Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 183

Dilaina, gasping for breath, looked around the conference hall. Her silver hair was disheveled, as if she had rushed over as soon as she regained her senses. Ian rose from his seat and pulled out a chair for her.

‘You seem to have come in a hurry.’

There was no need for that.

As if sensing Ian’s intention, Dilaina approached him and whispered quietly.

‘I heard about the Emperor’s condition from Captain Beols. But what on earth is your intention in separating me from my sons?’

Her labored breaths trembled slightly. It was a question mixed with doubt and fear.

Romandro whispered to the mage who had brought her from outside and nodded, then gestured to Ian, as if to say there had been no cause for concern.

‘Intention? That’s just speculation.’

Ian responded quietly, having received Romandro’s signal. Dilaina bit her lip at Ian’s audacity in meeting her gaze directly.

‘I tried to see Arsen and Jin, but your subordinates blocked me and wouldn’t let me through. In this situation, such treatment… how am I supposed to interpret that?’

‘It is to protect the twin princes. In this chaotic time, we judged that someone might harm them to save their own lives.’

It was a bright, radiant smile, but the meaning behind it was brutal and cruel. Wasn’t she the mother who had driven her son to his death to beg for her own life from Marib? Having seen that with his own eyes, he couldn’t entrust the princes’ safety to her.

Dilaina’s face turned pale, and she squeezed out her voice. Her eyes also became moist, as if she felt wronged and resentful.

‘I… I did it for Bariel.’

‘Ah, so Bariel told you to do that?’

‘Insolent!’

‘Or else, I’d like to ask why you stood by when Marib tried to lure your child with your life.’

Jin, who had been held in Ian’s arms. Marib, who had said he would kill Dilaina if the child didn’t return. Dilaina, who had screamed while looking at that child.

Ian frowned as if he found it appalling. He hadn’t seen what expression Jin had made in that moment of lost humanity.

‘You should know about the oracle that the imperial line would end if Arsen died? Arsen is still young. I need someone to help me from behind. Before being a mother, I am a member of the imperial family. Who would, who would criticize me?’

Dilaina muttered, as if filled with resentment, pressing each syllable. She believed without a doubt that it was an act of necessity. Ian looked at her and responded with a calm gaze.

‘…You may avoid criticism, but it won’t be easy to gain understanding. Prince Jin is also Dilaina’s son before being a member of the imperial family, isn’t he?’

It was then. Quintana approached Dilaina and grabbed her shoulder impolitely. Startled, she turned around, and Quintana let out a faint sigh. It was a breath that carried the scent of a cigarette.

‘Dilaina, I don’t know what’s going on, but calm down and sit down. We have a lot to discuss.’

At Quintana’s words, Dilaina regained her senses and took a step back. Then, she sat in the chair Ian had pulled out for her and tried to collect herself.

‘Are you alright? It’s a relief you don’t seem to be hurt.’

‘We were just talking about the succession.’

‘It seems we need to choose one of the two, Prince Arsen or Prince Jin. We’d like to hear your opinion, Dilaina.’

The officials looked at Dilaina and spoke one by one. She was silent for a moment, then opened her mouth.

‘By order of succession, it is right for Arsen, who was born first, to take the position of successor.’

‘Actually, I was thinking the same thing…’

‘He has a bright personality and is intelligent, isn’t he? And above all, there’s the oracle. It says, “If the one closest to the throne dies, the imperial line will end.” If Marib and Prince Gale are expelled from the imperial family, Prince Arsen is the closest to the throne, isn’t he?’

‘That’s right. It’s going according to the oracle.’

‘Didn’t they say that Prince Marib was also aware of that and ultimately couldn’t harm Prince Arsen?’

Since they were all high-ranking officials in a department like Ian, they knew about the hidden oracle. Amidst the opinions supporting Arsen, just as Ian was about to raise his hand.

‘I object.’

It was Quintana. She tapped the table with an unlit cigarette, as if she was holding back from smoking because of Dilaina.

‘Don’t you know how this situation came about? It’s a mess caused by those without merit who coveted power. The order of succession no longer has any meaning. And above all, that’s the order given by the physician. It’s too trivial a standard to entrust the future of Bariel to.’

‘Then, are you saying you support Prince Jin?’

‘No. I mean we should raise a prince who has the qualifications. It would be good to take some time to verify them.’

‘His Majesty is in critical condition. We don’t have much time.’

An official, unaware that the Emperor was frozen, pointed out worriedly, but Quintana didn’t waver.

‘It’s better to be a little late and certain than to rush and make a mistake. If something like this happens again in the Imperial Palace, then there will be attacks from foreign powers.’

When else would there be a better time to devour the great empire of Bariel? The Emperor had collapsed, the princes were imprisoned, the nobles were dying, and the army of the great empire was collapsing.

‘Anyway, it’s a great relief that Sir Ian closed the gates. I only found out after entering the palace.’

At Quintana’s words, Ian nodded. It was to protect the people, but in the end, it was to protect Bariel. He took over Quintana’s words and declared.

‘I also oppose Prince Arsen.’

Ian’s declaration was worth listening to. He was the center of the Imperial Palace’s recovery, had received the Emperor’s message, and, above all, was the one who would consolidate power by executing the princes.

‘Sir Ian, do you also mean to verify the qualifications of the two princes?’

‘No. I am saying that Prince Jin should ascend to the position of the next Emperor.’

It was as if lightning had struck the conference hall. Everyone was flustered and couldn’t hide their shock at Ian’s declaration of support.

Not Arsen, but Jin. The cursed child who was branded as the one who would kill his brother and cut off the imperial line!

‘B-but, Sir Ian? Arsen is the older of the twins.’

Someone blurted out an absurd remark. Instead of answering, Ian responded by frowning his beautiful brow.

‘I agree with the opinion that we should consider their qualifications, and that is why I support Prince Jin.’

Ian’s gaze was on Quintana. In this situation where everyone was calling for Arsen, they needed to unite with those who had the same conclusion, even if their goals were different.

‘But isn’t there an oracle?’

‘Oracles are not always correct.’

‘But we can’t ignore it either. The place that gave the oracle for the twin princes is none other than the Carbo Temple.’

The official subtly glanced at Dilaina and pressed her. The sacred family of the current twin princes’ maternal relatives and founding contributors. How could they deny the oracle that was directly given by such a place?

‘I will reconfirm that matter.’

‘Reconfirm? How?’

Ian was certain that Jin was the next Emperor. The portrait he had passed by every day in the imperial palace corridor was vivid in his mind. The adult Jin still carried his wounds and had grown up to be so dignified that he couldn’t be compared to his younger self.

History doesn’t change, but the oracles that circulate through human words can change.

‘Isn’t the meaning of “closest to the throne” unclear? Do you know what that means? The order that is determined by a one-minute difference? Or perhaps, physical distance?’

The officials did not answer. They acknowledged that there was enough room for interpretation. Above all, Ian’s attitude was very aggressive, so they couldn’t easily refute him.

‘Because you have spoken Prince Arsen’s name now, Prince Arsen has become closer to the throne.’

Everyone fell silent and took a breath. The next Emperor is the one who rises by stepping on the backs of his subjects. He was saying that the prince chosen by his subjects was the one closest to the throne.

Ian lightly put down the list of traitors, changing the atmosphere.

‘We will look into the oracle again as soon as the Imperial Palace is mostly restored. Let’s discuss the next successor at a later date. The Emperor has recovered his position, but he is not in immediate danger.’

Until death is needed, he will not die.

At Ian’s words, the officials stroked their beards and murmured in a disorganized manner. In the midst of the confusion, cracks were forming again. Dilaina, who supported Arsen, and Ian, who supported Jin.

‘First, let’s move on from the matter of the successor and discuss the urgent recovery. The head of the Imperial Defense Department died on Marib’s side. We need to quickly establish discipline, identify the remaining troops, and establish order.’

‘Ahem, yes, let’s do that. Yes.’

‘There’s an order to things. Hmm, hmm.’

‘What about Moreno, the deputy head?’

‘I heard he left the capital on a business trip. Although they are a minority compared to the whole, there are several disciplined soldiers, so let’s order them to return quickly.’

Depending on who becomes the successor, the power structure of the Imperial Palace would be reshaped. Even while in the meeting, the officials were busy calculating and grasping the situation. Dilaina was the same.

‘Sir Ian, why on earth is he…?’

She couldn’t understand why he was supporting Jin. No matter which of the twins became Emperor, Dilaina would be at the center of power.

But since he had seen her abandon Jin, wasn’t he pushing Jin to check her, using that as an excuse?

‘He’s trying to challenge the imperial authority by using the fact that Jin was abandoned. Now that Marib and Gale have fallen, a new person is trying to pounce.’

Dilaina unconsciously bit her lip and stared into the air. The thought of protecting Arsen filled her mind.

Ian continued the meeting, pretending not to notice, but he took in all of Dilaina’s actions.

‘…Then, let’s end the meeting for now.’

How many hours had passed? Dawn was breaking outside. The officials pressed their aching eyelids and rose from their seats.

‘If the administrative department sends the instructions, send the personnel right away. Make sure there are no disruptions in the deliveries.’

‘The judicial department will lead the trial preparations, and all departments will share information.’

‘Let’s each organize our buildings and meet again in the afternoon.’

‘Yes. Let’s do that. I will report the necessary materials.’

Tap tap!

The officials returned to their respective departments, promising to meet again in the afternoon. It was the moment when Ian also rose from his chair. He staggered and clutched his nose. His nose ached as if blood would flow at any moment.

‘Are you alright? You’ve been using magic continuously, and you haven’t slept. Get some rest until lunch. I’ll take care of the rest.’

Romandro supported Ian worriedly and led him out of the building. Dilaina blocked their way. Ian frowned as if he was tired, but she didn’t back down.

‘Return Arsen and Jin to me.’

‘Anyone would think I’ve done something terrible.’

‘I haven’t been able to see them even once since I regained my senses!’

Ian passed by Dilaina and got into the carriage. And before the door closed, he gave his permission.

‘Alright. But I won’t remove the subordinates by Prince Arsen’s side, and Prince Jin will be able to see you when he allows it.’

‘Are you saying that Jin is refusing me now?’

‘I didn’t say that.’

Ian trailed off and closed the carriage door. Then, he waved his hand as if he was tired.

Neigh!

Tap tap!

Romandro looked at Dilaina, who was getting further away through the rear window of the carriage, and muttered.

‘She keeps glaring at us.’

‘I must be annoying to her. It’s only natural.’

‘B-but, what can Dilaina do? Huh? Isn’t that right? Who is as important as Ian in the Imperial Palace right now?’

Romandro was unnecessarily scared, glancing back repeatedly and wiping away cold sweat. Ian didn’t answer, his hand over his eyes.

‘I don’t know.’

‘W-what do you mean, you don’t know?’

‘If I were Dilaina, there is one way to overcome the situation… but I don’t know if she will do it.’

Romandro blinked at Ian’s cryptic words. It was surprising that there was a way for Dilaina to overcome the situation, but it sounded as if he wanted her to do it.

‘Ian?’

‘Let’s go to where Prince Jin is.’

‘Tell me too.’

‘…I’m going to sleep.’

‘Ugh.’

At the word sleep, Romandro shut his mouth and scratched his head. Soon after, he heard the sound of soft breathing, and he leaned out the window and told the coachman.

‘Let’s go a little slower.’

‘Yes?’

Slowly, so that Ian could sleep a little longer.

The coachman slowly loosened the reins and slowed the carriage. Following the swaying movement of the carriage, Ian’s head also nodded lightly.