Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 506

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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 506
Fire. Love Consultation
Jin’s expression grew peculiar. Something seemed to linger on the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn’t quite part his lips. At this, Berik propped his chin up entirely and stared at Jin intently. The way he was smirking made it clear he was suppressing laughter.
Meanwhile, Ian appeared remarkably composed and unhurried. When Jin’s response was delayed, he pushed the sandwich bowl aside. He deemed this conversation required deeper discussion.
Jin raised his hand in alarm.
“Wait, Count Ian. Why are you suddenly asking such a thing?”
“If I’ve caused offense, I apologize.”
But what could be done? Bariel’s future depended on the fate Jin encountered, so concern was unavoidable. If only he could remember who the Empress was.
“No, no, it’s not that.”
“Would you sit for a moment?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please sit here. Hehehehe.”
“Berik. Your laughter is hardly becoming.”
“Is it? I find it amusing.”
Berik winked repeatedly at Ian before closing his mouth. Yet those lips kept twitching, seeming to have far more to say than the two people about to exchange questions and answers.
Ian handed Jin a cup of tea and continued carefully.
“The matter is this: have you not come of age, Your Highness? As you are currently the sole heir to the imperial line, this means only you can continue the imperial succession. It would be natural to take a consort.”
Jin narrowed his brow and sipped the tea. He understood perfectly well. Bringing a new person into the imperial household was both a grave matter he faced and a duty. Yet it was a point where public and private domains intersected, so his thoughts inevitably deepened.
Jin shook his head and spoke.
“I do have a young lady in mind.”
“Ooh! Who is she? Is she beautiful?”
“First, the second daughter of Marquis Hollin.”
“First?”
So there was more than one?
Jin disregarded Berik’s questioning and explained.
“Marquis Hollin has profited considerably from the Burgos civil war.”
“That family has long been renowned for weapon manufacturing.”
“With the funds earned, he aggressively purchased properties throughout the capital, and now approximately half of the outer districts adjacent to the imperial palace belong to Marquis Hollin’s house. Among the central nobility, they are unquestionably the foremost power. I hear his second daughter is the same age as me.”
“She would be suitable in many respects, but…”
Because she was not perfect, Jin had not made a decision.
At Ian’s subtle inquiry, Jin pressed his temples.
“They have seven siblings, and three of them have been brought to trial. She lacks the dignity to stand alongside imperial members, and above all, even if a marriage were arranged, the family shows a clear determination to lead the weapons business themselves.”
“Hmm. That would be problematic.”
“And is she beautiful?”
“Next is the youngest daughter of Count Davion. Her family is a prestigious house that has produced numerous high-ranking officials in the imperial palace, enjoys good reputation among the people, and their influence among the nobility cannot be ignored. She appears to have no particular flaws, yet neither would a marriage bring any special advantage.”
The talented members of Count Davion’s house were already Jin’s people.
Jin leaned his neck against the sofa’s backrest, saying he was troubled.
“I’m searching in Ruswena, Hawan, and even Burgos, but no one particularly catches my eye. A concubine would be one thing, but there is only one Empress.”
“I see. However, Your Highness.”
Ian, who had been listening with a nodding head, asked again.
“Setting aside family prestige and conditions, is there no one whose fate has captured your heart?”
“…Is that truly important?”
Jin’s expression shifted with genuine surprise. His consort could never hold the same meaning as a typical companion. He understood all too well that love alone was insufficient grounds for such a union.
I had assumed Ian would comprehend this equally.
“Should Your Highness receive a scion from a prestigious house or royalty from abroad, the advantages through marriage would certainly be substantial. However, the history Your Highness will inscribe stretches far into the future. If your consort and heart align as well, would that not be even better? Moreover, beyond bloodline, all else possesses the potential for change. It would serve you well to regard future value rather than immediate gain. Should Your Highness harbor any affection for a particular connection.”
Jin’s Bariel would never waver in the future. Because Ian would ensure it. So if happiness could be found somewhere in life, I wanted to help him find it.
“That’s rather surprising. I never expected Count Ian to speak such words.”
“It is merely respect for Your Highness’s choice.”
“Ah, so you’ll bring her here yourself?”
Ian smiled softly at Jin’s jest. After all, wasn’t he himself born from calculations of gain and loss? Even bearing such responsibility, if happiness could be discovered in those margins, it should be pursued. It was right for Jin, for the consort he would meet, and ultimately for the child he would have.
“Understood. But I harbor no one in my heart as of now. Should that change, I shall inform Count Ian first.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Should you do so, I shall devote myself entirely to assisting you with utmost sincerity.”
“That sounds rather like you’ll reject unsuitable candidates.”
Jin slowly swirled his half-empty teacup and laughed.
“In any case, whether this or that, there are no marriage plans at present. The competition among those who desire it hasn’t yet ignited.”
It was an opportunity to become part of the imperial family, so countless nobles would descend upon him with fervent eyes. Jin intended to extract maximum imperial advantage from that process, and having just come of age, he believed this was merely the opening of that curtain.
“Count Ian. If you wish, you may meet the daughters of House Hollin and House Davion directly. One never knows. Perhaps my connection lies with one of those two. Hearts, after all, emerge at times and in ways beyond our knowing.”
“That is also a wise observation.”
Jin suddenly recalled the past. That day in the greenhouse when Sereo had broached marriage prospects with Ian. It had felt like such a distant future then, yet now he found himself naturally exchanging words about marriage. And he had initiated it before Count Ian.
Jin rose from his seat and poured wine with his own hands.
“Speaking of which, Count Ian, you may not know—Princess Alena formed a connection with a minor noble from the provinces and departed the capital. There were suspicions of collusion with the King of Ruswena, but when Eriponi died and you left, the capital fell into chaos. We simply couldn’t attend to House Sereo. Count Sereo remains at his estate, however.”
It would be no exaggeration to say they stood on the brink of ruin. Jin clinked ice into his glass.
“But Count Ian, I too have something I wish to ask. Do you harbor any affection for a particular connection? Or have you ever formed such a bond?”
Whoosh.
Jin turned away again. Then his eyes met Berik’s, who was sniffling. Hmm? Shouldn’t his eyes have met Ian’s instead?
At that moment, Ian’s pupils slowly drifted rightward, pointing toward the empty sofa.
“Ian has collapsed.”
“What?”
Ian, who had been sitting with proper posture, had slid down onto the sofa, slumped against it.
“…?”
Impossible. How could someone who was conversing perfectly well moments ago suddenly—?
As Jin approached, he saw that Ian had indeed fallen asleep. His head tilted to the side, his eyes closed peacefully.
“Akorelra! Ian has collapsed!”
Crash!
At Berik’s call, the door flew open and the Mages rushed in. Circling the sofa, examining it from every angle. They all whispered with gleaming eyes as if they’d been waiting for this.
“Ian finally sleeps.”
“Ugh. How long has it been since we’ve seen this?”
“He didn’t sleep in the north either?”
“No idea. He had a separate room. But whenever I knocked, he was always dressed neatly, sitting at his desk. From what I could tell, he barely slept at all.”
“Ooh, his lips are slightly parted.”
“Shh. Keep quiet. Don’t wake him. Captain Akorelra, how long will this last?”
“Generally it takes around two days, but… watching Count Ian devour that sandwich, it’s no joke. Let’s move him to bed first and keep watch.”
Berik lowered himself to meet Ian’s eye level, then sniffed.
“Ah, but the timing feels off somehow.”
“Off how?”
“Count Ian, something smells suspicious. You’re not pretending to sleep to avoid answering, are you? Huh? Ian? You’re awake, right?”
Then he poked his finger right into Ian’s nostril.
The Mages gasped and dragged Berik by his collar. As if determined to take him down with them, they hung from his arms and neck, their silent screams filling the air. How dare he stick his finger there? He was asking to die!
“Ugh, I got it. I said I got it!”
“You madman, seriously. Hey, wipe Count Ian’s nose.”
“Huh? Isn’t this my hand?”
“Get lost. You’re a walking petri dish.”
“But Berik. What answer were you talking about?”
As the Mage asked while adjusting the blanket, Berik glanced at Jin, seeking permission to speak. When Jin nodded while finishing his drink, Berik stretched and explained.
“His Highness asked if Count Ian had ever been in love. But the moment he closed his eyes, he just fell asleep like that.”
Thud. The blanket slipped from the Mage’s hands. That wasn’t all—the hands gathering scattered documents from the floor froze, the footsteps heading toward the exit stopped, even breathing seemed to pause. Crackle, crackle. The only sound was the campfire burning. Everyone’s eyes went wide as they stammered.
“C-C-Count Ian is… in love?”
“What is this feeling? It’s somehow heartwarming yet bittersweet, like I want to support him but also interfere.”
“I can’t imagine it. Count Ian, our Count Ian…”
“If he falls in love, can we finally leave work on time? Actual on-time?”
“I can’t accept it. I oppose, I oppose. Nothing seems good enough.”
“Who are you to accept or oppose anything?”
Smack!
Captain Akorella flicked the Mages’ foreheads while whispering. Though the side effect had put him to sleep, loud noise might wake him.
“All of you, be quiet and distribute the documents Count Ian was reviewing. Take them and go. You all just spout useless nonsense. Your Highness, I and Heil will alternate submitting reports.”
“Very well. Understood.”
The Mages swallowed their stinging pain and tidied up, while Berik carried Ian into the inner room.
As Jin left the room, Xiaoxi, who had been waiting outside, greeted him with his coat.
“Will you be heading to the Crown Prince’s residence?”
“Yes. I should finish my work there.”
Patter, patter, patter!
Just then, a Servant came rushing up the Magic Tower stairs. Approaching with hurried steps, he whispered something to Xiaoxi. His expression darkened involuntarily.
“What is it?”
“…Damon has started again, they say.”
“Does that man never tire?”
Jin clicked his tongue and was about to dismiss it, but then changed his mind and gave an order.
“No. Not the residence. Go there instead.”
“You mean to go to Damon, Your Highness?”
“Yes. I’ll be sending an envoy to Burgos soon. I should hear directly from him as King whether he has any counsel.”
Unaware that Ian and Rutherford had returned, Damon’s world remained frozen in time from ten years ago until now, unchanged.
As Jin boarded the carriage, Xiaoxi nodded, and the horse’s head turned toward the Magic Tower.
Neigh!
Clop clop clop!
* * *
Meanwhile, in the grand banquet hall.
Given the hour, more than half the nobles had already departed. Some stumbled away thoroughly intoxicated, others weighed down by exhaustion, and still others having forged promising connections. Those who remained were mostly either drunk or sprawled across sofas, nodding off in drowsy intervals.
Yet even amidst this chaos, two women sat with impeccable posture, their gazes fixed firmly ahead.
“Princess Kayla of House Hollin, might I pour you more tea?”
“Princess Cloy of House Davion, if you’re cold, please take this.”
Both women declined the young nobles’ offers with graceful smiles.
And their eyes locked—just for a moment. The two women exchanged fleeting glances before returning their attention forward, each anticipating the moment Jin would arrive, hoping to be the first to meet his gaze.

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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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