? They didn’t openly oppose, but the atmosphere was decidedly uncomfortable. Ten years was time enough to forget past glory.
Nersaren, sensing this as well, responded with a fluent Imperial greeting.
“I am honored to meet you, Prince Jin Berosion. I am Nersaren of the Cheonryeo Tribe.”
“I remember. It has been long. How have you been?”
“Well, thanks entirely to your grace, Prince. I offer my sincere congratulations on your coming of age ceremony. The Empire’s future will shine brightly with you.”
“Thank you. Ah, Philia.”
“Yes, Prince.”
Gin gestured for Philia to come closer, then gently took both her hands and whispered.
“Have you heard?”
That Ian is returning alive—have you heard?
“Yes, Prince. I have heard.”
As Philia smiled with tears glistening in her eyes, Gin smiled in return. With a face so identical to Ian’s, wasn’t that smile almost unfair?
“Prince, though modest, I have prepared a small gift on behalf of Hielo’s domain. A portion of the taxes you graciously reduced, fine needlework crafted directly by the Cheonryeo, and gurutleaf. We also bring foreign silk sent from Hawan, and I hope it pleases you.”
“Excellent. I shall accept it with satisfaction.”
“Thank you.”
As the gift presentation proceeded harmoniously, the nobles who had been watching eagerly rushed forward. Unless it was truly exceptional merchandise, presenting gifts first held an advantage. As more gifts accumulated, later ones would struggle to leave a strong impression.
“Prince, please grant us our turn next.”
“Ah, Count Lakiyon, is it not? How is your health?”
“Thanks to your concern, I have improved greatly.”
Pressed by the nobles, the two exchanged brief bows and turned to leave. For those of no title coming from the borderlands, they had already received exceptional favor.
As the two descended the stairs—
Boom—!
A heavy sound from somewhere. Several nobles turned their heads curiously, searching for its source. Yet no matter how much they looked, they could not find it. It seemed to have come from outside.
‘…Investigate.’
‘Yes, Prince.’
Gin instructed Xiaoxi, and Romandro likewise led the mages quietly outside. In the process, Romandro signaled the orchestra, and the conductor played the music even louder to capture the scattered attention of the audience.
Rustle.
At that moment, a single petal fell before Gin, who had been listening to the nobles’ conversation without particular interest. Yet there was no breeze indoors. Was it a decorative plant leaf?
“…?”
The petal that had fallen from his fingertip shimmered and faded before he could even touch it, and Gin’s eyes widened.
Screech.
And then, the grand banquet hall doors slowly opened.
Warm wind swept pollen in all directions. The backlighting obscured the details, yet the figure standing at the forefront remained unmistakably clear. Golden hair catching the sunlight. And—
‘Those refreshing green eyes.’
Everyone in the grand banquet hall unconsciously held their breath, watching the boy’s entrance. Behind him followed dozens of Mages, their robes swaying like dancers moving to the orchestra’s melody.
Tap, tap, tap!
Jin rose from his seat without thinking, while Ian slowly approached and knelt on one knee. The Mages followed Ian’s lead, lowering their posture. From the ends of their sleeves, a single strand of crimson cloth flowed downward.
“Your Highness, it has been a long time since we last met.”
“Ian….”
The moment Jin’s eyes met Ian’s, all the dust of the passing years scattered away. Over the past decade, Ian’s form—which had been blurred in memory—now returned complete and whole. Because he remained utterly unchanged from back then.
Ian, understanding the confusion, offered a greeting with a bright smile.
“Your Highness, please tell me that though it took long, I have not arrived too late. That alone is my sole wish at this moment.”

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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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