Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 102

“Ian!”Thump, thump!Perhaps it was the pride of being introduced as his mother that made Philia rush down the stairs and embrace Ian. Her hug was fierce and warm. “Have you been well?””Ian, I missed you so much.””It’s cold; you must have suffered.”Ian patted her back and smiled. No matter how good life in the mountains was, it couldn’t have been easy for a woman to live alone. She would have had to endure loneliness in the silence of the day and fear of the beasts’ cries at night.”Suffered? Ian, I’m so proud of you.””What did I do?””Beric told me everything. That you helped people with Gula [a type of medicinal herb], not just in Bratz, but even in Mereloff.””Mother, there is no place called Bratz here.”At Ian’s words, Philia’s smile grew even brighter, as if it were good news. Perhaps it was the tears, but her eyes sparkled. Combined with her blonde hair, she had an aura as if the moon had manifested. “Yes. And I heard that you have the recognition of the Imperial Palace and the trust of the warriors on the border. That you have risen to a great position and are loved by the people of the territory, all of it…”She seemed overwhelmed with emotion as she spoke. Philia bit her lip, tears welling up. No matter how you looked at her, she didn’t seem like a woman with a sixteen-year-old son. Her youthful face and pure expressions showed how innocent she was.’I’m realizing once again what a piece of trash Derga was.’What on earth did that bastard do to such a woman? Ian smiled brightly and took Philia’s hand.”Mother, the reason I was able to help people with Gula was because you collected it in the mountains beforehand.””No. Was it this person who collected it?”Romandro interjected in surprise.”You’ve done a great thing, Madam.””Ma, Madam? Please speak comfortably.””How can I? Even though Lord Ian has received a title, I have been speaking comfortably due to various circumstances. But I cannot do that to you. I greet you again. I am Romandro, an advisor to the Imperial Palace.”Philia was flustered by Romandro’s polite greeting, but she smiled as if she was pleased. She patted Ian’s back repeatedly, enjoying the happy moment.”Ah. Really, now I have no regrets even if I die. Ian.””Don’t say such things, and from now on, come and live in the village. The mountains are cold and dangerous. Even if I’m not here, Lord Romandro’s subordinates and the mansion staff will take good care of you…””You’re leaving in a few days, aren’t you?”A subtle sadness lingered in Philia’s smile.In fact, she was a little disappointed. Ever since she was dragged away by Count Derga, it seemed like her son had been keeping his distance from her.’But what can I do? It’s my fault. I couldn’t protect my child from the Count, so it’s natural for Ian to act this way.’Philia brushed Ian’s hair back, imprinting her son’s image in every glance.”Be careful on your journey. I’ll always be here waiting.””…Please be well. By all means.””Of course. And if you’re ever having a hard time, come to your mother anytime. Then, then I will definitely protect you.”Ian couldn’t promise that he would return. Philia hugged her son once more and then carefully asked,”But, would you stay with me for just today? I have so much to talk about. It’s been so long since we ate together.”Even though they had just finished a banquet in Mereloff, Ian readily nodded.”Of course, Mother.””Shall I make you barley porridge?”Barley porridge, the food her son liked the most. Philia stroked Ian’s hand with a tender smile.”Yes, please. I’ll just change my clothes and come. Hanna, please give my mother what she needs.””Yes! Madam. Do you remember me?””Of course. You’re the one who delivered Ian’s message.””Hehe. Please take care of me in the future!”Squeak.It was around the time when the mother and son’s reunion was coming to an end in the lobby. The door opened, and Nersarn and a few warriors entered. Judging by their stiff faces, they still hadn’t adjusted to the winter in Bariel.”Ah, Lord Ian.””Are you going to the observatory again?””Yes. I heard you went to Mereloff? Have you finished all your business?””Thanks to you.”Nersarn naturally shifted his gaze to Philia, who was standing behind Ian. Everyone seemed out of sorts from the cold. One warrior muttered without realizing it,”Lord Ian, did you have a sister?””She’s not my sister, she’s my mother.””…Yes?”The warrior asked back in bewilderment.”Honestly, I’d believe it if you said Lord Ian was her older brother.””Yes. Actually, I am her older brother.””…Are you not lying?””Why do you ask if you don’t believe it?”Ian joked and turned to Nersarn. Ian couldn’t easily read the expression on the warrior’s face, which was frozen from the cold. But it certainly wasn’t a positive emotion. The Cheonryeo tribe knew that Ian’s biological mother had died.”There were some circumstances. Lord Nersarn. If you’re okay with it, I’d like to explain in detail.”At Ian’s words, Philia anxiously bit her lower lip. Was what she had feared happening? She was clearly worried that Ian might be in trouble because of her.”It’s alright.”But Nersarn took off his coat without any particular reaction. As if he knew everything.”I guessed that your biological mother was alive.””You guessed?””I’ve been mingling with the people of the territory almost every day since I came here. Since the messenger who crossed the Great Desert came back alive, I’ve heard a lot of talk.”It wasn’t just that he came back alive.He led the Cheonryeo tribe, focused on rebuilding the territory, and defeated his father, Derga. And he was an incredible person who had even gained recognition from the Imperial Palace and taken the position of lord.The people of the territory enjoyed talking about even the smallest things about Ian.”Including the story that his biological mother disappeared before the peace ceremony. Since you planned everything and crossed the Great Desert, I thought that was also part of Lord Ian’s preparation.””Does Kakan also know?””Of course. There’s no way Kakan wouldn’t know what I know.”Ian simply nodded lightly. And he smiled brightly, expressing his gratitude to Nersarn. The fact that they didn’t ask even though they knew it was a lie was like a sign of the trust they had shown.”Thank you.””I thought I would see you at least once since you’re leaving for the center soon. But I didn’t expect to see you like this…”Philia, who had been listening to Ian and Nersarn’s conversation, quickly bowed her head and greeted them. She didn’t know what the situation was, but she knew what she had to say.”Thank you! For helping my son, Ian. I’m so, so sorry, but please take care of him in the future as well.””…Madam, you don’t need to use honorifics with me.”At Nersarn’s words, Philia smiled bashfully. She was a woman who had lived like a wildflower her whole life. It was just that the place she bloomed was a cesspool. Nersarn couldn’t help but keep his eyes on Philia’s constantly sparkling hair.”Don’t do that, please go inside and rest comfortably. I’m going to catch up with my mother.””Ah. Wait a moment.”Nersarn, who had come to his senses, let out a small exclamation and called out to Ian.”May I give you some advice?””Of course. Please speak.””Recently, the movement of the stars has been unusual. Especially today, I witnessed dozens of stars falling to the ground in a line.”Was he talking about shooting stars? As if he had noticed Ian’s question, Nersarn immediately added,”It’s different from shooting stars. They didn’t fall in the blink of an eye, but moved slowly.”Since he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Ian couldn’t tell what kind of natural phenomenon Nersarn was talking about. But since someone who had grown up watching the Milky Way in the Great Desert his whole life was saying this, he could only think that it was unusual.”Be careful when you go to the center. Stars, by nature, mean those who illuminate the world, like you, Lord Ian.””Thank you for the advice. But, Lord Nersarn.”Ian engraved his words in his mind and at the same time, he retorted slightly.”I aim to become the sun, not a star.”Emperor Ian, the pinnacle of Bariel. He showed his will to return to that body again. Nersarn was slightly surprised, his lips moved, and then he smiled faintly.”If that happens, Lord Ian will become a very important existence to the Great Desert.”Swish.As if he didn’t expect an answer, he went upstairs with the warriors. Philia looked at Nersarn’s back and whispered carefully.”Who is he?””He is Nersarn, the younger brother and strategist of the Cheonryeo tribe’s chief. He’s the one who will help with the overall management of the territory while I’m gone. He keeps wanting to go back to the Great Desert, but there’s no one else like him.”Philia looked upstairs again as if she understood. And she gently took Ian’s arm and smiled.”Ian. Why don’t we go to the kitchen together instead of changing your clothes? While I’m making the barley porridge, tell me what’s been going on lately.”It seemed like every minute and second was precious. Ian took off his coat and handed it to Hanna, then headed to the kitchen with Philia. The chef, who had heard the situation in advance, had cleaned it up neatly.”You can use these bowls, and what else do you need besides barley?””Ah, over there. Salt.””The seasonings are down here.”Ian sat at the servants’ break table and watched Philia. She seemed a little clumsy at first, but she gradually began to cook the porridge skillfully.”Weren’t you lonely in the forest? Now that Derga is gone and the territory is prosperous, you can come down and live here. If you want, you can live in the mansion, or I’ll get you a house.””I’ll think about it a little. Actually, I didn’t think I was that lonely… but meeting people like this makes me think otherwise.”The savory smell of barley porridge wafted up. Philia smiled as she gracefully stirred with the ladle.”Sometimes lost people come by. Not long ago, a group of injured people showed up, and I was so surprised.””Injured people?””Yes. There were about three of them. They told me their names, but, um. Ricardo, Nav, and…”Philia pressed her temples and remembered the name.”Erica!””Oh.”Bertie Erica. Wasn’t she the head of the Imperial Palace investigation team who was wandering around looking for the bodies of Mary and Chel? She had lost contact after getting caught up in a battle with a merchant group coming from Havan, but this was unexpected.”Were they badly injured?””No. But they said they lost many of their companions. It’s a pity. They were all struggling because they couldn’t go home.””What’s their next destination?””Well, I don’t know exactly, but I think they said Havan.””Hmm.”Ian rested his chin on his hand and only let out a meaningful smile. Philia smiled brightly and stroked her son’s hair.”The smell of barley porridge is really good, isn’t it?””Yes, it is, Mother.””Ian. By any chance, would it be okay if I wrote you a letter? On nights when I’m too worried to sleep, I want to soothe my heart in my own way.”Philia hesitated and asked for permission. It was an act of being extremely careful not to cause any trouble. Ian readily agreed.”Please do. But if I’m too busy, I won’t be able to reply, so please understand that.””Yes. Ian. My son…”Philia hugged Ian again and buried her face in his shoulder. Ian patted his mother’s back, which was trembling slightly.”Be safe on your journey, Ian.”