Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 190

‘Goodness, did I just hear that correctly?’

‘Lady Delaina handed His Highness Jin over to His Highness Marib? In exchange for her life?’

‘It’s shameful. This can’t be happening.’

‘What about the scar? Did His Highness Marib inflict it himself?’

‘This is insane. This is not something we can just ignore.’

The atmosphere, which had calmed down during the lengthy meeting, instantly flared up. No matter how low his rank or how young he was, Jin was a child who inherited the Emperor’s blood. Moreover, weren’t Marib and Gale the instigators of the incident? The twin princes were next in line to take responsibility for Bariel after them.

‘Calm down, everyone. Let’s hear Lady Delaina’s side and then make a judgment. It seems she was worried about the oracle.’

‘You all know that His Highness Arsen has an oracle related to the fate of the Imperial Family.’

Those who were sympathetic to Delaina subtly chimed in. One could not weigh a life, but one could weigh the importance of an oracle. If they had to save only one, they would naturally choose Arsen, some officials thought, defending Delaina in their minds. However, they couldn’t voice it because of Ian, who was standing firmly by Jin’s side.

‘Is that what you’re saying now? Then she should have offered herself instead of handing over His Highness Jin. Isn’t that the duty of a guardian?’

Quintana retorted harshly, as if telling them to stop talking nonsense. As the meeting room became increasingly noisy, Jin unconsciously clenched his knees tightly. He thought he could handle it, but perhaps he was arrogant. The murmurs flying around him, like hammers, struck his heart.

‘Lady Delaina abandoned His Highness Jin?’

‘And only took His Highness Arsen…’

‘Now I understand. Sir Ian is…’

The officials nodded, resolving their doubts. Why Delaina had supported Arsen as the successor without any hesitation, and why Ian had taken a confrontational stance. Since Delaina and Jin were divided, Ian had taken advantage of the gap.

Swoosh.

Jin unconsciously tugged at Ian’s sleeve. He had said he would help him at any time, so he was asking for his help now.

Ian looked at Jin’s trembling eyes and smiled sadly. Ian firmly grasped Jin’s hand. Not hurting, but completely steady.

‘I know. But endure it.’

The moment he whispered to Jin, Ian recalled Naum’s memory. The night he transitioned from a mage to an emperor. It was their last night as friends. Naum had whispered to Ian like this:

‘Child, the child who will become emperor. This is a rite of passage you must endure, so you have no choice but to persevere. But remember, it hurts now, but it won’t come again. Even if it does, you won’t lose.’

Naum’s comfort transcended time. Through Ian, it was conveyed to Jin, and someday Jin would say the same words to his child.

‘If you endure and overcome it, it won’t happen again. Even if it does, Your Highness will win.’

Clench, Jin’s grip on Ian tightened.

In fact, he knew. From the moment he decided to go a different path from his mother, he had no choice but to know. The more the officials clamored, the more difficult Delaina’s position would become, and that would be beneficial to him.

‘Silence!’

Bang, bang, bang!

The Prime Minister, unable to bear it any longer, struck the table with his gavel, silencing the commotion.

‘Sir Ian Hielro. The weight of your statement is considerable.’

He couldn’t bring himself to ask if he could take responsibility. Because Jin, the prince, had added that he was the evidence and witness.

He wondered if he had used mind control magic, but with the Imperial Family’s blessing, he didn’t need to worry about that.

‘It would be lighter than His Highness Jin’s pain.’

At Ian’s retort, the Prime Minister sighed. Yes. More than anyone else, the one who was having the hardest time right now was the person involved. The Prime Minister decided it would be best to wrap up the meeting quickly.

‘Your Highness, I ask you. Is it solely your will to be with Sir Ian Hielro? As the prince, you are the next owner of this place after His Majesty the Emperor, so if you wish, you can establish your residence in a place other than the Magic Department.’

‘No. It is my will.’

It was a firm conviction. The Prime Minister swallowed hard, and the officials gasped softly, watching the situation.

At this point, the outline of the turning tide was slowly beginning to appear. As they left the meeting room, they had to choose a path to secure their future. Between Delaina and Arsen, and Ian and Jin.

‘Prime Minister. On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, I request that you restrict some of Lady Delaina’s parental rights. This is for the safety of His Highness Jin.’

Ian requested this in front of everyone. The main points were some rights regarding protection and status, property management, and the power of proxy command. The Prime Minister, knowing that the Emperor was in a state of suspension, had no choice but to hesitate.

‘It’s harder to take away than to give.’

What if he restricted it and a problem arose? Could the Prime Minister really overcome the head of the Magic Department, who was the current power in the Imperial Palace, and regain authority?

If the Emperor himself stepped in, it would be fine. His orders were absolute in any situation. But the Prime Minister, as a proxy, was just that, a proxy.

‘Prime Minister?’

The more the Prime Minister pondered, the louder the commotion grew again. It was the sound of those who didn’t know about the Emperor’s suspension.

‘Why are you hesitating? She handed over the prince to a traitor. It’s right to temporarily restrict parental rights, and when His Majesty the Emperor wakes up, then formally bring it to trial to determine the truth.’

‘That’s right. Please restrict it for safety first.’

‘Until His Majesty determines the safety of His Highness, that seems right. And His Highness Jin seems to follow Sir Ian closely.’

‘Ahem! Anyone would think Lady Delaina was trying to kill His Highness Jin. It’s embarrassing and hard to listen to.’

‘If you think about it, it’s not that different, is it?’

‘What did you just say? How reckless!’

‘You should defend what needs defending! His Majesty would be shocked to hear this!’

Those who didn’t know about the suspension were unknowingly pressuring the Prime Minister. He had been said to be in good health, so he would wake up soon. Then what was the problem?

‘Quiet, quiet!’

Bang, bang! Crash!

The Prime Minister nervously struck the table with his gavel. Ian calmly watched their cries, and the Prime Minister stroked his graying beard, frowning.

‘Goodness, how did you create this situation?’

It was difficult. The justification for refusing was clear, and those watching wouldn’t understand.

But to accept it would mean that power had already shifted to the Magic Department, and he was worried because he couldn’t accurately know Ian’s intentions.

‘It doesn’t seem like something to decide like this.’

‘As soon as we leave the meeting room, someone will run to Lady Delaina. And they will tell her about the attempt to restrict parental rights.’

Ian muttered, scanning one by one those who had defended Delaina. The officials who met his green eyes unconsciously looked away and coughed.

‘I won’t be able to protect His Highness Jin either.’

The Prime Minister wanted to shut Ian’s mouth. Every word he said was plausible, so even though he had the power to decide, he felt like he didn’t.

Jin spoke to the Prime Minister again with sincerity.

‘Prime Minister. I swear to my father, His Majesty the Emperor, that everything is my own decision. If you respect me, if I am also a precious existence in the Imperial Palace, then follow Sir Ian and protect me.’

‘Your Highness.’

‘Please.’

The last word was a very small sound, only audible to the Prime Minister. The plea that barely escaped his lips reached the Prime Minister. He closed his eyes, holding the gavel. But the decision did not come easily. Quintana, unable to watch any longer, added her comment.

‘Prime Minister. You must remain neutral more than anyone else. It’s only been two days since the incident, and we shouldn’t add to the confusion.’

‘Quintana, that’s a contradictory statement!’

‘There is a reason to restrict parental rights now, but there is no reason not to! If there is, anyone, please speak up!’

If they refused when the justification was clear, it would be the same as the Prime Minister siding with Delaina. Those who supported Ian and those who felt sorry for the situation shouted in unison.

Tap! Tap!

Finally, the gavel rang.

Lightly but surely, and with a bit of resignation.

‘Following the will of Sir Ian Hielro and His Highness Jin, I will partially restrict Lady Delaina’s parental rights. But keep in mind that this can be reversed at any time, Sir Hielro.’

He had handed over the initiative once, so it wouldn’t be easy, but it was a warning that he would be checked if he did anything foolish.

Ian smiled lightly and placed his hand on his chest. It was a heartfelt expression of gratitude.

‘Of course. I will serve His Highness Jin with all my heart. I swear it in front of everyone.’

‘Sir Ian Hielro. I request that you attend official events periodically with His Highness Jin to confirm his safety.’

At someone’s suggestion, Ian turned towards them as if it were natural. It was what he had wanted anyway. He would take Jin to all places where he could exert influence, including the Grand Council.

‘I accept.’

‘Your Highness, if you have anything to say, please feel free to do so. I am Quintana from the Administrative Department.’

‘Thank you, Quintana.’

‘I am Griffith from the Administrative Department.’

‘Mattingly, Cyril Paulson, and Harvey Bodkin from the Judicial Department.’

They each called out their names to Jin. Some were genuinely worried about Jin, and some were openly showing their political support. To be precise, they were informing Ian behind Jin. In fact, at this point, there was virtually no distinction between Ian and Jin.

‘Ah, and the cleanup of the Imperial Palace is complete. The gates will be opened tomorrow. Access to severely damaged areas will be restricted, but the rest should be open to the public to show them that life goes on. That’s all.’

‘…Let’s get going.’

‘Thank you for your hard work. See you at the next meeting.’

‘Yes. Everyone has worked hard. The sun is already about to rise.’

With Ian’s last message, the meeting was completely over. The Prime Minister glared at Ian again, and Ian responded with a bright smile.

‘Sir Hielro, this is troublesome.’

The Emperor’s suspension was a top-secret matter known only to Beols, Delaina, the Prime Minister, and Ian. How could he use that to sway public opinion like this?

‘I apologize. But I had no choice.’

‘Take good care of His Highness Jin. I will be watching.’

The Prime Minister muttered, looking at Jin surrounded by officials. The scar looked particularly prominent. It was the reason he couldn’t make a decision until the end, the reason he had struck the gavel.

‘Please go in.’

Ian bowed and saw the Prime Minister off, then approached Jin. Quintana was holding Jin’s hands and saying something.

‘If Sir Ian says anything bad or upsets His Highness Jin even a little, come straight to the Administrative Department. My office is on the right side of the 5th floor hallway.’

‘Lady Quintana.’

‘…’

At Ian’s call, Quintana turned her head without replying. An awkward silence flowed, but her gaze did not waver. Quintana took a step back, giving a formal greeting.

‘Then, I’ll be going.’

‘Farewell, Quintana!’

‘Yes. Your Highness. Sir Ian, please rest as well.’

Squeak.

As the meeting room emptied, Romandro quickly ran over and draped a coat over Jin. Ian smiled, buttoning it up himself.

‘Congratulations, Your Highness. Your first will has reached everyone. And you did very well at the Grand Council.’

‘Thank you.’

Jin’s smile, which had been shy, grew deeper and deeper. So much that his teeth were visible.

‘It seems like everyone cares about me more than I thought. I didn’t expect this at all.’

The only people Jin had met in the Imperial Palace were members of the Imperial Family, tutors, and servants. The officials had always felt like people from another country.

Ian finished adjusting his clothes and replied.

‘Didn’t I tell you? You are a precious person, Your Highness.’

In the distance, Beric and Xiaoshi were standing next to the carriage. Jin waved his hand wildly, calling them. Jin’s steps, as he went down the stairs first, were particularly lively. Ian watched him and asked Romandro.

‘What about Delaina’s side?’

‘They are still in a meeting with the Hyman family.’

‘Do they have more to say than the officials’ meeting? Impressive.’

The news of the parental rights restriction would soon reach Delaina. Ian smiled brightly as he watched Jin, who had boarded the carriage, wave his hand.