Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 192

Marib’s Interrogation

The massive gate that separated the inside and outside of the Imperial Palace.

‘Hey! Please say something!’

‘I have to pay taxes by today, what am I supposed to do if you don’t let me in? Will you take responsibility? I don’t know about later, but let me in first! And I heard some people went in already!’

‘Please! My father went in and hasn’t come out!’

‘Is it true that His Majesty has passed away?’

‘I heard that Prince Gail was attacked just before the closure? It’s probably related to that, hmm.’

‘Seeing that even the central nobles who went in aren’t coming out, this is not a good sign. This has never happened before.’

‘Don’t worry too much. Yesterday, some officials, Imperial Palace suppliers, and a few nobles went in. They haven’t come out, but at least something is progressing, isn’t it?’

The gatekeepers ignored the crowd gathered at their feet and stared straight ahead. What happened inside was absolutely confidential, and if they leaked anything, the magic light in the air would burst their heads.

‘Release the left latch.’

Then, an order from their superior was heard from behind. The left latch meant that someone was leaving the palace. The gatekeepers were startled but quickly released the latch and lowered the bolt.

Squeak.

Though it had only been closed for a few days, the gate made a loud metallic sound as if it had been locked for a long time. The surroundings became quiet at the sound of movement, and as the gap widened, people’s mouths also widened.

‘Wh, who is coming out!’

‘Someone’s coming out! Someone is coming out of the Imperial Palace!’

It was an unprecedented closure of the Imperial Palace. Who was the one breaking through it? At the moment when tension and anticipation surged, a horse poked its face out. On its back was a red-haired boy.

‘Huh? What’s going on? Why is everyone here?’

‘Does anyone know who that is?’

‘He looks young, is he, a, an inspector?’

‘Move, move, I’m busy! I don’t care if you get hit by the horse. Not my problem!’

‘Hey! What happened inside? Tell us!’

‘Is everyone safe? What’s going to happen to Bariel?’

‘Huh? I said move! Do you want to die?’

Hee-ing!

The horse was startled and raised its front legs, but the crowd did not back down. Unable to watch any longer, the gatekeepers blocked them with spears to clear a path, and Beric and the guide guard kicked the horse’s flanks hard to escape the chaos.

Clatter, clatter!

‘Why is everyone like that? And why is it like this here?’

The crowd followed Beric, shouting almost in despair.

In just three days, much had changed in the vicinity of the Imperial Palace. Many shops had closed due to the anxiety that the country might collapse, and the streets were full of trash and filth.

There were also occasional people who had collapsed, bleeding for no apparent reason. It was a result of the guard, who had lost their command structure, failing to do their job.

‘Beric, this way!’

‘Huh? Not this way?’

‘That’s the way back!’

Beric, who had been running ahead, pulled the reins in the opposite direction at the guide’s shout. Then, surprisingly, Romandro’s house came into view not far away! At this point, Beric had to slowly admit that there was something wrong with his sense of direction.

‘Vivianna! Mini!’

As soon as they sensed movement in the yard, the two ran out. It seemed they had been waiting for contact. Vivianna sobbed, holding her swollen belly.

‘Beric! What happened? Where is my husband?’

‘Don’t worry. He’s busy working with Ian. More importantly, Ian told me to give you this.’

Upon hearing that Romandro was safe, Vivianna unknowingly sank down. Leaving Mini to support her, she hurriedly opened the note. The woman’s eyes, scanning the letters, widened in bewilderment.

‘Is, is this the truth?’

‘I don’t know. I can’t read the letters.’

‘Mini, bring my ID and coat. I need to go to the press.’

‘Ah, yes, yes! Just a moment, just a moment!’

‘And!’

Vivianna cried out shrilly. Unlike her trembling voice, her eyes were full of determination.

‘…Protective gear too.’

‘Ah, I understand.’

It was an unexpected request, and Mini flinched but did not ask again. She instinctively knew that the situation was urgent.

Vivianna read the crumpled note again.

-Vivianna, don’t worry, Romandro is safe. In the Imperial Palace, Marib and Prince Gail clashed to seize power, but they were subdued without any problems under the leadership of the Magic Department. The gates will open at five o’clock this afternoon, and before that, please inform the press of the truth. There are those who are trying to fabricate the truth by taking advantage of the chaos, so it must be made clear.

Five o’clock in the afternoon. Before that, extra editions must be pouring out all over Bariel. Vivianna checked the time and recalled the location of the press in her mind. The route was complicated, and time was tight.

-Also, judging by the situation, it seems that there will be another clash with those who oppose the Magic Department, and Romandro is my close aide, and you are Romandro’s precious lover, so you are precious to me as well. Please keep in mind that there is danger and be careful. As soon as the situation calms down, I will assign guards to you. Below is a sentence that must be included in the report.

In the clash between Marib and Gail, Ian had stepped aside. But now that he too was about to clash head-on with the opposing forces, Vivianna clasped her hands together and prayed earnestly.

-‘Marib and Prince Gail caused chaos in the Imperial Palace, but they were safely secured under the mediation of the Magic Department. Until they are formally brought to trial, we will do our best to protect them from opposing forces.’

It was a sentence that announced that there were opposing forces targeting Marib and Prince Gail. It could be the remnants of each side that had not yet been dealt with, or it could mean a third party.

Whatever it was, it was a move to lay the groundwork for the future. The Magic Department was there to protect the Imperial Family, and no matter what problems they had, it was the work of the opposing forces.

‘Madam! Here, I’ve got everything!’

‘Let’s go, Beric!’

‘Can you ride a horse?’

‘Of course. Let’s hurry!’

Beric pulled Vivianna onto the horse, then grabbed the reins. And he kicked hard and shouted. Vivianna gasped and pointed behind her with her hand.

‘Giddy up! Let’s go!’

‘Beric, the other way!’

‘Other way, other way, let’s go the other way!’

Hee-ing!

The horse carrying Vivianna hurriedly left the residential area.

And.

‘……’

A knight watching the scene from afar.

The Hyman family crest was engraved on the patch on his chest. He was a subordinate of the Duke, waiting in front of the gate for his master who had entered the Imperial Palace.

Clatter, clatter!

His horse also quickly followed where Beric and Vivianna had disappeared.

* * *

The morning sun was gradually ripening into noon.

Jin barely opened his eyes and rubbed his forehead against the pillow. Siao Shi, sensing movement, came closer and straightened the blanket.

‘Did you cough?’

‘…Where is Ian?’

‘He is in his office.’

Jin nodded involuntarily. He had not yet emerged from the dreamlike night before. He had attended the Grand Council for the first time in his life and met officials who were worried about him. His will regarding parental rights as well……

‘Where is my mother?’

‘Yes?’

Surely she had been informed that parental rights were being restricted. He wondered if his mother was hurt. Or if she was angry and resentful of him, he felt his sleep fleeing as he worried about her reaction.

‘What happened to my mother?’

‘…I don’t know.’

‘Didn’t she come to see me or Ian?’

‘…I am sorry.’

Siao Shi lowered his gaze and murmured. They say the opposite of love is indifference. Was she just accepting it now, even if the bond between mother and child was severed?

Jin buried his face in the pillow again.

‘Your Highness.’

‘It’s okay. I’m not crying. I’m just trying to wake up.’

Wake up. Break free from the lingering dream and accept reality. Dreams do not move according to my will, but reality does not. According to my will, let’s move!

Thump!

Jin bravely threw off the blanket and got out of bed. Washing his face and getting dressed, it would be inconvenient with fewer attendants compared to the main palace, but he did it without complaint.

When he went outside, the busy wizards greeted Jin with smiles.

‘Your Highness, did you sleep well?’

‘Good morning. I heard you went to the Grand Council yesterday? You were amazing. Everyone is grateful that our agenda went smoothly thanks to you.’

Of course, it was just a polite greeting. But Jin gladly accepted it, and the wizards praised him even more, embracing the child.

‘It’s nothing. Everyone, have a good day.’

‘Thank you. Ah, Your Highness! Ian is not in his office right now.’

A wizard, realizing that Jin and Siao Shi were heading to Ian’s office, turned around and stopped them.

‘Then?’

‘Well, Prince Marib has regained consciousness. I believe he went out for interrogation. It’s not far, it’s the Star Tower. He’ll be back soon.’

The Star Tower. Jin looked at the small tower to the west that the wizard had pointed to. It was a ten-minute walk away. The child tugged at Siao Shi’s sleeve and nodded.

‘Let’s go to the Star Tower.’

‘Your Highness.’

‘I’m not going to see Ian, but to see Marib.’

He was curious. Although they had different mothers, Marib and he were siblings with the same blood of the Emperor. He had tried to kill him and inflicted an indelible wound, so he wanted to see his attitude about it directly. Also……

‘If not now, I’ll only see him at the trial.’

For the honor and dignity of the Imperial Family, he would stand in the courtroom in a clean and neat appearance.

‘I will only remember him as the perfect brother, and I don’t like that.’

The first prince who had taken responsibility for Bariel in place of his aging father. The eldest of the eldest brothers, whom no one could easily defy. Marib, whose brilliant blond hair and elegant gestures were considered the model of the Imperial Family. Such a brother had caused such a terrible incident, and Jin wanted to erase the perfect image of Marib from his memory.

Tap!

As Jin ran down the stairs without hesitation, Siao Shi followed behind him.

The gates would open soon. Therefore, everyone was moving busily to show their previous appearance as much as possible. Even if the young prince slipped into their midst, they were too busy to notice.

Squeak.

‘It is His Highness Jin.’

At Siao Shi’s announcement, the Star Tower guard bowed and turned his body. Some familiar wizards were visible. Jin felt a strange feeling and slowly approached where Ian and Marib were.

‘…Ah, the merchant guild?’

‘…Where did the amber ore come from……’

Marib and Ian’s voices were heard intermittently. It seemed that the interrogation was continuing about the mysterious ore that had threatened the wizards. As Jin approached, Marib’s voice suddenly became clear.

‘But it’s strange.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Ian, I don’t understand why you sided with Jin instead of Arsen. I can understand everything else, but that one thing I don’t understand.’

Jin involuntarily held his breath. The wizards were about to make a sound, but when the prince urgently grabbed their sleeves, they had no choice but to stop.

‘You don’t need to know.’

‘Not that you don’t need to know, but isn’t there a reason?’

‘…Next question. Is the money being circulated by the merchant guild you presented related to Prince Marib?’

‘If supporting Jin is just for show, then yes. There may be no reason. He is the one who manipulated me and Gail, so it’s no problem to coax a child like that. Do you think I don’t know your intentions?’

Thud.

‘Prince Marib.’

As Marib chuckled lowly, Ian slammed the file shut. The child’s hand, gripping the wizard’s sleeve, trembled slightly. His breath, waiting for Ian’s answer, grew a little faster.

‘I would appreciate it if you would just shut up.’