Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor [EN]: Chapter 289

Jin bit his teeth without realizing it.

No matter how elaborate a portrait is, it can’t fully capture the real thing. Besides, all Jin had seen and become familiar with was the portrait drawn by Romandro.

He had expected some difference, but the overwhelming aura of the real person was extraordinary. Perhaps Eriphony’s enormous height contributed to it even more.

‘…Please, sit down.’

Eriphony merely nodded and sat across from Jin. Her attendants busily arranged her long hair and the hem of her dress as she moved.

She looked down at Jin, her chin held up gracefully. It was a natural angle due to the physical difference. Jin was reflexively reminded that he was still too young.

‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Fifth Prince. I am Eriphony Lasriel, the twelfth King of Luswena. It is my priority to meet His Majesty the Emperor, but it is truly regrettable that the situation does not allow it.’

Her three-white eyes lightly scanned Jin from head to toe. It was such a fleeting moment that, if one were not perceptive, they would have mistaken it for simply lowering her gaze.

‘Fifth Prince, is it?’

Romandro, who had been quietly listening from behind, swallowed a dry cough.

All of Jin’s superiors were already dead. And weren’t they all gone in various inappropriate ways? Especially the First Prince, Marib, who was even stripped of his position.

Yet, despite that, why specifically refer to him as the ‘Fifth Prince’? Was Romandro the only one who found it odd? He turned his gaze to the side and met the eyes of several officials.

‘Why specifically?’

‘Indeed. Hmm.’

Whether it was fortunate or not, it seemed that Romandro wasn’t the only one thinking this. Everyone was focused on the back of Jin’s head. How would His Highness the Prince respond to the greeting?

‘His Majesty the Emperor will deeply appreciate your loyal heart, so do not worry too much. You know how much my father expects from Luswena, don’t you?’

No matter how high one was in their kingdom, the Emperor was the sky above the sky. Jin reminded Eriphony of her position while also informing her that he was the Emperor’s son.

Eriphony slowly twitched her eyebrows. As a dry smile was about to appear, she covered it with her fan.

‘The cute one is quite sharp.’

Despite being a shadow prince who was not even known to be in the Imperial Palace, his way of speaking was quite plausible. Eriphony composed her expression and added,

‘I am relieved to hear you say that. I have prepared some gifts to show Luswena’s sincerity…’

At Eriphony’s gesture, Eldert nodded.

He placed a luxurious jewelry box on the table. It was the first of the gifts brought in dozens of carriages.

Inside the jewelry box were neatly rolled papers, black gemstones, and spices.

‘First, there are forty famous horses that grew up in the fields of Luswena. Five of them are pregnant, and their lineage is recognized by the kingdom.’

‘I have heard of the fame of Luswena’s famous horses.’

They were horses that grew up running through vast and fertile lands. Jin was also aware of their excellence.

Eriphony slightly twisted the corners of her mouth and remained silent for a moment. This wasn’t exactly a tribute, but more like a gift for a child, wasn’t it? It was ridiculous and absurd.

‘Your Highness, do you know about black gemstones?’

‘…Of course. I saw the ones that the Eldert envoy brought last time. They are unique to Luswena.’

‘Yes. There are also five boxes of the highest grade black gemstones. Also, the one next to it is a newly cultivated spice from Luswena, which takes five seasons to harvest. It has a spicy and sour taste, making it a delicacy. We have prepared twenty boxes of the highest grade of this as well.’

Eriphony said that he could take a closer look and subtly pushed the box forward. The height difference was already enormous, and with her posture so upright, it was hard to tell who was giving and who was receiving the tribute.

She nodded and asked,

‘Are you pleased?’

‘…Of course. I can feel Luswena’s sincerity.’

‘I am truly relieved. These are things that His Majesty the Emperor would be satisfied with, so I was worried whether they would meet Your Highness’s expectations.’

It was the moment when Jin closed the lid of the box himself. Eriphony took a sip of the prepared tea and murmured,

‘As expected of His Majesty’s son, you have a great eye for things. I can see why His Majesty cherished and hid you like a jewel.’

Romandro involuntarily raised his head and looked at Eriphony.

On the surface, it was full of praise without any negative remarks, but if you peeled back just one layer, the meaning would change drastically.

Starting with the evaluation that His Majesty the Emperor’s judgment was excellent, to the remark that he was hidden like a jewel. It was all a jab at the fact that he was the Fifth Prince and had no presence. Therefore, there was no way to know your taste. Even if they wanted to match it, it wasn’t their fault since nothing was known.

‘King Eriphony.’

‘Ah, I almost forgot. Since I have a hobby of hunting, I am also interested in bows and arrows. So, I brought a good one as a gift for Your Highness…’

The Prime Minister tried to intervene to mediate, but Eriphony cut him off by staring at him intently.

Her three-white eyes moved sharply in an instant. Even if it was the Imperial Palace, she was the king of a nation. It was a warning not to dare to interrupt the conversation.

‘Eldert.’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

Eldert, following the renewed order, brought a huge box. In fact, this was something they had been debating whether to officially present to the prince. But since his king had ordered it, he brought it. He could clearly see how his king had evaluated Jin.

Squeak.

‘…What is this?’

‘It is my joy and Luswena’s pride. I hope Your Highness will like it.’

Jin’s brow furrowed slightly.

Wasn’t it a delicately carved, silver bow? There was nothing wrong with it in itself, but what caught his eye was the size of the object. Its length was comparable to Jin’s height.

Eriphony lightly plucked the bowstring with her long fingertips and explained,

‘It was made by Luswena’s royal artisan over half a year. The body is made of silver, and the bowstring is made of a grass called Garakpul, which can only be found in the southern forest. Every time you pull it, you can hear the sound of the wind crying, which is more wonderful than any instrument, adding to the joy of hunting.’

Whirr. Whing.

As the king said, the sound of the bowstring was truly strange and unique. She smiled and placed the box down.

‘I heard that Your Highness does not seem to enjoy hunting, so I did not present it as an official gift, but seeing you in person, I thought you had great spirit, so I thought it was a perfect fit. Please, do not be surprised and accept it.’

Jin’s face flushed red. It was a jab at the child’s scars. He was rumored to be weak, but when he saw him, he had scars on his face that looked like those of hunters.

Eldert coughed loudly and handed the box to her side. The level was gradually becoming excessive. As the king’s advisor, it was a signal to stop now.

‘Oh, right.’

She kept plucking the bowstring several times, then let out a small exclamation as if she had remembered something. And with a sheepish look, she added,

‘The Garakpul will stretch over time, so please let me know when that happens. I will have a new one made for you.’

She must know that Jin was not of the age to go hunting. And to give a bow that was not the right size to the recipient!

It was a blatant insult, an act of looking down on Jin for being young.

‘It will take a long time for you to grow up enough to go hunting, as long as it takes for the Garakpul to stretch.’

But there was no way to openly say anything, as the item itself was of the highest quality without any fault.

‘…Thank you.’

That was the only thing Jin could say. If he added any unnecessary words here, it would only emphasize his own shortcomings.

‘You’re welcome. I am also happy that Your Highness is pleased.’

Eriphony smiled brightly and bowed her head. Even if she bowed, it was only to the extent that her forehead was slightly tilted. Now, it was impossible to tell whether this was intentional insolence or a difference due to her size.

The Prime Minister awkwardly glanced at Jin, fiddling with his beard.

‘If His Highness does not say anything, I cannot easily step forward…’

Jin was only clenching his hands on his knees. All sorts of words were swirling on the tip of his tongue. He had noticed the provocation of the King of Luswena, but he was pondering how to respond.

It was unavoidable since he knew that each of his words would have a complex impact. Even if there was a difference between the Empire and the Kingdom, Luswena had the backing of the three-nation alliance, didn’t it?

This could be an intentional provocation. To provoke the young prince and elicit a reflexive reaction from their country.

‘What should I say? What should I say…’

What would bring the best outcome?

It had to be a choice that would benefit the Empire as well as the prestige of the Imperial Family. But in the meantime, Eriphony picked up her teacup again, and Jin’s opportunity to speak was awkwardly buried.

‘The tea is very delicious, Your Highness. It seems to melt away the fatigue of the journey in an instant.’

‘Ah. Yes. I’m glad to hear that.’

Romandro gestured to the officials. It was a signal to wrap things up soon.

His Highness Jin also looked uncomfortable, and Luswena’s attitude was extremely arrogant. They should have been talking about national issues first, but instead, they were insulting the prince with gifts. They also needed to have another meeting.

‘…Um, Your Highness.’

But Jin frowned and showed his refusal. If he backed down here, wouldn’t it truly mean that he had been defeated? It was an act that would degrade the dignity of Bariel.

Jin paused for a moment as if to say to stay still and sipped his tea. Eriphony was just staring at the child’s face.

‘Cute. So cute.’

What could he be thinking with that small head? Even if he was an Imperial Prince, what could a ten-year-old child possibly do?

It was the moment when Eriphony unknowingly smiled slightly.

The door of the reception room opened, and the atmosphere changed in an instant.

‘Ah.’

‘Excuse me.’

A low, refined voice. Eriphony reflexively turned her head. She saw people naturally stepping back to make way.

Golden hair and green eyes.

And a youthful appearance.

‘Oh ho.’

Eriphony unknowingly made an interesting sound. Wasn’t that the famous Ian Hielo, the Minister of Magic?

Ian was entering with magicians, as if he had come from work. Romandro rushed over and muttered as if using ventriloquism,

‘Was the work handled well? Mr. Ian?’

Why did he come so late!

Ian somehow felt like he could hear his inner thoughts. It was no wonder, as the atmosphere in the reception room was very strange. It hadn’t been long since he had left in a hurry.

Ian whispered to Romandro,

‘There was a problem with the magic tool, but it was nothing serious.’

And, making eye contact with Eriphony who was looking at him, he asked,

‘What were you talking about?’