Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 113

“Ah, this hot water is amazing.”

“I know, right? I never knew our bathtub at home was this good. Hahaha!”

Romandro and Beric, having finished their long-awaited hot bath, leaned back on the sofa, murmuring in bliss. Their journey had been one where they barely managed to wipe off the grime with melted snow, if there were no houses around. Vivianna placed tea on the table, smiling gently.

“I’d love to suggest you relax more, but it’s almost afternoon. It would be better to go early and rest.”

“Yes, I think so too. Once I submit the report, there shouldn’t be anything special until the New Year’s party. Oh, my! Why is my body so sluggish?”

“Honey, the child will hear you exaggerating, Father.”

“Huh? That won’t do! Urararacha!” [A nonsense exclamation, like ‘Huzzah!’]

Romandro jumped up and dusted off his clothes. On the other hand, Beric just sniffled, his eyes half-closed. He didn’t hide his reluctance to go along.

-Madam, may I also ask for some water?

“Of course, Hasha.”

Vivianna accepted Hasha’s presence more flexibly than expected. Perhaps it was because she had roamed the reconstruction areas together before their marriage, giving her a broader perspective. Hasha, now clean and fluffy, also sipped the hot water, shivering with pleasure.

“Hasha, you should stay and rest at the mansion. I’ll find a way for you to go to Astana on our way back.”

“You too?”

Beric mumbled in a daze. He looked like he was about to lose his mind.

“I mean you, Beric. Stay at the mansion with Hasha.”

“What does that mean, Master? You’re being considerate, right?”

“Why? Does it seem like I’m leaving you behind because you might cause trouble?”

“…Never mind. I like it! Woohoo!”

Beric laughed heartily and then slumped back into a semi-sleep state. Romandro, clicking his tongue at the sight, whispered quietly.

“Oh, and on the way back, let’s buy some magic water to check the brooch recording. And anything else we need personally while staying at the mansion.”

On their way up, they had recorded Hasha’s testimony on Derga’s brooch. To play it back, they needed magic water, so Ian nodded, putting on his coat.

“Understood. We’ll stop by the commercial district.”

“……?”

Commercial district? Romandro pursed his lips, surprised. It was a term mainly used by central officials; even nobles would call it ‘downtown,’ ‘town,’ or ‘shopping district.’ Commoners would probably just say ‘market.’

“Ian, have you been studying in secret?”

“Studying? What?”

“Oh, never mind. Let’s go. We’re meeting His Highness Marib, so dress properly. Mini! Is the carriage ready?”

“It’s ready. The documents have been moved as well.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Romandro gave Vivianna a kiss on the cheek and headed outside. Instead of the old carriage they had used for the journey, a clean and stylish carriage was waiting at the front gate.

Hee-heeing!

As they sped down the road, Ian didn’t miss a single detail of the streets. It seemed not much different from 100 years ago, but there were many subtle differences.

‘That looks like where Hyman Bank used to be. It seems they built the building right as they entered.’

From the man running while throwing newspapers to the stalls displaying fresh vegetables and meat, and the children getting tips for lighting cigarettes, Ian felt a strange sense of emotion and his heart fluttered.

Screech.

The carriage didn’t travel for long. The Imperial Guard saluted and peered inside the window. Romandro presented his identification and greeted them.

“Good work.”

“Thank you for the confirmation.”

A massive gate, like an outer wall, opened on its own. A city within a city. The Imperial Palace was exactly as Ian remembered it. His head naturally turned towards where the Magic Department was located.

“Lord Romandro, when we’re done with our business, may we stop by the Magic Department?”

“Of course. The Magic Department is in the central building of the Second Imperial Palace. It might be difficult to go inside, but you can at least get a feel for the atmosphere from the outside. The First Imperial Palace is where the imperial family’s residences and officials’ offices are, and the Second Imperial Palace is where the departments are located.”

Romandro figured that Ian, being a magic user, would naturally be interested in that area. He pointed out the directions, carefully explaining the layout.

“If you go that way, you’ll reach the Third Imperial Palace, which is used by staff, servants, and slaves. The Fourth Imperial Palace is where the lower-level central departments handle business with outsiders…”

Ian listened and smiled, but in his mind, he was only thinking about the Magic Department. Hadn’t Naum said that if he went to the Magic Department’s annex after using forbidden magic, he would be given a chance?

‘I’ll be able to find out anything if I go there.’

Why he had entered the body of the illegitimate son Ian, what had happened to Naum in the place where Emperor Ian had lived, and whether he was truly dead. It was like finding a faint light in a foggy path where he couldn’t see an inch ahead.

“We have arrived.”

“Good. Thank you. Let me down in front.”

“This is the east building of the First Imperial Palace’s main building. What is your business here?”

The Imperial Guard at the entrance approached and asked with dignity. Romandro leaned his head towards them, while Ian looked out the opposite window.

‘This is the palace Crony used to use.’

He had never walked the path of a prince, nor did he have any siblings. Ian had used the Emperor’s palace from the moment he entered the palace, so this place had naturally become his nephew Crony’s place.

“Ah! Well, it’s been a while!”

“Lord Romandro! You’ve returned.”

“I’ve come to report my arrival. Could you move the luggage?”

It was the building where Marib’s office was located within the First Imperial Palace. The guards who were standing in front recognized Romandro and approached him with a smile. They asked as they unloaded the document boxes.

“Will you be meeting with His Highness Marib?”

“Yes. I have a lot to tell him in person.”

“Please come inside. I heard he was out when we changed shifts.”

“Out? Wait a minute. What day is it today?”

Romandro counted the days on his fingers and clicked his tongue. It was the afternoon of the Imperial Palace social gathering.

“It can’t be helped. I’ll wait a bit. It seems like it’ll be over soon.”

“Yes, please do. I’ll call a servant. I’ll put the documents in the office beforehand.”

The two followed the servants into the reception room. As befitting the reputation of the Imperial Palace, everything was elegant and harmonious. Ian looked at the room’s atmosphere and made a guess about the prince, Marib.

‘The decorations have the culture of nearby kingdoms, and the books look like they’ve been left unfinished… and there are clear marks where the sunlight has pressed on them. Also, there are no fresh flowers, which are usually in reception rooms.’

Isn’t it more interesting than I thought?

The fact that he had brought in decorations from nearby kingdoms was a way to create a more intimate atmosphere when guests from those countries visited, and this was a measure of his diplomatic skills. The books pressed by sunlight were an extension of that. It subtly showed the image he was trying to project and the role he was politically pushing.

‘Especially the fact that he has artificial flowers in a place with good sunlight…’

There’s a saying that people who like animals and children are generally kind-hearted. The same goes for those who are nature-friendly. It made him think that his personality might be somewhat cold and picky.

Unless he had allergies.

Knock knock.

“Lord Romandro, I’ve sent word to the social gathering place.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

The servant bowed his head and glanced at Ian. He wondered if this was the illegitimate son from the Bratz border that he had only heard rumors about. The one who had pushed out his noble father with his lowly blood and usurped the lord’s position, a hot topic in society.

‘He’s younger than I thought?’

Having heard rumors that he had subdued the barbarians of the borderlands, he had expected a belligerent man. But the Ian in front of him had a more delicate and gentle impression.

Screech.

As the reception room door closed completely, Ian looked down at the tea and asked.

“Is the Imperial Palace social gathering a place where high-ranking officials gather?”

“That’s right. They mainly go hunting, but sometimes they appreciate art. Once a piece of art comes and goes, the artist’s value skyrockets. Well, it’s all about various interests, isn’t it?”

Slurp. Romandro took a sip of his tea, a blissful smile on his face. As if nothing was as perfect as the tea he drank in the Imperial Palace.

“Then His Highness Gale will also be there.”

“Huh?”

“If word reaches His Highness Marib, His Highness Gale will also know early that we have arrived in the capital.”

To be precise, it meant that the arrogant and annoying ‘Ian’ who had interfered with their great work had arrived. Romandro coughed and replied. His tone was slightly off.

“Well, His Highness Gale doesn’t usually attend the social gatherings.”

“Is that so?”

Really? Seriously?

As the second prince, he might have been cautious to avoid being checked. But he knew that he had entered a full-scale confrontation with Marib by choosing to save Molin, and since a variable had occurred in their own rebellion, it was uncertain whether he would do so now.

“…Well, I think so? Maybe?”

Romandro, realizing the meaning behind Ian’s question, mumbled uncertainly. Then, he began to gulp down the tea he had been savoring, as if his lips were parched.

“Why are you so nervous? There are no secrets from the moment you step into the Imperial Palace. The Magic Department has probably received the news as well. The gates open with magic. Whether it’s today or tomorrow, what’s the problem?”

“The problem is, well, there isn’t one. But there’s a psychological burden, you know?”

Romandro cleared his throat again. As he had served as an advisor in Bratz, he was worried that Gale would call him at any time. Ian smiled faintly, looking at the rustling artificial flowers.

“If it were hunting, they would have gone to an outside area, so the servant wouldn’t have been able to inform us so quickly. It seems they are appreciating art today.”

Ian pointed to the annex of the First Imperial Palace. As expected, it was the perfect direction without any error.

* * *

“Ah, is this the sculpture you mentioned last time?”

“Yes, yes. I was told that there was a long waiting list, but I was lucky enough to receive it right away. That sculptor is the most popular these days.”

“It’s art. This is what art is.”

“Oh, and would you like to see this as well?”

Officials from each department gathered in small groups, sharing their own art pieces. On the surface, it looked like a typical social gathering, but there were clear lines drawn.

Marib’s faction, the royalists, and Gale’s faction, the opposition.

Of course, being noble aristocrats, they all pretended not to notice, hiding the lines. A subtle, precarious tension was falling quietly like the first snow.

“Your Highness Marib.”

At that moment, Marib’s aide approached him, taking the liberty of whispering.

“Romandro and Ian have entered the palace. They are currently waiting in the office reception room.”

Oh ho. Marib raised his eyebrows with a smile at the unexpected news. Gale, watching him while drinking wine, did the same. Wesley also whispered in his ear. The two princes’ sharp gazes met in the air.

“Ian and the Bratz advisor have entered the palace.”