Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 114

“Shall I prepare the carriage?”

It was a question asking if they would wrap up the social gathering and return. Marib, without a change in expression, simply smiled and covered his mouth with his wine glass. Gale was still watching them, so it was to hide his answer.

“No need. They said they’re waiting, so tell them to come.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And keep an eye on them.”

“…Understood.”

It was an instruction without an object, but the aide understood its meaning. He immediately bowed his head and went outside, and Gale’s gaze also shifted away. Other officials who had been chatting with him subtly asked what was going on.

“Is it urgent, Your Highness?”

“No. I am sharing this meaningful time with you all, what could be more urgent than that? Please, continue explaining the artwork.”

Of course, he was more interested in the upstart bastard who had conquered the Great Desert than the boring old nobles in front of him. Gale must have heard about the two men entering the palace as well.

“Yes, Your Highness. The next piece is painted with paint mixed with magic stone powder. It’s a piece that actually glows at night.”

“Oh ho. Magic stone powder?”

“These days, it’s fashionable to mix various things into pigments.”

Marib pretended to listen to the official’s explanation, nodding his head while glancing at Gale. Gale was enjoying socializing with Wesley’s arm around his waist.

In any way, if he made a move first, he would be showing his back. Marib’s aide would be on high alert, watching the movements of Gale and Wesley’s men.

‘What will you do, Gale?’

When Gale suggested a donation of 10,000 gold coins, Marib did not object. Rather, he thought it was a good idea and quickly moved on to the next agenda.

It was true that it didn’t matter, and it was also true that he wanted to test Ian’s abilities. But more than that, it was because the place where he would use Ian in the future was the ‘Magic Department.’ It wasn’t bad to leave a subtle opening.

‘Gale won’t be able to, but some of the dullards in the Magic Department might be fooled.’

The same was true now. There was no need to welcome Ian by ending the social gathering. They pretended not to know of Ian’s existence, maintaining their positions until the end.

* * *

“…Ugh.”

Romandro, feeling restless, quietly stretched. The bright, clear sunlight was gradually deepening, turning into a sunset. It was only natural that his body was getting stiff from waiting. However, Ian, sitting next to him, didn’t show any signs of discomfort.

“Ian. Are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“Your back. Your back. Is it because you’re young? I’m dying to lie down.”

Ian gave a faint smile at Romandro’s grumbling. It wasn’t intentional, but it seemed he was maintaining an even straighter posture because it was the Imperial Palace. Ian looked down at the cold tea and guessed.

‘Judging by how much later it is than expected, he must really be with Gale.’

It was then.

Knock knock.

“His Highness Marib is here.”

“Gasp!”

Romandro was startled by the sudden sound and jumped up. Ian also naturally straightened his wrinkled clothes and looked towards the door.

It was the first time he was seeing a member of the Imperial Family after crossing over 100 years. If you think about it, they were his ancestors, and a bloodline that had continued the glory of the Imperial Palace. In terms of kinship, they were distant enough to be considered strangers.

Creak.

The door opened. A man with long golden hair tied back and blue eyes entered. His softly curving eyes were certainly impressive. He looked like he was smiling even when he wasn’t.

“Romandro, it’s been a while.”

“Greetings to Your Highness Marib.”

Romandro immediately bowed, following the Imperial etiquette, and placed his hand on his chest. Ian, who was a step behind, also gestured gracefully. In fact, he was more used to receiving greetings than giving them, but this wasn’t awkward either.

“You’ve worked hard. It must have been difficult leaving your family behind.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. I am honored to add to the glory of Bariel and Your Highness.”

Ian held back a smile that was about to leak out. For Romandro, that was quite the eloquence. He kept repeating how much he loved life in Bratz without batting an eye.

After a few perfunctory exchanges.

“…You must be Ian.”

Marib’s gaze passed Romandro and reached Ian.

Ian slowly raised his head. The deep orange sunset poured down on his face. As if he had unleashed his magic, the boy’s left eye was tinged with gold.

“Greetings to Your Highness Marib. I am Ian.”

His eyes were confident but not arrogant, and his voice was strong but not grating. His raised chin, straight shoulders, and composed posture were that of a noble he had seen countless times.

No, to be honest…

‘He’s more than I expected.’

He could feel a dignity beyond that. Marib gestured for them to sit and praised Romandro.

“It seems Romandro has taught you the Imperial etiquette very well.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. Sir Ian is so outstanding that there was almost nothing for me to teach him.”

He had to say he was more than expected. It would be difficult to give such a good impression with just a first meeting. As the three men sat down, the servants replaced the cold teacups with warm ones.

“Alright. Sir Ian.”

He hadn’t received a title yet, but he was going to be a noble. Marib used a respectful title and asked.

“How is it, coming to the center?”

“It is as I’ve heard. There is a reason why it is praised as the center of Bariel, supporting the world.”

It was genuine. Even if he wasn’t a child seeing the center for the first time, Emperor Ian regarded the capital as such.

Was he satisfied with the answer? The prince burst into a satisfied laugh. Romandro didn’t know, but it was the first time the prince had laughed genuinely since entering the reception room.

“I have learned about what happened in the borderlands through Romandro’s report. Romandro, process the report you brought and get it approved within the week.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Romandro has returned to his hometown, but Sir Ian has left his hometown. It seems many people would have seen you off.”

Ian smiled brightly.

Marib knew better than anyone that he had no family. But since the question was like that, there must have been a hidden meaning.

“That is so. The servants of the mansion, as well as the residents of the territory, held farewell ceremonies day and night. The neighboring Cheonryeo [a nomadic tribe] people were the same. Knowing that they wouldn’t be able to see me for a while if I went to the center, they did so to ease their regrets.”

He was asking how much of a foothold Ian had established in his territory, and the answer was quite satisfactory. The public sentiment and the alliance with the Cheonryeo tribe. These two were the biggest factors that led to the usurpation of the lord’s position.

“I see. Ian, you will be a trustworthy lord.”

“That is an overstatement. Everyone knows that it was all thanks to Your Highness Marib’s help.”

Marib was impressed that Ian had read his intentions. He was certainly useful. Besides being able to use magic, his ability to understand the context was extraordinary.

‘Is it the influence of Count Derga?’

For a bastard who lived in a brothel, his spirit was formidable. It seemed he had learned through experience while being humiliated by the count. And perhaps because he had traveled through the Great Desert, he didn’t show any signs of being nervous while facing the prince.

“You know the schedule for the New Year’s party, right? The Imperial New Year’s party is always special, but this year it is even more so.”

Because there was the ceremony for the appointment of Ian, a commoner, as a noble. In addition, there were several events scheduled in a row, including the confirmation of his magic user status.

Romandro carefully interjected and answered.

“I am sorry, but we have not been informed as we just arrived today.”

“Is that so? The schedule is almost finalized. I will tell my aide to deliver it to you before you leave the palace.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will keep that in mind and prepare.”

“After the New Year’s party, there will be an event hosted by the Magic Department. They will measure your magic and proceed with your department assignment…”

Marib looked at Ian’s left eye. The sunset had faded, and it had returned to its green color. Marib began to wield his verbal blade.

“Before that, Ian. Do you think you are fit to be a lord?”

The question was quite sensitive and difficult. It was even more so because it was ambiguous whether he was asking about his background or his abilities. Romandro, who had been listening quietly, unconsciously inhaled and bit his lip.

‘It’s a question that can be used to find fault whether he says yes or no.’

What use would there be for a lord who didn’t think he was qualified, and if he was too arrogant, he would be worse than lacking.

But Ian, as if he knew the answer, nodded without much hesitation.

“Of course, I am.”

A very bold and confident answer.

Romandro felt the breath he had inhaled catch in his throat. One of Marib’s eyebrows rose. Romandro knew that it was an expression that came out when he was interested or displeased. On the other hand, Ian continued calmly.

“Since it is something that Your Highness Marib decided and created, who would dare say no? I only have the duty to perfectly fulfill everything according to Your Highness’s will.”

‘…He’s simpler than I thought, is it because he sees me as a bastard from a common background?’

It was an obvious question. The intention of asking while mentioning the Magic Department was so transparent and simple that he almost laughed.

He wanted to be reaffirmed that he was the one who put Ian in the lord’s position, to swear allegiance, and to faithfully act as a spy in the Magic Department.

“You have confidence in your words. I like someone like that.”

“It is an honor, Your Highness.”

Marib smiled contentedly and took a sip of tea. Romandro, who had been reading the atmosphere, also took a sip of tea, thinking it was the right time.

But then. Ian kept staring at Marib’s face and felt strange.

‘Blonde hair and blue eyes. Of course, it’s a characteristic often seen in the Imperial Family, but…’

Had he ever seen Marib’s appearance in the portraits of the past emperors?

In the corridor connecting the detached palace to the Emperor’s bedroom, there were portraits of past emperors from different eras. He had seen them twice a day, so there was no way Ian could have missed them.

But.

‘I don’t remember seeing him in any of the portraits.’

It was certain that Gale would fail in his rebellion. Therefore, he had assumed that Marib, the legitimate heir and rival, would succeed to the throne. Until he faced him like this.

‘Is there another successor?’

But it didn’t seem like there was anyone else noteworthy.

Ian hid his expression and buried his complex thoughts. For now, it was important to focus on the present and gain the prince’s trust. He didn’t know what would happen, but for now, Marib seemed to be the only one who could compete with Gale.

“Sir Ian.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“How is the donation you have to submit to the center coming along? Is it well prepared?”

He had gold coins from the Gula trade and a lot of high-grade magic stones, so there was no problem. But Ian lightly shook his head. He couldn’t show his cards to someone who might not even become emperor.

“No, Your Highness.”

“Hmm. That’s a shame. Then I would like to make a good suggestion.”

Marib, unaware of Ian’s true feelings, put down his teacup.

Romandro, who had noticed Ian’s lie, only lowered his head and anxiously sipped his tea. He thought that his expression should never be revealed.