Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 524

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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 523
Fire. Jeweled Ornaments
It was truly remarkable. Even in silence, one could feel the atmosphere—sometimes carrying fear, sometimes wonder, and sometimes admiration. But now, in the silence of the conference hall, everyone without exception sensed one thing: absurdity.
The officials who regained their composure first began to interject one by one.
“Your Highness, the Empress accompanying you to the battlefield? This is preposterous. The Empress should remain to guard the empty palace in your stead. How can both of you abandon your posts simultaneously?”
“Indeed. The people of Bariel will grow anxious.”
“And above all—”
Above all, which noblewoman among the young ladies of the great families would venture onto the battlefield and traverse enemy lines alongside Jin?
Noble participation in warfare was daunting and burdensome even for Youngsik who trained continuously in swordsmanship and horsemanship, so it rarely occurred outside of exceptional circumstances. Like the Empress, the justification was merely to protect Bariel from within.
‘Wasn’t it said that the Sereo family participated in the Cliffford-Burgos War, and the military expenditures consumed were astronomical? They squandered their entire family fortune with no significant gains.’
‘Well, that case was somewhat different, but ahem.’
‘Shh. Why mention that family? It’s taboo.’
Given how disastrous the results of that last participation had been, it was safe to say that only a fallen family driven to the brink of ruin would have direct family members participate in war.
But what was this now? Offering eighty percent of one’s assets as defense funding?
“Your Highness. Perhaps… you still have no thoughts of marriage?”
This wasn’t even a polite refusal of a consort. He was openly defying them.
But Jin merely shrugged, claiming ignorance, and replied with composure.
“The continuation of the imperial line is an urgent matter, so how could I refuse a state marriage? The Empress is my consort and a member of the imperial household, so her family is also my family. What difficulty is there in showing such sincerity for war? If I were in the opposite position and were the head of the Empress’s house, I would have given everything. For the revival of Bariel is the revival of the family.”
“Your Highness.”
“Furthermore, while it is customary for the Empress to remain in the palace during wartime, there is no obligation to do so. I do not have an heir to care for at present. Husband and wife are said to be of one mind, so I desire one who will stand beside me on the battlefield and elevate Bariel’s glory together.”
“Well, I never.”
Everyone murmured and made no effort to hide their bewilderment. The only one they could think of was Princess Kaila of the Hollin Family, but even she was primarily focused on weapon manufacturing rather than swordsmanship, so whether she met Jin’s standards was uncertain.
Above all, the question was whether Kaila herself would accept going to the battlefield.
“Your Highness. These are not standard criteria.”
“How dare you, who are neither father nor mother, presume to comment on my consort and set standards?”
“Yet Your Highness, the daughters of distinguished families are largely unfamiliar with swordsmanship or martial arts.”
“Then they should arrive at the battlefield beforehand and train. Let those with sense come prepared.”
“Your Highness!”
Are you jesting?
As the official cried out with wide eyes, Jin merely smiled. The gaze that fell was so menacing that the answer was clear.
“What.”
No jest.
At any other time, they might have added various objections. But those with debts to repay followed the Minister of Magic in silent listening, and Davion, bound by the evaluation system, quietly turned away.
Who then would dare speak loudly about unreasonable standards? The officials bit their tongues inwardly and suppressed their despair.
‘If this continues, even if great calamity befalls the palace, the officials won’t be able to open their mouths.’
‘Indeed. His Highness should listen to everyone’s opinions. Heh heh.’
“Your Highness.”
Then Ian broke the silence and spoke.
“Victory in war is achieved when everyone performs their role properly. The soldiers who take up sword and shield, the medical corps who support them, even the cooks. Considering reality, it would be better to relax the conditions somewhat.”
Otherwise, the resistance from officials and nobles may grow fierce.
Though Ian didn’t finish his thought, he could tell that Jin had grasped his intention perfectly.
“Indeed. That makes sense. Since they need not take up arms, I shall take note of anyone who participates in any capacity and fulfills their duty.”
“A wise decision, Your Highness.”
Is this enough? Ian lifted his head slightly to glance at the officials, and they all chimed in as if they had no choice.
“Yes, Your Highness. Most wise.”
“Then let us proceed to the next matter. The Foreign Ministry shall send coronation invitations to the nine major nations, excluding Burgos.”
Apart from Cliffford, Ruswena, and Hawan, most were small nations to the north.
Astana was one of them as well.
Ian and Romandro’s eyes met simultaneously. They both realized they would finally see Hasha again after so long.
The Foreign Minister nodded in acknowledgment, and the officials discussed the exact date and order of ceremonies in detail.
‘Send this to the Hollin Family.’
‘Deliver it to Davion.’
Meanwhile, countless notes passed beneath the table. The officials each transmitted fresh information to their affiliated families. Both Jin and Ian noticed this bustling activity, but they pretended not to and focused solely on the meeting.
“But what if they all rush to participate in the war instead of paying the levy or sending their young ladies? That would be a problem in its own way.”
“That won’t happen. Hollin and Davion are firmly entrenched. It will come down to Princess Kaila or Princess Chloe. Whoever stretches their legs carelessly in a place where bloodshed runs rampant will lose them.”
“True enough. Even if Hollin’s momentum has waned somewhat.”
“Yes, Princess Kaila might actually participate if things go well, but Princess Chloe… I’m uncertain.”
The officials shook their heads, unsure how things would unfold. But they fell silent quickly under Jin’s sharp, warning gaze telling them not to be disorderly.
* * *
“Chloe. Look at this. It’s a new dress that just arrived. Isn’t it pretty? But the color doesn’t suit me. Would you like to wear it?”
“Mm. I like it. It’s bright and beautiful.”
“What about this?”
“I received it as a birthday gift before, but I’ve only worn it a few times.”
“That’s the one Countess Charlotte gave you, isn’t it?”
“Why does it matter who gave it? What matters is that it doesn’t suit me.”
“I suppose. It does seem off. Did Countess Charlotte really have such poor taste? You look good in almost everything, Chloe.”
Chloe had been sitting with her close friends since childhood, exchanging clothes and jewelry.
Standing before the mirror, Chloe gleamed from head to toe. Her brilliant red hair, earrings, flawless skin without a single blemish, and a necklace to complete the look.
She smiled contentedly, but soon heavy footsteps echoed from outside.
“Miss!”
“Nurse, I’ve told you not to make such a fuss.”
Chloe scolded her nurse through the mirror. Normally she would have apologized immediately, but the nurse was breathing heavily and waving her hand urgently.
“This is not the time to— ah, no. Huff, huff.”
“What is it? Has something happened?”
“The Prince has announced the criteria for selecting the Empress. A message has just arrived urgently from the palace.”
Chloe’s head snapped around, and the young ladies sitting on the sofa looked at the nurse with curious eyes. At last, an official statement regarding the Prince’s marriage had been made.
As Chloe approached her nurse with quick strides, the other young ladies pretended not to look while their ears perked up.
‘What could the criteria be?’
‘Who knows.’
Their eyes gleamed with curiosity and secret hope—those who had proclaimed that only Chloe could be Empress material, yet harbored private thoughts that perhaps they themselves could become one.
“What? You’re joking, right?”
“No, Miss. I’m not joking. I hear the Owner is also rushing home after receiving the message. It seems a family council will be held this evening to discuss the matter.”
“What on earth is this…?”
“Chloe, what’s wrong?”
“What’s happened?”
I stared blankly into the void before turning my head at the Young Ladies’ calls. In my topaz-gold eyes lay an emotion I couldn’t quite name.
“Why are you like that?”
Tell us quickly. What kind of companion is the Prince seeking? Family status? Beauty? Or perhaps education?
“I… I’m not sure what this means.”
“What do you mean?”
“He says he will consider either contributing eighty percent of the family’s assets to defense projects, or participating directly in the war.”
In an instant, the bright gleam in the Young Ladies’ eyes faded rapidly. What kind of insane condition was that?
“Could this be misinformation?”
“Right. Marriage proposals sometimes get distorted, after all—”
“I don’t think so. This came directly from the palace.”
As I spoke with certainty while sitting before my vanity, the Young Ladies could only exchange awkward glances. Davion’s information was reliable—unless your family had no connections to the palace, that is.
They leaned their arms against the sofa’s backrest and turned to look at me.
“What are you going to do?”
“Father issued a family assembly order today.”
“But the terms are a bit odd. They’re actually favorable to Princess Kayla, aren’t they? Could it be that the Prince has taken a liking to her?”
At those words, I turned my gaze to the side, looking at the Young Ladies. Faced with eyes that seemed ready to devour them, they could only offer awkward smiles.
“No, that’s not it. Princess Kayla has knowledge of weapons and is skilled in swordsmanship, so wouldn’t it make more sense for her to go to the battlefield directly rather than contribute eighty percent of the family’s assets? Surely the Prince wouldn’t put a Count’s daughter on the front lines, and if Princess Kayla goes out and endures a little hardship, that’s all there is to it. Compared to the assets that would be donated, that’s far better.”
“Right. Besides, being by the Prince’s side means there will be private conversations as well.”
“Chloe, honestly, if they told you to go to war, you wouldn’t go anyway. When the Count returns, talk to him properly. There might be a way.”
“Yeah. In many ways, you’re more suitable than Princess Kayla, so I really don’t understand why the Prince set such conditions.”
“A royal marriage is no laughing matter, right?”
“It’s a bit absurd, honestly. He could have just said he’d postpone the royal marriage. Now there will be all sorts of talk.”
Tap.
I removed my earrings and set them down with a sound. Then, with a bright, radiant smile, I replied.
“As I said, I have no intention of going to war. But how could we possibly presume to understand the Prince’s will? Everyone, please refrain from making disrespectful remarks.”
He will be my future companion, after all.
I believed Jin possessed keen insight, and if that were the case, he would surely choose me over Kayla. Though the conditions appeared disadvantageous to me at first glance, there must surely be a deeper meaning beneath the surface.
The Young Ladies laughed with knowing winks, and the conversation came to an awkward halt.
‘Contributing the family’s assets is not really a choice—it’s merely the bare minimum qualification. If problems arise, it’s wise to hold the family’s power in my hands.’
That leaves only one thing: going to the battlefield.
But no matter how much I thought about it, it was impossible for me. I, who had never properly held a teapot in my life, what could I possibly accomplish there? Contributing meaningfully was out of the question, and I might even hinder my own allies beyond just being a burden.
“…If I can’t go, then I’ll just make sure Kayla can’t go either.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“You know, there’s something I can look into.”
“What, what is it?”
We’re friends, aren’t we? Chloe approached the young ladies and sat beside them, whispering affectionately.
“Would you go to the Hollin Family and see what the atmosphere is like there? And there’s something that’s been bothering me for a while now. That jeweled ornament Princess Kaila wore on her coming-of-age day. Could you get that for me?”
“H-how are we supposed to do that, Chloe?”
When the young ladies hesitated, the smile vanished entirely from Chloe’s face.
“Do your best, and do it well. If you’re truly my friends, this much shouldn’t be a problem.”

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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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