Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 125

On the staircase leading to the second floor, a magical aura could be felt. It seemed that a protective barrier had been erected for security, as all the members of the Imperial Family were gathered there. The boisterousness of the first floor, which had transformed into a full-fledged social gathering, gradually subsided.

Tap.

‘This way, please.’

Ian followed the chamberlain with practiced ease. Although the structure had changed slightly, Ian got his bearings as he moved further inside. At the end of the dimly lit, long corridor, knights in the Imperial Guard’s uniform stood guard.

‘By His Majesty’s command, we have escorted Baron Ian Hiel here.’

Each of them exuded an extraordinary presence. They were sturdy and resolute, radiating the aura of those who lived and died for honor.

‘Welcome, Baron Ian Hiel. I am Beols, the third commander of the Imperial Guard. If it is not too much trouble, may we conduct a body search?’

‘As you wish.’

‘Thank you for your cooperation.’

Ian lightly raised his arms, and the commander of the Imperial Guard ran his hands over Ian’s waist and legs before bowing his head. It was only natural to endure this much trouble when meeting with such esteemed individuals up close.

‘Please, go in.’

Squeak.

As the commander gave his permission, the massive door opened. The members of the Imperial Family, who had been freely lounging on the sofas and chatting quietly, all turned their heads at once. They must be the collateral relatives, not the direct line.

‘Oh my, he’s here.’

‘Your Highness, Baron Ian Hiel has arrived.’

‘He looks even more fascinating up close.’

Curious gazes poured down simultaneously. Ian smiled and approached the Emperor, offering a greeting according to etiquette. The moment he raised his head, he could directly face the Emperor and other key figures.

‘These are the center of power in the current Bariel Empire, and the clues to the future.’

Delilah, the silver-haired woman closely assisting the Emperor. Then Marib and Gale, followed by the young princes, Arsene and Jin.

In the unpredictable Imperial Palace, understanding them perfectly was crucial to gauging the path forward.

‘Jin. Look at that. It seems using magic was difficult earlier. He’s drenched in sweat, isn’t he?’

Arsene whispered to his younger brother, Jin, and giggled, while Jin stared down at Ian with a blank expression. Just as Romandro had said, distinguishing between the two did not seem difficult. They looked exactly alike, as if they were mirror images, but their personalities were clearly polar opposites.

‘Baron Ian Hiel, I once again bestow my blessings upon you. Your performance today will be an example for the nobles.’

The Emperor slowly gestured for Ian to come closer.

Ian knelt and extended his body towards him, and the Emperor personally handed him a glass of wine.

‘It is the greatest honor of my life. For His Majesty the Emperor, I will do my best in the Magic Department as well.’

‘That’s good to hear.’

As the chamberlain seated Ian on the sofa, Marib took the lead and spoke. Come to think of it, this was the first time seeing the two princes together. Ian took a step back, observing the overall atmosphere.

‘Baron Ian Hiel has shown his abilities well since the borderlands. He will surely achieve results in the Magic Department as well. Isn’t that right, Gale?’

Marib’s words were full of laughter. It was because Ian’s magic was more impressive than expected. Just not having Wesley take away the authority over his entry was already half the battle won. Gale chuckled as if it was nothing and shrugged his shoulders.

‘Why are you asking me? The affairs of the Magic Department are for Wesley, the Minister of Magic, to handle.’

It was a stance that drew a clear line. It was common knowledge that Gale and Wesley were lovers, but the reason why no one could openly mention it was precisely this.

Since the person in question was pretending not to know, what could anyone say?

‘Baron Ian Hiel, if you were to join the Magic Department, which division are you considering?’

When Delilah casually asked, Marib and Gale’s eyebrows furrowed simultaneously. It was as if a topic had been thrown out to test each other’s intentions.

Marib wanted Ian to go to the Magic Stone Management Division, while Gale was in a position to oppose any division that Marib wanted.

‘Is it the Magic Support Division?’

Gale assessed Marib’s expression, guessing inwardly. He hadn’t expected that Ian would be involved with magic stones, so he assumed that Marib would naturally place Ian in the central power, the Support Division.

‘My opinion is just my opinion, but I will follow Minister Wesley’s wishes. As the head of the Magic Department, I believe he will know the most suitable position for me.’

Ian subtly delayed his answer, continuing to leave room for maneuver. Naturally, if he had mentioned the Magic Stone Management Division here, he couldn’t predict what kind of response Gale’s side would make.

‘I see. That’s a wise decision.’

‘You flatter me.’

And above all, Ian didn’t particularly want to go to the Magic Stone Management Division. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have exerted so much power at the magic confirmation ceremony in the first place. Knowing that the next emperor would be one of the twin princes, he had decided that he couldn’t stay with Marib until the end.

‘If I go to the Magic Stone Management Division, I’ll be far from the center of power. Then it will be difficult to prepare for the future. I should go to another division for now, and tell Marib that Gale’s counter-proposal is a trick. Conversely, I should tell Gale that I will accept the counter-proposal and show that I am diverging from Marib.’

Like crafting glass, he had to walk a tightrope between the two very carefully. He didn’t know what this mess was all about, but for now, it was an unavoidable choice.

‘Hey, Ian.’

It was then. Arsene, unable to contain his itching curiosity, spoke to Ian. As Gale and Marib glanced back at him, Delilah involuntarily flinched.

‘Yes, Your Highness Arsene.’

‘You know me?’

‘As the fourth prince of the Imperial Palace, it’s only natural.’

‘About that magic from earlier. Could you show it to me just one more time?’

He was acting like a very innocent child. While his mother was anxiously worrying about his neck, Arsene seemed unable to escape the fantasy.

‘Huh? Just once.’

‘Yeah. I want to see it up close too.’

‘Your Majesty, would it be alright? Please grant your permission.’

The other children of the Imperial Family also gathered little by little, adding their voices. The Emperor, who had been sitting quietly like a decoration, nodded in agreement, and soon the children’s eyes lit up as they approached Ian.

‘But Your Highness Arsene, the magic from earlier requires the Light of the Prophecy.’

‘It’s fine. Show it to us quickly.’

Ian glanced at Marib and Gale, seeking final permission, and then opened his palm, releasing his magic.

Zzzing. Zzzing.

Arsene watched as his green pupils turned gold. Even for the Imperial Family, the children were still just children. The sound of pleasant giggling echoed from here and there, and the strangely tense atmosphere also calmed down a little.

‘Wow. It’s amazing. Can I touch it?’

‘Of course, Your Highness Arsene.’

‘I am still young and have little connection with the Magic Department. It is truly amazing to see this outside of ceremonies for the first time.’

‘Arsene.’

Delilah, unable to watch any longer, called out to Arsene. Did the child truly not know why Arsene couldn’t go to the Magic Department? It was because Wesley, the head of that place, was Gale’s right-hand man.

‘Maintain your decorum. Baron Ian is not a jester, so refrain from further rudeness.’

Arsene then seemed to realize, letting out a short ‘Ah.’ But Ian shook his hand, denying it.

‘No, Your Grace. Today is a truly joyous day for me, so I would like to give His Highness a happy memory as well.’

If not for this excuse, when else would he get to see the faces of the twin princes up close? At Ian’s words, Arsene smiled brightly, relieved, and stuck close to him.

‘Thank you for saying that!’

He was certainly carefree. He was like a collateral child who grew up without knowing anything about the power struggles for the throne. Ian carefully examined Arsene’s forehead and chin, checking for any scars.

‘There are no signs.’

‘Cough!’

At that moment, the Emperor, who had been sitting quietly, let out a rough cough. As his breathing became rough, as if he was about to choke, Marib was the first to rush over and gently pat her father’s back.

‘Your Majesty, are you alright?’

‘Hmm…’

‘Escort Father inside first.’

‘Yes, Your Highness Marib.’

The chamberlain supported the Emperor as per Marib’s order, and soon Delilah also followed by his side. Regardless, Gale remained seated on the sofa, calmly blowing air with his fingertips.

‘Arsene, don’t trouble Baron Ian and come here.’

Delilah, who was heading out, called out to her son. Arsene kicked the ground with his foot as if he was annoyed, then ran out after his mother. But there was one more name that should have come from Delilah’s mouth.

‘Your Highness Jin.’

Ian called out to Jin, who was sitting quietly in the corner. Silver hair and blue eyes. The child’s face held no expression.

‘Jin. Shouldn’t you go too?’

Gale casually asked, and Jin wordlessly got up from his chair. It wasn’t that he particularly thought he should be somewhere, though.

‘Your Highness.’

Ian carefully called out to Jin. Ian’s eyes had turned back to green in the meantime.

‘If it’s alright with you, may I guide you? The corridor was a bit dark when I came in with the chamberlain.’

Ian had noticed that when the children of the Imperial Family had gathered one by one, only Jin had remained in his place. As if he couldn’t join in, he had simply turned his head this way, without moving.

‘…Do as you wish.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Ian.’

As Ian got up from his seat, Gale called out to him. Then, he nodded as if telling him to come back. Ian bowed with a smile, and then left through the door with Jin’s two attendants.

Zzzing. Zzzing.

‘Look. This is brighter than a lantern.’

Ian walked with Jin, releasing his magic. Jin pretended to look ahead, but kept glancing sideways. If it was Arsene’s first time seeing magic, it must be Jin’s first time as well.

‘Jin also has no skin signs that could become scars.’

It was a consideration to examine his face in detail, but it seemed to have come across a little differently to Jin. He, who had been walking well, suddenly stopped and turned to look at Ian.

‘Baron Ian.’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

‘…May I touch it?’

‘The magic? Of course.’

Ian knelt down, making eye contact with Jin, and then created even warmer magic. The child’s face brightened with the soft, rising light.

‘Ah.’

So this was what Arsene had seen earlier.

Jin was involuntarily impressed and grabbed the magic. The soft sensation passing through his fingers made a smile appear on the child’s face. It was also the first time in a long time that the attendants had seen Jin smile.

‘Huh?’

Ian, who was watching it up close, paused. Arsene and Jin, who looked exactly alike like mirrors. But when he smiled, Ian noticed that Jin had a dimple on his left cheek.