Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 173

A Gradual Step Forward

Shortly after, Siao-si noticed that Ian’s surroundings had become less crowded and entered the conference room. He found the mages there, holding documents and observing the magic stone powder on the round table.

It was impossible to tell which of the countless grains belonged to Marib or Gail, but it was enough to assess the overall situation. Ian tapped two points on the table with a rolled-up piece of paper.

‘It seems that Beols’s magic was sensed here and here.’

‘That’s correct. The physical distance is quite significant for such short-term movements. It’s unreasonable for a magic swordsman serving His Majesty to move like that, let alone a mage.’

‘If His Majesty the Emperor has a secret passage, it would be difficult for us to detect. It would be best to declare the Magic Department a neutral zone and wait for him to come here.’

‘Ian, you have a hunch, don’t you?’

‘I’ve ordered Romandro to retrieve the documents from Wesley’s time. Once I check them, I’ll be able to make a more accurate guess. How’s Beric? Is he preparing well?’

‘He’s downstairs in the dining hall, eating. There are many of Marib’s troops nearby, so it seems he needs some time to prepare.’

Marib’s troops, what a laughable thing to say. Even the lowly beasts of Bariel are under the Emperor’s command. For guards to step forward and create chaos, how reckless is that?

Ian chuckled and put down the documents. Acorella, who was organizing the magic stone powder, noticed Siao-si’s presence and gestured with her eyes.

‘Minister, your subordinate is here.’

‘Siao-si?’

‘…I have something to report.’

Siao-si lowered his head indifferently and looked around at the mages. His gaze seemed to question whether they should hear what he had to say.

‘Oh my, I need to check the defenses!’

‘Yes, I was just thinking that. Hmm, hmm.’

The mages bustled about and left their seats. They didn’t know that Siao-si was a slave; they simply thought of him as Ian’s right-hand man. Beric’s constant requests for a fight also had an influence.

‘What is it?’

Ian crossed his arms and turned to Siao-si. He was such a taciturn person that it was impossible to guess what he would say.

‘Last night, I believe I saw Prince Arsen at Prince Gail’s residence.’

…It was a shocking statement that went beyond mere suspicion. Ian uncrossed his arms and frowned. Why was Arsen at Gail’s residence? No, more importantly, how on earth?

‘Tell me in detail.’

‘I saw blue eyes shining brightly in the darkness of the hallway. I thought it was the child of the person I was looking for, but when I saw him earlier, it was clear that it was Prince Arsen.’

‘…Prince Jin and Prince Arsen look identical. How can you be so sure it was Prince Arsen?’

‘By instinct—’

Siao-si paused. It was a brief encounter, but that moment was etched in his mind and could not be forgotten. Cold and brutal, it felt as if it was not the gaze of a living being. Or perhaps, the chilling gaze of a superior predator. Words that could not be described tangled together and failed to come out properly.

Would Ian understand this?

He continued.

‘—I could just tell.’

‘…….’

Tap, tap. Ian tapped the leather of the chair with his fingertips rhythmically. His eyes, gazing into the air as if thinking about something, were a particularly deep shade of green.

‘…Please believe me.’

‘Yes. I believe you.’

Siao-si flinched at the too-easy answer. Ian looked up at him, smiling as if asking why he was so flustered.

‘Prince Jin and Prince Arsen are as alike as two sides of a mirror, but their personalities are different, so everyone in the palace can easily tell them apart. If you felt it was Prince Arsen, then it must be Prince Arsen.’

To be precise, they assumed that the one who smiled brightly and was active was Arsen, and the one who was calm and quiet was Jin.

‘What I find questionable is how Prince Arsen was at Prince Gail’s residence that night, and how he got there.’

Ian said this while glancing at the magic stone powder map. The Imperial Palace was so vast that it couldn’t be said that Gail’s residence and Arsen’s residence were completely separate.

But for a child to go to Gail’s residence on that particular night, without any means of transportation, was beyond common sense, no matter how he thought about it.

‘Since I dismissed the guards to welcome you, yes, let’s say he somehow managed to get in. But there are so many things that don’t make sense.’

Siao-si lowered his eyes at Ian’s muttering. If he had known this would happen, he should have grabbed the child back then. He should have grabbed him to confirm if it was Arsen and given his master more useful information.

‘Siao-si.’

At Ian’s call, he raised his gaze.

‘For the time being, take good care of the twin princes, and especially keep an eye on Prince Arsen. There are too many things that bother me.’

‘I will keep that in mind.’

The prophecy was also like that.

The one born later will harm the one born first.

If the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line will be cut off.

‘I have some idea about the latter.’

In Ian’s view, Jin, who was currently the most likely candidate for the next emperor, was the one closest to the throne. Therefore, it was only natural that if Jin died, the imperial line would be cut off.

‘…Where is Prince Arsen?’

‘He went inside because he was uncomfortable with people coming and going.’

Ian stood up and took the lead. He thought that it was necessary to separate Jin and Arsen a little from now on.

‘Inside, where?’

* * *

‘Please tell me immediately if you feel any pain.’

‘…I’m fine.’

The doctor knelt down and examined Jin’s wound. After wiping away the stained blood, the depth of the wound became more apparent. Fortunately, it had missed his eyes and mouth, but it seemed that the scar could not be erased. The doctor sighed involuntarily and disinfected the open area.

‘…Where is my mother?’

‘Lady Delilah is resting. She just fainted from shock. I am more worried about Your Highness’s injury.’

Jin was silent and closed his eyes. Did these people know that he had been abandoned by his mother and brother? There were no secrets in the Imperial Palace, so if the situation calmed down, everyone would surely know.

‘Then how should I live?’

It was still vivid. The last warmth of his mother’s hand as she let go of his. The relationship was broken, so even if it was restored, it could not go back to what it was before. Like the scar on his face, the traces would remain in their relationship.

‘The wound is diagonal, so the bandage will be a bit uncomfortable. But please bear with it for now. If it gets worse, it will hurt more and you will suffer more.’

The doctor finished the treatment with a clean cloth and stood up. Then, those who could use healing magic approached and gave him a warm energy.

Zzzing. Zzzing.

‘This will ease the pain. Your Highness is still young and not in good condition, so we will monitor the situation and inject magic power.’

‘Magic is your domain, so do as you see fit.’

The mages smiled brightly at Jin’s kind words. Ah. Outside, the grown princes were causing a commotion, but this young prince was so composed without crying about his pain.

‘Please wait a moment. I will bring you some clothes.’

‘Where is Sir Ian?’

‘It seems that the Minister is currently busy with some work. Shall I call him?’

‘No, I was just curious.’

‘I’ll be right back.’

The mage realized that Jin’s clothes were a mess and lowered his head. Jin, who was sitting on the bed, closed his eyes and slowly tapped his feet.

‘When I meet Sir Ian, I will first thank him. For helping me to live like this. For embracing me without hesitation, I am truly grateful. And for saving my mother as well—’

Squeak.

He was a prince, but before that, he was a child. Since he opened his eyes, things he could not handle had been happening one after another. Jin did not notice the presence of someone approaching because his thoughts were all jumbled up.

Tap.

Footsteps approaching. Jin turned his head with his eyes closed. Had the mage returned?

‘Jin.’

Jin’s eyes snapped open at the familiar voice. Arsen, who had come close enough to be right in front of him, was looking at his face. Jin stopped breathing and stiffened.

‘Jin. How’s your wound? Are you okay?’

‘…Arsen.’

‘Marib is really too much, isn’t he?’

Arsen’s eyes turned red as he touched his younger brother’s wound. When Jin frowned because it was painful, Arsen was even more flustered, as if he was more surprised.

‘I’m sorry. Does it hurt a lot?’

‘…….’

Jin avoided his gaze and did not answer. It was always difficult to face him, but it was nothing compared to now. He didn’t know what kind of expression he should make when facing Arsen.

‘Jin. Are you very angry about what happened earlier?’

‘…….’

‘That’s why I told you beforehand that your role would be important. Do you know how complicated the situation in the Imperial Palace is right now? We just encountered the crisis too quickly.’

Arsen hugged Jin and whispered softly. Jin, who had been staring into the air, murmured.

‘You want me to die.’

Arsen’s hand, which had been patting his back, stopped.

‘Because of the prophecy, you want me to die before you do.’

Arsen’s lips curved as he looked at Jin calmly. And then, as if unable to hold back, he burst into loud laughter.

‘Jin! What are you talking about? Anyone would think I made the prophecy. I’m the one who lives in fear of death, aren’t I? Because of your existence, I’ve been living with that fate since the moment I was born.’

‘That’s a lie. You—’

‘My mother’s choice is her own. Don’t take it out on me.’

Jin’s eyes widened at Arsen’s words. Was he saying that it was his fault that his mother abandoned him? He was abandoned simply because of who he was, so he didn’t understand why he was raising his voice at him.

Jin felt tears welling up without him realizing it.

‘It’s only because Sir Ian appeared and those armored people showed up that my mother and I didn’t die because of you.’

Each of Arsen’s words made Jin’s blood vessels burn like poison. Jin did not realize that it was anger.

‘I hope you will be careful in the future. Okay? It can’t be helped if you hate me, but you can’t abandon our mother.’

Jin bit his lip. He wanted to retort, but Arsen’s dagger, which had been pressing down on him for his entire life, felt like it was blocking his throat.

At that moment, a shadow appeared in the doorway. Arsen, who was facing Jin, was just giggling and rubbing his cheek against his younger brother’s shoulder.

Swoosh.

It was Ian. Ian was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, looking at them. Jin’s heart pounded.

‘Jin, promise me. We’re family.’

‘…….’

Ian’s comfort, telling him to stop crying, erased Arsen’s whispers. The words that his own breath was more precious than their screams were so shocking that he could easily recall Ian’s voice again.

‘I, I—’

Ian touched his own lips with his hand.

Don’t cry, smile.

The tears of a precious person are so heavy that they will fill the heavens and the earth.

‘I—’

Ian nodded.

He would recognize his worth, so trust and follow yourself. If you follow yourself, only you will remain.

‘I don’t want to.’

‘…What?’

Arsen stopped rubbing his cheek and raised his head. Jin glared at Arsen with tears welling up in his eyes. They seemed like they would overflow, but they never fell.

‘I don’t want to die. Arsen, don’t make me take responsibility for your fate anymore.’