Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 215

An awkward silence fell. If not for the chirping of birds from somewhere, one might have mistaken it for time having stopped.

Serio, flustered, looked at Jin and Romandro. Ian, the person in question, was still, yet why were the two reacting so vehemently? Romandro, snapping out of it, coughed and apologized politely.

“My apologies. I was just so surprised for a moment.”

“Me too, I was just so surprised.”

“It’s alright. It’s fine.”

Serio bowed his head at the prince’s apology. In sync, Ian gracefully set down his teacup. The clinking sound was particularly loud at that moment.

“…If you’re referring to your younger sister, is that the person I met at the New Year’s party? I believe her name was Alenara.”

“Oh, yes! You remember her.”

“Of course. Just like Lord Serio, she was the first lady I spoke to in the Imperial Palace.”

‘Ian remembers his younger sister!’

Serio couldn’t hide his excitement at the unexpected situation. Even though Alenara was a bit of a scatterbrain, it was a relief that her beauty was second to none. He patted his collar, trying to maintain his composure.

“Are you aware? Lord Ian’s name is being mentioned quite frequently among the nobles.”

“Because I’m standing in the middle of the Imperial Palace’s whirlwind.”

“No, it’s not that-”

Serio glanced at Ian. He had the same expression as before, so he had no idea what he was thinking. Instead of continuing, he took a large gulp of tea.

‘Except for being of common birth, he’s the perfect marriage prospect. Handsome looks, a mage, wealth, and so on. It’s a shame he’s only a Baron, but if he serves His Highness Jin closely, becoming a higher noble is only a matter of time.’

At that moment, Jin and Romandro’s eyes met. What should they do? At Jin’s silent question, Romandro flared his nostrils. It would be best to stop it. Jin frowned again. How? Romandro, in a brief moment, rolled his eyes and sent an unknown signal.

In the end, Jin mustered his courage and raised his hand.

“…Lord Serio, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please, ask away.”

Serio, hastily putting down his teacup, bowed his head respectfully. The prince, as if having made up his mind, hardened his expression and asserted.

“Could it be that you don’t know? Lord Ian hasn’t had his coming-of-age ceremony. Not yet, it shouldn’t be yet!”

“Yes…?”

“You’re, too young!”

“Ah…”

Serio blinked blankly. It didn’t seem like something a ten-year-old prince should say, but he couldn’t be disrespectful. Serio calmly cleared his throat.

“Yes, Your Highness. I understand. That’s why I proposed an engagement. It’s common among nobles for betrothals to be decided from birth.”

“Well, yes, but.”

“Rather than words, it’s the best way to show that Lord Ian is supporting the Serio family. Even if it’s for a limited time.”

The intention was to tie him to the Serio family’s name first. He didn’t know when, but by the time the contract was broken, the relationship between Ian and his younger sister would already be an established fact in society. And also, they would have become a prestigious family surpassing Haiman.

Where else could there be such a perfect plan? It was entirely Serio’s delusion, but it wasn’t entirely impossible.

“Limited time?”

“Yes. Until the influence of the Haiman family has faded as much as desired. Until then, it’s fine. Of course, if I were to propose with personal feelings, I would want you to truly become family.”

Jin glanced at Romandro as if asking for help. He just fiddled with his mustache, groaning. He wanted to politely refuse right away, but there was no justification. No justification.

Swoosh.

Ian smiled and lightly gestured. It was an order for Romandro to stop groaning.

“Lord Serio. It’s a truly honorable proposal for me. As an older brother, I understand that you can’t easily send away your younger sister whom you raised with love.”

‘Raised with love? That scatterbrain? That’s something out of a fairy tale.’ Serio paused for a moment, but quickly managed his expression.

“However, I’m worried that Lady Alenara might be heartbroken when the contract is broken.”

A family union based on a contract was like a business. Whether it succeeded or failed, there would be gossip in society, so Ian pretended to be worried, indirectly showing his difficulty.

“As a noble, it’s something we all have to endure. I also heard that Lord Ian’s parents are in the capital. If possible, I would like to arrange a meeting and offer a small welcome.”

“Yes. I understand. I will tell my parents. I will consider it deeply.”

It was a refusal. Although he said he would consider it, Serio intuitively understood Ian’s answer. However, since they were both about to start a major undertaking, it was more advantageous to leave some room than to confirm it out loud. He didn’t expect it to be successful in one go anyway.

Serio placed his hand on his chest, expressing his gratitude.

“With the trust Lord Ian has shown, I will rebuild the Serio family.”

Although the family’s fate was at stake, this was undoubtedly an opportunity for the Serio family. He answered naturally and without being pathetic that he would accept the proposal. It was a way to bridge the gap between a Baron and a Count, a power player and a follower, as gracefully as possible.

“I look forward to it.”

“There’s a rumor that the Grand Assembly will be held soon.”

“That’s right. Once the accusation is passed to Haiman, that’s the start. I’ll send a servant to Serio within the next day or two, so please prepare the requested documents.”

Ian briefly explained the upcoming situation and the corresponding countermeasures. As if taking down a divine revelation, Serio’s fountain pen moved swiftly across the paper.

Scribble, scribble.

Jin also focused and listened carefully to Ian’s words. Asking Romandro about anything he didn’t understand, he engraved Ian’s prepared countermeasures in his mind.

“If there seems to be a physical conflict with Haiman, retreat immediately.”

“Understood.”

“I think that’s enough for now.”

“Well, yes. Since we’ll have another chance to meet. Let’s stop here.”

The sunlight coming through the ceiling was growing increasingly intense. The sky was filled with a thick sunset. It was like looking at a red sea with not a single cloud. As Jin stared blankly up, Ian gently tugged at his collar.

“…Your Highness.”

“Ah, yes, yes. Okay, let’s go together in the future.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will do my best.”

When Jin offered a handshake, Serio took it with both hands and bowed deeply. Soon, he left the greenhouse, guided by the servants. As soon as he was out of sight, Romandro slumped onto the sofa, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Oh my, today feels like such a long day.”

“Lord Ian, are you really going to get engaged? If, if you are, I’ll meet her first! I’ll see if she’s worthy, and then it’s not too late to proceed!”

As Jin clenched his small fist firmly, Ian burst into laughter. Romandro, as if drained, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and muttered.

“Anyway, Serio, I didn’t see him that way, but he has ambition. A political marriage with Lord Ian.”

“I know, right? I was a bit surprised.”

He wouldn’t have dared to ask Jin. He was a member of the Imperial family, and close to being the next Emperor. It wasn’t a position that Serio, a mere Count, could aspire to.

But Ian? He was the Minister of Magic, but in the end, he was of common birth and a Baron. He was someone worth trying for, and since he was the current power player, he was more than suitable.

“I think he’ll do his job properly.”

Ian looked back at the two and lightly tilted his head. Honestly, he wasn’t keen on it, but if he added more conditions, it wouldn’t be a bad proposal for Ian. Serio would probably have tried to accept almost anything.

“By the way, Lord Romandro. Do you know Lady Alenara?”

“No? I’ve never seen her. Why?”

“I thought you were vehemently against it earlier. And so was His Highness Jin.”

Could there be rumors about her in society? If so, it would be good to know. At Ian’s question, Romandro snorted and shouted.

“I don’t know about rumors, but, ah, isn’t it a bit much? Someone like Ian, huh? You should put out a notice throughout Bariel and find the best woman who is both scholarly and martial, diligent, thrifty, huh? Wealth, beauty, family, everything! S-Serio is just not good enough for you!!”

As Romandro excitedly slammed the table lightly, Jin also nodded his head vigorously in agreement.

“That’s right. Someone like Lord Ian can even meet a king from another country.”

“That’s right, Your Highness? You’re right, Your Highness.”

“I don’t know how good Lady Alenara is, but accepting it right here and now is out of the question.”

“That’s right! Your Highness, I feel so refreshed! If she’s not as wonderful as our Vivianna, we can never, ever let you go. Never!”

Romandro and Jin were perfectly in sync, opposing Serio in turns. It was rare for a middle-aged man and a child to get along so well, and Ian gestured to Siao Shi, who was standing quietly behind him.

“You can sit too. All the guests are gone.”

“…Yes, Master.”

Even while the servants were bringing out refreshments, Romandro and Jin continued to shout their anti-Serio sentiments. Regardless, Ian tapped the table, deep in thought.

“Master?”

“Hm?”

As Siao Shi asked worriedly, Ian smiled faintly and raised his head. He was reminded of his past life as Emperor Ian. His betrothed, whom he had never met, had died of illness before she could even walk, and after entering the palace, he was exhausted from fending off the attacks of powerful officials who wanted to take the vacant Empress’s seat. He acknowledged that marriage was a political tool, but still…

“Siao Shi, do you have any thoughts on marriage?”

“…Even if I do, Master’s permission comes first.”

No matter how beautiful his clothes were and how he sat here, a slave was still a slave. A reality where he couldn’t even start a family without his master’s permission. At his answer, Ian seemed to realize something and looked at Romandro.

“Earlier, the officials speculated that Haiman might be transferring funds to foreign powers.”

“That’s right. What else is a good bloodline for? It’s all for preparing for times like these.”

They couldn’t directly intervene in Bariel’s political situation, but if Haiman made an active request, there might be an external reaction. To prepare for that time, it would be good to set up a shield.

Just as Ian was about to give an order, a servant entered the greenhouse and delivered a message.

Creak.

“Lord Ian. A messenger bird has arrived from the Carbo Temple.”

“From Carbo? Let’s see.”

The servant placed a small note on a golden tray and presented it. It was stamped with the temple’s seal. Romandro craned his neck curiously, and Jin also looked interested at the news from his mother’s family, which he hadn’t heard in a long time.

“What does it say?”

“The Carbo Temple says that the light of the oracle has just departed. As requested, the priests who received the oracle at the time are also coming along…”

“Are also coming?”

Ian neatly folded the paper and handed it to Jin.

“It seems that another oracle was given at Carbo a few days ago. They say they will deliver that message as well.”

An oracle had been given. Jin was a child who had never seen that glory before. His expression hardened reflexively. Could it be that another curse had been placed on him this time?

Jin carefully opened the note.