Margrave’s Bastard Son Was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 121

Luxurious gold thread was meticulously placed on the precious fabric. He was adorned with so many jewels that they rivaled a crown, yet the Emperor himself looked like a withered, old tree.

His wrinkles were deeply etched with the passage of time, and his pupils were half-faded. His dark, dull skin made it seem like he could pass away any day now.

‘Looking at his face, I can vaguely remember him.’

Ian easily recalled him. He immediately remembered the Emperor’s portrait hanging at the left end of the hallway. His complexion was so poor that it left a strong impression, and he had heard that he had lived quite a long life despite his appearance, which made him particularly memorable.

‘Then, the next one after him is…’

Ian’s gaze naturally shifted to the back of the Emperor. Princes Marib and Gail were entering one after the other. Unlike before, they were properly dressed in their uniforms, looking dignified and splendid. The other princes didn’t even think about going up to the platform and were seen turning back.

‘The next Emperor has silver hair, blue eyes, and a scar running from his left forehead to his right jaw. But the other princes aren’t visible here.’

Marib and Gail were definitely not the ones. They didn’t have any scars, and their features were completely different. Ian constantly glanced around, trying to recall the face of the next Emperor.

Just in case, just in case. It was highly unlikely, but if all the princes died and an external heir had to be brought in, like Ian, he had to check even the dukes’ families.

‘Silver hair, silver hair…’

Still, silver hair wasn’t a common hair color. He would probably recognize it immediately if he saw it.

Ian was feeling a sense of relief when he slowly turned his gaze. He realized that Marib and Gail, who were standing on either side of the Emperor, were watching him. Their eyes seemed to hold a mixture of interest and a sense of surveillance and caution.

‘Hmm. Seeing them together like this, they do look like brothers.’

They were facing forward, keeping their distance, so they didn’t seem to know that they were both looking down at Ian.

Ian pretended not to notice and fixed his gaze on the Emperor. Only the nobles beside him were flustered, glancing at the princes.

“Why, why are they looking like that?”

“They’re not looking at us, they’re looking at Ian.”

“Indeed, the main character today is someone else.”

“…I have no idea what they’re thinking. It’s scary.”

“Shhh. Be quiet. His Majesty is about to speak.”

The nobles’ murmuring completely stopped. It was because the Emperor had stepped forward. He moved his parched lips a few times and then smiled kindly.

“Another year of the great Bariel Empire has passed.”

His voice was quiet, as if squeezed out, but the Emperor’s voice echoed throughout the vast banquet hall. This was also due to the power of magic. It was a voice without a sense of space, as if it were ringing in their heads. Berik flinched, startled.

“I personally encourage those who have worked hard for the Empire this year. Surely, the flowers that bloom next year will be even more vibrant, the fields will be golden, and the returning wind will be warm.”

It was the Emperor’s New Year’s address. The nobles wore perfunctory smiles and lightly nodded, looking up at the Emperor as if they were listening attentively. He went over the major and minor events that had occurred in the Empire this year, listing the past year.

“Due to the restoration of the temple after the earthquake in the spring…”

The Emperor’s endless speech was, to be honest, boring. Ian glanced back and met eyes with Romandro and Berik.

‘So! Bo! Ring!’

Berik mouthed to Ian, and Romandro was just sighing, half-soulless. Ian chuckled and turned back to the front, and then his name was called.

“The traitorous Bratz family of the borderlands has been annihilated. If those who oppose the great Bariel Empire wish to see their future, let them look there.”

Clap, clap, clap.

The nobles lightly applauded in response. It was a way of firmly announcing that any family that evaded taxes and pocketed money would face the same fate as the Bratz family. As the Emperor said those words, Marib glanced at Gail and smiled. On the other hand, Gail remained expressionless without any reaction.

Swoosh.

Ian now realized that he would soon be called. It was because the chancellor was approaching with a flower-decorated pedestal. The Emperor lightly nodded and continued.

“I will erase the name of the former Bratz from history forever, and by the Emperor’s decree, I will establish a new family.”

The nobles’ gazes turned to Ian one by one. It was the moment he officially stepped into their world.

“Ian.”

As the Emperor called his name, the nobles parted to create a path. Accompanied by applause and the melody of the Imperial Palace orchestra, Ian stepped forward with a smile. As he ascended the platform, he could see the Emperor’s face more clearly.

‘How old is he? I know he’s lived a long time, but he really doesn’t look well.’

Ian knelt on one knee and paid his respects, and the Emperor personally patted his shoulder.

“Ian. It’s good to see you like this.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

“You are of the blood of Derga Bratz, but I acknowledge that you have contributed to suppressing the rebels for the Empire. And you are also a talent that is surely needed for the development of the Bariel Empire.”

At the Emperor’s gesture, Ian stood up and straightened his posture. A brooch was attached to his chest. It was a design with a white flower in full bloom behind crossed swords. This would be Ian’s family crest from now on.

“What is that, anyway?”

“Well, I can’t see it well, but it looks like a white flower, doesn’t it?”

“To choose white over a vibrant color…”

Some nobles subtly sneered, but Ian didn’t care. Unlike the surname, Ian had chosen the family crest himself.

‘They don’t even know it’s a Gula flower.’

In the borderlands, Gula was already an indispensable crop. Gula would soon be commercialized throughout Bariel, which meant the solution to the great famine. To make it clear that Ian had led that achievement, he made the family crest itself a Gula flower.

In the future, this white flower would become the most honorable symbol in the Empire.

“Therefore, I bestow upon you the title of Baron Hielo.”

Ian Hielo.

That was Ian’s new name. Ian willingly bowed his head and greeted with dignity.

‘Hielo? I’ve heard that somewhere before.’

But somehow, that name sounded familiar. Judging by the fact that he couldn’t immediately recall it, it didn’t seem to be the name of a noble family… It seemed like he had heard it somewhere.

Hielo, Hielo.

Ian kept repeating the newly received surname and was granted the title.

“For the glory of Bariel.”

Ian placed his hand on his chest and pledged his loyalty to the Emperor. Marib, who was watching from behind, smiled brightly and applauded. Gail also did the same, though it was perfunctory. The light of the spirits that filled the banquet hall created a beautiful flow, scattering like flower petals.

Clap, clap, clap.

“Baron Ian Hielo. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Baron Hawkman.”

“Oh, do you know me?”

“To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that I know your son, Sir Pullen. I received a lot of help from humanism.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Marquis Hainis.”

“Marquis. It is an honor to meet you.”

As Ian came down, the nobles’ reactions became a little more flexible. Just because he had received a name from the Emperor. Ian was no different from before, but now he was. Of course, there were still more forces that couldn’t approach and were whispering from behind, but it was clear that Ian was now the center of society.

“Next, I will commend the achievements of the Battle of Loxan. Hail, Tommy, and Nakina of the Magic Department.”

Ian’s turn was over, but the New Year’s party continued. There were many knights who had made contributions in major and minor wars, and some nobles were also being promoted. As the voices congratulating Ian gradually decreased, he carefully moved towards the back.

“Ian! Over here!”

“Yo! Master Ian Hielo~?”

“You’re really a baron now. A noble. Congratulations!”

Romandro and Berik were also looking for him, so they were able to meet right away. They were congratulating him, unable to hide their joy, which was quite nice to see. Ian smiled and nodded.

“It will take a while for the mana confirmation ceremony to continue.”

“Yes. Now we can just stand and watch, so it’s really comfortable.”

It seemed that there were no promotions that completely changed one’s status like Ian’s, so everyone was using the stairs next to the platform rather than the red carpet in the center.

“By the way, Romandro.”

“Huh?”

He had come straight in through the entrance and hadn’t noticed. Women were sitting in groups on the second floor above the door, watching the New Year’s party.

“The people sitting upstairs, are they His Majesty’s concubines?”

“Ah, yes, they are.”

It was a clear line drawn. Except for the Emperor, Empress, and princes, all other family relations were one step back from the center of power.

‘Ah. Silver hair.’

Ian found a woman sitting among them. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her posture was elegant. She seemed to be in a fairly high position among the concubines. Ian quietly called Romandro again.

“Do you know who that silver-haired concubine is?”

“Who? Silver hair? Ah.”

Romandro glanced around and whispered quietly. The place they were in was secluded, and everyone was enjoying their own secret conversations rather than listening to the Emperor, but this was the Imperial Palace. It was a place where even a single word had to be careful.

“That’s Lady Dilaina.”

Dilaina. The birth mother of the 4th and 5th princes, and currently the only concubine who assists the Emperor by his side. The other concubines had simply married for political reasons and did not have much interaction with the old and seemingly dying Emperor.

However, Dilaina, who had sons to protect, had to hold onto even the slightest bit of power, so she directly assisted the Emperor and actively led the palace events.

“Lady Dilaina also prepared the New Year’s party in place of His Majesty the Emperor. She is taking care of all sorts of internal affairs, so she is filling the Empress’s vacancy well.”

Dilaina has silver hair.

Then…

“Do her sons also have silver hair?”

“Huh? Yes, they do. Their hair is like their mother, Lady Dilaina, and their eyes are like their father, the Emperor.”

Blue eyes. Ian was certain that the next generation Emperor was Dilaina’s son. Then the question was, which one of the 4th and 5th princes was it…

‘With the 1st and 2nd princes being pushed out of the throne, the order of the 4th and 5th princes is meaningless.’

Ian kept looking up, checking to see if any of the princes were visible.

That’s when it happened.

“……!”

A child who looked to be about fifteen years old appeared next to Dilaina. Ian immediately recognized him as the man he had seen in the Emperor’s portrait. If that child grew up, he would become the man in the portrait.

“Romandro, perhaps, that…”

Just as he was about to ask if that child was the 4th or 5th prince.

Another boy who looked exactly the same appeared. Romandro glanced up casually and replied.

“Ah, yes. The 4th and 5th princes are twins.”